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Las Vegas News

Sunday, April 17, 2005 PRIOR ISSUE   -   ARCHIVES
"Road To Vegas" Tours, Hollywood's Rainbow Coming, Riviera Celebrates 50, "100 Years Of Song & Dance", 'Mariachi, The Spirit Of Mexico' Premiers, Magician Daniels Fills In, Pussycat Dolls Hit Strip, Wayne Newton Ends Contract, Roaring '50s Opens, Wyrick Magic Ends, Manetti's "Magnum" Downtown, Sumo Wresting Crosses Sea, "Las Vegas Law" A Reality, Dragon Boats Race On, Speakeasy Cabaret Debuts, More...

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by Jackie Brett
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Clear Channel Entertainment Properties has announced the "Road to Vegas" tour, headlined by multi-platinum rock band Collective Soul, in celebration of Las Vegas' 100th birthday. From May 27 through June 29, the one-of-a-kind Vegas-themed concert tour will hit the top 10 Las Vegas feeder market cities including Los Angeles and Phoenix. Collective Soul is currently promoting its latest CD release, "Youth," with current singles "Better Now" and "Counting the Days."

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The "Road to Vegas" tour will recreate the Las Vegas experience in each city, transforming concert venues into hip Vegas nightspots with gaming lounges. Classic icons such as showgirls and Elvis impersonators will interact with guests against a backdrop of neon and larger-than-life Las Vegas imagery.

During the event, concert goers can register to win prizes, including a trip to Las Vegas on July 2 to attend a live concert event with multiple bands. The official "Road to Vegas" Web site is www.roadtovegas100.com.

"Road to Vegas" sponsors include Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) Wines and Gibson Guitars. BV Wines, also celebrating 100 years in wine-making, will travel in a BV branded bus and host charity fundraisers and VIP parties in each tour city. Gibson Guitars will provide guitar giveaways in each city and a special Road to Vegas guitar for artists, dignitaries and celebrities to sign along the way.

With more than 30 years in the music industry, renowned record executives Jerry and Bob Greenberg are bringing the legendary rock-n-roll haven Rainbow Bar & Grill to Las Vegas. It is set to open on Memorial Day weekend at 4480 Paradise Road at Harmon, across the street from the Hard Rock.

Throughout the years, the Greenberg brothers have played a key role in all aspects of music. Since the 1960's, they have been leaders at major music labels including Atlantic Records, MGM / UA Music, Warner Bros. Records, and Michael Jackson's MJJ / Sony Records. With a license from the Rainbow Bar & Grill's original owner Mario Maglieri, the Greenbergs plan to launch locations across the globe with the first to open in Las Vegas.

A landmark on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, the Rainbow has played a role in the music scene through the '70s, '80s, '90s and today. The Rainbow is still operated by Maglieri, who has been a central character in rock-n-roll for decades as owner of the Rainbow as well as the Whisky-a Go-Go. Located within steps of the Whisky, the Rainbow has been home to post-concert jamming sessions with rock-n-roll stars.

Las Vegas' Rainbow Bar & Grill will be open 24-hours serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night meals featuring a similar menu to the original, including its -famous pizza and homemade chicken soup. The décor will recreate the Hollywood location with red leather booths and rock-n-roll memorabilia adorning the walls. The venue will be 7,500 square-feet and include a full-service bar, two dining rooms with plasma television screens, an outside year-round patio, and a main lounge for live entertainment.

On April 20, the Riviera will hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. with the three original Riviera showgirls who were at the original ribbon cutting. The event will be followed by a performance by a Liberace impersonator in the LeBistro Theater. At 9 p.m., there will be fireworks off of the Monaco Tower.

The three original showgirls, Ruth Gillis, Kim Krantz and Lisa Medford will continue to be featured at events through the end of the year. Gillis was the very first showgirl signed to appear in Liberace's grand opening show on April 20, 1955; Krantz worked the Riviera's main stage and appeared with Zsa Zsa Gabor and Morey Amsterdam in 1957; Medford was the Riviera's first 'nude' showgirl in 1957.

Cake and champagne will be served daily through April 30 to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. On April 22, there will be a Michael Bolton concert at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 10:30 p.m. off the East Garage. There will be another Bolton concert on April 23.

From April 25-30, pianist and Liberace scholar, David Lomascola will play on Liberace's famed million dollar mirror and rhinestone piano near the Casino Cage from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be celebrity hosts signing autographs from April 19-24, from 3 to 8 p.m. along with many food and gaming specials.

As Las Vegas celebrates its 100th anniversary, Golden Rainbow, a Las Vegas-based HIV / AIDS charity, will celebrate "100 Years of Song & Dance" in its 19th annual "Ribbon of Life" fundraiser production show taking place at the Rio on June 4 and 5, at 1 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $175, call 702-384-2899.

By popular demand, mega-international superstars Tony and Lloyd will return as hosts and Scott Barnard will return as director for his second year. The all-volunteer "Ribbon of Life" cast will include performers from the casts of "A New Day," Breck Wall's "Bottoms Up," "Folies Bergere," "Jubilee!," the Las Vegas Men's Choir, "Masquerade Show in the Sky," MGM Grand Productions, Missy Cochran Entertainment, Paul Franklin, "Rio BevErtainment," and "Wild Room Productions...The Vamps." The show commonly attracts Las Vegas' biggest headliners, and celebrities appearing in this year's show will be announced in the near future.

"Mariachi, The Spirit of Mexico" will make its American premier on Cinco de Mayo, May 5 and run through May 8 at the 7,000-seat Aladdin's Theatre for Performing Arts. The show features Mariachi de America - the finest Mexican band in the world, Mariachi Nacional, the Spirit of Mexico Orchestra and Folkloric Dancers, and special guest performances by Manual Vargas, Rafael Palomar, and Shadan Guerrero. Tickets are $35, $45, $55 and $65 plus tax applicable service charges, call Ticketmaster at 702-474-4000.

Every Wednesday night, the Tabú Ultra Lounge at the MGM Grand, turns its tables into catwalks with Boutique - a celebration of music and fashion featuring national and local fashion designers and boutiques. On April 27, Boutique will presents the provocative fashions inspired by "Zumanity, Another Side of Cirque du Soleil."



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International magician Paul Daniels is replacing Mac King at Harrah's this week from April 19-23. He has 17 years of award winning magic shows on BBC television, been syndicated in 47 countries, and performed more magic on television than anyone else in history. Daniels has designed magical illusions and special effects for two of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals: "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera." Daniels will perform his comedy magic show at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $19.95.

The world famous sexy song and dance group Pussycat Dolls have brought their show to Las Vegas in the first ever Pussycat Dolls Lounge that is a multi million-dollar space inside Caesars Palace. Adjacent to the PURE Nightclub, the Dolls will perform nightly in a cabaret setting of unscheduled acts, climbing to the stage, swinging from the ceiling and even popping out of a giant champagne glass to delight crowds with their seductive blend of glamour, song, choreography and fashion.

Created and developed by top choreographer Robin Antin, the Pussycat Dolls have been enticing audiences in Los Angeles for the past five years.

Known for an incredible array of celebrity "Guest Dolls," including Pamela Anderson, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and Carmen Electra. The Pussycat Dolls Lounge is sure to become a star-studded destination.

Wayne Newton's last performance at the Stardust will be April 20. He signed a lifetime contract there in October 1999; however, he's taking the option to end his contract after five years.

"Tropical Passions - The Roaring '50s" will open at the Sahara on April 21 and run through Labor Day. The show was at the Las Vegas Hilton during the Christmas holidays. It features a 22-piece orchestra, Cuban singing star Israel

Cantor and a cast from Miami. Jon Halpur, an eight-year lead singer in "Jubilee!" will serve as the singing emcee. By day, he performs as the Excalibur's King Arthur in free day shows.

Magician Steve Wyrick's headlining gig at the Aladdin after almost 18 months will come to an end. An announcement should come shortly as to what the future plans are for the 420-seat showroom.

Pump will perform an Aerosmith Tribute at the Fiesta Rancho on April 22 at 10 p.m.

Manetti's is an Italian restaurant on the second floor of The Plaza downtown adjacent to the Center stage Restaurant in an area that was formerly banquet space. The owner happens to be Larry Manetti, co-star of "Magnum, P.I," who is also vice president of entertainment at The Plaza.

This isn't his first eatery. As early as 1971, before Manetti went to Hollywood, he owned an English-style pub and co-owned a restaurant with Robert Conrad. Later, he teamed with co-star Tom Selleck in the Black Orchid restaurant in Honolulu. Now on Sundays, Manetti hosts a celebrity lunch at the Plaza.

The new Toby Keith bar under construction at Harrah's will be guitar-shaped.

The Grand Sumo wrestling tournament will be held at Mandalay Bay, Oct. 7-9, and it will be the first time Sumo wresting has been in the United States in 20 years.

A wax likeness of local tennis icon Andre Agassi is now featured at Madame Tussauds museum at The Venetian.

James "Bucky" Buchanan, a colorful Las Vegas defense attorney has signed a deal with Court TV for his own reality series called "Las Vegas Law." It will follow him from the Clark County Courthouse to his country club house and focus mainly on his clients, which involve thugs and drugs.

Filming in Las Vegas this month is "Lucky You," a Warner Bros. high stakes poker film starring Eric Bana as poker pro Huck Cheever, Robert Duvall as Cheever's estranged father, Drew Barrymore as a struggling singer, and Debra Messing as her sister.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park are joining forces to host the Roar & Snorer and Pizza for Four Contest through April 30 at 13 Sammy's Woodfired Pizza locations throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Entry forms and official contest rules are available at sammyspizza.com.

The grand prize is a Roar & Snore Camp-Over package for four at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park in Escondido, Calif., and a Sammy's Woodfired Pizza gift certificate.

The Chinese tradition of Dragon Boating, which is one of the oldest and most popular team sports in Asia, will come to Lake Las Vegas, April 22 and 23, with the FMG Dragon Boat Races that will benefit the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. Teams can register by contacting FMG@facilitymarketing.com or calling 1-888-679-4222. The entry fee is $1,000 per team and FMG provides the dragon boats.

In authentic traditional form, the ceremonial "Dotting of the Eye" to awaken the dragon and commence the festivities will be performed on April 22 at 7 p.m. in the resort's MonteLago Village. On April 23 at 10 a.m., teams will compete in two races. Each Dragon Boat has a hand-painted dragon's head at the front and holds a crew of 16 to 20 paddlers sitting side by side, a steersperson and a drummer, who sets the paddling pace for the crew.

The Speakeasy Cabaret at Ba-Da-Bing in the Stardust is open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. You can dance to the sounds of Karin Denise and The Sin City Boyz Show Band and meet Cousin Vinnie and the Ba-Da-Bing gang. Admission is $20 for the guys and free for the dolls. There's no Prohibition but there is a one-drink minimum.

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Editorial Content Copyright(c) 2000-2005 Jackie Brett; Internet Presentation Copyright(c) Las Vegas Leisure Guide