The press has been privy to a sneak preview of the new Latin-influenced environmental musical at the Mandalay Bay called "Storm." The show is being described as a musical journey through human emotions. Four acts will feature Earth, Wind, Fire and Water (Rain) in a 360-degree theater with no curtain.

So far we know that rain plays an important role along with dancing, colorful costumes and some dramatic aerial acts. It will be fun to see this new show when it's unveiled in its entirety on March 22, in the 1,800-seat Mandalay Bay Theatre.

The permanent closing of the dinner-magic themed Caesars Magical Empire has been extended through June 2, with the possibility of another extension. It's rumored that the high real estate area will be turned into a nightclub.

The time has finally arrived when the remake of the Rat Pack-film "Oceans 11," starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan and Julia Roberts is filming in town. The film's director is Steven Soderbergh, who is also a celebrity since he has dual nominations this year as best director for the movies "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic."

One of the attractive ladies from the "Crazy Girls" show at the Riviera has landed herself a speaking role in "Oceans 11." Kelly Adkins, 24, will play a stripper in a scene that will be shot at the Olympic Garden strip club. She'll be playing opposite Brad Pitt.

Speaking of movies, Steve Rossi formerly of the comedy team Allen and Rossi, has a cameo role as a nightclub emcee in "The Mexican" that is currently playing in movie theaters. He also has a featured role in an upcoming film called "Vegas C.O.D." Rossi plays a mob owner of a topless club, who in the end is the only bad guy still alive.

Comedienne Rita Rudner has found a new home after her extended run at the MGM Grand. She'll open a six-month run in a converted 400-seat showroom at New York-New York by the end of April.

The Scintas will conclude their year-long engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton on April 1, before moving to their new digs and extended engagement at the Rio.

It's a "glass act" if there ever was one. The internationally acclaimed, 59-year-old Seattle glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, who lost 40 pieces of glass art ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 each in the recent Washington earthquake, has more than 350 pieces of his work on display at the Las Vegas Art Museum through April 30. Chihuly says he makes about 1,000 pieces a year.

The George Stroemple Collection at the museum encompasses much of Chihuly's career, from the 1975 "Irish Cylinders" to the 1995 "Venetians" series. These colorful-art samples can be seen Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. at the Las Vegas Art Museum, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Tickets are $10 for non-residents, call 702-360-8000. If you miss this exhibit, check out the amazing multi-million dollar glass floral light fixture in the lobby of the Bellagio. It's a Chihuly!

Paris Las Vegas' Theatre des Arts is becoming an entertainment player again featuring headliners. The Moody Blues are booked April 5-8, and funnyman Dennis Miller also has set dates, April 27-28. Other names on the upcoming Paris roster are Sinbad, who had a gig April 5-7 at the Las Vegas Hilton, Julio Iglesias, Howie Mandel and Natalie Cole.

Television's late night comedy star, Jay Leno will headline in the MGM Grand's EFX Theater March 29-31. This means a brief break for the "EFX Alive" extravaganza now starring rock star Rick Springfield.

Two years after making its debut on the Las Vegas Strip, Mandalay Bay Resort has earned the prestigious Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association (AAA), recognizing the resort for its exceptional degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

One of the world's largest travel organizations, the AAA Diamond Rating system began in 1977. Today 60 inspectors visit 33,500 restaurants and hotels, judging the quality of each in such categories as ambience, amenities and extraordinary service. The Four Diamond rating is the second-highest level awarded by AAA, and is presented to less than three percent of the hotels rated by the association.

With this award, Mandalay Bay joins the ranks of the nation's finest hotels, becoming one of only eight Las Vegas properties to receive the honor. Mandalay Bay, the Venetian and Paris Las Vegas also receive Four Diamond ratings for the first time. The AAA also re-issued Four Diamond ratings for 2001 to Bellagio, the Golden Nugget, the Las Vegas Hilton, the Mirage and Treasure Island.

Inside the $950 million Mandalay Bay resort, Chef Charlie Palmer's widely acclaimed restaurant Aureole was one of only four Las Vegas restaurants to receive AAA's Four Diamond Award. The other three eateries were the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, located at Paris Las Vegas; Michaels, located at the Barbary Coast; and Renoir, located at the Mirage.

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On March 19, singer Janien Masse will join the Clint Holmes show at Harrah's Las Vegas as the new female lead. Her role will be made more prominent than her predecessor's because of her added talent and stage presence.

Masse began her Las Vegas-career in 1995 singing all seven female lead roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express" at the Las Vegas Hilton. Her next role was starring as the fiery gypsy, Esmeralda, in the American premier of the musical "Notre Dame de Paris," at Paris Las Vegas. Her current headlining status has been performing the female lead in "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" at the Flamingo Hilton.

Keep your ear tuned for Masse. She is currently working on several recording projects, and is being pursued by three major labels. Tickets for Holmes' shows are $44.95 plus tax, call 1-800-392-9002.

The Commodores, who have recorded seven number one singles, will be starring at the Las Vegas Hilton, March 30-31. The group got their start in 1971 as the opening act for the Jackson Five. Alabama's favorite sons have since recorded a string of 22 gold records, plus six platinum, two double platinum and three triple platinum albums. Tickets are $35, $35 and $55, call 702-732-5755.

Wayne Newton has returned through May 6, to his ongoing permanent gig at the Stardust. Other acts filling in for him in May will be Little Anthony & The Imperials and Sonny Turner, May 10-12, followed by the ever-funny Don Rickles with LaGayia, May 17-20.

The ever popular Checkmates - Sweet Louie and Sonny Charles - have signed another one year deal that will keep them rotating their famous lounge act between Arizona Charlie's East on Decatur and Arizona Charlie's West on Boulder Highway. The duo and their band rotate on two-week schedules through 2001.

Another Las Vegas lounge legend is Cook E. Jarr. This weekend he brought his distinctive act back to Harrah's Carnaval Court Stage. On Fridays and Saturdays from midnight to 2 a.m., the stage comes alive with a Cook E-style lounge, complete with requisite rotating disco ball, multi-colored strobe lights and special effects.

Jarr's song-list contains everything from the `70s to the present, and his selections make dancing an infectious happening. His flamboyant appearance and mannerisms enhance the party effect. He dons `80s-style big hair, a double-breasted suit without the shirt and numerous gold chains draped around his neck. There is a two-drink minimum with no cover charge to see Cook E. Jarr at Harrah's.

Construction is still underway on the Fashion Show mall's $350 million expansion that will double the size from 869,000 square feet to 1,928,600 square feet.

The existing center is anchored by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Dillard's and Robinson-May. The expansion program includes relocating and expanding the existing anchor stores and adding three more: Nordstorm's Bloomingdale's Home Store and Lord & Taylor. The eight-anchor shopping center will be one of the only three other retail developments in the United States with a similar number of anchors.

In terms of entertainment, don't ignore off-Strip properties such as Boulder Station, Texas Station, Suncoast, The Orleans, Sam's Town, and Silverton. Many of them have some big names appearing at incredibly reasonable prices.

For example, The Lettermen will return to the Suncoast Showroom, April 6-8. The 60's and 70's saw The Lettermen scoring 20 hit singles on the charts. Today, after 40 years as recording artists, they have 70 albums to their credit and 19 of them are gold. Tickets to see The Lettermen with hit songs like "Goin' Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" and "Put Your Head On My Shoulder," are $24.95, $27.95 and $30.95 plus tax, call 702-636-7075.

The Ricky Martin Latin forces are talking over at another off-Strip property, the Fiesta, which is now part of Stations Casinos. One of Martin's backup singers, Carlos David, a 30-year-old Puerto Rican has debuted his "Club Vida" nightclub act inside Roxy's. The room was formerly known for its vintage pipe organ and pizza, but now it's been restyled with a hybrid lounge-club design.

David was a part of Martin's "La Vida Loca" tour that stopped twice at Mandalay Bay. He says his club revue at the Fiesta is a "Ricky Martin show on a smaller level." David performs Thursdays through Saturdays, call 702-631-7000.

The Stratosphere has added over 60-thousand names in eight months to its slot club because of a new cash back promotional program for players from out-of-town. The "Players Club Guaranteed Winners" program covers new player's slot losses up to $125, then pays the customer an additional 10 percent. The resort hopes to link the north Strip property with the three other casinos owned by financier Carl Icahn: the two Las Vegas Arizona Charlie's properties and the Sands in Atlantic City.

The Henderson Chamber of Commerce's 51st annual Heritage Days celebration will take place April 20-29. This year's theme is "Catch the Sprit." Planned events throughout the week lead up to the Heritage Days Parade on April 28, at noon on Water Street. For details, call 702-565-8951.

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