Chuck Rounds' LV Entertainment News

A monthly Las Vegas Entertainment Newsletter

Chuck Rounds' Las Vegas Entertainment News

February 2012

Ok, so I have to get this written...it's the last day of the month and for the past decade, I've only turned this newsletter in late once...I don't want to make it twice...but my mind is elsewhere. My father is sick, and I can't be there right now (and not because of this newsletter...because my folks live five states away...) He see the doctors in the morning, and we'll know more...
It is amazing how everything stops when a family member is in a crisis...all of those things that seemed so important five minutes ago, don't seem to matter at all now.
We all have our own ways of making ourselves feel better. Some people talk themselves better. Some people like to sit quietly and work things out in their head. I write myself better...so with a little indulgence, I will press forward.

Now of course, normally, I would be saying what a great month February is for Las Vegas...how beautiful the weather is...the fact is, this is what springtime feels like in the rest of the country, but we get it now. It has been a mild winter around most of the country, but people still dealing with winter...not us. There are three major events that make February one of the best months of the year--- The Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, and the MAGIC convention (along with several other conventions.) February is the shortest month of the year (29 days this Leap year,) and Las Vegas has it packed full. February is a busy time for conventions. February is always the start of changes as the city looks ahead to the summer. In fact, most of the hotels are currently looking for their summer pool staff right now. Late winter and early spring are good times to get shows opened so that they can establish themselves prior to the summer season.

The Nevada Caucus is on Saturday...every Republican candidate will be in town for the rest of the week campaigning as best they can. Right now, I feel as though I have supported the government in good faith for a long time...and with the pool of candidates that are out there right now, I want my money back.

The Super Bowl...the Giants and the Patriots!! We're not actually allowed to call the Super Bowl, "The Super Bowl," in Las Vegas. The NFL has a love/hate relationship with the city and will not allow the use of the name "Super Bowl"-licensed trademarked, blah, blah, blah... So all of the football parties for that day will be "The Big Game," "The Championship," "The Super Party;" it is utter stupidity...but I'm sure that some lawyers made a lot of money getting that passed...but I evoke my First Amendment right...Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl...I'm rooting for the Patriots, by the way.

Bookings are up in Las Vegas. Convention attendance has been up. We could really start seeing some positive changes economically in our city.

MAGIC is in town the 13th - 15th to introduce the spring fashions. MAGIC is one of the biggest conventions of the year with nearly 100k attendees...but in addition to this convention; there are also a couple of hundred other conventions that hit the city this month.

Valentine's Day is usually one of the biggest wedding days for Las Vegas. This year is going to be much quieter with Valentine's falling on a Tuesday. Valentine's on a Tuesday is bad news for all of the wedding chapels. Usually, there are thousands of weddings on that day, and chapels are busy from dawn right up to the stroke of midnight. This year there are only a fraction of the bookings.

"Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" at the opened on Valentine's Day at the Rio, nine years ago, and it is now over at Planet Hollywood in the V Theatre, and it is still going strong as ever.

After more than 14 years on the Las Vegas Strip, Studio 54 at the MGM Grand will close its doors Sunday, Feb. 5. The legendary nightclub will celebrate its success with an unforgettable bash Saturday, Feb. 4. Studio 54 opened as the first megaclub in Las Vegas in 1997 and launched the nightlife trend that is dominant today.

Charlie Franks plays the 'King of Rock' while Chris Gardner impersonates Michael Jackson. "2 Kings" opened in the King's Room at The Rio paying tribute to Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson with Charlie Franks playing the "King of Rock" and Chris Gardner who impersonates the "King of Pop." Chris Gardner impersonates Michael Jackson in concert with hits and dance moves from "Smooth Criminal," "Billie Jean" and many more. Charlie Franks impersonates Elvis aka "The King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley. He performs "Burning Love," "Suspicious Minds," and many other Elvis hits.

Tommy Wind will be opening his new show, "Impact," at the Clarion Hotel on the 14th. Named a master illusionist at the tender age of 19, award-winning magician Tommy Wind is set to blow audiences away with his new show at the Wolf Theater. The high-powered show is an entertaining mash-up of large-scale illusions, close-up magic, mentalism and martial arts -- along with a heavy dose of rock music. Wind is also a skilled musician who wows with an amazing dueling drum sequence and more.

Celebrity impressionist Bethany Owen "The Woman of 1,001 Voices and Faces" has opened her one-woman show "One Voice" in The King's Room at The Rio at 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays thru Sundays. Bethany Owen has won two consecutive awards for "Best Female Voice Impressionist" from the IGCTA (International Guild of Celebrity Tribute Artists). She opened at The Rio on Friday, Jan. 27th after a 20-month run at the Horizon Casino in Lake Tahoe. Bethany Owen is excited to be bringing her one-of-a-kind high-energy show to The Rio where she will blend music, comedy and voice impressions along with audience interaction.

The 1st Oscar ceremony was held on Thursday, May 16, 1929, at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood to honor outstanding film achievements of 1927/28. It was hosted by actor Douglas Fairbanks. The 84th Academy Awards ceremony will honor the best films of 2011 and will take place on February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. The ceremony host was originally scheduled to be Eddie Murphy. However, after Brett Ratner resigned as producer after using a gay slur when talking about rehearsals, Murphy also stepped down. Billy Crystal will be taking over as host, while Brian Grazer takes over as producer. This will be Crystal's ninth time hosting the awards ceremony.
Here are the odds posted by the Wynn...

BEST MOVIE
The Artist 2 to 5
The Descendants 7 to 1
The Help 9 to 1
Hugo 10 to 1
War Horse 25 to 1
Moneyball 30 to 1
Midnight in Paris 40 to 1
The Tree of Life 65 to 1
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 75 to 1

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney - The Descendants 5 to 6
Jean Dujardin- The Artist EVEN
Brad Pitt- Moneyball 14 to 1
Demian Bichir- A Better Life 25 to 1
Gary Oldman- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 40 to 1

BEST ACTRESS
Viola Davis- The Help EVEN
Meryl Streep- The Iron Lady 6 to 5
Michelle Williams- My Week with Marilyn 9 to 1
Glenn Close- Albert Nobbs 20 to 1
Rooney Mara- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 50 to 1

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christopher Plummer - Beginners 1 to 9
Kenneth Branagh - My Week with Marilyn 16 to 1
Nick Nolte- Warrior 18 to 1
Max Von Sydow- Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close 20 to 1
Jonah Hill- Moneyball 50 to 1

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Octavia Spencer - The Help 1 to 5
Berenice Bejo - The Artist 7 to 1
Jessica Chastain - The Help 15 to 1
Janet McTeer- Albert Nobbs 20 to 1
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids 25 to 1

BEST DIRECTOR
Michael Hazanavicius- The Artist 6 to 5
Martin Scorsese - Hugo 8 to 5
Alexander Payne- The Descendants 8 to 1
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris 10 to 1
Terrance Malick - The Tree of Life 20 to 1

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Rango 9 to 5
A Cat in Paris 5 to 2
Puss in Boots 4 to 1
Kung Fu Panda 2 5 to 1
Chico & Rita 8 to 1

**ODDS PRODUCED BY JOHNNY AVELLO - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RACE & SPORTS OPERATIONS**
ODDS ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY


UFC® Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer visits Las Vegas Fight Shop inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for a free autograph signing on Friday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The meet and greet with Palmer is free and open to the public. Fans purchasing a calendar for Palmer to sign will have the opportunity to access a VIP line.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, Las Vegas Fight Shop welcomes UFC® Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre for an autograph signing from noon to 2 p.m. The meet and greet with St-Pierre is free and open to the public.

The Riviera Hotel & Casino is quickly becoming the preeminent stop for all things comedy in Las Vegas as legendary comics are taking the stage throughout the year. The Icons of Comedy Series and Andrew Dice Clay bring comedic star power to the Riviera. Additionally, the Riviera continues to feature talented comedians inside the iconic Riviera Comedy Club and will be the new home for Jonathan Clark, the only resident impressionist from Britain in Las Vegas.

On the heels of signing one of the most extraordinary rookie classes in team history, the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2012 World Tour to the Orleans Arena on Wednesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. The outstanding rookies include Paul "Tin" Sturgess, the world's tallest pro basketball player at 7 feet, 8 inches; Jonte "Too Tall" Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5 feet, 2 inches; and Fatima "TNT" Maddox of Temple University, the team's first female player in nearly 20 years. The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, including reigning champ Jacob "Hops" Tucker - who at 5 feet 10 inches, sports a 50-inch vertical leap. Tucker joins slam-dunk runner-up John "Jet" Williams of UNC-Asheville and semifinalist Darnell "Spider" Wilks of the University of Cincinnati. The 2012 rookie class has a total of three seven-footers - Sturgess, the tallest Globetrotter ever; 7-foot-4-inch Jermaine "Stretch" Middleton, the third-tallest player in team history; and 7-foot Anthony "Biggie" McClain.

Multi-talented entertainer and showman Earl Turner returns to the Suncoast Showroom February 11 and 12, each evening at 7:30 p.m. Turner began performing at the age of 13, and by age 19, he was traveling the country as a frontman with various show bands. As a solo artist, Turner scored a Top 40 dance hit in Europe in the mid-1980s with "Love Caught You By Surprise." Turner has received numerous awards, including "Male Vocalist of the Year" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In 2005, Turner was voted as one of the "People To Watch" by New Orleans Magazine and was inducted into the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame. He works closely with a number of prominent charities, including The Special Olympics, Opportunity Village of Las Vegas and The Blood Center of Louisiana.

Joey & Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding is coming to Eastside Cannery Casino on Friday, February 10 at 7 p.m. The interactive dinner theater production begins with an opening scene that introduces you to members of the two families and sets the scene for the hilarity that ensues. About 30 minutes into the show your dinner is served. It includes your choice of three entrees, fresh salad, warm bread, dessert, free refills on iced tea and soda, and coffee after dinner. There is also a bar for those who wish to purchase cocktails.

Witty impressionist, actor and comedian Dana Carvey brings the laughs to The Orleans Showroom, February 3 and 4, each evening at 8 p.m. Carvey rose to national prominence during a six-year run as a cast member of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," where he created memorable characters "Church Lady," "Garth" and "Hans" and spot-on impersonations of President George H.W. Bush, Johnny Carson, Ross Perot and Regis Philbin. Carvey's work on "SNL" garnered him six Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 1993 for "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program." He also received multiple American Comedy Awards.

Every week is a big week in February. As you scroll through the special offerings, events, and headliners for the month, you'll be amazed by all of the top-notch talent.

The first week has:
August Burns Red
Mandalay Bay Feb 1
UNLV Runnin' Rebels Basketball
Thomas & Mack Center Feb 1
Ace Frehley
Santa Fe Station Feb 3
Mixed Martial Arts At Its Best
LVH Feb 3
Superbrawls
Texas Station Feb 3
Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Green Valley Ranch Feb 4
George Strait with Martina McBride
MGM Grand Feb 4
IBA Cruiserweight Championship of the Americas
LVH Feb 4
John Edward
Flamingo Feb 4
UFC 143 - Diaz vs Condit
Mandalay Bay Feb 4
Lingerie Football League Lingerie Bowl IX
Orleans Feb 5
Andrew Dice Clay
Riviera Hotel Feb 2 - 12
Drew Carey's Improv-a-ganza
MGM Grand Feb 2 - 5
Las Vegas International Sportsmen's Expo
Las Vegas Convention Center Feb 2 - 4
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Hotel Feb 2 - 4
Dana Carvey
Orleans Hotel Feb 3 - 4
Daniel Tosh
Mirage Feb 3 - 4
Josh Wolf
South Point Feb 3 - 4
Legacy of Legends Horsemanship Clinic
South Point Feb 3 - 5
Motley Crue In Sin City
Hard Rock Feb 3 - 19
Tim Allen
Venetian Resort Feb 3 - 4
Overseas China Situation Concert
Orleans Hotel Feb 5 - 6

The second week includes...
Children of Bodom
Mandalay Bay Feb 9
Gerardo Ortiz
Las Vegas Hilton Latin Feb 10
Joey & Maria's Wedding
Eastside Cannery Feb 10
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Feb 10
Michael Lington
Santa Fe Station Feb 10
Styx
Green Valley Ranch Feb 10
Itzhak Perlman
Artemus W. Ham Feb 11
Joe
Boulder Station Feb 11
Oasis Valentine's Love Affair
Orleans Hotel Feb 11
The Official 3rd Annual USA 7's Reggae Bash
Sunset Station Feb 11
UNLV Runnin' Rebels Basketball
Thomas & Mack Feb 11
Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto
MGM Grand Feb 11
Village People
Buffalo Bill's Feb 11
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Hotel Feb 12
Una Noche De Comedia
LVH Feb 12
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Feb 7 -Mar 4
Tony Pace Show
Clarion Hotel Feb 7
Elton John's Million Dollar Piano
Caesars Palace Feb 9 - 18
2012 USA Sevens International Rugby
Sam Boyd Stadium Feb 10 - 12
Crystal Gayle
South Point Feb 10 - 12
Led Zepagain - A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Cannery Casino Feb 10 - 11
NFAA World Archery Festival
South Point Feb 10 - 12
Earl Turner
Suncoast Feb 11 - 12
Las Vegas Gun Show
Sport Center of Las Vegas Feb 11 - 12
Richard Marx
Orleans Hotel Feb 11 - 12

Week number three...
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Mandalay Bay Feb 13
Harlem Globetrotters
Orleans Hotel Feb 15
Superior Cage Combat 4
Orleans Hotel Feb 16
Big Time Rush
Planet Hollywood 17
Los Temerarios
LVH Feb 17
The Darkness
Mandalay Bay Feb 17
Boyz II Men
Buffalo Bill's Feb 18
David Nail
Santa Fe Station Feb 18
Fresh Beat Band
Planet Hollywood Feb 18
Masterworks III - Rising Star
Artemus W. Ham Feb 18
Michael McDonald
Eastside Cannery Feb 18
Mickey Gilley
Treasure Island Feb 18
Poco
Sunset Station Feb 18
Second Annual Masquerade Ball
Golden Nugget Feb 18
The Expendables Winter Blackout 2012
Mandalay Bay Feb 18
Trey Songz with special guest Big Sean
Palms Feb 18
John Wackerman 2nd Annual Drum Festival
South Point Feb 19
Lenny Kravitz
MGM Grand Feb 19
Ramon Ayala
Buffalo Bill's Feb 19
Rita Rudner
Venetian Resort Feb 12 - 28
David Spade
Venetian Resort Feb 17 - 18
Garth Brooks
Encore Feb 17 - 18
Kevin James & Ray Romano
Mirage Feb 17 - 18
Kiss Experience
Cannery Casino Feb 17 - 18
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Hotel Feb 17 - 19
Jewtopia Live
Suncoast Hotel Feb 18 - 19

The last week of the month brings...
Iced Earth & Symphony X with Warbringer
Mandalay Bay Feb 20
UNLV Runnin' Rebels Basketball
Thomas & Mack Feb 22
David Gray
The Cosmopolitan Feb 24
Jon Anderson
Green Valley Ranch Feb 24
Mat Kearney
Aliante Station Feb 24
Melissa Manchester
Boulder Station Feb 24
N Demand
Cannery Casino Feb 24
Adal Ramones
Texas Station Feb 25
Die Antwoord
Mandalay Bay Feb 25
John Ford Coley
Suncoast Hotel Feb 25
King of Diamonds
Cannery Casino Act Feb 25
Lion Fight Promotions presents Muay Thai: Battle In The Desert 5
Hard Rock Feb 25
Little River Band
Green Valley Ranch Feb 25
Rock & Worship Road Show
Henderson Pavilion Feb 25
The Budos Band
Hard Rock Feb 25
UNLV Runnin' Rebels Basketball
Thomas & Mack Feb 25
Celine Dion
Caesars Palace Feb 22 - 18
Robert Davi
The Venetian Feb 23 - 25
Home Expo Las Vegas Spring Show
Cashman Center Feb 24 - 26
Steve Byrne
South Point Feb 24 - 26
The Oak Ridge Boys
Orleans Hotel Feb 25 - 26

The first week of March has:
The Kooks
Mandalay Bay Feb 28
Korn
Palms Casino Mar 2
Alan Parsons Live Project
Boulder Station Mar 3
King Of The Cage
Eastside Cannery Mar 3
UNLV Runnin' Rebels Basketball
Thomas & Mack Mar 3
Zappos.com West Coast Conference Basketball Championship
Orleans Hotel Feb 29 - Mar 5
The Osmonds
Orleans Hotel Mar 1 - 4
Garth Brooks
Encore Mar 2 - 3
Ron White
Mirage Mar 2 - 3
The Isley Brothers
LVH Mar 2 - 3
Winter Dance Party
South Point Mar 2 - 4
Crossroads of the West Gun Show
Cashman Center Mar 3 - 4
Norm Crosby
Suncoast Mar 3 - 4

For dates and times, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: lvol.com.

Igoshows.com is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production. The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.

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