Vegas is such a hip and happening city that it literally takes an army to keep track of all the events, changes and news.
Here are a few stories from other websites and blogs that may be of interest to you this weekend:
* * * * * * * * * *
Ventriloquist Terry Fator talks about some of the lead characters at his new show at The Mirage with the Review-Journal‘s Mike Weatherford. Fator’s new gig, in a specially designed theater, started on Valentine’s day and is officially in preview performances until March 13th, 2009.
* * * * * * * * * *
Uptake Lodging Editor Nancy D. Brown recently stayed with her family at Circus Circus and wasn’t laughing at the accommodations they had to stay in. I can’t say I blame her.
* * * * * * * * * *
Steve Freiss reviews both the new Danny Gans and Gordie Brown shows for last week’s Las Vegas Weekly. Both Gans and Brown recently took a hiatus from the Strip and both have returned in new theaters built especially for them (Gans at Encore and Brown at Golden Nugget).
Of Gans, Freiss says he “seemed renewed, refreshed, relevant.” Of Brown, he wasn’t as impressed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Speaking of not impressed, John Curtas of EatingLV, takes on the new restaurants at Encore and walks away with a bland taste in his mouth. He pulls no punches in explaining why, which makes it an interesting read. Plenty of photos, too, for those that just like to watch.
* * * * * * * * * *
BuffaloPundit takes a brief respite from blogging about upper New York State to visit Vegas and leaves the readers some observations from said trip, not to mention some great photos.
* * * * * * * * * *
People Magazine, among other papers, TV shows and tabloids report that actor Brad Pitt brought sons Maddox and Pax to Vegas earlier this week for a “boys only” outing that included a Wednesday night stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, a meal at In-N-Out Burger (“would you like fries with that…Oh My God you’re Brad Pitt!!!”) and a viewing of Cirque du Soliel’s Asian-inspired show “Ka” at the MGM Grand, where they were ushered in the back way to their seats.
Good to see Pitt weaning his boys on those wild Vegas getaways early in their development.
* * * * * * * * * *
It’s my personal policy not to comment on the personal lives of the movers and shakers in Las Vegas, but an article this week in the British newspaper Daily Mail reports that casino mogul Steve Wynn is filing for divorce from Elaine, his wife of 46 years, due to a new relationship with a British divorcee. If that is so, it could be one of the costliest divorces in US history, as Wynn is estimated with a personal fortune of over $3 billion.
Even if you don’t care about his personal life, the aerial photo of the Wynn and Encore resorts side by side that illustrates the article is worth a look.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to the Las Vegas Advisor, one of my favorite sites (besides this one, of course), for mentioning our coverage of the Hard Rock Hotel’s new tower rooms and valet area to its members. According to them, the South Tower we profiled opens around May or June of this year. When I get a definitive date, I’ll let you know. And if you’re coming to Vegas, I can vouch their membership is worth it for the coupon book alone (tip: save a bit of money on a membership by going with the electronic version of their monthly magazine).
* * * * * * * * * *
The Las Vegas Police Department vice unit has compiled a list of the “50 Most Prolific Prostitutes in Vegas” in attempt to keep repeat offenders off the Strip. The Review-Journal this week decided to take this Vice Enforcement Top Offenders list – or VETO, as they call it – and publish photos from it in an article about the list. The appearance of said “VETO” list is interesting as there are rumors Clark County may be thinking about eventually legalizing prostitution in an effort to make money off the tax dollars that could bring in.
My question is does said list really act as a deterrent, or does it just make it easier for potential customers to identify the working girls?
