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Playboy Enterprises, Inc. has opened its first freestanding Playboy Concept Boutique in the United States at The Forum Shops at Caesars. The 2,000 square-foot upscale shopping destination, offers a collection of Playboy apparel, accessories and lingerie. The Las Vegas location also offers one-of-a-kind Playboy memorabilia items, select artwork, and vintage product from Playboy's vast archives as well as retail concessions and lingerie areas. This outlet will be used as a template for Playboy's future stores,

Unlike traditional retailers, the Playboy "Concept" boutique emphasizes a design-driven look, inspired by Playboy iconography, such as cufflink-detailed tables and Rabbit Head chairs, enhancing the shopping experience.

Last fall, Playboy also announced a partnership with the Palms Casino Resort and the Nine Group to develop and operate an entertainment destination to be located in the Palms' expansion currently under construction. The Playboy branded destination will open in early 2006.

Rhythm and blues and jazz guitarist George Benson will take center stage at the intimate 400-seat Golden Nugget Theatre Ballroom, June 10-11. Tickets are $75 plus tax, call 702-386-8100 or toll-free 866-946-5336.

Benson's career has spanned more than three decades, produced more than 30 albums and earned eight Grammyrs. Though few people know it, Benson's first recordings were as a 10-year old singing sensation. It wasn't until a few years later - as a member of a vocal group that needed a guitarist - that Benson shifted his focus. Following a featured stint in organist Jack McDuff's trio, Benson began releasing albums as a leader on the Prestige and Columbia labels that were mostly instrumental but dotted with occasional vocal numbers. His renown on guitar overshadowed his singing for many years.

In 1976, after a move to Warner Bros. under the production of Tommy LiPuma, Benson finally broke through as a singer with his crossover smash cover of Leon Russell's "This Masquerade," which sent the album to multi-platinum sales status creating a rare feat for a jazz album.

Country music superstars, Rascal Flatts will bring their "Here's To You Tour" to the Mandalay Bay Events Center with special guest Blake Shelton on Saturday, July 16. Tickets are $36.23, $57.23 and $72.98, call 702-632-7580, call 702-632-7580.

Rascal Flatts brought home their fourth ACM trophy with their consecutive win as Vocal Group of the Year. In 2001, the band won as New Vocal Group. This places them in elite territory with their heroes Alabama as the only other group to achieve the win three times or more. Last September, Rascal Flatts released "Feels Like Today," their first studio album in two years.

Radio & Records Breakthrough Artist of 2001, Blake Shelton, came onto the country scene with his self-titled debut album giving way to two No. 1 singles, "Austin" and "Ol' Red." Shelton has since released "The Dreamer," which earned him another No. 1 single, "The Baby," and his latest album, "Barn & Grill," featuring the hit single "Some Beach."

Journey, recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, will perform in concert at the 7,000-seat Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Friday, Aug. 5, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $65, $55 and $35 plus tax and service charges; call Ticketmaster at 702-474-4000.

The 30th anniversary celebration of the 1975 release of Journey's self-titled debut album includes a U.S. tour, dubbed "The concert that takes you back... and into the future." The concert event will be complete with fantastic visual and audio flashbacks from the band's entire career.

In March of this year, Journey finished recording their highly anticipated 13th studio album, "Generations." As a sign of gratitude to devoted fans who helped put Journey in the top 30 best-selling music groups of all time having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, copies of the "Generations" CD will be given away free with the purchase of a ticket at most concerts on the tour, including the Las Vegas show. In an interesting twist, "Generations" will be the first Journey album in which all the band members get a shot at being the front man.

After opening a distribution warehouse in London during the first quarter of this year, Las Vegas Web-based Penguin Magic has opened its first "physical touch point" kiosk located at the Fremont Street Experience next to Binion's. The "magic shop on wheels" gives customers the chance to experience Penguin's innovative magic tricks and toys firsthand everyday from noon until midnight.

This month, British Columbia, Canadian Jason Scott was the first international winner of the Imperial Palace's two-year-old "Be A Legend" - Celebrity Impersonator Karaoke Contest. Impersonating Neil Diamond, he beat 18 other contestants and walked away with the grand prize of $750 and an audition with the "Legends In Concert" show.

Willie Ray of Las Vegas as James Brown won second place and $500; Lenne Ray of Clackamas, Ore., won $250 as Tim McGraw; Thurston Watts of Los Angeles and Rod Marshall of Compton, Calif., each won $100 as the Stylistics and Willie Nelson respectively.

The quarterly contest is open to the public. The next contest will be held Aug. 18, call 702-794-3114 for information.

World class Arturo Fuenter brand cigars has opened their first licensed store, Casa Fuente, inside of the Forum Shops at Caesars. Patrons encounter an intimate smokers' environment with an indoor patio and seating for 65 and a full service bar. The Cuban influenced shop is layered with mosaic tile and has Fuente family picture murals.

Word is the Ferrari Maserati dealership at Wynn Las Vegas is one of the hottest attractions at the resort, with waiting lines and brisk sales.

OPM at the Forum Shops celebrated its two-year anniversary on May 19 with a party.

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