Andrea Bocelli and the 78-piece Russian Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Mandalay Bay's second anniversary by headlining in the Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 24. The performance will be Bocelli`s only scheduled West Coast appearance of this tour.

Bocelli's voice has made him an international phenomenon beginning with his international debut album, "Romanza," which seduced music lovers worldwide. Tickets for his special show range from $50 up to $350, call 877-632-7400.

The multi-faceted performer Vanessa Williams will headline at Paris Las Vegas Theater des Arts, Jan. 19-21. She won the Miss America title in 1983 and began her musical accomplishments with her first release "The Right Stuff" in 1988.

Williams has recently contributed to several unique musical projects, including "Ain't Nothin' but a She Thing," an all-female concept record on which she collaborates with Me'shell N'dege O'cello; "People" a release celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations; and "Harolyn Blackwell Sings Leonard Bernstein "A Simple Song," on which she covers songs from the composer's classic "West Side Story."

Tickets to see Williams at Paris are $60, call 877-374-7469 or 702-946-4567.

Other acts booked at Paris are Natalie Cole, Feb. 2-4, and Bobby Vinton, March 9-10.

There's a new bar in town that's been created by the people behind New York's hot-spot Lotus and LA's Sunset Room. V Bar has opened in the Venetian's restaurant-row area with a distinctive 50 foot glass skin wall that wraps around the bar.

The lounge has executed a minimalism environment with sleek groupings of double-sided chaise lounges that surround low cocktail tables, a cool slate bar top with bar stools covered in cream-colored pony skin, and red lacquered wood sculptures inspired by the clean geometry of Asia at either end of the space. The most coveted spot for people-watching is a custom designed "bed," covered with pearlized silver leather, in whose hollowed-out center is a strategically placed table that holds all manner of exotic cocktails. For information, call 702-414-3200.

Due to popular demand, the Backstreet Boys have added a second concert date on Saturday, March 10, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Their first date is Thursday, March 8. Tickets are $57.50, $75, $100 and $150, plus applicable service charges, call TicketMaster at 702-474-4000.

During the group's most recent tour, "Round the World in 100 Hours," a global album launch in support of their third album "Back & Blue," the Backstreet Boys crossed six continents in just 100 hours. The journey was the first time any band or solo artist attempted such an amazing feat.

"Black & Blue" is the follow-up to 1999's "Millennium" album, which is already certified 12 times platinum in the United States and remains on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart more than 77 weeks after its release.

Dennis Miller and David Spade will welcome the New Year with a special show at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Dec. 31. Next year, "Riverdance" will perform at the Aladdin, Feb. 13-18. For tickets call 702-474-4000 or 702-785-5000.

Jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson along with his Big Bop Nouveau band will bring jazz to the La Cage Theater at the Riviera on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tickets are $20 plus all applicable taxes, call 702-794-9433.

Canadian born Ferguson by age 16 was performing with the touring bands such as Count Base, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, he lived overseas and led a band composed of British musicians.

In 1974 after his recorded version of "MacArthur Park" became a hit, his concert schedule in America tripled in scope. His personal appearance schedule became staggering when his recording of "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from the motion picture, "Rocky" reached the top-ten on the pop charts and his album "Conquistador" turned gold.

Local and national experts will be forecasting the Las Vegas Valley's business atmosphere in Preview Las Vegas 2001. The annual event will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Campus on Jan. 24.

The event opens with exhibits and a networking breakfast from 7 - 8:15 a.m. The Preview 2001 program begins at 8:15 a.m. and concludes at 12:15 p.m. Immediately following the Preview program, guests are invited to "Preview the Taste," a networking luncheon featuring gourmet fare from several locally popular restaurants.

Tickets are $50 for Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Nevada Development Authority members and $70 for non-members. For ticket information, call 702-641-5822 and select option #2, or log on to www.preview2001.net and check out the speakers beginning with William Kristol, a political analyst, Washington insider and ABC political commentator.

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The Stardust will feature the "Legendary Ladies of Rock `n Roll" starring Leslie Gore, Shirley Alston Reeves an original lead singer of The Shirelles, the Shangri-Las and Little Peggy March, Jan. 10-13. The Original Drifters with Bill Pinkney, the Coasters featuring Carl Gardner and Sonny Turner's Platters will continue the rock `n roll sound, Jan. 17-20. Tickets for both shows are $19.95 with tax, tip and one beverage included. For information, call 702-732-6325.

The evening of Dec. 31, "Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome" will present an encore performance of their world record-setting stunt featuring five motorcycles racing at 40-plus miles-per-hour within a 14' 3" diameter metal mesh cage. This event will take place during the New Year's Eve performance of "Splash" at the Riviera. Tickets are $80, which includes two drinks or a split of champagne, party favors and a special countdown. For information, call 800-634-6787, 702-597-5970.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Tabak has been globe riding since he was 12 years old. He started on a bicycle and then, once he had become accustomed to the spinning sensation that comes along with riding within a sphere of metal mesh, on a motorcycle. He has been with "Splash" since the time of the show's debut at the Riviera in 1985. He began as the teenage son of the globe act's lead rider. For Tabak globe riding is a family tradition seeing as his grandfather, Panaair McValley originated the act in the early 1900s in Brazil.

Today the routine is performed dally in "Splash" with four motorcycles racing about inside the globe. Over the Fourth of July weekend last summer, the world record was set during a "Splash" performance with five bike riders.

Tommy Tune's last time as the headliner in the production extravaganza "EFX" at the MGM Grand will be Dec. 31, and not Jan. 15, as previously announced. The show will be dark from Jan. 1-29. Rick Springfield will reopen the production on Jan. 30, when he takes over the star position. For ticket information, call 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

The Tropicana's "Folies Bergere" is the

Mario & Daniel have been in the comedy business for more than 14 years and have worked in numerous Las Vegas shows including the "Folies Bergere." Tickets for the New Year's Eve show are $66.95 for table seating and $76.95 for the booths. Price includes party favors and a split of champagne for each guest, call 702-739-2411.

The chefs at the Four Seasons Hotel are taking their culinary expertise on the road. The hotel's new Off Site Catering program delivers the food, service and Four Seasons ambiance to any setting a client selects. From an outdoor park to a private home, the Four Seasons team will personalize menus and events and deliver them with the same impeccable service that up until now was found only at the hotel.

In addition to world class chefs and food, the Four Seasons' waitstaff is unmatched in their experience and professionalism. The formally trained team take the responsibility of providing cutlery and service ware selected from the hotel's fine dinnerware, setting the prefect table, and delivering the impeccable, unobtrusive service for which Four Seasons is renowned. Their inaugural event was the Neiman Marcus InCircle party on Dec. 6 at the Fashion Show Mall for 600 of the store's top customers.

The 424-room Four Seasons Hotel will celebrate its second anniversary on March 2, 2001. The resort opened as the first non-gaming luxury hotel on the renowned Strip and was awarded the AAA Five Diamond in less than a year after opening - the first and only property in Las Vegas to receive this coveted award. For information, call 702-632-5000.

The Stratosphere's advertising agency is developing a re-branding campaign focusing around next year's opening of a new 24-floor tower. The multi-media campaign will be launched in March for the key demographic-feeder markets of Southern California and Arizona, in anticipation of the tower's expected opening in May or June.

The $65 million expansion will add another 1,002 new guestrooms. Guest amenities will include a 67,000-square-foot pool and deck area, and a new cocktail bar, along with private cabanas and two spas. The tower will also house a 350-square-foot coffee shop, new porte cochere and valet-parking entrance, gift shop, and tour bus entrance and lobby.

Patti La Belle will be performing on Saturday, Dec. 30 at the Venetian. For information, call 702-414-2225.

A world championship fight will take place at the MGM Grand on Jan. 20, 2001. The main event will feature undefeated Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather defending his World Boxing Council super featherweight title against fellow unbeaten and former International Boxing Federation (IBF) 130-pound titleholder Diego "Chico" Corrales. The semi-main event will highlight WBC Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo defending against former WBC 135-pound kingpin Cesar Bazan.

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