Friday, December 24, 2004 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ringing Endorsement

Clint Holmes' song 'L.V. (Las Vegas)' will be worked into the fireworks display, one of many options to help usher in the new year in the valley


CLARIFICATION -- 12/24/04 -- Today's Neon section featuring quotes and information about Clint Holmes performing on New Year's Eve was printed before the Thursday announcement of the entertainer's surgery for colon cancer and cancellation of his show until at least Jan. 3.

On New Year's Eve, Clint Holmes can be heard in an invitation-only concert and during the fireworks display. Photo by Jeff Scheid.

Clint Holmes is the one New Year's Eve entertainer who has his bases covered inside and out.

Holmes is doing a show at Harrah's Las Vegas that includes the traditional countdown to midnight for invited casino guests.

But in the three years that fireworks have taken over as the Strip's main attraction on New Year's Eve, which is expected to draw about 300,000 visitors this year, Holmes and other performers have noticed "about 20 minutes to midnight, people start heading out to the Strip."

The singer is lucky this year because "either way, they're going to ring in the new year with me. They can't escape me," he quips.

That's because one of his songs will be sequenced to the eight-minute fireworks display. His tune "L.V. (Las Vegas)" has been expanded and reworked to go along with the "America's Party" display organized by Las Vegas Events and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The $500,000 fireworks display may be the easiest explanation for the diminished star power inside Strip properties. The last New Year's Eve without fireworks -- the turn-of-the-century party of 1999 -- featured Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Rod Stewart.

This year brings more modestly priced concerts by Lionel Richie, Al Jarreau, Alanis Morissette and Connie Stevens.

But while New Year's Eve falls on a Friday, Train and Maroon 5 will play on Saturday instead. Two other big draws, Velvet Revolver and the jam band moe., signed on for double-duty on Friday and Saturday.

"I'm too naive to know any better," first-time promoter Bob Agnew says of his Evolution Entertainment Group's package at the Orleans Arena. He believes he has a good shot at the 30-to-65 age group with the lengthy, unusual format of "putting our top headliner (Jarreau) on first," followed by Canadian singer James Owen Bush and a dance party featuring singer-percussionist Sheila E. (Escovedo) and her family.

But the evening's biggest star is undeniably Phil Grucci and his family, though you know them by their work more than their name.

Fireworks By Grucci is again designing the display that will coordinate the 40,000 devices to be fired from 10 casino rooftops (Excalibur, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Bally's, Flamingo Las Vegas, The Venetian, Treasure Island, Stardust, Circus Circus and Stratosphere).

"They all add up to one stage, the stage of Las Vegas, which is also the largest stage in the world, I may add," says Grucci, whose firm also coordinates the Times Square display in New York City.

Instead of the snippets of music usually simulcast on local radio, the traditional "Auld Lang Syne" will yield to Holmes' "L.V." for the remainder of the display. "It makes it very fresh," Grucci says. "Working to a custom soundtrack made it much more special this year."

Holmes and Pat Caddick wrote the song in 2001 after the entertainer was motivated by the convention authority to write a theme song for the city. No official designation ever came. But the song went over well onstage and Holmes reintroduced it when he was invited to create a soundtrack for the fireworks.

"We're going to release it as a dance single in the clubs around town," Holmes says of the expanded version of the tune.

Clearer-eyed viewers of the fireworks may notice some other new twists: Speaker installations on the Strip to broadcast the soundtrack to the street, lasers added to the display for the first time this year and a custom-designed aerial shell called the Las Vegas Centennial Chip to kick off the city's 100th anniversary.

Unlike the more leisurely sprawl of a July 4 display, Grucci says the desired effect is "pure saturation. Once it starts, it's nonstop action."

Some casinos are cashing in on bird's-eye views of the display: ghostbar atop the Palms is charging $300 per person.

Others are working around the display. "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" at the Rio will have cast members mingle and drink with patrons after the regular show, before everyone steps outside for the fireworks at midnight. Whether the cast members stay in character is up to them, says co-producer Raphael Berko.

And Cloudburst 2005 brings Crystal Method and other electronica acts right out to the street, under the Fashion Show mall's signature outdoor sculpture, The Cloud.

Those younger than 21 have two sanctioned places to go this year, with impressive lineups of bands at both Jillian's downtown and GameWorks on the Strip.

The evening's roundup:

Headliners

MARIAH CAREY hosts a New Year's Eve party at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $125 (731-7110).

THE CRYSTAL METHOD performs as part of the Cloudburst Celebration at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Fashion Show Mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $99.95 (474-4000).

GRANDMASTER FLASH performs at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at Rain in the Desert at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, $150-$200, includes champagne toast and party favors (942-7777).

CONNIE FRANCIS performs at 9 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Sahara Theater at the Sahara, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $49-$119 (737-2111).

AL JARREAU, SHEILA E. AND THE ESCOVEDO FAMILY AND JAMES OWEN BUSH perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Orleans arena at the Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., $49-$195 (284-7777).

MOE. performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Thomas & Mack Center, E. Tropicana Avenue and Swenson Street, $45-$50 (739-3267).

ALANIS MORISSETTE performs at 8:30 p.m. in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $90-$155 (632-7600).

DEBBIE REYNOLDS performs at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in Don's Celebrity Theatre at the Riverside Resort,1650 S. Casino Drive, Laughlin, $40 for the 7 p.m. show and $45 for the late show (800-227-3849).

LIONEL RICHIE performs at 8 p.m. in the Aladdin Theatre at the Aladdin, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $45.25-$134.25 (785-5000).

RICK SPRINGFIELD performs at 11 p.m. in the Hideaway Showroom at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, $65 (914-8557).

CONNIE STEVENS Connie Stevens performs at 8 p.m. in the Arizona Ballroom at the Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road, $109, includes filet mignon and jumbo shrimp scampi dinner and a champagne toast (367-7111).

TEMPTATIONS, SONNY TURNER perform at 10 p.m. in the Wayne Newton Theatre at the Stardust, 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $82.50 (732-6325).

VELVET REVOLVER performs at 10 p.m. in the the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road, $128-$253 (693-5066).

Production shows and magic

`AN EVENING WITH MARILYN' Starring Roxanna Bonilla-Giannini, showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Le Bistro Theater at the Riviera, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $36.95-$46.95 (794-9433).

`AUSSIE ANGELS' Showtimes are 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Shimmer Cabaret Theater at the Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road, $46.45 (732-5755).

`BA-DA-BING' Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Ba-Da-Bing Theater at the Stardust, 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $99-$132, $59 for children, includes dinner, glass of champagne and entrance to afterparty (257-0297).

`BLUE MAN GROUP: LIVE AT LUXOR' Showtimes are 6 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Luxor Theater at the Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $72.30-$102 for the 6 p.m. show and $80.30-$110 for the 9 p.m. show, which includes party favors (262-4400).

`LANCE BURTON: MASTER MAGICIAN' Showtimes are 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $66.50-$72.75 (730-7160).

STEVE CONNOLLY'S `SPIRIT OF THE KING' Showtimes are at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 31 at Fitzgeralds, 301 Fremont St., admission is free, one drink minimum (388-2400).

DAVID COPPERFIELD Showtimes are 1:30, 4, 7 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $97 for first three shows, $150 for 10:30 p.m. performance that includes a champagne toast and party favors (891-7777).

CELINE DION IN `A NEW DAY...' Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $87.50-$225 (731-7333).

`DOWNTOWN' GORDIE BROWN Showtimes are 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Golden Nugget Showroom at the Golden Nugget, 129 E. Fremont St., $60.50 for 7:30 show, $88 for 10:30 show, champagne toast included (386-8100).

`FASHIONISTAS' Showtimes are 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at Krave nightclub in the Desert Passage, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $54.95-$64.95 show only, $150 for dinner, show and entrance to the nightclub (836-0830).

`FORBIDDEN VEGAS' Showtimes are 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Westin Casuarina, 160 E. Flamingo Road, $49.90 (617-5588).

DANNY GANS Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Danny Gans Theatre at The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $125 (791-7111).

`KA' Showtimes are 6 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Ka Theatre at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $99-$150 (891-7777).

`THE MAC KING COMEDY SHOW' Showtimes are at 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Improv Theater at Harrah's Las Vegas, 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $18.65 (369-5111).

`LA FEMME' Showtimes are 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the La Femme Theatre at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $59, must be 18 or older (891-7777).

`LEGENDS IN CONCERT' Showtimes are 7 and 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays in the Imperial Theater at Imperial Palace, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $39.95-$59.95, includes one drink, $24.95-$44.95 for children 12 and younger, includes party favors (794-3261).

`MEN, THE SHOW' Showtimes are 10 p.m. daily at Seven the nightclub, 3724 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $25-$45 (739-7744).

`MIDNIGHT FANTASY' Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in Pharaoh's Theater at the Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $49.95, no one younger than 21 will be admitted, includes party favors (262-4400).

`MYSTERE' Showtimes are 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Mystere Theatre at Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $125, includes split of champagne, souvenier program and party favors (796-9999).

`O' Showtimes are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the O Theatre at the Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $99-$150 for 4:30 performance, $124-$175 for the 7:30 performance, ticket includes souvenir program, CD and party hat (796-9999).

`OVATION' Showtimes are 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 31 in the showroom at the Lady Luck, 206 N. Third St., $41.95, $46.95 with buffet (477-3000).

`THE PLATTERS, CORNELL GUNTER'S COASTERS AND BEARY HOBBS' DRIFTERS' Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Congo Showroom at the Sahara, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $42-$48 (737-2111).

`SHOWGIRLS OF MAGIC' Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Parisian Cabaret at the San Remo, 115 E. Tropicana Ave., $39 includes two drinks, the show is topless, no one younger than 18 will be admitted (597-6028).

`STARS OF THE STRIP' Showtimes are at 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Plaza, 1 Main St. $7.65, includes one drink (386-2444).

`THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER' Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in Merlin's Theater at the Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $55, includes party favors (597-7600).

`TONY 'N' TINA'S WEDDING' Showtimes are 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Calypso Room at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, $222.50, includes buffet, open bar and logo gift item (777-7776).

`TOURNAMENT OF KINGS' Showtimes are 6, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. in King Arthur's Arena at Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $53 for the 6 and 8:30 p.m. shows and $87 for the 10:30 p.m. show with party favors, champagne toast and hors d'oeuvres included (597-7600).

'V -- THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW' Showtimes are 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in the V Theatre at the Aladdin, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $62-$72, half-priced tickets for children 12 and younger (932-1818).

GEORGE WALLACE Showtimes are 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Flamingo Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $82.50 (733-3333).

`WE WILL ROCK YOU' Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 in Le Theatre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $53-$113.50 (946-4567).

`WORLD'S GREATEST MAGIC SHOW' Showtimes are 6 and 8:15 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Star Theater at the Greek Isles, 305. E. Convention Center Drive, $63.75-$74.75, children 12 and younger are free (737-5540).

STEVE WYRICK Showtimes are 7 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31 in the Steve Wyrick Theatre at the Aladdin, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $65.95-$87.95, dinner packages available (785-5000).

`ZUMANITY' Showtimes are 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. in the Zumanity Theatre at New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $95-$165, includes split of champagne, souvenir program and party favors (740-6815).