The new show "Bravo" at the Venetian co-stars the Mexican comedy team of brothers Mario and Daniel and the ever vivacious "Cuchi, Cuchi" girl Charo. Until her recent Sprint television commercial, people had almost forgotten about Charo with the exception of folks in Hawaii where she and her family lived and owned a restaurant.

Charo turned down jobs such as playing Carmen Miranda on Broadway and a sitcom pilot in order to raise her son who is now in his second year at the University of Southern California. Last year, the family closed the house in Hawaii, moved to Beverly Hills, California and Charo hit the road and toured Europe.

Besides being a pint-size bundle of energy with an hourglass figure, there are many more endearing elements Spanish bombshell Charo brings to her Vegas-style stage show. She sings, dances around, tosses out a lot of comedy and then gets totally serious by playing her flamenco-guitar. When she was 14, Charo won a scholarship to study classical guitar with Andres Segovia and today she is considered one of the best in the world.

The multi-talented Charo leads a cast of incredible dancers performing Salsa, Flamenco and Samba and a four-piece live band in her new Latin influenced show. Her indefinite venture at the Venetian is co-produced by On Stage Entertainment, which produces "Legends in Concert" at the Imperial Palace.

Show times are 9 p.m. nightly except Sunday with an additional 7 p.m. show on Wednesday. Tickets are $48, $59 and $69, call 702-414-2001.

Had the privilege recently of catching "Evita" at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. The show was excellent and the sound was marvelous. Years ago before the remodel job, you could not hear Broadway shows well in the theater. This reporter is happy to say that is no longer the case, the sound was great.

King Solomon Condominiums is a new two-story residential community with 166 units for active adults and the first retirement community to offer fully supervised Kosher meals. The floor plan features one- and two-bedroom condos and residents have the option to enjoy three meals a day, served restaurant-style in the main dining room. In addition, there is a private dining room available for residents to utilize for special personal family events and celebrations.

The King Solomon offers many amenities including a fitness center, beauty shop, indoor whirlpool, full-service spa, outdoor swimming pool, game room, craft room, library and business center and an outdoor putting green. Weekly housekeeping is included and laundry service is available along with shuttle service, satellite television, complimentary washer and dryers, concierge service and Internet access. For information on The King Solomon Condominiums located at 8630 Nevso Drive, call 1-800-316-7030 or 702-933-6500.

Grammy Award-winning rock 'n' roll singer Bryan Adams will bring two dozen hit singles and a road-tested live show to the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Dec. 30. Tickets are $55, $85 and $135, call 702-785-5000.

From Canada, Adams first made waves in the United States with his 1983 tune "Straight from the Heart." His soundtrack hit "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" was the best-selling single of 1991, and led to other movie-related successes, including "All For Love," a collaboration with Sting and Rod Stewart, and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"

The Cirque du Soleil odyssey "O" at the Bellagio will perform two shows on New Year's Eve at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets will be $99 and $121 inclusive for the matinee. The 7 p.m. show will be $124 and $146 inclusive, call 1-888-488-7111 or 702-693-7722.

The Golden Nugget downtown has a three-night package for two people priced at $463. Included in the package will be two tickets to the New Year's Eve Party on Fremont Street that will headline Rare Earth, The Bangles, Classic Rock All-Stars and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. For reservations, call 1-800-346-5336.

New York-New York's Cabaret Theatre will be transformed into "Club Cabaret" for a high-energy dance party featuring DJ R.O.B. ringing in the New Year with a celebration from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tickets are $71 inclusive with party favors and a champagne toast at midnight included. Tickets also include entry to the private viewing area on the "Walk In The Park" for the spectacular New Year's Strip fireworks.

Party revelers can ring in the New Year at the MGM Grand's Studio 54 nightclub featuring go-go dancers, aerial acts, bungee jumpers, wall-walkers and DJ Frankie spinning music until 1:30 a.m. There will be complimentary champagne, hors d'oeuvres, party favors and choreographed dance routines to ring in the New Year.

The countdown at Studio 54 will include vibrant visuals, a balloon drop, and confetti blasts. The party begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the door, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

With his distinctive three-octave range falsetto, Frankie Valli along with The Four Seasons will welcome in the New Year at the Riviera. The event includes a gourmet dinner, unlimited drinks and party favors. Cost is $189, call 702-794-9280.

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In honor of New Year's Eve, two additional performances of "Mystere" at Treasure Island will be performed on Monday, Dec. 31 at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be $125 plus tax and include champagne, party favors and a souvenir program, call 1-800-392-1999.

"Magicians of the Century" Siegfried and Roy will perform their magical wonders during a 10:15 p.m. New Year's Ever show in their 1,600-seat theatre. Tickets are $125 inclusive with a split of champagne, souvenir program, party favors and two drinks, call 1-800-963-9634.

Master impressionist Danny Gans, "The Man of Many Voices" will captivate audiences in his 1,265-seat theatre during his 8 p.m. New Year's Eve show. Tickets are $125 inclusive, call 1-800-963-9634.

Frankie Avalon will headline in The Orleans Mardi Gras Ballroom on New Year's Eve. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and include open bar, a four-course sit-down dinner, midnight champagne toast and dance music by The Klique. Cost is $139.95 inclusive, call 702-365-7075.

At the Gold Coast on New Year's Eve, The Letterman will be doing the honors in the Ballroom. The event beginning at 7 p.m. includes a four-course dinner, open bar, music, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $99.95 inclusive, call 702-251-3574.

Another party at the Gold Coast will be in the showroom featuring Jim Fitzgerald and his 18-piece Dance Band. This event will include two drinks, party snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. Coast is $34.95 inclusive.

Natalie Cole, whose career musically has conquered a beguiling mix of R&B / soul, pop, gospel and adult contemporary, will headline at Paris Las Vegas, Dec. 14-16. Tickets are $65, call 1-877-374-7469 or 702-946-4567.

With albums such as "Unforgettable...With Love," "Take a Look" and "Stardust," Cole is keeping alive a musical tradition that began with such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and, her own father, Nat "King" Cole. "Unforgettable_With Love" was released in 1991 and earned Cole seven Grammy awards.

Country music artist LeDoux will perform 10:30 p.m. shows at the Silverton, Dec. 13-15. He is a former rodeo champion who used to play his guitar in his spare time and write songs about life on the circuit. After retiring from rodeo competition, LeDoux jumped full-force into his music career and recorded 22 albums. For ticket and show information, call 702-263-7777.

Several new sand tiger and sandbar sharks are cruising along in the 1.3 million-gallon Shark Reef exhibit at Mandalay Bay. Treasure Bay now holds more than 40 large sharks ranging in size from 5 to 12 feet long. This exhibit features one of North America's largest displays of sharks and sea predators.

Shark Reef also offers self-guided audio tours, adding a new dimension to the experience. The tour offers more than 30 minutes of insights and information about everything from sea turtles to sandbar sharks. Audio tour rentals are $1 with the regular admission.

Sharf Reef at Mandalay Bay is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $13.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5 -12, and free for children 4 and under, call 702-632-4555.

In celebration of Christmas, the Tropicana will begin tomorrow to offer a limited edition Christmas 2001 commemorative $5 chip. It is the tenth chip to be released in a series.

Sorry to say the very popular Michael Holly Off-the-Wall Comedy Hour afternoon show at the Sahara will be closing on Dec. 16, after a more than half-a-year run.

If you enjoy the Motown sounds, catch Smokey Robinson at the Rio's Samba Theater Dec. 27-30. During his 9 p.m. performances, he'll do favorites like "Cruisin'," "Being With You" and "Special Occasion." Tickets are $60 plus tax, call 702-777-7776 or 1-888-746-7784.

The Official NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show is continuing through Dec. 15 in the North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The annual shopping event features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 400 exhibitors. Admission is free.

Singer Clint Holmes has a 22-year-old son who is an artist. The proud father likes to let everyone know that his son Brent has two works hanging in The Art of Music Gallery at the Forum Shops. Brent's pictures share gallery space with works by Grace Slick, John Lennon, Jerry Garcia, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Tony Bennett.

If you're going to attend shows during December, please check the show schedules because many shows take time off during the month. Some dark date examples are: "The Comedy Stop" at the Tropicana Dec. 10-25; Clint Holmes at Harrah's Dec. 23-31; the sexy revue "Skintight" at Harrah's Dec. 20-Jan. 3; Mac King at Harrah's Dec. 25-31; "Splash" at the Riviera Dec. 8-24; "An Evening At La Cage" at the Riviera Dec. 11-27; and "Crazy Girls" at the Riviera Dec. 17-Jan. 3.

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