Well, April 18 finally arrived, a date locals have been anticipating for a long time, as we have been inundated with ads and commercials heralding the opening of Red Rock Resort, the latest and most expensive resort to be added to Station Casinos ever-growing list of properties in our town.
And it delivered. Big time. In fact, so big that none other than Sting surprised everyone by showing up to perform, capping a fun night of fireworks and frivolity, as well as masses of people, shoulder to shoulder, weaving their way through the hotel-casino. New Year's Eve in April. What a town! For all you visitors to our fair city, it is a bit of a drive from the Strip, but make sure you get to see Red Rock.
It's a beautiful property, and much thought went into the details, which make all the difference in the world. The layout, the design, the pool, the restaurants, the rooms -- which, by the way, feature the most expensive suites in Las Vegas -- are all just part of what you'll experience. A far cry from Palace Station, where it all started.
BIDDING FOR THE TROP
The bidding war is heating up to see who will get the Tropicana, as well as all the other hotel-casinos that Aztar Corporation owns. It began a few weeks ago when Pinnacle Entertainment made the announcement that it had reached an agreement to buy Aztar. If I remember right, the price was based on $38 a share. This took place right after Aztar had announced plans to tear down the landmark property and build a new mega resort.
But no sooner had Pinnacle gone public with its offer when Colony Capital, which owns the Las Vegas Hilton, upped the bid to $41 a share. Not to be left out, Ameristar Casinos Inc. jumped into the fray and hiked the share price to $42. Hey, this is lookin' good for Aztar, but more was yet to come. A company called Columbia Sussex Corp. apparently wants it badly, coming up with a bid of $47 a share.
So now we have four companies wanting the Trop, which is no surprise, as it is located on one of the premium locations on the Strip and has plenty of land for major development. We will now wait and see what happens next, but if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on MGM Mirage. What's that, you say? They aren't even bidding. My answer to you is, "Not yet, but they will." Of course, I've been wrong before, but not often.
'MAYHEM' AT THE MIRAGE
For all you guys and gals who are into martial arts, The Mirage is hosting "K-1 Mayhem at The Mirage II" April 29. Top martial arts fighting champions from around the world will battle it out to determine who will advance to the K-1 Finals at the Tokyo Dome. The prelim fights get under way at 5:30 p.m. followed by the K-1 Tournament at 7. Should be pretty exciting and no, I won't be competing.
BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS
Here's two dates I want all you guys and your wives/girlfriends to mark in your calendars -- April 28-29. Why? Because that's when the Bellydance Superstars, the world's premier touring bellydance troupe, are going to be performing at the Flamingo. It is the only professional dance company of its kind. You will see them perform a cross-section of tribal, Egyptian and cabaret styles, all of which will have the guys in the audience drooling more than they usually do.
The dancers first gained national attention in 2003 at the Lollapalooza rock tour and from there went on to perform around the world, including the Folies Bergere in Paris last year. Tickets are $41.95 and you can get them by calling 1-800-221-7299. Both night's show starts at 7:30.
MADE FOR TREKKIES
Hey, here's a good deal, especially for all you Trekkies. Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton is now offering a "Latinum Package," which includes a dual admission ticket (Klingon Encounter(tm) and BORG Invasion 4D), ticket to "The Experience: Secrets Unveiled" exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, and two free photos -- the Captain's Chair and Borg Regeneration Chamber. All this for $75.99. This doesn't turn me on as I've never been a Star Trek fan, but I love William Shatner in the TV series, "Boston Legal." Still, if I took advantage of this great Star Trek deal, wouldn't it make me look like a hypocrite? I'll pass.
I would tell you more about our town, but I've got to go to the DMV and as it is now 6 a.m. I figure if I leave now, I can be there by 6:15 and might be able to be within the first 50 in line waiting for the doors to open at 8.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
