Sevilla, a 35,000-square-foot Spanish steakhouse and Latin nightclub, will premiere on Jan. 15, at the Desert Passage mall adjacent to the Aladdin resort. The 585-seat, multi-level entertainment venue will feature a nightclub, an exclusive martini bar, a private cigar lounge, a USDA Prime steakhouse, and courtyard patio dining.

The interior theme is based on a Spanish town and fortress built out of a mountainside in southern Spain. Exquisite draperies, elegant chandeliers and authentic artifacts also complement the interior. The second floor features the steakhouse and VIP balcony lounge with bottle service and a view of the shopping area below.

The first floor of Sevilla features seating for the dinner show, where Charo, who was raised in Murcia, Spain, will perform eight times a week with her international revue "Bravo."

After the dinner show, the seating space will be transformed into a Latin-rhythm nightclub capable of holding up to 2,000 people.

Sevilla has partnered with Budweiser / Nevada Beverage to feature salsa bands and a weekly Latin concert series. The new establishment is owned by Bart DeLorenzo, who also owns and operates the Sevilla in Denver.

Australian singer Mick Gerace will star in a concert featuring the music of Elvis Presley at the Stardust on Jan. 13 and 14. Entitled "In The Spirit Of The King," the show will also feature Presley's longtime friend and tour manager Joe Esposito and the gospel quartet The Jordanaires. Tickets are $29.95, call 702-617-5577.

Gerace, who is also the show's producer, will sing 30 of Presley's best-known songs. Esposito will discuss shared experiences during his 17-year friendship with The King.

The Jondanaires sang on many of Presley's early hits, including "Don't Be Cruel," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "It's Now Or Never." They also backed the singer on national tours and in several motion pictures.

International ventriloquist David Strassman will premiere his edgy and twisted comedy show entitled, "DAVID STRASSMAN IN dummy" at the Golden Nugget's Theatre Ballroom on Jan. 16. Tickets for his 10 p.m. nightly except Sunday shows are $35, call 1-866-946-5336 or 702-386-8100.

Strassman is filling the slot vacated by The Amazing Jonathan who will open at the Flamingo on Jan. 18, in a 9:30 p.m. time slot.

Gaining worldwide recognition, Strassman has performed in Australia, New Zealand, Britain and South Africa. He also hosted his own TV talk show and had his own solo show in London's West End. Onstage, Strassman energizes an outrageous troupe of puppets like Ted E. Bare and the outspoken "dummy" Chuck Wood. The rebellious, 13-year-old boy enjoys tormenting everyone on and off the stage. For more information on Strassman and his puppets, visit www.chuckwood.com.

"Our Way with Frank, Sammy and Dean" recently completed a 14-month stint at the Tropicana. The trio of performers will unveil a new nostalgic production called "Putting on the Ritz" in the showroom at the Westward Ho on the Strip on Jan. 22. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the show will follow at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 702-731-2900 for ticket information.

Gary Anthony performs as Frank Sinatra. As the third of 11 children, he started singing Sinatra's songs when he was five years old. By age 15, he was a recurring Las Vegas lounge act, and at age 18, he began traveling with his three brothers and sister as the musical family "The Allens." They topped the 1975 musical charts with the song "High Tide," written by The Osmonds and recorded at Motown Records and performed together for nine years.

Anthony recently returned from filming a national NBA television commercial in Philadelphia that features him as the Sinatra stand-in. He got the commercial after a nationwide search.

Lambus F. Dean handles the Sammy Davis, Jr. role. He's been a Las Vegas resident for more than 10 years and appeared with numerous groups. Most recently, he was the lead singer for the well-known group, "A Touch of Silk."

Bill Whitton, who has worked for more than two decades on Las Vegas hotel stages and been a headliner at The Stratosphere, portrays Dean Martin.

At Bally's, the new Tequila Bar located on restaurant row borders the casino and gives a clear view of the gaming action. The bar is a casual Mexican-style cantina with an authentic atmosphere, featuring catchy Latin rhythms and colorful southwestern d‚cor.

The drink menu includes 50 types of tequila, distinctive margarita concoctions and a wide selection of Mexican and domestic beers. An array of Mexican tapas, both hot and cold appetizer items, are offered at the Tequila Bar that is open daily from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m.

The Cannery Casino & Hotel is taking reservations for its 201-room hotel that will open on Jan. 3, call 1-866-999-4899. Las Vegas' first property to open in 2003 at Craig and Losee Roads in North Las Vegas will celebrate its grand opening with special room rates through January. Rates for Sunday through Thursday are $49 and $59 for Friday and Saturday. The new resort highlights period art, retro signage and old-fashioned service.

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The Breeze Bar is Treasure Island's newest lounge replacing the former Gold Bar. Located adjacent to the casino, the Breeze Bar is a stylish serene oasis with signature drinks such as the Blue Goose, BREEZE-Sling and PERFECT TEN. The lounge is open 24 hours.

The Buccaneer Bay Restaurant has re-opened with a new look and new menu. The eatery with signature souffl‚s is accessed by a private elevator and open nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. The renovated establishment is adorned in rich fabrics and highlights an era of stately elegance. Select tables offer views of the Pirate Battle outside.

Drew Carey & The Improv All Stars will take the stage at the MGM Grand's 740-seat Hollywood Theatre with live improv comedy performances, Jan. 23-26. Tickets are $85 inclusive, call 1-800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777.

Carey, star of two hit ABC-TV shows, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and "The Drew Carey Show," has assembled an impressive team of comedic talent for an un-scripted, un-rehearsed, no-holds-barred laughfest. Many familiar faces that Carey has worked with over the years, including castmates from both shows, are members of "The Improv All Stars."

Stars scheduled to appear include Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Kathy Kinney, Greg Proops, Brad Sherwood, Chip Epsen, Jeff Davis, Julie Larson and Sean Masterson. The group will perform comedic improvisation based on subject matter gathered from the suggestions of the live audience, and then transform the ideas into vignettes.

The "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibition at the Guggenheim Las Vegas is scheduled to close its run on Jan. 5. Plans for what will occupy the 63,700-square-foot museum next after the 15-month Las Vegas tour ends are in question.

Through Jan. 24, the Flamingo is holding a Connect, Spin and Win! promotion. Guests who sign up for a Park Place Connection card at the casino resort, receive one free spin on the Connection Wheel between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the southwest entrance of the property. Players may also receive up to five additional spins per day by earning 50 points for each spin on their club card.

There are a total of 40 prizes on the Connection Wheel, including $100 cash, a free Flamingo Slot Tournament entry, show tickets, hotel accommodations, dining credit, gift merchandise and Budweiser beer. Hitting the Bud Connection Quarterback stop on the wheel wins the player a drawing ticket for the Pro Bowl 2004 trip. The drawing will be held on Jan. 24, 2003, and the winner doesn't have to be present.

The Imperial Palace Race and Sports Book has posted the odds to win a 2003 Golf Major. The list includes the top one hundred and fifty golfers in the world and gives patrons four chances to win. The four majors include the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and the PGA Championship.

Jay White, who performs his "Neil Diamond Tribute Show" nightly except Monday in the Le Bistro Theater at the Riviera, will put on a special 90-minute performance with Sharon Owens who plays Barbra Streisand on New Year's Eve at 10 p.m. Tickets for "Diamond and Streisand: Together Again" are $89.99 and include a gourmet dinner buffet (optional), two drinks or a split of champagne, party favors and an autographed photo.

The two performers present authentic re-creations of Diamond and Streisand. White explains that the two stars actually attended Lincoln High School in Brooklyn at the same time and were in the choir together, but never really knew each other.

Tony Sacca, Las Vegas entertainer and television host of "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" now in its 17th year, is performing 8:30 p.m. shows in the Le Bistro through Dec. 31. Tickets for his "Bring in the New Year... `East Coast Style' " show on Dec. 31 are $34.95 with two drinks or a spit of champagne and party favors or $49.95 with a prime rib dinner or buffet included. Call 702-794-9433 for Riviera show tickets.

Three parties are planned at the Rio for New Year's Eve.

The party at the Voodoo Lounge on the 51st floor, will begin at 5 p.m. and include a live performance by Greg Peterson inside, while the sounds of the house deejay will resonate on the outside patio. Tickets are $100 and a view of the fireworks over the Strip is an added plus.

The New Year's Eve bash at Club Rio will start at 10:30 p.m. and have house deejay lighting up the dance floor. The cover charge is $100; however, pre-sale tickets for $75 are available at the Rio Box Office.

The new BiKiNiS nightclub will host a bikini battle sponsored by Bacardi. The competition will begin shortly after midnight and feature teams from Girlfriends Clothing, Playboy Playmates, Club Paradise, Spearmint Rhino, among others, and everyone will be vying for $10,000 in cash. The cover charge is $75.

The Boulder Creek Golf Club featuring Montana's Restaurant will open on Jan. 3. For reservations at the Boulder City golf course, call 702-29-GOLF-4 (294-6534).

The Desert Pines Golf Club will reopen on Jan. 24 after more than a million dollars in repairs are made resurfacing ailing greens due to a fungus. Meanwhile, Walters Golf will move customers with tee times to one of its other five courses at the same price.

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