Vegas gives biggest bang for buck

Don't know if you've noticed, but the advertising for Las Vegas has gone from the popular "What Happens In Vegas" to a "Come to Vegas for a break," or words to that effect, and man, do many of us need one in these troubled times. It's a great message to convey as there's nowhere in this country -- or any other country for that matter -- where you can get more bang for your buck.

And once you're here, there's plenty to do and see, especially in the world of entertainment -- from headliners and big production shows with big prices, to almost any other kind of great entertainment at reasonable prices. For instance, how would you like to hear some really great New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz and for only $7? That's what the Mardi Gras Mambo band is offering at their 7 p.m. concert on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center. You can get tickets at the Center's box office at 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Or you can call (702) 229-6211.

The Mardi Gras Mambo band is led by Gary Queen who studied classical guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music and jazz guitar, arranging and composition at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Queen moved to Las Vegas in 1983, began playing showrooms and was a member of the Las Vegas Hilton Orchestra from 1987 through 1989. If you like Dixieland jazz, you'll love this concert.

Here's something a little different. In honor of the Chinese New Year taking place this month, the Meadows School, a PreK-12 college preparatory school located in Summerlin, is celebrating the event with a "Year of the Ox" performance in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The cast of singers and dancers includes 120 Meadows students -- 60 from kindergarten and 60 from fifth grade.

They will perform a Chinese dance and parade through the Forum Shops in red and gold costumes (Chinese colors of joy), with drums and firecrackers (to keep evil spirits away) and two large and colorful dragons (powered by students) as well as singing songs in Chinese, with English translations.

It all takes place, Monday, Jan. 26, beginning at 10:15 a.m., starting near the fountain in the new section of the mall and ending at the aquarium adjacent to the Cheesecake Factory restaurant. Admittance is free so go out and support these kids. Should be a lot of fun. Students will celebrate Chinese New Year at the Meadows School with a Jan. 29 lunch featuring traditional Chinese dancers.

If you'd rather hit one of the Strip hotel showrooms, give "Defending the Caveman" a shot, where it began a permanent schedule at the Excalibur. This smash hit about the sexes recently ended its long run at the Golden Nugget and moved uptown. Performances take place at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with additional shows at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the afternoon performances are $34.95 plus tax and handling fees and $39.95 for the 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows.

For all you blackjack players, the Las Vegas Hilton will host the $30,000 Cupids Blackjack Tournament, Feb. 6 and 7 featuring a first-place prize of $15,000. Entry fee is $599, and includes four days/three nights and one entry into the tournament. For more information, call 1-800-457-3307. Good luck!

Here's something I should enter as I make a dynamite chili. MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas is hosting dozens of chili makers from across the country in The Village's first-ever Chili Cook-Off sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Cooks will produce their best red chili, chili verde and salsa to be judged.

A People's Choice Award will allow the public to vote for their favorite and this unsanctioned category has no rules so cooks are encouraged to use their creativity. In addition to the chili samplings, guests can dine on barbeque chili dogs and chili burgers, take part in a raffle for great prizes and enjoy shows by the Green Valley High School Orchestra beginning at noon. A DJ will be on hand throughout the day and shops and restaurants inside The Village will offer a 25 percent discount to patrons.

It all takes place this Saturday, Jan. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. If you want to take part in the chili cookoff, you can visit www.sonrisagrill.com or contact Chanthy Walsh at 702-533-2100 for judging times and entry fees. This event is open to the public and if you want to taste the offerings, it will cost you $3 per person. Food and beverage will be available for sale. Proceeds from the cook-off benefit Green Valley High School and Lake Mead Christian Academy. Should be a fun time, and in case I do enter, make sure you vote for me.

The West Las Vegas Arts Center is featuring an art exhibit titled "Voces Latinas: Works on Paper from 1921 to Present" from Jan. 27 through March 22. The exhibit will be on display from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Admission is free. This exhibit is curated by the Nevada Museum of Art and presented as part of the Nevada Arts Council Nevada Touring Initiative Program, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nevada State Legislature.

"Voces Latinas" (Latino Voices) showcases artworks by 15 artists who represent the diverse range of creative voices within the Latino community. Drawn primarily from the permanent collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, "Voces Latinas" highlights works on paper that touch on complex subjects and issues that continue to inspire dialogue and debate within the Latino community. In addition to artworks that stress the traditional importance of religion and family, the exhibit explores the 1960s Chicano movement and works by contemporary artists who draw on the styles of modernism, symbolism and magical realism. For more info, call the center at (702) 229-4800.

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.