AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Spring Break and March Madness are pretty much in the rear-view mirror with our typical unpredictable spring weather. Clouds and 60’s (F) last week, sun and 80’s this week with some wind. However, the cold is gone for good and pool weather looks here to stay until mid-October!

Bill’s Hotel and Gambling Saloon – sounds like the name of some small joint in Reno. But in reality, it is the new name of the Barbary Coast on The Strip. The disdain for this new name is pretty much universal, especially since the hotel actually has a great location and nice rooms and it now sounds like a third-rate joint.

They couldn’t keep the previous name because they bought it from the group that owns the other Coast Casinos around town. But how about just calling it the Barbary, or Barbary Point, or the New Barbary? It is too late now… the expense of swapping out all the chips and signs and everything else would make them think twice. But thumbs down to whoever decided on Bill’s.

Construction Updates – In the next few weeks, we’ll have a few features on all the new construction on The Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas is always changing… always something new even for regular visitors.

Enjoy This Issue!

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“X” Burlesque Brings Sexy Back To The Flamingo Las Vegas – World Famous “X” Girls Take Audiences On A Wild Ride Beginning Feb. 12 – “X” marks the spot at Flamingo Las Vegas with the arrival of the provocative new show, “X” Burlesque (tickets) on February 12. The sexy production is housed in the intimate 180-seat Flamingo Cabaret, allowing audiences to get up close and personal with the six beautiful and talented female dancers. “X” Burlesque combines imaginative choreography with outrageous props such as bungees, bathtubs and beds to excite the crowd and leave them anxiously wondering what’s next. Click to Read The Full Story …

Roger Waters The Creative Genius Behind Pink Floyd Will Perform His Masterpiece, The Dark Side Of The Moon, At The MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, June 16 – Roger Waters, co-founder and principal songwriter of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, will stop in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, June 16 to perform the epic rock masterpiece, The Dark Side Of The Moon, in its entirety (tickets). The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The arena will feature state-of-the-art staging, lighting and sound. The show will utilize elaborate, large-scale video projections and theatrical staging to underscore and accentuate the power of the music, delivered via a state-of-the-art 360-degree quadraphonic sound system. Click to Read The Full Story …

Aerosmith To Headline The Lili Claire Foundation’s ‘A Concert for Lili Claire’ Saturday, April 28 At Mandalay Bay – Rock ‘n Roll Legends to Raise Money for Foundation to Benefit Children with Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Autism and other Neuro-Developmental Disorders. After much anticipation, The Lili Claire Foundation announced today that rock ‘n’ roll icon band Aerosmith will perform at The Lili Claire Foundation’s ‘A Concert for Lili Claire’ (tickets) Saturday, April 28á at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Click to Read The Full Story …

The Sirens of TI New Show Times û Continuing their celebration as TI’s sauciest vixens for three years running, the Sirens of TI are gearing up for summer with new show times. Sure to pack The Strip in front of Treasure Island with every show, beginning March 12, the Sirens will appear nightly at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. From daring swordplay to high-diving acrobatics and eye-popping pyrotechnics, the Sirens of TI is packed with countless thrills. The music, dance, excitement and seduction in this modern musical-meets-action-movie spectacular captivate viewers nightly.

• Sirens of TI Photo Gallery

Ricky Martin Brings His Black & White Tour To Mandalay Bay Saturday, April 21 – Following on the heels of his critically acclaimed No. 1 debut album MTV Unplugged, and its international chart-topping first single. “Tu Recuerdo,” Ricky Martin (tickets) kicks off his Black & White Tour in April and will stop at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, April 21. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Vegas Grand Prix Announces All-Star Lineup For Friday Night Street Party – Performers Include Big & Rich With Cowboy Troy And Chris Cornell – Vegas Grand Prix organizers announced today that the entertainment lineup for the Vegas Grand Prix Friday Night Street Party on April 6 will include hit country duo Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy, alternative rocker Chris Cornell, rock amalgamation Army of Anyone and up-and-coming indie band the Teddybears. “This will be an amazing night. We’re presenting one of the most eclectic concert lineups downtown Vegas has ever seen,” said Dale Jensen, partner in DDB Ventures, the company that owns Vegas Grand Prix. Click to Read The Full Story …

PT’s Entertainment Group was awarded “#1 Non-Hotel Bar” in Las Vegas in this year’s Las Vegas Weekly 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards. – PT’s Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of the Golden Tavern Group and Nevada’s largest tavern operator, accepted their award at a party commemorating all winners at TAO Nightclub located in The Venetian on Thursday, March 15. “It is such a thrill for us to receive this award on behalf of the readers and guests whose loyalty to PT’s makes us the success we are today,” said Christopher Abraham, vice president of marketing of Golden Gaming, Inc. Click to Read The Full Story …

• PT’s Bartender Calendar Girls Photo Gallery

• Vegas Hot Shots – Kari from PT’s makes a Washington Apple

Gambling Talk: Poker Theory vs. Reality — Part Two – with Victor H. Royer. Assuming that we accept the three items outlined in the last issue, Part One of this two-part article, what exactly is it that we find? Is it the reality that we will receive pocket Aces exactly each 220 deals like clockwork? Well, of course not. Nevertheless, the theory indicates that that should be the case. The same applies to the winning percentage when beginning with pocket Aces being about 1/3rd of the time. Does that mean that it will always happen like that each and every time? Well, of course not. Click to Read Complete Article

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Celebrates Year of the Boar – If you weren’t in town during the past couple of months, you missed Bellagio’s most recent Botanical Gardens display featuring A Regal Pig, Benevolent God of Wealth and Fortune, and Tranquil Koi Ponds to Bring in Chinese New Year which included an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune atop a gleaming pile of golden lucky coins and Koi ponds and formal rock gardens filled with rare Taihu stones. Have no fear… we have the photos right here!

• Bellagio Botanical Gardens Chinese New Year 2007 Las Vegas Photos

• Bellagio Las Vegas Info and Reservations

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Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photo – Paul Maskew submitted this great photo of Bellagio Las Vegas taken from The Aladdin across the street:

Thought you might like this photo I took from my room at The Aladdin in August 2005. This was my last visit with my wife and we’re missing the place already!

This was our 4th visit since my wife and I were married at The little Church of The West in October 2001 and we can’t get enough of the place. Hopefully back next year.

Incidentally, the room at the Aladdin was a complimentary upgrade since my wife complained about the “tired” looking bedding!! It has to be the best view ever.

Paul Maskew,

Manchester, England

If you have a great photo of Las Vegas to share with our readers (can be artistic or just a really enjoyable photo), send them to us at allvegastv@aol.com. Click to more Photos of Bellagio Las Vegas.

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Important Note: Due to volume of email, we can’t answer every email question personally, nor begin to include them in this section. However, we will respond to all questions posted to our Message Boards. Many of the same questions are asked on a regular basis, and letting us reply in the message boards helps other travelers who may have the same questions or who can share their first-hand answers.

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Hi Ted:I am a Vegas-aholic. In the last three years I’ve been to Vegas 5 times, staying at the Riviera, Excalibur, NYNY, Stratosphere and Flamingo. I will grace your city in August, I’ll be staying at the Stardust. I visit your website frequently.

I am worried about my beloved Las Vegas. Every time I come down I see more and more condominium developments going up on the strip!! The strip is busy enough with tourists, we don’t need thousands of people LIVING there. As middle-class hotels like the Stardust are torn down, up goes a multi-million dollar condominium complex. So in 10 years what will become of the LV strip? A haven for millionaires only? After all, who will be able to afford these condos except for millionaires? Is that what the goal of the city planners is? Do they no longer want to attract the middle class?

If you have any information on what the goals of the city planners are, I’d really like to hear from you. Thanks

Marty

Toronto ON

Ted Responds:

The condos in question are (for the most part) glorified hotel room or suite. Basically not much more than a hotel room with a full kitchen, perhaps a separate bedroom. Very few people are likely to make them a full time residence. For the price of one of these condo units right on The Strip, you can buy a really nice, big condo or home within 10-15 minutes of The Strip much more suitable for a full time local.

Most of these condo units will be used as a regular place to stay when the owner is here, and rented out to visitors the rest of the year. This will actually in effect create more visitor rooms in Las Vegas, helping keep the price of rooms down in general (more supply of anything tends to drive down prices).

The city planners have no say or “goal” in attempting to influence what kind visitor that comes to Las Vegas. It is 100% driven by the free market. If the demand for condos on The Strip exists, developers build them. As we’ve seen from some of the failed projects, the demand wasn’t quite as high as some thought.

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Hi Ted,We enjoy visiting Vegas during quiet times(a relative term). Of these three dates,which one would best meet that criteria and be less crowded? June 3-8 June 10-15 July 8-13?.

The very hot weather is not a concern, nor is the possible lack of Headliners at that time. We stay Downtown, so conventions being held should not be a problem,although we do have to arrive and leave from the airport.

Sue & Sam

Ted Responds:

Rule of thumb, the hotter the weather, the less people in town and lower the rates. However, Las Vegas really doesn’t have any “off” times like it used to. And except for December, the flow of concerts and entertainers is pretty constant.

Here is some really good and easy rules of thumb to book the less crowded times:

1. Room rates are subject to demand. If flexible, picking the dates where the rates are lower will generally be less crowded (if you can ever call Las Vegas “less crowded” anymore).

2. The second thing you may then wish to do is check out our Concert Calendar for your dates at www.accessvegas.com/entertainment

You may see that a concert or headliner you really want so catch is coming during one of the times you are looking at visiting, and this may be worth paying a few more bucks for the room where you are here. There is nothing like seeing a concert here. No worries about going to work the next day, fun, relaxed… totally different vibe!

Side Note: We post concerts as soon as we have ticket availability, but keep in mind that many events don’t go on sale until 2-3 months before the event.

Hope this helps!

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Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

• Post a trip report to our brand new Trip Report Message Board section! (Simply click on the New Thread option. You may be prompted to register if a fist time user. That keeps our boards safe and spam-free)!
• Post a comment, Vegas suggestion, or question to the appropriate category of our Message Boards.
• Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.
• Drop us an email at allvegastv@aol.com – We read them all!

Readers Rants, Raves, and Questions – Great reader questions and comments from our Access Vegas Message Boards. Help someone out or post your own comment or question!

• Wife and I just returned from 2 night stay at 4 Queens/Downtown and 2 nights at New Frontier/Strip.

• Does any other casino besides the Rio and Harrah’s have Rapid Roulette?

• We have stayed at the Plaza several times and found it satisfactory. It is not fancy but comfortable.

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More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

• O’Hurley finds his holy grail

• “Monty Python’s Spamalot” Opens in Las VegasMonty Python’s Spamalot Tickets

• New Stomping Ground – Production brings drumming, madness, comedy to custom theater at Aladdin

• Las Vegas is Ready to Stomp Out LoudStomp Out Loud Info and Tickets or Call 800-696-5721

• Yamaguchi Sushi: Roy’s Introduces Un-Traditional Sushi

• The Pearl At The Palms Makes Grand Debut With Performance From GRAMMY-winning Evanescence

• Lake Las Vegas Resort Hosts An Easter Egg-Stravaganza For Guests To Enjoy This Holiday

• Action-Packed VGP Video To Air On Fremont Street’s Viva Vision Canopy

• Chef Wolfgang Puck Takes Eating Well To New Level Benefiting Farm Animals And Customers

• Polly Esther’s Nightclub Announces Entertainment Lineup Through April

• Visit Downtown Art Galleries During April’s First Friday – More than 20 blocks of Art and Fun

• Taste of the world for Las Vegas hotel guests

• Las Vegas, the city of surreal shopping – Need a zebra-striped chaise longue shaped like a platform shoe? It’s here.

• Don’t bet on pro sports coming to Vegas – Despite talk of a professional sports team coming to Las Vegas, it’s still a long shot.

• Personalized slots are on the horizon – Downloadable slots on trial at Treasure Island

• Harrah’s expands its RFID use – Cutting-edge application extended to two Strip casinos

• Gaughan are the days … South Point takes advantage of owner’s hands-on style

• Bar carte – Las Vegas’ best chefs offer alternatives at their eateries’ lounges

• Las Vegas-area home sales continue to drop

• Survey ranks Nevada the most dangerous state… again

• Metro cracking down on jaywalkers, issuing tickets

• Las Vegas woman a gaming pioneer

• Criss Angel In New Cirque Show

• At last, two nightspots where everybody gets in: a pop culture time capsule and a bowling alley/lounge

• Speedway succeeds on big weekend

• Extreme penthouse set for makeover

• Default rate high in Nevada – Low graduation rate adds to problem

• See you in September: Allure heads for finish – Condo tower work on building schedule to finish in 25 months

• What’s cooking in Michigan? – State’s struggling economy contributes to influx of workers to Nevada

• Duo follow showbiz dreams

• Morton’s The Steakhouse – Dining to a T: With exceptional food and service, Morton’s earns the ‘The’ in ‘The Steakhouse’

• Panel gets fuel for thought – Tank farm among proposals for boosting supply in Southern Nevada

• What happens in LV said to shape world economy

• Vegas Grand Prix course should provide memorable racing

• Commission likes Terrible ideas for Primm properties – Herbst Gaming says casinos will be upgraded

• Moving history – Candlelight Wedding Chapel makes 5-hour trek to its new home

• Vegas Gets WiFi

• Designated smoking times raise ire of ban advocate

• Downtown Evolves – Nightclubs bloom; Las Vegas Club could become condos

• Wrong side of the tracks – Bridges explored as a chance to connect “old” downtown with Union Park

• NFL Star Facing Felony Charges Stemming From Minxx Shooting

• Las Vegas diners seeing larger bills left on tables – Some find price does not reflect quality

• Second the motion – Harmon corridor developing into Las Vegas’ next big boulevard

• Implosion guests take an unplanned powder

• It’s survival of the fittest in jungle on Strip

• Goldroad, Oatman offer visitors a taste of the old American West

• Return to glory goal for Binion’sBinion’s Hotel Info and Reservations

• Valley of Fire offers natural beauty near Las Vegas

• Observers expect new building wave between Sahara, Echelon Place

• Hilton plans time shares at Lake Las Vegas

• Playing some golf in Vegas? Here’s some helpful informationLas Vegas Golf Info and Reservations or Call 800-696-5721

• Lego Las Vegas takes shape at Calif. theme park

• Airport just keeps bringing in more people

• Mayor Seeks Sports Arena Investors

• Tropicana gets its yearlong birthday party started SaturdayTropicana Las Vegas Info and Reservations

• Union, MGM Mirage open talks – Contracts with Culinary workers expire June 1

• Celine beats Babs but doesn’t top MadgeCeline Dion Tickets

• The Pearl both intimate, expansive – No seat more than 120 feet from stage at new Palms venue

• Subprime woes hit Las Vegas – Nevada tops U.S. in foreclosures; home sellers feeling the squeeze

• Olympia Gaming set to enter market – Groundbreaking nears for new resort

• Racers will see downside of downtown

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

• 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) October 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)

Link To Us! – Have a home page, web page, or blog? Link to us, and give yourself and your friends a quick link to find us from your site. Simply link to http://www.accessvegas.com and name the link Access Vegas!

RSS Feed – We now have an RSS/XML feed! Most RSS programs let you visit AccessVegas.com and automatically pull the feed. For those who want to enter it manually, the feed is:
http://www.accessvegas.com/xml/whats-hot.xml

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All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 28, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

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