Scaredy cats need not apply.... Fright Dome in Las Vegas is ranked in the Top 5 of Haunted Houses in America.
The popular annual fright fest, Fright Dome at Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, opens this Saturday, October 1 with a first-ever grand opening event — the premiere Black Carpet! The hotel promises the arrival of celebs, local headliners and more to opening night of one of the scariest haunted attractions in the nation. Carpet arrivals start at 6pm and doors open at 7pm.
Created by Jason Egan, Fright Dome at Circus Circus has been horrifying visitors to Las Vegas since 2003. Ticket prices this year are hovering right around $40 for General Admission. For an extra $15,guests can buy a VIP Pass and the ability to skip to the front of the line at attractions within the Dome.
Basketball may rule the month but music and the top performers appearing in Las Vegas this March promise to match or surpass anything you’ll see on the court. There’s a Las Vegas concert event for music lovers of all types starting with the much-heralded return of Celine Dion to the Caesars Palace stage.
Beginning March 15, Dion will be performing a brand-new Colosseum show featuring her most-beloved hits set to the music of a 30+ member orchestra. The show’s co-producer promises a technically-innovative sound and screen experience courtesy of celebrated Grammys director Ken Ehrlich. Although we’ve seen numerous reports of sell-outs, we found tickets available for even the debut performance through our affiliate at TicketNetwork – Las Vegas Tickets.
The month of March also sees some famed performers hit the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. March 5 brings Eric Clapton to town for a single Saturday night show. Clapton, whose hit song “Layla” and accompanying album celebrates its 40th anniversary in March (yeah, makes me feel old, too) had a recent stop in Tokyo and you can read about the show on this special Eric Clapton website — WheresEric.com. Tickets (starting at $59) info: Eric Clapton Tickets 2011-03-05 Las Vegas, NV, MGM Grand Garden Arena.
March 19 is the date for the latest Las Vegas concert featuring Bon Jovi. This one-night show is their only Las Vegas stop during 2011 in a tour dubbed simply Bon Jovi Live in support of their newest “Greatest Hits” recording. Last year’s Circle Tour was named the highest grossing concert tour of 2010 according to Billboard’s annual Top 25 concert tours. GetBon Jovi Tickets for MGM Grand Las Vegas at TicketsNow.
The Monster Ball World Tour featuring Lady GaGa takes the Las Vegas stage on March 25. Tickets at MGM Grand’s Garden Arena to see the “Born This Way” singer are scarce and pricey but we found some starting at $200 on TicketsNow. Lady Gaga Tickets.
We just posted some info on our sister site, BestLasVegasValues.com, about how you can save 30% on show tickets to Viva ELVIS at Aria Las Vegas when we saw a couple of other opportunities to save you some bucks.
These limited-time offers for room discounts and special credits come directly from MGM Resorts and pop up fairly frequently but always on different properties. The current ones happen to be for ARIA Resort and the Vdara, the non-gaming hotel across the traffic-circle, weird entryway, courtyard from ARIA. (If you caught “The Bachelor” on ABC last night, you would have seen Brad Womack under the ARIA portico awaiting his posse of bachelorettes. What? No gaggle of desperate gorgeous women to accompany you? No problem, you can still stay there.)
We have to admit it. We are strangely attracted to ARIA and, no, it has nothing to do with Brad. We actually enjoy playing slots there (IGT’s Secrets of the Forest is a fave) and Julian Serrano has become our routine stop for yummy tapas — try the warm spinach salad with garlic and pine nuts — and white sangria.
Here are the latest deals we have as an affiliate of MGM Resorts: (Affiliate means we get a couple of bucks if you book through our site. Thanks.)
LAVO at the Palazzo will ring in the New Year with hostess Holly Madison on hand to party with Las Vegas revelers.
“Maybe it’s much too early in the game Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same What are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s eve?” *
Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve? That’ll work. So “who” will be lighting up the desert and ringing in 2011 with the masses? Here’s a list of “hosts” (we’re still not quite sure what that means…) plus performers booked into various Strip venues this year.
New Year’s Eve 2011 Events, Las Vegas
Reality star/entrepreneur/serial dater and “smart” sister, Kim Kardashian, will be hosting the party at TAO Las Vegas at the Venetian. (Unfortunately for us girls, her liaison with Halle Berry ex, Gabriel Aubry, is over so no extra eye-candy for the $$$ you may be shelling out.)
Holly Madison, Las Vegas’ version of the girl-next-door (if you happen to live next door to a huge casino resort such as Planet Hollywood,) will be mingling with revelers at LAVO, the Palazzo’s celeb-heavy club. (We thought it odd that she wasn’t snapped up for a gig at one of the Harrah’s Caesar’s properties.)
Mario Lopez (we’re assuming sans baby and Screech) will be making an appearance at Eve nightclub inside the Crystals at CityCenter. Eve – owned by Eva Longoria (we’ll drop the “Parker”) – has a ton of packages available including the $10,000 “Celebrity VIP” blitz with admission for you and 14 of your BFF’s plus “Unlimited Premium Liquor, 4 bottles at a time, and 2 Bottles of Dom Perignon Magnum.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs will be hosting the blow-out at LAX at the Luxor. Other hip-hop and rap stars in town and hosting and/or performing for the night’s festivities include Ludacris at Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel — packages start at $150 with open bar – plus NELLY at Haze in the new ARIA Resort and Casino or how about B.o.B. at the Mirage’s JET nightclub.
The most talked about “by-invitation-only” event is the Jay Z/Coldplay concert at the brand-new Cosmopolitan casino resort. Reportedly, the Empire State star is getting a cool mil for his performance. For this event, high-rollers only need apply. If your casino play is grand enough to impress the Cosmo’s powers-that-be, here’s a run-down on the event — Coldplay & Jay-Z LIVE Concert, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas NEW YEARS EVE 2011 — plus an email addy you can use to try for tickets. (We’re assuming your 2009 tax return complete with W-2G’s is the key to getting your golden ticket.)
Check out all the info on lots of New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas events at our favorite BestOfVegas.com site where tickets, line passes and more are available for purchase.
* “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Music and lyrics — Frank Henry Loesser
Barry Manilow's new CD, "The Greatest Love Songs of All Time," hit the streets today.
Promising “something new” and a production “definitely not to be missed,” Barry Manilow will begin a new two-year stint at Paris Las Vegas on March 5. The mega-hit singer will perform 78 shows each year in the 1500-seat Paris Theater at the Harrah’s-owned property and tickets for the new Manilow show – including tickets for opening night! – are available online and at the Paris box office.
The new show at Paris comes on the heels of his long-time run at the Las Vegas Hilton which began in February 2005 and claimed gross ticket sales of more than $70 million over the years. The new show is under the direction of Jeffrey Hornaday (Flashdance, A Chorus Line, High School Musical), and Manilow promises an all-new production for his legion of “Fanilows.”
Vegas is wooing out-of-town shoppers with free tickets to shows like Blue Man Group at The Venetian.
Here’s how to roll three of my favorite things — Las Vegas, shopping and free — all into one sentence: Do your holiday shopping in Las Vegas this year and get free show tickets. No kidding. Non-Nevada residents who shop from 11/29 through 12/13/2009 and spend $500 or more at participating retail shopping areas such as the brand-new Crystals at CityCenter, the Forum Shops at Caesars, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and even the stores at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet mall can qualify for two complimentary tickets to shows like Phantom at the Venetian, Peepshow at PH, Donny & Marie Osmond and more. Find all the details at VisitLasVegas.com.
Speaking of CityCenter, the sure-to-be-spectacular new Aria and Vdara resorts are both taking reservations and you can get special rates when you use the promo codes plus these links:
Also, take advantage of more great rates this winter by booking a room at MGM Grand with this cool offer –
MGM Grand Las Vegas “Holiday Spree” — Rates from $75 per night. *Promo includes: $35 Dining credit, $25 Spa services credit, and 15% off retail purchases. (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Nov 4, 2009 – Mar 31, 2010. Promo Code: MKT320 (Exp 1/31/10).
Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas will host special performances by Garth Brooks beginning in December.
Country superstar Garth Brooks is ending his retirement in a deal with Steve Wynn where the singer will perform a limited number of engagements at the Encore Theatre in Las Vegas. The all-acoustic performances begin with a single weekend in December and will continue on select dates throughout the term of the 5-year arrangement.
The price for tickets (said to be a point of discussion between Wynn and Brooks) is a very “reasonable-for-Vegas” $125 plus a $5 service charge and a $13 tax to equal a total of $143and go on sale this Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific (9:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. CT and 11:00 a.m. ET). Tickets are available by calling 702.770.1000 and online at the Wynn Las Vegas box office.
The following weekend dates have been released with all performances happening at the Encore Theatre at Wynn Las Vegas Resort:
December 2009: 11 – 13
January 2010: 1 – 3 and 22 – 24
February 2010: 12 – 14 and 26 – 28
Performance times are: Fridays – 8:00pm; Saturdays – 8:00pm & 10:30pm; and Sundays – 8:00pm.
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas will play host to this year’s top acts from summer’s popular “America’s Got Talent” reality entertainment competition in a live stage show beginning Wednesday.
Starting October 7 and continuing through December 13, tabloid TV host (and, I kid you not, former Cincinnati mayor and Ohio congressional candidate,) Jerry Springer, will emcee the new variety show. Headlining the show is former chicken catcher now million dollar show winner, singer Kevin Springer, who will star in the new production along with other favorite acts from the show. (We thought the best acts from this year’s show were Recycled Percussion and the weirdly-named Acrodunk. And, really, are we the only ones who thought opera singer, Barbara Padilla, had a great back story but as an opera singer isn’t exactly what we consider a “Vegas act?”)
Springer will host the 10-week run of America’s Got Talent Live!, with shows running every Wednesday through Sunday at Planet Hollywood’s 1300-seat CHI Showroom. Tickets range from $64 – $104 but we have seen mailers from PHo touting 2-for-1 ticket deals with certain room packages. Or check out this deal from i4Vegas — Planet Hollywood from $69 per night!
Take in a show this fall then head to the new Pink's at Planet Hollywood for one of their legendary dogs.
We’re starting a new feature this week — Friday Finds – featuring news about Las Vegas that we find interesting plus lots of great deals on Las Vegas hotel discounts, travel packages, shows, concerts, restaurants and more. Take a look at what we’ve seen and heard this week:
We’re really digging some of the shows planned for this fall at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s “The Joint.” Tickets are on sale now for Van Morrison (September 25,)Creed in concert on September 27, actor/comedian Dane Cook on both October 9th and 10th at 8:30pm plus one of our all-time favorites, Bob Dylan, on Sunday, October 18th at 8 pm.
At Mandalay Bay, Britney Spears is back with her “Circus” tour; this time featuring special guests Jordin Sparks and Kristinia DeBarge. Special room + ticket deals are available at these properties:
Also at the Mandalay Bay Events Center this fall, look for Grammy® -winning superstar Justin Timberlake who’s bringing his “Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children” event to the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 PM. Ticket prices for this charity concert range from $100 – $250. Check out tickets here: Justin Timberlake Las Vegas
On the restaurant front, don’t forget that Pink’s in now open at Planet Hollywood. The hot dog haven (which has been in business since 1939) has a loyal following — and a sometimes hour-long wait — at its original location in the city of Hollywood.
For a fun evening out, check out "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood. (Photo property of royallyflushed.com)
So we’re back and still getting over our “eight-days-in-Vegas” hangover while working on putting together all the info we need to give you about what’s going on right now in Las Vegas. We ate at some terrific and not-so-terrific places, stayed at three different resorts, found and used a number of great Las Vegas deals, played lots of video poker, took tons of photos and spent a lot time just checking out the crowds (or lack thereof) on and off the Strip. (Hey, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it….)
Usually, we start with a round-up of where we stayed but this time we’re going to start with our review of the Planet Hollywood burlesque revue, “Peepshow,” starring Broadway-alumni Shoshana Bean, former Playboy Playmate Holly Madison and – we’re going to throw this name in because he deserves it – vocalist Josh Strickland from American Idol, Season 2.
First, what this show is not: It’s not Holly Madison dances “Swan Lake;” it’s not going to be nominated for a Tony; and it’s not got some deep dramatic storyline going on. (more…)
Sunset Station is one of the casino resorts taking part in this year's huge "Station's 4th of July Blast" fireworks show. (Click the pic to check on rooms.)
Station Casinos will be hosting the biggest fireworks show in Las Vegas this 4th of July 2009 when each of the Company’s nine properties participate in a huge simultaneous pyrotechnics show to celebrate the holiday. Called the “Station’s 4th of July Blast,” the monster production will go off at 9:30 pm on Saturday with shows at Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, Palace Station, Boulder Station, Fiesta Henderson, the new Aliante Station, Santa Fe and Sunset Stations plus the shared location of neighboring properties Texas Station and Fiesta Rancho. (more…)
Fourth of July fireworks explode in the sky between The Bellagio and Caesars Palace during 2008's display.
There’s still plenty of time and great hotel deals available if you want to spend this Fourth of July in Las Vegas. P.B. and I usually spend three or four days at one of the resorts on The Strip hanging out at the hotel pool; sampling any new restaurants and ice cream joints (thinking Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace this year;) and just relaxing over the lazy holiday.
This year we’re going to head for Fremont Street for at least one evening and check out the downtown’s “American Pie 4th of July” celebration which starts Friday, July 3 and goes through Sunday, July 5. The popular Fremont Street Experience has been running a “Summer of ‘69″ event featuring the Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie,” so we’ll see that plus enjoy one of the weekend concerts. Headliners this year include Janis Joplin’s original band, “Big Brother & The Holding Company,” on Friday with “The Grass Roots” playing on Saturday. The evening of the 4th also promises a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy. Get more info here –Fremont Street 4th Celebration.(more…)
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. This newest CD dropped today and is already #10 on the Amazon sales list.
