Television talk show superstar Regis Philbin will be headlining in the EFX Theatre at the MGM Grand on Feb. 15 and 16 with a 22-piece orchestra. He will sing, perform his comedy act and lure members of the audience onstage.

Philbin's nationally syndicated "Live with Regis and Kelly," now in its 15th season, originated in 1983 when Philbin created "The Morning Show" for WABC in his native Manhattan. The energetic host took his daytime success to primetime in 1999 with "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

His co-headliner will be actress/singer Lainie Kazan, who recently starred in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Tickets are $60 and $70 inclusive, call (800) 929-1111 or (702) 891-7777.

The Tropicana has a new free bird show starring bird trainer Tiana Carroll at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily except Thursdays in the Tropics Lounge. For information, call 702-739-2222.

Carroll has taught her collection of exotic and rescued birds to demonstrate several human characteristics such a talking, singing, and roller-skating. She has performed her show in several Las Vegas hotels and venues including Mandalay Bay, the former MGM Theme Park, and in "Splash" at the Riviera.

During the 20-mnute show, Mariah, a Green-Winged Macaw is the class clown or "funny fowl," who follows Carroll around all the time. Mango, a Moluccan Cockatoo, talks, rides a motorbike, and roller blades. A Yellow-Nape Amazon, Dorothy, sings "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?," with Meko, a Congo-African Grey Parrot.

Carroll is a member of The Hyacinth Corporation, an organization that rescues abused and neglected birds and places them in permanent homes.

Sevilla is a new multi-level, 585-seat, 35,000-square-foot Spanish-themed steakhouse and Latin Nightclub at Desert Passage inside the Aladdin. The owner is Bart DeLorenzo, who also owns the Sevilla in Denver.

The first floor features seating for the dinner show starring Charo, who was raised in Murcia, Spain. After the dinner show, the seating space is transformed into a nightclub capable of holding 2,000 people.

The second floor has the steakhouse and VIP balcony lounge with bottle service and views of the shopping area below.

Charo is starring in her "Bravo" show eight times a week. Show times are 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices range from $65 for general admission cocktail show seating up to $116 for dinner and VIP seating. Show tickets also include admission to the nightclub following Charo's performances.

The 349-room Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, is a destination golf and spa resort located 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip that is scheduled to open on Feb. 11. The resort has designed two exceedingly opulent Valentine's Day Packages to coincide with its opening and the acclaimed "Diamonds & The Power of Love" exhibit that will be unveiled on Feb. 14 for ten days.

The $95,000 plus tax Valentine's Day Packages include three nights in a 2,400-square-foot suite, a butler, an invite to the private star-studded premier party opening the ten day exhibit, his and hers Bvlgari watches, limo pickup, golf, the spa, breakfast in bed, and a new Mercedes SLK convertible to take home and own.

Piano men Billy Joel and Elton John will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena with their "Face to Face Tour" on March 28 and 29. For more than three decades, John and Joel have captivated fans with their singing and songwriting talents. The Friday and Saturday night joint concerts cost $75, $150 and $300 plus taxes. Call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777 for tickets to shows at the MGM.

Tom Jones, one of music's most enduring personalities, will once again bring his legendary style and an eight-piece band to the MGM Grand in the Hollywood Theatre, Feb. 6-12. Tickets are $70 inclusive.

Jones, 62, is one of the Hollywood Theatre's regular celebrity performers and has been an industry icon for more than 30 years. The Welsh star first burst upon the scene in 1964 with what became one of his signature hits, "It's Not Unusual." He has followed up with such hits at "What's New Pussycat?," "She's a Lady" and "Delilah."

Paul Anka, a legend in the international music industry whose talent transcends five decades, will perform at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, Jan. 27-Feb. 5. Anka's musical compositions are internationally known and have been recorded by the greatest names in the entertainment business. He has achieved unprecedented success in the stage, screen, television and recording industries. Tickets are $70 inclusive.

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Comedian Kevin James, star of the hit CBS series "The King of Queens" that is now in its fifth season, will perform his stand-up act in the Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage, Feb. 15 and 16. "The King of Queen" TV show focuses on James' life in Queens, New York with his wife (Leah Remini).

James got his big break at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival and was cast in a recurring role on the CBS comedy series "Everybody Loves Raymond" starring Ray Romano.

James recently starred in a one-hour comedy special for Comedy Central called "Sweat the Small Stuff." He was also chosen for Entertainment Weekly's "It" List as one of "The 100 Most Creative People in Entertainment." Tickets for his 10:30 p.m. shows at The Mirage are $60.50 inclusive, call (800) 963-9634 or (702) 792-7777.

From China Grill Management, the team behind Red Square, China Grill and rumjungle at Mandalay Bay, has come up with a new concept in French dining. The restaurant Bleu Blanc Rouge is named after the colors of the French flag and offers three distinct Franco American dining experiences from the casual caf‚ bistro fare to the more formal brasserie dining. Blue Blanc Rouge is open daily at Mandalay Bay from 7 a.m. to midnight and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, call 702-632-7405 for information.

The colored awnings delineate the three dining options. The Bleu portion of the 246-seat eatery is designed to recall the charm and ambiance of a French Cafe Bistro with casual breakfast, lunch, dinner and light snacks being served daily.

The French Brasserie dining is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Rouge section, which features a wine bar with over 40 selections of wines by the glass.

Patrons in a rush can grab from the Blanc "to go" patisserie segment with a selection of fine coffees and fresh bakery items.

The Tuscany property, which opened 716 suites in December 2001 on Flamingo near the Strip, has added a new 60,000-square-foot casino with 800 slots and eight table games. Plans to celebrate an official grand opening are in the works after the resort opens its 40,000-square-foot convention center and fast-food court in a couple months.

The Blue Note Las Vegas jazz club that opened in August 2000 next to the Aladdin resort and Desert Passage mall closed recently. Originally it opened as a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and a 500-seat showroom. During its short lived history, the 10,000-square-foot showroom was leased to a musical revue called "Tease," that met with success.

The Imperial Palace Race & Sports Book continues its weekly horseracing handicapping with a "Super Saturdays" promotion that highlights a progressive bonus jackpot that starts at $2,000.

For a $10 entry fee, and a maximum of three entries, contestants get to select one main horse and one alternate horse in either six or eight races on the contest day. At the end, all the players' point totals are tallied for win, place or show, and the top 25 players win cash and/or prizes.

Before the contest begins each week, a target point total is posted. If a contestant's total points exceed the posted target; they win the progressive bonus jackpot. If two or more contestants reach the target number, the highest point total receives the bonus.

The 9,000-seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility being built just north of The Orleans is part of an overall $160 million property expansion. The Orleans Arena will be home base for the Las Vegas Wranglers! hockey team and 7,000 fans. The new structure will open in May with 21-inch wide padded seats, 16 VIP suites and 8,000 "free parking" spaces. Concession stand prices will include $2 hot dogs, $3 beers and $1.50 sodas.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has 24 Four Diamond Award rated hotels and restaurants in Nevada. Two new winners in Las Vegas include the Green Valley Ranch resort in Henderson and the Le Cirque restaurant in Bellagio.

More than 60 AAA inspectors visit nearly 50,000 hotels, restaurants and attractions each year throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Only 3 percent of the hotels and fewer than 4 percent of the restaurants evaluated receive the Four Diamond Award.

The dining recipients in Las Vegas this year include 3950 and Aureole at Mandalay Bay, Michael's at the Barbary Coast, and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

The area's recognized hotels include the Golden Nugget downtown, the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Hilton, Mandalay Bay, Paris Las Vegas, and The Venetian.

The AAA's Five Diamond Award is the highest one given. Bellagio and the Four Seasons are the Strip's two five-diamond hotels; Renoir at The Mirage and Picasso at Bellagio are the five-diamond restaurants.

The Huntridge Theatre reopened its doors last November after going dark for nearly a year. The place is an historical landmark that's almost 60 years old and located in a local area at the corner of Maryland Parkway and Charleston Boulevard. The 1,200-person theater attracts an array of punk and hardcore rock bands. For information, visit the web site - thehuntridge.com.

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