Las Vegas is lucky to have "Smokey Joe's Cafe," starring Gladys Knight, playing at Caesars Palace on selected dates through June 11. About another 30 performances are scheduled in April, May and June. Most showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. with additional 10 p.m. performances on certain dates. Most tickets are $50; certain performances are $60, call 1-800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

"Smokey Joe's Cafe" is hot off a five-year Broadway run. The musical won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Musical and was nominated for seven 1995 Tony Awards. The show captures and celebrates the contagious spirit of the music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who have been writing songs together for more than 40 years.

The songs they've written make up a music album of hit parade golden oldies. Some of the tunes on this memorable journey include: "Poison Ivy," "D.W. Washburn," "Charlie Brown," "Yakety Yak," "Love Potion # 9," "On Broadway," and "There Goes My Baby."

This writing team combined their efforts with Elvis Presley to make "Hound Dog" a household word. Over several years, Elvis recorded more than 20 songs written by Leiber and Stoller. The two songwriters have been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, the Record Producers Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"Smokey Joe's Cafe" is not a musical play with a plot. It is, however, an uplifting musical experience brought to life by an extraordinary ensemble cast of singers who embrace the stage with well executed dance movements and power packed song delivery.

At the head of the ensemble is the incomparable Gladys Knight, who actually integrates with the group most of the time. She does take her turn in the spotlight to bring down the house with a dramatic rendition of "I (Who Have Nothing)."

One member of the group is none other than Knight's brother Bubba who was a longtime member of the Pips. There isn't one weak link in the assembled team chosen to deliver a diverse, mood-setting, stream of songs because Leiber and Stoller created enduring classics in a variety of genres, including rhythm and blues, pop, jazz, cabaret, and rock `n' roll. To miss this show is to miss a glorious time in your life.

The masterful Barry Manilow accompanied by a full orchestra will headline five shows in the 1,700-seat Mandalay Bay Theatre, May 25-28. This artist has released 30 albums to date with his latest being, "Manilow Sings Sinatra," which was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Manlow's concerts celebrate his amazing catalog of music. His show "Manilow Live!" will include his classics "Copacabana," "Mandy," "Even Now," "This One's For You," "Weekend in New England," "I Write the Songs," and "Tryin' To Get The Feelin' Again." This pop superstar's career has included every facet of music...performing, composing, arranging and producing.

Tickets for Manilow's shows are $55 and $70, call 877-632-7400 or 702-632-7580.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, May 27. Tickets are $37.50 and $67.50 and went on sales April 1, call 702-474-4000.

Tony Bennett, whose music has transcended generations, since he appeared with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a 1993 MTV Video Awards ceremony, will headline at Caesars Palace, April 13-16.

The nine-time Grammy Award winner won his most recent one this year on Feb. 23, for Best Traditional Pop Music Performance. His most recent album, "Bennett Sings Ellington/Hot and Cool," is a tribute to the master composer, celebrating Ellington's centennial anniversary.

Bennett's first show business break came in 1949, when Bob Hope heard him audition for a Pearl Bailey review and invited the fledgling singer to perform with him at the Paramount Theatre. A year later, Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller auditioned him, and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" became his first hit.

Tickets to see the man best known for the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" are $65 and $75 plus a $3 ticket-handling fee and tax is included, call 1-800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

Award winning comedian Jeff Foxworthy will bring his trademark redneck jokes to the Las Vegas Hilton Theater, April 28-30. Many folks know him from starring in his own show, "The Jeff Foxworthy Show," for two seasons on NBC or from his many best-selling CDs and books. Foxworthy has sold 11 million records in only six years.

Tickets to see Foxworthy perform his "hick schtick" are $50, call 1-800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

Versatile Susan Anton will return to The Starlight at The Desert Inn on April 12, with her 70-minute show and nine-piece orchestra. She performs Wednesday through Sunday, at 8 p.m. each night except on Saturday when she does two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. Admission if free.

Anton is always on the move flitting between television, theater, film, recording and concerts. She can be seen in the upcoming motion picture "New Jersey Turnpikes," starring Kelsey Grammer.

For three seasons, she portrayed the role of Jackie Quinn on the popular series, "Baywatch. She can also be seen in two series on the Travel Channel, "Sail Away with Susan Anton" and "Las Vegas!," a series produced by Anton and her husband, Jeff Lester. In the recording arena she's had hit tunes and has a Gold Record in Japan for her mega-hit album, "Foxy."

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Jack Jones and Phyllis Diller are a combo billing booked into the 950-seat Wayne Newton Theater at the Stardust, April 11-15. Tickets are $44.95 per person which includes tax, tip and one beverage, call 702-732-6325.

Penn & Teller, "The Bad Boys of Magic," will return to the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, April 13-26. When the two first met in1974, the cultural tastes of the two men were as different as their physical stature. Over the course of the past 24 years, this diverse team has established itself as the world's pre-eminent comedy-magic duo.

Penn & Teller continue to tour nationally and do television shows. They have even authored three best selling books including How To Play With Your Food. Tickets for their shows at the MGM Grand are $37.50 plus tax, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-892-7777.

The free "Noche de Ritmo" series featuring Latin rhythms at Palace Station continues every Sunday in April from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Sound Trax nightclub. Sergio Alberti will keep the Latin beat strong on April 9 and 16, followed by the group Latin Breeze on April 23 and 30.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 19, at 7 p.m., The Flamingo Hilton will start hosting a weekly series of Wine Workshops in Conrad's restaurant.

International wine expert George Truby, editor of the Los Angeles Times' Savvy Diner and palate consultant to wine producers on three continents, will conduct the programs and lead off with an in-depth look and tasting of Champagne. Truby founded The Wine Workshop in New York City and is a prolific writer on the subject for publications internationally. He also won the Prix du Lanson for excellence in journalism from Decanter Magazine in 1998.

The workshops will continue weekly on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Also scheduled are six-session French and Italian courses complete with certification. Call 702-240-6697 for schedules, prices and reservations.

The Rio Resort and the 18-hole championship Rio Secco Golf Club were recently named one of the world's "Top 10 Golf Resorts" in USA Today. The selection was made by the editors of USA Today and Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine.

Such a distinction is nothing new to the Rio Secco Golf Club, having previously received "Top Ten Course" recognition from Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. The gold course is home to the legendary Butch Harmon School of Golf, famous for such talents as Tiger Woods and Davis Love III. For golf reservations, call 1-888-TOSECCO.

Truly sorry to learn the Friday evening "Vegas Live Tonight," starring Buddy Greco and singer Lezlie Anders at the Flamingo Hilton has been cancelled. The music and dancing were fun for all who attended.

Another closing on April 1, was "Marriage Can Be Murder" at the Showboat. However, the show will reopen on April 13, at a new location - 4533 W. Sahara Ave. By morning this address is the Egg and I restaurant. Every Thursday and Friday night at 7 p.m., and Saturday night at 6 and 9 p.m., the restaurant will be a theater for an extended run of this show. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax and tip and one non-alcoholic beverage is included, call 702-616-3322.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently did its first spa poll and asked 6,000 readers to rate spas in North America and the Caribbean in two categories: Resort Spas and Destination Spas. Resort spas are defined as those resorts where activities in addition to the spa facility are available and are as much of a draw to clientele as the spa. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian in Las Vegas tied for eight place in the resort category. The results are in the April issue of the Magazine.

As part of a two-month special exhibit of artist Salvador Dali's artwork, the Las Vegas Art Museum will present "An Evening of Flamenco: The Art of Life" at 7 p.m. on April 15.

The event will feature a five-member ensemble of musicians performing a 90-minute program reflective of Dali's Spanish heritage. Flamenco guitarist, Michael Olden, whose song titles are inspired by Dali's life and works, will lead the group. In addition, there will be a flameno dancer and gypsy snake dancers adding ambiance. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Admission to the Dali art exhibit, which runs through April 30, is $10, call 702-360-8000.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited will keep classic rock alive on April 28, at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay. Tickets are$25, $35 and $45.

The Liberace Museum at 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. will celebrate its 21st anniversary on April 15 by offering free concerts, prizes and special discount admissions. Local bands will perform free in the parking lot from noon to 4 p.m. Entrance to the museum is free to everyone 21 and older with proper ID.

The Liberace Museum is a key funding arm for The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, which has awarded more than $3.8 million in scholarship grants for the arts. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Donations to the museum are $6.95 for adults, $4.95 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12 with an adult. For information, call 702-798-5595.

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