Greg Thompson's "Rhinestone Cowgirls" and "Showgirls," are two provocative productions opening at Harrah's Fiesta Showroom. "Rhinestone Cowgirls" starts tomorrow Jan. 17, and "Showgirls" debuts on Thursday, Jan. 20.

Show producer Thompson and partner / choreographer, Mistinguett, have created a country music spectacular in "Rhinestone Cowgirls" and a sexy a topless revue with "Showgirls." Both shows feature the talents of Nashville, Tenn. singers, Jeff Allen and Susan Lynette, along with five dancers.

"Rhinestone Cowgirls" unfolds in a western saloon setting with a functioning mechanical bull. The musical score features boot-kickin', hand-clappin' and foot-stompin' numbers.

The late-night adult revue, "Showgirls," turns up the heat with a lineup of gorgeous dancers and highlights the evolution of the American showgirl. This show originally debuted at Harrah's in May 2004 after a long run at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Allen, a Nashville Music City veteran, received his first guitar from his minister grandfather. At the age of 11, he opened for Jerry Lee Lewis and went on to tour with Tanya Tucker and to perform duets with Shania Twain on NBC's "Tonight Show." He has also recorded songs for Colin Raye, Vince Gill, Clint Black and Travis Tritt. Allen's "You Can't Take It With You" was a number one hit on the country music charts.

While Lynette was performing as a featured singer at the Busch Gardens entertainment park, a talent scout for International Cruise Ship Entertainment discovered her. After performing on cruise ships worldwide, Lynette found herself in Los Angeles, Calif. She starred in a musical at the famed Stella Adler Theater that led her to several film and television roles. Lynette has opened for such recording artists as Kenny Rogers, Della Reese, Lucy Arnaz and B.J. Thomas as well as the Fifth Dimension and the Beach Boys and is currently working on her solo release.

Adding a touch of humor to both shows is comedian David Hirschi, also known as "Slim Chance." Hirschi has produced and directed Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff's show in Branson, Mo., and performed in the show as Smirnoff's juggling comic sidekick. While in Branson, he was twice awarded the honor of "Comedian of the Year." Hirschi has appeared in Las Vegas, at Disney theme parks and Busch Gardens, and in 2003, he was the creative producer of the Broadway show, "As Long As We Both Shall Laugh," and writer and director of "The Pam Tillis Show."

"Rhinestone Cowgirls" and "Showgirls" are both scheduled to perform through Dec. 31, 2005. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax, call 702-298-8510. Total Reward members receive a discount when presenting their players club card.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

The 2nd Annual Dessert Fest will be held Monday Feb. 7, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Don's Celebrity Theatre at the Riverside. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the Riverside's Box Office and the Laughlin Chamber, and all proceeds will benefit Laughlin Little League.

Competition is open to all Tri-State businesses or individual entrants, and there is no cost to enter. A panel of judges will be made up of non-food and beverage professionals. Judging will consist of seven different categories, and each entrant must register in a minimum of two categories: Booth Presentation, Incredible Cakes, Gourmet Desserts, Cookie Creations, Cheesecake Category, Pie Extravaganza, and Best of Show.

For information or to enter, contact Kimberly at 702-298-2535.

Harrah's has launched its World Series of Poker ® related circuit tournaments in the newly opened non-smoking poker room located in the main casino. The room features Texas Hold 'em games and Plasma television screens televising sporting events.

Now through April 24, poker enthusiasts may buy into weekly Texas No Limit Hold 'em tournaments being held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for an opportunity to earn a complimentary entry into the Harrah's Laughlin 2005 Tournament of Seats event scheduled for April. 29 - May 2. Players (top three from each tournament) advancing to the 2005 Tournament of Seats will have an opportunity to win a complimentary seat at the official 2005 World Series of Pokerr event being held in Las Vegas at the Rio, June 2 through July 15. The World Series of Pokerr will feature 45 events with buy-ins ranging from $1,500 to $10,000.

The weekly tournaments feature a $40 buy-in with options for two $25 re-buys. Players may register to participate one half hour prior to the start of tournament play and must be a Total Rewards member.

The 2005 Tournament of Seats poker players will receive a complimentary four-day, three-night stay at Harrah's Laughlin and one free game entry.

The Harrah's Laughlin 2005 Tournament of Seats event is limited to 100 participants and is also open to the general public with a $200 buy-in. Of the 10 finalists, the top five will receive complimentary seats in the official 2005 World Series of Pokerr in Las Vegas. The remaining players will receive cash awards. For more information, call 702-298-4600.

"Parti Gras," the Colorado Belle's annual Mardi Gras celebration, will run from Jan. 28 through Tuesday, Feb. 8. Festivities include the return of the popular "Rollin' on the River" dice game, offering a top prize of $1,000 dollars each session, plus a guaranteed prize of $100 for everyone selected to play. Players are chosen in drawings prior to the start of each game. Drawing tickets can be eaned through gaming, One Club membership, at hotel check-in and when cashing checks of $100 or more at the Main Cashier's Cage. Five sessions will be held each day, at 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. A total of $10,000 could be given away during "Parti Gras" celebration.

"Rollin' on the River" is played by rolling giant dice down the Colorado Belle's Grand Staircase. For each roll of the dice, players get to cover numbers from 1 to 10 on the game's scoreboard according to the numbers rolled. If a player rolls a number that can't be removed from the board, he or she wins a consolation prize of $100 in cash. If the player covers the entire board, he or she wins $1,000. In addition, any player rolling "snake eyes" receives a prize of $100 in cash.

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAS VEGAS NEWS
>LAST WEEK'S LAUGHLIN NEWS
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide