Due to the tremendous success of his latest album in England, Engelbert Humperdinck has changed his performance dates at the Las Vegas Hilton to July 11-16. Humperdinck's album "At His Very Best" is at the number 10 spot and plans for a European release of the album are being accelerated.

In 1990, it was estimated that Humperdinck had earned 58 Gold records, 18 Platinum albums, and several Grammy Awards. Tickets to see his Hilton shows are $55 and $65, call 1-800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

The last week in April, many Las Vegas shows and a hotel celebrated landmark occasions. "The Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular" starring the Rockettes celebrated 3,000 performances at the Flamingo Hilton, The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana marked its ten year anniversary, and the famous Desert Inn had a grand gala honoring its 50th birthday. "Notre Dame de Paris" also marked its 100 performance at Paris on April 29.

It was an honor to be among the invited guests at a private black tie party in the Crystal Showroom commemorating the Las Vegas Strip's fifth resort turning fifty. Among the stars in attendance were Tony Curtis, Buddy Greco and wife Lezlie Anders, Keeley Smith, Rich Little, Dick Van Patten, and Lanie Kazan who may well be back in the Las Vegas spotlight soon.

The showroom was elegantly decorated and a five course dinner was served. The interesting touch was the meal was the original menu that was served on April 24, 1950, at the opening gala of Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn. Just so you can answer a trivia question the meal featured: Louisiana Prawn Cocktail, French Onion Soup, Endive Salad, Baked Baby Lobster Thermidor & Filet Mignon, and Chocolate Malted Milk Cake.

After dinner Lorna Luft did a stirring concert tribute to her late mother, Judy Garland, and poolside fireworks capped off the festivities.

But the topper to everything was four days later the announcement was made that Mirage Resorts owner, Steve Wynn had reached an agreement to purchase the Desert Inn for $270 million. The transaction is expected to close June 30, and Wynn and his wife, Elaine, will be the only shareholders. They will own the Desert Inn, its golf course, which is the only left one on The Strip, and a 32-acre vacant land parcel. Wynn's eventual plans for the property remain unknown but the prospects are exciting everyone.

Those of us who were privy to the ten year anniversary show of the Comedy Stop At The Trop enjoyed a one-time only show of marathon comedic proportions. The reason was 16 comedians provided laughs for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Time flew by because every comedian stimulated continuous laughter. You could call it a "side-splitting" night.

Bob Kephart owns the Las Vegas Comedy Club that he opened in 1990 after having successfully opened his original club in Atlantic City in 1983. Kephart himself is a very outrageous and funny individual. He has an innate ability to discover talent and has helped launch the careers of Rosie O'Donnell, Tim Allen, Ray Romano, Drew Carey, and many more. Both of his comedy clubs have received many honors and awards and audiences are always assured of seeing top notch comedians ascending the ladder of success. Congratulations Bob Kephart and "thanks" for the good times.

The Rockettes, the famous high-kicking dance precision team, have dominated the Flamingo Hilton's Showroom since their show opened on Feb. 5, 1995. Embellishing the Radio City Music Hall shows are specialty acts such as Nino Frediani, a solo comedy juggling act, and Frozen In Time, a trio of live silver statute gymnasts who move in slow motion to create living art.

There is always a star and emcee in the show and the current show stopper is zany Rip Taylor. His zippy one-liner jokes and ingenuous props never fail to create laughter.

An interesting note about the Flamingo Hilton's Showroom is it has the last remaining dinner show. The 7:45 p.m. dinner performance is nightly except Friday and there's a 10:30 p.m. cocktail show on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, call 702-733-3333.

The 10th Annual Epicurean Affair, which is the opening night gala for the 21st Annual Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant (LVIH&R) Show, will be held at the Rio's new Pavilion on June 14. Entitled, Epicurean Affair 2000: "An Olympian Odyssey," the 7:30 p.m. event will be a dine-around affair that is open to the public.

Epicurean Affair 2000 will showcase approximately 60 Las Vegas restaurants and resorts serving an array of house specialties. There will also be an "Iron Chef" demonstration, a cigar lounge and entertainment by Earl Turner and live DJs. Tickets are $100 per person if ordered by June 12, and $125 after June 12 and at the door. To purchase tickets call the Nevada Restaurant Association at 702-878-2313.

The MGM and New York-New York resorts have taken the local industry lead by opening a check-in desk at McCarran Airport's baggage claim area. Possible transactions at the welcome counter include walk up reservations, check in and check out service, and purchasing show tickets. For a $10 fee, the company will supply transportation to either resort, and get the luggage to the guest's hotel room within an hour.

Two doors down from the MGM Grand's booth, Park Place Entertainment Corp. has secured space to open a check-in center in September. Both corporations have signed five-year leases.

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The Bay Rock beach outdoor concert series is returning this year to the Mandalay Bay Beach stage, where concert-goers are invited to bring their blankets and sit on the beach or wade into the surf and listen to the music from the famous 1.6 million gallon wavepool. The stage is set in an 11-acre beach environment. Bay Rock's other sponsors include 97.1 Point radio and Miller Genuine Draft.

The lineup for the 8:30 p.m. concerts are Toto on May 26, Cheap Trick on July 3, and Hall & Oates on July 21.

Toto kicks off the series. The band's current album "Mindfields" has already produced two singles... "Mad About You" and "Melanie." Tickets for Toto are $25 in advance and $28.50 the day of the show, call 702-474-4000 to charge by phone.

The Imperial Palace is offering the "Five-Star Friendly" Special vacation package from May 29 through Aug. 31. The $20 per person, per night (based on double occupancy) is valid Sunday through Thursday.

The limited-time room deal includes a free Emperor's Buffet dinner; free $5 blackjack match play; free "Scratch Slotto" card, with a chance to win up to $5,000; free eight-spot Keno ticket with prizes up to $2,000; and a free car rental day- rent for three days and the third day free, when you rent from the Thrifty Car Rental booth on the casino's main floor.

A bonus with this package is a vacation certificate good for one night's free stay between Nov. 19 and Dec. 21, when staying a minimum of three nights. To book the "Five Star Friendly" Special call 1-800-634-6441 or your travel agent. Learn more about the Imperial Palace at www.imperialpalace.com.

The Monte Carlo has a newly-remodeled spa and suites. The $3 million upgrade of The Spa at Monte Carlo enlarged the treatment area from 9,123 square feet to 12,650 square feet, and expanded the gym from 1,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet.

The spa's cozy and intimate atmosphere is the result of furnishings selected from across the globe. The gym has new state-of-the-art exercise equipment and free weights. The Spa now carries the distinction of being an "Official Reebok Facility."

The Monte Carlo's suites have had a $2 million upgrade. The refurbishing consists of adding a two-person Jacuzzi with a Strip view to many suites, a wet bar, an extended marble entrance, upgraded carpeting, king beds and deluxe mattresses, new art, additional closet space, a glass-enclosed steam/shower room, remote control lighting, window coverings and a special armoire featuring a complete music and video system. For more information, call 1-800-311-8999.

Fresh off a reunited tour with her mother Naomi Judd, Wynonna is returning to the Las Vegas Hilton stage as a solo act, May 19-21. Her newly released album "New Day Dawning," is gaining momentum.

At age 36, Wynonna has sold an incredible nine million records since going solo in 1992, and also sold 20 million records as half of the mother-daughter singing team...The Judds. Their duo first release was in 1984.

Tickets to see Wynonna Judd at the Las Vegas Hilton are $55 and $65, call 1- 800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

Neil Sedaka, the 60 year old youthful international superstar, will grace The Orleans Showroom this week, May 9-14. His first international hit as a songwriter came with "Stupid Cupid" which was recorded by Connie Frances. By 1963, Sedaka had sold some 25 million records.

Sedaka has written many memorable tunes such as "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Laughter In The Rain," and "Love Will Keep Us Together." Tickets for his 8 p.m. shows are $29.95, $34.95 and $39.95 plus taxes, call 702-365-7075.

The El Rancho resort at the north end of The Strip has been sitting abandoned and in disrepair for the past eight years. There may soon be encouraging news if Turnberry Associates, the Miami company developing a 750-unit, $60 million high-rise luxury condominium project behind the El Rancho acquires the property. If they purchase the 52-year old property, it will immediately meet with demolition.

Jimmy Hopper who has been a hit at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio has moved to Ra in the Luxor. He's added two members to his band, a larger stage and a lighting designer. His nearly 90-minute shows run Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

If you enjoy the sax, mark Saturday, May 20, on your calendar. That's when world-renowned sax players Boney James and Jonathan Butler will perform t 8 p.m. shows at Sunset Station's outdoor amphitheater. Tickets are $20, $25, and $30 to see James and Butler, call 702-547-7777.

James has recorded five chart-topping Warner Bros. Records, earned a Soul Train Music Award, and many more recognitions. Butler, a South African, rocketed to international fame in the mid-1980s when he recorded "If You're Ready," a duet with Ruby Turner. His self-titled album went gold and produced the Grammy-nominated hit "Lies."

Next Friday, May 12, the legendary band WAR will headline at 7 and 9 p.m. at Sunset Station's Club Madrid. WAR began in the turbulent 1960s when college students were demanding "peace" in anti-Vietnam War Protest. WAR has sold over 23 million records. Their 18th major label album, "Peace Sing," re-enforces the band's status as relevant in today's music industry. Tickets are $17.50, $22.50 and $27.50 plus tax, call 702-547-7777.

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