MID-February '06 Insider Viewpoint Column

February 15, 2006

* Eddie Money brings his distinct brand of rock and roll to the stage at the Silverton Casino on March 11 at 8p. Tickets are $30. The concert will be held at the Silverton's entertainment pavilion.

* Nevada commission on economic development welcomes world's largest solar photovoltaic project by granting $13 million in business incentives over the next 10 years. SunEdison of Maryland will build a 18-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant in southern Nevada. The project will bring $105,000,000 in capital investment to southern Nevada. The 18 MW project almost doubles what is currently the world's largest PV project (10MW) located in Germany. Construction on the Clark County plant is expected to begin in July 2006.

* Avenue Q, the puppet musical at the Wynn Casino is calling it quits on May 28, 2006. The show really never developed a Las Vegas crowd and now the theater can be redesigned for the upcoming Monty Python's Spamalot show that will open in the first quarter of 2007. Heavy lobby construction including a drawbridge will be needed for the upcoming show.

* Hootie & the Blowfish and the Silverton Casino announced this week a two-year exclusive partnership deal through New Years 2007. The band will perform a minimum of three times yearly plus the Silverton is producing a $2 commemorative poker chip and custom gaming table felts. Performances for 2006 are April 22, August 26 and December 31.

* Two upcoming concerts at the Cannery Casino are Survivor and Foghat on April 8 at 8p, and Lesley Gore on April 14 at 8p. Tickets are $14.95 for either show.

* The Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show announced today their featured guest speaker will be the legendary Hall of Fame Quarterback, Terry Bradshaw. The luncheon is held on April 12, from 12:30p to 2p and the cost is $60.

* Earl Turner, one of Las Vegas' favorite performers, will be performing again in the Vegas on March 2 at Sound Trax inside Palace Station Casino. Turner has performed in Vegas for more than 15 years. Turner will perform Thursday through Sunday with an 8p show each night and an additional show at 10p on Saturday. Tickets are $34.95.

* Leading Latin Pop Star Luis Miguel will perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, April 15 at 9p, tickets are priced at $150, $135, $85, $65 and $55. The critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

* The Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin presents seven-time Grammy winners, The 5th Dimension, on March 3 at 8p in the Grand Ballroom. The group has earned 14 Gold and five Platinum records since 1967. Tickets are $25.

February 5, 2006

* Jackie Mason will be performing in the main showroom of the Stardust Resort and Casino on Tuesday, February 7, at 8p for his opening night performance.

* Rumor has it that Rolling Stone Magazine is going to team up with a Las Vegas hotel / casino development. Jann Wenner, founder of the magazine was in Vegas last week and details of the proposed $500 million project is expected soon. The location of this new casino is expected to be on the Harmon corridor.

* Only in Las Vegas. On 2.13.06 will be the Third Annual Nympho Valentine's Lingerie Pajama Mansion Party. This event will be held at the famous Red Rock Mansion and starts at 10p.

* Madame Tussauds Las Vegas will unveil their newest wax statue of the late rap music star Tupac Shakur on April 5 when it opens its new 'On Stage' attraction. The now iconic image of Tupac will join with Prince, Bono, Mick Jagger, Elton John, James Brown, Little Richard, Billy Idol, Elvis and a number of other super stars to celebrate the diversity of music.

* Las Vegas experienced another successful Super Bowl weekend and the gaming totals should prove to be another record event. The Super Bowl weekend is the largest betting handle weekend during the year for Las Vegas.

* The reach of the NFL is amazing. The NFL's latest contract with NBC for upcoming season of Sunday Night Football explicitly states NBC cannot even mention the words Las Vegas. Therefore, the series Las Vegas starring James Caan will be moving nights from Monday to Fridays because NBC cannot mention next night shows because of the name conflict.

* Speaking of NBC, this past Friday they announced an agreement with Simon Cowell, 'American Idol' judge, for a new show to locate the next Las Vegas headline.

* By the end of 2007 the federal environmental review will study the seven state proposal for the Colorado River water distribution. This study could result in drastically changing the way southern Nevada is provided water from the Colorado River.

* February 8 will be a make it or break day when the Clark County commissioners determine if the 2,500 acre master plan of the Glendale Holding Company is feasible and worthy of their approval. The project has only one major flaw to overcome, it is partially located in the 100-year flood zone. The proposed community is only 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

* Las Vegas has lost one of the all time great lounge performers this past Friday, Sonny King died at the age of 83. King performed with the greats like Jimmy Durante and even Frank Sinatra called him the Lounge Giant. King performed until this summer at the Bootlegger. He will be missed.