The boarded up Silver City Casino on the Las Vegas Strip has been sold after two years of being closed. The building will be replaced by the ninth and largest Ross Dress For Less store in the valley. The most recent past owner had intended to build a San Francisco-themed resort but couldn't get a gaming licensed.
While the temperature in Las Vegas is heating up, the Tropicana offers a solution to cooling off while continuing to play blackjack. The Tropicana's Swim-Up Blackjack is located in the indoor section of the main pool. The season will start on Saturday, May 25, with two separate blackjack tables accommodating up to seven players each. The card game action will take place daily from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For the convenience of the game players in the water, towels are handy to keep the players' hands and chips dry. Plus, the dealers have money dryers, so guests don't have to worry about soggy cash.
Close by the aquatic card tables is the Tropics Bar featuring traditional "tropical" drinks, Green Parrots in souvenir mugs, and personal favorite drinks served in a souvenir showgirl yardstick or a Tropicana football.
The Tropicana's 12,000-square-foot, free-form main heated pool is open from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. during the season which runs from April 1 - Oct. 31. The adult Lagoon Pool is open 24-hours a day through the same dates, weather permitting.
Private cabanas are available for rent to registered hotel guests. Cabanas include cable TV, a refrigerator, telephone, portable mister, ceiling fan, private dressing room, chaise lounges, chairs, a table, and a complimentary fruit basket. Room service and cocktail service are available. The rental fee for a whole day is $75 on weekdays and $95 for weekends.
The Harry James Orchestra directed by Art Depew, a one-time protege of trumpet star James, will play for dancing at the Stardust on May 25, from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $15. The orchestra is officially licensed by James' estate and features arrangements from the bands led by James during his more than 40 years as a dance band maestro.
James was a Las Vegas resident from 1960 until his death in 1983 and spent much of his career starring in local showrooms and lounges.
James hired Depew in 1953 after he serving his apprenticeship in bands led by Bob Chester, Horace Heidt, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. He played in the James band five years and took over as the band's lead in 1988.
Future big band bookings at the Stardust include the Billy May Orchestra on June 15, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra on Aug. 3, Les Brown's Band of Renown on Oct. 19 and Ray Anthony and his Orchestra on Nov. 16.
Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems Tour" is scheduled at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday, May 26. The show will also feature Montgomery Gentry, Jamie O'Neal and Phil Vassar. Tickets are $30, $40 and $55, call 702-632-7580.
Chesney is launching his first major headlining tour in support of his latest release, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems." This is happening after back-to-back platinum records "Everywhere We Go" and "Greatest Hits."
The duo Montgomery Gentry upset the longest winning streak in the history of Country Music Association when they ended Brooks & Dunn's nine-year stranglehold on "Duo of The Year." Their hit singles include, "Hillbilly Shoes," "Lonely & Gone," "Cold One Comin' On," and "She Couldn't Change Me."
In the year 2001, Jamie O'Neal's debut album, "Shiver," sold over 500,000 copies, making her the best-selling new artist that year. O'Neal's accolades in 2001 included, Billboard Music's "Top New Country Artist" and the Academy of Country Music's "Top New Female Vocalist."
Singer/songwriter Phil Vassar has released hit singles such as "Carlene" and "Just Another Day In Paradise," and had his songs sung by such industry greats as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina and Alan Jackson.
The New Orleans-based family band, The Neville Brothers will headline in the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater, May 30-June 1. The five-time Grammy Award winners recorded their first album together in 1978 after each brother had been enjoying individual success. Tickets are $29.95 plus tax, call 702-732-6325.
In 1989, the four Neville Brothers won the "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" Grammy for the song "Healing Chant." The Group's trophy case also includes Aaron's Grammys for duets with Linda Ronstadt and Trisha Yearwood and the Grammy awarded to Art when he teamed with B.B. King, Eric Clapton and others to record "SRV Shuffle."
The newest Las Vegas Harley-Davidson store opened at New York-New York on May 17. The 3,000-square-foot retail store replaced Marshall-Rousso on Park Avenue near the escalators leading up to Coyote Ugly. Harley-Davidson will begin its 100th anniversary celebration in July and specialty logo items will be available at the new location beginning in late summer.
Craftsteak, the new steakhouse at the MGM Grand will open at the end of June. It will take over the space formerly occupied by the Brown Derby restaurant that closed in March. The MGM Grand will own the eatery.
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