I wish Christmas was here already. If for no other reason than being able to drive from one part of town to the other without it taking me twice as long as usual. Don't people work anymore? Or is everyone too busy shopping? I love this time of year, but if anything can put a damper on it, it's the traffic and the crowds if you dare venture out to a mall. Even the supermarket seems more crowded. So I have made a Christmas, rather than a New Year's, resolution. I will not leave the house three weeks before Christmas other than to go to the supermarket at midnight. In essence, I will become a holiday hermit. Okay, just thought I'd share that with you, as many of you will probably relate to my situation.
If you like Latin dancing, then you're gonna love watching the World Salsa Championships this week at the new South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa (formerly South Coast). The championships feature competitors from more than 20 countries on six continents, ranging from New Zealand and Sweden to Turkey and China. Go figure.
There's no question that salsa dancing has captured the hearts of a lot of people, especially since the TV hit "Dancing with the Stars" aired. I think I heard somewhere that some 27 million people had watched the finals. Personally, I love it. I used to date a dancer a few years ago and after dinner each night, she would move all the furniture in the living room so that we could dance. She was a great dancer and taught me many of the Latin dances. Great fun. She now has her own studio in Miami and we still keep in touch.
Registration for the competition is today, so you still have time to enter if you want. It will cost you $100 a couple. Thursday, Dec. 14 will see the semi-final performances in all divisions; Friday, more semi-final performances in all divisions. Sunday, it all comes down to the finals which ESPN will be broadcasting.
Each night the doors open at 6 p.m. and the competition begins at 8 p.m. on the arena floor at the South Point Equestrian and Events Center. And how about this? After the competition, the gigantic dance floor will open to the public for general salsa dancing. Tickets, starting at $40, are available at the South Point Box Office or call 702-797-8055.
GOLDEN NUGGET CHANGES
Dropped by the new Grotto restaurant at the Golden Nugget last week to break bread with my boss, Al Gibes. Gotta keep on his good side, you know. Not that there will be anything extra in my Christmas check, but as long as there's not a pink slip, I'll be happy. The Golden Nugget, by the way, under its new ownership, has spent $100 million in renovations and it has paid off. Some great changes there, throughout the whole resort.
One of the changes was the introduction of new restaurants and I have to give a big thumb's up to the Grotto. Al will supply the other thumb's up. The food and service were great. I love Italian food and the rigatoni dish I had was the best I've ever tasted (sorry, Nonna). For you anglophiles, Nonna is grandmother in Italian. The restaurant also makes its own bread and sausage, both mouth-watering. Next time you're in town, or if you live here, give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
FAMOUS PIANO ON TOUR
Here's something interesting. The Hilton Harmony Piano will be on exhibit for the public in the lobby of the Las Vegas Hilton until Dec. 15 before it heads off to Los Angeles to be auctioned off. All proceeds will go to the Grammy Foundation in support of music education. This priceless grand piano has been autographed by more than 100 artists, including Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, and is touring the country to raise money and awareness for music education.
LAUGH WITH RITA
A "must add" for your Las Vegas entertainment itinerary is a lady that will move you to tears -- of laughter, that is. As I told you several months ago, the lovable Rita Rudner is now performing at Harrah's Las Vegas (dark Sundays) after ending a seven-year run at New York-New York. This talented lady started her career as a dancer, leaving her Miami home at the age of 18 for the bright lights of Broadway. This became her home for 10 years, before she decided to move into comedy. That was 20 years ago and she has never looked back, adding author to her many lists of accomplishments, having written several books and hosted her own talk show. If you want to laugh, and I mean really laugh out loud, don't miss her show if you happen to be in Vegas.
HIT THE COURTS
If you're in my age group (over 40) this might interest you if you fancy yourself a coulda-been NBAer. The city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services is inviting adults age 40 and older to participate in winter basketball leagues from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Jan. 11 at the Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road. The weekly leagues are designed for all skill levels, from former college athletes to the just-for-fun, once-a-week player. Each game will be two 20-minute halves (I'm tired already).
The cost for each league is $225, plus $25 officials' fees per game, for each team. Members must sign up as a team. A minimum of four teams, between five and 12 players each, is needed for each league to proceed. A maximum of eight teams will be accepted for each league. Registration for the leagues is now open through Jan. 5. The leagues will last approximately eight weeks, plus an additional week of playoffs. Players need to wear comfortable clothing and rubber-soled gym shoes. For more information on the basketball leagues call (702) 229-6307.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com and tune into Lenny's Las Vegas at 7 p.m. every Friday on KLAV 1230AM.
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.
