By Judy Thorburn


I first want to extend my wishes for a very Happy and Healthy Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends and readers and a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Winter Solstice and a Wonderful whatever else you choose to celebrate this time of year that I might have left out. Here is hoping each and every one of you has an amazing and memorable holiday season. Peace and love to all!

Now, here’s the lowdown on some current “happenings” around town:

The sound of Motown is alive and well at the Shimmer Cabaret inside the Las Vegas Hilton. I know, because last week I was invited to check out “Hitsville The Show, and experience a trip through memory lane to Motown, where the music was born and the recording artists from Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta and other cities gave it life. The extremely talented cast of Hitsville include sexy, expressive Detroit native, Jin Jin Reeves along with two other dynamic female singers, Valerie Davis and Rochelle Townsend and a male quartet, Fairplay who deliver powerful renditions (including costume changes and great moves) of chart topping songs made famous by performers such as The Drifters, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and more. You name it, they sang it…all the old hits that promise to get you singing along and moving your body to the contagious rhythms. Oldies but definitely goodies like “My Guy”, “I’ll Be There”, “Walk Away Renee” are just a few of the hit songs that take you back to another era. As a fan of Motown, I can attest to the fact that these fabulously voiced, energetic performers do the music justice, singing the songs as they were intended to be sung. The original artists would be proud. If you like Motown, and who doesn’t, check out “Hitsville the Show” being presented inside the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton for a limited time. Showtime and dates are 9PM December 25, January 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 and February 4, 5, 11, and 12th. Tickets are $29.95 (plus tax and fees) at the Las Vegas Hilton Box Office or visit www.lvhilton.com , or call 702-732-5755.

Jin Jin Reeves star of "Hitsville"


Fairplay perform in "Hitsville"


Jin Jin Reeves as Tina Turner with Valerie Davis and Rochelle Townsend

From December 12 through December 25, 2006 Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur, in the Tiffany Theatre at the Tropicana Resort & Casino, has added an additional 7 p.m. show to its 2PM and 4PM schedule, as well as a number of fun and festive show elements. Dirk Arthur and his cast of exotic animals and talented dancers welcome the holiday season with new illusions and costumes and a magical appearance by Santa Clause, who will greet audience members and even deliver some gifts. In addition, a new illusion involving a Christmas stocking will take place during the show, seasonal music will play and dancing girls will don red holiday attire. Other special guests are the latest members of Dirk Arthur’s animal family, two three-month-old white striped Bengal tiger cubs and his six-month-old Black Panther, Zorro. Show tickets for Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur are $24.95 plus tax and surcharge for table seating and $29.95 plus tax and surcharge for booth seating. Tickets are available at the Tropicana box office by calling 702-739-2411.

It isn’t yet completed, but the media was recently given a hardhat tour of the upcoming new multi million dollar, state of the art concert venue at the Palms, which is currently under construction with completion followed by a grand opening expected the Spring of 2007. Rock icon Janis Joplin may be smiling down from heaven since the venue has been given the name “The Pearl”, Joplin’s nickname. Co-incidence or not the venue is aptly titled since the amenities offered are expected to make this one of the most fantastic concert venues in the world. Every aspect of the concert theatre has been designed to make certain everyone from production, the performing artists, to the audience and venue employees will experience a live music event like no other. For example, the venue will feature state of the art sound and acoustic engineering, sophisticated lighting systems, and special scalable curtains that allows the room to adjust in size to accommodate 1,100 to 2,400 guests. The floor will allow for a seated concerts or general admission standing room audiences, and with no obstructions the farthest seat from the stage will be only 120 feet away for a more personal performer-to-audience connection. Guests will be able to choose from three levels of seating (with restrooms on each level) as well as 18 private and semi private VIP sky boxes, and the stage will be flanked by two 14 foot by 16 foot video screens for close-up action. In addition, the facility will be hard wired to the Palms recording “Studio” for artists to easily record a live album, plus it has been designed to host live TV programs, sporting events, and award shows. Leave it to George Maloof to up the ante in terms of what Las Vegas has to offer those looking for the best entertainment venue. For enthusiastic concertgoers and A-list artists “The Pearl”, as a venue “gem” will be hard to top.

If you haven’t yet made any plans for New Year’s Eve here are just a few of the fabulous entertainment options to consider for ringing in 2007:

R&B singer Lionel Richie brings his “Coming Home” tour to The Venetian’s 5,000 seat venue for a one-night only New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Richie is will be singing a variety of his classic hits such as “Hello," “All Night Long,” “Dancing On The Ceiling,” “Brick House,” and his latest chart topping hit "I Call It Love". Ticket prices are: $199; $149; $129 and $89 (not including service fees) and can be purchased by calling The Venetian Box Office: 702-414-9000 or visit www.venetian.com . In addition, guests of The Venetian can book a special Lionel Richie New Year’s Eve Concert Package which includes:
• 2 nights in a Venetian Luxury Suite from 12/31/06-1/2/07
• 2 VIP Lionel Richie New Years Eve Concert Tickets
• Complimentary party favors
To book this package, please call (866) 403-8046 and mention code PGLRP6 or go online to www.venetian.com/promo/LionelRichie .

Start the New Year with loads of laughter. Vince Vaughn is bringing his “Wild West Comedy Show” to the Mandalay Bay Theatre. Set to take the stage with Vaughn are a lineup of national comedians from the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles who will do their stand up or appear in sketches, plus special guest stars. Show times are 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Scheduled funnymen are Bret Ernst (Montreal Comedy Festival and Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”), Ahmed Ahmed (MTV’s “Punk’d” and Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd”), Sebastian Maniscalco (HBO’s “New Faces” comedy special and Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”) and John Caparulo (Comedy Central's “Premium Blend” and Montreal Comedy Festival). Tickets for the 6 p.m. performance are priced at $125, $110 and $75 plus tax and fees and tickets for the 10 p.m. performance are $150, $125 and $85 plus tax and fees. Tickets are available at the Mandalay Bay Theatre Box Office or by calling (702) 632-7580.

Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub at T.I. will be rockin the night away with a party hosted by rock guitarist Dave Navarro and turntable legend Grandmaster Flash. Flash brings his signature hip-hop style to ring in 2007 at the only spot on the strip to bring you tasty burlesque with a champagne toast and an unparalleled view of The Strip’s firework display. Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub is waterfront at TI, just north of the resort’s main entrance. Doors open at 9PM. Tickets start at $100. For reservations call (702) 894-7722. For table reservations call (702) 306-7100. For more information, go to www.tangerineclub.com .

Kid Rock is on board to do a rare countdown to 2007 and a DJ set at Jet Nightclub inside the Mirage. Doors open at 10PM. For table reservations call 792-7900.

Performers from Cirque du Soeil will be featured at Light, the nightclub inside the Bellagio. Doors open at 10:30PM, Call 693-8300 for more information.


Pure Nightclub inside Caesar’s Palace is ending 2006 with three nights of celebrity-studded parties. The New Year’s weekend starts off on Friday December 29 with actor Jaret Leto’s birthday celebration and Grandmaster Flash working his magic on the turntables. Saturday, December 30 Nick Lachey will be on hand to host a pre-New year’s eve bash and Sunday, December 31 the newly single ex-Mrs. K-Fed and Paris Hilton’s latest galpal, pop diva, Britney Spears hosts the biggest party of 2006 that includes a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight and a chance to watch the fireworks display from PURE’s 14,000 square-foot terrace that offers a panoramic view of the entire Las Vegas Strip. Advance tickets for New Year’s Eve are $200 and can be purchased by calling 702.474.4000. For VIP Tables call 702.289.2002.

Upcoming “happenings” are as follows:

Tickets are now on sale to see Rod Stewart live, on stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, March 17 at 8 p.m. Stewart, returning to his rock roots will be showcasing songs from his No.1 chart-topping album Still The Same…Great Rock Classics of Our Time that features a number of classic hits from his more than three-decade career. For the first time in more than a decade, Stewart’s stage will be designed in-the-round giving fans an intimate 360-degree view of his energetic performance. Tickets (limited to 8 per person) ranging from $50 to $150 including applicable service charges and taxes are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office and all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com 

Legendary rock band, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts “(I Love Rock n Roll)) will be making a one night only concert appearance on stage inside the Tiffany Theatre at the Tropicana Resort and Casino on Saturday, January 13, 2007. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $49 (plus applicable tax and fees) and are available by calling the Tropicana box office at 702.739.2411 or on line at www.tropicanalv.com.

The Cannery Casino & Hotel celebrates what would have been Elvis Presley’s 72nd birthday with an event on January 5 and 6, 2007, hosted by Elvis expert Steve Christopher. Performers scheduled to appear are Johnny Fortuno and The Stamps Quartet as well as a meet and greet with friends and co-stars of Elvis Presley. Special guests will include Ed Bonja (Elvis’ official photographer and tour manager), Cynthia Pepper (co-star in Kissin’ Cousins) and Darlene Tompkins (co-star in Blue Hawaii). Tickets are $10 at the door and the celebration begins at 8 p.m.

The New American Theatre Project, comprised of actors who trained at the prestigious Guthrie Theatre, and performers from Franco Dragone’s latest creation, Le Reve are presenting their second production, the Las Vegas Premiere of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” by Eric Bogosian, on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 8PM at the Las Vegas Little Theatre. Company co-founders, Wayne Wilson and William Sturdivant also act as co-directors of the play, which provides an interesting display of human nature as various individuals communicate their disposition with both innocence and “no holds barred” enthusiasm. Wake Up and Smell the Coffee will be performed at the Las Vegas Little Theatre inside the Fischer Black Box, 3920 Schiff Drive, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2/9 – l/17 at 3PM and 8PM with two additional matinees on Sunday l/14 and l/21 at 3PM, the closing performance.

Tickets are $20. Call; 702-360-9959 for more information or go on line at www.newamericantheatreproject.com 



I’ll be back next time with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.
You can read all my Vegas Happenings columns and sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter at www.lasvegasroundtheclock.com
 

I’ll be back next time for what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.