For the third consecutive year, New Year's Eve will include a large-scale fireworks display involving some 65,000 pyrotechnic effects being launched from 12 Strip property rooftop locations. The $500,000 display is being dubbed "America's Party" and will last eight minutes.

The Rio will be the first site of a 10-city tour for the Rock X-Posed Tour of The Kodak Rock Photography Collection. The more than 500 photos documenting rock music history incorporates everything from the first Moondog Coronation Ball, hosted by seminal DJ Alan Freed in 1952, to shots of today's biggest stars, will be on display from Dec. 27 until March 23, 2003. After touring for two years, the collection will be donated to the Rock `n' Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

There are posed portraits, live shots and behind the scenes glimpses of virtually every major musical act captured by more than 230 international photographers. The iconic photographs will also be offered for sale to the public in limited edition prints of 500. Each print will be numbered and signed by the photographer or bear a deceased photographer's estate / archive seal, in addition to the seal of The Kodak Rock Photography Collection. Also available for sale will be a catalogue of all the shots including illuminating background anecdotes by the photographers.

The collection will be housed in a 36,000-square-foot semi-permanent structure, located adjacent to the Rio. The pavilion, designed by WTA Carlson Europe (designers of Sir Paul McCartney's studios, office and farms) encompasses five photographic galleries complete with rock memorabilia, an adjoining live concert venue with capacity for 750, and three hospitality suites. Admission to "Rock-X-Pose" will be $12 per person. Exhibit hours will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, call 702-777-7776 for information.

The three-day Elvis Extravaganza planned from Jan. 3-5, at the Westward Ho on the Strip, is expecting 100 Elvis impersonators and 1,000 fans. This is the world's biggest Elvis impersonator competition put on by the mega-star's largest fan club with 50,000 members worldwide.

The Las Vegas event serves as the national finals for winners of regional Elvis look-alike contests. Contestants will represent The King in all his various incarnations from early `50s with the signature gold lame jacket to the later years when he became the Elvis-of-large-carriage.

The Elvis Extravaganza and Kitty Wood's fan club started in the nostalgic Jitterbug Cafe in Columbus, Ohio, in 1989. If Elvis were alive, he'd be celebrating his 67th birthday on Jan. 8, 2003.

Comedian D.L. Hughley, who co-created, produced and starred in the television sitcom, "The Hughleys" for four years, will entertain at the Sunset Ballroom at the Flamingo on Dec. 28 and 29. Tickets are $50 plus tax and fees, call 1-800-221-7299 or 702-733-3333.

Hughley recently finished filming the romantic comedy movie "Papi Chulo," which is scheduled for release in May 2003. He also taped a comedy special this year for DVD release, "D.L. Hughley: Live at the Murat Theatre." Last year, the actor starred in the feature film "The Brothers." The film was nominated for a 2002 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture.

The Riviera is presenting a stroll down rock `n' roll's memory lane when it presents "Fabian's Sensational `60s and `70s New Year's Eve Party" on New Year's Eve. For this special performance, Fabian will bring with him Gary Lewis and The Playboys, Mark Lindsay, Andy Kim, Ron Dante and Billy J. Kramer.

The $199.99 tickets to see these rock icons include taxes, gratuities, a gourmet dinner, unlimited drinks and party favors, call 702-794-9280.

"Hypnolarious" featuring hypnotist, Terry Stokes, will open at the Plaza Hotel & Casino downtown on Dec. 26, in the 10:30 p.m. slot, Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax and one drink is included, call 702-386-2444.

The show also features Deogee, The Hypno Pup, a trained dog that often upstages Stokes. The Atlanta native has been performing internationally since 1986.

The quintessential American rock band, Huey Lewis & The News will headline at the Las Vegas Hilton from Dec. 28-31, at 9 p.m. each night. Tickets range from $55 to $75 plus tax, call 1-800-222-5361 or 702-732-5755.

Formed officially in 1979, Huey Lewis & The News over the past two decades has made a notable presence in the rock `n' roll music arena selling over 20 million albums.

The Gold Coast off the Strip has singer Jack Jones lined up for a party starting at 7 p.m. in the Nevada Ballroom. The $125 ticket includes a five-course dinner, open bar, dancing, party favors, champagne toast and tax and gratuities.

Alter Ego will be performing in the Arizona Ballroom. This party begins at 8:30 p.m. The $80 admission cost includes all the above except hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will be served instead of the dinner.

Jim Fitzgerald and his 18-piece orchestra will entertain in the Showroom beginning at 8:30 p.m. The $40 price tag includes party snacks, two drinks, dancing, party favors, champagne toast and tax and gratuities. Call 702-251-3574 for tickets to any of the parties.

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Alabama will begin its American Farewell Tour 2003 with a performance on New Year's Eve at the Aladdin. All ticket holders will receive a commemorative gift. For ticket info, call 702-785-5000 or 474-4000.

Wayne Newton will be welcoming in the New Year with a 10:30 p.m. show on Dec. 31. Tickets are $59.95 per person plus tax, call 702-617-5577.

Sam's Town Live! on Boulder Highway at Flamingo will have people "twisting and shouting" all night long with a 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. party featuring The Fab celebrating the music of the Beatles. Tickets are $29.95 with party favors and a champagne toast included, call tickets.com at 1-888-464-2468.

Grand Master Flash will be spinning hip-hop for the Palms' Rain in the Desert New Year's Eve bash. Tickets are $150 in advance and $200 on the day of the show call 702-474-4000.

Country sensation George Strait will play at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Jan. 24. Tickets range from $35 up to $75, call 702-632-7580.

Yanni, who has been absent from Las Vegas for some time now, is booked at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 1. His world tour features the new sound of classical music with his orchestra along with compositions and music from his new album "Ethnicity" that will be released in stores on Feb. 11. On Feb. 12, bookstores will be carrying his story "Yanni in Words" from Miramax Books. Tickets to his Mandalay Bay Concert are $65 and $100.

The Broadway musical "Grease" will slide into the Aladdin Theatre, Jan. 28-Feb. 2. The show has Chubby Checker starring as "Teen Angel." Tickets range from $25 up to $75, call 702-785-5000.

"Spirit of the Dance," which debuted in the Theatre Ballroom at the Golden Nugget on Aug. 19, is taking an extended hiatus through Jan. 16. During the show break, the showroom will be remodeled with improved tiered-seating for better audience viewing.

A $250 million expansion at the Venetian is pushing it past five other Strip hotels - Las Vegas Hilton (3,174), Flamingo (3,638), Mandalay Bay (3,700), Circus Circus (3,770) and Excalibur (4,008), making it the third largest resort in the world.

The new 14-story tower going up atop the south side parking structure is scheduled to open next June with 1,013 suites. The additional suites will bring the property's room count to 4,049 putting it behind the MGM Grand with 5,034 rooms and the Luxor with 4,467.

The new expansion amenities will include a pool deck themed after a Venetian garden, 150,000 square feet of additional meeting space and a new restaurant concept by one of the nation's top chefs.

Free NHL Hockey Wednesday Viewing Parties are held at the Imperial Palace each week. Starting at 5 p.m., the Miller Girls visit and 99-cent Miller Genuine Drafts at the Sports Bar are served. Weekly give-aways are part of the action.

"Chasers," the chance to bet on the second and/or third period of a game being played during the party, is an option. By wagering $20 or more on a "Chaser," you can receive a free Meal Deal at the Burger Palace, adjacent to the Sports Lounge.

Group gaming lessons are no longer offered at New York-New York; however, complimentary gaming guides and one-on-one instructions are available to guests upon request.

The global restaurant group, China Grill's Management is opening a new dining concept tomorrow, Dec. 23, at Mandalay Bay. Bleu Blanc Rouge has taken over the location formerly occupied by Rock Lobster.

The Bleu portion is a cafe and Blanc is visible from the entrance with showcases filled with sandwiches, pastries, a juice bar, gelati and other carry-away foods. Rouge is a brasserie with tablecloths and a separate bar with food service. Items from all the Bleu Blanc Rouge menus are offered wherever you choose to dine. For couples dining outside at tables for two, flower boxes offer privacy. The new French style eatery will be open daily at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast and from 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner, call 702-632-7405 for information.

Since it was started in 1986, there have been 57 Megabucks winners in Nevada with total winnings of more than $386 million. There's no question winning is a long shot.

The odds of hitting the Megabucks jackpot are 1 in 16.7 million. It took more than eight years and 38 jackpots for a Megabucks jackpot to break the $10 million mark, which happened when it was hit at the Gold Coast in 1995. The $20 million barrier with a $27.5 million jackpot was broken with a jackpot hit at Palace Station on Nov. 15, 1998.

IGT, the company that runs Megabucks, has a Web site for tracing the total payoff or for finding Megabucks machines close to home. It is www.megajackpots.com or call 1-888-448-2WIN (448-2946).

Crescent City Beignets, a "fast-casual" New Orleans-themed restaurant chain, has plans to open 10 units in the Las Vegas market beginning with the first one in about six months. The restaurants and kiosks will serve food like gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, sandwiches, salads and beignets, the famous fried square pastries doused with powdered sugar.

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