‘Glow in the Dark’

I'm not a fan, but I'm sure there's a lot of you out there who are, so I'll start off with it. Kanye West will perform his "Glow in the Dark Tour" at Red Rock Resort as it launches its 2008 summer outdoor concert series on Friday, April 25. The show will kick off at 7:30 p.m. with rapper Lupe Fiasco as well as funk/rock group N.E.R.D. West's production is so big, I'm told, that Station Casinos, owners of Red Rock, are constructing a new temporary venue located outdoors at the casino resort. This is the second year that Red Rock is hosting a summer concert series. Last year's lineup included Nelly Furtado, Lauryn Hill, Peter Frampton, the Doobie Brothers and Daughtry.

The rest of the concert series features country music singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley (May 2); Crosby Stills & Nash (June 20); Peter Frampton (July 11); UB40 (August 9). Tickets for Kanye West are $70, plus tax and are on sale now. Prices and availability for the other concerts have not as yet been determined. Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casinos Reward Center, the Fiestas and by calling (702) 547-5300 or by logging onto www.stationcasinos.com. For out-of-towners, in case you haven't been there yet, Red Rock is located at 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., at the intersection of Charleston and I-215. It's a great hotel-casino with excellent restaurants, so plan on eating there as well.

JAZZ IN THE PARK

And speaking of series, it's almost time again for the 14th free Jazz in the Park concert series. It all gets under way April 26 at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, at 8 p.m. The featured performer at the first concert will be Spyro Gyra whose sounds have been pleasing fans for some 30 years. The latest album, "Good to Go-Go," was released last May.

Make sure you bring a picnic basket, blankets and low-back chairs so you can get comfortable. Seating for those of you with all that gear will begin at 7 p.m. If you don't bring anything to eat, not to worry, as there will be food vendors available. Parking is free, so this is really a cheap night out.

WORLD SERIES OF POKER

For all of you poker players with enough cash to get in on some real action, the World Series of Poker, the richest sporting event in the world, returns to the Caesars Palace Poker Room April 20 through May 1. The sked for Caesars will include 13 tournament events, with buy-ins ranging from $300 up to $5,000. The winner of the $5,000 championship will receive cash, plus a $10,000 buy-in to the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event, which will be at the Rio in July. Registration begins April 19 for all events, so mark that on your calendar. All tournaments begin at noon unless otherwise noted. Single-table satellites for all events will run every day from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.

FASHION ROCKS THE UNIVERSE

Here's one for the ladies. Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Planet Hollywood will host an evening of dancing, fashion and fun at Fashion Rocks the Universe from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 10. If you can make it, you will be able to dance, enjoy select creations from David Burke's Hawaiian Tropic Zone menu and mingle with VIP guests including Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, Miss Teen USA 2007 Hilary Cruz, Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo, Miss Universe 1995 Chelsi Smith and 35 Miss Teen USA 2008 contestants.

As well, 20 former Miss USA state titleholders will be on hand to conduct a fashion show featuring bikinis by Syrup Swimwear, YMI Jeans and Sherri Hill Gowns at 8 p.m. A silent auction will include two VIP tickets to Miss USA 2008, a two-night hotel stay at Grand Pacific Palisades Resort in San Diego and a cocktail dress from evening wear designer Sherri Hill.

A percentage of money collected from entry donations and the silent auction will go to the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, which provides underprivileged children with new shoes and other necessities. Tickets for Fashion Rocks the Universe! are $30 and you can get them at the door or by visiting www.fashionrockstheuniverse.eventbrite.com.

MARY POPPINS IN THE PARK

This item is more for locals. There will be a free "Mary Poppins" Movie Night in the Park on Thursday, April 3, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Rafael Rivera soccer field at 2900 E. Stewart St. Free sports games and activities for the kids will be offered as well. A perfect time to grab a blanket and lawn chair and kick back and enjoy this classic movie.

PROJECTS TOPPLING

Looks like the struggling economy is having an effect in our town. It's been announced that the multi-billion-dollar Cosmopolitan planned next to MGM Mirage's CityCenter complex, may be scrapped. Deutsche Bank apparently has told the developers of the resort that it will begin foreclosure proceedings. A few weeks earlier, it had been reported that a deal was made to avoid the Cosmopolitan from entering foreclosure, but no dice, if you'll excuse the pun. The resort, which had an original budget of around $2 billion, saw its projected costs rise to $3.9 billion. Pretty pricey in the current economic crisis.

If that isn't enough, we also heard that construction on the Plaza, which is replacing the New Frontier, might come to a halt -- at least for a while. The Plaza project, that could cost as much as $6 billion, would have seven towers containing 4,100 hotel rooms and 2,600 condominium units. It was to be anchored by the Strip's largest casino at 175,900 square feet and was scheduled to open in 2012.

So not all is well in what our detractors like to call "Lost Wages." Our town has survived and flourished because of new, exciting projects, so if both these resorts don't go forward, it will be very disappointing to all.

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.