Madame Toussauds celebrates

Of the nearly 1,000 people who visit the exhibition every day, only 20 percent are locals — a number that those running the place would very much like to change. It’s a bit of a mystery, considering the price is not out of line and you can see a lot of interesting figures, due to the fact that the museum changes displays and stays current with popular figures. Each year, four to five new figures are added to its collection of just more than 100 statues and it also borrows existing figures from other locations, including New York and London.

Wax figures cost between $200,000 and $300,000 to make, so the museum does a lot of research before deciding who to cast. A booklet in the last room of the exhibits enables guests to list who they’d like to see in the attraction. Aside from the oddball request, many names pop up again and again. Recently, President Barack Obama’s statue was unveiled after the museum received many requests. This month the museum will unveil Denzel Washington and tie it to Black History Month. A prominent local — and colorful — political figure is set to debut in March while Snoop Dogg’s statue is scheduled to arrive in April. If you’ve not been yet, put it on your list and take advantage of the special anniversary offer.

A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Many of you will be too young to remember, but that doesn’t diminish the immense appeal of the music of The Ink Spots. Fortunately, you will get a chance to hear their music performed by the legendary Queen of Swing, Norma Miller, on Friday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the West Las Vegas Library Theatre. And here’s a bonus: Admission is free and advance reservations are not required.

For those unfamiliar with Miller, she is an author, choreographer, dancer, comedian and actress whose career spans more than seven decades. She was honored with a 2003 National Heritage Foundation Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts for her role in creating and continuing to preserve “the acrobatic-style swing dance known as the Lindy Hop,” Miller, 86, will be joined by Bruce Anderson, Flery Bursey, Lou Ragland and Edward “CoCo” Stancil, who will perform the classic Ink Spots’ songs, from “If I Didn’t Care” and “Only You” to “Under the Boardwalk” and “Cab Driver.” The faces have changed, but the sound remains. The theatre is located at 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Call (702) 507-3989 for directions. For more information, call 702-229-4800. Should be a fun time.

Here’s something very cool. "Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular" is offering students the chance to interact with professionals who perform a variety of roles in the theater world during an intimate classroom-like setting. After a performance, students will meet with cast members, lighting operators, technical staff, musicians or company managers to ask questions about their craft, experience and theater career.

The Phantom Student Talk-Back Workshops kicked off Feb. 3 with its first workshop, with the next scheduled for Feb. 10. Additional dates will follow. The show begins at 7 p.m. with the Talk-Back taking place immediately after the performance at approximately 9:30 p.m. With a group of 10 or more, the cost of this educational experience is $52.90 per student. For more information on booking your student group for the above mentioned date or another date, contact Scott Snowden at (702) 785-5394 or e-mail Ssnowden@BASEentertainment.com

Take Advantage of Discounts: There’s a number of good deals around town — some are exclusive to only locals, which is a real sore point with me, but as I don’t run the hotels, not much I can do about it. However, here are some you can cash in on.

• Haunted Vegas Tour & Show: $10 off admission
• Jay White as Neil Diamond: 2-for-1 admission
• "An Evening at La Cage": 2-for-1 admission
• Liberace Museum: $12.50 off museum & cabaret admission
• Madam Tussauds Las Vegas: Up to $16 off admission
• Nathan Burton Comedy Magic: Free admission with buffet purchase
• Riviera Comedy Club: 2-for-1 admission
• Silverstone Golf Club: $200 off wedding ceremony or reception
• Skydive Las Vegas: $10 off a 3-mile skydive
• The Platters, Coasters & the Marvelettes: $15 off admission
• "The Sopranos Last Supper": $10 off admission
• "Tony & Tina’s Wedding": $15-$30 off admission
• Vegas Indoor Skydiving: $10 off single flight
• Vegas Mob Tour: $10 off admission
• Vinnie Favorito Comedy Show: $10 off admission.

Add to these the following Cirque du Soleil special offering. Again, just for locals, but what a deal it is. From now thru Feb. 28, you can get to see "Mystere," "KA" and "Zumanity" for just $49 per ticket to each show. This is a discount of up to 60 percent off the regular price. The offer is available for select performances and only on select seating areas. There’s a limit of six tickets per transaction and you need a valid Nevada ID.

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 lennylasvegas@gmail.com. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.