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Access Vegas Insider Vibe – May 14, 2008

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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.

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! A little muggy and smoky this week as western wildfires from far away send a little smoke our way and we continue to flirt with the 100 degree mark. No need to bring a coat or a sweater between now and sometime in September. The nights aren’t dipping below the mid-60’s F.

There has been some confusion over where and when Donny and Marie are playing here in Las Vegas. Prior to their agreement to play a prolonged run at The Flamingo, the brother/sister duo had a week of shows planned at the MGM.

Here are the actual dates for each with ticket links:

The Las Vegas is in a recession story has been parroted by journalist after journalist and is getting old. What is happening in Las Vegas tourism is not at all out of step with the ups and downs of past decades. Hotels are running at 95% occupancy. (Drive down The Strip on a Saturday night and tell me how much elbow room you have).

For those interested in my detailed analysis, I did a significant blog post about this at Las Vegas Is Not In A Recession… Puhleeeze

A rainbow over Las Vegas! Clouds are rare here and rainbows even more rare. Last month, we were out running errands and happened to see some of the following sites while over near McCarran (Las Vegas) airport:

Las Vegas Rainbow

Many will recognize this scene, taken as you are on Tropicana just before you make the right turn to Paradise Rd. headed to the airport for that trip home. Click on either photo to see a few more great photos of the rainbow, rich hued clouds, and airplanes.

Airplane taking off from Las Vegas

This photo is very important to us here at AccessVegas.com. Almost daily, we peer up and watch planes overhead bringing you to and from Las Vegas.

Sure, we like airplanes. But it goes well beyond that. There very well could be you (our readers) on each flight and the rigors of flying are not lost on us. Our United States readers are paying top dollar to fly in a sub-par airline market to come visit here.

Our international visitors have the luxury of using the worthless dollar to help deflect the cost of the trip. However, many of you are flying 12-16 hours to get here and that commitment to come visit isn’t lost on us either.

Next time you are on approach into Las Vegas… feeling that giddy excitement of the fun to come… we just may be watching from the ground. Content and happy with the part we play to enhance your trip here.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
American Superstars – The Biggest Stars Live

By Guy Chapman

Elvis Presley. áTim McGraw. áRod Stewart. áChristina Aguilera. áMichael Jackson. áThese five names are considered to be some of the most popular and well-known acts in the music industry.á

Each artist on their own is able to command a sizable ticket price when going to see them in concert, but on the Las Vegas Strip, there’s a way to see all five of these acts in one show… or close enough to provide an entertaining spectacle of lights, dance and song. áWith the “American Superstars” show at the Stratosphere, this production showcases an entertaining group of tribute artists that provides a concert that wouldn’t happen anywhere else.

Click to Read Entire American Superstars Las Vegas Review…

Featured Review:
The World According Ronn Lucas

By DW Grant

In Ronn Lucas’s world anything can argue with you; dragons, microphones, socks, feet, bare hands, and even some audience members. The 90 minute show, on stage almost everyday at 1 PM at the Thunder Room at the Excalibur Hotel is a fun world for both children and adults.

But the afternoon really belongs to his collection of partners, some he brings out of a trunk and some he brings up from the audience. Buffalo Billy flirts with the ladies in the front seats and duets “Row Your Boat” with Ronn, even though Ronn tries to warn him a ventriloquist can not duet with his dummy. Amazingly they do it anyway, and we can┤t help but love it.

For children Ronn offers “Scorch,” the teenage dragon, trashing-talking his master and singing songs like “Teenager in Love” and rapping other teen faves.

Click to Read Entire Ronn Lucas Las Vegas Review…

Donny & Marie To Debut At Flamingo Las Vegas – Flamingo Las Vegas announces Donny and Marie Osmond as the resort’s newest headliner in the Flamingo Showroom. Tickets Beginning Sept. 9, the duo will dazzle audiences of all ages with their iconic style of entertainment. Presented by Danny Gans and Chip Lightman of GansLight Entertainment, the 90-minute extravaganza will highlight Donny & Marie’s greatest hits in a multimedia spectacle presented on a custom designed stage with multiple video screens and a large cast of dancers. Click to Read The Full Story …

Journey, Heart And Cheap Trick Together At Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, July 18 – Three legendary rock bands are teaming up for what is sure to be the tour of the summer. JOURNEY, Heart and Cheap Trick are heading out on the concert trail and will stop at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, July 18. Tickets The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Valentina Comes From Russia With Love For ‘Crazy Girls’ – Valentina Smirnova’s nickname is “Valusha” and hails from the Baltic Sea. “Valusha” moved to Las Vegas via San Francisco as a performer in “Crazy Girls” (Tickets) at the Riviera. She has been performing in “Las Vegas’ Sexiest Topless Revue” for a year-and-a-half now. The 5′ 8″ tall dark-haired beauty is a native of Kaliningrad, Russia where her parents still live. She models and does commercials. She said, “I bought my first car after winning $5,000 in the 2003 Miss Russia California Pageant. My first love is to dance but I also like to travel, socialize, sing and I enjoy all four seasons of the year. I love change, adventure, enthusiasm, interacting in large groups as opposed to one-on-one situations and I am a chameleon who can transform my appearance and nature to suit the environment.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Spirits/Cigar Lounge In Andre’s At The Monte Carlo – With a collection of over two hundred cognacs, armagnacs and calvados plus another forty ports available, you are guaranteed a unique experience at Andre’s Spirits and Cigar Lounge. We have products that are not widely available and so rare that they’re exclusive outside of a private collection. An example is our vintage cognac tasting; this consists of the Hardy Reserve Vintage 1848, Lheraud Vintage 1900, and Hardy Reserve Vintage 1914. Click to Read The Full Story …

Hog Wild For Kids Charity Event To Take Place May 18th -áStrap on your leather chaps, Hogs & Heifers Saloon is hitting the roads with Hog Wild for Kids, a charity motorcycle ride and event to be held Sunday, May 18, 2008. With all proceeds benefiting Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation’s (NVCCF) Camp Cartwheel, Hog Wild for Kids charity motorcycle ride will be revving up their engines as participants cruise the scenic back roads through Red Rock and out to The Mountain Springs Saloon for a rest stop and group photo before ending back to Hogs & Heifers Saloon in downtown Las Vegas (201 North 3rd Street). Click to Read The Full Story …

Randy Owen & Sugarland To Perform At The Fremont Street Experience During The Week Vegas Goes Country For The 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards – The Academy of Country Music (ACM) is announcing that on May 16 Randy Owen and on May 17 Sugarland will perform at Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is the title sponsor of the two-day party featuring free, open-to-the-public musical performances and boot-stompin’ fun. Click to Read The Full Story …

‘Legends In Concert’ Celebrates Silver Anniversary – Longest-Running Independently Owned Production Show On The Strip – On May 5, 1983, tribute artists Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Darin and Elvis performed on the stage at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino, and “Legends in Concert” was born. (Tickets) More than 15,000 performances later, impersonators Jay Leno, Dolly Parton, Madonna, the Temptations and Elvis will take to the stage on Monday, May 5, as “Legends” reaches a significant milestone achieved by few entertainment shows anywhere: 25 years of providing family-oriented, value-priced live musical entertainment, two shows per night, six nights per week. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: The Lady M – Part Two – with Victor H. Royer. “See those machines?” he asked, pointing to the three new machines that were brought over. I nodded. “These are $500 machines,” he continued. “That’s $500 per token! And each machine takes three of them. That’s $1,500 per pull, on three machines at the same time. She bets $4,500 per pull. It takes about one minute for her to make these pulls. There are 60 minutes per hour, right? This means she puts in $270,000 per hour! Actually, given distractions, hand-pays, and so on, it averages to about $230,000 to $250,000 per hour. Every hour. And she plays for eight to twelve hours per session. That’s pretty good for one player.” Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Mark’s family is in town from the Miami area this week and I’m pulling a little double-duty so we can free him up for some needed time off. This Members Mania section (where we print reader comments and questions with my answers) will return next week

A quick non-Vegas tip for this week: If you enjoy visiting Florida’s Emerald Coast (Destin, Pensacola, and Panama City Beach), our good friend Harley Van Hyning has a twice-monthly newsletter for that area very similar to this one! He’s an area native and shares all the inside tips, plus links to their local news stories (of interest to visitors) and area photos.

If you love to visit that area (as I do), subscribing is a must. There is no charge and we’ll make it easy: Simply visit DestinFloridaPodcast.com and use the sign-up box on the right sidebar. (Hint: the podcast newsletter is the ásame one with all the features noted above).

Happy Reading!

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

  • 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!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 10

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

May 14, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

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Access Vegas Insider Vibe – May 7, 2008

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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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Back after a scheduled week off. Weather is a perfect 85/65 F. No better time to enjoy walking The Strip and Downtown or get a round of golf in.

Jersey Boys opened with a bang at Palazzo. The night was extra special: Jersey Boys is the award-winning musical that tells the story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and Frankie Valli was in attendance celebrating his 74’th birthday!

Valli was joined by the remaining original Four Seasons – legendary songwriter & producer Bob Gaudio and Las Vegas resident Tommy DeVito. Wayne Brady, John Cleese, Nigel Lythgoe, John O’Hurley, Sex & the City’s Willie Garson, Ugly Betty’s Michael Urie, Comedienne Rita Rudner and Palazzo owner Sheldon Adelson were also on hand.

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and is the story of how a group of blue-collar guys became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide. Many of the biggest hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Oh, What a Night,” are performed.

Jimmy Buffett heads back to Las Vegas for his two annual shows on October 18 & 25 as part of Jimmy Buffett’s “The Year Of Still Here” Tour 2008. Parrotheads fly in from around the world for one (or both) of these shows and the Las Vegas Strip turns into a Parrothead Paradise.

A few issues ago, a reader asked about good Chinese food and we received a number of replies:

  • Adrienne & Bill Sheneman wrote: My choice for excellent Chinese Cuisine is Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast. Real Chinese Food prepared and served properly. A large percentage of their clientele is Asian so they must be doing things the way Mom used to.
  • Julie wrote: A great but expensive Chinese restaurant is Pearl at MGM Grand. Their Almond Crusted Lemon Chicken is fabulous.
  • Gail Hubbard wrote: I enjoy dining at Ming’s Table located in Harrah’s. It has a great variety of dishes and is reasonably priced. The service is excellent. The dining area is rather small, but I find that seating is easy to get in “off hours”.

One of the most frequent questions we get is about seeing jazz here in Las Vegas. All events are complimentary (no admission charge):

American’s Got Talent is auditioning this coming Sunday May 11 at the Planet Hollywood Performing Arts Theatre. Auditions will be taped for future use on the show. Tapings are open to the public and take place at 10 AM and 3 PM. Producers have been quoted as saying that anyone arriving an hour before taping should be able to get in. Makes sense as the auditorium holds about 7000 people.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Fab Four Mania Replicates Every Beatles Note Live

by Terri Feld

“Help! I need somebody…” to tell me, is it real or is it lip-synching?! “Beatlemania” redux in this incredible live performance that replicates every note in the original key. Playing nightly (Mon-Sat. 7:00pm) in the Sahara Showroom, David Saxe’s current Las Vegas production, “Fab Four Mania”, does, however, distinguish itself from the late 70’s Broadway hit “Beatlemania”.

Entering the showroom off the Party Pit Blackjack lounge which boasts lava lamps, tie-dye t-shirted dealers and a Beatles soundtrack (all in full swing when the show lets out at 8:15PM), show-goers immediately get the vibe, taking a photo-op in front of the groovy, painted VW mini-bus located at the theater entrance. Beatles trivia questions displayed on large monitors stage right and left amuse and occasionally stump audience members already seated, awaiting the show’s start.

Click to Read Entire Fab Four Mania Las Vegas Review…

Featured Review:
Mega Bubble – An Ethereal And Magical Quality Like Nothing Else

(Editors Note: The name of this show just recently changed to Gazillion Bubble Show. It is the same show).

by Devon Brooke Clasen

Finding even a modicum of innocence in “Sin City” is a challenging feat to be sure, but a world of innocence, wonder and enchantment awaits visitors to the Mega Bubble Show, playing in the Steve Wyrick Theatre in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile shops from Thursday through Sunday at 3 p.m., with an additional 11 a.m. show on Saturday and 1 p.m. shows on Saturday and Sunday.

Innocuous enough, bubbles enraptured us all as wee little ones, with an ethereal and magical quality like nothing else found in nature. Eventually the novelty wears off and as we grow up, bubbles receive nary a thought… The Mega Bubble Show reintroduces us to the beguiling fascination of the bubble, which we recognized and appreciated as children and perhaps need the occasional reminder of as adults.

Click to Read Entire Mega Bubble Las Vegas Review…

Tao Las Vegas Adds More Sizzle To The Strip With The Return Of Tao Beach – “Good Fridays” And “Sunset Sessions” Set To Launch – TAO Beach, the latest addition to the hugely successful TAO Las Vegas venue at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, opens for their second season Saturday, April 12. VIP Entry and Table/Bottle Reservations TAO Beach guests can experience a new level of luxury seven days a week when lounging poolside in one of seven luxury cabanas that feature such amenities as air conditioning, high definition plasma screen televisions with X-box gaming consoles, a DVD library, WiFi service and customized mini bars. Other amenities include sunglass cleaning and a staff of masseuses. Click to Read The Full Story …

Manny Pacquiao And David Diaz Ready To Explode In “Lethal Combination” For WBC Lightweight Title – When two explosive world champions at the top of their game mix it up for the world title, it’s a “Lethal Combination.” Newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao and WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will battle in a 12-round rumble with Diaz’s title at stake. (Tickets) Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Diaz will take place Saturday, June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. Click to Read The Full Story …

BRIO Tuscan Grille shares recipes from their Bellini Brunch menu to make this Mother’s Day at home special for any mom. The delectable brunch menu featuring French Toast With Berries, Cinnamon Apple Pancakes, Eggs Benedictano and Grilled Salmon & Sweet Potato Hash is served from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Create a delicious breakfast in bed with these mouth watering recipes from BRIO Tuscan Grille.

French Toast With Berries

  • Dip 2 slices of brioche in 4 oz. french toast batter and allow excess to drip off
  • Heat 1 oz. oil in a saute pan
  • Add bread to pan and sautÚ until golden brown on both sides
  • Place french toast on plate and top with 3 oz. mix of seasonal berries
  • Drizzle with mascarpone cream cheese and sprinkle with powered sugar
  • Serve with 2 oz. of warm syrup

BRIO is located in Town Square Las Vegas, on The Strip two miles south of Mandalay Bay.

Poison To Perform At The Pearl August 22 With Special Guests Dokken And Sebastian Bach – The “Live, Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008” stops in Las Vegas at The Palms Casino Resort. In the ’80s Poison found themselves in a category of popularity occupied by such acts as Bon Jovi and Def Leppard. Some of their top hits include “Fallen Angel,” “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Poison brings their rock ‘n roll, metal sound to The Pearl at the Palms with special guests Dokken and Sebastian Bach on Friday, August 22, 2008, at 8 p.m. for the Live, Raw & Uncut Summer Tour 2008.(Tickets) Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: The Lady M – with Victor H. Royer. It was a cold January day, the week after the New Year’s crush of tourists. Among the real gamblers and high rollers, the early weeks in January are often the times when they like to come and play. For any type of gaming, other than live poker, coming to a casino after all the crowds have left is better, and often more profitable. High-stakes players like to be the center of attention, but at the same time most of them dislike being bothered by the gawkers and onlookers. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I am coming to Las Vegas the end of March. What are the streets that go to downtown(not on the freeway). Last time I was there the driver turned west on Tropicana to I 15 and then to downtown. Seemed a long way out of the way than what I had done before with other cabs.

I would like to tell them where to go and not the long way IF they will listen to me. I did tell the other driver that I did not want to go the tunnel and he seemed upset so when we got to Tropicana and he turned to the west, I did not have the nerve to tell him otherwise as he said he always took the tunnel. Need a good map for me to give to them! Otherwise the tip will be minimal.

Thanks for all the good things in ACCESSVEGAS.com.

Jane

You referred to this in a reply in the last newsletter. Can you please tell me more about long hauling? I was just in Vegas last week, and it seemed that the cab ride cost a whole lot more than the last time I visited. We were going to the Mirage, and the cabbie took the freeway, something that had never happened before, and it didn’t seem right. Did we get long hauled, and how do we avoid that in the future?
Thanks!

Cathy

á

Ted Responds:

I-15 runs parallel to The Strip all the way to downtown. It is a couple of miles longer, but usually quicker. Many in a rental car my prefer to scoot over to Paradise (east of The Strip) and head north. Paradise basically ends at The Stratosphere where you can get back on Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip) for the rest of the trip downtown.

The tunnel only applies if you are going to or from the airport. It is not in the vicinity of The Strip. Unless a cab driver specifically asks your permission, a trip from the airport to any Strip hotel should not involve the freeway. If the cabbie is aware of a serious and unusual traffic issue that makes the tunnel option more attractive, your driver should specifically note such.

We have a map section in beta at http://maps.accessvegas.com. The maps are working and ready to go. We still have to put some touches on the design.

I am planning to visit Vegas in Dec for about a week. I understand there is a period (I am not sure whether the week before Christmas or the week after Christmas) where many shows have a dark period.I would be grateful if you would let me know whether it is better to visit during the week before or after Christmas. Many thanks.By the way I love your newsletter. Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Denis Wan

á

Ted Responds:

Both, although some shows start to get back going after Christmas. The week before Christmas is the slowest week of the year, usually with the lowest room rates.

Thanks for reading and please tell all your friends. We depend on word-of-mouth to grow readership. More readers, the more we can do for our readers!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

May 7, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 23, 2008

Posted on by

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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Our good friend Kimo Akane is broadcasting live from Las Vegas this coming week on radio station Hawaiian 105 KINE. Kimo is Hawaii’s foremost Vegas expert! Besides his broadcast radio duties, he also publishes Kimo’s Vegas both online and in a Honolulu newspaper column. The entire program will be from Las Vegas, and Vegas oriented.

Kimo’s show will stream live at http://hawaiian105.com this coming week on April 30, May 1, and May 2! Since this newsletter is read in just about every time zone around the world, you’ll have to do your own calculations on when to listen in your area. I’ll give a few location times to help you calculate your local time to listen:

  • USA Pacific Time: 9 AM – Noon (Las Vegas, Los Angeles)
  • USA Eastern Time: Noon – 3 PM (New York, Miami)
  • London: 5 – 8 PM
  • Japan: 1 – 4 AM (the following day)
  • Hong Kong Midnight – 3 AM (the following day)
  • Sydney: 2 – 5 AM (the following day)
  • Moscow: 8 PM – 11 PM

We don’t have Osmonds tickets yet for their fall run at Harrah’s. I’ll let you know when we do.

Mark was out last week, soaking up the 85 degree (F) sunshine and taking in two of the great Las Vegas Strip vistas: Stratosphere Tower and Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Fortunately, he took plenty of photos so you can enjoy it virtually wherever in the world you are:

Click To View Entire
Las Vegas Vistas April 2008 Photo Set

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Toxic Audio Explained – It’s Voice, And All Voice

by DW Grant

“Toxic Audio,” what the heck is that?

It’s one of best small shows in Vegas; and at half the price its just as much fun as The Blue Man Group, moves with just as much energy as Gans or Newton, and delivers just as many laughs as a night out with the Second City comedy troupe.

So, what is it? It’s Voice, and all voice. Not a sound comes from the stage that isn’t produced by someone’s voice. Drums, guitars, sax, bass, and some mysterious musical modulations come out of the mouths and noses of these performers with such amazing clarity you can then understand why the promotional icon is a guy with a microphone for a head.

It’s five singers with no back up band or recorded tracks pumping out “Autumn Leaves” in English, French, German, Korean, Scat, and Pig Latin. Its Paul Sperrazza, a “human beat box,” tearing up the audience like a mix of Jim Carey, Jerry Lewis, and that guy who almost won American Idol last year. It’s also Rene Ruiz, the founder of the group, whose credits include “Forever Plaid,” delivering a unforgettable show to a cheering audience.

Click to Read Entire Toxic Audio Las Vegas Review…

Featured Review:
La Cage Las Vegas – Believe It When You See It!

by Nicole “Niko” Acevedo

Believe it when you see it! There’s no need to go back in time to experience the legendary Diana Ross and sophisticated Judy Garland, and you don’t have to squint your eyes to witness the dance moves of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears in large overcrowded stadiums. Why not intimately see them all on the same evening at the snazzy zebra-striped Mardi Gras Pavilion of Vegas’ one and only Riviera Hotel & Casino?

Presented by stunning female impersonators of famous celebrity superstars such as Madonna, Celine Dion, Cher, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears, Judy Garland, and the mega-diva Diana Ross, you will be so enthralled by their performances that you will forget that they are in fact merely impersonating! When “Celine Dion” performed “My Heart Will Go On”, her passionate facial expressions and mannerisms were flawlessly identical and encompassed a witty charm. For a moment I was so excited to catch one of her final Las Vegas performances at Caesar’s Palace until of course I realized Bette Midler had already replaced the show.

Click to Read Entire La Cage Las Vegas Review…

Stomp Out Loud Sweeps Into its Second Year at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – STOMP OUT LOUD, the high-energy production from the creators of the international sensation STOMP, celebrates its first anniversary at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on April 17, 2008. (Tickets) Named one of Las Vegas’ Top Ten Shows of 2007 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, STOMP OUT LOUD has proven to be at the forefront of Las Vegas entertainment. This engaging one-of-a-kind production has captured the hearts and minds of Las Vegas locals and tourists alike. Celebrities such as Tommy Lee, Cedric the Entertainer, David Hasselhoff, Sugar Ray Leonard, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have all been spotted taking in this thrilling spectacle. Click to Read The Full Story … Mindy Moo Returns To ‘Crazy Girls’ After Yearlong Break – Lifelong Las Vegan loves dancing as a showgirl in ‘Las Vegas’ Sexiest Revue’ at Riv. Mindy Drake is among a very elite group who left “Crazy Girls” (Tickets) and returned to perform after they find out the proverbial saying “the grass is greener on the other side” isn’t true. The only “Crazy Girl” who was born and raised in Las Vegas and still lives at home with her parents attends UNLV to pursue her degree in psychology. At a perfect 5’6″ and 115 pounds she’s svelte on stage with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Click to Read The Full Story …

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Hi Ted,I”m very happy to be updated with your news letter. I’m a French Canadian woman from the city of Repentigny, Quebec Province, just next city from Charlemagne, where Celine Dion was born. I’m wondering about the webcam from Imperial Palace Hotel. I used to watch them very often to see people walking the sidewalk and also when I’m at Vegas, I used to call my family and they can watch me live. I can’t see them anymore, what appended. Do you think that Imperial Palace will disappear soon? Is there any other webcam to see, in the area? It gives me an idea how to pack my suitcase when I plan to go to Vegas.Sorry about my writing. You have a very easy way to make me understand you. I’m planning to be in your area at the end of September so I will be very attentive to your next news letters.

Keep going, you do a great job Ted, also your assistant editor Amy Rayner-Cooley and your news researcher Mark Jacobs.

Monique Lavigne

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the great note! We have many Canadian (and French Canadian) readers and appreciate your love and visits to our city. The IP isn’t going anywhere soon. However, Harrah’s now owns it and they do things differently. We are going to revamp our webcam page and try to find the best ones that work all the time so you can say hello to people back home.

No promises (since we don’t control the cameras… we just link to them), but we are working on it. In the meantime, try the Traffic Department at http://www.nvfast.org/trafficcameras.html which has a few cameras on the Las Vegas Strip.

Thanks for telling everyone you know about our newsletter. We aren’t owned by a big TV station. We are just a handful of long-time Las Vegas locals who are working hard to keep everyone informed and we need readers to spread the word!

Dear Ted,I have been receiving your newsletter for about 6 months and find it to be the most informative of any in Las Vegas. So pleased with it that all others have been canceled. Planning a trip in early July and was wondering if LV does any fireworks over the 4th holiday.Kathy
Chicago, IL

Ted Responds:

Historically, Stratosphere (and sometimes Hilton) does a show. Many other displays happen around the “normal” parts of Las Vegas (where everybody lives).

We usually don’t get the info until 10-14 days in advance of July 4. But if history is any indication, you’ll be able to enjoy fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip on July 4.

Thanks for the great feedback. We work very hard at what we do, so nice words are appreciated.

I look forward to reading your newsletter but last week you had a big photo of a desecrated corpse from that bodies display thing. That is a sick and twisted exhibit. Corpses belong in the ground not as entertainment. I lost a lot of respect for you Ted. That was a bad call. Truly offensive. Ron

Editors Note: This is in reference to the Bodies – The Exhibition review that ran in our April 2, 2008 Insider Vibe Issue

Ted Responds:

I do agree that not everyone wants to see a medical display. I myself could never be a doctor because that kind of stuff makes me a little squeamish.

However, I do want to emphasize that this is an educational/medical display. Area schools hold trips to view the exhibit and parts of the exhibit show the difference between healthy organs and of those who abuse themselves in various ways.

I do appreciate the input, and we’ll stick to photos of Las Vegas Showgirls and Chippendales performers in the future. We’ve never had a complaint about that!

Thanks for the input,

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 23, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 16, 2008

Posted on by

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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Hopefully everyone’s mood is rebounding from tax day (US) on April 15. For those of you getting a refund, it is still a pain to file. For those like me who cut quarterly checks… let’s just say that an overhaul of the tax system sounds good to me. But on to Las Vegas…

Media Queen Rachael Ray of Food Network fame was in town this past week filming for her Rachael’s Vacation show. Food Network hit Las Vegas at OriginIndia Restaurant and Bar on Paradise Road. Rachael Ray stopped by to film her new show “Rachael’s Vacation”. Owners Raja Majid and Alena Olevic were pleasantly surprised to meet the hostess and were greeted by Mrs. Ray with huge smiles and hand shakes.

Every few minutes there were bursts of laughter as Mrs. Ray charmed the staff. Rachael talked about Origin India’s prominence as a local favorite and the beautiful presentation of the food. Mrs. Olevic and Mr. Majid were thrilled that she enjoyed the OriginIndia experience. Click to read more and see extra event photos…


From left to right: Gopi (Tandoori Chef), Vivek (Sou Chef), Rachael Ray and Bhuwan Bhatt (Executive Chef) posed for a photo after the shoot in the OriginIndia kitchen

One of the more common questions we get is “When will a movie or TV show be filming in Las Vegas… I want to see it.“ We probably answer this here in the newsletter a couple times each year and the answer is always the same: Rarely will a production let the public know about a shoot, and only when it is a scene or event that actually needs a crowd scene. For the most part, they don’t want the crowds and security hassles.

The best way to see a celeb while in town? Simply keep your eyes open! I saw Flavor Flav playing craps at the South Point a couple of weeks ago. I’ve previously noted playing craps next to Matt Sorum of Guns n’ Roses at Hard Rock. I happened to be getting something to eat at The Klondike and they started shooting Vegas Vacation.

I’ve seen more than a few movies and music videos (not to mention car commercials and similar) being shot downtown over the years. All of this just at random. Nothing I had been tipped off to or had any kind of VIP invite.

A few huge-name star use the back hallways and stay out of sight. However, plenty of pretty well-known names will just be gambling or eating or doing all the normal activities you do here with just a couple of friends. Looking and acting like normal people. So much that you might walk right by them and not recognize them unless you are keeping your eyes open!

National radio hosts Sean Hannity and Mark Levin are teaming up with country music legend Lee Greenwood for the 2008 Freedom Concert at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 8 p.m. This show benefits the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund which provides additional support to the children of America’s military heroes who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Tickets are $35 and $25 and can be purchased at 702-284-7777.

P.S. If you dislike these radio hosts, hold the hate mail. We tell people about Las Vegas events and always put charitable events front and center regardless of cause (and including gay-friendly HIV/AIDS benefits in the past). In my nine years of doing this, you’d be hard pressed to guess my politics. This is about Vegas!

Binion’s new owners are bringing back the right, proper, and real rules for table games! The new owner TLC Casino Enterprises has changed the house rules for blackjack and craps. Blackjack now pays 3 to 2 on double deck and shoe games, and bettors can wager 10 times odds on craps with a $5.00 minimum bet. Limits also have been raised for most of the blackjack games.

Funny… a few years ago these rules were the norm. However, most casinos figured you were all stupid and reduced pay on a blackjack and lowered odds on craps. Now we just need to see the return of the famous Binion’s $2 (or $3 or $4 depending on the year) full steak dinner special and all will be right with the world!

After either years at The Mirage, Danny Gans will follow Steve Wynn up the street and be the new headliner at Wynn Las Vegas’ Encore. You can’t argue with the long-running success of a show like that. Danny Gans Tickets

Spamalot prepares to end the show’s Las Vegas run in mid-July. If this was one of your “we should see that… it sounds like fun” shows, waste no more time in getting your tickets: Monty Python’s Spamalot Las Vegas Tickets. You can also read our review of Spamalot.

Oh… speaking of Binion’s… Make sure to scroll down and read gaming writer Victor H. Royer’s article “Poker’s Big Gun”s. What a great look at some of the history of Las Vegas’ (and poker’s) biggest and most famous names.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

On Saturday, April 26, the “Oprah” show travels to Las Vegas for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime visit with legendary superstars Cher and Tina Turner. The episode will tape at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and feature interviews and exclusive performances as these legends come together to pull out all the stops for a true Vegas spectacular. “The Oprah Winfrey Show: Oprah, Cher and Tina in Vegas” is scheduled to premiere Thursday, May 8, 2008 (check local listings). Select tickets are available to the general public by visiting Oprah.com and clicking on “Be on the Show.”

Valentina Comes From Russia With Love For ‘Crazy Girls’ – Valentina Smirnova’s nickname is “Valusha” and hails from the Baltic Sea. “Valusha” moved to Las Vegas via San Francisco as a performer in “Crazy Girls” (Tickets) at the Riviera. She has been performing in “Las Vegas’ Sexiest Topless Revue” for a year-and-a-half now. The 5′ 8″ tall dark-haired beauty is a native of Kaliningrad, Russia where her parents still live. She models and does commercials. She said, “I bought my first car after winning $5,000 in the 2003 Miss Russia California Pageant. My first love is to dance but I also like to travel, socialize, sing and I enjoy all four seasons of the year. I love change, adventure, enthusiasm, interacting in large groups as opposed to one-on-one situations and I am a chameleon who can transform my appearance and nature to suit the environment.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Vegas Gifts to Remember for Mom and Dad – Spend the special day by bringing your parents to Las Vegas! This Mother’s Day, why not go beyond flowers? For Father’s Day, does dad really need another tie? Instead, surprise them with these indulgent spa experiences:

  • Show dad how much he’s appreciated with a Father’s Refresher at Spa Bellagio, a rejuvenating service featuring a custom massage and men’s facial. At Spa Monte Carlo, the Men’s Warrior Facial is packed with vitamins to reduce wrinkles while The Art of Shaving at Mandalay Place offers a Barber Spa for the ideal shave.
  • Treat mom to a relaxing Mother’s Makeover at Spa Bellagio, which includes an aromatherapy massage, full-body exfoliation, nourishing wrap and custom facial. At WET — The Spa and Salon at TI, the Youth Renewal Stone Facial uses warm and cool stones to ease tension and produce a youthful glow while the Sweet Red Rose Facial at The Spa at The Mirage uses hand-picked rose petals to leave skin velvety soft.

“Sugar” Shane Mosley & Zab “Super” Judah Go To War In Intriguing Welterweight Showdown Saturday, May 31 At Mandalay Bay Live On HBO Pay-Per-View – With everything riding on the line, the stakes will be high when “Sugar” Shane Mosley and Zab “Super” Judah square off in a welterweight showdown Saturday, May 31 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. (Tickets) Mosley vs. Judah: “High Stakes,” headlines a night of world-class professional boxing presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink, Tecate Beer, Affliction Clothing and Southwest Airlines. The 12-round bout will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. Click to Read The Full Story …

Fun in the Sun, Las Vegas Style – The heat of summer is almost here, but the pools of MGM MIRAGE are a sure bet for a cool escape. Dip into these latest ways to make a splash in Las Vegas:

  • Daylife is born this April as MGM Grand unveils WET REPUBLIC, an alluring 53,000-square-foot ultra pool combining an exclusive nightlife vibe with poolside pampering and relaxation. An adults-only mecca for discerning partygoers, the glitterati and celebrities, WET REPUBLIC will feature distinct experiences within a series of intimate spaces and will redefine poolside entertainment as the first ultra pool in the world’s sexiest city. Elite VIP service, high-end amenities and renowned entertainers will be the standard at WET REPUBLIC.
  • Already a crowd favorite, Mandalay Bay Beach at Mandalay Bay now features the only climate-controlled poolside gaming on The Strip. Nearby, Moorea Beach Club continues to draw sunseekers by providing high-energy music in a luxurious setting.
  • A paradise fit for royalty, The Excalibur pool has doubled its size — adding two luxurious pools and 17 cabanas stocked with all the essentials to keep cool. Just steps away, Drenched offers the latest in causal poolside dining.
  • In just a year, Bare at The Mirage has made a big splash. The adult pool, known best for its European-style sun bathing and exclusive VIP service, has quickly become a must visit for celebrities ranging from Fergie to Leonardo DiCaprio. New for 2008, Bare features a delectable menu by California Pizza Kitchen.

Gambling Talk: Poker’s Big Guns – with Victor H. Royer. It was a Tuesday in October 1974. The place was the Horseshoe Club in downtown Las Vegas, in its heyday. The Horseshoe Club’s founder and owner, Benny Binion, was playing World Poker Champion Johnny Moss heads up in a pot limit five-card stud game. Benny Binion was one of the now legendary “Texas Bad Men of Poker.” He had run gambling games in Texas for some time, and had gotten into some hot water after, reportedly, killing some men with whom he had had dealings and who didn’t live up to Benny’s expectations (to put it mildly).

So, Benny headed west for Las Vegas, where gambling was legal and there were no such bothersome things like extradition treaties between the states for insignificant little things, like killin’ a weasely gamblin’ cheater. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Note from Ted: This was a great personal story sent in by our readers. I’ve been looking for the time and place to run it. Spring is in the air and we actually have a “slow news week” (very rare). Enjoy this great retrospective!

We realize this won’t serve as a review for those looking to book a wedding, but its a story for those of us, who love the “new” Vegas, but enjoy remembering the “old” Vegas.

…Remembering our wedding and the Stardust

Here’s my Vegas wedding story…My fiance and I had been together for 8 years and were talking marriage. I had recently received a small settlement and decided after paying bills I would put a little aside for a vacation getaway. I woke up in the middle of the night, and it hit me…”What the hell, lets go to Vegas and get married.” The very next day I called my sister (she’s a Vegas NUT and has been going to Vegas for years) and needless to say she was ecstatic and we immediately started internet shopping for the perfect chapel for us. I needed inexpensive, simple, and quaint.

After an exhaustive search, we decided on the beloved Starlight Chapel at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. Because I’m 50 years old I was feeling a bit nostalgic with my choice. And what a wonderful choice it was. We booked the chapel that day and the very next day, a sweet young lady named Heather called me with all of the information and any extras we wanted. We booked a limousine for the 6 of us (myself and my fiance, my sister and her girlfriend, and my brother-in-law and his wife) to take us from Excalibur where we stayed to the Stardust to get married. Had I known that a year later, the Stardust would no longer be there…I would have booked our rooms there as well.

Before I go any further, I should tell you it was NOW that I told my boyfriend that we were going to Vegas to get married. It was my sister and I who had made all of the arrangements; but he was very happy.

We arrived for my first trip to Vegas on January 29, 2006 and on January 30, 2006, at 10 am we were married by John A. Williams at the Stardust. He was a wonderful minister (originally from our state, Ohio) and I certainly hope another chapel discovered him after the Stardust closed. Everything at the Starlight Chapel was adorable, the ceremony was wonderful, and everyone had a great time. I felt a lot of love in the chapel that day. Of course, then it was back to the Limo and off to party!!

To close, I’ll say this. I know change is a good thing but there are times when you just wish things could stay the same. Las Vegas should have built a glass box around the Stardust and preserved that landmark forever. I can only pray that our cherished memories of our special day at the Stardust lasts as long as the Las Vegas strip was blessed with the existence of the Stardust. It certainly made my first trip to Vegas my best vacation ever!

Just a footnote to this story… I’ve been back to Vegas 4 times and heading back for my fifth visit in April 2008. For anyone who has yet to visit your wonderful city, I leave you with this warning! Las Vegas gets in your blood so be prepared…and enjoy it. It’s a wonderful place!!

THANK YOU STARDUST!!

Sheila and Troy Adelsberger
West Jefferson, Ohio

Hi — we are hosting a government conference at the Embassy Suites (near the convention center) the week of 2 June. We would really like to use some of the pictures from your web site in our free attendee handout. May we have your permission to use the pictures? Thank you.

Don Houpt

Ted Responds:

Happy to help! As you can imagine, we have a little bit of fine print but nothing out-of-the-ordinary. (Note — This applies to everyone, not just Don):

We own a great many photos on our site, but not all of them. (Some are PR photos). Here is our policy:

1. Visit our Webshots gallery at http://community.webshots.com/user/AccessVegas

We own almost all photos from all albums with the EXCEPTION of:
Tony n Tina’s Wedding
Las Vegas Computer Wallpaper
Maverick Helicopter Tours

2. Send us the URL’s of photo(s) you wish to use.

3. We will confirm our ownership and send you the clean copy along with the required photo credit text required to accompany the photos.

So… whether you just need a photo for your Myspace, hobby site, or need some of our great photos for a major venture, please do ask first so we can affirm details. Contact us at the email listed below!

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

  • 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!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 16, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 9, 2008

Posted on by

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.

Can’t see all the great photos and graphics? Click to Read This Issue Online! Need to contact us? Send feedback to AllVegasTV@aol.com

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend! Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

This newsletter is published exclusively for visitors to AccessVegas.Com and can only be signed up for there. We do not buy or rent lists, and this information is only for our members and guests. If you feel you have received it in error, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom. To subscribe, visit our Newsletter Site.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No jingle bells here. I’m talking about how we are heading into those precious few weeks where the high temperature is around 85 or 90 (F) with a low around 60. In my book, it doesn’t get much better. With our dry climate, 90 is great and during this time, and it is never too hot or too cold.

Spring Membership Drive!

No, we aren’t going to ask for your money or promise you a DVD for a $60 pledge. (Note to self… maybe that isn’t a bad idea).

This newsletter is always sent at no charge and we are keeping it that way. As you can imagine, tremendous time and effort goes into each issue and we love to be your connection to Las Vegas. We’d love to serve you even better: Trip-a-month giveaways, tons of free tix, prizes, Vegas stuff plus even more extra expanded coverage of all the great things you email and ask about.

So how can you help us help you? Simple:

We need every reader to tell their friends and co-workers to check up out and subscribe. More readers = even more clout = even more pull to get you better information, deals, and offers.

1. There are people in your email address book that visit or are thinking about visiting Las Vegas and you may not even know it! How about sending an email blast to all your relatives, business associates, friends and/or everyone else and just saying “You know I love Vegas and always know what is happening. I want to help spread the wealth! Please head over to http://www.accessvegas.com/newsletter and check out the best Las Vegas information anywhere.

2. You may belong to a club or organization that has a message board, bulletin board, or newsletter that allows member postings and classifieds. Put in a mention for us!

3. Some of you enjoy reading various online travel forums and blogs. Make sure when you participate you let all your online friends and the readers know you enjoy our information, and to come on by and sign up!

4. Do the stores, restaurants, and other businesses you visit have a free-for-all cork board where people can post misc. stuff? Grab a few 3×5 cards, write “Free Insider Las Vegas Newsletter AccessVegas.com” and stick a few up around town.

We very much appreciate it. Our resources go into publishing the newsletter. We rely on you to help spread the word.

More Cher Tickets On Sale – We’ve had numbers of emails from people saying “I’m coming later in the year, how come no Cher dates?” September and October Cher tickets are finally on sale! Click to Cher Caesars Palace Las Vegas Tickets.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Folies Bergere – Timeless Showgirls and Classic Entertainment

by Chuck Stanec

Raw. Provocative. Sexy. Alluring. Just a few words among many that can be used to describe Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana. If you’re looking for a trip into Las Vegas past, this is it — without the DeLorean.

When one thinks of old Vegas, they envision the big, bold shows with the tall and supple women and the huge, bright feathers that adorn them. The energy, the passion, and the colors all appease the senses as you’re engulfed into history. The transient experience makes it feel as if you can walk out of the theater and sit down with Dean, Frank, and Sammy for a drink.

Click to Read Entire Folies Bergere Las Vegas Review…

Featured Review:
Stomp Out Loud – A Journey Through Rhythm and Percussion

by Erin Guernsey

For those seeking high-energy entertainment, comedic antics and pure theatrical brilliance look no further than Stomp Out Loud located at The Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Don’t let the show’s humble opening of one lonely cast member sweeping the stage fool you as it barely gives a hint of what is to come.

Every night the talented performers take audience members on a journey through the world of rhythm and percussion. The show throws the definition of a traditional musical instrument out the window by creating magnificent sounds from the most random objects such as keys, lighters, trash cans and lids, brooms, sand, plastic bags and of course à kitchen sinks.

Click to Read Entire Stomp Out Loud Las Vegas Review…

Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble And Josh Groban To Perform In Concert At Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, May 23 To Pay Tribute To Songwriter And Producer David Foster – A one-night-only concert celebration featuring music’s most beloved stars including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble and Josh Groban, will take place Friday, May 23 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. (Tickets) The event, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., will pay tribute to the celebrated songwriter and producer David Foster. Foster also will perform the hits he has written or produced with many of the artists with whom he has worked over the course of his 35-year career. Click to Read The Full Story … ‘Crazy Girl’ Lizzie Comes From Family Of ‘Just The 11 Of Us’ – Elizabeth “Lizzie” Grantham has that girl-next-door look and is the newest resident of Green Valley after buying a newer repo. The Memphis-born dancer has lived in Las Vegas since the age of 12 and is the second to the youngest of nine children but she has performed in “Crazy Girls” (Tickets) at the Riviera Hotel & Casino for three years. “I was born in Memphis, and I actually began my dance training there at age 8 in this little dance studio. It wasn’t until I arrived in Las Vegas,where I went to junior high and high school, that I got serious about dance. I learned a lot about choreography at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts where I attended high school and was a dance major.” Click to Read The Full Story …

“Tim McGraw ’08 Live Your Voice Tour” Lands At Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, June 21 – Tim McGraw was accompanied by wife Faith Hill and completed “Soul2Soul II”, the most successful consecutive multi-year tours in country music history. Now, the popular headliner and country music icon returns to touring as a solo act and will bring the “Tim McGraw ’08 Live Your Voice Tour” (Tickets) to the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, June 21. The concert, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., will feature special guests Jason Aldean and Halfway To Hazard (David Tolliver and Chad Warrix). Click to Read The Full Story …

David Letterman’s Intern Reigns At ‘Crazy Girls’ – Magician Tony Douglas Referred To As “Chicken Salad Sandwich Guy” – Tony Douglas is a native of Long Island who has been performing magic and comedy practically all of his life but the newcomer to “Crazy Girls” (Tickets) was brought onboard because of the repeat customers. Tony started at the bottom as an intern for CBS’ “The Late Show” as David Letterman’s “Chicken Salad Sandwich Guy.” His energy and demeanor on-stage is contagious and the audience soon finds themselves laughing so hard that it hurts. Tony Douglas’ comedy is a combination of self-reflection of poking fun at everyday events. While his magic is both audience participation and pure illusion, he entertains all demographics with his wit and humor in “Las Vegas’ Sexiest Topless Revue.” He said, “I’ll be doing my rope tricks and some other western-style tricks.” Click to Read The Full Story …

R&B Superstar Alicia Keys To Bring “Alicia Keys As I Am Tour” With Special Guests Ne-Yo And Jordin Sparks To MGM Grand Friday, May 9 – Alicia Keys, one of the most prolific performers and recording artists in the world, will bring her highly anticipated “Alicia Keys As I Am Tour” presented by Lexus, to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, May 9. (Tickets) The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and will feature special guests Ne-Yo and Jordin Sparks. Keys is enjoying one of the most successful years of her career as a performer, producer and songwriter. She received a Grammy Award for “Best R & B Song” for the smash single “No One,” and also won a Grammy for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.” Click to Read The Full Story …

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I have just returned from a week in Las Vegas (visit at least three times a year) and I was thrilled to NOT SEE quite so many of the people that thrust the GIRL TO YOUR ROOM cards in front off you as you walk down the Strip. Was it my imagination or has there been some kind of a crackdown on them? Love your site, you have the best news on Las Vegas on the web – Thanks!

Mark
Cape Cod, MA

Ted Responds:

It could have been the areas or times of day you were out. More convention traffic or guys weekend (Superbowl and similar) usually means more of those handouts.

The ACLU has fought and the courts have agreed that they constitute federally protected free speech. I don’t like them anymore than you do and for what it is worth, the girls that get sent to someone’s room don’t look half as good as the ones on the flyers.

Dear Ted. I’ve read quite a few negative letters/comments about the Las Vegas monorail. I’d like to give a positive spin on it. My friends and I tried it for the first time on our last visit in October 2007 while staying at the MGM. We loved it and thought it was a great way to get around. Sure there’s a bit of a walk from the stations to the casinos but its Vegas baby!!! Pretty much every place in Vegas is a bit of a walk.

We found it a very convenient way to get around. Especially when you’re tired and you want to get from Harrah’s to the MGM without ‘hoofin it’. Plus, it was a great way to visit the Hilton (off strip).

For those who think the Deuce is the best way to get around…PAHLEEZE!!! In most cases I can walk from location to location faster than the bus gets me there. They are crowded and they stop too often, and the stops take FOREVER!!! I’m not sure why they don’t have an express bus. Especially one that maybe stops 3 times on the strip and then shoots to downtown. But that’s for a whole other letter.

All in all the monorail was a clean, non-crowded, fast, and fairly inexpensive ($9 for 24 hours) way to get around the strip. We would hate to see it shut down. Come on Vegas visitors…give it a try.

Thanks
Sharla

Ted Responds:

Monorail is great it you are staying at one of the hotels along the route. However, it is pretty much worthless to get from (lets say) Treasure Island to Monte Carlo, Stratosphere to Wynn, and so many similar trips. It isn’t that anybody hates it. It simply isn’t useful for most.

The Duece is slow for those going a long way on The Strip, but a pretty good option for shorter hops. Plus, you don’t have to tip the driver or worry that you are getting long-hauled.

Dear Ted, My wife and family have visited Vegas every year for the last 9 years from our home in the UK. After the first few times getting snarled up in traffic on the strip I “discovered” Koval and Dean Martin (formerly Industrial) both of which run parallel with the strip for part of it .

So if we want to go to the middle of the strip from our hotel (we usually stay at the Orleans which is ex. value and child friendly ),we go east on Tropicana cross the strip, take a left onto Koval take another left into the parking garage of Planet Hollywood and walk straight into the shopping mall. You can do the same on the west side of the strip and swing into Treasure Island.

Enjoy the newsletter see you all in September.

Best wishes,
Paul Austin

Ted Responds:

Hey Paul, why don’t you put a cork in it and quit giving away all our “local” secrets! (I’m kidding, or course).

You are correct: Too many people think they have to take The Strip to get anywhere and just end up sitting in traffic. While side roads can have traffic tie-ups, they usually are not as bad. You can check out this Las Vegas Google Map to see where Koval (east) and Dean Martin (west, across I-15) are.

Dean Martin Drive looks off the beaten path, but the two minutes it takes to get over and on it are child’s play as the road usually flows quite smoothly!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 9, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 2, 2007

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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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Ted is on assignment this week. Please enjoy this newsletter prepared by staff.

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Mac King’s Comedy Magic Show Leaves Everybody Happy

by Bethany Dixon

In the second row of Harrah’s Showroom Theatre, ten-year-old Micah Oka says, “My favorite trick is when you tell your friends’ future with their shoe. You hold the shoe and you say: You are going to go for a short trip verrrryyy soooooon…” He pauses for effect and stares very seriously over his Harry Potter-like glasses. “Then you throw their shoe so that they have to go get it! Get it!?” Micah grins, delighted. He’s been reading magical comedian Mac King’s books for half of his life, and getting the chance to see his mentor live is making it difficult for him to sit still. His enthusiasm is contagious, and the buzz in the purple and gold theatre is electric from those who know what they are about to see.

The Mac King show at Harrah’s Showroom Theatre is a stand-up comedy magic show. Mac King includes volunteers from the audience, a few props, and a surprising camping guest in his one-man act. The show has been running at one and three in the afternoon Tuesday through Saturday since January 11, 2000.

Click to Read Entire Mac King Comedy Magic Show Review…

Featured Review:
Bodies – The Exhibition Las Vegas Uncovers Wonders You Have Never Seen

by Mark Marino

Las Vegas has never been shy about showing off the human body, but Tropicana has given their guests a lifetime opportunity to view many bodies more intimately than ever before. BODIES is an eye widening exhibit that offers a compelling way to understand the amazing and complex layers of the human machine.

Through a process of special preservation, once dead body tissue is rubberized with a silicone polymer and resurrected to a live human form. The world of inventive science and modern medicine present itself in a museum full of real bodies and parts. The entire body is dissected and reassembled for an absolutely lucid and intriguing look at everything piece by piece. Often times these specimens are completely out in the open, allowing guests to get as close as they like and stare without hesitation into the intricate structures that belong to all of us.

Click to Read Entire Bodies – The Exhibition Review…

Robin Williams Returns To MGM Grand For Memorial Day Weekend Performance Sunday, May 25 – Robin Williams, one of the most gifted actors and comedians of our time, returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a Memorial Day Weekend performance Sunday, May 25. (Tickets) The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Academy Award-winner and Grammy winner Robin Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian and has created a repertoire of indelible characters, first in the hit series “Mork & Mindy” and then in numerous film roles. Click to Read The Full Story …

Register now for the 2008 Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon – Runners are encouraged to visit www.lvmarathon.com before March 31 to register for the 2008 Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon. Currently, registration is $85 for the full marathon and $75 for the half marathon. On April 1, fees for the 2008 Marathon will increase to $95 for the full marathon and $85 for the half marathon. Contrary to previous years, the 2008 Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon is limiting the number of participants. Once 20,000 runners are signed up for the full and half marathon combined, registration will be closed. Click to Read The Full Story …

Mega Bubble Show Opens At The Steve Wyrick Theatre, Planet Hollywood Hotel And Casino – Fresh off an appearance on the Oprah show, Fan Yang and his MEGA BUBBLE SHOW burst onto the Vegas Strip. (Tickets) The first and only interactive stage production of its kind, complete with spectacular light effects, dazzling lasers, and awesome displays of bubble mastery, this unforgettable experience is not to be missed. The MEGA BUBBLE SHOW will be making its Las Vegas debut with thirteen shows a week in the $35 million dollar Steve Wyrick Theatre in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning February 2, 2008 and will feature Fan Yang, the production’s creator and 14-time Guinness World Record holder. Click to Read The Full Story …

Strange Brew is playing Roxy’s Lounge at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall every Friday and Saturday night from 10:30 pm-3 am. – Strange Brew brings a level of energy, musical accolades and talent to every performance that is unrivaled in their musical arena. This group of dynamic performers has a repertoire of nearly 80 songs and the musical depth to perform classic rock hits others consider off limits. Their sets include challenging favorites such as Boston, Journey, Toto, AC/DC and more.

The Rio’s Village Seafood Buffet In Las Vegas Debuts – Las Vegas’ Only Seafood Buffet Features Interactive Sushi Stations, Sommeliers and More Than 13,000 Square Feet and 200 Tons of Fresh Seafood from Every Corner of the Earth. Having taken the buffet concept to new heights, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is set to once again redefine the category with the Village Seafood Buffet’s that is NOW OPEN. Click to Read The Full Story …

MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris Announce The Winners Of The First Ever American Auditions – MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris and special guest judge, Dita Von Teese announced the winners of the cabaret’s first ever American auditions at Tab· Ultra Lounge Thursday, March 6. (Tickets) More than 50 dancers vied for a spot in the elite dance troupe, but after a three-day audition process, four women were chosen to join the Crazy Horse Paris family. The winners are Krystle Richeson from Virginia Beach, VA; Elena Lee Rodriguez from Miami, FL; Polina Volchek from Las Vegas, NV and Kara McKinney from Roanoke, VA. Click to Read The Full Story …

Wolfgang Puck’s CUT Opens At The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino – CUT, Wolfgang Puck’s critically acclaimed, Beverly Hills steakhouse, is now open at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. CUT in Las Vegas is the second location for master chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck’s award-winning Beverly Hills steakhouse. Widely acknowledged as one of the most popular restaurants in the United States, CUT in Beverly Hills has raised the bar within the fine dining industry and has garnered high praise from prestigious publications including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times (Three Stars), Wall Street Journal and Wine Spectator and was named one of the top three steakhouses in America by Bon AppÚtit Magazine. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Ten – with Victor H. Royer. Video Keno Strategy Continued- While Video Keno is not necessarily among the best games that may be available — odds wise when seen from that perspective — it isn’t one of the worst games either. There are many video poker versions, for example, whose payback percentages are a lot worse than those in Video Keno, while the odds of winning something are thousands of times longer than their comparable cash-equivalent wins in Video Keno. Click to Read Complete Article…

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 2, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 26, 2008

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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.

Can’t see all the great photos and graphics? Click to Read This Issue Online! Need to contact us? Send feedback to AllVegasTV@aol.com

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend! Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.

This newsletter is published exclusively for visitors to AccessVegas.Com and can only be signed up for there. We do not buy or rent lists, and this information is only for our members and guests. If you feel you have received it in error, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom. To subscribe, visit our Newsletter Site.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! You have to figure when the boss does something, he’s going to screw it up. Last week was the first newsletter I completely prepped myself in quite some time and…

Corrected Show Review Links – Last week, I mis-linked the full show reviews for Phantom and Rita Rudner. Here are the corrected, working links to both complete show reviews:

Patio Dining and Drinks On The Las Vegas Strip – When I moved here 15 years ago, no dining or other entertainment venues existed right on the Las Vegas Strip. Back then, the philosophy was to keep the patrons inside gambling. I applauded Harrah’s Las Vegas when they broke away from that with the wildly successful Harrah’s Carnival Court (pictures) and other venues have followed suit over the years including a number of nightclubs with outdoor Strip views.

Three of the most recent are Trader Vic’s and Hawaiian Tropic Zone (both at Planet Hollywood) and Diablo’s at the Monte Carlo. We covered the grand opening of Hawaiian Tropic Zone a number of weeks ago (pictures). This past week, it was time for Trader Vic’s and Diablo’s.

Trader Vic’s patio is simply a great experience. The staff is fun and friendly, the views are awesome, and the afternoon we visited had Tommy Rocker (Las Vegas’ Jimmy Buffett) cranking out Buffett and other beach tunes. Drinks aren’t cheap, but they don’t hold back on the pour and the experience is a great way to take a breather from hoofing it casino-to-casino and enjoy some people watching.

Around sunset, we headed down the street to Diablo’s Mexican Cantina at Monte Carlo. Our take:

  • DO go upstairs and have a drink on the second floor patio overlooking The Strip. Great view, relaxed atmosphere.
  • DON’T eat there. Food was understandably expensive because you are partially paying for the view and atmosphere. However, I expected better food for the money. Their carnitas burrito doesn’t hold a candle to Chipotle (a U.S. restaurant chain famous for their awesome $6.00 burritos).Service was poor. Our food arrived and we still didn’t have place settings. We literally had to chase the server down to get utensils to eat with! Things didn’t get any better from there. Go pay $20 at any of the hotel buffets, load up on Mexican food (or anything else you are in the mood for), then go to Diablo’s for a drink if you can find room upstairs.

MGM Project CityCenter Continues To Explode Upwards – Even we who live here are amazed at how fast this thing is going up. It is literally going to dwarf everything around it.

Rio Sky Show Revamp – April 8 is the final day for the current incarnation of the Rio’s long-running sky show (pictures). The Rio is being tight-lipped about the changes. They say the show will continue, but not it its present form.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Master Magician Lance Burton’s Best Magic Is Done With The Audienceà In So Many Ways

by D.W. Grant

It’s true what the ads say, “You’ll never forget Lance Burton, Master Magician.” And you’ll never forget this marvelous evening, either, if you take full advantage of the Monte Carlo experience and make it a magical night for your entire party, date, or family.

In a flash you’ll be walking past the “Super Lotto” machine and into the $30 million dollar Lance Burton Theater, a classically designed red velveteen palace built to elevate your appetite for getting “amazed.”

Lance Burton is a world champion hall of fame magician who does amazing things in surprising ways. You’ll be applauding from the first bird suddenly appearing from a burning candle stick to the last act when he flies away in his “Back to the Future-ish” Corvette. During this magical journey you’ll experience classic magic moments, thrilling contemporary illusions, laugh a lot, and even learn a little about the history of magic. Click to Read Entire Master Magician Lance Burton Review…

Featured Review:
Lucky Cheng’s Drag Cabaret

by Denise Almas

Enter the world of Lucky Cheng’s Drag Queen Capital for dinner, drinks, banter and “all that drags”. This dinner theater offers a vibrant and unique dance, dining, and service experience. Though what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, Miss Conception, the show’s master of ceremonies, and her lovely ladies will give you an experience worthy of writing home about.

As you enter the small dinner theater, you will find a very relaxed, casual atmosphere with a stage, tables and small booths complete with red pillows. The servers will greet you with either a smile or a snort depending on their mood and bring your drinks as soon as possible. Though the show has not formally started, the queens are already performing as you arrive. Click to Read Entire Lucky Cheng’s Drag Cabaret Review…

Kenny Chesney To Bring His 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour To MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, June 6 – Country music star Kenny Chesney will heat up the summer with his 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour. (Tickets) The tour stops at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, June 6 at 8 p.m. Country sensation LeAnn Rimes is scheduled to open the show. Chesney, the three-time and reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and two-time and current Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, sold more tickets in North America than anyone last year. Click to Read The Full Story …

Rod Stewart 2008 North American Summer Tour MGM Grand Garden Arena – Concert To Feature Special Guest Bryan Adams – Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame artist Rod Stewart will hit the road on an 18-city North American summer tour which will wind its way through the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Aug. 2. (Tickets) Fans will enjoy hits from Stewart’s extraordinary four-decade career. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. with special guest Bryan Adams. Stewart, a true icon of rock, has sold more than 148 million records, including 19 million in the last 5 years alone, with his record breaking Great American Songbook series. Click to Read The Full Story …

Leap Into Spring With Twin Creeks’ Grasshopper Martini – Twin Creeks, located inside Silverton Casino Lodge, hops into spring with the Grasshopper Martini. A deliciously creamy blend of Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka, Godiva White Chocolate and Green CrÞme de Menthe, the Grasshopper Martini reflects the fun and sophisticated atmosphere of the newly restyled Twin Creeks. Developed by Twin Creeks’ Master Mixologist, John DuPont, the Grasshopper Martini is the perfect liquid concoction for a breezy spring day. Twin Creeks’ Grasshopper Martini comes garnished with a delectable layer of shaved dark chocolate, making it a sweet treat impossible to resist this spring. Click to Read The Full Story …

Kanye West Kicks Off Summer Concert Series At Red Rock Resort – Show to feature special guests N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco to commence a season of top-rated acts spanning multiple genres. Grammy award-winning artist Kanye West is set to perform his “Glow in the Dark Tour” at Red Rock Resort as it launches its 2008 summer outdoor concert series on Friday, April 25, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets) Opening the show for West will be rapper Lupe Fiasco as well as funk/rock group N.E.R.D. consisting of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. Click to Read The Full Story …

With A Nod To The Past And An Eye On The Future, Las Vegas-Based Gaming Company Takes Control Of Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel – TLC Casino Enterprises has expanded its operations by assuming ownership of one of the most storied Las Vegas casinos, Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel. The purchase of Binion’s marks the second time in five years that TLC Casino Enterprises has bought a Las Vegas casino. The company purchased The Four Queens Hotel & Casino in 2003. “We have been looking at downtown Las Vegas in terms of long-term investment opportunities. The purchase of Binion’s was a logical step within our strategy, and we were attracted by the wide reaching name recognition,” said Terry Caudill, president of TLC Casino Enterprises. Click to Read The Full Story …

Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas Provides Scholarship Dollars To UNLV Men’s Basketball – $24,000 donated to men’s basketball over course of 2007-2008 season. The Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas presented a $24,000 check to UNLV men’s basketball on Saturday, March 8. Over the course of the season, the Foundation has awarded a $1,000 per game scholarship contribution to the UNLV men’s basketball program in the name of the Runnin’ Rebel student-athlete who best exemplified the competitive spirit and determination in giving UNLV its best chance for victory. The donations have assisted the men’s basketball program with scholarships and academic assistance support. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Nine – with Victor H. Royer. Video Keno Strategy – The word “strategy” û as this applies to Keno and Video Keno û will surely sound odd to people whose understanding of casino games is vested purely and only in mathematics. To those readers, I wish to categorically restate that I understand that Video Keno games are negative-expectation games, meaning they are games whose inherent programming does not allow them to mathematically perform at a higher payback level than that which the program dictates. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Hi Ted,

I am visiting Vegas in May for my birthday, this will be my tenth visit in 8 years from sunny Scotland, anyway can you recommend any good Chinese restaurants? Over the years I have been to PF Changs and also there was a really nice one in the Flamingo which is no longer there. As it is my birthday we wanted to go to a really nice one but there are so many!!!

Keep up the great work guys your newsletter is brilliant.

Many thanks,

Miss Lorna Ballantine

Ted Responds:

My Asian dining is pretty much limited to Panda Express (a fast food chain). We do have a basic list of Chinese restaurants at http://www.accessvegas.com/restaurants/cuisine-chinese.htm however this is just the basics.

Readers… help us out! Where on the Las Vegas Strip or downtown have you had great Chinese meal? Drop us a line at allvegastv@aol.com

Is it possible to purchase 4X6 photos of the Vegas hotels shown on your website (AccessVegas)? We are annual visitors to Vegas and I would like to make a photo album of several of our favorites. Since I am no good at photography, I thought I would try your website – the photos are great!! Please let me know one way or another – I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

Lori Schaffner

Ted Responds:

We have most of our higher quality (of quality to make prints from) available in our Access Vegas Webshots Gallery. (We’ll soon have our own gallery enabled for full size photos).

Go to the Album (in the link above) which you want and click on the photo you desire. When that photo page comes up, look for the little magnifying glass with the plus-sign under the photo.

Click the plus-sign icon to get the full size version of the photo.

Once the big, original size photo comes up in your browser, right-click on the photo and use the “Save Photo As” option in the menu box that appears. Save as many photos as you wish to your computer. From there, you can print out prints on your home printer.

OR, you may take and burn them to disk or thumb (USB) drive and take them to your local major drug store chain. They can take and create prints for about 40 cents each. Side Note: Most photos do have our site name on them. We only offer unbranded photos for commercial use at commercial terms.

Also, Webshots provides code which allows anyone to put our photos on their website, MySpace, or blog. Either as individual photos or as a photo slideshow. See our Access Vegas Myspace page for examples of what the slideshows look like.

Hope this helps!

Just have a question, I know last year they were putting a Smoking Ban in to effect in 2008. Did the Ban pass? I’m a smoker and just wanted to know if there is smoking allowed inside the Casino’s because I will be returning to Vegas in May. Is there still smoking in your Hotel rooms?

Thank You,

Linda Strouth

Ted Responds:

We covered this extensively at the time, but we always have so many great new readers so let’s do a recap:

The smoking ban was passed by the voting public. Smoking is allowed in casino gaming areas and stand-alone bars which don’t serve food. Smoking is no longer allowed in restaurants (including bar and grills).

The fine for smoking in an improper place is $100. No one has been fined yet as no one really cares about enforcing this in a libertarian-leaning state such as Nevada.

Bottom line: In a non-casino bar, simply ask the bartender and those around you if smoking is going to be an issue. If other patrons object, abstain. If they don’t, the bartender will probably put out an ashtray (or ashtray substitute).

For those who want a more broad re-cap, you can visit our Smoking Ban Archives listing every issue we talked about this subject in.

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

  • 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!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22
  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday April 12

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 26, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 19, 2008

Posted on by

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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

I’m somewhat on my own this week putting the newsletter out so have mercy! Amy and her family went to Southern California for a well-deserved spring break family vacation. Mark was last seen monitoring beer pong tournaments on The Strip (but sobered up long enough to produce the news section). However, our new writers are really kicking up some dust with brand new show reviews! So…

Extra show reviews this issue, extra Members Mania where readers comment and tell us about their Las Vegas experiences, and extra answers from me. Lets dive right in…

Hooters Hotel Casino Swan Song – Regular readers saw the link to the story about how Hooters Las Vegas may cease to be in the next couple of years. I say “cease to be” because the new owners are pulling that “boutique hotel” thing that has yet to gain significant traction here in Las Vegas.

Many visitors never headed over to check the place out. And… it has only been a couple of years since the property was changed over from the established San Remo to the Hooters brand. If you missed it (or won’t be back to check it out), enjoy our full photo set of Hooters Hotel Casino Las Vegas.

Mirage Volcano Repairs – Wet Design, the company responsible for The Fountains of Bellagio, is leading the design team to revamp the volcano so we are expecting something pretty spectacular. (They owe that much to us after ripping out the tiger display at the entrance to The Mirage). Details and the date of re-opening have yet to be released but we’ll keep you posted!

March Madness is in full swing and The sports books are jammed. Every TV in every resort, restaurant, and bar is tuned to the games from morning until night. Although Las Vegas is a great place to be this time of year, nothing beats seeing these games in person. If your team is on the move or you just want to enjoy this spectacle live and in person, we have NCAA Sweet 16 Basketball Tickets available. Just click the link.

No-Fee ATM’s – A few months ago, I gave some advice on how to get cash from your debit card at various Las Vegas Strip locations without paying any service or ATM fee. (Click to Read AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe Dec. 26, 2007). Numerous readers wrote to tell their appreciation including Mimi from Canada who said “I have been coming to Vegas since 1976 from Canada and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of this tip. And believe me, I use my bank card often. Thanks a million!”

We also solicited some advice from readers about no-fee ATM’s they had discovered:

  • A hidden gem – in the middle of the strip – is the Wells Fargo ATM located at Carnival Court at Harrah’s. Located between the Starbucks and Ghirardelli Chocolates, it is a standard bank ATM and has no more fees than any other Wells Fargo ATM. And if you’re a Wells Fargo customer, no fees!
  • Bank of America has a regular ATM in the new part of The Forum Shops at Caesars on the second floor next to the patio of Casa Fuente . It is almost hidden back in the corner. This is a regular B of A machine (no fees if you are a B of A customer).

We know very few non-fee ATM’s exist on The Strip. If you run into one (or have any other feedback on Las Vegas or our newsletter), you can always drop us a line at allvegastv@aol.com

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Take A Journey Into Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular

By Erin Guernsey

Your journey into the world of Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular (Phantom Of The Opera) begins as you make your way into the impressive Phantom Theatre, which has been modeled after the Opera Garnier in Paris. Once inside you are met by a chandelier hanging in pieces just above the seats and gray curtains covering the walls. This dilapidated look does not last for long. Shortly after the opening of the show you are transported back in time to see the magnificent opera house in all of its former glory.

Phantom û The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian beautifully unfolds the story of Christine Daae and The Phantom of the Opera. During this classic tale of love and heartbreak the audience watches as Christine struggles to move past the loss of her father while becoming entranced by The Phantom, whom she calls “the angel of music.” The Phantom begins terrorizing members of the cast and crew when he realizes that Christine has fallen in love with another man. His revenge is taken in the form of murder and a shattered chandelier.

Click to Read Entire Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Review…

Featured Review:
Rita Rudner Comedy at Harrah’s Las Vegas

by Mara M. Mannella

Tucked inside a casino whose name is synonymous with glitz and glamour is a comedian who has paid her dues here in Las Vegas and her experience shows. Rita Rudner represents classic Vegas in a way that is both entertaining and unpretentious. An intimate theater is the setting for Ms. Rudner’s one woman show that keeps audiences laughing every night.

A woman comedian in a sea of male headliners is an eye-catching marquee on the Strip, where Rita Rudner makes her home at Harrah’s. The audience is welcomed to share in Rita’s life experiences, from the trials and tribulations of married life to the harrowing but hysterical journey of getting older. The unique delivery of Rita’s humor makes it so the audience isn’t sure what the next zinger will be. Poking fun at herself, her husband, and select audience members, you never know who the next victim will be.

Click to Read Entire Rita Rudner Review…

Featured Review:
Wayne Brady: Making %@It Up!

By Devon Brooke Clasen

A true Vegas variety show incorporating singing, dancing, acting, comedy and even that most perplexing of art forms: mime, Wayne Brady’s Making %@It Up takes the theatrical task to the next level, with fully improvised performance vignettes interspersed among prepared musical tribute performances.

Dialing the pressure up even higher, show business virtuoso Wayne Brady has to not only make everything up on the spot, but also make it consistently funny. Fortunately, Brady delivers with heavy doses of witty, sharp, topical humor, keeping even a Monday night audience in complete hysterics.

Housed in an intimate theatre, there really isn’t a bad seat in the venue, unless stage-shy attendees are seated just off the stage. This “danger zone” provides Brady, as well as his improv partner Jonathan Mangum, a proficient performer in his own right, the pick of the litter when summoning audience members to the stage to take part in an act.

Click to Read Entire Wayne Brady: Making %@It Up! Review…

Banned for Decades, Forbidden Cocktail Now Available at Luxor – Nicknamed the “Green Fairy” for its occasionally milky green color and mythical hallucinogenic effects, absinthe is legal in the U.S. after a 95-year ban. Patrons of Luxor’s new center bar, Liquidity, now can experience the once-forbidden liqueur for themselves. Available for $300, “Absinthe Envy” is served in an elaborate tableside presentation that offers a modern take on the tradition of serving the illicit concoction with a sugar cube and chilled water.

Indulgence of the Most Sensual Kind – With tax day right around the corner, why not use your refund to spice up your nights? Take your significant other to a provocative show sure to send sparks flying û MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris, Fantasy at Luxor, Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay or Zumanity, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York.

  • MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris (Tickets) elegantly balances sensuous choreography with a combination of light effects and projections to create a moving canvas, where reflections and images meet in a kaleidoscope of colors. The show combines the best of cabaret with the best of Parisian fashion, art and women in an elegant, surprising and innovative manner. The result is a unique show that engages the mind as much as the eye. Performances are nightly at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., dark Tuesdays.
  • Fantasy at Luxor (Tickets) ushers in a new era of seductive dance on the Las Vegas Strip. Choreographed by Cris Judd and Tiger Martina, FANTASY features sultry costumes and delicious dance numbers which offer just the right amount of seduction. Performances are Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30 p.m.; Tuesday at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 p.m.
  • Zumanity at New York-New York (Tickets) is a provocative cabaret-style production offering a seductive twist on reality. Audiences are encouraged to leave inhibitions at the door and let loose at this adult-themed, 90-minute show filled with sensational acrobatics and naughty fun. Performances are nightly at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., dark Mondays and Thursdays.

Celebrity Colorist Kim Vo Lists Hot New Trends for Summer and Beyond – Make your summer sizzle with a hot new ‘do.’ According to celebrity colorist Kim Vo of his eponymous salon at The Mirage, the “it” look for hair is full, shiny and cascading, perfectly highlighted from root to tip. Extensions are a hot new way to create this total concept. Vo says strategically placed extensions can add volume and create effortless, multi-dimensional highlights and lowlights while protecting natural hair. For the “it” cut, Vo says to look no further than Academy Award-winning actress Hillary Swank’s sweeping, layered bob.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Hi Ted,

I’m going to be coming out to Las Vegas in April for a bachelorette party. I will be arriving one night earlier than the other women, and I would like some suggestions on solo-dining-friendly locations.

I don’t want to feel the need to order room service, or go to a buffet, simply because I am by myself. Thank you for your help!

Amy R.

Ted Responds:

Fortunately, solo dining for both men and women in Las Vegas is more common than in other places. More and more visit for business, conventions, just-passing-through, and your situation where someone is in town longer than their group.

Don’t discount one of the nicer buffets like the ones at Planet Hollywood, Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas or Cravings at The Mirage. While not cheap, all of these have an amazing variety of top-notch food and it can be more fun to sample and enjoy when alone. If you want low-key and less expensive, you’ll be quite comfortable dining solo in any hotel coffee shop. This can also be a great time to try one of the celeb chef restaurants without the pressure of how to split the check!

I’d avoid a theme restaurant or a place that will have more of a party atmosphere as they tend to draw groups having fun and you may feel slightly self-conscious or alone. If you feel slightly self-conscious asking for a table for one, just tell the hostess “It’s just me this evening… my friends are flying in later.” If comfortable with it, most restaurants serve their full menu at the bar, no reservation necessary.

Bottom Line: Go eat and have fun. This is your one chance to do what you want without it having to be a group decision!

Ted:Many thanks for your news letter! We had a great time over Christmas, but the weather was COLD! Will not come in winter again, since we’re from Maine. Also many shows were dark for various reasons. We decided to visit Laughlin and some friends there. GREAT!

We stayed at Ballys in Vegas GREAT! but returned for 2 nights more and stayed in an off strip casino/hotel and checked out early because we HATED it there! We thought it would be o.k. because they have renovated, but we got an old room and UGH! The Bellagio Gardens were beautiful!!

Keep up good works on news.

chocolatecat11

Ted Responds:

Every fall, I do try to remind everyone that we are not a balmy winter destination (yes sunny, but not warm) as I did in our November 30, 2007 issue. Winter average is 57 F but our highs can be 15 degrees on either side of the average at any given time. Our desert has a mind of its own!

Because mid-December is the lightest visitor volume of the year, many of the shows take a week or two off and give everybody a well-deserved rest. Most shows perform 6 nights a week just about all year long. The upside of mid-December is some of the cheapest room prices of the year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Just wanted to thank you for your informative newsletter. It really helps keep me up to date on what’s happening in my FAVORITE city! I also appreciate your reliability in sending it out on a regular basis. Keep up the GREAT work!

Sincerely,

Kerry Espenschied

We will be coming to Las Vegas Oct. 31 for the Professional Bull Riding Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center. There are several off-strip motels within walking distance and I was wondering if the area is safe to walk in at night.Thanks!

Debbie

Ted Responds:

I assume you are talking about the various hotels in the Harmon/Paradise (and Swenson) area. That area isn’t a problem area. Plus, there will be plenty of other PBR fans most likely walking to and from the T and M around the same time.

You may want to use Google or Yahoo maps to track the actual distance from the hotel of your choice to the T and M arena and measure the comfort of the distance you want to walk.

I was in Vegas a couple of years ago and am coming back in late March an we were at a casino, went to a food court and shopping stores and it started raining in the court! What is the Hotel/Casino was that? I can’t remember right off the top of my head! We love your news letter and podcast! Keep up the wonderful work!Keith

Ted Responds:

That was the Aladdin when you visited, now Planet Hollywood in the Miracle Mile shops behind the casino. They make it “rain” in an area of the mall every hour (more often on weekends). Check for the times when you get there.

The podcast would have been back earlier this week, but I got hit with a head/chest cold including a mild fever. 78 degrees everyday recently and I have a cold! All the equipment is dusted off and ready to go. Stack of topics in a big pile. As soon as this thing clears, I’m finally “back on the air.” Thanks for the interest!

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 19, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 12, 2008

Posted on by

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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Ted will return next week. He was last seen muttering something about sunny 75 degree days, March Madness, his cabana by the pool…

Actually, he’s finishing getting everything in order to resume his Las Vegas podcast and arranging all the great new content we’ll debut over the next few weeks. However, visitors have been enjoying 75 degree days, March Madness, and hitting the pools.

Special Note: In the next few weeks, we bring you brand new show reviews of Stomp Out Loud, Rita Rudner, Lance Burton, Mac King, Crazy Girls, American Superstars, Blue Man Group, Wayne Brady, and many more!

Please enjoy these new show reviews and great Las Vegas information prepared by staff!

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review:
Monty Python’s Spamalot

By Guy Chapman

For those who consider themselves a Monty Python fan, there is a special breed of humor found within the absurdity of the British comedy troop. While the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” carried its fair share of catchy tunes, it would have never been considered a Broadway-scale musical… until now. “Spamalot” takes the troop”s second film and turns it into a full tour de farce that showcases a spectacle that is “lovingly ripped off from” the Python”s parody of the Arthurian Legend.

So is “Spamalot” simply an adaptation of the film? Monty Python fans know that nothing is ever as it seems when it comes to comedy, and to always expect the unexpected. While “Spamalot” lifts primarily from the original film, it also serves up a buffet of classic Python songs from past “Flying Circus” skits, and includes them into the story in clever and seamless ways. The rest of the production adds new extended scenes into the story that fit well with the absurd sense of humor the film is known for. Click to Read Entire Spamalot Review…

Featured Review:
Tony and Tina’s Wedding

By Sarah Steinberg

“Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding” at the Calypso Room at the Rio Hotel & Casino is a must-see! It pulls you in immediately. Literally the actors, in character, pull you in the minute you walk through the door. You will be ushered to your table and then greeted by your emcee for the evening, the obnoxious, loud Vinnie Black and his tacky wife Loretta. Vinnie is like a shock to the system, but in a good way, pulling you right into the fun. “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding” is the story of two crazy Italian families, the Vitale’s and the Nunzio’s, coming together for an evening of mayhem and shenanigans. Don”t think you’ll be just sitting back and watching the show. This is an interactive experience and you will be a part of it.

Before the wedding ceremony even begins, the macho groomsmen with attitude will make you feel like you”re part of the family, but not just any family. Everyone, including the bride and groom-to-be, make their rounds greeting the guests. That would be you and me folks, so get prepared to experience two hours of zany fun. Family “issues” delay the start of the wedding while Sister Albert Maria is appalled by the certain behavior of the sleazy Italian men. With the help of Father Mark, the mild-mannered priest, they try to get this motley crew under control and get through the wedding ceremony. Click to Read Entire Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding Review…

Ultimate Fighting Championship« Presents UFC 84: Ill Will Live From MGM Grand May 24 – The war of words between UFC Lightweight Champion “The Prodigy” BJ Penn and former champion Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk is about to end and the fighting is set to begin. (Tickets) On May 24 both men will step into the UFC Octagon to determine, once and for all, the undisputed king of the 155-pound division. Also, in back-to-back light heavyweight superfights, “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz will face undefeated Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva will battle Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine. The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization presents UFC 84: ILL WILL live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 24. Click to Read The Full Story …

Tiger Woods To Host Rock Icons Van Halen At Tiger Jam XI Presented By AT&T Saturday, April 19 – The Tiger Woods Foundation announced today that Tiger Jam XI presented by AT&T will take place Saturday, April 19 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. (Tickets) Golf legend Tiger Woods will welcome rock icons Van Halen to Tiger Jam XI to raise funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation and select Las Vegas-based charities. Saturday evening’s highlights will include top-notch epicurean fare as well as an exclusive live and silent auction featuring unique items. Click to Read The Full Story …

Reunited After Eight Years, The Verve To Play The Pearl April 26 – British contemporary rock band, The Verve, best known for their hit “Bittersweet Symphony” brings their unique sound to The Pearl at the Palms on Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. (Tickets) After splitting in 1999, members of The Verve went their separate ways, some on to solo projects, until 2007 when they announced their return to the pop/rock scene. The announcement included information on a tour and a new album, their first original album since 1997’s Urban Hymns. Click to Read The Full Story …

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend At Fremont Street Experience – Las Vegas’ legendary Fremont Street Experience will be the place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day when a weekend of live entertainment kicks off on Saturday, March 15. St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Fremont Street Experience brings three days of free concerts with Whiskey Galore and Wild Celts. The performance schedule is as follows: Saturday, March 15, Wild Celts , 6-8 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Whiskey Galore, 9-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Sunday, March 16, Whiskey Galore, 8-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Monday, March 17, Whiskey Galore, 8-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage. Click to Read The Full Story …

Boa Steakhouse Struts Its Stuff With Its Red High Heel, A Cocktail For The Ladies – A concoction sure to put a pep in any woman’s step, BOA Steakhouse’s Red High Heel blends Bombay Sapphire Gin, simple syrup, lime juice, fresh raspberries, rosewater and champagne to create a lovely mixture ù perfect for a night on the town.

Red High Heel Recipe

  • 1 1/2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire Gin
  • 1 ounce of simple syrup
  • 1/2 juiced lime
  • 8-10 fresh raspberries
  • 1 ounce of rosewater
  • 1 ounce of champagne

Combine all ingredients into a drink shaker and serve in a champagne flute garnished with raspberries and a lemon twist.

Sirens Of TI Sizzle Into Summer With New Late Hours – Dancing into their fourth year as Vegas’ most brazen beauties, the Sirens of TI will lure guests into Sirens’ Cove with new summer hours beginning March 10. The Sirens will perform 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. Created by award-winning director Kenny Ortega, the music, dance, excitement and seduction in this modern musical-meets-action-movie spectacular has captivated the attention of more than 9.6 million spectators to date. Since 2003, the Sirens of TI cast has performed more than 4,250 shows.

Blue Man Group & Allegiant Air Announce Innovative Partnership – Launching March 13, this unprecedented partnership will focus on communicating the Blue Man Group message to the Allegiant customer at all phases of the experience û from booking the flight to experiencing the Blue Man brand inside the carrier’s aircraft on cups, napkins, overhead bins, service carts, and on in-flight crew uniforms. (Blue Man Group Tickets) The Blue Man Group iconic image will also be featured on the exterior of the Allegiant aircraft. In a mutual advertising relationship, the Allegiant brand will be incorporated into the Blue Man Group Las Vegas show, including the Allegiant logo on the aircraft featured during the show and an official Allegiant sponsored VIP room. Click to Read The Full Story …

New Days Of Operation At Monte Carlo Brew Pub – The Monte Carlo Brew Pub now is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It remains open daily, Wednesday û Sunday, 11 a.m. û 11 p.m., with a DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, 11 p.m. û 2 a.m. In addition to live entertainment, the spacious pub also features 38 flat screen televisions, three big screen televisions and a 10-by-10 projection screen making the Brew Pub an ideal place to enjoy your favorite sporting events. The Monte Carlo Brew Pub provides a menu of freshly baked brick-oven pizzas, calamari, steaks, hamburgers, large salads, sandwiches and desserts accompanying refreshing signature cocktails, 21 bottled beers and a selection of draft beers.

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Eight – with Victor H. Royer. Four Card Keno Continued – You must remember that each time you do anything, to the machine this is a “user command”, and it will do what it’s programmed to do with such commands. So, unless you start from the start, the machine won’t “know” you only wanted to make one change. It will take that as a “new event”, and if you don’t start at the beginning, nothing that you had been playing before will so remain.

This becomes even more important when it comes to the making of wagers, because many people habitually change one card or another, and forget to go through the procedure from the start, and then wonder why the machine either doesn’t play, or somehow doesn’t play all the cards or numbers they had previously marked. Click to Read Complete Article…

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 12, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – March 5, 2008

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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.

Book Online or over the phone! Call 800-696-5721 to book all Las Vegas Hotels, Shows, Nightlife, Tours and Golf. We live here. We know Las Vegas!

AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows
Photos and Wallpaper

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

Hello From Las Vegas! NASCAR weekend came and went with a big bang… as in a number of top drivers plowing into the wall with a flat tire or simply “getting loose” with the high winds. It wasn’t cold, but our desert can have unpredictable high winds in the early Spring.

One of the highlights everyone could enjoy was the parade of these huge NASCAR “haulers” right down The Strip! These oversized vehicles (even by truck standards) haul two race cars plus all the crew gear from race-to-race.


You can click on the above photo to see our complete photo gallery set of this unique event!

My favorite driver is Las Vegas native Kurt Busch, who pilots the Miller Lite #2 Dodge car. I moved here before Kurt was old enough to drink and have enjoyed watching both he (and his brother Kyle’s) rise through the ranks of racing.

I couldn’t pass up the chance to be front-and-center at the Kurt Busch autograph signing at the Sierra Gold “ultra-lounge” last week. Close to a thousand people (maybe more) lined up around the building to wait their turn. Inside, the Miller Lite and Jack Daniel’s girls were handing out free beer and swag in probably one of the most festive atmospheres ever for a NASCAR driver signing. We have the pics:


Las Vegas Native NASCAR Driver Kurt Busch
Click on above photos to view this entire photo set!PT’s Pubs (a chain of bars around the Las Vegas area) owns Sierra Gold and is a sponsor of the Kurt Busch car, so they went all out to do it up right. You can view the PT’s/Kurt Busch commercial (YouTube) that has been in heavy rotation on local TV here in Las Vegas.OK… OK… hold the emails and complaints. We realize everyone isn’t a NASCAR fan. This is a once-a-year deal. As always, we have our usual huge newsletter with everything you need to know about all the latest happenings in Las Vegas, plus our regular Members Mania and News sections.

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

Associate Editor: Amy Rayner-Cooley
News Researcher/Editor: Mark Jacobs

Featured Review – Hooray for HATS!

Reviewed March 2008
by Terri Feld

A life-affirming musical review inspired by the The Red Hat Society. Founded 10 years ago in California, the RHS is a diverse network of women 50 years and older who meet for outings dressed in colorful purple clothing crowned with red hats. Today nearly 40,000 chapters exist throughout the U.S. as well as 30 other countries. HATS! the show promotes the organizations’ mission of maintaining a positive outlook on aging, by emphasizing sisterhood and the empowerment of maturity.

At least a dozen genuine Red-Hatters in full regalia comprised part of a recent Sunday matinee audience dominated by fellow female fifty-somethings. The intimate venue consists of floor seats and table banquettes, giving audiences optimal accessibility to the performances throughout this one-act production. Ushers point out the bar located at the rear, however, purchasing drinks is not required. In fact, despite signage to the contrary, they gallantly wave me and my Starbucks to our seat. Click to read the entire review…

Comedy Superstar David Spade Returns To Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – After successfully completing his first two shows to a packed house, comedy superstar and long-time Las Vegas headliner, David Spade, will continue his 2008 series at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from March 14-15, with two more nights of hysterical comedy. (Tickets) A Las Vegas favorite, Spade joined the Planet Hollywood entertainment line up for a series of weekend dates through 2008: March 14-15, April 11-12, July 25-26, August 30-31, October 10-11, October 24-25 and November 28-29. Click to Read The Full Story …

‘La Cage’ Plays Celebrity Judges For ‘Next Best Food Star’ – CELEBRITY JUDGES – From left Crystal Woods as Diana Ross, Frank Marino as Joan Rivers along with Steven Wayne as Cher were selected as judges recently for the Food Network’s next big show “Next Best Food Star” to begin airing this coming August and September. The gentlemen from “An Evening at La Cage” (Tickets) at the Riviera Hotel & Casino judge the finale held in Las Vegas by taste testing the various dishes. Frank Marino is on a self-proclaimed mission to become the next wax figure in Madame Tussaud’s. Marino is photographed with his mannequin but says, “Rue Paul is in NYC and Dame Edna is in London. Why not?”

Banned for Decades, Forbidden Cocktail Now Available at Luxor – Nicknamed the “Green Fairy” for its occasionally milky green color and mythical hallucinogenic effects, absinthe is legal in the U.S. after a 95-year ban. Patrons of LuxorÆs new center bar, Liquidity, now can experience the once-forbidden liqueur for themselves. Available for $300, “Absinthe Envy” is served in an elaborate tableside presentation that offers a modern take on the tradition of serving the illicit concoction with a sugar cube and chilled water.

Venetian Headliner Wayne Brady Extends Hit Show Through August 2009 – Wayne Brady has captured the hearts of Las Vegas audiences with his one-of-a-kind show, Making It Up, at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. (Tickets) Due to the show’s success, BASE Entertainment and The Venetian are pleased to announce Making It Up has been extended for another year, which will keep Brady entertaining on The Las Vegas Strip through July 2009. “I couldn’t be happier being in Las Vegas doing what I do best, entertaining audiences,” says Brady. Click to Read The Full Story …

Nevada Ballet Theatre Set For Creative Exchange With The Seoul Ballet Theatre – Nevada Ballet Theatre continues its 2007-2008 season with the most cultural of all productions — the highly anticipated East Meets West. Nevada Ballet Theatre will host members of the Seoul Ballet Theatre of Korea for a unique exchange production — uniting dancers from two different continents on the same stage! This stylized and distinctive performance will take place on Friday, February March 21 at 8pm, and Saturday, March 22 at 2pm at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. Click to Read The Full Story …

Ago Officially Opens At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas – AGO, the elegant Italian trattoria named after its celebrated Executive Chef Partner, Agostino Sciandri, officially opened its doors at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hosted by Robert DeNiro and Sciandri. The opening of the Las Vegas restaurant coincides with the tenth anniversary year of the landmark Los Angeles eatery. Click to Read The Full Story …

Circus Circus’ Carnival Midway Debuts New Acts In 2008 – Circus Circus’ hallmark is the wonderful array of circus acts that perform center stage at the Carnival Midway. Performers from around the globe grace the Midway stage under Circus Circus’ big top, comprising the world’s largest permanent circus. From the dazzling aerialists to the fearless trapeze artists to the amusing clowns, the performances on the Midway stage take place daily, twice every hour from 11 a.m. to midnight with complimentary admission. Several amazing new acts will entertain audiences at Circus Circus this year. Click to Read The Full Story …

Gambling Talk: Video Keno – Part Seven – with Victor H. Royer. Four Card Keno – This is currently my all-time favorite keno game, and the one on which I have won the vast majority of my most recent Video Keno jackpots. It was on this game that I have hit numerous 8 out of 9 hits, for $4,700 plus all the other pays, as well as solid 9s for $5,000 pays (2 coins) plus all the other pays in the “wheel”, many, many 8 out of 10 hits for $500 (2 coins) and $1,000 (four coins), plus all of the many other pays this provided for the combination hits. Click to Read Complete Article…

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Rick Bobst submitted a number of amazing Las Vegas photos. Enjoy these, and see the rest in our AccessVegas.com Reader Submitted Photos Gallery!

Ted,
My nephew is going to Vegas in a couple of weeks for his 21’st birthday. He wants to go to clubs like Pure and Studio 54. What is his best chance of getting in? They are staying at The Palms. Is he better off trying to get into Rain or Ghostbar?

Thanks,
Bob

á

We are going to get into a lot more club stuff this year. In the meantime, the best bet is to hit our friends at Nightclubs.com. Have him hit that link and punch in the dates to see what is happening and what is available.

Staying at a hotel is no sure way to get into their club. And… unfortunately if you are a group of guys, it makes it even more tough (as the clubs want plenty of women in the club also). Even if you are a mix of males and females, that won’t always speed things up.

The bottom line is that the non-VIP line can be 1-2 hours (or more). Purchasing VIP tickets usually cuts the wait substantially.. (A club can only hold so many people… virtually no one except celebs get in right away). Also, tell him NOT to club hop. Las Vegas is huge, traffic is a problem. He should pick the club he and his friends want and do the night there.

Hi Ted,My name is Ed Robinson from Manchester, Michigan and I read one of your articles about the traffic on the Vegas strip and the monorails design to help it. My question/comment is why I never hear or read anything about running the monorail right down the center of strip itself instead of behind the hotels. Being elevated, it would not take up much space and would be a hundred times more efficient and convenient.For starters, just being out front, people would see it and I am sure use it instead of driving. The way it is now, nobody in my family or any of our friends ever uses it because in the time it takes to walk through the casino and find the stop, we can just as easily and for free, walk to where we are going or use the bus system (which I think its the Best way to get up and down the strip for a small fee).

I am willing to bet that the monorail could be built to utilize the existing overhead crosswalks and maybe build some more to get people from crossing the side streets and further congesting traffic. Imagine walking out of the Mandalay Bay and having a monorail right there that could get you all the way downtown or just up to the Monte Carlo or any stop along the way and never have to worry about cars on the strip. It will never be that way with the monorail behind the buildings as it is now, never.

Right now it is just an inconvenience to use the system. Even when my wife and I stayed at the MGM last year, our one ride on the monorail was an expensive pain in the butt and probably won’t happen again.

I love going to Las Vegas but I always thought the monorail was a mistake and one that was not planned out enough to be worthwhile.

Thanks,
Ed Robinson

á

I couldn’t have said it better myself. The monorail is on reserve funds and may face either a demise or an expensive local government takeover.

Rebuilding it down the center of The Strip (no matter how much sense it makes) may be cost prohibitive. Especially since people are gun-shy about the failure of the current one.

I keep touting an elevated cable tram, just like they have in Palm Springs and Albuquerque. Cars holding 50+ people, running above the traffic lanes, making stops at selected casinos with one car running after the other after the other. The cars would stop on (what amounts to) the third floor of various casinos and the ride above traffic would be scenic with great photo-opts without the need for an unsightly structure disrupting the center of The Strip.

Our local officials and the gaming companies better figure something out. If we can’t get our loyal visitors around when you are here, you might not want to come back so often.

More Las Vegas News – Concerts – Events

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:

  • St. Patrick’s Day March 17
  • Easter Sunday March 23
  • Cinco de Mayo May 5
  • Mother’s Day May 11
  • Victoria Day, Canada May 17-19 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 24-26 (3 day weekend)
  • Father’s Day June 15
  • Canada Day, Canada July 1
  • Independence Day July 4-6 (3 day weekend)
  • Civic Holiday, Canada August 2-4 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day, U.S August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Labour Day, Canada August 30-September 1 (3 day weekend)
  • Grandparent’s Day September 7
  • Jewish New Year September 30
  • Yom Kippur October 9
  • Columbus Day October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Thanksgiving Day, Canada October 11-13 (3 day weekend)
  • Halloween October 31
  • Veteran’s Day November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day November 27-30 (4 day weekend)
  • Hanukkah Dec. 22 – Dec. 29
  • Christmas December 25
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 31 – January 1
  • Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, U.S (Observed) January 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Chinese/Lunar New Year January 26
  • Lincoln’s Birthday, U.S February 12
  • Valentine’s Day February 14
  • President’s Day, U.S (Observed) February 14-16 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday, U.S February 22

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

Share the info: Click to Email this newsletter to a friend!

For comments or questions regarding our content or this newsletter write us at allvegastv@aol.com.

New to the list? See our Newsletter Archives for back issues and subscription info. Don’t hesitate to forward this newsletter to friends and associates.

All contents copyright 2008 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

March 5, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

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