Top Formula One drivers in high-speed powerboats will challenge the fast current of the Colorado River at speeds in excess of 135 mph during the Laughlin River Days, May 30-June 1. The Colorado River has unique challenges, as racers must maneuver around sharp turns and speed through rushing currents as they navigate the one and a quarter mile course. It's the only tour stop in the southwest.

VIP and grandstand seating will be available on the Arizona side. General admission tickets are $10.00. VIP hospitality tickets featuring breakfast, lunch and unlimited beverages are available for $35.00. Contact the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce for tickets.

Tony Bennett is booked at the Flamingo Laughlin on May 17. As one of the most revered vocalists of our time, Bennett is one of the few artists to chart new albums in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s.

Bennett continues to tour the country after five decades in the business. With 10 Grammy Awards and two dozen Top 40 hits, he is best known for his signature tune, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

Throughout his career, Bennett has continually attracted new and younger fans with his groundbreaking television specials like "MTV Unplugged" and "Live By Request." His most recent album, "Playin' With My Friends" includes duets with the likes of Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. Tickets are $40, $45 and $50, call 800-435-8469.

Slicing / dicing comedian Gallagher is coming to Don Laughlin's Riverside May 23-25. Tickets for his 8 p.m. shows are $28.50, plus room and ticket packages are also available, call 1-800-227-3849.

Gallagher's adoring fans come prepared draped in rain slickers and trash bags for the onslaught of flying debris that he sends sailing into the audience as he spews intelligent and biting social and political commentary.

He has spent the last 15 years creating and honing his own brand of comic relief after making the transition from road manager to front man. More than any other comic, Gallagher is best known for his audacious cable specials.

Of his own style of comedy, he says, he wants to make people look more closely at this country and their lives and to see the humor and absurdity in it all.

Country singer T.G. Sheppard, who has 17 number one singles to his credit, will star at the Ramada Express in the Pavilion Theater, May 17-21. His show is chock full of chart-topping hits like "Last Cheater's Waltz," "Party Time," "I Loved 'Em Every One," "One for the Money," and "Trying to Beat the Morning Home." Tickets are $19, call 800-243-6846.

Sheppard cut his first record, "High School Days" in 1966 under the name Brian Stacy and earned himself opening act gigs with big names like The Beach Boys. It was in 1972 that he found a song that changed his life forever, Bobby David's composition "Devil in the Bottle." The song had been turned down by eight record labels in 18 months, but it was a hit and a start for Sheppard.

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Australia's Thunder From Down Under will provide a perfect "girls' night out" at the Riverside on Thursday, May 15. The group of eight Aussies will take to the stage with a male cabaret show for a one-night engagement. The Vegas-style production includes themed costumes and choreographed dancing for over an hour of fun. Tickets are $20, call 800-227-3849.

Happy Hour at the Pioneer runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. During that time, all beers and well drinks at any bar are one dollar.

This year, the resort's annual "Wide Open Miniature Golf Tournament" is set for May 15-18. This tournament is played on nine holes designed and constructed by the engineering department and it is laid out on the grounds around the resort. The first place prize is $7,000.

The entry fee is $450 and includes a room for three nights, two days of miniature golf, all meals and beverages for the player and a guest and an awards ceremony in Granny's Gourmet Room on Sunday. For information, call the marketing department at 702-298-2442 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Koi, the colorfully patterned kin to the common carp, have a home in the moat that circles the Colorado Belle. The fish have been a fixture at the Belle since 1997, after special equipment was installed and 100 pricey koi were released. Recently the moat has been prepared for the breeding season by creating breeding mats and special plant cover. A reduction in light is important.

Guests can get involved when the fish are fed at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily by meeting the Belle employees at the bridges located at the north and south ends of the boat facing the parking lot or the bridge over the Riverwalk and becoming temporary koi feeders. Each person who participates in the feeding receives a special commemorative cup as a memento.

The Golden Nugget's Slotopoly Tournament scheduled May 16 and 17, will have players completing for $65,500 in cash prizes.

New members joining the resort's 24-Karat club will continue to receive a free stainless steel GNL travel mug. New members who earn points during their first 24 hours of play can earn additional gifts.

Construction has begun on the hotel's newest outlet - Starbucks. The grand opening is slated for the end of this month.

A sit-down "brunch" on the Deck is now offered on the Saturday and Sunday menu format. The breakfast and lunch menu items include eggs and omelets, waffles, appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the last seating at 1:30 p.m.

The River Cafe is offering a 2-for-1 daily special on weekdays. The deals are pot roast on Monday, pork chops on Tuesday, chicken and ribs on Wednesday, Swiss steak on Thursday, and catfish and hushpuppies on Friday.

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