Look Who’s Talking

SHOWS ON THE MOVE

You need a scorecard to keep track of all the changes that go on in our town. I told you a few weeks ago that one of my favorite entertainers, Gordie Brown, was leaving The Venetian. Happy to hear he will be opening in the V Theatre at The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood on March 31. The Palazzo, owned by the Venetian, has offered him his own room at that resort once construction on the room is finished. This guy deserves to be front and center on the Strip as he always gives 110 percent.

Ventriloquist Ronn Lucas is moving his afternoon show from the Luxor to the Excalibur, starting April 1, which makes a lot of sense as a lot of families stay at the Excalibur, and Lucas’ show is geared toward older kids and adults. A great way to spend an afternoon.

The Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show moves from the V Theatre at The Miracle Mile Shops to the main showroom at the Flamingo. It all happens April 21. The show will be performed at 4 p.m. every day except Thursdays. You can still see him at the V Theatre thru April 13.

And singing impressionist Larry G. Jones closed his downtown show at Fitzgeralds. Don’t know where he’s going yet or even if he will stay in Vegas, but plans at the hotel are to produce a stand-up comedy show as a replacement.

‘SHOW IN THE SKY’ STILL FLYING

It was rumored last week that the cast and crew for the Rio‘s popular "Show in the Sky" would end April 8, with more than 70 of the cast and crew out of jobs. Not so, says Harrah’s execs. The show will only close for a short period for some production changes. Good news, as it’s a great draw for the resort and one of the few free "shows" in town.

IRISH PUB OPENS

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, billed as the "Wildest Irish Pub on Earth," recently opened in the Rio, I guess to make sure they were up and running before St. Patrick’s Day this past Monday. It’s a really fun place with lots of room for everyone to party, with its 7,000 square feet, 100-foot-long mahogany bar, dance floor, dozens of draft beer and 90-ounce fishbowl cocktails. Add some good basic grub like Boneless Buffalo Wings, Irish Stew and Shepherd’s Pie and you’re in heaven.

I got a kick out of their fun facts that they emailed to me: over 20 million gallons of beer served; over 15 million gallons of beer spilled; over 6 million bachelorettes late/hung-over for their weddings; enough Almost Famous Boneless Buffalo Wings served to cover Ireland 3 feet deep; enough girls have danced on the bars to cover Ireland 3 feet deep (after Ireland cleans up from the Buffalo Wings). Check it out next time you’re in town.

CRITICAL KONDITION’S DANCE FEST

Here’s a fun event, especially for a younger crowd. It’s the 7th annual Critical Kondition Dance Fest this Saturday, March 22, at the West Las Vegas Library Theatre. This hip hop festival will include singing and dancing by special guests Hypnotix Dance Crew and Kappa League as well as the Critical Kondition dance teams. Tickets for ages 5 and older are a very reasonable $10 at the door, and kids under age 5 will be admitted free when accompanied by a supervising adult. Doesn’t say how much they have to pay if they show up alone with their teddy bears tucked under their arms. Parking and seats are limited so get there early. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for seating and the concert is skedded from 6 to 8 p.m. The theatre is located at 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

Wheelchair tennis players ages 12 and older are invited to participate in the inaugural Las Vegas Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament to be held Saturday and Sunday, March 29-30, at the Amanda and Stacey Darling Memorial Tennis Center. Participants will play by division (open, A, B, C) in men’s singles/doubles, women’s singles/doubles, quadriplegic singles/doubles or junior singles/doubles.

The entry fee is $35 per player if mailed in; $38.13 for one event and $41 for two events if registered online. The entry deadline is March 21. There events are for spectators and begin at 8 a.m. both days. The tennis center is located at 7901 W. Washington Ave. To register by mail, contact tournament director Joaquin Picazo Jr. at 702-876-9606 or 702-235-9022. Only USTA members can register online. Use tournament No. 257106908. Go to www.usta.com/tennislink/ and click on tournaments.

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.