Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 23, 2008

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 9, 2008

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 – February 13, 2008

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! Winter in Las Vegas is over. Finally! This past weekend brought us 70 degrees (F) and it looks like the chilly months have ended. Certainly, the temperature is bound to fluctuate. But it looks like shirt-sleeve weather from now until sometime in October.

Trivia Question Winner – Sheena Foster won our Superbowl trivia contest for a grab bag of stuff from our prize closet (see last week’s issue for details). We were swamped with answers. I wrote back to the first few, but had to give up from there because so many. Thanks to all who entered! Here were the questions (with answers noted):

  • What famous (infamous) casino owner put a million dollar bet on the Super Bowl at a small, dive casino on The Strip? Bob Stupak, although we also accepted Gene Maday, the owner of Little Ceasers casino as he personally took Stupak’s bet. Everbody but two entries had Stupak correct. Only 17 people had all three answers correct.
  • What was the name of that casino? Here is where most went wrong. Almost everybody put Vegas World. Yes, Stupak owned Vegas World. Which is exactly why he did not place the bet there. (You really can’t place a bet with yourself). Stupak took the money to Gene Maday’s Little Caesars.This place was a dive casino in a strip mall. A few $1 blackjack tables, a bunch of penny slots (the old kind… that actually took pennies and you had to pull on the handle) and a couple of crapsless craps tables. Oh… and probably the most infamous sports book in town. If you wanted to hear what the wise money was thinking and doing, this is where to be.
  • What sits now where that casino used to be? Little Caesars sits where Paris Las Vegas now resides (although we accepted Bally’s/Paris for an answer). In a run-of-the-mill strip mall with a great parking lot in back. What made the parking lot so great? No one remembered it was there! Even on Friday night, you could pull in and find a spot.

We featured a “must read” recap of that very story way back in this very newsletter… on October 27, 1999 (read archived issue here). Also, I highly suggest visiting Bob Stupak’s website where he has a video archive of the news surrounding his winning bet. Head to http://www.bobstupak.com/gambler.html and click on the both Superbowl Bet and Million Dollar Man links in the video area.

Celebrate Leap Year – For those of you using the extra day we get this month to visit your favorite city (Las Vegas, of course), Sushi Roku and sister restaurant BOA Steakhouse in The Forum Shops are offering sinful specialty shots for $2.29 all day long on February 29. We aren’t talking the rot gut stuff. Specialty drinks include the PAMA Shade (Malibu Rum and other liquors), Tokyo Cooler (Skyy Vodka, lemon, lime and more), Very Sexy (Belvedere Cytrus Vodka based) and others. Plus, these are two very cool places to hang out. You don’t want to miss this one.

Very Vintage Vegas – The big real estate news last week was that most of the top 10 forclosure zip codes were in Las Vegas. What struck me was that these zip codes were all in brand new areas of town. Far too many people foolishly bought overpriced (and in many cases poorly built) crackerboxes with no yard, located on the edge of town, far from all the things that make Las Vegas great. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

If you are going to buy a home here, buy in an established neighborhood. You can (and should) read more about this on a blog post I responded to at Foreclosures: 100 worst hit zip codes – But They’re NOT In Vintage Las Vegas

Finally… since we are talking so much about old school Las Vegas, Mark dug up this very cool video featuring footage of The Strip from the past. This is what Las Vegas looked like when I first moved here those many years ago: 35mm Stock Fooage Las Vegas Sights

Enjoy This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
CEO/Managing Editor

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


Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular Welcomes Two Veteran Performers To Broadway Caliber Cast – Phantom û The Las Vegas Spectacular, at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, is thrilled to announce the addition of two new lead cast members to its talented line up. (Tickets) Noted Las Vegas actress Tina Walsh and experienced musical theatre performer Andrew Ragone join the show on February 11, 2008. Playing the role of “Madame Giry” is Tina Walsh, a talented Las Vegas fixture known for her roles in the original company of Mamma Mia! Las Vegas, long-running Strip production EFX!, Hugh Jackman in Time, Jerry Springer The Opera and Closer than Ever. Click to Read The Full Story …

After breaking every rule on the Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! (Tickets) raised the bar again last night as it welcomed its 2 millionth guests, Jack Elliot, Ph.D. and Stacey Rich, at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Based on the songs of ABBA, MAMMA MIA! continues to be the longest-running and most successful full-scale Broadway musical to ever hit Las Vegas. Currently in its fifth year, MAMMA MIA! sets the precedent for Broadway musicals in Las Vegas. Since premiering on February 13, 2003, this beloved show has remained an absolute sensation and a locals’ favorite that keeps the audiences dancing in the aisles night after night.

The Strip’s Hottest Show Teams Up With Las Vegas’ Most Popular Athletic Club To Introduce New Class Hip, Hoppin’ And Stompin’ – STOMP OUT LOUD and Las Vegas Athletic Club Debut New Class to Get Your Heart Pumping. (Stomp Out Loud Tickets) Hip, Hoppin’ and Stompin,’ is the exciting new class on the LVAC roster. Set to today’s hottest music and live drum accompaniment provided by STOMP OUT LOUD cast members, this class fuses hip-hop, dance and body percussion creating an exhilarating workout. Click to Read The Full Story …

David Spade Performance Dates Begin February 15-16 – Comedy superstar David Spade brings his stand up to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. (Tickets) The Saturday Night Live alum and long-time Las Vegas headliner will bring his hysterical comedy show to The Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, for a series of dates in 2008. Known for his sarcastic and witty humor, David Spade has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years. David Spade performs at the Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the following dates: February 15-16, March 14-15, April 11-12, July 25-26, August 30-31, October 10-11, October 24-25 and November 28-29. All shows begin at 10 p.m.

First American Auditions For MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris March 3 û 6MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris will hold the first American auditions in the Crazy Horse Group’s history March 3 – March 6. (Crazy Horse Tickets) A well-known celebrity guest judge, who will be named at a later date, will help determine which three lucky winners will be chosen to join the prestigious dance troupe. For the first time, the legendary cabaret will hold auditions in the United States to cast three girls in the Parisian dance troupe. Click to Read The Full Story …

Escape Cold Weather Blues, Plan Summertime Fun Now – Chilly temperatures have you dreaming of fun in the sun? Winter may have just begun, but the time to start planning a summer getaway is now. Here are some sizzling ways to heat up your next vacation:

  • Get Bare at The Mirage Bare at The Mirage provides an exclusive adult alternative to the typical pool experience. Offering luxury dipping pools, chaise lounges and private daybeds, guests of Bare enjoy European-style sunbathing under the warm Las Vegas sun. Standard VIP service includes chilled cucumbers for the eyes, exotic frozen fruit skewers and mini-fruit smoothies.
  • Recharge at Luxor’s Restore Pool Restore Pool at Luxor offers guests 21 years of age and older a spa-like sanctuary. Sleek chaises, cabanas and daybeds provide a plush lounging environment. Complimentary amenities ranging from iced towels to frozen fruit slices ensure an upscale experience.
  • Monte Carlo Offers Fun in the Sun Monte Carlo’s pool complex offers a serene escape from life’s demands. Guests can grab a raft and float on the Easy River Ride or body surf in the city’s first-ever Wave Pool. Private cabanas include a flat-screen television, phone, safe and wireless Internet access as well as a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water, sodas and fruit platter.
  • Mandalay Bay Beach Ups the Ante Featuring 11 acres of tropical-inspired poolside bliss including 2,700 tons of sand and an exciting wave pool, Mandalay Bay Beach redefines summertime fun. The world-famous pool destination also features a new three-story Beachside Casino. On the first level, the Beach Bar & Grill provides tasty fare to sunbathers. One floor up, guests can enjoy a climate-controlled casino overlooking Mandalay Bay Beach. On the third level, the exclusive Villas Soleil each offer cozy seating, a day bed, wet bar, 50-inch flat-screen television, MP3 player, safe and a private deck.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Just wanted to comment on my trip to Vegas last weekend. My boyfriend and I tried to get in to see the Pussycat Dolls at Caesars, waited 1 1/2 hours in line, and by 11:30 pm we still weren’t guaranteed to get in. What do you have to do to get in a club? That was on a Friday night. Sat. night, luckily, we were staying at the Venetian and I requested VIP passes to get into TAO nightclub. So we got in the VIP line around 8:30 pm. We were told by the bouncers that there were going to be thousands of people there that night since it was the 2nd Anniversary of their opening.

Also, after about a 1/2 hour waiting in line, one of the bouncers told my boyfriend that he wouldn’t be able to entered the club without a collar shirt. We had to get out of line and go in the mall and purchase a shirt. The Venetian employees that we spoke to never told us about that! So we got back in line and we were able to get right in. OK, we got in, but there is no where to sit! All seating was reserved from $5,000 to $15,000 each section. So we stood until about 11:30 pm and then we just couldn’t stand anymore and left.

It was very discouraging trying to get into clubs every night. Can you help with any tricks or tips you have?

Thank you very much!
Cindy Hoplamazian

Unfortunately, you had every factor working against you on the same night.

  • Virtually every club has a dress code for men which often requires things like a shirt with a collar, no tennis shoes (even dress casual sneakers), no baseball caps, you get the picture. Women can get away with almost anything (or almost nothing) if it is sexy and they look good in it.
  • Nightclubs are “standing room only” unless you purchase table/bottle service which can range from a few hundred dollars on a normal night into the tens of thousands on an “event” night. It is a custom imported from Europe and a huge profit center for the clubs.
  • Don’t bother hitting a club (even with VIP passes) on a huge night like their anniversary of some kind of similar big celebration or celeb event. You’ll have trouble getting in because every industry insider and club regular (plus tons of celebs from out-of-town) are given priority. And no, you won’t get close to the celebs even if you get in.
  • DO buy a VIP pass for any other (more regular) night. This can be the difference between waiting 20-30 minutes in line (a club can only hold so many people, no matter what) and waiting upwards of two hours. We strongly suggest Travelnice for nightclub passes. They are a quality company and have been around for quite some time with no complaints.

The great thing about Las Vegas? If these kind of clubs aren’t particularly for you, plenty of other options exist. Almost every casino has a lounge area with some great live music where you don’t have to pay to sit down nor have to dress a certain way. My favorite 1-2 punch for non-club action? Harrahs where the dueling piano bar sits just inside from Carnival Court and the live bands.


As a former NY cab driver I can honestly say many of your cab drivers try to intentionally rip you off. My last Vegas trip the driver took the tunnel to the Rio. Not a good idea. I didn’t pay him the meter but what the trip should have been.On another trip we took a cab from the Stratosphere to Harrahs. We didn’t realize for a few minutes that the cab driver was drunk, especially when he drove the wrong way down a one way street. Weve met quit a few great drivers, but the few bad ones spoil the whole barrel. Thanks for your article.Carl Katz
Mesa, Arizona


Hey Ted,What is your opinion of the South Point? we will be there in March.

Thanx,
Bob

It is the “neighborhood casino” for a couple of people on our staff. Nice, new, very similar to Suncoast. Good for the money, free shuttle to The Strip until late evening but better to have a car. A brand new freeway onramp behind the property puts you right on I-15 down to The Strip.

Michaels from the old Barbary Coast is a “must try” once in your life, rest of the restaurants are good with a huge variety (close to 10 restaurants if I count right). Movie theaters and huge bowling alley on-site.

It’s certainly not Green Valley Ranch or Red Rock, but provided you understand the situation of staying at an off-Strip property, I’d stay there over most of the other off-strip hotels around town. Comfortable and friendly.

Hint: If you need groceries, drug store, 7-11 or similar, head EAST on Silverado Ranch about a mile. South Point is still located in an area that has very little around it. Second Hint: Cajun BBQ Shack is in the mini-mall across the street (to the north). Good stuff. Couple doors from the BBQ is Templar Cigars, hand rolled by a exiled Cuban gentleman. Must try for cigar lovers.


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:

  • President’s Day February 16-18 (3 day weekend)
  • Washington’s Birthday February 22
  • 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:
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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.

February 13, 2008 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 25, 2007

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 (toll free) 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
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! Summer is here to stay, and temps are unlikely to dip below 60 (F) for a low until sometime in September. Pools are open, pool parties at various resorts are launching (details coming soon) and the party atmosphere is in full swing!

Did you know… Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art offers an annual membership? – Available for $45, the Blue Card grants a full year’s access to its holder and one guest. The card also provides a 10% discount on all purchases. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is currently showcasing the master works of legendary photographer Ansel Adams through May 6, 2007. The gallery’s newest exhibit, “In the Master’s Hands: Picasso’s Ceramics” will debut Memorial Day weekend.

The Ultimate “Mancation” – Our local paper recently ran an interesting article titled No Girls Allowed – Guys discover fun of bonding in Las Vegas while on ‘mancation’ about getting the guys together for a Vegas trip. We are just a week away from what could be the Mancation of the Decade and you still have a chance to set this one up if you get your friends on board right away:

  • Las Vegas Hotel Deals while a few are still left.
  • Saturday mid-day golf in what is shaping up to be highs in the 80’s.
  • Oscar De La Hoya vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. the most talked about fight in years and years, happening on Cinco De Mayo.
  • Post-fight drinks, celeb spotting, cigars, and insanity at the craps table.
  • Sunday nursing a bloody mary and hangover while betting on basketball and baseball.
  • Returning home with a story that makes you the envy of your friends for life.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Expand Soul2Soul Tour Dates – We have prime seats for the August 4, 2007 concert at the MGM Grand plus all their other tour dates in a city near you. This is one of the huge concerts of the year! See if they are coming near you or better yet, plan to see them here: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Expand Soul2Soul Tickets

Enjoy This Issue!



Announcing Planet Hollywood – After having fun with the Planet Ho concept last issue, we promised their PR people we’d play nice and actually run the stuff they were nice enough to send. Bruce Willis joined Planet Hollywood co-chairman Robert Earl for a toast this past month celebrating the name change from Aladdin to Planet Hollywood.Construction on various aspects (including the facade — see recent photos) are still underway and the actual grand opening dates are September 28 and 29. The inside is pretty much done and well worth a look. Gone is the Moroccan theme which has given way to a very modern, high tech feel.

The Shops In Desert Passage At The Aladdin Becomes Miracle Mile Shops – Modernized Interior And Exterior Renovations And Continued Influx Of Brand-Name Retailers To Continue While Operating Under The New Name – The Shops in Desert Passage at the Aladdin will begin operating as Miracle Mile Shops in May 2007. With rapidly advancing exterior and interior reconstruction throughout the center, Boulevard Invest, the joint venture of Tri Star Capital and RFR Holding, and owners of The Shops in Desert Passage at the Aladdin, are proud to celebrate the shopping center’s new name: Miracle Mile Shops. Click to Read The Full Story …

From the Vine to the Glass: Uncork New Worlds of Flavors – Ordering wine can be intimidating, but learning more can be as simple, and enjoyable, as an evening of wining and dining. Check out these fun ways to tap into a wealth of knowledge:

  • Sip in Style at Onda Wine Lounge in The Mirage – Each month, Onda Wine Lounge at The Mirage explores a different region of the world. On April 25, Director of Wine Mark Thomas will toast the great wine estates of South Africa from Lanzerac to Landskroon. This delectable tasting experience is available for $15 per person and includes a plate of artisan meat and cheeses. Featuring a striking dÚcor of sleek white marble and dark rich woods, Onda Wine Lounge is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight.
  • 55 Degrees Wine + Design Offers Optimum Experience – Inside Mandalay Place (Mandalay Bay shopping area), 55 Degrees Wine + Design now hosts a weekly wine tasting event. Every Friday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., wine lovers are invited to relax and mingle as they discover new vineyards from around the globe. Named for the ideal temperature at which to serve fine wine, 55 Degrees Wine + Design features a hip wine bar and seductive wine inventory.

Direct From The Sunset Strip, Metal Skool Unleashes An Eleven Week Run At The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino April 26 – Celebrating its seventh year of performing to sold-out crowds on the Sunset Strip, METAL SKOOL is set to rock Las Vegas during a kick-ass weekly residency at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Hollywood’s famous 80’s heavy metal comedy act takes the stage in Body English starting Thursday, April 26 at 10 p.m. Then they take over every Thursday night through the first week of July. Impatient types can catch a special preview performance this Sunday April 22. METAL SKOOL now brings their 80’s styling, outrageous antics and power rock to the desert. Rock out to your favorite 80’s hits by Warrant, Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Poison and every other legendary metal band that made the Sunset Strip famous. Click to Read The Full Story …

Stomp Out Loud Performances Begin – Grand Opening At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino In Las Vegas – A unique combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable form of musical entertainment. With STOMP OUT LOUD (Tickets), creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas have transformed their show for Las Vegas with new sequences and choreography, a dynamically expanded cast and a completely new environment that will immerse the audience from the moment they enter the $28 million, 1,500-seat theatre. STOMP OUT LOUD is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday, and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and percussion. Click to Read The Full Story …

American Storm Computer Wallpaper – Billed as America’s Hottest Male Revue, the cast of American Storm is made up of the seven remaining finalists from the VH1 hit series StripSearch. Millions of fans across the country followed the progress of the show’s 15 contenders as one by one they were eliminated, leaving the seven most talented performers. click and download American Storm Computer Wallpaper

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas – The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino has 2,444 guestrooms and suites feature light-wood furnishings, custom entertainment armoires and decor in russet, gold and forest green. Each includes satellite television and wireless Internet access for a fee. Select rooms feature marble entrances, wet bars, desks and desk-to-ceiling windows with views of the Strip. Select suites include separate sitting areas, bedrooms, powder rooms and kitchens.

Gambling Talk: Playing Suited Connectors In Tournaments– with Victor H. Royer. Now it’s time for us to consider how to play perhaps some of the most troubling hands in all of tournament poker. These are the many varieties of suited connectors. Any two cards of the same suit next to each other in rank can be considered as suited connectors, although most of the time this general description applies primarily to hands that do not contain an Ace. Click to Read Complete Article



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photo – Austin and Jo from Brighton in the UK submitted these two great photos. They write:

Hi there!

We are ‘Austin and Jo Constant’ from Brighton in the UK, we were in Vegas last October …… when there was some interesting weather…one day it snowed…and whilst visiting the Canyon we saw a thunderstorm inside the canyon whilst we were stood in full sunshine!!!

Cant wait to come back….we will be back in June to stay at Wynns …. thought we send u a couple of pics as we love your newsletter for all the info on what’s happening in Vegas….keep up the good work, thank you!!

Anyway, we took this amazing photo from our room in the Mirage of Harrah’s across The Strip when this rainbow appeared to disappear into the casino tower…. of course we then rushed over looking for the pot of gold …. but…….

…..and here’s an ‘arty’ one of Caesars Palace taken on a slow shutter speed at night as we drove past. I love this one as you can really feel the movement and I think it captures crazy night time feel of Vegas!

Thanks for your time, all the best from your British readers !!

Jo and Austin

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


Hi Ted!I will be in Las Vegas over the 4th of July holiday, and was wondering what really goes on for the 4th? I have heard different things from different people, such as, the strip gets closed off to traffic and each hotel does a fireworks display in sequence, the Stratosphere has the best display, and Red White and Boom is definitely worth checking out.

Can you let me know if any of this is true, and what you suggest to check out on the 4th of July in Vegas?

Lynsie Wiese

Ted Responds:

As always, we talk about and list events as soon as we are given the information. To date we have received no July 4 information.

Stratosphere Tower has traditionally had the only display on The Strip, but with the pending sale of the property I wouldn’t bank on that yet. The biggest displays are spread around town where the rest of us live and we will publish info on those when we get it.

New Years Eve is when the entire Strip is closed to traffic and a unified fireworks display is set off from the tops of various properties. We have streaming video from previous New Years Eve available:

I’d find the person who told you that The Strip closes down for fireworks on July 4 and politely suggest they subscribe to this newsletter… so they will know what they are talking about next time!

With the volume of free information we constantly pump out, we feel our readers are among the most informed about Las Vegas on the planet. Share the wealth and tell your friends to subscribe!


Ted,Rob Hammons from Kentucky. I had a great time in Las Vegas back in December. I really appreciated your advice. I truly had an excellent time. I had a great room at the Paris and everything was awesome. I look forward to a return visit. I was really impressed.Best regards and good luck in the future.

Rob Hammons


Have a Vegas comment or question? Post To Our Message Boards!We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

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

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:

  • 2007

  • Cinco de Mayo May 5 (falls on weekend)
  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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

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

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 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 25, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us Privacy Policy

Proud Member:
Las Vegas Internet Chamber of Commerce

Access Vegas Insider Vibe – April 11, 2007

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 (toll free) 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
Free Photos, Wallpaper, and Streaming Videos

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

Hello From Las Vegas! From a cloudy, windy, and rainy Las Vegas. April is notoriously windy here, but rain is rare.

I Goofed – last week and we ran a couple of unfinished, un-edited, not-yet spell checked sections. For the record, this is the proper link to the Bellagio Botanical Gardens 2007 Chinese New Year Display.

Meet Your Favorite Vegas Celebs – Ben & Jerry’s at the Galleria Mall will be serving free ice cream cones to benefit the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum April 17, 2007. Local celebrities that will be at Ben & Jerry’s at the Galleria Mall include Mark and Mercedes from Mix 94.1, Norm Clarke from the Review Journal, Amazing Jonathan and Penny, Mosaic and The Scintas. I can state from personal experience that those donating their time are some of the nicest, most approachable people in town. Full details and directions here.

The Police Tour Tickets – Just a reminder that we have great tickets available not only for their June 15, 2007 show here in Las Vegas, but for their shows around the country! The Police Reunion Tour Tickets

Mac King At White House – Huge congratulations to Harrah’s headlining comedian magician (and all around good-guy) Mac King who performed at the Annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn on April 9, 2007. Mac has one of the few Las Vegas shows that almost all ages (perhaps 10 and up) will enjoy. We are wondering what the Secret Service thought of fig newtons and goldfish…

Prince Is Outta Here… Almost – Prince finishes performing here in Las Vegas at the end of this month (April 2007). We do still have a few tickets left. They aren’t cheap, but this is seriously a last chance deal. If you are in town this month and want to catch the end of this historical run, check out our Prince at Rio Las Vegas Tickets.

Enjoy This Issue!



Sushi Roku Japanese at
The Forum Shops (Caesars) Review

By Zabrina Rodriguez-Rapozo

Dimly it, bamboo trees and sexy black accents. Sushi Roku is everything you would expect of a hip and swanky strip restaurant. With black booths backed up to a magnificent view of Las Vegas Blvd twinkling below, this place is as elegant as it is earthy.

Our server suggested the Rock Shrimp which arrived piping hot and coated in a delicious semi sweet citrusy sauce. Wow! This is probably one of the best appetizers I have ever had. The tempura batter stayed crisp and light and the sauce that clung to the tender shrimp was both addictive and satisfying. Click to Read The Full Review …

Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Bring Their “Soul2Soul Tour 2007” To The MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, August 4; Jeep Signs On As The Tour’s Presenting Sponsor – Selected as Pollstar Magazine’s “Major Tour of 2006” ahead of industry powerhouses such as Madonna and The Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Tickets) bring their Soul2Soul Tour back to Las Vegas Saturday, Aug. 4. Due to overwhelming demand from fans who didn’t get a chance to witness history in the making, and for fans hungry to be a part of the experience yet again, the duo will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the concert scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Click to Read The Full Story …

Stomp Out Loud Lands In Las Vegas At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – New Production From The Creators Of The International Sensation Stomp – STOMP OUT LOUD (Tickets), the extraordinary new production from the creators of the international sensation STOMP, comes to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas this spring with a cast double the size of the original production and performed inside a new, $28 million theater specifically created for this production. Directed and created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP OUT LOUD began performances on March 24, 2007 with a grand opening slated for early April. Click to Read The Full Story …

Rita Rudner Extends Her Stay At Harrah’s For Three More Years – The Acclaimed Comedian Will Continue As The Strip Resort’s Headliner Until 2010 – Rita Rudner (Tickets), the accomplished actress, screenwriter, best-selling author and comedian, has announced an agreement in principle to extend her stay as headliner at Harrah’s Las Vegas until January 2010. “I love working here,” said Rudner. “I love all the people at Harrah’s, the theater is beautiful and the audiences have been fantastic. When they say I’ve been extended, does that mean I’m taller?” Click to Read The Full Story …

International Singing Sensation Martin Nievera Scheduled To Serenade Audiences At The New Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex – World-class pop music performer Martin Nievera (Tickets) is proud to announce the opening of his show Martin Live performing daily, beginning February 14, inside the new Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex in Desert Passage at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Martin Live is a show for children and adults. Nievera’s performance includes songs ranging from Broadway to Buble and a number of his own hits, all backed by an 11-piece band. Nievera also pays tribute to Las Vegas’ most famed crooners including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and more. Click to Read The Full Story …

Bon Jovi And Tiger Woods Reunite In Las Vegas To Celebrate 10 Years Of Tiger Jam – Rock Superstars Bon Jovi To Join Golf Legend Tiger Woods At Tiger Jam X – Two powerhouses, Tiger Woods and Bon Jovi, will reunite for the 10th annual Tiger Jam (Tickets), presented by AT&T Saturday, May 26 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Marking 10 years of unforgettable concerts, Tiger Jam X will be a fitting tribute to the estimated 10 million young people Tiger Jam has helped by raising funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation. A decade in the making, this celebration will begin with exclusive live and silent auctions and a gourmet dinner. Following the dinner and auctions, Woods will welcome Bon Jovi to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage for what promises to be an amazing show. Click to Read The Full Story …

Dr. Buzz Aldrin Leads Ceremony For Historic First Walk At Grand Canyon Skywalk – Apollo 11 Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, known for making historic first steps on the moon, lead the “First Walk” on the Grand Canyon Skywalk on Tuesday, March 20. During the private ceremony, Aldrin made history again by taking the first steps onto the U-shaped glass walkway suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Members of the Hualapai tribe lead by Chairman Vaughn and Native American Astronaut John Herrington will walk simultaneously from the opposite side of The Skywalk and join Aldrin in the center for a momentous event as the Hualapai nation unveils the vision of their future.á Click to Read The Full Story …

Dean Mauro Plays Tony From Long Island At ‘Sopranos;’ – After 15 Years In Las Vegas Thespian Joins ‘Most Fun Dinner Theatre Experience In Las Vegas’ – Where else would you find the perfect Tony Soprano actor but in “The Sopranos Last Supper” (Tickets) at The Empire Ballroom on The Las Vegas Strip. His name is Dean Mauro and his uncanny resemblance to James Gandolfini is remarkable take away an unhealthy weight problem. He said, “I grew up in Long Island until I was age 14 and we moved around a bit. I lived in Los Angeles and then Texas and now I’m in Las Vegas. I’ve only been here less than two years to do a film called `The Casino Job.’ I want to live in Las Vegas for now.” Click to Read The Full Story …

The Wings of Freedom Tour of the WWII Vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and North American B-25 – The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour Brings Extremely Rare Bomber Aircraft for Local Living History Display as Part of 130-city Nationwide Tour Participating in the Collings Foundation’s WINGS OF FREEDOM TOUR, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” WWII Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft” WWII Heavy Bomber, and the North American B-25 Mitchell WWII Medium Bomber, will fly into North Las Vegas Airport in Las Vegas, NV for a visit from April 18 to April 20. Local citizens will have the opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique and rare treasures of aviation history. Click to Read The Full Story …

Manilow Fund Helping Las Vegas – The Manilow Fund for Health and Hope will be a presenting sponsor of the 2007 AIDS Walk Las Vegas, an annual fundraiser for AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada). The Walk will be held in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15. All the money raised will go directly to educational outreach, housing assistance, transportation, the Lisa B Grocery Center, and other AFAN services and programs. Barry Manilow headlines with Manilow: Music and Passion (Tickets) at the Las Vegas Hilton through 2008.

Vegas Photo Set Of The Week: Jubilee! at Bally’s – There’s A-1 tune-crooning, million-dollar sets, and the most glitter this side of Hollywood with costumes by Bob Mackie. Jubilee! is one of the longest running extravaganzas in Las Vegas. It continues to rate as one of Las Vegas’ finest production shows. With incredible sets, costumes, and special effects, Jubilee! is a must-see attraction for any Las Vegas visitor.

Gambling Talk: with Victor H. Royer will resume next issue. In the meantime, please enjoy the Victor H. Royer Casino Gambling Archived Articles.



Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Reader Submitted Photo – Kathy Glover submitted this great photo of Bellagio Conservatory:

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


Hi Ted!Love the newsletter, my boyfriend and I went to Vegas for the first time last year and we absolutely loved it! We’re going back again in May for his birthday and we have a feeling it’s going to be a yearly event for us =).

We’re from Massachusetts, and as you may or may not know, we on the east coast live by the slogan “America Runs on Dunkin” (Dunkin Donuts, that is). So you can imagine our shock when we couldn’t find any out in Vegas. We were wondering if there are any plans to put a Dunkin Donuts anywhere on/near the Strip anytime soon, as that was my boyfriend’s one (and only) complaint about our trip.

I’m sure all of us East-Coasters would be thrilled with the addition of one in Vegas…and it offers a cheaper, and just as delicious (if not more!) alternative to Starbucks when searching for your caffeine shot. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Kristen

Ted Responds:

I checked a couple of different sources and found no Dunkin’ Donuts here in Las Vegas. Believe it or not, Krispy Kreme (which is struggling in many parts of the country) continues to do amazingly well here, with locations in Excalibur, Venetian, and Circus Circus on The Strip.

I do understand how Dunkin’ Donuts is revered in other parts of the country, and with a large contingent of east coast visitors and transplants, I agree it seems strange that we have no locations here. We know a number of hotel management types read our newsletter. Consider your request delivered!


My wife is very upset with the new anti-smoking laws in Nevada and swears she will not go back to Vegas because of them.Is anyone fighting for smokers rights out there? If smokers stop coming there will be a drop in revenue – maybe Nevada will have to impose a State income tax like everybody else? Sorry to complain but I am a non-smoker but I don’t mind people smoking around me. And I LOVE VEGAS!

Thurman R. Reed Jr.

Ted Responds:

We have continued to post links regarding the latest news in our “More News” section in the second half of each newsletter, but I will summarize where things are at this point:

Our local police department (Metro) is not charged with enforcing the ban. With our fast-growing population, they have more important things to do. The task has fallen to the County Health Department which doesn’t have the funds or manpower to enforce it. Many bars and other similar establishments have posted “no smoking” signs but basically turn a blind eye to smokers. Basically, a white flag has been raised regarding enforcement until 2009 when various legal entities will revisit the issue.

What does this mean to our visitors?

Click to read the rest of my response in our forums (too detailed to fit in the newsletter) and feel free to post your own thoughts as well!


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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:

  • 2007

  • Victoria Day (Canada) May 19-21 (3 day weekend)
  • Memorial Day May 26-28 (3 day weekend)
  • Mothers Day May 13
  • Fathers Day June 17
  • Independence Day July 4
  • Civic Holiday (Canada) August 6 (3 day weekend)
  • Labor Day September 1-3 (3 day weekend)
  • Columbus Day (USA), Thanksgiving Day (Canada) October 6-8 (3 day weekend)
  • Christmas December 25 (4 day weekend – Christmas on Tuesday)
  • New Year’s Eve-Day December 29 – January 1 (4 day weekend – New Years on Tuesday)

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

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

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All contents copyright 2007 Ted Newkirk. All Rights Reserved.

April 11, 2007 ISSN: 1529-2770 About Us

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