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This Issue: Show Reports
Curious about a restaurant, event, or other Las Vegas attraction that looks fun? Let us review it for you first! Suggestions are always welcome at: allvegastv@aol.com
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LAS VEGAS NEWS – of interest to tourists:
DI CLOSURE – Steve Wynn has moved the closing date of the DI up to Aug. 30, 2000. His future plans include the lake with day and night shows originally envisioned for the Bellagio but which didn’t fit the final plan. The R-J has a great special online section devoted to the hotel’s past and it’s closing at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/news/packages/di/index.html
COINLESS SLOTS – Casinos continue to be very interested in coinless slot machines, including games that let you choose to be paid in coin or paper voucher, and games that issue a voucher which can be used for credit in another machine. Story at http://vh60009.vh6.infi.net/business/docs/pearson062500.htm What are your thoughts? Do you love to hear the coins ping? Would you rather go coinless? Does it matter? Take part in our poll at http://www.accessvegas.com
JACKPOTS! – A 67-year-old Washington man hit a $4.2 million dollar jackpot Monday morning on a quarter Wheel of Fortune machine at the Sahara — story at http://www.msnbc.com/local/kvbc/38282.asp A Truckee, California man was considering calling in sick Monday after winning more than one million dollars at a North Lake Tahoe casino — story at http://www.msnbc.com/local/kvbc/38176.asp
DINING – Outside dining is the newest “rage” on the Strip. Despite the scorching summer days and windy transition months, evening temperature here is suitable for outdoor dining much of the year. Restaurants ranging from Olives to Mon Ami Gabi to Smith & Wollensky and even the new Carnaval Court Bar & Grill at Harrah’s are getting into the act. Full story at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jun-07-Wed-2000/lifestyles/13699089.html Speaking of Olives, the R-J recently reviewed this Bellagio eatery at http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jun-07-Wed-2000/lifestyles/13682411.html
After our visit to Delmonico, we took a peak at the WB Stage 16 in the Venetian and were pretty impressed. City Life just reviewed it at http://www.lvcitylife.com/dining/stories/00061501d.html Not hungry? By all means go upstairs to the lounge, a true lounge with plush leather chairs, modern decoration, and high ceilings both inside and out. That is right — half the lounge sits outside in a covered area overlooking the strip. Warning: they play heavy “house” type music non-stop. If that’s not your thing, head to Voodoo Lounge at Rio (reviewed https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com/00-01-26.htm ).
PT’s CRUISERS – Owners of this unique new car are headed to town July 27-30 for a Las Vegas gathering which will include a cruise to Hoover Dam and displays of custom versions of this car. Full story at http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/20000620/press018642.html
MILLENNIUM ENTERTAINMENT CENTER – This $20 million, 60,000 square foot, two-level dome housing a revolutionary entertainment venue is proposed to be build just south of Mandalay Bay. It will accommodate 2000 people with a nightclub, disco, and special events center and will feature terraced, unobstructed 360 degree views of computerized light and laser projection shows featuring interior fireworks, falling snow, lightning, twisters, and a host of other computer graphic and holographic effects. Full stories at http://news.excite.com/news/pr/000605/ca-mmmc-las-vegas and http://news.excite.com/news/bw/000615/ca-millennm-multi-media
Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Scenic Southwest Tours – by plane, bus, or even helicopter! You’ve seen the glossy ads in the tourist brochures. You’ve thought about it. You come all the way to Las Vegas — why not see one of the some of the most famous landmarks in the world! Don’t by tricked by web sites & magazines that offer discount tours. Taxes, park fees, permits can almost double the price. Our prices are inclusive – no hidden charges! Best Las Vegas Tours
Quick Concert and Show Notes:
See which shows are playing during your stay and book reservations EVEN if the tickets aren’t on sale yet. Let ShowVegas takes care of all your needs directly online! Search by dates at http://www.showvegas.com/svpricing.cfm?cscheme=5&amid=143
Hard Rock – Destiny’s Child on July 2, Don Henley on July 10, “Weird Al” Yankovic on July 27, No Doubt with Black Eyed Peas on July 31, B-52’s on Aug. 5, K.D. Lang Aug. 11, and Jimmy Page plus The Black Crowes on Aug 16. Tickets at (702) 474-4000 and Hard Rock discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-other.htm (Hard Rock link).
Las Vegas Hilton – Sinbad on June 30 and July 1, Engelbert Humperdinck July 11-16, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in their “Together Again” tour July 28-29, Reba McEntire Sept. 14-17, Kenny Rogers Sept. 22-23, Steven Wright Oct. 7-8, and Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in their “Together Again” tour Oct. 19-21 (return engagement) and Jeff Foxworthy Nov. 30 – Dec. 3. Tickets are available at (800) 222-5361 and Las Vegas Hilton discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas.htm (Las Vegas Hilton link).
Mandalay Bay – Mickey Hart Band on June 30, Bill Maher June 30-July 1, Ween on July 1, Kottonmouth Kings on July 2, The Young Dubliners on July 3, Cheap Trick on July 3, Boz Scaggs on Jul 8, Dan Folgelberg on Jul. 14, Hall and Oats on July 21, LeAnn Rimes on Jul. 28, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill on July 29, the BB King Blues Festival 2000 on Aug. 1, Kiss with Ted Nugent Aug. 2, Brian Setzer on Aug. 8, Duran Duran Aug. 25-26, Little Feat Sept. 22, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Sept. 29. Tickets available at (702) 474-4000 and Mandalay Bay discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas.htm (Mandalay Bay link).
MGM – Carrot Top Now – July 5, Nickelodeon’s All That Music & More Festival featuring LFO, Blaque, and B*Witched on July 1, Diana Ross and the Surpremes Aug. 5, Penn and Teller July 27 – Aug. 9, and Carrot Top Sept. 7 – 13. Tickets available at (800) 929-1111 and MGM discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas.htm (MGM link).
Station Casinos – Sammy Kershaw June 30th at Sunset, Loverboy & Night Ranger June 30 at Sunset, and Joe Walsh plus a fireworks extravaganza July 1 at Sunset. Tickets at (888) 464-2468 and Station Casinos discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-other.htm (various Station Casinos links).
The Orleans – Robert Goulet June 29 – July 2. Tickets at (702) 365-7075 and Orleans discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-other.htm (The Orleans link).
The Venetian – Andrew “Dice” Clay June 30-July 1. Tickets available at (702) 414-4100 and Venetian discount rooms are available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas.htm (Venetian link).
Thomas & Mack – Up In Smoke tour featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, and Eminem on Aug. 11. Tickets at (888) 464-2468. The Hard Rock hotel is within walking distance of the Thomas and Mack and Hard Rock discount rooms available at http://www.accessvegas.com/las-vegas-other.htm (Hard Rock link).
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Hello from my beautiful (and unusually warm) hometown of Portland, OR where I’m up enjoying a week with my family. And yes, even I miss Las Vegas after being away a few days.
Don Budlong of Winnipeg, MB Canada was kind enough to send us in his thoughts on the shows he saw on his recent Las Vegas trip. While we can’t print all input, we enjoy hearing from you — your feedback and reports help us make this a better newsletter for all!
FEATURE STORY: Show Reports
Hi: Returned home last week from a 10 day visit to Las Vegas. Was a
winning trip, so the cash flow resulted in seeing 6 shows. Thought I
would share my personal opinion with your readers.
Lance Burton (Monte Carlo: $50): This was a show I was really looking
forward to, it came highly recommended and I love magic.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that it was worth the money. The illusions
are the same as you will see in just about any magic act, except for
his trademark opening. It may have been an off night, but there was
no personality from Mr. Burton as it appeared he as just walking
through the act. It may be time for a refreshing of the production to
keep things interesting for him. With the variety of magic to choose
from in Las Vegas, and the fact that there really are only 5 or 6
illusions, it is packaging and personality that will lead to one
rising above the others.
The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas (Tropicana: $16): An afternoon
show well worth the price. Mr. Thomas doesn’t have a lot of fancy
sets, but he tries hard and his personality radiates from the stage.
You will enjoy the Birds and the Big Cats. And, his skill becomes
very evident when he performs the often seen “Chinese Rings” with
grace and class. I have to give this one 2 thumbs up.
Siegfried & Roy (The Mirage: $90): More Magic. Yes … I paid the price
to see “The Magicians of the Century.” As I said, there really are
only 5 or 6 illusions, and it’s all in the packaging. Well, what
packaging! The show really does defy description. Don’t try to
understand it, just sit back and enjoy it. The price tag is high, but
I don’t think anyone will feel they paid too much by the end of the
show. If you get the chance … go … especially since there is a rumor
that they may only be performing 1 or 2 more years.
Footloose (Rio: $50): I am a big fan of musicals, but unfortunately
found myself looking at my watch a few times (and the show only runs
90 minutes). There are problems with the acting (sort of like a high
school production) and the sound (“Let’s Hear it for the Boy” was
absolutely painful to sit through). Save your money and skip this one
(enjoy the free “Show in the Sky” at the Rio instead)
Stars of the Strip (Lady Luck: $5): Another afternoon delight starring
The Walkers. Humorous impressions of Sonny and Cher, Elvis, Barbra
Striesand, etc. You will enjoy this show and it is real value for the
price. The only draw back is the show room … really just a big
Quonset hut that gets a little too hot when the temperature reaches
100.
Boylesque (The Plaza: $35): I first saw this show about 16 years ago.
It is still a gas. You will laugh and be amazed at the
transformations the guys go through. Yes they lip synch, but that
isn’t all that important. The jokes can be a wee bit blue, but if you
are in that frame of mind you will laugh yourself sore. That’s it.
Just my opinion.
PS. Several weeks ago I wrote asking if anyone knew of a good place
for a Fried Chicken Dinner … similar to the dearly departed “Green
Shack” Well, I can now answer my own question. The Hill Top Supper
Club on Rancho is fantastic. I had the chicken dinner and was smiling
for days. This place is a throw back to the 60’s but it the best way.
The waitresses treat you like family, and the food is plentiful.
Enjoy.
Editor’s note: Advance ticket purchase and show info for the above shows:
Lance Burton – http://www.vegasguide.com/detail_shows.cfm?ID=21&amid=143&cscheme=5
Rick Thomas – http://www.vegasguide.com/detail_shows.cfm?ID=38&amid=143&cscheme=5
Siegfried & Roy – http://www.vegasguide.com/detail_shows.cfm?ID=25&amid=143&cscheme=5
Footloose – http://www.vegasguide.com/detail_shows.cfm?ID=60&amid=143&cscheme=5
Boy-lesque – http://www.vegasguide.com/detail_shows.cfm?ID=30&amid=143&cscheme=5
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Karen Chatfield of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia wrote:
>Just a note to let all know of my two week trip to Las Vegas from
>Australia.á Most of my information and subsequent planning came from
>you newsletter.á From Australia is cheaper to get a package which
>obviously goes to L.A.áfirst, so then I caught to bus to Las Vegas,
>which was a great little trip and only $ 49.00.á I stayed at the old
>Debbie Reynolds Resort, which has lovely rooms, but at this stage,
>very little else as it as it is in the process of resale.á On
>Convention Center Drive, half way between the strip
>and the convention center itself, it was handy to most things.á Close
>to the Hilton to visit “Star Trek ” and must thing to do and easy
>walking up to the strip to visit all the casinos.
>
>Harrah’s have a great show as you walk past, go in its worth it with
>TJ and John and most of the music being beach boys style.á The Kokomo
>Show has no entry charge and drinks are very reasonable.á They get
>lots of audience participation and its lots of fun.á Look for the La
>Playa Lounge.á Tuesdays through to Sundays 4 – 8 PM
>
>Tropicana has the Bird Man of Las Vegas, I found him from your
>newsletter, and he is great.á Again a free show, and he is fantastic.
>Trainer Joe Krathwohl’s show features unique and rescued birds from
>around the world flying through hoops held by audience volunteers,
>huge eagles that fly overhead, beautiful parrots and cockatoos that
>talk and sing.á Show times are 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:00 PM in the
>Tropics Lounge.á And if you go and see him say hi from Karen in
>Australia !!
>
>The trip out to Laughlin is another great day out and again its FREE
>with most bus companies, Check those information booklets, but I found
>Superior Bus Company great and helpful, picking me up at the hotel and
>dropping me off again, and of course don’t forget that Bus Driver that
>takes you all the way out there and give him a nice tip.á Lunch and
>casino booklet was included and they suggested to check out all the
>town not just the Edgewater that they take you too.á So the young can
>still gamble if they want or ride a ski do down the Colorado River,
>some of the ladies went shopping at the outlet store, and some looked
>at the Ramada, Flamingo or the Riverside or enjoyed the walk along the
>waters edge.á A GREAT DAY OUT.
>
>The new casinos that are constantly going up will keep everyone busy
>checking them out from Paris to Mandalay Bay and I will be returning
>in two years time again to see all the new things that Las Vegas has
>to offer.
>
>Keep up the good work with the newsletter and I found my two weeks NOT
>enough time to do all that I wanted.á There was a lot a restaurants I
>hadn’t had the time to go and more shows that I wanted to see, but I
>am afraid there are only so many hours in a day and my time there was
>spent having a LOT OF FUN.
>
>email address – bayconnect@hotmail.com
Glad to hear you had a great trip, and that our info was helpful. We also enjoyed Star Trek: The Experience. For those who missed it, our review is at https://las-vegas-news-reviews.com/00-02-23.htm One of the fun things about the The Kokomo Show at Harrah’s is that they give out quite a few free room nights to the audience!
Scott from Henderson, NV wrote:
>Any idea what’s happening with the former Debbie Reynolds Hotel?á The
>last I heard, the WWF was trying to sell it and/or possibly demolish
>it.á My father and mother own a timeshare there and I would hate to
>see them lose it.
The latest word is that the WWF is abandoning their plans, partly because they didn’t have a good plan to deal with the timeshare obligations.
Colin wrote:
>Just wondered if you could advise if any hotels offer waterbeds?
>Preferably one of the major hotels on the strip.
That is a new one on me. Readers — if you know, let us know at allvegastv@aol.com
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Your input is welcome. Write us a “letter to the editor” at allvegastv@aol.com Please include your name if you wish to have it published (stating your city is optional). Also, guest article submissions are welcome with full credit to you, your website, etc., if accepted.
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ONLINE POLL – “If offered, would you prefer coinless slots?” Let’s hear your opinions at http://www.accessvegas.com — results will be published in two weeks!
Results from last weeks poll “If you live in Las Vegas, how long do you plan on living here?”
I can’t wait to get out of this wasteland. 11%
Maybe a couple years — make some cash then head elsewhere. 11%
Might move someday, but I like it for now. 47%
Leaving? Are you kidding? My last breath will be neon-filled! 30%
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Have a request for a review? Boggled when you come to town and see the hundreds of dining, attraction, and show opportunities? Let us know what you’d like to hear about! Unlike the tourist magazines where all of the “articles” are really paid ads, we give you the honest scoop. If you appreciate this service, please consider booking your rooms and rental cars for ALL destinations with us at http://www.accessvegas.com You get secure ordering with the convenience and savings of booking online!
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All contents copyright MM Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.
June 28, 2000
ISSN: 1529-2770
“To boldly go where no man has gone before” — or at least to boldly go to the Las Vegas Hilton on a rainy Wednesday afternoon was my mission. While I enjoyed the original Star Trek series reruns growing up, I have seen none of the movies nor watched any of the subsequent TV shows so I went into this pretty green.
First stop on your adventure through The Experience is the “History of the Future” museum area where more than 200 items used in the filming of the Star Trek television serious and movies are displayed. It is the largest permanent collection of Star Trek props and costumes in the world including 23 original costumes from the series and movies, eight starship models built to a 1:80 scale, 12 hand-painted alien head displays (so real, they are almost scary) and more than 100 hand props like the 3D chess set, communicators, phasers, and the like.
You may take all the time you wish viewing the museum as the as the actual adventure portion starts every 10 minutes. We’ve been asked not to give away the “good parts”, but this is a real interactive experience. Among the highlights are getting to experience being transported and ending up in the transporter room of the Enterprise, venturing onto the bridge as the crew goes about it’s duties, riding a turbolift (the “elevators” that move people around the ship), walking down the incredibly realistic corridors (all sets are constructed on a 1:1 scale from the originals), and taking a shuttlecraft mission through space and time.
Having said that, the ride was incredible. You truly see and feel like you are being transported though time and space in a crystal clear universe you have never seen before with heart-pumping action taking place all around you! I don’t want to spoil the ending too much except to say that you get a unique perspective on the Las Vegas strip. The total post museum experience runs about 25 minutes. Hit the restroom first.