Melinda, the "First Lady of Magic," has returned to Las Vegas with a new magic show at the Venetian after four years of touring 60 cities and working stints in Branson and Atlantic City. Her show in the Showroom operates independently from the hotel. She shares the stage with two other shows: impressionist Andre-Phillipe Gagnon and a revue, "Nebulae - The Lifeforce." Welcome home Melinda!

MGM Mirage has signed a deal with The Phillips Collection art museum of Washington, D.C., to hold a six-month exhibition of classic art works beginning Sept. 1, at Bellagio's Museum of Fine Art. The exhibit will feature 26 pieces of art by such famous artists as Picasso, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh. The Bellagio's museum was closed this past spring in the days leading up to the MGM Grand's purchase of the Mirage Resorts.

Earth Wind & Fire will be performing four shows in the 1,700-seat Mandalay Bay Theatre, Aug. 17-20. The Wednesday, Aug. 16 performance has been cancelled while a show has been added on Sunday, Aug. 20. Tickets for the Wednesday performance can be refunded and/or changed at the location where they were purchased. Tickets are $50 and $65 plus tax, call 1-877-632-7400.

Founded almost three decades ago, Earth Wind & Fire are still known for their theatrical, elaborate high energy live shows. This yeart he group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Welsh singing star Tom Jones will headline the 650-seat Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand, Aug. 10-23. He's been an music industry icon for more than 30 years since he burst upon the scene in 1964 with one of his signature tunes, "It's Not Unusual."

Jones' latest album "Reload," has sold more than 3 million copies since its release in September 1999. "Reload" is a diverse collection of duets with artists from both the United Kingdom and America. The album debuted at Number One and achieved that status twice more in the succeeding months in the UK, garnering quadruple platinum sales; honors of double platinum sales in Germany and Australia have also been awarded.

In April 2000, Jones was seen on the new VH-1 special, "Men Strike Back," which was billed as the male answer to the two "Divas" specials. Tickets to see Jones are $60 inclusive, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

On Sept. 21, "An Evening At La Cage" starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers, will celebrate its 15th anniversary at the Riviera Hotel. Tommy Chong will make his first appearance at the Riviera on Sept. 1-3, with co-star Bobcat Goldthwait.

"Notre Dame de Paris" closed at Paris last week. The pop musical based on the Victor Hugo saga known as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" opened last January.

Caesars Palace will feature the Legends of Motown show starring The Temptations, Freda Payne and The Marvelettes, Aug. 24-27. Tickets are $65 including tax, plus a $3 ticket-handling fee, call 1-800-445-4544 or 702-731-7333.

The Temptations continue their tradition of featuring five masculine voices harmonizing along with the famous synchronized, stylish stage move called The Temptations Walk. In 1998, their "Phoenix Rising" album sold nearly two million copies, making it their most successful project.

"Ear Resistible" is the Temptations new contemporary album of love songs. Otis Williams, the leader and last original member of The Temptations, co-wrote five songs for the new album.

In November 1998, NBC-TV aired "The Temptations," the turbulent life story of the group that was a cornerstone of Motown's spectacular success. The mini-series expanded their fan base.

Freda Payne, whose 1970s hit, "Band of Gold," brought her international prominence. The Marvelettes' million-selling debut single, "Please Mr. Postman," also helped create the Motown sound.

Kenny G will play the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Sept. 30.

The Monte Carlo Pub & Brewery has received status as one of the top five brewpubs in the nation for the second consecutive year by "The New Brewer" magazine. In 1999, the brewery produced 108,500 gallons of beer garnering it third place among 450 competitors.

The Monte Carlo Pub & Brewery was the first brewery located in a Las Vegas Strip mega-resort. Six Monte Carlo-labeled beers are produced regularly at the brewery: High Roller Red, Las Vegas Lites, Sliver State Stout, Winner's Wheat, Jackpot Pale and a regular Brewmaster Special.

Huge copper beer barrels, industrial furnishings, a DJ, live entertainment and 32 large screen televisions are part of the environment. For information on the brewery, call 1-800-311-8999 or 702-730-7420.

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During the month of August, the Elvis-A-Rama Museum will display Elvis' Blue Suede shoes in memory of the anniversary of the icon's death. The royal blue, hard-soled, lace-up shoes with matching shoelaces were worn by Elvis on July 1, 1956, while appearing on the Steve Allen show.

Elvis actually recorded Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" twice on Jan. 1, 1956 and April 28, 1960. Elvis even opened his historic Las Vegas comeback on July 31, 1969 with "Blue Suede Shoes."

The Elvis-A-Rama Museum housing the world's largest private collection of Elvis memorabilia valued at $3.5 million is located at 3401 Industrial Road, one block west of the Las Vegas Strip, It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $9.95 for adults, $7.95 for seniors, and free to children under 12. Daily complimentary shuttle service to and from the museum is available from all points between the Stratosphere and Mandalay Bay. For information call 702-309-7200 or visit www.elvisarama.com.

The Pointers, a trio consisting of Ruth and Anita Pointer of the famed Pointer Sisters quartet and Wendy Edmead, who was a member of the original Broadway cast of "Cats," will perform in the Stardust's 950-seat Wayne Newton Theater, Aug. 24-26. Tickets are $44.95 which includes tax, tip and one beverage. For information, call 702-732-6325.

Wayne Newton, who appears at the Stardust 40 weeks a year, will return on Sept. 11.

Singer/songwriter Gary Puckett will headline two shows at 7 and 9 p.m. at Palace Station's Sound Trax - The Club on Aug. 26, with his group, The Union Gap. He continues to tour world wide performing more than 150 shows annually. To date, his combined CD, tape and record sales exceed 25 million, and his "Greatest Hits" and "Looking Glass" albums have consistently been two of Sony's best-selling Collector Series albums. Tickets are $22.50, plus tax, call 702-367-2411.

The Forever Grand Wedding Chapel at the MGM Grand is now offering the new "Encore" wedding vow renewal package for $529 per couple. Two wedding chapels are available and accommodate parties ranging from two to 60 guests. For information, call 1-800-646-5530.

The "Encore" package features the ceremony to renew vows in one of two wedding chapels; the minister; a professional pianist; a custom photography package with photos and custom album or a video of the ceremony; floral arrangement with single rose bouquet and boutonniere; a wedding certificate to commemorate the special day; a 100 gift certificate for dinner at select MGM restaurants; and a Waterford Crystal heart. No marriage license is required to participate in the vow renewal.

Undefeated IBF Jr. Middleweight Champion Fernando Vargas, one of professional boxing's 10 best pound-for-pound fighters, will make his fifth title defense on Aug. 26. Vargas will take on the IBF #1 ranked contender Ross Thompson in a 12-round bout at Mandalay Bay on Aug. 26.

In a championship co-feature, undefeated IBF #3 ranked contender Vernon Forest challenges IBF #1 ranked contender Raul Frank, in a 12-round bout for the vacant IBF welterweight tile.

Both championship match-ups will be aired on HBO's "Boxing After Dark" series. Tickets are $25, $50, $125, and $250, call TicketMaster at 1-800-474-4000.

The new and free "Rock the Palace" tribute series, featuring the country's best look-alike and sound-alike tribute bands, began last Thursday at Palace Station. From 9 p.m. to midnight each Thursday, and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, the Sound Trax stage has tribute acts lined up.

The acts appearing for the rest of August are: Viva Santana paying homage to the legendary master of Latin-flavored rock Carlos Santana, Aug. 10-12; Led Zeppelin being interpreted by tribute band Led Sepagain, Aug. 17-19; Sticky Fingers celebrating nearly four decades of Rolling Stones music, Aug. 24-26; and Hotter Than Hell, the only KISS tribute band endorsed by KISS taking the stage, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

On Aug. 11 & 12, Huck Daniels will deliver an evening highlighting the music and showmanship of Ray Charles, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Palace Saloon.

Dynasty recording artist, Tommy Alvarado and his Jazz All Stars are appearing in the Allegro Room at Bellagio, Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 10 p.m. each night. Alvarado has toured Australia as Joe Cocker's lead saxophonist, and he's also a percussionist.

"Marriage Can Be Murder," a dinner show at The Egg and I restaurant, 4533 W. Sahara Ae., has introduced a new show, "Hawaii Five-Uh-O!" that will run through Sept. 3. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 6 and 9 p.m. on Saturdays. New episodes are announced at approximately eight-week intervals.

Entree choices include "Silence of the Hams," "Something Fishy," or "Fowl Play." Tickets are $39.95 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 702-616-3322 or visit www.DDinlasvegas.com.

To celebrate the launch of the new Total Rewards program, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. launched the "Total Rewards Giveaway," a national promotion among the Harrah's properties that will award nearly $4 million in cash and prizes.

Players participating in the Total Rewards Giveaway at Harrah's Las Vegas will have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including a new Honda, and a Roadster (only 2000 were produced), which will be given away on Nov. 21.

"Nevada Trivia," published by Rutledge Hill Press of Nashville, TN is a new book by husband-and-wife Las Vegas residents Kenneth and E. Lyn Bouton. The book has 2000 trivia questions divided into sections: geography, entertainment, history, arts and literature, sports and leisure, and science and nature. It sells for $6.95 and is available in local bookstores and through www.amazon.com. (Click Here for easy ordering thru Amazon.com)

Bouton, 78, has been a resident of Las Vegas since 1963. He's worked for two local newspapers.

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