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

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.

New York-New York offers a variety of exhilarating nightlife – all under one roof, for one low price. With the purchase of the new $25 Value Passport, guests can party all night at a variety of venues, without breaking the bank. Deals offered with the Passport include one premium specialty cocktail at Center Bar; a pint of beer at Pour 24; a ride on The Roller Coaster at New York-New York; a pint or cocktail at Nine Fine Irishmen; admission and a brew at The Bar at Times Square; and VIP line pass admission into ROK Vegas. The Value Passport is available at the New York-New York Box Office.

Effective March 30 Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay will be closed. A new bar & lounge is slated to open in late summer.

During Wednesday Performances in March, Locals Can Enjoy Seating Upgrades
Returning to The Colosseum with her record-breaking hits, one-of-a-kind Bob Mackie costumes and several new musical numbers, Cher proves that her over-the-top show is even hotter in 2009. Locals who haven’t seen the spectacle can now take advantage of a special upgrade offer, with a savings of up to $45, for select shows in March. Fans who purchase tickets in the second mezzanine level will receive a complimentary upgrade to first mezzanine seating, and those who purchase tickets in the first mezzanine will receive a complimentary upgrade to rear orchestra seating. The locals offer is only valid during performances on Wednesday evenings in March (4, 11 and 18). Ticket prices start at $95 and the offer is based on availability.

To redeem this special offer visit www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/>, keyword “CHER” and type in password LVCHER in the “LOCALS SPECIAL OFFER” box, or visit The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office with valid photo I.D.

“Free Things To Do in Las Vegas” List
Fremont Street Experience tops MSN Travel’s “Free Things to Do in Las Vegas” list at the No. 1 spot, showing that the original downtown Vegas remains the must-see attraction to experience..
 
The article highlights Fremont Street Experience’s true, “vintage Vegas-feel” including some of Las Vegas’ most historic hotel-casinos.
 
“Head downtown for this hourly light-and-sound show near some of Vegas’ oldest casinos,” MSN wrote about Fremont Street Experience.  “Glitter is everywhere here, as millions of neon lights illuminate the heart of downtown Vegas.”
 
“It’s an honor to be recognized by MSN as the top free entertainment venue in Las Vegas, especially considering the number of high-quality attractions here,” said Jeff Victor, President of Fremont Street Experience. “Approximately 18 million people a year visit Fremont Street and we look forward to welcoming new and returning guests.  There is a party every night on Fremont Street Experience where everyone can experience the original and real Las Vegas.”
 
Fremont Street Experience is a five-block long urban pedestrian mall that connects the 10 downtown hotel-casinos – Binion’s, California, Fitzgeralds, Four Queens, Fremont, Golden Gate, Golden Nugget, Main Street Station, Plaza and Vegas Club.
 
The featured attraction of Fremont Street Experience is Viva Vivsion, the world’s largest video screen which is 1,500 feet long and suspended 90 feet above the mall. The light & sound shows developed specifically for Viva Vision are displayed on a 12.5-million-light LED screen accompanied by a 550,000-watt sound system.
 
Two new hit shows playing nightly on Viva Vision are “A Tribute To Queen,” featuring the songs “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions,” and “Don McLean’s American Pie” featuring the namesake rock anthem.
 
“Our two new Viva Vision shows have been a big new attraction for Fremont Street Experience,” Victor said.  “We have taken rock anthems and made one-of-a-kind gigantic music videos that people can only experience here.  Thousands of people are coming downtown each night to see these new shows and we have three additional shows in production that will debut this fall.”
 
The free Viva Vision shows run nightly at the top of the hour from nightfall to midnight.
 
MSN Travel’s list incorporated the Top 11 free attractions in The Entertainment Capital of the World, including other prominent Las Vegas attractions such as the fountains at the Bellagio, the lion habitat at MGM Grand, the aquarium at The Mirage and The Sirens of TI.

Each Tuesday, Studio 54 features Influence – a night especially for restaurant and nightclub industries, and Las Vegas locals.  Known for its high-energy and dance floor, Studio 54 offers exclusive service to Las Vegas’ most influential people on this special evening.  Guest DJs and celebrity hosts make Influence the hottest place to be every Tuesday night.   

The popular Vegas industry night now features a new twist with Influence 2080s.  Every week, Influence 2080s will focus on popular 80s movies and music memorabilia.  Party-goers are invited to come dressed in their best 80s get-up and head over to Studio 54, as participants will receive giveaways dedicated to the theme of the evening.  This month, Influence 2080s welcomes special guest, Biz Markie, one of hip-hop’s prominent stars to deliver a special live performance.

All ladies sporting leg warmers on the industry night drink free until midnight.

After more than three years as one of the top nightlife destinations on the Las Vegas Strip, Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub at TI has officially closed its doors.

The club has already begun a major renovation and will reopen as an entirely new, top-tier nightlife venue in the spring of 2008. With the help of New York design firm Seed, the new venue aims to become one of the top nightlife draws in Las Vegas.
Posted by:  Linda

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, the “Wildest Irish Pub on Earth,” has crossed the great Mississippi River to land in the wildest city on Earth, Las Vegas.

Throwing open its doors today, McFadden’s 7,000-square-foot-plus tavern at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will be Sin City’s newest pub-hub for crowds seeking out an unpretentious party bar where both men and women can roll up their sleeves and have a great time.

Already famous in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia, McFadden’s Vegas has two rooms (including a 150-person private party room with its own island bar), over 20 high-definition plasma TVs, dance floor and a breathtakingly long 100-foot mahogany bar perfect for dancing on. Along with a full bar featuring dozens of favorite draught beers and 90-ounce fishbowl cocktails, customers will want to tuck into McFadden’s Almost Famous Boneless Buffalo Wings, Irish Stew, and of course, Shepherd’s Pie topped with air-whipped potatoes, from Chef Brian Ratheun’s kitchen.

Open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until the Erin goes bragh, McFadden’s beauteous Lucky Charms and jovial Ministers of Hospitality will ensure everyone has fun, whether they’re there to watch the game, get their drink on with the dueling pianos and DJ Soup Can, or celebrate happy occasions.

Begun in New York City in 1977, McFadden’s has since grown to 11 locations across the country, including Boston; Pittsburgh; Chicago; Columbus; Washington, D.C.; Nashville and Philadelphia. The venues are famous for their Irish-American cuisine, fun-loving atmosphere, happy hours and bachelorette parties.

McFadden’s Fun Facts
Over 20 million gallons of beer served;
Over 15 million gallons of beer spilled;
Over 6 million bachelorettes late/hung-over for their weddings;
Enough Almost Famous Boneless Buffalo Wings served to cover Ireland 3 feet deep;
Enough girls have danced on the bars to cover Ireland 3 feet deep
(after Ireland cleans up from the Buffalo Wings)
Posted by: Linda