Lewis has 65 years in show business and skyrocketed to fame in 1946 when he teamed with Dean Martin for 10 years. They made 16 moneymaking movies between nightclub engagements, personal appearances, and television bookings. Their last film together was "Hollywood or Bust" in 1956.
After being a duo, Lewis kept on the move and recorded several albums. His "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby," an old Al Jolson song, sold 1.4 million copies, more than any of Martin's hits. Lewis at 74 continues his incredible solo career and popularity in Europe. Lewis is also producing remakes of his films: "The Bellboy," "The Errand Boy," "Nutty Professor 2," and "Cinderfella."
Tickets to Lewis' shows are$54.95, $59.95 and $64.95 plus tax, call 702-365-7075.
An added special event this time will be "The Jerry Lewis Filmfest," April 17-19, at the Century Theaters at The Orleans. Monday at 7:30 p.m. "Cinderfella" will be shown and on Wednesday "Errand Boy" will be screened. Tickets for both shows are free.
Tuesday, April 18, is VIP Night and a fund-raiser with Lewis in attendance. There will be a cocktail reception hosted by Mayor Oscar Goodman with a silent auction featuring Jerry Lewis memorabilia at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 9 p.m. Q&A session with the man himself. Tickets are $25 and that includes a 10 percent discount off a ticket to his show in the showroom. A limited number of gold passes are $85 and that includes all three screenings, events, cocktail reception and one ticket to the Jerry Lewis Show in the showroom. For information call 702-365-7075.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) will make its debut at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with three performances, June 8-10. More than 40,000 fans are expected to attend the Copenhagen Cup Finale of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour. Eight PRCA-sanctioned rodeos make up this tour.
The championship event at the MGM will be aired on TNN in two tape-delayed, two-hour shows on June 10 and 11. Tickets are $30, $45, $60 and $150 per performance, call TicketMaster at 702-474-4000.
Legendary rockers Dave Mason and Leon Russell will perform at Sunset Station's Club Madrid on Saturday, April 22, at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $17.50, $22.50 and $27.50 plus tax, call 702-547-777 or visit tickets.com starting April 4.
Mason's nearly 30-year career encompasses producing, performing and writing. He penned "Feelin' Alright," considered a rock `n roll anthem and recorded by over 300 artists, during his tenure with the classic group Traffic. In 1993, he joined Fleetwood Mac and has toured the world.
Russell is a songwriter, producer, arranger and musician, who has created rock classics and tunes as well. He has recorded hit records with many major stars and Englishman Joe Cocker turned Russell's "Delta Lady" into a classic rock staple.
The Golden Boys of Bandstand featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell will headline The Desert Inn, April 14-16. The trio will perform solo and together, singing their own hits and performing musical tributes to Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Bobby Darin and Rick Nelson. Tickets are $55, call 1-800-634-6909 or 702-733-4566. Cocktails, tax and gratuity are not included.
All three gentlemen have had hit songs and made movies. Avalon became popular with his first single, "De De Dinah," and was a full-fledged teen idol with the release of "Venus," one of the biggest hits of the era. Fabian, born Fabian Forte, had recorded dozens of hit singles by age 18 including "Tiger," "I'm A Man" and "Turn Me Loose." Rydell sold more than 25 million records with 34 Top 40 songs including "Volare," "We Got Love" and "Wild One."
Another nostalgic show "The Legends of Motown" starring The Temptations, Freda Payne and The Marvelettes, will play at Caesars Palace April 6-9. Tickets are $65 including tax, pus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 1-800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.
The Temptations are an integral part of Motown history and the group institutionalized The Temptations Walk, a synchronized stylish stage move, that they continue to use today with the last original member Otis Williams at the helm. Payne's big 1970s hit was "Band of Gold." The Marvelettes' million-sellilng debut single was "Please Mr. Postman," followed by more million-sellers "Playboy," "Beachwood 4-5789" and "Don't' Mess With Bill."
Additionally the Stardust has `70s Soul Jam with the Stylistics, the Chi-Lites, the Delfonics and Harold Melvin's Blue Notes performing April 6-8. Tickets for the 9 p.m. shows are $44.95 which includes tax, tip and one beverage.
Gary Wright with a blast from the `70s past is set to perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Sunset Station's club Madrid. Tickets are $15, $17.50 and $22.50 plus tax, call 702-547-7777.
Wright seemed to appear from nowhere when his single "Dream Weaver" hit the charts in 1975, from the platinum-selling album of the same name. He has since composed film scores but received much larger acclaim when the song "Dream Weaver" was used in the film, "Wayne's World" in 1992.
The world's largest show of antique and modern firearms, Western Americana, collectibles and military memorabilia will be held for the first time in Las Vegas, April 28-30, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. After a 22-year run in Los Angeles, the Great Western Show, Inc. will hold two shows annually on the last weekend of April and October. For information, call 949-261-5700.
CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAUGHLIN SEGMENT
>LAST WEEK'S LAS VEGAS SEGMENT
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide