The 1,600-plus showroom has a balcony and a huge stage that has allowed Manilow to incorporate a sprawling flexible stage moving the band and back up singers in and out of the foreground, rear-screen projections and to add two side stage sets. One set represents a piano bar called the Dew Drop Inn, which pays tribute to his musical beginnings, and the other set is a comedy club called the Rock Bottom Lounge, where he puts on a plaid jacket and plays the accordion.

Directly in front of these wing sets is special up close stage seating for 30 on each side. These seats are $225 plus tax and service charge.

Manilow's show is not really biographical, but it is an excellent reflection his musical genius and compilation of his myriad of hits. Special to this show is a new song he wrote called "Here's to Las Vegas," which he self-financed to record with a 50-piece orchestra.

Manilow has a great way of introducing his song, "Mandy." He shows a clip of himself playing the song when he was a kid and then he is rolled downstage playing a white grand piano on a platform with the video still showing above him.

The show builds to a crescendo with numerous standing ovations along the way. Manilow does "I Write The Music," transcends into an production high spot with "At The Copa" staged on stairs that come down from over the audience, and migrates to a very original poignant ending with only him on stage singing "One Voice" a cappella. That ending is a true testament to his brilliance!

Tickets for "Manilow: Music and Passion" are ranging from $85 to $145 plus tax. Manilow's contract calls for 120 performances spread out this year and next. He is performing every month this year; however, you need to check the schedule because it varies. For example, he's scheduled March 23-26 and 30-31. In April, he plays 1 and 2, 6-9, and 13-16.

Following suit with Celine Dion and Elton John and before them Siegfried & Roy, Manilow has opened his own signature store. The centerpiece is a large piano that serves as a desk with a big neon sign reading Copacabana hanging over it. The store is interactive offering customers the opportunity torecord their own vocals to their favorite Manilow tunes in a recording booth.

The store is everything Manilow right down to bobbleheads. Regular store hours are daily from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; however, when Manilow is performing the store stays open until midnight on Fridays and until 1 a.m. on Saturdays.

Anthony Cools, the raw and uncensored hypnotist, will make his debut in the 210-seat theatre at Paris with "The Anthony Cools Experience." Previews for his show will begin March 22 and his premiere is set for April 1. Tickets are $40 and $60 plus tax, call 888-266-5687 or 702-946-7000.

Cools has for more than 11 years been known for his uncensored hypnosis and adult comedy. His good, clean, dirty fun, leaves audiences uninhibited and pushing the limits.

For the second year in a row, the world's best flair bartenders will converge at Harrah's Carnaval Court on April 7, to contend from 8 p.m. to midnight for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes and the coveted title, "King of the Ring." This event is open to the public.

The second annual "King of the Ring" competition, April 4- 7, presented by Smirnoff Vodka and Coca Cola, and sanctioned by the World Entertainment Bartender Federation, is the nation's highest paying flair bartending competition.

The bartenders will compete in a series of preliminary events during the first two days of the competition and vie for a spot in the finals on the third day.

The crowned "King of the Ring" will be awarded $10,000 cash and a championship ring valued at $5,000. A total of 16 cash prizes will be presented to the top competitors at the finals.

Flair bartending is the art of flipping, spinning, throwing, balancing, catching bottles, drinks, and various bar tools while in the process of making cocktails.

The first Centennial - sanctioned event, hosted by the Hard Rock Hotel on May 1, will pay tribute to the backbone of the destination, in the first-ever "Dealer of the Year" event. Nominated dealers from all Las Vegas casinos will be judged on their attitude, friendliness and showing extra effort to customers. The event will culminate in December with a party for all Las Vegas dealers at the Hard Rock Hotel. For information, call Ron Saccavino at 702.891.0029 for event details.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

One of the most sought-after public speakers in the world, Newt Gingrich, will appear at the Silverton located just three miles south of the Strip on April 14 at 8 p.m. to tell his inspiring story. Tickets for the Speakers Series featuring Gingrich are $40. For information, call 702-914-8557 or 1-866-946-4373.

A best-selling author, famous philanthropist, healthcare ambassador and former congressman, Newt Gingrich is most famous for his creation of the "Contract with America" that changed the face of politics forever. Since his term expired, Gingrich has authored seven books, served on the United States Commission on National Security and donated his time and money to countless charity organizations. Proclaimed Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1995, Gingrich currently serves as a news and political analyst for the Fox News Channel.

The Cannery Casino will present Peabo Bryson and Jeffrey Osborne in concert at The Club on Saturday, May 21. The Cannery is located in North Las Vegas at the corner of Craig and Losee roads. Tickets are $30, $40, $50 and $60 plus tax and applicable fees, call 702-617-5585 or 866-287-4643.

Since Bryson's release of "Can You Stop the Rain," he has enjoyed international recognition and success. Duets with Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, and Celine Dion have earned him the title of "King of Balladeers."

Soul music vocalist, Osborne has earned five gold and platinum albums since going solo. His chart toppers include, "Don't Get So Mad About It," "Stay With Me Tonight," and "On the Wings of Love."

The beautiful Sirens of TI from Treasure Island will sing the national anthem at the Los Angeles Clippers Game at Staples Center on Wednesday, March 16. Other major sports organizations such as NASCAR, the National Finals Rodeo, the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Browns and San Diego Padres have all invited the Sirens of TI to sing the national anthem at their competitions.

The satirical revue "Forbidden Vegas" that spoofs the Entertainment Capital of the World at The Westin Casuarina has joined forces with the resort to debut a new gaming promotion "40 for 40" through April 2. The promotion is open exclusively to new and current Westin Casuarina Players Club members who purchase one "Forbidden Vegas" show ticket at the regular price of $39.95 plus applicable taxes and fees. They receive $40 in free slot play when purchasing the tickets through the Westin Theatre Box Office.

Men's and Women's Kickboxing is scheduled at the Stardust Pavilion on Saturday, March 26. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $35, $50 and $100.

The Shops in Desert Passage have revamped their successful entertainment program to include new talent and variety acts.

Joe Krathwohl, the Birdman of Las Vegas, Lilia, the 17-year old contortionist, Spirit, the dynamic acrobatic duo join other variety acts such as Duality, the sensual body-balancing acrobatic act, and the magical artistry and comedy of Jason Bird on the main stage near the "V" Theater, every hour Thursday - Monday from 1:15 until 8:15 p.m.

For a more passive shopping accompaniment, talented solo pianists located throughout the shopping center serenade with jazz and pop standards every hour on the half hour from 1:30 - 7:30 p.m., Thursday - Sunday.

Joining the entertainment troupes are customer service "ambassadors," also known as Segway hosts. Available seven days a week from noon - 9 p.m., hosts ride around the center on state-of-the-art Segways offering information, showcasing merchant products and even joining in the variety acts spontaneously.

The Riviera's 50th anniversary is past the 50-day milestone. The Riviera now has on display nearly 100 photos of the greatest entertainers who performed at the hotel since it opened on April 20, 1955. More than 475 performers have entertained audiences at the Riviera since Liberace first performed on opening night.

The Riviera, which will celebrate with a fireworks show on both Wednesday, April 20 and Friday, April 22, also has on display a 1954 Rolls Royce owned by Liberace and on loan from the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas.

The cast of the Riviera's hit show "An Evening at La Cage" was recently surprised on Academy Awards night when each member was presented with a makeup case filled with the entire line of Joe Blasco cosmetics. Blasco is famed for his work in television and movies creating makeup designs ranging from superb high fashion to exceptional horror and sci-fi innovations.

The cast was already on hand for local television station interviews as part of the lead-up to the Oscar show. Blasco, who is a "La Cage" fan was called away at the last minute; however, he sent makeup consultant Tim Dunn instead, which was a perfect choice, since Dunn is a former member of the elite La Cage ensemble. In addition, one of three upcoming books by Blasco is about the application of professional makeup will focus on makeup for female impersonators and trans-gendered women.

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