Harrah’s Entertainment is gearing up for one of the most memorable fiesta celebrations on the Las Vegas Strip with four days of Mexican Independence Day festivities taking place Sept. 15-18, 2010.

Commemorating 200 years of Mexican Independence, the fun begins with Latin singing superstar Luis Miguel as he spices things up with four nights of special holiday concerts during Mexican Independence Day week at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.  One of the most successful and prolific musical artists in Latin American history, Miguel takes the stage at 9 p.m. nightly Sept. 15-18. Miguel’s string of chart-topping hits is virtually unrivaled and he has consistently broken many box office records. Tickets for this unique musical experience are $95, $155, $185 and $250 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 702-474-4000, in-person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace box office, or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

Tequila lovers rejoice. The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is hosting the fourth annual Las Vegas Tequila Fest, Sept. 17-18. A unique tequila tasting event, sample legendary brands from renowned international labels as well as new and upcoming brands from spirits distilled in the heart of Mexico. Continuous live entertainment adds to the festive atmosphere. The event takes place in the Miranda Room on Sept. 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sept. 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Guests must be 21 years of age with a valid ID.  Tickets are $60 and available in-person at the Rio Box Office, by calling 702-777-7776 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

The celebration doesn’t end there; The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is also hosting the Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8:00 p.m.  This historic gala commemorates 20 years as the most prestigious Mariachi event in the United States and is proud to include special guests Shaila Durcal and Antonio Aguilar Jr. along with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de José Hernández and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano The festival will take place at The Pavillion with elegant table seating available.  Tickets are $75, $110, $150 and $185, available for purchase at the Rio Box Office, by calling 702-777-7776.

Harrah’s Entertainment will also feature roving Mariachi band performances at their resort properties throughout the festive weekend for all to enjoy.

The Forum Shops at Caesars, the world-renowned shopping venue, and Funjet Vacations, the family-owned business creating vacations far exceeding customer expectations, are partnering to make the dreams come true for 10 extremely lucky couples.  Among the items the 10 couples will receive:

All expense paid trip to Las Vegas, including flights provided by Funjet Vacations, arriving Saturday, Oct. 9 and departing Monday, Oct. 11, 2010.*
Two-night stay at Caesars Palace.
Post-proposal dinner hosted by The Palm-Las Vegas restaurant at The Forum Shops.
A post-dinner event at PURE Nightclub.
Wedding gifts provided by retailers at The Forum Shops.
The once-in-a-lifetime experience to get engaged in the most unique of ways.

SELECTING THE COUPLES
Beginning Monday, June 21, 2010, interested couples can go to www.101010at1010am.com.  They can submit an essay of 110 words or less explaining why they deserve to be part of this event.  To help make their case of being chosen, they are also encouraged to provide links to photos and/or a video.  Social media will be heavily incorporated to spread awareness of opportunity which will be done across a vast network of Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, instantly touching more than 1,000,000 potential contestants.  Couples will have until July 23, 2010 to submit essay and photos/video.

The Forum Shops and Funjet Vacations will determine the winning ten couples along with two runner-up couples** who will also be flown to Las Vegas the weekend of Oct. 10, 2010.

“We have created this phenomenal event based on the fun and excitement of 10 couples getting engaged at the same time and with it being such a unique date and time, it just adds to the entire occasion,” says Maureen Crampton, director of marketing and business development, The Forum Shops at Caesars.

FROM NOW UNTIL OCTOBER

Once couples are selected, they can be followed at www.101010at1010am.com, as well as social media assets.  Facebook friends and Twitter followers can learn more about each couple, including where they are from, how they met, what makes them such unique couples and much more.

OCTOBER 10, 2010

On the big day, the proposals will take place in front of the replica of Rome’s Trevi Fountain, located on the Las Vegas Strip in front of The Forum Shops.  Legend has it if three people throw coins into the fountain with their right hand over their left shoulder, marriage will soon follow.

“We definitely could not pass on this promotion,” says Michelle Burmeister, Funjet Vacations.  “We’re looking forward to not only seeing the day arrive when they get engaged, but also their faces when they hear what’s waiting for them once the engagement rings are on.  It will be an unforgettable surprise and will bring out the romantic in all of us.”

For more information on this event, go to www.101010at1010am.com

Available for purchases now through June 30

Call Ticketmaster, visit www.lionkinglasvegas.com or purchase tickets at the Mandalay Bay box office, by June 30 and use the code CELEBRATE to take advantage of this terrific offer. Service fees other restrictions may apply.

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and its headliners were honored with five awards from the 2010 Las Vegas Review-Journal’s 29^th annual “Best of Las Vegas” awards.

Chosen by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and its staff, the following is a list of the awards:

· Bette Midler was named by the readers as “Best All-Around Performer”

· Cher was named by the staff as “Best All-Around Performer”

· Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On took home the “Best Showgirls” honor, according to the staff

· The Review-Journal readers claimed Bette Milder as “Best Singer”

· The Review-Journal staff awarded “Best Concert” of 2010 to Leonard Cohen at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

Each year thousands of local readers cast their votes for their favorite entertainment, restaurants and more. This year’s “Best of Las Vegas” featured 312 categories and printed in the Sunday, March 28 edition.

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

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

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.

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.