Vegas Exclusive

Tales From The Strip - December 29th

By Scott Lewis | December 23, 2008

ENCORE! ENCORE!

Steve Wynn is doing it again. The mastermind behind mega-resorts as the Mirage, Treasure Island (now called TI), the Bellagio and the Wynn, is planning on opening his $2.2 billion dollar resort called Encore. The 2,034 room hotel (all suites) is scheduled to open around Christmas.

Here’s a few tidbits about the Encore:

Mega-Star Headliner Danny Gans will be starring in his own show at the resort. Gans is famous for his incredible impersonations and has been named “Entertainer of the Year” several times throughout his long stint here in Las Vegas. I remember first seeing him in Las Vegas when he was the opening act for Joan Rivers at the Desert Inn (which ironically is the site where the Encore now sits). Gans had his first headliner gig at the Stratosphere, later moving onto the Rio and then to the Mirage where he recently performed his final show at the property.

Wynn is also said to be working on brand new musical based on the music of the Bee Gees which he will bring to his new resort. It’s said that the show will be similar to “Jersey Boys” based on the career of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Wynn is working with Bob Martin who was involved with “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Broadway (and did very well at the Tony’s winning 5 Tony Awards but losing out for Best Musical to ….Jersey Boys).

Among the fine restaurants at the Encore will be a signature restaurant, Sinatra, honoring the legendary Frank Sinatra. It will have on display Sinatra’s Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in the classic “From Here to Eternity” as well as several of his Grammy Awards.

The resort will also have a huge club called XS which will be one of the largest clubs in the U.S. measuring in at an astounding 40,000 square feet.

DEALS And More DEALS

Locals receive great discounts. Here’s some of the latest offerings.

Stomp Out Loud – offers two-for-one tickets until Jan 4^th for locals (show closes on Jan 4^th)

Tournament of Kings – offers two-for-one tickets until Jan 29^th (offer is not valid on certain select dates)

Cirque du Soleil production shows - offer $49 tickets for “Ka,” “Mystere” and “Zumanity.” for locals through February. You must mention the word “local” and have a Nevada license to take advantage of the special price. Telephone number is (866) 241-2833.

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Tales From The Strip - December 22nd

By Scott Lewis | December 23, 2008

AMAZING HOTEL DEALS IN DECEMBER!!!
Now is the time to visit Vegas if you want to enjoy the lowest hotel costs all year. Amazing deals can be had right now but don’t expect any deals after December 26th through Jan 4th. The days after Christmas through New Years (and through the holiday weekend on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th) will be the busiest time in Vegas all year. Watch for the hotel prices to jump from incredible lows to incredible highs. Here are some recently reported rates (check with the properties themselves for exact rates for the nights you want to stay)

Eastside Cannery $29.95 (Las Vegas’ Newest Hotel/Casino)

Circus Circus $37

Excalibur $42

Luxor $60

Monte Carlo $60

Treasure Island $69

New York- New York $70

Mirage $89

MGM Grand $90

Mandalay Bay $110

Bellagio $149

LION KING IS VEGAS BOUND

Vegas has had an interesting experience with Broadway shows. A number of misses (Avenue Q, Hunchbank of Notre Dame, We Will Rock U, The Producers) and a few hits like Mama Mia and Jersey Boys (which opened recently but is doing strong business and appears to have “legs”). Mandalay Bay recently announced that The Lion King will be replacing Mama Mia when it ends it’s successful run next year. The opening date has been announced as May 2, 2009. Reportedly it will be presented in the same form as on Broadway with all of the same spectacular sets, costumes and music.

DANNY GANS MOVING TO ENCORE

Impressionist Extraordinare, Danny Gans has concluded an extremely successful run at the Mirage. I remember seeing Gans when he first was an opening act for Joan Rivers at the Desert Inn (now the site of the Wynn and soon-to-open Encore resort). He later headlined his own show at the Stratosphere, Rio and The Mirage where he had his last performance on November 22nd. One of Las Vegas’ favorite performers, Gans will open at the new Encore in Feb 2009.

NEW VOLCANO ATTRACTION SET TO OPEN

Keep a lookout for the Mirage’s new Volcano which is reported to be 10x bigger than the former volcano. The volcano shows will run every hour and last 4 to 4 1/2 minutes. Set to a score by Mikey Hart (percussionist from the Grateful Dead) the spectacular shows will include huge flames propelled from over 100 gas jets with water shooting more than 100 feet into the air.

FOUNTAINBLEAU ON TRACK

While construction has slowed down considerably and some major projects have been cancelled, the FOUNTAINBLEAU continues making progress and will open sometime in 2009. The 63 story hotel/condominium tower will have 3,812 luxury hotel rooms, 24 restaurants and bars,a 100,000 square foot casino, a 3000 seat performing arts theatre, a 60,000 square foot Lapis day spa, 300,000 square feet of upscale retail shops and 390,000 square feet of conference and meeting space. Cost of the FOUNTAINBLEAU…..2.9 Billion Dollars!

As always, Viva Las Vegas!

Dr. Scott

P.S. - I’m taking a few weeks off from performing as this is also the slowest time in Las Vegas. Many shows will be “Dark” (that’s Vegas-speak for “closed”) until things heat up again Dec 26th. I return to the Riviera on Monday Dec 29th. If you’re in town, drop on by and see the show!

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