MGM Mirage has announced that the company will open two new Cirque du Soleil shows at New York-New York in 2003 and at the MGM Grand in 2004.

The first show will be a more adult-themed production described as "sensual, exotic, and provocative." It will debut at New York-New York in July 2003 in the 1,000-seat Broadway Theatre that will be remodeled after "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" closes at the end of this month.

The second show will replace "EFX Alive!" at the MGM after that show closes next March. The new show will be five-dimensional and really challenge perception.

Steve Wynn who is developing Le Reve on the Desert Inn site has all along been saying that he is planning on having a Cirque du Soleil show, which would make number six. Celine Dion's new show opening next March at Caesars Palace will also be a Cirque du Soleil production along with the existing shows, "O" at Bellagio and "Mystere" at Treasure Island.

The Flamingo Las Vegas has two projects planned - a Margaritaville Cafe and entertainment complex and a "Baywatch"-themed restaurant, show and nightclub.

The resort is partnering with singer Jimmy Buffett, whose song "Margaritaville" has come to symbolize a life of leisure. The Margaritaville complex will feature a Key West and Caribbean-inspired multi-level restaurant, bar and live music stage scheduled to open in 2003.

Michael Berk, the executive producer of "Baywatch" is leasing more than10 acres of the Flamingo's $57 million pool area that was remodeled in 1993 to redecorate it in the new theme by the July 4 weekend. The Flamingo Grille has closed and will be remodeled as the Baywatch Beach Club with a sit-down menu. The Grotto Bar will become the Venice Beach Grill. Other elements will include a seasonal outdoor luau show and a "Baywatch Nights" nightclub.

The Rio has announced plans to add five new food and beverage outlets over the course of the third and fourth quarters in 2002. In actuality, the resort will be adding one new restaurant, replacing three others with new tenants and opening a nightclub. The additional outlets will result in a total of 17 restaurants on the property.

The following will be the new dining establishments that will open by the end of the year.

Rosemary's is a local favorite serving American cuisine with a French influence. This will be its second location taking over the space previously known as Napa Restaurant.

Gaylord India Restaurant is an award-winning concept that has been a mainstay in San Francisco for more than 20 years. This will be its first eatery in Las Vegas occupying the space adjacent to the Rio's high limit gaming area, with an entrance near Fiore Steakhouse.

Hamada of Japan is another family-owned Las Vegas landmark. It will take over the space that was "Mask." Hamada will serve its trademark Japanese cuisine, highlighted by a sushi bar, tappan room and lounge area.

J.W.'s Tavern will open in the space currently known as Mama Marie's Cucina. It will serve casual tavern-style food and drinks in a warm ambience reminiscent of Europe's rich pub culture and be operated by award-winning chef Joe Romano of Aureole fame.

Frey Entertainment will bring a new 11,000-square-foot nightclub and bar concept to the Rio. Construction has begun for this venture, which will be housed in the previous Rio Bamba Lounge. Frey's first Las Vegas project is Coyote Ugly at New York-New York.

Rush will bring their North American "Vapor Trails" tour to the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, Sept. 21. The tour will be the group's first live performance since July 1997. Tickets are $35, $57 and $82.50, call 1-702-474-4000.

The legendary trio's return to the road follows the May 14 release of their new album, "Vapor Trails," which is their first all-new studio collection in more than five years. The album's first single, "One Little Victory," quickly became the most-added track in all three rock formats, mainstream, active and heritage. "Vapor Trails" is Rush's 17th studio recording and all of the trio's 22 albums have been certified RIAA gold-or-better. They have accumulated worldwide sales of more than 35 million.

The theatrical concert "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" in The Showroom at The Venetian features a series of visiting headliners who rotate every four to six weeks. They perform with a cast of eight Broadway-caliber performers and a ten-piece band. Melissa Manchester and Peabo Bryson are the current headliners through July 13.

Manchester is currently writing her 16th album and celebrating two decades of performing. She has also completed composing and recording the score for "Lady and the Tramp II," the sequel to the beloved Walt Disney classic.

Bryson's 25 music career has made him a two-time Grammy Award winning legend with 20 albums to his credit. He has the distinction of being the first artist in music history to have separate records topping four different charts.

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The Tropicana's new promotion "Chicken Challenge" has to put a smile on your face. The promotion has been a hit in Atlantic City since it was launched at the Tropicana about nine months ago. Customers who become slot members at the casino can play one game of tic-tac-toe per day against a chicken named "Ginger." Customers who beat the chicken win $10,000. Only five winners have claimed the prize so far in Atlantic City. The chicken will be on hand for at last a year, possibly longer if it proves successful.

Aerosmith will kick off its North American tour on Aug. 13 and make a stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 9. Kid Rock and Run-DMC will also be on the bill.

Aerosmith's double-disc Columbia hits collection, "O, Yeah! - Ultimate Aerosmith Hits," is due out on July 2. One of its two new tracks, "Girls of Summer," was No. 26 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart a week ago.

Trent Carlini will bring "The Dream King," his musical tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, to the Le Bistro Theatre at the Riviera beginning June 25. Carlini will guide audiences through one of the most famous career's in show business history.

In 1998, Carlini won the worldwide competition in Montreal, for the best Elvis look and sound alike and performance, drawing perfect voting scores. He's been a headliner at the Boardwalk Casino, the Las Vegas Hilton and in "Legends in Concert" at the Imperial Palace and made many television appearances.

"The Dream King" plays Tuesday through Sunday at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are$34.95 plus tax and fee, call 702-794-9433 or 1-877-DRMKING. Carlini's Web site is www.thedreamking.com.

The Las Vegas Hilton is starting Summer Sizzle Pool Parties this weekend and will offer them again July 19-20 and Aug. 16-17. For $206, guests can get a package deal with two nights accommodations, two tickets to the Summer Sizzle Pool Party, two vouchers for the buffet and two tickets to the entertainer performing in the Hilton Theater that weekend. For reservations, call 1-800-732-7117.

Summer Sizzle Pool Party tickets can be purchased separately for $25.40. The parties will take place on July 20 and Aug. 17 from noon to 10 p.m. and offer live entertainment and free food and beverages, call 1-800-222-5361. From noon until 6 p.m. there will be a DJ playing hits and a live performance by Conched Out from 6 to 10 p.m. Additionally, there will be a craziest shirt contest and a limbo competition with a $500 top prize.

The Bay Rock summer beach concert series held at the Mandalay Bay Beach Stage in the pool area has Meat Loaf scheduled for July 4 and Cheap Trick following on July 5. For information, call 1-877-632-7580.

Soft-rockers Air Supply along with guest Shari Short will return to the Orleans Showroom, July 4-7. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock began their partnership and turned out a string of seven Top 5 singles between 1980 and 1982. Tickets are $34.95, $39.95 and $44.95 plus tax, call 702-365-7075.

Another Coast property, the Suncoast located about 30 to 40 minutes from the Strip, has lined up "Hello Dere" starring Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell to headline in its showroom. Tickets $19.95, $24.95 and $29.95 plus tax, call 702-636-7075.

During the 1950s, Allen worked many of the top nightclubs opening for such stars as Sarah Vaughan, Eydie Gorme and Nat King Cole. It was during this time that he became part of the legendary comedy team of Allen & Rossi.

That association produced a string of hit comedy albums, dozens of television appearances, including 40 visits on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the theatrical motion picture "The Last of the Secret Agents." His friendly "Hello Dere" greeting is known throughout the world.

Blackwell met Allen in the mid-80s, when the two began performing together, combining her music and his comedy. As a musician, Blackwell can pound out a rock 'n' roll song on the piano Jerry Lee Lewis-style or make an old-fashioned ragtime tune really swing. Some of the songs she sings are her own compositions like the "Wedding Vows." She's recorded several albums.

The World Market Center is a proposed $1 billion, 7.5-million-square-foot furniture mart expected to debut downtown in the first half of 2004. Forty-four accessories-oriented manufacturers have committed to leases. Developers expect groundbreaking for the complex's first phase to come this winter.

Palazzo Ristorante is a new eatery at the Tuscany hotel at 255 E. Flamingo Road. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and dinner from 5:30 to 11 p.m. For information, call 702-893-8933.

After four months of location shooting in Las Vegas, MTV's 12th edition of "The Real World" has left the city. The pioneering realty show was headquartered at the Palms since mid-February with the show's seven cast members working and living in a specially converted group of rooms on the hotel's 28th floor.

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