by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

The Commodores are set to appear at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater, Sept. 12-13, at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 plus tax and handling fee, call 800-222-5361 or 702- 732-5755.

Since they kick-started their careers in the early '70s, opening up for the Jackson Five worldwide, The Commodores have had a wildly successful 30 years in the music industry. Selling more than 60 million albums for Motown, The Commodores were the label's largest-selling act for two decades with hits like "Brick House," "Easy" and "Three Times a Lady," "Night Shift" was the group's first Grammy Award in 1986.

For the past decade, The Commodores have been recording new albums under their own label, "Commodores Records and Entertainment." Most recently, they released "Commodores Live" in CD, VHS and DVD formats.

Funny man Robert Schimmel will take center stage in the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo for 10 p.m. shows on Sept. 12 and 13. Tickets are $35.75 and $44.00, call 877-386-8224 or 702-730-7160.

Schimmel's all-too-real brand of humor, which spotlights relationships and sex, has put him at the forefront of the comedy circuit. His big break came in 1986 when Rodney Dangerfield invited him to perform on his HBO "Young Comedians Special," which led to his critically-acclaimed Showtime specials "Hard Core in the Big Apple" and "Robert Schimmel: Guilty As Charged."

Schimmel recently battled and beat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer, and is celebrating his two-year anniversary of remission. Through the long and sometimes painful cancer treatments he found refuge in listening to comedy and music CDs and audio books.

Schimmel is asking his fans and those who would like to help a worthy cause to donate new or used CDs or audio books at collection bins that will be available in the theatre. He will then personally deliver these items to local cancer infusion centers, purchasing portable audio players if necessary to help others through their treatment.

Producer Sharon Haynes says her newest production "Serendipity," which was created for a summer run at the Gold Coast Showroom in place of "Honky Tonk Angels," has been extended "indefinitely." The 8 p.m. show will go dark on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning Sept. 3. The Monday night show will move to a 3 p.m. Saturday matinee slot starting on Sept. 6.

Broadway's smash hit musical, "The Full Monty," will make its Las Vegas debut for eight performances at the Aladdin Theatre, Oct. 15 - 19. The musical received ten 2001 Tony Nominations and ended its Broadway run on Sept. 1, 2002. Ticket prices range from $25 to $75, call 1-866-477-5267 or 702-785-5000.

Based on the record-breaking 1997 Academy Award-nominated hit of the same name, "The Full Monty" is the raucous and heartfelt story of six unemployed steelworkers who go to great lengths to make some cash and help out a friend in trouble. When a local male strip show - whose dancers venture down to their G-strings - is a hit with the local women, the cash-strapped factory workers figure they can cash in big time if they go the full Monty. The show is also about an image obsessed society that says you have to look like Brad Pitt.

Vocalist Ray Brown Jr., son of jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald and renowned jazz musician Ray Brown, will open Sept. 2 with his "Uptown Attitude" ensemble for a three-month engagement in the Le Bistro Theater at the Riviera. Tickets for the 10 p.m. shows running Tuesdays through Saturdays are $34.95 plus tax, call 702-794-0433.

Brown displayed his versatile voice and other musical talents in 2001 with his debut album for SRI Records. "Slow Down For Love" featured a collection of light jazz and R&B songs composed, written and arranged by Brown and his second album, "Committed From The Heart," was released this year. For 15 years, Brown worked in bands and as a single artist, performing all over the world. He learned piano and drums in his youth.

Beginning Sept. 15, "Air Play," the free show held high above slot machines under the Tiffany glass ceiling in the Tropicana, will add two additional shows daily, for a total of six performances at 11 a.m., 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. The format of the show will also change slightly. Only the 7 and 9 p.m. shows will contain dance numbers with the talented "Air Play" dancers. The other shows will showcase two variety acts and one featured act.

Lead male singer and director/producer of the show, Franco Deliz, will sing and introduce each show along with female co-singer, Mary Jane Samoy. The current entertainers performing in "Air Play" - Aerial Expression, balancing act Stoyan Metchkarov, contortionists Duo Joys and Passion to Balance, will continue to perform in the show.

The first Great American Motorcycle Experience (GAME) will be the largest motorcycle event ever held in Nevada. It will debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from Sept. 17-21, and feature dirt bikes, "Supercross" racers, custom bikes and cruisers. The event is considered to be different from other nationwide motorcycle gatherings because it will offer 10 styles of racing competition, dealer products and demo areas in a single location.

The Fremont's "Jump, Jive, An' Wail" show in the Aloha Cabaret has been cancelled.

Former Silverton magician Dirk Arthur will resurface at the Plaza downtown opening on Sept. 24. He'll be doing 7 p.m. shows and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Tickets are $29 plus tax, call 702-386-2110 for information.

The Mexican restaurant, La Salsa Cantina has opened at the Showcase Mall on the Strip. It is open for lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m.

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