by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Tony Sacca is a friend of this writer. I must say that out front since I do seem to give him a lot of space when he's doing something special. And that's the case again. Tony's always involved with one benefit or another during the year and come this Sunday he will pull off the First Annual "Las Vegas Sings for America" at the Stratosphere.

Tony appears in our homes every week with his television show, "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" and of course produces the annual Christmas Show at the same hotel. This particular benefit performance is a tribute to America for our liberties, freedom and pride of country Tony, who also will host the show, commented. There will be performances by singer / impressionist Bill Acosta, the brother act and fantastic pianist Mark & Clark, lounge legend Cook E. Jarr, comedian Sandy Hackett, popular international singing star Patricia Welch, singer Laurence T, Charlie Daniels impersonator Johnny Potash, the American Super Star Dancers, Nellis Air Force Base Color Guard and the Helen Joy's Young Entertainers. Mike Tramontana will once again provide musical support for all the acts with the Michael T Orchestra.

The live performance will begin at 2:00 pm. in the "Theatre of the Stars Showroom" and will be taped for later viewing on local and national television. There is no actual ticket sales other than a requested donation of $25 per person. All proceeds from this show go directly to benefit the Youth Foundation for the Performing Arts, a non-profit organization that awards grants and scholarships to students and teachers in our community. This is truly a grand cause and I urge you to take a break from watching that baseball or basketball game and head for the Stratosphere Hotel on Las Vegas Blvd., this Sunday. You not only will be helping out a great cause, but hey, you'll see some fabulous entertainment! Although opened to the public there is limited seating so I suggest you call (702) 889-3587 for reservations.

Oh, yeah, nearly forgot. Tony and the kids from Helen Joy's Entertainment have been invited to perform at the White House in Washington, DC during the Holiday season representing the City of Las Vegas.

The Rio Hotel & Casino over on Flamingo is busy again metamorphosising itself once again. The other day the a press conference and groundbreaking was held to announce that the company will be spending another $39 million to expand its Pavilion Convention Center from 100,000 square feet to 160,000 square feet, thereby making it the eighth largest hotel meeting space in Las Vegas.

But that's not all that is or will be taking place at the hotel. It just recently opened its new and reinvented buffet. And, this is no ordinary buffet either. It is "Absolutely Fabulous Darlinkkkk!" The Carnival World Buffet, at a cost of some $10 million, has once again raised the bar in fine buffet dining, offering a wide variety of fine food and deserts, and should you like there is plush seating in a very comfortable location within the area. Oh, yes, if you're a Nevada resident just show you're I.D. and you'll get in for a very special price for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The exterior also is being worked on. In May work began on the Porte Cochere, front desk, lobby and Impanema bar area and is set for completion in late August. The new entrance area will entice guest with a sleekly designed Porte Cochere allowing for more valet parking and easier navigation. The Impanema Bar will carry on with the Rio's motto, "Exotic, Uninhibited and fun." The World's best flair bartenders will perform elaborate bottle routines around a 15-foot tall Fiber Optic and oil art piece that will light up to synchronize with music.

Renovation on the very popular All American Bar & Grill is already underway and is scheduled to re-open in early September. The Voodoo Café & Lounge, which has maintained a position as a great viewing location, will undergo major remodeling on the 50th and 51st floor outdoor patios. There will be a new outdoor staircase connecting the two patios, an aerial deejay platform and go-go platforms will be suspended between the two floors. This is set to be completed by December. Total cost for all this new stuff is around $80 million.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Casa Mia Marks will introduce the first works of its Italian artists to Las Vegas at a "Italexpo" inside the Tuscany Hotel & Casino June 11-12, from 2 to 8 pm. on Friday and 3 to 9 pm. on Saturday and it's opened to the public. From what I've heard this is some of the most beautiful pieces of artistry to be seen anywhere... The Riviera Hotel has been watching the audience count continue to climb for the "Amazing Johnathan" show in its La Cage Showroom. Show time is 10 pm. nightly except Thursday and tickets are priced at $39.95 plus tax and fee... David Saxe has put his money where his heart is: he purchased the former Ovation Theatre inside Desert Passage at the Aladdin Hotel. He also got a lot of the surrounding stuff including a restaurant. He immediately brought his award-winning show "V - the Ultimate Variety Show" to the theatre and has re-named it The "V" Theatre. More on this later... Closing out this Sunday at the Comedy Stop inside the Tropicana Hotel is Billy Elmer along with comedy funnymen John Knight and Kathleen Dunbar. Show times are 8 pm. (non-smoking show) and 10:30 pm., with tickets priced at $19.95 inclusive with two drink tickets... It's been a long time since Joan Rivers performed in a showroom in our little village, but she's coming to the Stardust and the Wayne Newton Theatre June 23-26. It'll be a single show each night at 8 pm. and tickets are priced at $29.95 and $39.95 plus tax... Las Vegas Motor Speedway is busy installing the new Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers prior to the Sept. 25 Las Vegas 350 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race...

Well, gang that's it. I'm outa here!

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