by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

"Riverdance," the show that celebrates Irish music, song and dance, and focuses on the evolution of Irish dance, will return to Las Vegas, Feb. 11-15, for eight performances at the Aladdin Theatre. Tickets are $35, $55 and $75, call 702-785-5000.

This dance phenomenon has thrilled over 15 million people around the world. "Riverdance" had its world premiere at the Point Theatre in Dublin, in February 1995. There are presently two productions of "Riverdance" touring the world. Some 6.5 million people have purchased the video versions of the show and the album, certified Platinum in the United States, has sold more than two million CDs worldwide.

It's the first time Shark Reef, a self-contained American aquarium at Mandalay Bay, is displaying a great hammerhead. The new animal joins 15 species of sharks at the nearly two million gallon aquarium. Shark Reef's hammerhead is currently six feet long and inhabiting the second largest aquarium tank in the country. The great hammerhead is the largest of nine species of hammerheads that can reach up to 18 feet in length.

Shark Reef is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5-12 years old and free for children under four. For information, call 702-632-7580.

The Orleans, located less than two miles west of the Strip on Tropicana Avenue, has announced plans to build a third 21-story room tower with 460 rooms. The ground breaking for the $36 million tower is expected early next year with completion by winter 2004. After the expansion, the Orleans will have 1,886 rooms.

The Orleans opened in 1996 with 840 rooms and unveiled another tower with 586 rooms in August 2002. The 9,000-seat Orleans Arena opened in May of this year and is home to the minor league Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team.

On the heels of Station Casinos' plans for its first upscale locals mega-resort -- Red Rock Station with around 2,000 rooms when completed in the northwest end of the valley, Coast Casinos has announced that its new South Coast, slated for the intersection of Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Las Vegas Blvd. South, will consist of three 245-foot-tall hotel towers, for a total of 2,139 rooms. In addition, a timeshare development that will ultimately consist of 3,000 units in 30 twelve-story towers is currently under construction on the South Coast parcel.

South Coast won't be considered a neighborhood casino, as it occupies a 185-acre parcel within a planned seven-mile "gateway" of commercial development stretching along Las Vegas Blvd.

The Bellagio currently has a 928-room, $375 million Spa Tower under construction that is scheduled to open in December 2004. This tower addition will also include a new restaurant, Sensi, which will have a kitchen in the middle with diners seated around its edge. The casually elegant restaurant will serve lunch and dinner.

Other changes at the Bellagio include a makeover of the hotel rooms and suites. The existing 3,005 rooms will have the same as the new Spa rooms and suites, with marble entries, flat-panel televisions, high-tech minibars and automatic drapes. The pool deck is also being expanded and 28 new cabanas are being added.

At the Riviera, the Royale Pavilion will be the site of a gourmet dinner and show featuring the Lon Bronson Orchestra and celebrity impersonators representing music of the 40's to the present. There will be open bars, hors d'oeuvres and party favors. Tickets are $135 inclusive.

A New Year's Eve Dance Party will be held at the Top of the Riv Ballroom. This bash with a view of the Strip's annual fireworks will be hosted by a DJ and include open bars, hors d'oeuvres and party favors. The price is $100 inclusive.

The V Bar lounge inside the Venetian will be a party atmosphere on New Year's Eve. Doors will open at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 and the party will last into the early hours. DJ Five will be spinning a blend of Hip Hop, Rock, 80's Pop, Funk and Soul. A large booth is $1,500, small tables are $750, and the cover charge, which includes admission, assorted party favors and toys, is $60 per person. The dress code will be enforced so dress to impress. Reservations must be made and confirmed by a V Bar manager to reserve a spot, call 702-414-3200.

Venus the Nightclub, also inside the Venetian, will hold a party starting at 10 p.m. You can reserve a table for your own personal party for $200 and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne or buy a general admission $150 per person. Business attire is required. For reservations, call 702.414.4870.

New Year's Eve action at three local Station Casinos' establishments has popular acts headlining with ticket prices ranging from $24.95 to a high of $49 on Dec. 31. Louie Louie has a 9 p.m. show at Santa Fe Station, the group Loveshack are set for a 9 p.m. party at Texas Station, and another group Yellow Brick Road will invade Boulder Station at 10 p.m.

Decorations illuminate the holiday season all over town; but, some really stand out and they are free to view.

For the first time, a replica of a Rocky Mountain pine tree is in the center of the front fountains at Caesars Palace. The tree is 60 feet tall, 30-feet in diameter at the base and has 216,510 multi-colored lights that will shine until Jan. 6.

MonteLago Village, the old fashioned village at Lake Las Vegas, has the Holiday Festival of Trees running through Jan. 2. Ethel M Chocolates in Henderson has the Botanical Garden lit up for the season with more than 250,000 holiday lights.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN