Comedian Jackie Mason will appear at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre Jan. 11-17. His hit show, "Much Ado About Everything The Millennium Tour," is direct from Broadway and examines everything from social to political issues and current events.

Mason has received acclaim for all four of his hit Broadway shows. His first show, "The World According To Me," earned a Tony, Ace and Emmy Award plus a Grammy nomination. His HBO special "Jackie Mason on Broadway," won another Emmy and Ace Award. Mason has lectured and made an unprecedented three Command Performances for England's royalty.

Tickets to see Mason are $40 plus applicable tax and handing fees, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

Comedienne Rita Rudner's stand-up show at the MGM Grand was scheduled to end on Nov. 28; however, it has now been extended through Jan. 1. Meanwhile, Rudner has an advice show in the works for KVBC Channel 3 called "Ask Rita." The taping of her tongue-in-cheek advice show to locals with issues will tape at the MGM on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Rudner's guests will include Carrot Top, David Brenner and Jeff Foxworthy.

This month, the outdoors Neon Museum unveiled five refurbished signs marking the fourth anniversary of the museum. The restored signs can be found downtown as part of the Fremont Street Experience. The historic signs include: the Red Barn from the `60s; Dot's Flowers from 1949; the Nevada Motel from the `50s; The Flame Restaurant from the `60s; and a wedding information sign from the `50s.

Another unveiling was the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission public art project, "Lightscapes," which is two digital art shows ultilizing the unique features of the Fremont Street Experience light canopy. The shows are "Somewhere Else" and "Aria." They are running nightly for a limited engagement. For more information, visit the city website at www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us.

Considered the fight of the year, undefeated boxers and world champions Felix Trinidad Jr. and "Ferocious" Fernando Vargas are set for a match at Mandalay Bay on Dec. 2. The title-unification match will be broadcast live on pay per view by TVKO at 9 p.m. ET/6 .m. PT. Tickets to see the live event, "Forces of Destruction," range from $50 to $1,500, call 877-632-7400.

New Year's events and shows are starting to be announced. Goo Goo Dolls will perform on Dec. 31, at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Tickets range from $78 to $178, call 702-632-7600.

Van Morrison will take over The Joint at the Hard Rock on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Tickets range from $75 to $250 on Dec. 31, and $40 to $150 on Jan. 1, call 702-693-5066.

Many Las Vegas shows will go dark in December after the National Finals Rodeo ends on Dec. 10. "The Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana will be dark Dec. 12-25.

Master magician Lance Burton will close his show at the Monte Carlo from Dec. 3-25. He'll reopen for a weeklong holiday celebration in his 1,274-seat theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Tickets with tax included will be $54.95 for the balcony and $59.95 for the mezzanine and main floor. The prices will remain the same for his 7 and 10 p.m. shows on New Year's Eve.

Burton's new TV specials are set to air on FOX Family in March. ABC's "World of Sports" presents "Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge" will air on Dec. 23 and 24, and Burton will be doing some of his golf magic during the program. The magic star will also be appearing on "The Late, Late Show" with Craig Kilborn again in January.

"Splash" the elaborate production show at the Riviera featuring world-class ice skaters and Guinness World Record-holding motorcycle daredevils racing four motorcycles at 40-plus miles per hour within a 14-foot metal mesh sphere will do one 10:30 p.m. show on Dec. 31. The $80 price of admission will include two drinks or a split of champagne, party favors and a special countdown and toast to the new year led by the "Splash" cast. For ticket information, call 1-800-634-3420, 702-794-9433.

"Splash" will hold two special 7:30 p.m. covered performances on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30, for families to bring children.

Funnyman Don Rickles will bring his act to Le Theater des Arts at Paris Las Vegas for three nights, Dec. 29-31. Tickets are $55 for Dec. 29 & 30 and $75 for Dec. 31, call 1-800-237-7469, 702-946-4567.

At the neighboring Bally's, the production show "Jubilee" will have a special "countdown" show on Dec. 31, at 10:30 p.m., complete with party favors and champagne. Tickets are $70, $75 and $100 for this show, call 702-967-4567.

New Year's room rates at Paris-Las Vegas start at $349 per night with a two-night minimum and arrival on Friday, Dec. 29. At Bally's the room rates start at $249.

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The New Year's Eve Dance Party at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand will feature go-go dancers, aerial contortionists, bungee jumpers, and DJ Frankie of NYC. You'll be able to dance under the moon, enjoy complimentary champagne, hour d'oeuvres, party favors, confetti blasts and a balloon drop, and watch stage production shows throughout the evening. The party goes from 9 p.m. until the early morning hours. Tickets are $150 in advance or $175 at the door, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

The incomparable comedian Louie Anderson will headline at Monte Carlo, Dec. 12-16. Tickets are $35 plus tax, call 877-386-8224 or 702-730-7160.

Anderson is in his second season as host of the nightly hit series "Family Feud. His long-running Saturday morning series "Life with Louie," based on his own childhood and life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children's animated series and two Emmy Awards.

Anderson has penned best-selling books "Dear Dad-Letters From An Adult Child" and "Goody-Bye Jumbo-Hello Cruel World." Additionally, he has network television and motion picture film roles as part of his career credits.

The Texas-born comedian Bill Engvall, best known for his "Here's Your Sign" signature routine, will appear at the Stardust in the Wayne Newton Theater on Dec. 8 and 9, for the closing weekend of the National Finals Rodeo.

The drawling monologist became a rodeo favorite with a comedy routine, "I'm A Cowboy," based on his real-life experience of attempting to become a roughstock bareback rider for the first time at the advanced age of 40. The rodeo routine is from Engvall's "Dorkfish" CD, one of four top-selling comedy albums he has recorded in the past four years.

His current release, "Now That's Awesome," not only tops the Billboard Magazine comedy lists, but is on the country music album charts as well. Tickets are $29.95 including tax, tip and one beverage, call 702-732-6325.

Marie Osmond will make a special appearance to present and autograph her popular collection of porcelain dolls on Dec. 8 and 9, from noon to 4 p.m., in the MGM Grand and Company Story located in the hotel's main lobby. The doll selection includes Osmond's famous "Wizard of Oz" series. Each collection will be available for purchase.

Singer Lorrie Morgan will headline in The Orleans Showroom, Dec. 1-3. She is the youngest daughter of George Morgan, one of country's great stars of the 40's and 50's, who cracked the Top 40 twenty-three times. Her autobiography is entitled, "Forever Yours, Faithfully." Tickets are $44.95, $54.95 and $64.95 plus tax, call 702-365-7075.

Country sensation Toby Keith will return to Boulder Station's Railhead for three shows, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Tickets are $25 for standing room only, and range from $30 to $47.50 plus tax for seats. Tickets are available through tickets.com or the Boarding Pass Rewards Center.

In a little more than a decade, Oklahoma-bred Keith has been an oil field worked, a defensive end with a semi-pro football team, and honky tonk sensation in his state. This singer/songwriter who now lives in Nashville has earned eight No. 1 hit singles, plus gold and platinum albums.

His most recent CD, "How Do You Like Me Now," is his first for a new label - DreamWorks Records. The title song, which he'll perform at the Thomas & Mack Center on Dec. 1 to open the National Finals Rodeo, spent more than five weeks as Billboard's number one country single.

Comedian Harry Basil who found his niche as a human movie trailer will headline at The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana, Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Basil takes his audiences on wild romps through current and classic hit movies with a trunk full of outrageous props and costumes and familiar sound tracks. What began as a hobby, creating home movies when he was a kid, became an avocation while he was in high school.

Basil has been an opening act for many superstars like Julio Iglesias, The Beach Boys, Chuck Barry and The Pointer Sisters. His film credits include "Peggy Sue Got Married," "The Seventh Sign" with Demi Moore and "Martians Go Home" with Randy Quaid and Barry Sobel.

Basil has a long-term business relationship with Rodney Dangerfield. He has co-written and co-produced his films, "My 5 Wives," "Lady Bugs" and "Meet Wally Sparks." He and Dangerfield co-created "RODNEY," a half-hour prime time animated series, in development at Fox Family Channel.

Tickets to see Basil along with two fellow comedians Joe Moffa and Rob Sherwood are $17.50 per person with tax, gratuity and two drinks included, call 702-739-2714.

The new free "Rock the Palace" tribute series, featuring look-alike an sound-alike tribute bands, has continued at Palace Station this month. From Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, Viva Santana will play homage to the legendary master of Latin-flavored rock Carlos Santana. Rock videos are featured from 9 p.m., when the doors open, until show time at 10 p.m. For information, call 702-367-2411.

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