by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

The Imperial PalaceFirst Anniversary of an unbelievably over-the-top "Dealertainers" promotion that started very slowly last year and is now the hit of the Las Vegas Strip.

It all started with an idea by Craig Garland, casino manager, after he watched what happens every night following the "Legends in Concert" show. He watched the people crowd into the lobby to get an autograph or a photo with the look-a-like performers. It was a simple idea: find some look-a-likes who can entertain and who would be willing to become blackjack dealers.

After a series of meetings with Ed Crispell, general manager of the Imperial Palace, the idea was approved for a test run. It took a few weeks to find the look-a-likes and then they had to be trained to become dealers. On the evening of May 25, 2003 the first hand of blackjack was dealt by Elvis before a crowd of media and hotel patrons. At first it was only going to be for a few days over crowded weekends. It was so successful that Garland expanded the operation to more days and put more look-a-likes through dealer school.

"It's been a thrilling year watching the evolution of the Dealertainers Pit and the dealers," Crispell said. "We took a chance at combining gaming with entertainment and the public has enjoyed it tremendously."

The Dealertainers Pit is located at the east end of the main gaming pit. It has an elevated small stage where the dealertainers do their thing be it Cher, Elvis (older or young version), Rod Stewart or a Ray Charles. Believe me when I say if they were or are famous there's a dealertainer working the floor at the Imperial Palace.

Speaking of "Legends in Concert," the historic show that helped put the I.P. on the map, it just keeps going on and on and on, and of course we enjoyed seeing it again (I have honestly lost count how many times I've seen the show). This time the show has a dynamic opening act in Marva Scott as the fabulous Disco Queen "Donna Summer", Stacy Whitton doing a terrific "Shania Twain," Boniface as "Prince" and ABBA Gold as "ABBA." The closing act as always is "Elvis" performed by Matt Lewis. It's still one of the best bargains along the great Las Vegas Strip.

Was invited by a friend to have dinner at his new restaurant the other night (to be honest we go out to dinner a lot). What a pleasant surprise it was too. Don Gloude, who was best known around the world as a wonderful singer and who I used to watch perform at the Gold Coast, is in charge of "La Louisanne" at 3655 S. Durango Drive. Born and raised in New Orleans he of course grew up eating and cooking lots of those Cajun and Creole foods that Louisiana is so famous for. His grandmother and mother had their very special recipes and of course he was expected to carry on the tradition of fine cooking. "I have some recipes that go back at least over a hundred years or more," Don told me.

My friend opted for the "Boiled Crawfish Dinner" with Cajun & Creole spices, while I went for "Blackened Catfish." I can't tell you about the crawfish since I am allergic to shellfish, but let me tell you this was very possibly the best darn catfish I've ever tasted. And both dinners are not expensive at $11.95 each with all the right side dishes. The special seasonings used by Don and his chef are what makes them so unique. You have your choice of mild, hot, hotter or boiling hot. I suggest you try mild first and build to the hot. We had one "Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler" for desert. Now that was something else again.

So, gang, should you be in the mood for some great Cajun or Creole food, cooked like you were at home, then I humbly ask you to visit "La Louisanne" on Durango. You will not be disappointed I guarantee it!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Buddy Greco and his bride, Lezlie Anders will return to the Judy Baley Theatre at UNLV on Wednesday, August 18th through August 29th for another run of their hit show "Fever." If you recall I reviewed their first presentation, which is a tribute show to the late, great and fabulous singer Ms. Peggy Lee. You will never see a better presentation, believe me!... Went to see "Saturday Night Fever" at the Sahara Hotel the other evening. What a great show! It's strange how things go 'round in circles, huh? For years it was only headline stars, then it was changed to French revues, moved to Broadway shows, then back to headliners and now Broadway type shows are returning. I love it! More on this particular show down the line... Tony Sacca's "Las Vegas Sings for America" will be seen over this weekend on national as well as local television. Check your listings for time and station. He will also be appearing as a performer tonight (Friday), Saturday and Sunday at the Plaza Hotel in the Celebrity Room. Joey Villa, one of the greats of comedy, and Magnum PI's Larry Manetti are the hosts, while the Joe Darrow Trio provides the music... Comedian / magician Mac King unveiled his syndicated new comic strip "Mac King's Magic In A Minute" the other day. The afternoon star of Harrah's Las Vegas (Strip) will have its first appearance this Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal and is syndicated by Tribune Media Services... Frankie Scinta (he of the Scintas show at the Rio) was guest speaker at the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) graduation this week at Lucille Rogers Elementary School. Did you know they wrote and recorded the song "Drug-Free America" in 1988? Did you know they became part of the "Just Say No" campaign? Did you know they were also invited to the White House to meet the President and his First Lady, Nancy. The answer is yes!

That's it for another week. I'm outa here!

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