Chuck Rounds' LV Entertainment News

A monthly Las Vegas Entertainment Newsletter

Chuck Rounds' Las Vegas Entertainment News

February 2010

February is usually a great month for Las Vegas...there are three major events that make it one of the busier months of the year--- The Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, and MAGIC (along with several other conventions.) February is the shortest month of the year, but 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. Late winter and early spring are good times to get shows opened so that they can establish themselves prior to the summer season. This year, we only have one major show opening..."Viva Elvis," and from the looks of it, it may be the last major opening for a while.

The Super Bowl...with the Colts and the Saints ready to play, Las Vegas is poised for a great year. Discounted hotels, and all sorts of deals, have bookings higher than they have been in years.

MAGIC is one of the biggest conventions of the year with nearly 100k attendees...but in addition to this convention; there are also over 200 other conventions that hit the city this month...every week there is a large convention with 20 - 40 thousand attendees.

"Viva Elvis" - The new Cirque du Soleil production at Aria inside the City Center complex is having its gala grand opening in the middle of the month. It should be big and grand, and it should be everything that we expect of Cirque. It will sadly also be the last large opening of a production in the foreseeable future. We will have more, but we just have to be patient.

Las Vegas is the capital of many things, but it certainly becomes apparent that during February, we are the wedding capital of the world. Valentine's Day brings thousands of perspective couples and guests to pending nuptials. It is a time for "Love and Weddings." Thousands of people will swarm to Las Vegas in order to get married. Every chapel will be filled to capacity from literally dawn right up to the stroke of midnight. There are more weddings on Valentine's Day than on any other day of the year. The number of weddings overall has fallen in recent years, but with Valentine's being on a Sunday, it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers are pulled on that day.

A new cooking show just opened at the M Resort. It's "Martini Time with Chef Tina." It is a great show that treats you to the creation of a wonderful dish that you get to sample, and then you get to go and enjoy the M Resort's buffet. It was a great dinner and a show experience.

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

Golden Nugget Las Vegas headliner Gordie Brown will celebrate his one-year anniversary at the legendary downtown property Feb. 5. In celebration of this milestone, the Golden Nugget will offer Las Vegas locals a specially priced $10 ticket during the anniversary celebration show Feb. 5. The impressionist/singer entertained more than 100,000 people during his first year, tallying more than 250 performances of his show. Brown began performances in the newly named Gordie Brown Showroom after touring with Celine Dion on her North American tour in 2008 and early 2009.

The Sunday Brunch, "Mimosas & Music with Wes Winters" continues to be one of the best deals and most fun in all of Las Vegas.  Gourmet cuisine, bottomless champagne, mimosas, Bloody Mary's and wine combined with unique, one-of-a-kind Vegas-variety entertainment not found at any other brunch.  Wes is one of the best pianists in the city. Also, registered members of the Wes Winters Fan Club receive a discount on the price.

Don Rickles, the much-honored comedian will launch his 51st consecutive year as a Las Vegas headliner when he brings his one-of-a-kind humor to The Orleans Showroom February 20 and 21, marking his third consecutive year of performances at The Orleans Showroom. Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957 when Frank Sinatra wandered into the small Hollywood nightclub where Rickles was performing. The still-unknown Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, "I just saw your movie, The Pride and the Passion, and I want to tell you, the cannon's acting was great. And, make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody." Sinatra doubled up laughing and became one of Rickles' biggest boosters among Hollywood celebrities. Rickles soon became the "in" comic among Hollywood stars, who flocked to his nightclub engagements to become the targets of his insults.

Following a series of well-received weekend dates in 2009, The Scintas bring their one-of-a-kind act back to the Suncoast Showroom, Valentine's Weekend, February 13 and 14. The Scintas entertain, surprise, and provide an anything-but-typical performance filled with music, comedy and impersonations. Their Las Vegas act, which got its start in a bar owned by former Buffalo Bill and present-day ESPN commentator Paul McGuire, includes "guest" appearances by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and others, singing songs audiences love.
 
Comedy's Loveable Queen of Mean and Grammy-nominated comedian Lisa Lampanelli is set to perform at The Pearl Concert Theater on Saturday, February 13th. Heralded as "more than a standup -- a standout," by comedy legend Jim Carrey, Lisa Lampanelli is a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker and a vial of estrogen. She even won accolades from "The King of All Media" Howard Stern, who called her "a true original and a brilliant comedy mind who'll steal the show every time."
 
Steve Dacri's close-up magic show, "In your Face," will open on February 17th. The show had to take a bit of a break due to health problems experienced by Dacri. We wish him well in his new venue at the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton. He will play every Wednesday at 8 pm.

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:
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Hotel Through - Apr 3
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Through - Feb 3
Nile
Mandalay Bay Feb 3
Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits
Hard Rock Hotel Feb 3 - 21
Drew Carey: The Improv All-Stars
MGM Grand Feb 4 - 7
Henry Cho
South Point Feb 5 - 6
Joe Rogan
Mandalay Bay Feb 5
Jon Stewart
Mirage Feb 5 - 6
Led Zepagain
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 5 - 6
Performance Karting Expositions
South Point Feb 5 - 7 - Free
Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime
Mandalay Bay Feb 6
George Strait and Reba McEntire w/ Lee Ann Womack
MGM Grand Feb 6
National Collegiate Cheerleading Championships
Cashman Center Feb 6
Psychic Sylvia Browne
Planet Hollywood Feb 6
UFC 109
Mandalay Bay Feb 6
UNLV Men's Basketball vs BYU
Thomas and Mack Center Feb 6


The second week includes...
Harlem Globetrotters
Orleans Hotel Feb 10
UNLV Men's Basketbal vs New Mexico
Thomas and Mack Center Feb 10
Carlos Mencia
Treasure Island Feb 11 - 12
Jason Alexander as Donny Clay
Planet Hollywood Feb 11
Las Vegas Antique Bottles & Collectibles Club Annual Show
Palace Station Feb 11 - 13
Air Combat USA
North Las Vegas Airport Feb 12 - 14
Crystal Gayle
South Point Feb 12 - 14
Garth Brooks
Encore Las Vegas Feb 12 - 14
Home Improvement, Backyard & Travel Expo
South Point Feb 12 - 14
Jack's Mannequin
Mandalay Bay Feb 12
Las Vegas Classic Volleyball Tournament
Cashman Center Feb 12 - 15
Ron White
Mirage Feb 12 - 14
Spring Home Show
South Point Feb 12 - 14
Tower of Power
Cannery Casino Feb 12 - 13
2010 USA Sevens International Rugby
Sam Boyd Stadium Feb 13 - 14
Dokken
Santa Fe Station Feb 13
Heatwave, Peaches and Herb and Blue Magic
Orleans Hotel Feb 13
Lisa Lampanelli
Palms Casino Feb 13
Richard Marx
Orleans Hotel Feb 13 - 14
Sam Hui
MGM Grand Feb 13
Smokey Robinson
Green Valley Ranch Feb 13
The Scinta's
Suncoast Hotel Feb 13 - 14
Theory of a Deadman
Mandalay Bay Feb 13
Three Dog Night
Silverton Hotel Feb 13 - 14
Top Rank Presents World Championship Boxing
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 13
Grasshopper For Chinese New Year Concert
Caesars Palace Feb 14
Neal Boyd & Friends
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 14


Week number three...
Bill Medley w/ Darrin & McKenna Medley
South Point Feb 19 - 20
Larry the Cable Guy
Buffalo Bill's Feb 19
Sinbad
Treasure Island Feb 19
Spring Home & Garden Show
Cashman Center Feb 19 - 21
Tony Bennett
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 19 - 20
Winter Championship & Open Cutting
South Point Feb 19 - Mar 3
Al Dimeola
Green Valley Ranch Feb 20
Brad Paisley with Special Guest Miranda Lambert
Mandalay Bay Feb 20
Don Rickles
Orleans Hotel Feb 20 - 21
UNLV Men's Basketball vs Colorado State
Thomas and Mack Center Feb 20
The Expendibles
Mandalay Bay Feb 21


The last week of the month brings...
Bill Engvall
Treasure Island Feb 25 - 26
NASCAR Driver's Auction
Sam's Town Hotel Feb 25
Air Combat USA
North Las Vegas Airport Feb 26 - 28
Diamond Rio
South Point Casino Feb 26 - 28
Garth Brooks
Encore Las Vegas Feb 26 - 28
Jay Leno
Mirage Feb 26 - 27
Oak Ridge Boys
Silverton Hotel Feb 26
STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) w/ Emancipator
Mandalay Bay Feb 26
Asia 65 - Timeless Memories
Hard Rock Feb 27 - 28
Chris Cagle
Sam's Town Hotel Feb 27
George Thorogood & the Destroyers
Mandalay Bay Feb 27
Josh Turner
Silverton Hotel Feb 27
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Orleans Hotel Feb 27 - 28
Mariah Carey
Caesars Palace Feb 27
NASCAR Sam's Town 300
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb 27
Oh What A Night - A Musical Tribute to Frankie Valli
Suncoast Hotel Feb 27 - 28
The Commodores
Eastside Cannery Feb 27
Travis Tritt
Buffalo Bill's Feb 27
NASCAR Shelby 427
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb 28
The Asian Elvis in Concert - Kao Ling Feng
Gold Coast Hotel Feb 28


The first week of March has:
Tegan & Sara
Mandalay Bay Mar 2
Killswitch Engage w/ The Devil Wears Prada and Dark Tranquility
Mandalay Bay Mar 3
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Mar 4 - 10
Barry Manilow - Opening March 2010
Paris Las Vegas Mar 5 - 8
El Chapo de Sinaloa
Mandalay Bay Mar 5
Engelbert Humperdinck
Orleans Hotel Mar 5 - 7
Ray Romano & Kevin James
Mirage Mar 5 - 6
Zappos.com WCC Basketball Championships
Orleans Hotel Mar 5 - 8
Arabian Nights XIX
Paris Las Vegas Mar 6
Bon Jovi: The Circle Tour
MGM Grand Hotel Mar 6
Experience Hendrix Tribute Tour
Hard Rock Hotel Mar 6
Neal McCoy
Silverton Hotel March 6
Psychic Medium John Edward
Flamingo Las Vegas Mar 6
UNLV Men's Basketball vs Wyoming
Thomas and Mack Mar 6

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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