The other partner in this club is the adult entertainment company Vivid, which has nine females under contract, who will be stopping by the club when they're in town. Vivid opens at 10 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

On Feb. 20, the Atomic Testing Museum will open on the campus of the Desert Research Institute on Flamingo Road and Swenson Avenue, not far from the Strip. The story of the nuclear age is housed inside the three-story, 66,000-square-foot Frank H. Rogers Science & Technology Building and captured with sound, flashing lights, film clips, interactive displays and documents.

The museum tour begins with a ticket booth that is a replica of the Test Site's security center. One attraction inside is a 10-foot-wide decoupler pipe that was part of the underground testing program.

Another display is a panel of photographs that depict "Trinity," the first atomic bomb ever detonated in Alamogordo, N.M., on July 16, 1945. Six years later, the government developed the Nevada Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas; where a total of 928 nuclear experiments were detonated out of a total of 1,054 since the nuclear age began.

"Legends In Concert," the original celebrity tribute spectacular that has appeared at the Imperial Palace for more than 20 years, has a new cast of artists taking over this month. The show features a live, five-piece band, dancers and artists who use their own voice.

The new cast includes tributes to two artists, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder, who were recently honored for their career contributions to the music industry. Jackson, portrayed by Karin Lawson, received the Radio Legend Award at the 2004 Radio Music Awards. Wonder, portrayed by Bobby Brooks, was honored with the Century Award at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards.

Joining these two Legends are The Righteous Brothers, performed by Gene Sironen and Doug Masters; Gloria Estefan, portrayed by Michelle Rohl; and Rod Stewart, played by John Anthony. As always, the show finale will be handled by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, played by Matt Lewis. The cast has been changed out in phases this month and the new cast will be in place on Jan. 24.

Hypnotist Justin Tranz is back on the Strip doing a 10 p.m. show at the Sahara in the upstairs Congo Room following the Platters-Drifters-Coasters show. Tranz performed at O'Sheas next to the Flamingo from 1999 to last summer.

The 2004 "Legend of the Year" contest at the Imperial Palace will be a free show on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. in the Imperial Theatre. About 20 of the top contenders from last year's monthly "Be A Legend" Celebrity Impersonator Karaoke Contest in Tequila Joe's will return to compete for the title "Legend of the Year," $1,000 in cash and the opportunity to work for a week in the famous tribute show "Legends In Concert. Second place will win $500 and third $250.

The free show is co-sponsored by KMIX 94.1 radio station and Budweiser.

The station's DJ Jason Rooney will host the show that will be filmed for television. During the show, there will be a two dollar Budweiser special in effect and there will be drawings for prize packages.

Las Vegas is now laying claim its first homegrown rock band called The Killers. The group is getting rave reviews for its first CD, called "Hot Fuss."

There's talk that they may be receiving some awards for their endeavor.

The ultimate U2 tribute band "Electrical Storm" will perform at Jerry's Nugget Casino in North Las Vegas on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Royal Street Theater. Tickets are $15 in Jerry's Nugget Gift Shop.

Electrical Storm, a Los Angeles-based group, brings an unparalleled U2 interpretation featuring cuts from the past and from the present. U2 was well known as the band that kept rock alive during the synthesized 80's with record breaking global hits like "Gloria," "I Will Follow You," "New Years Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

Two resorts, the Stardust and the Orleans are providing venues for legendary headliners and keeping prices reasonable.

The Stardust has the following lineup: The Temptations & The Four Tops, Feb. 24-27; Don Rickles with Lainie Kazan, March 3-6; Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, March 9-12; Chicago, March 16-19; Ann-Margret, March 23-26; and Wayne Newton, March 28-27. Ticket prices range from $39.95 plus tax to $79.95 plus tax. Siegfried & Roy's "Havana Night Club - The Show" is also appearing at the Stardust through April 11.

The Orleans has an equally great lineup: Engelbert Humperdinck, Feb. 2-5; Burt Bacharach, Feb. 10-13; The Pointer Sisters, Feb. 17-20; James Darren, Feb. 24-27; and The Live Lawrence Welk Show, March 3-6. Prices range from $34.95 to $49.95.

The Riviera has implemented Wireless High-Speed Internet Service, (WiFi), in all of its guest rooms. Another property with this amenity is the Imperial Palace.

The MGM Grand has created an all-inclusive pass for its three club venues. On Tuesday nights only for $15, men gain admission to Tabu Ultra Lounge, Studio 54, and Teatro Euro Bar, with re-entry privileges all night long. The combo-pass saves $10 over the normal Tuesday cover charges of $15 at Tabu and $10 at Studio 54 (there is no admission fee for Teatro). Admission to these venues is already complimentary for ladies.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

Filming in Nevada in 2004 brought in more than $100 million for the fifth consecutive year. Nevada is now one of the top five states in the nation for filming.

NBC's hit series, "Las Vegas," will air an episode on Feb. 7 that will feature Mayor Oscar Goodman playing himself, "the world's happiest mayor."

Vegas is the setting for another stab at a couple reality shows. One involves a casino in a 13-part series and the other, a 10-episode deal, features Wayne Newton.

The latest casino-based reality show, "Caesars 24/7," debuted this month on A&E. This show follows the defunct Fox reality series "The Casino" filmed last last year at the Golden Nugget, and the Discovery Channel's "American Casino" shot at Green Valley Ranch.

Newton's project, "The Entertainer," is a cross between "The Apprentice" and "American Idol." The final contestant in this series will become a featured performer in Newton's show at the Stardust. A couple acts vying for the honor are magician Nathan Burton and prop comic Joe Trammel, who both perform in "V - The Ultimate Variety Show," in the V Theatre at Desert Passage at the Aladdin.

People from Las Vegas are lining up to appear in reality series this season.

Janu Tornell, a former "Folies Bergere" showgirl at the Tropicana will be appearing in the upcoming season of CBS' "Survivor: Palau." Watch for her on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Tornell began her career with the world-renowned French production revue on May 25, 1995. When offered to extend her contract at the beginning of November 2004, she decided to go from the theatre to the jungle to pursue a rare opportunity as a contestant on "Survivor." Over the past two years, she was considered the spokesperson and poster girl for the "Folies Bergere."

"The Apprentice" did an open casting call in Las Vegas last summer for its third season that began this past week. A young man named Chris made the cut and is in the series. The show will have another open call in the area in February.

"Extreme Makeover" aired an episode this month with Las Vegas resident Aimee Baum.

Alicia Hall made it as a contestant on NBC's "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search."

The Renaissance Las Vegas recently held its opening celebrations and it has become the largest non-gaming hotel in Nevada and the most expensive at $100 million. The 15-story property is located on Paradise Road next to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The property opened two months ahead of schedule and has 548 rooms and 30 suites ranging from 859 to 1,681 square feet, over 32,000 square feet of function space, the 176-seat fine dining Envy restaurant, business center, Starbucksr, fitness center, spa and swimming pool and great views from the tower.

Allure Las Vegas will be a high-rise condominium project at the northwest corner of West Sahara and Fairfield avenues, one block west of Las Vegas Blvd. The first move-ins at the twin 40-story residential towers, each of which will be comprised of 403 units, are expected in 2007. The sales center is located on the second floor of the Fashion Show mall on the Strip.

Fifteen floor plans are available and include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units measuring 671 to 4,000 square feet. Penthouse units are available in singe- and two-story designs. Units are priced from the $300,000s to $4 million.

Interiors will provide high ceilings, granite counter tops, Italian cabinets, stainless steel appliances, marble flooring in kitchens and foyers, and full marble baths. Common amenities will include a business center, conference / dining facility, workout / spa area, high-speed elevators and a pool complex with cabanas.

The 300-room Key Largo, formerly called the Ambassador and then Quality Inn, on Flamingo near Paradise Road closed for good this past week. The property has been purchased by a developer, who plans to build a 900-unit high-rise condominium project that may possibly include a hotel.

A couple more properties that have been closed for awhile have also been torn down; Vacation Village on Las Vegas Blvd., a couple miles south of Mandalay Bay, and the Days Inn Town Hall on Koval Lane behind Bally's.

The Westward Ho on the Strip has made an expansion off the Strip at 2920 S. Industrial Road. The new 13,000-square-foot building is called "The Ho," and it is a combination convenience store, gas station, small casino with 200 machines and five table games, sports book, lounge and restaurant.

"Dynasty's" legendary star Joan Collins experienced "An Evening at La Cage" recently and then met onstage with the cast members for a photo opportunity. Collins was the guest of the Aladdin and wanted to see "La Cage" after she had heard her look-alike was in the production at the Riviera. Unfortunately it was HIS night off so she will have to return.

Local entertainer Rich Little, who just finished a gig the Suncoast, volunteered last month and did a USO tour for servicemen in Italy and Turkey. He hopes to do another tour next December.

For the third straight year, Las Vegas is ranked as the nation's most popular domestic destination for 2004, by a survey of 398 Carlson Wagonlit Travel experts.

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