"Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding," the second longest running show in Off-Broadway history will open an indefinite engagement at the Rio on Feb. 1. It will be in an existing theater adjacent to the Masquerade Village entrance.

The interactive show concept gives audiences a chance to attend an actual wedding in which there is a ceremony, reception, guests and lots of improvisation. The theatrical performance satires an Italian-American wedding and the audience participates in all aspects of the fictitious event. The most imaginative aspect of the show is its unpredictability.

The rousing reception takes place with the Nunzio and Vitale families. The reception includes hors d'ouevres, a champagne toast, a full Italian buffet pasta dinner, wedding cake and dancing to a five-piece band.

"Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" has been an Off-Broadway hit for more than 15 years and played in more than 40 American cities. Performances are nightly at 7 p.m., with a special noon Sunday Brunch show. Tickets are $65 general seating, and $75 for special VIP seating, call 702-777-7776.

After seven years in Branson, Mo., Tony Orlando is returning to Las Vegas. He'll be headlining at the Golden Nugget downtown for an extended stay beginning the latter part of January.

Station Casinos' eighth casino property, the $300 million Mediterranean-themed Green Valley Ranch, has opened about ten miles southeast of the Strip on 40 acres of land in Henderson. The new 201-room resort with 45 suites is instantly appealing. While the resort is upscale, it is still very comfortable without being intimidating. Room rates will range from $99 to $249.

While the new resort will be very convenient for locals, there will be round-the-clock limousine and concierge service available to shuttle guests from Green Valley Ranch to the Strip or elsewhere in the valley.

Among the resort's many highlights are its restaurant selections. You'll find the following: Gustav Mauler's newest concept Bull Shrimp, a steak and seafood restaurant; the Border Grill (there's one at Mandalay Bay); II Fornaio; The Original Pancake House (their first inside a hotel/casino); and Trophy's sports bar. There's also The Feast Around The World Buffet and a food court.

Fado is an Irish pub opening in February. In Gaelic, Fado means long ago. Fado's Irish Pubs arrived in the United States in 1996, and this location marks the chain's first pub in the southwestern United States.

Most impressive with a view of the Las Vegas Strip is the dazzling pool area called Whiskey Beach. The pool offers a walk-in sand beach, a disappearing-edge waterfall and a bridge that spans its entire length. Adjacent to the pool are private cabanas, each with its own personal plunge pool. Nestled in Whiskey Beach's acreage is an outdoor concert venue.

December was a month for opening movie theatres in Las Vegas. The brand new Palms casino opened a 14-screen multiplex by Brenden Theatres. Also, Century Theatres has expanded from 12 to 18 screens. The new auditoriums are like the first 12 with stadium seating rocking chairs and some love seats. A second snack bar completes the expansion.

The Magic of David Darkstone, "Illusions and Beyond," has closed at the New Frontier. "V" The Ultimate Variety Show has taken over through Dec. 31 with 2 p.m. shows starring Will Roya as "Silly Willy." Also in the show is classical magician Raushan Hammond who is known for his role in the movie "Hook." There's a possibility that the show may continue into January.

Jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, will headline with his Big Bop Nouveau band in the La Cage Theater at the Riviera on Tuesday, Jan. 22. By the age of 16, Ferguson was performing in Canada with the touring bands such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Ferguson lived in England and lead a band composed of British musicians. After his recording of "MacArthur Park" became a hit, his concert schedule in American brought him back to the states. When his recording of "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from the motion picture, "Rocky" reached the top-ten on the pop charts and his album "Conquistador" turned gold, his popularity soared.

Ferguson and the band will perform 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Admission is $20 plus all applicable taxes, call 702-794-9433.

Las Vegas Valley heavyweight amateurs will compete in the Toughest Bouncer/Bartender/Casino Employee contest at Caesars, battling for prize money and bragging rights.

Both events will be held in the Caesars Palace Pavilion at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 and $25 plus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 1-800-634-6698 or 702-731-7865.

The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay has a full entertainment roster beginning with Hemlock on Jan. 11. The Strokes will rock the room on either Jan. 30 or 31, once the exact date is set. Suzanne Vega is scheduled on Feb. 9, followed by Vonda Shepard on Feb. 10. O.A.R. will play on Feb. 15 and George Thorogood will also rock the place on March 22. Tickets through Ticketmaster range from $10 for Hemlock up to $35 to $45 for Thorogood.

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Irish Pubs are becoming increasingly popular in Las Vegas. Palace Station located on Sahara Ave. off I-15 opened Jack's Irish Pub last September. The restaurant's decor features a lot of wood, like an old Irish pub, but it has a few modern touches, such as 14 television, including tabletop TVs in six booths.

For Irish music fans, the Wild Celts are on stage Wednesday through Sunday with varying hours. Dublin-born Walter O'Douling formed the band in 1997. The bartenders have been known to sing and dance on stage with the band. And there's an Irish jig contest every night in which the winner is rewarded with a free pint of Guinness.

And for those luncheon crowds wanting some entertainment, John Windsor provides a fantastic sing-a-long on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:30am-2:30pm. He also does requests like "Dirty Old Town" and "Whiskey On Sunday" or anything else off his extensive song list.

Jack's Irish Pub seats 160 guests and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is from 5 - 7 p.m. with $3 Guinness and specialty beers, $3 appetizers and $2 domestic bottled beer.

This past week The Reserve in Henderson officially became the Fiesta Henderson. As part of the conversion, Club Reserve has become an Amigo Club, on the same system with Fiesta Rancho.

Four comedians formerly with NBC's "Saturday Night Live" will appear in the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts for an 8 p.m. show on Jan. 5. They will join forces to revisit some of their most popular television characters and themes as well as present new material. Tickets are $35 and $45, call 702-785-5000.

Norm Macdonald, star of the ABC sitcom "Norm," delivered the fake news on the NBC show for five seasons. Jon Lovitz's most memorable characters include The Devil and Tommy Flanagan, the president of Pathological Liars Anonymous and alleged husband of Morgan Fairchild.

Kevin Nealon entertained TV audiences through characters such as the Subliminal Man, Hans of Hans and Franz and Mr. No Depth Perception. Victoria Jackson, a frequent guest on the "Tonight Show," is known for her poetry-handstand act, original ukulele songs, and many characterizations.

Aaron Carter, Lindsay Pagano and Dream Street will headline at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 2. Tickets are $20, $30 and $40, call Ticketmaster at 702-632-7580.

The multi-talented singer/comedian Wayne Brady, who can impersonate just about anyone, has stood out on the television hit-series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" He will take center stage at Paris Las Vegas, Jan. 11-13. Tickets are $55, call 1-877-374-7469 or 702-946-4567.

The Florida native has been a hit on his ABC variety show "The Wayne Brady Show." The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences invited him to perform solo at the 52nd Annual Emmy Awards in September 2000," where he spoofed many of the session's top shows, including "The Sopranos" and "Survivor."

It will be the American team versus the National team as former professional football players square off in Tough Bowl II with 11 heavyweight Toughman bouts at Caesars Palace on Saturday, Jan. 5. The night before, 16

Construction is continuing at the downtown Neonopolis entertainment complex. The $100 million project just east of the Fremont Street Experience is scheduled to open in the spring.

The Castaways, formerly the Showboat, on Boulder Highway has fun free entertainment lined up in the Windjammer Lounge beginning on Jan. 5 and 6, when Rebbie Jackson, who is part of the famous Jackson family, makes a return engagement. On Jan. 11 and 12, the FAB will perform their Beatles tribute, followed by the Tribute to the Four Tops, Jan. 24-26.

Nickarino's, the late-night pizza and pasta hot spot, has undergone a name change to dispel any confusion. Nick Bimonte's place is now called Nick's on the Strip. It is located at 3743 Las Vegas Blvd. So.

Arizona Charlie's East on Boulder Highway and Arizona Charlie's West on Decatur both have a free player reward program where new Charlie Reward members get Triple Cash Back for the first three weeks after they sign up.

A Hawaiian guest at the California Hotel downtown recently hit a $2.5 million jackpot on a "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine. Based on the world's most popular game show, "Wheel of Fortune" slot machines are one of 17 Nevada MegaJackpots systems operated by IGT.

This week's newest nightspot is Whiskey Sky owned by entrepreneurs Rande, married to celebrity Cindy Crawford, and Scott Gerber. They own a chain of nightclubs with "Whiskey" in the name - Whiskey Blue in New York, Whiskey Park in Boston, Whiskey Rocks in Aspen, Co., etc.

The 5,300-square-foot bar and lounge will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. The entrance is through 2,000-pound doors and down a glossy white staircase. The view from the bar or the terrace is of the Las Vegas Strip. The terrace includes covered dens, each with its own bed, flat screen TV, mist system, stereo/CD player and computer portal.

Other amenities at Green Valley Ranch include four bars, a 10-screen movie theater by Regal Cinemas, a 10,000-square-foot health spa, and an 11,000-square-foot meeting and convention area. The Drop Bar located in the middle of the casino has a grand arched ceiling and white leather sofa wraps around the bar offering lounge-style seating for conversation.

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