Bette On It

What can I say? You gotta see Bette Midler at Caesars Palace. The Divine Miss M is everything you expect her to be and more when she takes the stage in her show, "The Showgirl Must Go On." I think back to the opening night of Celine Dion in the same theater and how critical I was in my review of the show. I later came to love it, but was so disappointed on its debut -- not of Dion's performance, but the overall production.

Not with Midler. Everything works, and the night I was there, the full house responded enthusiastically. In showbiz, there are performers and there are PERFORMERS. Only a handful fit the latter and Midler is definitely one of them. Book your tickets early. You don't want to miss this show when you come to town.

BRADY KEEPS 'MAKING IT UP'

Another performer who has caught fire since opening last year at The Venetian is Wayne Brady and his "Making It Up" show. The initial limited engagement was extended once and now has been extended again through July of 2009. He deserves it because he delivers.

He says he "couldn't be happier being in Las Vegas doing what I do best, entertaining audiences. I am trying to bring old school showbiz back -- singing, dancing and improv, the way Sammy Davis, Jr. did back in the day. Old school with a new school twist." Not only does he create a different show each night with improv partner Jonathan Mangum, he constantly adds new elements to the line-up, making each show an original. Working with his four-piece band and a chorus of talented dancers and singers, he recently added new production numbers including a tribute to Sam Cooke. Brady has his hands full these days as he fills the role of host on FOX's hit game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics!"

PLANET HOLLYWOOD GETS AMAZING

The Amazing Johnathan, the zany comic-magician who recently left the Sahara, will be opening March 1 in the Miracle Mile/Harmon Theater at Planet Hollywood. If you've never seen his show and like bizarre humor, put it on your list. In a town where comics and magicians come and go, Johnathan has more than held his own since coming here in 2001. BTW, you gotta be 18 or older to see the show.

'3 REDNECK TENORS' IS A ROMP

Another show you'll want to catch is a musical comedy called "3 Redneck Tenors." I got to see it when it was in town at the Luxor a few weeks ago and now I hear it will return to the resort March 19-24. Tickets are a reasonable $30, $40 and $50 plus tax and handling fees (don't get me going on handling fees. I think they are a complete ripoff). Anyway, the hilarious show follows three singing cousins from their modest beginnings in Paris, Texas, all the way to their triumphant debut at New York's famed Carnegie Hall.

It's what my daddy would call a foot-stompin', knee-slappin', redneck romp, with tunes from Elvis to Puccini, soul to pop and country to opera. Billy Bob, Billy Joe and Billy Billee mix NASCAR with Beethoven, lite beer with Puccini and even kick up a little dust with "Ave Maria Dixie." Over the past three years, "3 Redneck Tenors" has performed in more than 100 cities throughout the United States. Go see it. I promise you'll love it.

MEET AND GREET WITH KURT BUSCH

If you're a NASCAR fan and would like to get an autograph of Kurt Busch, as well as see an exclusive car show display, show up at The Palms on Friday, Feb. 29, between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. The car display will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at the main valet entrance to the resort, while Busch will happily sign autographs in the Food Court. It's all free and you're encouraged to bring your own memorabilia for an autograph.

Following the meet and greet, Busch will introduce a special performance in The Pearl Concert Theater by the Mighty Mighty BossTones. Free tickets for the show are currently available through purchase of specially marked 18-packs of Miller Lite. For more information and a list of retail locations to purchase specially marked 18-packs of Miller Lite, visit www.palms.com.

PITCH, HIT & RUN

All area youth ages 7 to 14 are invited to enter the free Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition on Saturday, March 1. This national program gives boys and girls the chance to showcase their baseball skills. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Doc Romeo Park ball field No. 8, located at North Tenaya Way and Peak Drive. Each youth must present a copy of his or her birth certificate upon check-in. The first events will begin at 9:30 a.m. Call Charleston Heights Community School for details and advance registration forms at (702) 229-4440.

BLOOD DRIVE AT NEVADA PALACE

Nevada Palace on Boulder Highway closes its doors before re-opening as the brand new Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel this summer, but local residents will still be able to give at the property's final blood drive on Friday, Feb. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hotel-casino will be giving out a special commemorative medallion to everyone who gives blood while United Blood Services will be providing T-shirts. Additionally, donors can be among the first to eat at the new property, which opens late this summer, with a meal voucher for two. To schedule an appointment for the blood drive, call (702) 228-8400 ext. 241, or log onto www.bloodhero.com and enter sponsor code: nevadapalace.

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