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| Sunday, January 9, 2005 | PRIOR ISSUE - ARCHIVES |
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| Regis Philbin Headlines, Harry Connick Jr. Performs, Jay Leno Center Stage, Eddie Money Rocks, Riviera Turning 50, "Forever Plaid" Finds Home, Monorail Back On Track, SpellBinder Renamed, Bob Mackie Dresses La Cage, More... | |
Popular television mainstay and cultural icon Philbin, who co-hosts the daily chat fest, "Live with Regis and Kelly" with actress Kelly Ripa, is a multiple Emmy award winner, bestselling author, and a Guinness World Record holder for logging the most hours on American television. The talented performer also is proving his reign on the musical world as a best-selling vocalist.
Last year, Philbin released "When You're Smiling," his first recorded collection of songs in 36 years. His first record, "It's Time for Regis," was released in 1968.
Philbin's two-night engagement is one of several notable performances at the Golden Nugget set for 2005. In February, Tony Bennett will return to the hotel for three performances, and comedic legend, Bob Newhart, will bring his dry wit and unique comedy to the stage in April.
Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band will be headlining on Feb. 19 and 20 at Green Valley Ranch in the Grand Events Center. Prior to appearing in Las Vegas, Connick and seven members of his Big Band are touring Australia where they will be backed by Australian Symphony Orchestras.
Connick's "Only You" album was recently nominated for a Grammy in the Category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The 47th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on Feb. 13, in Los Angeles.
In addition, Connick's "Harry for the Holidays" album has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Late night television host Jay Leno, who inherited Johnny Carson's "Tonight" show seat in 1992 after serving as Carson's permanent guest host, is headlining the Danny Gans Theater at The Mirage this weekend, Jan. 14-15, and Jan. 21-22. Leno has always enjoyed doing stand up comedy in Las Vegas showrooms. He began his career in nightclubs, where he worked 300 nights a year before hitting it big with his own late night talk show.
Eddie Money will bring his brand of rock and roll to The Hideaway Showroom at the Silverton with two shows on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 and 9 p.m.
Tickets are $20, call 702-914-8557 or 1-866-946-4373. The Silverton is conveniently located three miles south of the Strip, off This rock and roll icon has been making music and touring for almost 30 years. He performs 150 or so shows every year. Money has recorded over a dozen albums of his own and done numerous projects in television and film. Spring 2001's David Spade film "Joe Dirt" features Money as Joe Dirt's rock and roll idol. Last season, he turned up as Mimi's ex-husband in an episode of "The Drew Carey Show." He recently released "Shakin' with the Money Man," a two-disc set featuring a CD and DVD of his greatest hits.
The Riviera, which was the first high-rise casino on the Las Vegas Strip with a nine-story tower, will celebrate its 50th Golden Anniversary on April 20.
Casino promotions and special events will lead up to the date, including a week-long party in April that will feature fireworks and 1950's pricing. A Michael Bolton concert has also been added to the festivities.
The hotel, which has played host to more top-name entertainers than any other resort in the history of Las Vegas, has plans to name 50 of its finest suites after those who have played at the resort. There is currently a Frank Sinatra Suite in the Riviera, named in honor of Ol' Blue Eyes, and it is rarely vacant.
Liberace was the opening act at the Riviera. A look-a-like will lend support as management duplicates its opening ribbon-cutting ceremony, aided by original showgirls who performed at the Riviera in the 50's. The showgirls (Ruth, Lisa and Kim) are currently doing radio and press interviews and are attending the Riviera's special events, assisting as judges and posing for pictures.
The Tropicana is bringing back Tropi-Karaoke to its Tropics Lounge, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. through Jan. 29.
There's no charge to participate. Props and accessories are available to complete the transformation of the participants into "rock stars."
Seventy photos from the vast Las Vegas News Bureau archive are on display at the Summerlin Library at 1771 Inner Circle Drive through Feb. 6. Photo subjects include old-timers like Sinatra and contemporary celebrities. For those who like historical photos about Las Vegas, 365 News Bureau pics are featured in an Image-A-Day calendar.
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The delightful musical "Forever Plaid," which was a big hit at the Flamingo Hilton for years in the room that Second City took over, will be back in town after a three-year absence when it opens at the Gold Coast on Jan. 15. Tickets will be $29.95 plus tax and $34.95 for dinner and the show, call 702-251-3574. The Orleans is known for booking top headliners who are past their heyday. The lineup in February is very varied and top notch: Caught Kevin Spacey's show at the Stardust right after Christmas. A second night was added to accommodate two sold out shows. Robert Goulet and Steve Wynn were among some of the important people in the audience. Spacey overwhelmed the audience that gave him multiple standing ovations and could easily repeat his 30-city tour and sell out again. Wish he would, I'd see his show again. After a 107-day shutdown, the Las Vegas Strip Monorail is back in action. It reopened on Christmas Eve and this week shuttled conventioneers for the Consumer Electronics Show. The ticket structure is the same as before the closure: $3 per ride, with one-day passes available for $10. Comedy magician Mac King, who headlines his own afternoon show at Harrah's, has a syndicated comic strip "Mac King's Magic In A Minute" that is popping up in the funny papers across the nation. Most recently, his comic strip, which features King and his sidekick Lewis, a comical monkey, demonstrating one of King's magic tricks. has been selected for the Sunday edition of "The Oregonian" in Portland, Ore., which is a top 25 daily publication. This is the fifth newspaper across the country to host the comic. The others include: "Athens Banner-Herald" in Athens, Ga.; "Reading Eagle" newspaper in Reading, Pa.; the "Las Vegas Review-Journal;" and "MAGIC: The Magazine for Magicians." An interview with "The Fashionistas" dancer Jennifer Rohlman plus the photo shoot will be featured on "E!" on "50 Only in Vegas Moments." It will air on Wednesday, Jan. 19 and then again on Saturday, Jan. 22. One of the newest productions in town, "Forbidden Vegas," at the Westin will hold a benefit performance for the QVegas Foundation and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community on Friday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.95, and $10.00 of each ticket will be donated to the QVegas Foundation. "Forbidden Vegas" is a production featuring more than 30 parodies of well-known Las Vegas celebrities, attractions, and productions including the likes of Celine Dion, "Mamma Mia!," Wayne Newton, the Cirque du Soleil shows, and many more. Up until the show's world premier on Jan. 17, preview tickets are in effect at $39.95 plus applicable taxes and fees and then they will go up to $49.95, call 866-212-7026. The previously announced SpellBinder show opening at the Arena on Jan. 28 has had a title change to "As Worlds Collide" starring SpellBinder Live in Concert -- A Rock 'n' Roll Illusion Experience. Scenic Airlines has inaugurated direct flights from Palmdale to Las Vegas. To celebrate the new airline service, the Imperial Palace, which is home to the "Legends In Concert" celebrity-tribute show, sent a Wayne Newton look-alike to assist with the festivities. Frank Marino, who impersonates Joan Rivers in "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera, owes a lot to famous gown designer Bob Mackie. Marino explains, "He is one of `La Cage's' biggest fans and loves the show when he comes to Las Vegas. I was in Rhode Island for a week and we went over sketches and I ordered gowns. I have gowns from everyone from Armani to Bob in my wardrobe. I spent another $100,000 to add to my $1 million wardrobe. He designed 20 new gowns for me throughout the past few years." The extensive wardrobe is most essential in Marino's act. He changes about 20 times during the 90-minute production. His closet consists of more than 2,000 costumes, which start at $5,000 apiece. An average Bob Mackie custom-made original gown is from $5,000 to $10,000. The audience usually gasps when they see Marino's costumes. The gown he's wearing on the cover of his book, "His Majesty, The Queen," is by Mackie, who has also designed for such stars as Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Madonna and Brooke Shields. In addition, he has a Barbie Doll collection and a furniture line which Marino does the commercials for in Las Vegas, called LG Gallery (Liberty Glen Gallery)." "An Evening at La Cage" plays nightly except Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 and $65 plus taxes, call 794-9433 or 800-634-3420.
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