‘Jubilee!’ celebrates, offers ticket deal
July 31 marks a very special day at Bally’s. That’s the day Donn Arden’s "Jubilee!" will celebrate its 27th anniversary. And in honor of that occasion, Bally’s is offering a special $27 ticket price ($50-$112) to Nevada residents through Friday, Aug. 15. Pretty good deal when tickets regularly sell for $50 to $112.
Although it’s a great classic Las Vegas show — with its beautiful rhinestone-clad showgirls, lavish costumes, elaborate sets, world-renowned specialty acts and dynamic music — it is hard to imagine a show — any show — lasting that long in a town that is constantly changing.
As Bill Gaydos, director of entertainment for Bally’s said, “It’s an amazing accomplishment for an amazing show. We wanted to find a special way to celebrate the occasion and thank the Las Vegas community for supporting us for more than 27 years.”
Recently featured on "The View," NBC’s "Today" show and "Last Comic Standing," the dancers of "Jubilee!" have been voted the “world’s best showgirls” by Travel Channel/BBC and have also been seen on "The Tyra Banks Show" and "Montel Williams."
A The New York Times reporter wrote, “In an era when the Strip is ablaze with high-tech musicals and sexually explicit female revues, the glam, retro showgirls of ‘Jubilee!’ may be the last of their kind.”
If you want to take advantage of this special offer, go to the Bally’s box office and show valid Nevada identification. There is a four-ticket purchase limit and is based on availablity (upgraded seating is available at an additional cost).
"Jubilee!" performs twice nightly at 7:30 and 10:30. and is dark on Fridays.
A tour that is generating a lot of interest these days is the "Think Fast, Steely Dan Summer Tour 2008," which will be at The Pearl Theater inside The Palms on Friday, Aug, 8 at 8 p.m.
The dapper duo of Becker and Fagen will be supported, as always, by their world-class R&B and jazz players. Set lists may sample from Fagen’s just released "Nightfly Trilogy," and Becker’s upcoming solo album "Circus Money," released last month. Knowing the duo’s subversive tastes, a few surprises are likely to pop up in the set as well. Tickets run from $128 to $203. Should be a fun time for Steely Dan fans.
In case you haven’t heard, one of my favorite shows, "Monty Python’s Spamalot" has closed at Wynn Las Vegas. It had a great 14-month run, but it had to make room for Danny Gans, who will move from The Mirage to once again work for Steve Wynn, the man who gave him his big break and a huge contract when Wynn owned The Mirage. If you didn’t see "Spamalot," shame on you.
If you have a kid between the ages of 10 and 17 and they like to strut their stuff, you might want to ask them if they’d like to audition for the "Somethin’ So Right, Spittin’ Rhymes & Lyrics of Different Flavaz" showcase that will be at Reed Whipple Cultural Center on Friday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m.
Auditions and admission to the show are free. The show, hosted by artist Isaac Sawyer, will feature young people expressing their culture, experiences and observations through spoken word performances, stories, bop, fresh lyrics and rhymes. Auditions will be Friday, Aug. 1, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 2, 1-4 p.m., at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, located at 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Auditions will be conducted in the order that performers arrive and complete the necessary paperwork. Material used at the audition must be the same as that to be used in the showcase and must be appropriate for family audiences. A parent or legal guardian must attend the audition with the performer and fill out a waiver form in order for the youth to participate. For more information on the showcase, call (702) 229-4800.
Okay, can’t forget the seniors. The Las Vegas Senior Center will have its weekly big band dance on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. now that the center is closed on Saturdays. The dances, featuring Boyd Coulter’s Good Times Band, have drawn crowds of active older adults to the center on Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. for many years.
Prices will remain $4 per person and the dances will continue to be in the center’s climate-controlled ballroom. The Las Vegas Senior Center is located at 451 E. Bonanza Road, with nearby easy access to the U.S. 95 freeway at Las Vegas Boulevard. This is a great way for seniors to get out, have some fun and meet new people.
Good luck and I’ll see you on the Strip. And don’t forget to check out eNeon each Wednesday by subscribing (free of charge) to the Review-Journal’s weekly newsletter. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@netzero.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.