Access Vegas Insider Vibe – January 10, 2007

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Newkirk’s Notes – comments on Las Vegas from AccessVegas.Com publisher Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! Everyone’s hangover from New Year’s Eve is starting to subside. Even presumably Britney Spears’, whose passing out or falling asleep (depending on which source you believe) overshadowed the fireworks, all the other celebs, and the 300,000 revelers that jammed our fine city.

For those who want a recap, enjoy the following:

Is it just me, is the conversion of The Aladdin to Planet Hollywood taking forever? Doesn’t it seem like this things started about the time they started building Wynn Las Vegas (which is already well underway on their second tower)? They actually are making headway, and we have brand new photos later in this issue.

In the biggest non-news of the week, Celine Dion is wrapping things up on December 15, 2007. Her run was scheduled to end this year, and there was no indication otherwise. But the clock is ticking, so don’t keep putting it off if interested.

In more interesting news, Mamma Mia! will be closing at Mandalay Bay in about 18 months. Lots of speculation that yet even another Cirque du Soleil show will take its place. But, 18 months is a LONG time. Two years ago, predictions of Las Vegas turning into Broadway West were all the rage based on the success of shows like Mamma Mia. (Anyone remember Avenue Q or Hairspray)? Now the predictions are Cirque. My opinion? Fun, entertaining shows have awesome, long runs here in Las Vegas.

With the nightclub scene stealing patrons away from the traditional shows, I’d be inclined to bet more investors start exploring combining those two activities. Steve Wyrick is giving it a shot (see story in news links).

Because we didn’t publish last week, we have extended our calendar giveaway! You still have a chance at Fantasy at The Luxor and Thunder From Down Under calendars as we have 15 of each for lucky readers. Missed the details? They are in our December 20, 2006 Insider Vibe issue.

NBA All-Star weekend is in just about a month, and we have tickets to the game and all the secondary events. If you are a local, or you are going to be in town the weekend of February 18, 2007, you need to check out our NBA All-Star Tickets Section. Can’t make it to Las Vegas? Grab yourself some NFL Playoff Tickets.

Enjoy This Issue!


Important Note: During peak times, some of our news and event story links may take extra time to load. We are working on significant upgrades to handle this increased demand. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience during the extra few seconds a story may take to appear when you click on it.

Show Review: Chippendales

Reviewed December 2006
by Nancy Dickinson

Attention all red-blooded healthy females (and surely males): Someone has gathered all the most beautiful men from all over the world and shoved them in a Theatre at The Rio for your viewing pleasure. Oh, and they’re not exactly clothed. And talented, too! Was it mentioned that they’re not really clothed? The Rio showroom is home to one of the most renowned male review shows this side of the six-pack… er… western hemisphere. Since 1981, Chippendales has been celebrating all that is MAN with the sexiest, most crowd pleasing party ever thrown. The secret to the show’s success lies in the magical mixture of the unparalleled chaos from a “girls night out” on steroids (the audience) and the impeccable pecs that flood the place.

Click to Read Complete Review

First Creative Session with Susan Stroman and David Hasselhoff as The Producers’ “Roger DeBris” – For Las Vegas, the legendary, eye-popping and drop-dead funny production will be reconceived as a 90-minute extravaganza (with no intermission), especially for the resort’s Paris Le Theatre des Arts. Like its New York counterpart, the production at Paris Las Vegas will feature music and lyrics by comedy icon Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Hairspray, Annie) and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy for You, Contact, The Music Man, Oklahoma). THE PRODUCERS has a Tony Award-winning book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, Tony Award-winning music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and Tony Award-winning direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The musical also has scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long and lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski (Tony winners all for their work). Click to Read The Full Story and Purchase Tickets …

Rod Stewart To Bring 2007 North American Tour To The MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, March 17 – Rock ‘n roll superstar Rod Stewart will roll his 2007 North American tour into the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, March 17 at 8 p.m. The tour, which will celebrate Stewart’s return to his rock roots, will highlight songs from his No.1 chart-topping album Still The Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time. The album features a number of classic hits from his more than three-decade career. For the first time in more than a decade, Stewart’s stage will be designed in-the-round giving fans an intimate 360-degree view of his energetic performance. Click to Read The Full Story and Purchase Tickets …

2007 Grammy Award Nominee Jamie Foxx Brings His Unpredictable Tour To The Aladdin Theatre For Performing Arts Friday, February 16 – Academy Awards winner Jamie Foxx, nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best R&B Album for Unpredictable, Best Rap Duo/Group for “Georgia” with Ludacris and Best R&B Performance by a Duo/Group for “Love Changes” with Mary J. Blige, will be bringing his Unpredictable Tour a night of comedy and music – to The Aladdin, future home of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Theatre for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 16 at 9pm. Jamie Foxx won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2005 for his portrayal of the legendary Ray Charles in the Taylor Hackford-directed biopic “Ray.” Click to Read The Full Story and Purchase Tickets …

Rascal Flatts Brings “Me And My Gang 2007” Tour To Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 10 – Rascal Flatts will bring their 2007 concert tour, “Me And My Gang 2007,” to the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature Jason Aldean as the opening act. Aldean performed on select Rascal Flatts dates during the 2006 tour. Rascal Flatts’ highly anticipated new album, Me And My Gang, was released earlier this year and debuted at No. 1 on the Nielsen’s Soundscan Top 200 album chart and the country album chart, making it the highest-selling CD across all genres. Click to Read The Full Story and Purchase Tickets …

Slater Mario Lopez Dances His Way Into The Miss America Spotlight As Host Of The 2007 Miss America Pageant Live On CMT From The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino In Las Vegas – Television star Mario Lopez (“Dancing With The Stars,” “Nip/Tuck”) has been tapped to host the 2007 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, airing live from The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino (Aladdin) in Las Vegas on Monday, January 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT. Don Mischer Productions will produce the 2007 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT. Sarah Brock, CMT executive producer and vice president, production, music and events, notes: “Mario Lopez is a fantastic choice to host the 2007 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT. With his soaring popularity, his former hosting experience and his undeniable charm, he will certainly excel as this year’s host.” Click to Read The Full Story and Purchase Tickets …

Gambling Talk: Poker Is Not Gambling — Part One – with Victor H. Royer. The entire history of the United States, particularly the Western lore, were all about gambling, and in particular all about poker. Even though for many years playing poker was not considered something that nice people would want to do, the fact remains that many presidents of the United States going back to the Revolutionary war, and soon thereafter, and for all the years since, all played poker. Poker played well is not a gamble, but a game of skill and knowledge. Although there is a significant element of luck, such is present in all aspects of human life, and not relegated only to poker. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Construction – Slowly (amazingly slowly) and quietly, the changeover of The Aladdin to Planet Hollywood is taking place. If you haven’t been to town lately (or simply haven’t been inside the place in a while), we have great photos of both the continuing changes inside and outside. (Photo Credit Mark Jacobs)

Vegas Streaming Video Of The Week – Chef Live – Where else can you cook with glamour and glitz? No where! Cheflive is Cooking VEGAS-Style! FOOD and VEGAS รป What else could you ask for? Cheflive presents a state-of-the-art exhibition kitchen and cooking demonstrations featuring chefs from around the world and Las Vegas. Experience the taste of the Strip. Cook like a Gourmet VEGAS chef. Take a little of VEGAS home with you as you will be able to watch and cook along with your VEGAS Chef at HOME!



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Readers Write:

Hi Ted,

6 of us are coming to Las Vegas 22nd January for a weeks holiday. We are traveling from Wales in the UK and we are wondering if you could tell us what the weather will like then eg. rough idea of the temperature so we know what to pack.

Thanks for your help,

Cheryl Morcom

Ted Responds:

Good question. We have the info at http://www.accessvegas.com/faqs/las-vegas-weather.htm and realize we should make that info easier to find!


We are going to be in Vegas l/11/07 thru 1/14, any suggestions for a show?Four of us all sisters for the first time ever in Vegas and we are sooooooooo looking forward to our trip, we thought we would do a show or something!

Thanks for the news and any suggestions,

Sarah Rosser

Ted Responds:

Celine (if you can get tickets). Or if Celine isn’t to everyone’s liking, you can’t go wrong with any of the Cirque shows (although keep in mind that Zumanity is R-rated, the rest won’t offend anyone).

Le Reve isn’t a Cirque show, but was created by some of the same people, and has been getting very good reviews the past few months. If you want Broadway, Phantom for something serious, Mamma Mia! for something fun.

Why do never suggest a certain specific show? Everyone’s tastes are different, and there is no “one best” show!

The best thing to do is go to our shows page: Do a search for your dates (left hand sidebar of that page) and see what is available at what price.

(Note: I personally wrote Sarah back on this last month, and even though she’ll be in town as you read this, I thought it was a great question).


Dear Ted,In November I completed my 14th Las Vegas vacation from England and have booked the 15th for Feb 07. I got to see several shows I would recommend to other Vegas lovers.

1) Fantasy @ the Luxor, highly entertaining dancing high energy show with fantastic looking girls and a good atmosphere created.

2) Jeff Trachta @ The Rio – a good afternoon cabaret style show, Man that guy can really sing. Totally unknown in the UK (sadly) but worth seeing.

3) Carrot Top – radical.

As stated in my letter to you Feb 06 regarding The Gold Coast Buffet, I would say it ranks top 3 in Las Vegas for value for money (where else can you eat Mongolian Ribs?) under $10. It took a 15 mile run to burn off what I’d eaten next morning.

Several more folk from NE England have booked Vegas vacations on my recommendation – more will follow.

Keep up the good work Ted.

Owen (South Shields, NE England)


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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

Important Note: During peak times, some of our news and event story links may take extra time to load. We are working on significant upgrades to handle this increased demand. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience during the extra few seconds a story may take to appear when you click on it.

Special Section: Nevada Smoking Ban Stories Updated

Coming Hot Holidays – The following dates are huge times to be in Las Vegas, and rooms are in high demand. Booking in advance is the best way to save. Visit our friends at Las Vegas Hotel Deals and spend one of the following hot dates having fun in Las Vegas:

  • 2007

  • Martin Luther King Day January 13-15 (3 day weekend)
  • Presidents Day February 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 22-25 (3 day weekend)
  • St. Patricks Day March 17 (Falls on a Saturday)
  • March Madness (NCAA Basketball Playoffs) March 15-18, March 22-25, Final Four March 31-April 2
  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) September 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

January 10, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

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