The Dream King of Rock 'n Roll, Trent Carlini, will be back by popular demand at Don Laughlin's Riverside from April 12-20. Tickets are $25.

This world famous Elvis tribute artist named by the European media as the "New King of the 21st Century," has also been named the world's best King-like performer, and he's entertained throughout the world.

The Colorado Belle and Edgewater and Mark Vranesh Studio of Las Vegas will host the 2nd Annual Riverwalk Art Festival next weekend, April 9-10, on the Riverwalk between the two properties. The event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Over 50 fine artists will be exhibiting fine art and crafts.

Mark Vranesh, the show's producer, is a graduate of Cal Western Law School. While he was in law school he fell ill and was forced to leave school for six months. During his convalescence, he painted and developed his own unique style. He is an accomplished multi-media artist.

Back by popular demand at the Belle, Kenny Menard's authentic zydeco band will provide free live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. each evening, April 9-10, in the Colorado Belle's Center Circle Event Area. Menard and band will be accompanied by Mardi Gras-bead tossing "Louisiana Sue" Ramon, the band's saucy emcee.

Other Center Circle's evening activities will include New Orleans style street vendors, palm and tarot card reader Nancy Sabin, a caricaturist and a face painter.

Edgewater Hotel Casino's Kokopelli's Lounge will also feature free live entertainment in the evenings with "The Kid & Nick," a great jazzy-swing duo.

Navy veteran Marshall Redmond was a beer drinker before his ship docked in Portland, Ore., but he became a beer brewer after an extensive tour of the city's microbreweries. He sailed back home to San Diego, ordered his first home brewing kit, and immersed himself in the science of brewing beer. Redmond served an apprenticeship in a La Jolla, California brewery, and is a diplomate of the American Brewer's Guild having completed an intensive seven-month brewing science and engineering program. He worked as a brewer in the Blue Corn Café & Breweries in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, N.M. before recently joining the Colorado Belle as Boiler Room Microbrewery's Brewmaster.

Redmond is passionate about handcrafted beer and hopes that people will put down the fizzy stuff and try a beer that has the actual beer flavor. Four beers brewed up by Redmond are currently on tap in the Boiler Room: Golden Ale delicately hopped; Amber Ale, a well balanced beer, modestly hopped; Pale Ale the "hoppiest" beer; and the Stout made with darker malts.

The first specialty beer to be brewed in addition to the four standards is Brown Ale, a sweet malty beer, with slight roast characteristics, followed by Indian Pale Ale in late April or early May. Redmond suggests beer lovers try all five on a 25-oz. sampler plate for $4.95.

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Harrah's Laughlin's Money Tree Giveaway has taken root for the month of April through May 1. Harrah's guests may pick a leaf at 5 p.m. daily drawings from the blossoming orchard tree flourishing on the casino floor for a chance to win cash or a relaxing spa package. Eligible promotion participants also have an opportunity to return for a chance to win $10,000 on June 11.

Entries may be earned in a variety of ways including redeeming promotional coupons, signing up for a new Total Rewards card, purchasing meals or merchandise, gaming, mailing in a request, etc. The drum is emptied after each drawing.

Three daily drawing winners will be selected by random drawing at 5 p.m. each promotional day. The three potential winners, in the order identified, will select a Pick-N-Win leaf from the 15 leaves on the money tree. Twelve leaves each contain a cash prize valued from $25 up to $500 and three leaves offer a spa package at the newly opened Harrah's Laughlin Salon & Day Spa.

Each leaf will also contain one invitation to the SummerFiesta Slot Tournament, which includes two complimentary nights, a two-for-one coupon for "Rhinestone Cowgirls" or "Showgirls," and an invitation to return for the Money Tree Giveaway $10,000 final drawing on June 11, which again includes two complimentary nights.

Pat O'Brien is performing in the Caboose Lounge at the Ramada Express, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4:30-8:30 p.m. until April 16. There is no cover charge or minimum.

O'Brien has been singing at the Ramada Express since he was discovered by the resort's president at Riley's Pub in Galway, Ireland, five years ago. His first contract in the Caboose Lounge was for two weeks. His popularity quickly grew and now he is booked twice a year, three months in the spring and two months in the fall.

O'Brien does impression, plays country music, blues, rock and roll, Elvis songs, a few Irish tunes, a little opera, and kids around with the audience. His guitar is hooked to a computer he's been using for 20 years that gives him endless musical possibilities.

Born and raised in Ireland, O'Brien started his career as a musician playing guitar with a rockabilly band. He studied music in Manchester, England and performed in "Jesus Christ Superstar" for years.

There are two new sandwiches at the train-themed 24 hour Carnegie's Dining Car in the Ramada Express, where breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily specials are also served. One is Murphy's Poor Man's Abalone Sandwich with a chicken breast marinated in clam juice, lightly floured and saut‚ed until golden brown. The other is a Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich. Both sandwiches are $6.75 and are served with choice of fries or homemade potato chips.

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