Economy to blame for show, restaurant closings
Dimming the Lights: I hate to see any shows or restaurants close in our town, but unfortunately, it sometimes happens, so here I go with two surprising closures. First of all, the high-energy production, "Stomp Out Loud" at Planet Hollywood will end its engagement on Jan. 4.
With visitor count down, and as we enter a traditionally slow winter, the decision was made to end the show’s 22-month run and possibly look for a smaller venue on the Strip. I’m told a lavish multi-million-dollar adult show starring a pop superstar and a siren of the small screen will replace it in a soon-to-be redesigned Planet Hollywood Showroom. The new show, of which I will soon have more details, will open next March.
Locals will get a break as they are being offered 2-for-1 tickets on the top two tiers ($79 and $99) for the remainder of the run. This bugs me a lot -- these special for locals -- especially for Strip shows. I realize that all of our shows want to attract locals, but it’s the tourists who support the big shows on the Strip and they should be given a break as well. If you’re interested in seeing the show, I suggest you call and ask for the 2-for-1 ticket offer. If they refuse, let me know. In this economic climate, they would have to be fools to lose your business.
Interesting to note that "Stomp Out Loud" will close the same day as "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay, although that resort has already announced that "The Lion King" will replace the long-running hit. I still don’t understand the decision to pull the plug on "Mamma Mia!"
By the way, if you were planning on seeing "The Soprano’s Last Summer" at the Riviera, either get to see it before Nov. 18 -- the day it closes there -- or wait until it reopens at the Greek Isles on Dec. 2.
I am very saddened to report that Andre’s Downtown, a fixture in our town and in my opinion one of the best -- if not the best -- restaurants here, will be closing its Sixth Street location on New Year’s Eve. The other location in the Monte Carlo will remain open, but though the food is excellent there as well, it just isn’t the same -- at least for me.
Andre’s has been around for almost 30 years, and was a favorite hangout for people like Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Joe Pesci, as well as Tony “The Ant” Spilotro, the Mob’s front man for many years here.
This Bacon Sizzles: Kevin Bacon has always been one of my favorite actors, but he is also a very talented musician/singer and has been performing with his brother Michael as The Bacon Brothers. I’ve seen them several times and they rock. If you want to catch their act, they will be at The Canyon Club inside the Four Queens on Saturday, Nov. 22, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 for locals and $35 general admission and can be purchased by calling The Canyon Club box office at (702) 387-5175; at the box office (open Monday through Saturday, noon-9 p.m.); or going online at tickets.fourqueens.com.
Breaking Out The Beaujolais: For you wine lovers, Paris Las Vegas will be hosting its 2nd Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration at 12:01am Thursday, Nov. 20. As regulated by French law, Beaujolais Nouveau is released no sooner than the third Thursday in November. At one minute past midnight on the 20th, bottles of Beaujolais will be delivered, commencing the celebration.
Guests throughout the resort will join in the four-day celebration, which will feature special events, tastings and unique Beaujolais Nouveau pairings at eateries such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi and Les Artistes Steakhouse.
The hotel is also offering the Beaujolais Nouveau Package, which will be available Nov. 19-24, and includes discounted accommodations at Paris Las Vegas, $5 off Le Village Buffet, complimentary wine tastings on Nov. 21 at Eiffel Tower Restaurant and on Nov. 22 at Les Artistes Steakhouse, VIP passes to Risqué, the nightclub at Paris Las Vegas, and a 2-for-1 admission to the Eiffel Tower Experience. If you’re interested in booking this package, visit www.harrahs.com/pariswine for more information and pricing. You can also buy the package by calling the Paris Las Vegas Box Office at 877-374-7469.
Put On Your Dancing Feet: If you’re 50 years and older and you want to learn how to foxtrot, waltz, rumba and dance to several other rhythms, head on down to the Derfelt Senior Center on Fridays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Instructor JoJo Pupich will teach you two different dances each month and both couples and singles are welcome. The cost is only $5 per person, so it‘s an inexpensive way to have a lot of fun. The center is located at 3343 W. Washington Ave., inside Lorenzi Park. The center will be closed Nov. 27-28. For more info, call (702) 229-6601.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out eNeon each Thursday by subscribing (free of charge) to the Review-Journal's weekly newsletter. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@netzero.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
