The popular family act at the Rio, The Scintas, recently extended a one-year contract to five years along with having a 700-seat theatre named after them - the Scinta Showroom. The family comprised of brothers Joe and Frank, little sister Christine (Chrissi) and honorary Scinta Peter O'Donnell on drums, who joined the group 17 years ago, made their Las Vegas debut at the Las Vegas Hilton a couple years ago and began popularizing a non-recognizable name pronounced SHIN-TAHS.

The Scintas have revamped their show to include more of the incredibly petite Chrissi with the extremely powerful soprano voice. Stepping outside the box, they have added an Elvis tribute with Chrissi dressing in the famous jumpsuit traditionally reserved for men and beefed up the Beatles tribute where she fills in a male role once again.

The show is advertised as "Music & Comedy with a Twist," which is a good description because the brothers throw in a number of fun impersonations like George Burns and Mick Jagger and an array of tributes and parodies. The family-act show from Buffalo is extremely fast paced and allows you to get to know the talented siblings who always mention their mother, who is usually in the audience, and their departed father, Joe, who was a firefighter.

They end the show on a patriotic note, which has always been a part of the act, long before patriotism was fashionable. The Scintas have earned a place on the special "must-see" show list in Las Vegas. Show tickets are $59.95 plus tax, call 1-888-746-7784 or 702-777-7776.

Cedric "The Entertainer," one of America's top stand-up comedians and television and film actors, will share his humor with audiences on Monday, Dec. 30, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets are $37.50, $47.50 and $57.50 plus service charges, call 1-800-929-1111.

Cedric is currently starring in the hit film "Barbershop" with Ice Cube. He can also be seen co-starring opposite George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the upcoming Coen brothers comedy feature, "Intolerable Cruelty." This fall, he is starring in his own sketch/variety series titled, "Cedric The Entertainer Presents" airing on the FOX Television Network.

Earlier this year, Cedric released his first comedy book, "Grown-Ass Man." For six seasons, he was the co-star of the No. 1-rated sitcom "The Steve Harvey Show," where he won four consecutive Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor. He has also been featured in, and lent his voice to, such films as "Big Momma's House," "Dr. Dolittle 2" and "Ice Age."

The Venetian is building a triplex wedding chapel complex set to open next summer as part of the Phase IA project expansion that will add 1,013 suites, and new parking and meeting space. The new 14-story tower is being built on top of the existing 11-floor parking garage.

The 3,500-square-foot chapel complex is designed so it can be broken into three chapels or opened into one large chapel accommodating more than 200 people. The chapel complex, including multiple surrounding gazebos, will be located on the garden level of the new hotel tower currently under construction.

Las Vegas is an immensely popular location for weddings with 110,000 held here annually representing five percent of the nationwide market. The local wedding business is now spread among 45 wedding chapels up and down the Strip, up from 16 chapels 20 years ago.

Michael Flatley was in town for the recent opening of his "Lord of the Dance" show at the Venetian. Since the show's world premier in Dublin in July 1996, it has been performed in 36 countries and been seen by over 2.5 billion people. At the Venetian, Flatley has brought together a team of 35 high-caliber young dancers, musicians and singers, who provide a truly exhilarating and powerful dance production.

On Nov. 26, the downtown show, "Stars of the Strip," that was formerly at the Lady Luck, will open at the Plaza with shows at 1 and 3 p.m. This edition of the show will feature Robbie Howard and comic impressionist Kathy Walker fronting a three-piece band. The show will be "free" with the purchase of a $6 drink.

Twenty-eight year old Tommy Shane Steiner is the first new artist of 2002 to break into the Top 10 on the country charts. He will be appearing at The Orleans, Dec. 13 and 14, during the National Finals Rodeo. Tickets are $29.95, $34.95 and $39.95, call 702-365-7075.

Steiner's late grandfather, Tommy Steiner, is a member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Rodeo Hall of Fame. Steiner grew up traveling the country with his 1973 World Champion bull riding father Bobby, and his barrel racing mother Joleen.

After celebrating their 15th anniversary this fall, the "Crazy Girls" show at the Riviera has signed a contract to play at least another three years in the 375-seat showroom and remain on the marquee through 2005. Tickets are $24.95 plus tax, call 1-800-634-3420 or 702-794-9433.

Over the years, morals have changed and "Crazy Girls" has gone from a men's show to a couple's show. Even the show's once controversial advertising "No Ifs, Ands, or BUTTS" campaign is tame now. Over 100 professional dancers, all in their twenties, have entertained in the adult-themed revue. Today, Crazy Girls" has its first male performing in the sexy romp, host and special guest star Joe Trammel aka "The Man of 1,000 Faces."

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

Look for a groundbreaking early next year for another expansion to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. As many as 30 new stores and more restaurants will be added by the time the project is completed in mid-2005. Many of the outlets will be new to Las Vegas and in some areas the building's design will be going vertical adding two to three levels.

"EFX," the special effects production show at the MGM Grand starring Rick Springfield will be closing Dec. 31, which is several months earlier than planned. The reason is to make way for the new Cirque du Soleil show that will open in 2004.

The Hard Rock Hotel has introduced three new chips bearing Kid Rock's image, in $5, $25 and $100 denominations.

The LPGA Tour has announced that it will move the $1.1 million LPGA Takefuji Classic from Hawaii to Las Vegas next year. The April 17-19 event will be held at the Las Vegas Country Club. This will be the LPGA's first tour stop since 1999.

The sushi menu at the Little Buddha at the Palms has been so popular that the restaurant has opened a 10-seat sushi bar. It opens at 5:30 p.m. daily.

The OXO December Wine Dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 11, will feature Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves. The five-course dinner is $65 plus tax and gratuity, call 702-869-2335 for reservations. The OXO restaurant is located inside the JW Marriott resort in the northwest part of the valley.

Britney Spears was in town recently and practicing for four hours at the Richard Petty Driving Experience on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway oval. She is preparing for a movie role where she'll play the daughter of a NASCAR driver.

This week, Nov. 24-30, "Tony `n' Tina's Wedding" at the Rio is having a special Thanksgiving-themed menu in lieu of the usual pasta dinner.

Harry Basil, who bases his comedy around memorable movie scenes from classic films, will return to The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana with two other comedians, Dec. 2-8. Tickets are $17.50 with two drinks, tax and gratuity included, call 702-739-2714.

Basil has had a long business relationship with Rodney Dangerfield having co-written and co-produced or co-directed some of his films: "The Fourth Tenor," "Back By Midnight," "Lady Bugs," "My 5 Wives" and "Meet Wally Sparks." Basil also co-created "RODNEY," a half-hour prime time animated series for the Fox Family Channel. In addition, Basil has toured and opened for superstars like The Pointer Sisters, Julio Iglesias, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry and Liza Minnelli.

A new kind of tour that is visiting 43 cities in four months will stop in Las Vegas on Friday, Nov. 29. TourBaby is a concert put on by the best independent musicians from across the nation and as far as the UK. For $10, patrons can see 18 bands on four stages with doors opening at 6 p.m. and music going non-stop until midnight.

Rockabilly will be featured in The Esplanade Room, Rock / Alternative music in the Mardi Gras Ballroom, Jazz / Contemporary in Brendan's Pub, and Singer / Songwriters in the Bourbon Street Cabaret. For more information about the performing artists, log on to (Tourbaby website closed).

Caesars Palace is presenting football sports fans a chance to meet select NFL players every Sunday through December from 9 to 10:30 a.m. inside the newly remodeled Race and Sports Book. "Chalk Talk" is being co-hosted by Mark Jackson, former wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and Chuck Esposito, Vice President of the Caesars Palace Race and Sports Book.

Guests are invited to meet and greet the NFL gridiron greats. Select players will sign autographs, answer questions and award memorabilia items to several lucky winners. The December lineup of players is: Mark Clayton - Dolphins and Andre Reed - Bills on Dec. 1; Ed "Too Tall" Jones - Cowboys and John Taylor - 49ers on Dec. 8; Jim Plunkett - Raiders and Dwight Stephenson -Dolphins on Dec. 15; "Three Amigos" - Mark Jackson, Ricky Nattiel and Vance Johnson - Broncos on Dec. 22; and Bill Sims - Lions and Chuck Foreman - Vikings on Dec. 29.

The Kingston Trio, one of the few groups today that has survived the many music changes in the world, will headline at the off-Strip Suncoast resort, Dec. 6-8. Bob Shane, who helped form the Original Kingston Trio in 1957, is still with the group that had memorable hits like "Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley" and "The Ballad of Ruben James." Tickets are $29.95, $34.95 and $39.95 plus tax, call 702-636-7075.

Online bidding has begun for Siegfried & Roy's Celebrity Autographed (and costumed) Teddy Bear Auction and will end at midnight on Nov. 29. Bids on the more than 150 celebrity-signed and dressed various colored bears can be placed on www.siegfriedandroy.com. Some of the celebrities who have signed bears for this benefit auction include Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Cher, Anthony Hopkins, Gloria Estefan and Ann-Margret.

Who says Las Vegas lacks culture? The Art Institute of Las Vegas became part of The Art Institute system of schools in April 2001. The accredited school provides post-secondary education programs in the following areas: Interior Design, Culinary Arts, Multimedia & Web Design, and Media Arts & Animation. For information, call 1-800-833-2678.

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