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March 08, 2001
Columnist Joe Delaney: There are plenty of show
values to be had
Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and
Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com.
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The following is for locals and visitors alike,
especially those with limited budgets ... There are three shows, all
afternoon offerings, that can be seen for the price of a drink,
approximately $5, with a coupon ... The oldest, a Las Vegas favorite for
more than three decades, is Breck Wall and Patrick Maes' "The Best of
Bottoms Up," at the Flamingo Las Vegas, starring Wall with David Harris
and Sue Motsinger.
"The Best of Bottoms Up" is a fast-paced "revusical,"
jokes that are new and old but all funny, burlesque-type bits, dance
numbers, great fun ... Our next recommendation is another long-run
champion, "Viva Las Vegas," at the Stratosphere, with comedy by Dave
Swan, Bruce "Big John" Mickelson and Golden Joe Baker, our
favorite Elvis impressionist, plus singers, dancers and fine production
values.
The third recommendation, one that could be well on
its way to long-run status, is "Stars of the Strip" for all of you who
are Danny Gans, Bill Acosta and Andre-Philippe Gagnon fans, or of those
"Legends in Concert"-type shows ... Robbie Howard, the wonderful
Walkers, Kathy, Bill and Greg, plus David Poe, Pat Marlin and Bruce
Miller in a show worthy of a Strip location.
Magic shows are much less expensive in the afternoon.
Try Mac King (Harrah's); Dixie Dooley's "Houdini Lives Again" (Plaza)
and "The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas" (Tropicana); with prices
ranging from $16-$22 ... The various comedy clubs and Elvis clones are
also in that price range.
Check around; you can also find two-for-one specials
for locals with proper identification ... Competition is tough these
days and there are good shows that are trying to maintain their price
level yet offer bargains to residents, especially now when LV's
population is rushing toward 2 million.
Star-policy rundown
It's Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas); "Honky Tonk
Angels" (Gold Coast); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); Clint Holmes,
evenings, King, afternoons (Harrah's); Tim Conway, Harvey Korman and
Luise DuArt (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); Katarina Witt's "Kisses
On Ice," Saturday only (Mandalay Bay); George Carlin, Rick Springfield
starring in "EFX Alive" and, Thursday and Saturday only, the Backstreet
Boys (MGM Grand) ... There's lots more.
Plus Siegfried & Roy and Gans, in separate theaters
(Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); "The New Kenny Kerr Show" (New
Frontier); Everly Brothers (Orleans); Bobby Vinton (Paris Las Vegas);
Pete Barbutti (Plaza); Little Anthony & the Imperials plus the Spinners
(Sam's Town); Chicago (Stardust); Elvin Bishop (Suncoast); David Benoit
(Sunset Station); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic, plus Gagnon
(Venetian).
Good news: Caesars Magical Empire has been extended
once again, this time to June 2 ... This is the only evening
entertainment left at Caesars Palace other than lounge action ... Note
to Caesars: There should be at least one place to send a customer who
wants to see a show in your hotel ... Keep Caesars Magical Empire at
least until you have an alternate choice ... Sending hotel guests
elsewhere for a show can be harmful to your casino drop.
Jazz notes: Don't miss Gus Mancuso, Chris Gordon and
Santo Savino, nightly in Napoleon's Bar (Paris Las Vegas) or an
afternoon treat, Jim Fitzgerald's Kinda Dixie Jazz Band (Gold Coast) ...
There is also Friday jazz at Pogo's; Saturday, it's Paisano's; Sunday,
the World's Smallest Jazz Band plays; and Mondays, it's Don Menza's Big
Band.
Vibraharp virtuoso Tommy Vig will premiere his
"Moment of Vibraharp, 22 Strings and Piano," with Vig as soloist, part
of the Youth Camerata Orchestra Concert, conducted by Oscar Carrescia,
Saturday at 2 p.m. (Winchester Center) ... Vig and his art collection
can now be found at Art Gallery 2000 ... His book, "How To Tell What
Things Are Really Worth," is now avilable in various book stores.
Special treat: Multiple Grammy-Award winner Vikki
Carr performs Friday at 8 p.m. (Boulder Station) ... Correction:
Comedian Bernie Allen was 85, not 83, on February 25 ... Mea culpa ...
See you Friday.
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