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March 2006
3/31/06
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Barry's Bursting Back, Hooters Hyper-Hot Pool Party, plus Clint and Cris on TV
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Wednesday, March 29, 2006
"The 1974 'Manilow 2' album sent [Barry] into pop music stratosphere, thanks to two key singles "Mandy" which hit #1 and "It's a Miracle" that went to #12. The new edition will feature an early version of the album track "Home Again," which has been dubbed "Into Loving You" and the unreleased "Star Children," which Manilow wrote in 1971 as a tribute to fallen rock heroes Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison. 'Trying to Get the Feeling' was Barry's first top 5 album chart entry in 1975 and spawned the #1 smash "I Write The Songs." It will be expanded here with the previously-unreleased Melissa Manchester co-written "Good News," as well as "100 Women Later." In 1978, 'Even Now,' which included the hit disco single "Copacabana" made him one of the most popular artists in the world. The bonus tracks on the new CD are co-writes with Carole Bayer-Sager, "I'm Coming Home Again," and with Adrienne Anderson, "Make You Music.""
Although he retired from his death-defying stunts in 1998, Mr. Escape, Steve Baker has continued to teach new magicians and escape artists secrets of his unique craft. He was on hand with magic master Criss Angel for a taping last week of his A&E 'Mind Freak' series from the Aladdin. They took over the Aladdin Hotel parking lot for an explosive stunt with Criss locked into a coffin. "It really is very dangerous," Criss told me. "One miscue, one slight mishap and you aren't brushing up with death, you're not defying it -- you're facing it head-on!" I'm happy to report that not only did Criss keep death's door from opening up during the explosion, but this Friday (March 31), he'll play it a little safer and just make an elephant disappear from the area alongside the Aladdin's Performing Arts Theatre...
The new Hooters Casino Hotel in Vegas is kicking off a six-month celebration to commemorate the grand opening of its poolside paradise with a 3-day Backyard Bash starting Friday.
The weekend-long event is filled with entertainment, calendar girl signings, and a photo-shoot and model search for new Hooters Girls. The official opening hosted by the beautiful bikini Hooter beauties also launches the new Nippers Pool Bar, plus the two heated pools, a 12-person and 60-person hot tub. The Hooters execs are anything but stuffy -- they even 
shipped in hundreds of tons of sand to give it an authentic Bahamas beach feel (obviously not the same as Nevada desert sand!). How could I resist showing you these gorgeous girls (see more, much more, in our carousel above)?
Jottings from all around: our super celebrity residents Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff are to build a 225-room condo hotel at the year-round Tamarack Resort in Idaho with Fairmont Hotels to manage.. Jon Bon Jovi brought his band in for dinner and a 2AM party at the new Capo's restaurant, which grows in celebrity popularity. They also stayed at the luxurious Parisian Palace (www.parisianpalace.net)... As the Turnblads turn: TV star Eddie Mekka from 'Laverne & Shirley' will be taking over the 'Hairspray' role of Dick Latessa when he returns to Broadway April 30 (contrary to preliminary reports, 'Mad TV's Paul Vogt -- and not John Goodman -- will be replacing Harvey Firestein at the same time)... Horror moviemaker Wes Craven is
planning a 'Macabre Magic'horror musical for the Strip based on a magician who makes a pact with the devil to become a huge success. It will be interactive, so the audience can take part in the show, which will feature lots of "deaths and blood". ..only in Vegas could the topless Crazy Girls turn up on Public Radio. Barcelona-born Eva Latourneau (left) and Memphis-born Elizabeth Graham, who dance nearly-nude nightly, will talk about their careers and the show on KNPR this Thursday (March 28). Fellow castmate Fallon Mathews was born in Vegas and started her dance career learning ballet, but her teacher talked her into auditioning for the topless show, and she won the part!
It's the ultimate souvenir gift for tourists to take home, and for residents to send to their friends! It's a new musical clock that captures the look and excitement of our unique city. You can clap your hands anytime, or wait till the hour strikes, for the roulette wheel-styled timepiece to light up and play the 'Las Vegas Rocks' song chorus. Wendy Rock, general manager of Gamblers General Store (Nevada's largest gaming souvenir store) told us, "I predict this will be the #1 souvenir item from Las
Vegas." It's the brainchild of singer/ entertainer Tony Sacca, (right) and marks the 20th anniversary of his weekly TV show 'Entertainment, Vegas Style." My friend Tony has been performing since he was just 12 years old, and by City Proclamation (with a Key to the City) from mayor Oscar Goodman he was named "Entertainment Ambassador of Las Vegas." Here's a value bonus: inside each clock package is a surprise CD containing 4 original Vegas songs!
Finally today just have to share this photograph with you -- I know they aren't sexy pinups or delicious dancers, but I think they are just as gorgeous in shape and style! Everybody knows we're going condo-crazy in our current Vegas build out, but even I haven't seen anything quite as sleek and sophisticated as the
new Pinnacle towers (left). The near-$1 billion, 1100-condo unit, 12-acre property features three amazing Sky Bridge Suites which link the 2- 36 story towers. The development, which is going up caty-corner from The Orleans on Tropicana Ave, is already being compared to the stunning architectural designs of Miami, Dubai and Shanghai. No doubt it is another extraordinary re-definition of the Vegas skyline.
We'll return tomorrow with news of a remarkable $1 million gift that Celine Dion is making to our community, plus the US Thunderbirds get their first female pilot right from Vegas, and a new 'Sopranos' show on the Strip. Meantime, be a good fella and not a fink, by emailing us at robinsvegas@aol.com. And click here or on the 'Alert Me' tab at the top of this page so we can email you the moment our LuxeLife Journal is posted each day.
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Barry's Bursting Back, Hooters Hyper-Hot Pool Party, plus Clint and Cris on TV
Hot on the heels of his top-rated 'American Idol' appearances last week, Barry Manilow's success story is going faster than a speeding locomotive. As I predicted, his contract at the Hilton has been renewed -- not just through Dec. 2007, as I wrote -- but even further, through the end of 2008! And now, three of his early albums from 30 years ago will be re-released on May 9, all featuring previously-unreleased bonus tracks. They were all produced by my longtime friend, hitmaker Ron Dante (a regular LuxeLife reader!) who emailed me some details:
"The 1974 'Manilow 2' album sent [Barry] into pop music stratosphere, thanks to two key singles "Mandy" which hit #1 and "It's a Miracle" that went to #12. The new edition will feature an early version of the album track "Home Again," which has been dubbed "Into Loving You" and the unreleased "Star Children," which Manilow wrote in 1971 as a tribute to fallen rock heroes Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison. 'Trying to Get the Feeling' was Barry's first top 5 album chart entry in 1975 and spawned the #1 smash "I Write The Songs." It will be expanded here with the previously-unreleased Melissa Manchester co-written "Good News," as well as "100 Women Later." In 1978, 'Even Now,' which included the hit disco single "Copacabana" made him one of the most popular artists in the world. The bonus tracks on the new CD are co-writes with Carole Bayer-Sager, "I'm Coming Home Again," and with Adrienne Anderson, "Make You Music.""It's a tremendous coup for Barry and my friend Ron, but it doesn't stop there. The locomotive keeps roaring. He's going to be making a brand new album this fall, cancelling his LV Hilton dates on Oct. 18-21 for the new recording sessions. And, thanks to miracles of modern technology, you can even get to sing along with Barry's music, and take home the record. In his Manilow retail store at the Hilton is a recording booth equipped with mike and karaoke machine. For $20, fans can pick any of his classics then sing the words from a TV screen and voila: out pops your voice to his music. One woman brought in her own Manilow collection so she could record her and Barry "duetting" on 10 of his musical renditions...
PBS continues its fascination with Vegas. Following recent specials spotlighting Mr. Manilow and Andrea Bocelli, nine PBS-TV cameras just filmed my pal Clint Holmes over two successive nights at his Harrah's theater for an August 5 special broadcast. His new double disc CD will be released simultaneously. And there was an all-star turnout of Vegas entertainers for the occasion. Among those attending (other than yours truly) were members of Kool and The Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, and the cast of 'Hairspray,' along with impressionist Gordie Brown, and E's 'The Entertainer' star Delisco.
PBS continues its fascination with Vegas. Following recent specials spotlighting Mr. Manilow and Andrea Bocelli, nine PBS-TV cameras just filmed my pal Clint Holmes over two successive nights at his Harrah's theater for an August 5 special broadcast. His new double disc CD will be released simultaneously. And there was an all-star turnout of Vegas entertainers for the occasion. Among those attending (other than yours truly) were members of Kool and The Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, and the cast of 'Hairspray,' along with impressionist Gordie Brown, and E's 'The Entertainer' star Delisco. Musical legend Roger Williams joined Clint for a duet, Clint's 90-year-old opera-singing mom Audrey made a surprise appearance, singing part of "Summertime," and he also performed a jazz duet with his sister Gayle. Clint's 11-piece belt-it-out topnotch band, led by Bill Fayne, was pure brilliance in the shows -- particularly on Clint's tribute to Tom Jones with "Delilah," that so moved one female concert goer, she actually took off her bra and threw it on stage!
PBS programming veep Gustavo Sagastume had attended the show on a visit to Vegas several months ago and became fascinated with Clint's musical background of "white" opera singing and "black" blues and jazz, as a result of growing up in a mixed marriage in Buffalo, upstate New York.
Known and respected in Vegas as one of the most genuine, caring, generous and giving performers, Clint was honored Saturday as "Humanitarian of Choice" by the international charity Choice. I've known Clint as a good friend since before the early days of 'Entertainment Tonight,' when I recruited him as a roving on-air correspondent. He's been starring at Harrah's since February 2000, and is now working on 'Jam,' a Broadway-style musical which he hopes to take first to London and then Chicago before moving to Manhattan. His heart and generosity will still exist in Vegas though, as his Foundation for the Performing Arts will continue to support a student education program for music appreciation. He's currently compiling a CD library for the Clark County School District, with 100 essential titles in jazz, classical, Broadway and pop through the years, showing how music has changed. This guy is the ultimate talented class act...
Although he retired from his death-defying stunts in 1998, Mr. Escape, Steve Baker has continued to teach new magicians and escape artists secrets of his unique craft. He was on hand with magic master Criss Angel for a taping last week of his A&E 'Mind Freak' series from the Aladdin. They took over the Aladdin Hotel parking lot for an explosive stunt with Criss locked into a coffin. "It really is very dangerous," Criss told me. "One miscue, one slight mishap and you aren't brushing up with death, you're not defying it -- you're facing it head-on!" I'm happy to report that not only did Criss keep death's door from opening up during the explosion, but this Friday (March 31), he'll play it a little safer and just make an elephant disappear from the area alongside the Aladdin's Performing Arts Theatre...The new Hooters Casino Hotel in Vegas is kicking off a six-month celebration to commemorate the grand opening of its poolside paradise with a 3-day Backyard Bash starting Friday.
The weekend-long event is filled with entertainment, calendar girl signings, and a photo-shoot and model search for new Hooters Girls. The official opening hosted by the beautiful bikini Hooter beauties also launches the new Nippers Pool Bar, plus the two heated pools, a 12-person and 60-person hot tub. The Hooters execs are anything but stuffy -- they even shipped in hundreds of tons of sand to give it an authentic Bahamas beach feel (obviously not the same as Nevada desert sand!). How could I resist showing you these gorgeous girls (see more, much more, in our carousel above)?Jottings from all around: our super celebrity residents Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff are to build a 225-room condo hotel at the year-round Tamarack Resort in Idaho with Fairmont Hotels to manage.. Jon Bon Jovi brought his band in for dinner and a 2AM party at the new Capo's restaurant, which grows in celebrity popularity. They also stayed at the luxurious Parisian Palace (www.parisianpalace.net)... As the Turnblads turn: TV star Eddie Mekka from 'Laverne & Shirley' will be taking over the 'Hairspray' role of Dick Latessa when he returns to Broadway April 30 (contrary to preliminary reports, 'Mad TV's Paul Vogt -- and not John Goodman -- will be replacing Harvey Firestein at the same time)... Horror moviemaker Wes Craven is
planning a 'Macabre Magic'horror musical for the Strip based on a magician who makes a pact with the devil to become a huge success. It will be interactive, so the audience can take part in the show, which will feature lots of "deaths and blood". ..only in Vegas could the topless Crazy Girls turn up on Public Radio. Barcelona-born Eva Latourneau (left) and Memphis-born Elizabeth Graham, who dance nearly-nude nightly, will talk about their careers and the show on KNPR this Thursday (March 28). Fellow castmate Fallon Mathews was born in Vegas and started her dance career learning ballet, but her teacher talked her into auditioning for the topless show, and she won the part!It's the ultimate souvenir gift for tourists to take home, and for residents to send to their friends! It's a new musical clock that captures the look and excitement of our unique city. You can clap your hands anytime, or wait till the hour strikes, for the roulette wheel-styled timepiece to light up and play the 'Las Vegas Rocks' song chorus. Wendy Rock, general manager of Gamblers General Store (Nevada's largest gaming souvenir store) told us, "I predict this will be the #1 souvenir item from Las
Vegas." It's the brainchild of singer/ entertainer Tony Sacca, (right) and marks the 20th anniversary of his weekly TV show 'Entertainment, Vegas Style." My friend Tony has been performing since he was just 12 years old, and by City Proclamation (with a Key to the City) from mayor Oscar Goodman he was named "Entertainment Ambassador of Las Vegas." Here's a value bonus: inside each clock package is a surprise CD containing 4 original Vegas songs!Finally today just have to share this photograph with you -- I know they aren't sexy pinups or delicious dancers, but I think they are just as gorgeous in shape and style! Everybody knows we're going condo-crazy in our current Vegas build out, but even I haven't seen anything quite as sleek and sophisticated as the
new Pinnacle towers (left). The near-$1 billion, 1100-condo unit, 12-acre property features three amazing Sky Bridge Suites which link the 2- 36 story towers. The development, which is going up caty-corner from The Orleans on Tropicana Ave, is already being compared to the stunning architectural designs of Miami, Dubai and Shanghai. No doubt it is another extraordinary re-definition of the Vegas skyline.We'll return tomorrow with news of a remarkable $1 million gift that Celine Dion is making to our community, plus the US Thunderbirds get their first female pilot right from Vegas, and a new 'Sopranos' show on the Strip. Meantime, be a good fella and not a fink, by emailing us at robinsvegas@aol.com. And click here or on the 'Alert Me' tab at the top of this page so we can email you the moment our LuxeLife Journal is posted each day.
Don't forget: Go to AOL Vegas for much more on hotels, casinos, restaurants, nightlife, and everything Las Vegas! Check AOL Travel for great deals on hotels, airfare and much more!
And when visiting Vegas, be sure to see Las Vegas Magazine in your hotel suite featuring a print edition of Luxe Life: Vegas, and an incredible directory of attractions, shows and restaurants here.
And when visiting Vegas, be sure to see Las Vegas Magazine in your hotel suite featuring a print edition of Luxe Life: Vegas, and an incredible directory of attractions, shows and restaurants here.
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