The Venetian has announced plans to create a new exhibition space in Las Vegas for the presentation of large-scale traveling exhibitions. The museum will be jointly operated by two of the most prestigious names in the art world, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the State Hermitage Museum of Russia.

Construction of the museum has already begun and is expected to be completed next spring. The museum will include a 7,660-square-foot gallery off the Venetian's porte cochere and a freestanding, seven story, 63,700-square-foot building nearby. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize for 2000, has designed both facilities. e gallery's first exhibit will be "Masterpieces from the Hermitage and Guggenheim Collections." It will highlight a selection of 40 works representing Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and early Modernism drawn equally from both institutions' holdings.

The museum building will open with "The Art of the Motorcycle," an exhibit put together by the Guggenheim. It debuted two years ago in New York, and features more than 120 early- to late-model motorcycles. The exhibition is organized chronologically going from the creation of the Michaux Perreaux (1868) up to the Buell Blast produced in 2000. The showing will also feature approximately 180 pieces of motorcycle ephemera and memorabilia, and a substantial video component celebrating the motorcycle's role in film.

The issue of top billing for these institutions has been settled. The new museum will go by both names.

Oxo is a new Gustav Mauler signature restaurant that opened this month at The Regent Las Vegas. Unlike traditional steakhouses, Oxo is set apart by the creation of a unique eclectic environment utilizing vibrant colors, an open ambiance, and a multi-media atmosphere designed by award-winning architect Paul Steelman. A focal point of the restaurant is The Bar at Oxo, a separate area that features an oversize bar, signature drinks, a tropical patio and more.

Cows have also "mooved" into Oxo. Internationally renowned sculptor, Snell Johnson, has three of his newest creations, "Cows" on display in and around the entrance to Oxo. His cows are very bright, hip and fun. One of Johnson's notable works is the largest bronze monument the Western Hemisphere, the 100,000 pound MGM Grand Lion.

Gustav is one of the American Culinary Federation's fifty-four Certified Master Chefs. In addition, Mauler's Italian restaurant Spiedini and the Gustav Mauler Gourmet Cigar Bar are also located inside The Regent Las Vegas.

"The Rat Pack Is Back" has been extended again at the Sahara through Feb. 18, 2001. In December, Steve Lippia who is considered the best Sinatra impressionist, will take over the "Old Blue Eyes" role in the show.

There's a new nighttime show starring hip musical humorist Pete Barbutti at Jackie Gaughan's Plaza downtown. "Hot Trix" also features two comedy female magicians, and Karen Denise's "Naked Angels." Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $28.95, call 702-386-2444.

Sinbad will bring his "larger-than-life" stage antics to the Las Vegas Hilton, Nov. 2-4. He's the rare comedian who doesn't tell jokes - he tells stories - and never uses foul language. Tickets are $45, $55 and $65, call 800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

In 1983, the former University of Denver basketball player began performing stand-up comedy. His career took off with seven appearances on "Star Search" in the 1980s. The attention earned Sinbad roles on "The New Redd Foxx Show" and Bill Cosby's "A Different World."

Since then, he's been in movies and starred in his own television shows. In addition, he released a book, "Sinbad's Guide To Life (Because I Know Everything)," in 1997.

In a couple years, The Boardwalk on the Strip will be the future site of a new big resort targeted at the so-called "Generation X." MGM Mirage Chairman Terry Lanni says they will build "a Bellagio for the young person," the affluent 25-to-35-year old.

Lanni isn't sure what they will build but the direction that's surfacing is a "minimalist" resort, where technology and Internet accessibly are more important than lavish rooms.

Station Casinos Inc. is adding yet another local property to its growing portfolio by purchasing The Reserve in Henderson for $70 million. Ameristar Casinos Inc. opened The Reserve in 1998.

A new half mile, four-lane road with a bridge underpass was recently opened to the north of the Rio All-Suite Casino Resort. The east-west arterial, Twain Avenue lies midway between Flamingo Road and Spring Mountain Road.

Two things make this road significant. Number one, it will allow employees and service vehicles easier access, thus alleviating congestion at other entrances that the Rio's visitors use. The other factor is this was a joint venture with Clark County acquiring all the necessary right-of-way at a cost of $14.1 million and the resort contracting for the design and construction services for about $19 million.

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The new Blue Note Las Vegas is lining up some impressive names. Jazz vocalist Marlena Shaw will appear Nov. 6-8. Chicago-born Lou Rawls with his deep-hued pipes will follow Nov. 9-11. Continuing with versatile bookings, Poncho Sanchez and his popular Latin-jazz band will be the headline act in the middle of the month, Nov. 13-15. Chuck Mangione will perform Nov. 20-25, and Al Jarreau, the only vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in three different categories, will close out the month, Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

At the Blue Note, there's Club or Bar seating. Tickets for the above shows are ranging from a low of $15/$20 up to $50/$35 for Al Jarreau, call 702-862-8307.

Aki is a stunning, blonde Danish-Dutch beauty who came to Las Vegas a few years ago as part of an ad campaign for a former show at the Stardust called "Enter The Night." Her image appeared on ads, billboards, and even on the outside of a Boeing 737 commercial jetliner. She was billed as "The Showgirl of the 21st Century."

Aki is now involved with the choreography of the "Crazy Girls" revue at the Riviera. She plans on making the show more in line with the tradition of the Paris show by working three or four new numbers into the show.

Aki came to Las Vegas after performing for seven years at the Famed Crazy Horse in Paris, where the show has been running for about 50 years. She was a spokesmodel and principal dancer. Aki has earned a degree, speaks Dutch, German, French, Spanish and English, and is continuing her study of law by commuting to Los Angeles.

"Skintight," the late-night adult revue at Harrah's that opened in late August, has been spiced up already with the addition of Playboy Playmate Cynthia Brimhall, who appears topless in a variety of songs and dance sequences. The show's eight-member topless dance troupe create teasing vignettes with the trademark fashion show focusing on provocatively-cut, bright elaborate costumes.

"Skintight" is performed nightly except Thursday in Harrah's Main Showroom at 10:30 p.m., with an added 7:30 p.m. show on Wednesday and a midnight show on Saturday. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax, call 800-392-9002.

Iranian pop music star GooGoosh will perform live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 24. GooGoosh's music style combines jazz, R&B, rock, disco and pop beats with contemporary Persian (Farsi) poems and melodies. Tickets range from $50 up to $300 plus applicable service charges, call 800-929-1111.

An annual hot rod and customer car show called Rock `n' Rods will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel, Nov. 1 and 2, marking the first time that a SEMA event is open to the general consumer.

Car buffs and SEMA convention attendees will have a chance to check out hundreds of customized automobiles, project cars, celebrity vehicles, sport trucks, sport compacts, street rods, race cars, SUV's and muscle cars. Hours are 5-11 p.m. on Nov. 1, and 5-10 p.m. on Nov. 2. For information, call 877-413-6515 or 888-689-6537 or email: rocknrodshrh@sema.org.

Seasoned comic, Shelly Berman, will headline along with two other comedians Jimmy Pardue and David Gee at The Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's, Nov. 7-12. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax.

Berman has proven his versatile talent as a comedian, actor, writer and teacher. His numerous film and television credits include "L.A. Law," "Friends," "The Best Man" with Henry Fonda, and "Divorce American Style" with Debbie Reynolds.

Berman has published three books, written pilots for CBS and NBC, and produced several plays. His comedy albums have garnered three gold records earning him a Grammy for a non-musical recording.

In the history of Carnegie Hall, Berman was the first comedian to perform his one-man stand-up routine. His 13-year teaching career covers Humor Writing within the Masters of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California.

It's a few months from going online, but PlaySys.com has been unveiling its program. For a $100 annual membership fee, PlaySys.com will offer access to a Web site that is expected to link gamblers to as many as 200 casino companies worldwide, 50 in the United States and 150 elsewhere. This site will demystify the comp world for the players, according to Larry Woolf, chief executive officer. Woolf was the former MGM Grand Chairman, CEO and President who left in 1995.

Studio 54's traditional Tuesday club night, EDEN, short for Erotically Delicious Entertainers Night, will transform into the outrageously bizarre "Hallow-EDEN" on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with the annual performance of selected songs from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Contests for best costumes will take place throughout the evening with cash prizes totaling more then $5,400. Admission is complimentary for ladies and $20 for men.

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