Las Vegas Scoop

Life according to Cosby

Bill Cosby is back on the comedy circuit and will be appearing for one night only at Treasure Island Theatre on November 27. Starting as a stand-up comedian, Cosby’s career sky-rocketed with his hit television series, “The Cosby Show” that ran from 1984-1992. It was rated the No. 1 sitcom and earned six Emmy awards, three Golden Globe awards and 10 People’s Choice awards. Read the rest of this article »

Santa shows at Mandalay, nutty reindeer hang at Bellagio

Leave it to Las Vegas hotels to recreate Christmas wonderlands in the middle of the desert. Bellagio is at the top of the list with what I expect will be, a fantastical display of holiday nostalgia erected in its conservatory and botanical gardens. The press information wasn’t generous, but it did state that one of the features will be a flying reindeer made of whole pecans, an entire polar bear family created from white carnations and hints of a tree high enough to give the angel on top a nosebleed. Read the rest of this article »

Comedy with a twang

Before Bill Engvall become a comedic performer, he had planned to become a teacher. Obviously, he never did, choosing a career as a well paid comedic performer over that of an overworked teacher molding the minds of the youth of Galveston, Texas, his hometown. And now, Engvall is bringing his act to the Treasure Island Theatre on December 3-4 and 10-11 to amuse Las Vegas audiences with his country brand of humor. Read the rest of this article »

Jazz up Thanksgiving weekend

When Steveland Judkins was born on May 13, 1950, his parents probably had no idea their son would become a music icon. Renamed Stevie Wonder by Berry Gordy Jr., the president of Motown Records, this musician has been awarded multiple Grammys and has earned 10 No. 1 hits on the U.S. pop charts and 20 No. 1 R&B hits. It’s no wonder (ha—couldn’t resist) that he was a child prodigy having become a skilled musician by the age of eight in spite of the fact that he was born blind. In addition to his singing and piano-playing abilities, he also is proficient on the organ, harmonica and drums. Read the rest of this article »

A punchy bunch

Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and three-time world champion Miguel Cotto “Firepower” will duke it out on Saturday, November 14, at MGM Grand’s Garden Arena. Pacquiao’s record (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is what earned him the Boxing Writer’s Association of America’s Fighter of the Year award; and what that means for fans is a great fight with two of the scrappiest fighters in boxing. Ticket prices range from $150 to $1,000 and are on sale at MGM Grand’s Box office, select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino. Read the rest of this article »

Las Vegas Restaurant Prix Fixe Menus

Many fine dining and casual restaurants in The Strip hotels are currently offering prix fixe menus. Most of these menus provide a three-course meal: appetizer, entrée and dessert. Many menus allow two or three dish options for each course. This is a perfect opportunity to dine at a restaurant that might usually surpass your meal budget. The prix fixe menu prices range from $29 per person to $89 per person. Since the restaurants are always subject to change their menus, be sure to confirm prix fixe menus before making reservations. Bon Appetit! Read the rest of this article »

Turning back time

At 63 years old, Cher is still going strong and still has a face that defies gravity. But her freakishly youthful appearance seems to match her vigor well and makes her shows all the more interesting. Starting on May 6, 2008, Cher began her first of 200 concerts taking place at the Colosseum at Ceasar’s Palace. She performs numerous hits from her 43-year musical career, but also included is a visual extravaganza with 17 different costumes designed by Bob Mackey. And as it turns out, Cher is an avid supporter of Nevada Public Radio. Read the rest of this article »

Christmas in 4-D

It was 2004 when the popular animated movie, The Polar Express, was released; and five years later, it is the theme of a feature attraction at Excalibur. The Polar Express 4-D is a multi-sensory experience including faux snow, which provides a lovely distraction from the desert topography of Las Vegas. The Polar Express 4-D will run November 13-January 6, 2010; and with such a short run, the lines will probably be lengthy so get there early or arrive a bit later. The hours of operation are 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday. And what’s a Christmas experience without the slightly creepy and spastic SpongeBob Squarepants? Well, it would be lacking for sure, which is why SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D will be available for guests as well.

Admission prices to the Polar Express are $15 and $10 for SpongeBob. However, Excalibur is providing a special Holiday Pass including both features for the fabulous price of $17.95 per person. For more information, visit Excalibur Web Site or call (877) 750-5464. The 4-D Special FX rides are located on the Fantasy Faire Level in Excalibur.

Barry Manilow has been performing at the Las Vegas Hilton since February 2005. This five year run is about to be over – his last show at the Hilton is on December 30. He has had a very successful run – over 300 shows and ticket sales of over $70 million.

There are now reports coming out that Manilow will not be leaving Las Vegas – he will be signing a new contract with Paris Las Vegas, with shows starting on Valentine’s Day – February 14th, 2010. Read the rest of this article »

Frank Caliendo has started his regular performances at Monte Carlo Las Vegas. The comedian and impressionist is best known for his work on the MADtv and his own show, Frank TV, his sketch show which ran on TBS, and his DVD All Over the Place. You may remember his impressions of NFL color commentator John Madden and United States Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He has toured across the country, and is a regular performar on the late night talk show circuit, performing regularly on David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson. Read the rest of this article »

New Year’s Eve blues

Just in case you can’t find a thing to do in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, there is always The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Playing that night is the John Mayer Trio, a blues-rock band comprised of John Mayer on lead guitar and vocals, Pino Palladino on bass and Steve Jordan on drums. Formed in 2005, the band released one album titled Try! Read the rest of this article »

Kelly Clarkson does The Joint

Kelly Clarkson won American Idol in 2002 and hasn’t slowed down, save for the stint where she was incommunicado and suddenly reappeared a blonde. But Clarkson is finally going on the tour her fans have anticipated. The All I Ever Wanted tour has already kicked off, and Clarkson will be gracing Las Vegas with her presence on Friday, November 6 at 8 p.m. at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Other singing acts included in the show will be The Veronicas, an up-and-coming Australian sister duo, and Parachute. Read the rest of this article »

It’s a hit!

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is gaining in popularity. Whether it’s watching two cage fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championships rolling around on the mat like Ace and Gary (the Ambiguously Gay Duo from Saturday Night Live) or witnessing the absurd spectacle of fake wrestling, there is never an audience shortage. And where bloodthirsty fans exist so does the potential for retail sales, which is why two stores dedicated to MMA apparel have opened. Read the rest of this article »

Restaurants and bars across the country have either minimized happy hours to watered-down domestic beer or taken them off the menu completely. But a few Las Vegas establishments understand that people like to imbibe, especially during the midst of an economic crisis. The following are a few happy hours available on and around The Strip: Read the rest of this article »

On stage sensations

The “So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2009” is making a stop in Las Vegas. The Top 10 finalists from the popular television program’s fifth season have collaborated to perform some of the hottest routines from the program, as well as pieces choreographed specifically for the tour for audiences around the country. Jeanine Mason clinched the title as America’s Favorite Dancer that season, but the nine others vying for No. 1 are performing in the tour as well. Read the rest of this article »

With Halloween just a couple weeks away, now is the time to start planning your ghoulish night in Las Vegas! Several Las Vegas nightclubs are having huge parties hosted by celebrities and costume contests with great prizes. Take a look below at the list of things to do on Halloween and book your frightful evening today! Read the rest of this article »

A celebration of music

In conjunction with the release of his album, My Christmas, Andrea Bocelli is planning a tour in the U.S. And it just so happens, Las Vegas is on that list of cities. On Dec. 12, Bocelli, a classically trained opera singer (tenor, to be exact) will perform songs both new and old to enchant the audience at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Originally from Pisa, Italy, Bocelli learned to play the piano in addition to his opera training, has studied the humanities extensively and earned a law degree. Read the rest of this article »