01.31.12 · 6 PM

Motley Crue at the Joint is ‘Cirque meets rock’ with flames, rollercoaster drums and even ‘Little Crue’

It is a rock concert by the strictest definition, as a rock band is playing a series of songs over a two-hour stretch for a paying audience. But it is so much more than that. Motley Crue is playing it big and wide, weird and small and, naturally, loud. “It’s pretty amazing,” Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says in a phone conversation an hour before returning to rehearsal for the band’s “Motley Crue In Sin City” run of shows at ... Read more...

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01.30.12 · 6 PM

Opening act chosen for Kiss-themed golf course

At one side of the room, a guy dressed as Gene Simmons adjusted his studded codpiece. At another, a would-be Paul Stanley was plopped on a leather sofa, munching on a handful of tortilla chips. Everywhere you turned, there were guys dressed as members of Kiss, and it was no happy coincidence. A quartet of Kiss tribute bands, totaling 16 costumed musicians, competed in the first Kiss Off at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel. The bands were the ... Read more...

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01.30.12 · 6 PM

The latest dish: Martha Stewart out, Marie Osmond in for the Hallmark Channel

It is news that might make fans of Marie Osmond feel a little faint. According to published reports, Osmond is in line to supplant “The Martha Stewart Show” on the Hallmark Channel with a new daily show carrying the befitting title “Marie.” Expected to debut in September, “Marie” seems to be shaping up as a typical TV talker, the atypical ingredient being the wildly popular Marie Osmond. The show will reportedly showcase segments centered on cooking and celebrity interviews. We ... Read more...

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01.30.12 · 6 PM

Former Las Vegas mayor, ‘mob lawyer’ Oscar Goodman turns a new page with memoir

There is no title, but “Oscar Being Oscar” might well fit. We speak of the upcoming memoirs of the former “mob lawyer” and three-term mayor of Las Vegas. There is no such title yet and no publisher lined up. But the man Goodman has been working with on his tantalizing life story is bestselling author David Fisher, who most recently served as the ghostwriter of financial analyst Harry Markopolos’ tale of exposing Bernie Madoff, “No One Would Listen: A True ... Read more...

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01.28.12 · 2 AM

The concept of Pamela Anderson at ‘Pamorama’ didn’t end up too suite

Remember the days of “Pamorama” Towers? Maybe you do. It was in the high times of 2006, April specifically, that Pamela Anderson swiveled down the red carpet at the opening party for the under-construction Tower 3 of Panorama Towers. Her date was real-estate mogul Laurence Hallier, whose company, Hallier Properties, built the wondrous high-rise on Dean Martin Drive. “They should call it ‘Pamorama’ because I am here,” Anderson said during the blustery afternoon shindig on April 21, 2006. “When I’m ... Read more...

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01.27.12 · 3:12 PM

KISS fans ready to paint the town (and their faces) at Sunday’s KISS Off at Hard Rock Hotel

There will always be a forum for anyone blessed with a lengthy tongue, musical acumen and a willingness to slather on layers of face paint. KISS By Monster Mini Golf is making certain of that. This weekend marks the “KISS Off” finale, scheduled for 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel. The free-admission, open-to-the-public contest is to award the top KISS tribute band on the planet, or at least the top KISS band among ... Read more...

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01.24.12 · 12:25 PM

Wynn sports book guru Johnny Avello posts ‘The Artist,’ George Clooney as Oscar favorites

Fresh off predicting the odds-on favorite to win the Miss America Pageant on Jan. 14 at Planet Hollywood, Wynn Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello has posted “The Artist” as his favorite to claim the Academy Award for Best Picture, with odds set at 2-to-5. That means you would need to place a $5 bet just to make a $2 profit. However, these odds are for entertainment purposes only. Side wagers with friends and loved ones are your ... Read more...

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01.21.12 · 6:22 PM

After 27 years, porno pioneer Vivid Entertainment is still lighting the fire

It is fitting, somehow, that Steven Hirsch is talking of his adult-entertainment company while seated in front of an outdoor fireplace absent a fire. That’s sort of what Hirsch does, as founder of Vivid Entertainment Group: supply the fire. In Las Vegas this week and weekend for the AVN/Adult Entertainment Expo at the Hard Rock Hotel, which was to conclude with the AVN Awards at the Joint on Saturday night, Hirsch stands as one of the industry’s mavericks. He founded ... Read more...

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01.20.12 · 5:51 PM

With Atrium Suites renovation, Stephen Siegel is crafting a new signature

Stephen Siegel yanks down a metal security shutter near the front entrance of what used to be Atrium Suites Hotel. Dust seeps from the opening as Siegel, whose company now owns the property, abruptly stops pulling. “Why is this here?” he asks. “What is the point?” The answer would seem to be to keep dangerous or unwanted individuals from crawling through that opening and accessing the front of the building. Problem is, each side of that opening is wide open ... Read more...

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01.20.12 · 5:25 PM

Porn legend (and Las Vegas resident) Sunset Thomas still showing naked ambition

Sunset Thomas says hello, then she apologizes for an absence of cosmetic enhancement. “I’ve kissed all my lipstick away,” she says, laughing. “I’ve kissed a lot of people today.” That’s because Thomas is appearing at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo at the Hard Rock Hotel. Fans find Thomas, one of the adult industry’s biggest stars, to be one of the most accessible figures in the porn culture. So she kisses away, pausing for an interview to talk of her latest ... Read more...

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01.18.12 · 11:15 PM

‘Phantom’ epitaph: We did well to survive six years

In Twitter-speak, it was hashtag-buzzkill. The information from Scott Zeiger to the “Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular” team was imparted in halves. The co-CEO of BASE Entertainment called a backstage meeting of the company that stages and stars in the Venetian spectacle after the performance Jan. 10. Zeiger started with happy news. He told the crew of actors, musicians and stagehands that “Phantom is not closing anytime soon.” Expectedly, the group cheered. “But I have to tell you,” he ... Read more...

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01.17.12 · 8:14 PM

Aratas rolling back to ‘V’ this weekend; ‘Absinthe’ counters with ‘Skating Kerkorians’

It was the great philosophers Blood, Sweat and Tears who once prophesied, “Spinnin’ wheel, got ta go ’round.” So it is with “V — Ultimate Variety Show” and “Absinthe,” at least pertaining to a skating act that defies the imagination and tugs at our hearts. We speak, of course, of the Skating Aratas in “V — Ultimate Variety Show.” Added to the mix is a new, rapidly rotating act in “Absinthe” that bears mention. This duo remains somewhat of a ... Read more...

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01.16.12 · 1:21 AM

Distinguished broadcaster George Stevens Jr. focuses on Smith Center’s opening show

At the very least, we know the opening performance at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts will merit a national TV audience. The March 10 opener at Smith Center’s 2,055-seat Reynolds Hall will be recorded for a 2012 broadcast either on network TV or for a PBS special, I am reliably informed. The act/show/artist has not been announced. But the producer of the televised performance is a giant in the film and TV industry: George Stevens Jr. Stevens is ... Read more...

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01.14.12 · 1:08 PM

As always, Madonna and Cirque hope to surprise with halftime show

When the NFL announced that Madonna was teaming with Cirque du Soleil to perform this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, we all thought the same thing: Madonna cavorting with Spandex-clad gymnasts hooked to bungee cords. But that will not be the nature of the show when Madonna makes her first Super Bowl halftime appearance. Just how Cirque is to be incorporated into the show bears some explanation. In short, don’t expect Madonna to share the stage (or the 170 million ... Read more...

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01.14.12 · 2:01 AM

Odds don’t weigh in favor of Miss Nevada to capture crown

Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler hopes to one day work as a licensed speech pathologist. So here is where we enunciate, “Her odds are 6-1.” Those are Wynn Las Vegas Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello’s field-leading numbers for Kaeppeler to win Saturday night’s Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts (the live show is at 6 p.m. and airs, tape delayed, at 9 p.m. ABC). Avello says Kaeppeler’s odds are based largely on her ... Read more...

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01.10.12 · 10:51 PM

‘Phantom’ closing at the Venetian on Sept. 2: ‘We’ve had a triumphant run’

The Phantom is vanishing, this time for good. “Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular,” one of Las Vegas’ finest and most lavish production shows over the past five years, is closing Sept. 2. The show’s company was told tonight in a meeting with BASE Entertainment co-Chief Executive Officer Scott Zeiger at the Venetian, where the show opened in June 2006. The show’s lead was resigned that the decision was purely business. “I’ll tell you, there was talk about us closing ... Read more...

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01.7.12 · 3:21 PM

Double sevens for Elvis, double the fun for Big Elvis and Sonny West

One commonality shared by Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee and Sonny West, aside from their devotion to the legacy of Elvis Presley, is weight loss. Big Elvis has lost — brace thyself – 500 pounds. He’s lost an NFL offensive tackle and quarterback. This is intentional, and he’s still shedding, from a high of 960 to his current 460. He’s targeting 220. Sonny West was up around 240 himself but is down closer to 190. The difference is Vallee’s weight loss ... Read more...

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01.6.12 · 3:43 PM

Dash for the sash that is the Miss America Pageant puts Las Vegas onstage

As the Miss America contestants meet the public, en masse, for the first official photo opportunity of this year’s pageant, most of us see 53 attractive women. Rossi Ralenkotter sees that, too. But he also sees 53 attractive states, all of which are to be reminded of the splendor of Las Vegas as Miss America is crowned at Planet Hollywood Theater for the Performing Arts. The show is set to air, tape delayed, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, on ... Read more...

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01.5.12 · 4 AM

Three movers and shakers to watch in 2012

What’s the saying? One is an incident, two is a tradition? Maybe I just made that up. No matter, a year ago at this time I wrote of three fascinating figures to watch in VegasVille for the upcoming year. Before rolling out this year’s triumvirate, let’s see how our figures from the 2011 Three to Watch list fared: Oscar Goodman: Pretty easy call, yes, but Goodman exceeded even his own lofty standards for devouring attention by parlaying his three-term run ... Read more...

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01.4.12 · 5:35 PM

The art of the deal: LVAM, UNLV partner to revive dormant museum collection

For nearly three years, the Las Vegas Art Museum collection has been looking for a good place to hang. The long-anticipated announcement today that LVAM is teaming with the UNLV College of Fine Arts to exhibit the LVAM collection this year is a relief to any Las Vegan concerned that the museum’s closing undercut the city’s attempts to enhance its cultural image. Located on West Sahara Avenue, west of Village Square and more than 8 miles from the Strip, LVAM’s ... Read more...

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01.1.12 · 1:43 AM

It’s Guns N’ Roses at the Joint, so it’s New Year’s rockin’ eve

He was graying, his hair neatly combed. He stood silently in the line at the bar on the balcony level of the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, the muted yelping of opening act Sebastian Bach serving as a musical backdrop. It was not this gent’s first rock concert, not by a lot. The T-shirt logo visible through his white satin jacket was evidence of that: the iconic tongue-and-lips design of the Rolling Stones, the image faded and weather-beaten by ... Read more...

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Featured Cocktail

Cocktail of the Week May 23, 2012
by Sabrina Chapman

Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl stings so good

Ready to celebrate the official start of summer? Prepare for takeoff. Memorial Day Weekend picks up speed with the addition of Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl ($49) to the weekend’s party lineup. ...
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