The free "Masquerade Show in the Sky" at the Rio will introduce a new version of the show by a different producer on February 9, 2002. Dick Foster Productions will overhaul the attraction that is turning five years old.

The new version will be more provocative and interactive. It will double in length from its current 12 minutes and have a pre-show parade that makes its way into the Masquerade Village from other areas of the hotel. The cast will be expanded from 22 performers up to 30, and the schedule of performances will be increased to seven shows every day.

Fully interactive, the show will offer guests the opportunity to actually perform in a live Las Vegas production. Guest "stars" may perform in costume aboard one of the famous parade floats.

Good news, the popular tour of Hoover Dam has been reopened after being stopped and put on hold due to the September 11 tragedy. However, hard hat tours of the dam, which had included a trip to the base of the dam, are no longer available. Tour hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Scintas, pronounced SHIN-TAHS, have signed a contract extension at the Rio that will keep them headlining there until April 2003. After making their Las Vegas debut at the Las Vegas Hilton, they moved to the 700-seat showroom at the Rio last April.

The Buffalo, New York natives are a foursome featuring two brothers, Joe and Frank, younger sister Chrissi and Peter O'Donnell on drums. The eldest brother Joe plays bass and does a great Joe Cocker impression. He's also a comedic foil to younger brother Frank, who plays virtually every instrument. Petite Chrissi lights up the stage with an overwhelming powerful soprano vice.

Over the years, the Scintas have performed for both Presidents Reagan and Clinton, and have played with such entertainment legends as Ray Charles, The Temptations and Rick James. Show tickets are $44.95 plus tax, call 702-777-7776.

"John Hancock Champions on Ice" will begin an 86-city summer tour on April 3, 2002, and make a stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, Aug. 3. Tickets are priced at $35, $55 and $75.

The ice show will spotlight Michelle Kwan, the 1998 Olympic Silver Medalist and 2001 World Champion; 1996 World Champion and five-time U.S. Champion Todd Eldredge; U.S. Champion and Goodwill Games Silver Medalist Michael Weiss; Irina Slutskaya, 2001 World Silver Medalist and Goodwill Games Champion; and Sarah Hughes, 2001 World Bronze Medalist and Skate Canada Champion.

The above group will be accompanied by Champions from Olympic and World competition including Victor Petrenko, Nicole Bobek, Rudy Galindo, Philippe Candeloro and an international who's who of pair and dance superstars.

Comedian Sinbad will bring his stories and clean language to Paris Las Vegas when he headlines 9 p.m. shows, Jan. 3-6. Tickets are $55, call 1-877-374-7469 or 702-946-4567.

The former University of Denver basketball player was discovered by Redd Foxx and Bill Cosby when he made seven appearances on the television show "Star Search" in the 1980s. He earned roles on "The New Redd Foxx Show" and Cosby's "A Different World."

Sinbad went on to host a talk show, make more feature films, and produce and star in Fox Television's "The Sinbad Show" and HBO's "Sinbad's Summer Jam Weekend" series. In addition, he released a book, "Sinbad's Guide To Life (Because I Know Everything), published by Bantom Books Hardcover in 1997.

Seasoned comic, Shelly Berman, will headline The Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's, Jan. 1-6. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax and fellow comedians David Hayes and David Gee will also be on the slate.

The muti-talented Berman is a comedian, actor, writer and teacher. He's had film and television roles and written CBS and NBC pilots. As an author, he's published three books. His comedy albums garnered three gold records and earned him a Grammy for a non-musical recording. His 13-year teaching career has been within the Masters of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California.

"Wheel of Fortune" will be filming in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Hilton, Jan. 20-22, 2002. It will be shot in the showroom in front of a live audience.

If you missed "Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center this month with fellow champions such as Kristi Yamaguchi, you can catch the event when it airs on New Year's Day.

A great way to catch a stunning array of short performances by over a dozen top Las Vegas entertainers is to tune into Tony Sacca's "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" annual Christmas special. It will air tonight on America One Network and tomorrow, Dec. 24 on the America Independent Network.

The Harley Davidson Cafe on the Strip will hold the Harley Funkin' New Year's Eve Party featuring All Jive Aside with special guest Disco Dave in a fully enclosed outdoor patio. Party includes complimentary bar and passed hors d'oeuvres from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cost is $65 and $90, call 702-740-4555.

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The Stratosphere for the second year in a row will signal the finale for the citywide fireworks display. Numerous parties are planned for the occasion and you can call 1-800-99-TOWER, ext. 7711 or 702-380-7711 for information.

The Top of the World Restaurant named one of the "top ten romantic places to pop the question" in 2001 by "USA Today" has early seatings between 5:30 and 8 p.m. for $175 per person and late seatings between 9 and 11:30 p.m. for $250 per person. The late seatings include viewing of the fireworks show. All dinner guests have access to the Top of the World Lounge.

The Top of the World Lounge will have live entertainment, party favors, a midnight Champagne toast, unlimited rides from 8 to 10 p.m., fireworks viewing and two drinks for $125 per person with tax included.

There will be an Indoor Observation Deck Party on level 108 of the Tower with a DJ, unlimited rides from 8 to 10 p.m., strolling entertainers, party favors, butler passed hors d'oeuvres, unlimited draft beer and soda, a midnight Champagne toast and fireworks viewing. Cost is $100 per person with tax included.

Another option at the Stratosphere is a Fireworks Viewing Party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Pool Deck located on the eighth floor of the new room tower. This outdoor party will have a DJ, food and drinks on a cash basis and heaters placed around the deck. Cost is $15 per person with tax included.

The $40 million Stirling Club at Turnberry Place has opened and followed the exclusivity lead set by the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay. To get into the club, you must be a Turnberry Pace resident, buy a club membership or be a guest of a club member. Singer/impressionist Bob Anderson along with the Vince Falcone trio is performing an open-ended run in the 110-seat nightclub.

The Venetian Resort has been named one of the Top 50 Hotels in North America by 30,000 readers of "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine. The Venetian was one of only three Las Vegas properties to make this distinguished list, which was published in the November 2001 issue.

Chris Nicholson is the new male adagio dancer in the "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana. His dedication has earned him a promotion from his understudy position. Nicholson joined the "Folies" in September 1996 after dancing in "Enter the Night" for two years when the show was at the Stardust.

"Splash" at the Riviera will reopen on Christmas night with 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. shows through Dec. 30. It will be closed on New Year's Eve. On Jan. 1, 2002, "Splash" will move to a six-night-a-week schedule playing topless shows twice nightly at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday through Thursday, dark on Friday.

The Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium for the first time will hold its game on Christmas Day. The game will be televised nationally by ABC at 12:30 p.m. The two college football teams that will be playing are the University of Utah Utes against the University of Southern California Trojans.

Siegfried & Roy's community contributions will be recognized by the posting of the first commemorative signs in the city. The signs honoring the Magicians of the Century will be placed on Koval Lane, one block east of the famed Las Vegas Strip, between Sands Drive and Flamingo Road.

The cast of "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" at New York-New York will begin a holiday break starting today. Their hiatus will run through Jan. 6. For information, call 1-800-693-6763.

Fellini's Italian Restaurant has opened at Sam's Town on Boulder Highway. The restaurant opens nightly at 5 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on weekends, call 702-434-4593.

The two largest New Year's Eve celebrations will take place on the Strip and at the Fremont Street Experience.

The Strip's $500,000 fireworks show will detonate more than 30,000 fireworks at 15 Strip locations. The display will be choreographed to music and last seven minutes and 11 seconds. It is free.

The Fremont Street Experience will host its New Year's Eve Bash, billed as the World's Biggest Dance Party, that spans five city blocks. Classic rock all-stars Rare Earth, The Bangles and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will perform on two mobile entertainment stages surrounded by 550,000 watts of concert-quality sound and 2.1 million lights from the Experience canopy. Tickets are $30, call 702-678-5777.

Neil Diamond will ring in the New Year with a 10 p.m. show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets are $50, $85 and $150.

Star Trek: The Experience has a New Year's Eve party planned with special "Klingon" celebrity guests and entertainment by Neil Norman and his Cosmic Orchestra. The evening includes a champagne toast at midnight, unlimited access to the ride and attraction, a one-of-a-kind gift, a $12,000 custom-made costume grand prize give-away and a $500 costume contest. Pre-launch starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $350, call 702-697-8702.

Singer Frankie Randall with the Vincent Falcone 20-piece Orchestra will entertain in the Grand Ballroom at the Suncoast's Grand Ballroom. The evening's festivities include a five-course sit-down dinner, open bar and champagne toast at midnight. Cost $119.95 inclusive, call 702-636-7111.

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