July '06 Insider Viewpoint Column

As our name states…Insider Viewpoint of Las Vegas, the facts and gossip from the streets of Las Vegas.

June 25, 2006 Street Facts

* When you thought you had heard it all. . . Strip mall takes on a whole new meaning when Las Vegas producer, David Saxe opens the first striptease dance studio in a shopping mall. June 29, 2006 marks the opening of Stripper 101 in the Desert Passage Mall at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. Stripper 101 gives everyday women the opportunity to get slim and sexy with a sweat-inducing low-impact aerobic workout. Stripper 101 offers the ultimate Las Vegas experience for locals and tourists. The class covers more than 25 sexy floor moves. Actual exotic dance moves used in Las Vegas gentlemen's clubs are taught, as well as choreography with boas, chairs and poles! Of course, no nudity actually occurs but students are encouraged to lose their inhibitions while having fun. Classes are held Thursday - Saturday at 5p-6p at the Stripper 101 studio.

* Beginning June 27 and running through July 15, 2006, comedian George Wallace will be joined on stage at the Flamingo Casino by musical sensation Mosaic, Tuesday through Saturday at 10p.

* The Cannery Casino announces the World Classic Rockers on Saturday, July 29 at 8p at The Club. The band features former members of The Eagles, Santana, Journey, Steppenwolf, Toto and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tickets are $24.95 and $14.95 plus tax and fees. Tickets are available now at the Cannery Casino ticket sales counter.

* On Saturday, July 1, the Palms POOL opening party will feature a runway-inspired swimsuit fashion show, followed by a poolside concert that night featuring Camp Freddy with Scott Weiland, Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Chris Chaney, Donovan Leitch and Dave Navarro, along with The Panic Channel, a massive fireworks display, and then followed by a special Blue Man Group performance at RAIN. Friday and Saturday night, the Palms Lounge will be converted to a rock and roll haven with performances by Morningwood, Mickey Avalon, Whitestarr, Living Things and more. A-list Hollywood invitees and confirmed celebrities include Kate Bosworth, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, Rosario Dawson, Shaquille O'Neal, George Maloof, Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Nicole Richie, Trace Ayala, Joanna Garcia, Scott Weiland, Molly Sims, Josh Duhamel, Vanessa Marcil, Bill Morrison, James Caan, Kevin Federline, Dane Cook, Bijou Phillips, Mark Wahlberg, Lindsay Lohan, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Nick Lachey, Mena Suvari, Hilary and Haylie Duff, Joel and Benji Madden, Tara Reid, Kristin Cavallari, Chris Chaney, Tara Lipinski, Donovan Leitch and the cast from HBO's Entourage, and many more.

* Nevada's Only Camp for Children with Heart Conditions, Camp Mend-a-Heart is a cost-free, medically supervised camp where children throughout Nevada who are born with or develop heart problems are invited to participate in fun camp activities with other children who share similar conditions. Crafts, water fun, hiking, obstacle courses and some 'hanging out' time are some of the activities that will be offered for the kids as well as a full medical staff to oversee the activities. Children's Heart Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement and quality of life for Nevada children with heart problems, is hosting the 2nd Annual Camp Mend-a-Heart. The event is held Sunday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at Rapport Executive Ranch at Alamo, NV. Bus leaves from Children's Heart Center at 3006 S. Maryland Parkway.

* Hooters Casino Hotel will host its first-ever wedding at the 'Joy of Keno and Wedding Chapel Wall,' located just outside of Pete & Shorty's Book & Bar. The happy couple, Audrey and Paul Ribarich, is renewing their vows in celebration of their 35 years of marriage. Audrey and Paul have been avid Hooters Restaurant fans for several years and rode their Harleys from Arizona to Vegas for their wedding at Hooters Casino. The couple was joined by 10 of their friends and four Hooters Girls, as Pastor Punchy Pete, a Harley-riding officiant, presides over the ceremony.

* The retro-cool musical production Shag With A Twist brings its groovy vibe, swinging music and sophisticated moves to Las Vegas beginning July 13 at the Krave Theatre at the Aladdin. Set at a 1960s Tupperware party, Shag With A Twist was created by famed visual artist Josh Shag Agle and choreographer Cynthia Bradley. The show serves up an evocative cocktail of music, color and choreography that brings to life the campy, hip artwork of Shag, while capturing the carefree spirit of a retro era where big hair, Tupperware parties and pupu platters were at the height of fashion. As if immersed in a cartoon come to life, audiences can expect a zany plot, outlandish characters and vividly-colored costumes and sets, all set to catchy swing music and dance. The retro-theming extends off the stage with showroom décor, frilly birdbath drinks, pupu platter appetizers, kitschy ushers and that will have audience members energized and on their feet. Tickets for Shag With A Twist are priced at $45, VIP seating $55, plus handling fee. Performances of Shag With A Twist run Sunday to Thursday with the party starting nightly at midnight.

* The Shops in Desert Passage adds a new Greek restaurant Tavern Opa to their roster in fall 2006. Taverna Opa is an authentic Greek cuisine including staff and diners singing and dancing on the tables! Taverna Opa is scheduled to open inside Desert Passage in October 2006 and will be the first of its kind in Las Vegas. Several other franchises are located in Florida, as well as a brand new location in Chicago. Desert Passage, owned by Boulevard Invest is a 475,000-square-foot retail/entertainment complex.

* Dealertainers, blackjack dealers who sing as celebrity impersonators, celebrated their third birthday on June 21 at the Imperial Palace Casino.

* An MQ-1 unmanned Predator spy plane was being operated remotely on June 22 at 1:15p when it crashed at Nellis Air Force Range. This routine training mission may cost the tax payers $3.5 million, the cost of a new MQ-1 Predator. An in depth investigation will review fault and total damage amounts. No one was injured and no other property was harmed. The last Predator spy plane crash in Nevada occurred on September 22, 2004.

* Great news . . . this past Wednesday the people at Guinness World Records officially proclaimed the largest simultaneous toast in one venue was awarded to the city of Las Vegas for the December 31, 2005 New Years Eve celebration at Fremont Street Experience. Wow, who would have ever guessed that Las Vegas would be recognized for a drinking record! It took 200 cases of alcohol to fill the 13,500 toasters' glasses. The previous record was held by the Japanese with a record of 10,079 toasters.

* The sexy dancers of La Femme at MGM Grand will be making a rare appearance at Light Nightclub at Bellagio Casino on Thursday, June 29 when they host the night's festivities.

* In case you ever wanted to stay at the Stardust Casino before it is imploded to make room for the new $4 billion Echelon Place, you have better made your visit prior to November 1, 2006. Rumor has it that the date may be moved to October 1, 2006 because as it gets closer to the close most of the staff will either move to another casino or retire. Therefore, if staff becomes shorthanded, the Stardust might stop taking reservations after October 1.

July 5, 2006 Street Facts

* The Auto Collections at the Imperial Palace Casino is on the verge of making history as it prepares to ship antique cars on loan to the first-ever automobile museum in China, becoming the only nonnative participant in this joint venture with the Chinese government. Starting July 5, six vehicles, the first of 38 making the trip from Las Vegas, will be loaded on an auto transporter and driven to Long Beach, Calif., where they and 37 additional cars from the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, Calif., will be loaded onto a cargo ship for the 24-day voyage to Shanghai. The 75 vehicles, representing 23 different makes, will range from a 1886 Benz to a 1972 Alfa Romeo, with values between $20,000 and $1 million. They will be displayed in the Blackhawk Pavilion of the Shanghai Automobile Museum, scheduled to open mid-September. The Chinese government built the more than 100,000-square-foot facility and will run and maintain the museum. The antique vehicles will be on display for two years after which they plan to start a rotation program between their U.S. locations and Shanghai.

* The Price is Right Live Stage Show has launched a four-week promotion featuring the Plinko board on Las Vegas Blvd. Starting Friday, the Plinko board will be displayed in front of Bally's Las Vegas on the southeast corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo with two models from the show. Fans and passers by are invited to "Come on down!" and join the fun, where they will get a chance to see the show's game prop in person, play the game and receive show discounts or win free tickets.

* So you want to be an actor? Kim Flowers' John Robert Powers talent school in Las Vegas will host auditions Saturday, July 8, they will be searching for talent for upcoming television projects. Those interested in auditioning should call 702-878-7300.

* Starting July 7, 2006 the Palms Casino will begin Ditch Fridays. This event will be held each Friday and is designed to be the perfect excuse to skip out on work and into the pool. Must be 21.

* Thirteen years into her career Mary J. Blige continues to be the Queen of Hip Hop. On the heels of the success of her new album, The Breakthrough, Mary J. Blige brings her "Mary J. Blige: The Breakthrough Experience" summer tour to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, September 2 at 8p. Special guests Jaheim and Letoya will open the evening's performance. Tickets are priced at $95.50, $79.50 and $59.50, plus tax.

* The Rampart Casino presents The Lettermen on Friday, July 14 in the Grand Ballroom at 8p. Tickets are $22 including tax and fees on sale now at the Rampart Casino Cage.

* The ladies of the Elle Poker Team: The Queens of Heart will bet all odds to raise funds and awareness of the No.1 killer of women during the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) taking place July 9-10 at Harrah's Rio Casino. The Queens of Heart team is sponsored by Party Poker and their team consists of captain Jennifer Tilly, along with co-team captain Lisa Tenner, Shannon Elizabeth, Anne Spinetti, Kristy Gazes, Alison Worth, Susan Genard, Lori Sale, Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, Hillary Kerr, Karina Jett, Maureen Feduniak, Linda Johnson, Jan Fishe, Jennifer Leigh, Wendeen Eolis, Katie Porrello, Leslie Eichner and Irina Cornides.

* Liana Hovhannisyan of Eagle Rock, California was never much of an Elvis fan—but she is now. July 3, 2006, she won $199,195.99 on an Elvis MegaJackpots Instant Winners quarter slot machine at the Imperial Palace Casino.

* Insider Viewpoint of Las Vegas is expanding once again and this time it is into the world of full color printing. What does this have to do with you? Starting in July 2006, we will offer wholesale full color printing of business cards, flyers, letterhead, envelopes, posters, postcards, business starter kits and many other print items. For years, ever since the beginning of IVLV, before the Internet when we actually printed a monthly magazine, we have been in contact with the largest printers around the world. Over the years many friends and IVLV readers we have helped obtain the best prices on color printed materials. Starting in July 2006 we will take those contacts and a print broker and offer you wholesale printing costs for small print jobs as well as larger print jobs. We will offer full color, high gloss, UV coated one or two sides, pre folding is available on the highest quality 14pt, 16pt, 100lb gloss stock. Please note, for those of you that are tired of paying retail for printing, starting in July 2006 IVLV will provide a source for wholesale printing and quick delivery. IVLV will provide a complete online shopping program that allows the most novice or the most sophisticated buyers the easiest way to obtain printed material at wholesale prices. We will advise you when the online wholesale print company is posted at the IVLV web site in a few days.