In front of a sold-out crowd, Bette Midler said a heartfelt goodbye to Vegas during her final performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The magical evening–two years in the making– included many special performances, surprise guests, tearful moments and numerous standing ovations.

Included in the VIP audience were: TV and pop star Paula Abdul, iconic songstress  Gladys Knight, legendary entertainer Wayne Newton, comedienne Rita Rudner, writer Bruce Vilanch, and Las Vegas headliners Terry Fator, Marie Osmond and George Wallace. Boxing promoter Bob Arum and his wife Lovee also attended.

Among the evening’s highlights was a surprise appearance by fellow Las Vegas headliner Marie Osmond, who offered up a few clean jokes and kind words to Bette. Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro played the Beatle’s classic “In My Life” alongside Bette.  Gladys Knight was called on stage by Bette to reminisce and perform a chilling solo rendition of “The Way We Were.”  Finally, Celine Dion said goodbye and congratulations to Bette in a video message towards the very end of the show, humorously poking fun at Bette for starting to sing “My Heart Will Go On” instead of her signature closing song, “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Bette Midler The Showgirl Must Go On was created in partnership with AEG Live exclusively for The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and premiered on February 20, 2008. The Divine Miss M did not miss a single performance over her two-year run, taking the stage nearly 180 times. For more information on the show and the latest news from The Divine Miss M, visit www.bettemidler.com

This football post-season, Rhumbar invites football fanatics to bundle up and fire-up the grill for Rhumbar’s Ultimate Patio Tailgate Party.  Beginning Saturday, and Sunday, January 9 and 10, Rhumbar will host a tailgate party each and every weekend through the conference championships on Sunday, January 24. The party will start each weekend, one half-hour before kickoff up until the last touch down is scored.

Rhumbar’s Ultimate Patio Tailgate Party will bring back those oh-so-cozy tailgate memories from the frozen tundra of Green Bay, or the icy parking lots of Giants stadium, where despite the frost, friends and foes huddled together to cheer on their favorite team rain or shine.  Now football lovers can throw on their warmest winter garb and catch their favorite sport on multiple screens out onRhumbar’s spacious, 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio, while munching on delicious tailgate fare such as brats and nachos. Rhumbar will offering a Bloody Mary bar and ice cold drink specials, served by the sexy lineup of cocktail servers. And because Rhumbar knows how crazy those fans can get, prizes will be awarded each week to the tailgater with the most fanatical costume.

Rhumbar is a highly-stylized cocktail lounge with a cool Caribbean palate, known for its premium rum and exotic, handmade cocktails. The 3,000-square foot outdoor patio is reminiscent of a tropical retreat offering a picturesque location for guests to mingle, sip cocktails, and smoke cigars.

Located near the main entrance of The Mirage, Rhumbar is the second hospitality and nightlife venture for Drive This! Entertainment, owned and operated by Michael Frey and his co-managing partner, Craig Gilbert. Rhumbar is open from 11 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information please contact Rhumbar at 702-792-7615

MGM MIRAGE’s highly anticipated CityCenterdevelopment will celebrate openings throughout December, culminating with a grand opening celebration Dec. 16. Vdara Hotel & Spa, an all-suite boutique hotel with a non-gaming, smoke-free environment, opened today, Dec. 1. Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district featuring high-end designer stores and restaurants like BESO by Eva Longoria Parker, will open Dec. 3. Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, a 47-story, non-gaming hotel and residences featuring an unparalleled spa and unique Sky Lobby, will open Dec. 4. ARIA Resort & Casino, featuring Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil, dining experiences by world-renowned chefs and a luxurious spa, will open Dec. 16. CityCenter has earned its sixth LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, marking the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. LEED certified components include Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, Veer Towers, Vdara Hotel & Spa, Crystals, ARIA Resort’s hotel tower, and ARIA’s convention center and theater.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is looking to hire the best Las Vegas has to offer at a two-day job fair in its future location at Town Square Las Vegas Tuesday, Nov. 3 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 from noon – 5 p.m.  Pete’s is seeking to fill a number of positions including bartenders, cocktail waitresses, door staff, piano players, managers, cleaning crew and bathroom attendants.  Those interested in applying can do so either day.  For more information, call 702.220.PETE (7383).

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is hiring in anticipation of its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 13 at Town Square Las Vegas.  Keep up with the latest Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, Las Vegas news, events and photos via Facebook and Twitter.

Ghosts and goblins invade North Lake Tahoe as towns and villages pull out all the stops for
scary and merry events.

Tahoe City is getting spooky this Friday, October 16 with the Rocky  Horror Dance Party & Costume Contest on the Marina Green at the  Boatworks Mall, starting at 9 p.m., with movie showing, dancing and costume contest. Tahoe City’s Harvest Festival is in full swing and  features the Rideout Community Center Pumpkin Patch Saturday, October  17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with bounce house, dessert walk, hay and pony  rides, silly games and pumpkin patch. Tahoe City merchants are  staying open late so children can trick-or-treat down “main street”  Saturday, October 31, 4-6 p.m.

Incline Village kicks off all things scary with the 2nd Annual  Monster Dash Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m., with a 5K fun run that
starts in the Upper Village Center. Halloween costumes are encouraged  for all runners, walkers and spectators. The 30th Annual Pumpkin  Patch returns to the Incline Village Elementary School that same day,  Saturday, October 17, with clowns, bake sale, bounce house and pony  rides. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Casino & Spa in Incline  Village hosts their first-ever Pumpkin Carving Contest Saturday,  October 24, 4-6 p.m., for ages 6 to 12 years, with prizes awarded to  the best jack o’ lantern creators.

The first-ever Historic Haunted Tour of Truckee is Wednesday, October  21, when guests enjoy a guided walking tour to learn about the Old  West, shootouts and the city’s haunted history. The tour is for  adults only and starts with a glass of wine, live music and a silent  auction of wonderful treats. Childcare is provided by the KidZone  Museum in Truckee with “Professor Higginbody’s Halloween Night Out.”  Cost is $10 per child for parents attending the tour and includes  gooey pizza and oozy science activities for children 2 years and  older. Guided tour tickets are $25/per person.

Spending the witching hours at the Village at Squaw Valley, where  travelers can guess the weight of The Giant Pumpkin anytime from  Saturday, October 24 through Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to 10  p.m., with prizes for the closest guess. There’s also a Great Pumpkin  Scavenger Hunt during that same week, and trick-or-treating with  merchants on Halloween. Both the Auld Dubliner and Le Chamois host  Halloween Costume Bashes Saturday, October 31 featuring DJs spinning  the tunes.

The Tahoe Maritime Museum on the West Shore gets into the Halloween  spirit Thursday, October 29 with Family Night Out, starting at 5  p.m., with children’s activities and family-friendly movie. Guests of  all sizes are encouraged to wear costumes.

It’s adults only at the Devil’s Night Costume Party with AC/DShe at  the Crystal Bay Casino in Crystal Bay Friday, October 30, 10 p.m.  Tickets are $23/per person. The rock band Tainted Love gets partiers  grooving the following evening, Halloween, at 9 p.m. with the  Creepers Ball Costume Part. Tickets are $25/per person.

Chef Emeril Lagasse and The Palazzo have announced Lagasse’s Stadium, a new place to dine, watch sports and play, opening this fall at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino. The new state-of-the-art venue will feature 100 high definition screens providing access to nearly every major college and professional sporting event including must-see bowl games, track races, tournaments and championship match-ups. The menu will feature Lagasse’s play on game-day favorites; a few of Emeril’s “New Orleans” style dishes and re-inventions of American classics.

Treasure Island will add Khotan™ to its fine-dining options beginning August 10, featuring Pan-Asian cuisine, outdoor seating with views of the Strip and Sirens Cove, and ultra-chic indoor dining nooks for parties of two to 20. The menu offers delectable entrees influenced by Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indonesian traditional and contemporary cuisine.

Khotan, which means “City of Jade,” will also contain the largest collection of jade and ivory antiquities in the United States. On loan from Treasure Island Owner Phil Ruffin’s private collection, the 20-plus pieces will include two five-foot hand-carved jade jars and a 35,000-year old ivory tusk adorned with an intricately designed Asian village.

Watch Out All Poker Players:
Vinnie Favorito To Compete In 2009 World Series Of Poker® Main Event Tournament Comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito will bring his racy and quick-witted comedy to the poker table as he competes in this year’s World Series of Poker® Main Event.

The force-to-be-reckoned-with Favorito will be one of over 6,000 other expected poker players at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event at the Rio® All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Monday, July 6. The WSOP Main Event has four starting days this year, July 3 through 6, with Favorito choosing to play on the last day, Day 1D on July 6.  This marks Favorito’s third time participating in the tournament in Las Vegas.

“Everyone should know I’m bringing my A-game,” says Favorito. “I let everyone get a taste of what they’d be up against in previous years… This time, I’m showing no mercy!”

Favorito exercised his passion for poker when he was selected to be the host of “The Real Deal!,” a poker-themed stage show held at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in 2008. The show gave audience members the chance to win prizes and cash playing against the world’s best professional poker players including Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth Jr., Gavin Smith and Jennifer Harman, just to name a few. Favorito familiarized himself with the game and gained lasting relationships with some of the best in poker. His knack for reading others in his comedy show will play in his favor as he takes the poker table by storm on Monday, July 6.

Comedian, celebrity roaster and radio talk show host Vinnie Favorito is a veteran in the comedy world. Known for his quick-witted insults and outstanding improvisational skills, Favorito has roasted many well-known celebrities including Jerry Springer, Pat O’Brien, Larry Flynt and Magic Johnson. Favorito performs inside the 220-seat Bugsy’s Cabaret at the Flamingo Las Vegas nightly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.95 and $59.95 (plus tax and fees) and can be purchased at the Flamingo box office by phone at (702) 733-3333 or online at www.flamingoslasvegas.com.

The Limp Bizkit concert scheduled for Friday, July 10 at Mandalay Bay Beach has been cancelled. Tickets can be refunded at place of purchase.

Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands will celebrate its 100^th show July 31 at The Mirage. The celebrity impressionist, singer, comedian and ventriloquist opened his hilarious show to rave reviews March 14, 2009. It is a great show and it will keep you laughing. To experience it for yourself, call The Mirage at (702) 792-7777. Tickets are priced at $59, $79, $99 and $129, excluding tax and fees.