MANDALAY BAY RECOGNIZES NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTISTS

by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

The Academy of Country Music's 2009 Top New Female Vocalist, Nashville recording artist Julianne Hough will celebrate Labor Day weekend at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, Sept. 5. Also recognized as two-time "Dancing With The Stars" champion, Hough recently topped both the country and Top 200 charts with her self-titled album, as well as with the infectious debut single "That Song In My Head" and follow-up tune "My Hallelujah Song." Tickets are $30, call 877-632-7000.

Nashville recording artist and country rocker Jason Aldean will perform hits from his third release "Wide Open" on Friday, Sept. 18. The top-selling album has spawned two hit singles, "She's Country" and "Big Green Tractor." Tickets are $35, call 877-632-7400.

HARD ROCK ADDS VAN MORRISON TO ITS ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Multi-award winning music legend, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Van Morrison will perform at the Hard Rock on Friday, Sept. 25. Tickets start at $75, call 702-474-4000.

Morrison is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist. He has more than 150 songs featured in major motion pictures-with the latest being highlighted in the Scorsese film "The Departed."

Other upcoming shows at The Joint include: Guatemalan singer and songwriter Ricardo Arjona on Sept. 13; the world premiere of the new "Big Pink Greatest Hits World Tour" on Sept. 20; Pet Shop Boys on Sept. 26 promoting "Yes" their tenth album; and Creed with its four original band members on Sept. 27.

LAS VEGAS PRESENTS FANTASY FOOTBALL SUPERDRAFT WEEKEND

The inaugural Fantasy Football SUPERDRAFT, Aug. 27-30, will be a weekend in Las Vegas for fantasy football fans that will be full of activities including VIP nightclub events hosted by Molly Sims at PURE, Stacy Keibler at JET and Shannon Elizabeth at LAX. The weekend will also highlight live concerts, exclusive events and customized draft rooms. The SUPERDRAFT wristband package is $75.

The weekend will kick-off with a "Commissioners Corner" featuring ESPN's senior fantasy analyst Matthew Berry - "The Talented Mr. Roto," and will include custom-designed draft rooms at the Hard Rock and other high profile venues. Additional highlights for SUPERDRAFT weekend include tailgate parties with performances by Flo Rida and George Clinton and the P Funk Band as well as "overtime" pool parties.

Participating hotels include: Mandalay Bay, Hard Rock, Mirage, Caesars Palace, Palms, MGM Grand, Luxor, Venetian, Wynn Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Rio, Paris and Bally's. For information, visit www.lasvegasfantasysuperdraft.com.

PLAZA IS A NEW LOCATION FOR FIREFLY RESTAURANT

Firefly restaurant, which opened on Paradise Road in 2003 and specializes with an eclectic menu of "tapas," has unveiled a new second location inside the Plaza's dome downtown with the dining room view overlooking the Fremont Street Experience. The "tapas," which are small plates and appetizers, and full-size entrees pair perfectly with the house specialty sangrias available by the glass or pitcher. Firefly at the Plaza is open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight.

TERRY FATOR RELEASES DVD OF HIS SHOW AT THE MIRAGE

The DVD, "Terry Fator: Live From Las Vegas," retails for $14.99 and will hit stores nationwide on Sept. 1. Filmed in his theatre, the DVD features favorite puppet characters from his show as well as behind-the-scenes bonus footage. Select portions of the DVD will also be featured in a television special airing on CMT "Comedy Stage" on Aug. 28 at 10 p.m. PT.

In addition to the new DVD, Fator recently made an appearance on "America's Got Talent," celebrated his 100th performance at The Mirage, and received a nod by "Forbes," naming him one of the Top 10 Earning Comedians.

'BITE' SHOW AT STRATOSPHERE CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

The topless vampire-themed late show "BITE" at the Stratosphere recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The show was launched on Friday the 13th in August 2004. Tickets for the 10:30 p.m. show are $49.45, call 702-380-7711 or 800-99-TOWER (998-6937).

"BITE" centers around the Lord Vampire and his search for the perfect female specimen, which he plans to seduce and crown his Queen of the Night. Aiding the Lord is his coven of sultry and nimble dancers, the Erotic Angels of Rock. Their story is told through the Classic Rock songs of the '70s, '80s and '90s.

YEAH YEAH YEAHS WILL PERFORM AT THE PEARL AT THE PALMS

Artsy rock trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are set to perform at The Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. Yeah Yeah Yeahs is comprised of singer Karen O, guitarist Nicolas Zinner and drummer Brian Chase. Tickets are $32.50, call 800-745-3000.

Originally formed in 2000 as a folk duo called Unitard, Karen O and Zinner headed in the direction of electronic music switching gears and replaced their drummer with Chase to form the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs. In 2001, the group released their self-titled EP.

In 2002, they released the EP "Machine," signed with Interscope and released their major label debut "Fever to Tell" in 2003. More albums followed and In 2009, "It's Blitz!" has been their latest release. The group recently performed at 2009's Lollapalooza tour in Chicago.

HENDERSON CULTURAL ARTS SERIES

The Randy Anderson Band and classical pianist Alpin Hong will be featured during the cultural arts series ArtBeat presented by Target at the Henderson Events Plaza amphitheater during September. The Randy Anderson Band will perform on Friday, Sept. 4 and Alpin Hong will take the stage on Friday, Sept. 18. Admission to the 8 p.m. shows is free. Future ArtBeat dates will be Oct. 9 and 23, Nov. 6, 13 and 20. For information, call 702-267-2171.

LAS VEGAS HOTSPOTS MAKE GOOD TV LOCATIONS

Last year, truTV gave viewers a behind-the-scenes peek with "REHAB: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel." Returning for its second season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 10 p.m. (ET), the series will kick off with the largest crowd of nearly 6,000 partiers. Conflict will ensue as rowdy guests clash and staff members argue with management. In addition, this season will see a rise in competition from neighboring parties and a new manager will try to make his mark.

The sixth season of the No. 1 food show on cable, Bravo's Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series returned when "Top Chef: Las Vegas" premiered Aug. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The M Resort Spa Casino, the newest resort in Las Vegas, served as the official production location for the show. Chef'testants competed throughout the property.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

'BRITAIN'S TOP TALENT' SHOW PAYS A VISIT TO THE ORLEANS

"Britain's Top Talent" at The Orleans Showroom Sept. 11, 12 and 13 will feature a variety of acts. Tickets start at $29.95, call 702-365-7075.

The Overtures, called "the best '60s tribute band in the world" by Sir Elton John, will perform a sampling of their extensive repertoire of more than 400 songs from that era. Singer and songwriter Ben Stone was named "England's new singing star" by the "London Telegraph." Stone made his Las Vegas debut last winter when he performed as part of "Variety Live" at the Suncoast Showroom. Multi-talented Paul Zenon has been called "the UK's top TV trickster" by the "Daily Post." He showcases his wide variety of tricks and talents.

Special guests include Arron Sparks and Nathalie Enterline. Sparks, a "Yo Yo Pro," will be making his United States performance debut. Enterline, an American-born performance artist and one of the most sought-after performers in Europe, will bring a combination of baton twirling and modern dance to the stage.

QUICK CLIPS

Headliner and Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady is not only celebrating his extended residency at The Venetian Showroom but also his prime role on the new upcoming CBS Show "Let's Make A Deal."

Grammy award-nominated rocker Kid Rock will bring his badass live performance to The Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Thursday, Sept. 17. Tickets are $49, $69 & $89, call 800-745-3000.

"Divas Las Vegas" starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers and an all-star cast of female impersonators will perform at the Imperial Palace, Sept. 4-7 at 6 and 10 p.m.

Comedian Louie Anderson has signed a three-year extension at the Excalibur.

Bill Cosby will appear at Treasure Island on Sept. 5 and Nov. 27 at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $79 and $99, call 800-392-1999 or 702-894-7722.

WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand will welcome paparazzi-magnet Jon Gosselin of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" when he spends the day at the pool on Saturday, Aug. 29. The controversial dad and soon-to-be fashion designer will make an R&R stop before attending MAGIC, a premier trade event in the fashion industry.

Capo's Italian Steakhouse, Las-Vegas' only Mafia-themed restaurant, is now serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at its new location at 5675 W. Sahara Avenue. Lunch prices start at $5.95.

The Village at Lake Las Vegas and Buckbean Brewing Company, the largest production microbrewery in Nevada, will host the second Village Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the event with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southern Nevada (MDA). There will be craft beers from around the country and live music with The Wedge Brothers. For information, visit www.montelagovillage.com.

Continuing for the next two Thursdays, Aug. 27 and Sept. 3, the Chippendales at the Rio have added a special 10:30 p.m. themed performance. Noche Latina Thursdays is a Latin-inspired show featuring a Spanish-speaking MC and Spanish music replacing certain acts. Every ticket includes a coupon for 25 percent off dining at three of the Rio's fine dining restaurants.

The Comedy Stop at the Sahara has scheduled Latina stand-up comic Peaches Rodriguez, Philadelphia native Chris Coccia, and edgy comic Brian McFadden, Aug. 24-30.

The Bagel Cafe, an authentic New York-style deli, is expanding to its third area location inside Red Rock Resort next to the race and sports book and poker room in mid-September.

Daniel Dugar, who has opened for major names and "The Kings of Comedy" tour, will headline the Riviera Comedy Club, Aug. 24-30, with fellow comedians Hiram Kasten and Robin Cee.

Visionary photographer Peter Lik released three new images on Aug. 14 at all 14 of his galleries across the United States and Australia and unveiled them at the Peter Lik galleries at The Forum Shops at Caesars. The releases are "The Chief," "Endless Flow" and "Vertigo." Recently, Lik was a First Place Winner in the Photo District News (PDN) August 2009 Issue featuring The Great Outdoors Contest for his photograph entitled "Pele's Whisper."

Ethel's chocolate® has introduced its new Artisan Collection featuring five new chocolate blends going from beans to bar with cacao percentages ranging from 55-70 percent. The bars are sold individually, as a bar set, and as a set of five tasting squares. Artisan Chocolates are available at eight ethel's retail locations throughout the Las Vegas area and at ethel's factory in Henderson where the candy is made without preservatives. Prices range from a bar for $8 to a set of five bars for $38.50.

Rosetta Stone, a leading provider of technology-based language learning solutions in more than 30 languages, has opened a kiosk at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

Bodies... The Exhibition has celebrated its first year anniversary at the Luxor. This educational experience shows real human bodies that have been meticulously dissected, preserved through an innovative process and respectfully presented, giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems.

"CineVegas Presents at the Brenden" will continue screening at the Brenden Theaters at the Palms with two films that were shown at the 2009 CineVegas Film Festival. "In The Loop" starring James Gandolfini will begin playing on Friday, Aug. 28, and "World's Greatest Dad" with Robin Williams will open on Friday, Sept. 4. Ticket prices range from $10.25 to $6.75

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