We haven’t done too many posts for the Las Vegas clubbers, so check out this video of PRIVE’s resident DJ, Tina T. Prive, located in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, quickly established itself as one of the best nightclubs on The Strip since opening on New Years Eve.
Headed to Las Vegas? Make sure to check out DJ Tina T’s website, www.djtinat.tv for a list of upcoming shows.
The famous Mirage Volcano, which had been under construction for the better part of 2008, has finally re-opened. We give the made-over lava spitting structure a 7 out of 10, up from a 5 out of 10 before the remodeling. The new Mirage Volcano has been re-vamped, adding more fire, more water, and a thumping tribal soundtrack.
For those stopping to watch the new production their stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, they might find it eerily similar to another free show just a couple hotels south. Another show that is also in front of a hotel, also takes place on a lake, and is also choreographed to music. Yes, unfortunately the Mirage definitely played the copy-cat card here, heavily borrowing from the Bellagio’s gorgeous fountains. Except now, instead of spitting streams of water, it spits little puffs of fire.
Still, despite the lack of creativity, Mirage Volcano v2.0 is definitely an improvement over the original. Next time you’re in Las Vegas, stop to take a look and watch the dancing flames of the brand new attraction. Or, if you just can’t wait, check out the video of the production:
Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Here is the press release related to the volcano’s re-opening:
LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - The Mirage, a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), once again set the standard for Strip-front attractions Monday as its redesigned signature Volcano premiered to the world. When The Mirage first unveiled The Volcano in 1989 the landscape of Las Vegas was forever altered. This all-new audio/visual spectacle again raises the bar with never-before-seen fire effects and an exclusive soundtrack composed by Grateful Dead drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Mickey Hart, and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain.
Celebrity impressionist, singer, comedian, ventriloquist and soon-to-be Mirage headliner Terry Fator acted as Master of Ceremonies for the historic reignition, which took place on The Las Vegas Strip at dusk. Fator was joined on stage by Grammy Award-winner Hart, as well as Mirage President Scott Sibella and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Following the inaugural eruption, the Las Vegas sky was lit with celebratory fireworks from the top of The Volcano.
In addition to commemorating the renovation of The Strip’s most enduring landmark, The Mirage used the opportunity to shine light on the value of music programs in local schools. In honor of the new Volcano and the exclusive soundtrack composed by Hart and Hussain, The Mirage made a donation to the Clark County School District to be used to support music in schools.
“I would not be the musician I am today if I had not had the opportunity to embrace music at a young age,” said Hart. “And now I get to do things like put percussive sound to the image of fire and have it dance around a lagoon. That’s not something one gets to do everyday; to birth a volcano. Zakir and I immersed ourselves in the legends and myths and studied what really makes a volcano work. The result, a true union of the senses, will rattle your bones, just like a real volcano.”
Tasked with bringing the latest innovations to the project, WET forged a primal volcanic environment of sound, light, music and heat. WET’s choreographed FireShooters™ — which send massive fireballs more than 12 feet into the air — were designed specifically for The Mirage using the latest developments in flame-expression technology. The FireShooters™ punctuate the performances with eruptions of fiery “lava” that flow down the mountain’s fissures in a series of lively flames. As the eruption ignites the surrounding lagoon, the FireShooters™ bring Las Vegas’ signature blast within feet of spectators.
“In its prior incarnation, the action stayed primarily on top of The Volcano,” said WET’s Director of Special Technologies Jim Doyle. “We’ve not only created a much more realistic eruption, but we’ve taken the action down into the Lagoon, where spectators will feel the heat on their faces.”
Further enhancing the overall experience, The Volcano features a new Meyer Sound state-of-the-art sound system. An award-winning industry innovator, Meyer Sound is widely recognized for providing the gold standard in audio systems, as heard in theaters throughout the world, including The Mirage’s own LOVE Theater. With more than 60 Meyer Sound cabinets strategically placed throughout the lagoon, Hart and Hussain’s invigorating composition immerses guests in the volcanic rhythms.
The new Volcano is the crowning jewel in a transformation project that began at the property in 2006. During the past three years, The Mirage has introduced new amenities including The Beatles’ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil, nightlife outposts JET Nightclub and The Beatles Revolution Lounge; the luxury adult pool BARE, and restaurants created by the world’s most acclaimed restaurateurs and designers. A recent $110 million room and suite redesign has further enhanced The Mirage’s leading-edge position.
“Technology and The Las Vegas Strip have come a long way since 1989, making for an increasingly competitive tourism market,” said Sibella. “With tonight’s rebirth of our Volcano the exterior of the resort reflects the energy and excitement found within the new Mirage.”
To discover more about The Volcano, see images and view interviews with the creators behind the magic, go to mirage.com.
You don’t have to gamble or watch the fancy production shows to enjoy Las Vegas. The best news is that you don’t even have to spend a lot of money for great entertainment. Las Vegas is home to some of the greatest comedians the entertainment business has to offer. Check out these shows for a night of non-stop laughter that will leave your side aching for more.
For a fresh, quick-witted comedian who holds nothing back, head to O’Sheas Casino to experience Vinnie Favorito. From start to finish Vinnie will have you laughing so hard from his take on life that you will fall from your seat. The show starts with everyday musings but after 10 minutes or so, you realize that Vinnie is here to take everyone along for the ride. Non-stop audience interaction and a keen comedian eye will make everyone in the house a target for Vinnie’s humor. He has the uncanny ability to take the simplest mundane things in life and turn them into hilarious acts. However, if you are timid, easily offended, or insulted by profanity, this show is might not be for you.
The Comedy Stop, shown at the Tropicana nightly at 8 and 10:30, has been hailed as one of the best comedy shows in Las Vegas. For a mere $20 bucks you get the opportunity to hear side-splitting humor from not one, but three comedians AND you get one drink on the house. The line-up differs nightly and while you may not be familiar with the headliners going in, you will know and love them when you leave. If you look closely and with a little effort, you can find 2 for 1 deals or $5.00 off coupons for an even better bargain. For the price, Comedy Stop entertainment can’t be beat.
In a tribute to hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and memory loss, Menopause the Musical celebrates the joys of womanhood in a fun and upbeat musical comedy. Four women cross paths while shopping only to discover they have more in common than a bra size. Thus starts a journey to discovery as these women find support in the humorous events known as The Passage. The true message behind all the comedic relief is that menopause is a normal life experience that should be openly discussed. Realizing the potential of her work, creator Jeanie Linders took the show on the road to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. In doing so, the 05-06 tour raised over $500,000 toward research and awareness. The 08-09 tour has already begun this September.
Are you looking for witty, light-hearted humor that you can take your mother to see? Look no further than Harrah’s for Rita Rudner. Her take on life, marriage and mommy-hood come bundled into a 90-minute rip-roaring package full of off-kilter humor at a reasonable Vegas price. Other great comedians to see while on the Strip include Wayne Brady at the Venetian. Brady delivers the full package as he sings, dances, and acts all while delivering hysterical comedy. The Riviera Comedy Club is a mish-mash of great entertainment with some of the world’s funniest people laughing it up nightly.
So pass up the slots for one night of spell-binding hysteria and treat yourself to the comedy stylings of a Vegas Comedian. We are sure you will not be disappointed.
Not that it needs an introduction, but Cirque du Soleil is a collection of fabulous acrobatically oriented shows, many of which having permanent residence in Las Vegas. The shows feature not only a dynamic display of acrobatic talent, but also fabulous set design, costuming, and general creativity. Cirque du Soleil currently offers five shows in Las Vegas: KA, Mystere, “O”, Love, and Zumanity. If you decide to take in just one show while in Las Vegas, try Cirque du Soleil. Tickets are not cheap, but unless you insist on a fourth-wall production, you won’t go wrong.
KA, playing at MGM Grand, takes on an industrial theme, exploring the ties of two “cirque” tribes. While the plot may be less than innovative, the set is anything but. The main stage of KA is a rotating platform. To use the word rotating, however, is unjust. This is not merely a rotating stage like that of Les Miserables’ famous design. This stage rotates in every angle in all directions. Up, down, vertical, horizontal, you name it, the stage moves. While the acrobatics might be less of a feature than in other shows, the overall impression of the show is stunning.
Mystere, found in Treasure Island, frequently matches with KA for highest marks in professional reviews. The show takes on a light feel, and includes many displays of strength and acrobatic prowess. If you are looking for the comedic approach of Cirque du Soleil, this is definitely the way to go. If you can, try to arrive early, as the pre-show antics are especially entertaining.
“O” is the aquatic Cirque du Soleil found in Bellagio. “O” is billed as a tribute to both theater and the pureness of water. Elaborate scenes take place in, on and above the water, featuring acrobatic divers, and impressive synchronized swimmers.
Love, playing at The Mirage, is a “cirque” which features the music of The Beatles. The stage is a circle in the center of the theater, with seating 360 degrees around the stage. Although it holds true for most Cirque du Soleil theaters, Love’s theater is widely known for not having a bad seat in the house. While its reviews are typically a touch behind those of KA and Mystere, any music lover should see this show. Besides, when the shows are this incredible, being a close second is for all practical purposes negligible.
Zumanity, found in New York-New York, is considered to be the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil. The show is adult oriented, and restricted to adults 18 and over. While still known to be an impressive show, many struggle with the melding of eroticism and love to the light “cirque style”. Still, impressive acrobatics, dancing, and vivid set design await the ticketholder.
Seen them all? Waiting for more? In September 2008, Luxor will open the sixth Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. “Believe” will be a mysterious and magical cirque, inspired by and featuring famous (and weird) Las Vegas magician Criss Angel. Also, not to speculate, but many are counting on an Elvis-themed Cirque du Soleil sometime late 2009. It would reside in the now-under-construction City Center complex. It is rumored to have hit a few bumps in production, but we think an Elvis themed show would be a perfect semblance of Las Vegas culture and Cirque du Soleil’s style!
Without a doubt, Cirque du Soleil is here to stay in Las Vegas. In fact, many consider the experience a staple to any Las Vegas visit. We have never come across someone completely unsatisfied with a Cirque performance, but if you know someone, make sure to let us know!
In March 2008, the Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas became the newest addition to the Las Vegas skyline. Located where the Strip meets Fashion Show Drive, the 64-story Trump International Hotel houses over 1,000 suites and 50 penthouse suites each complete with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city. Guest amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, an outdoor heated pool, and The Spa at Trump. Restaurant dining can be found in either DJT, which offers modern American cuisine and signature cocktails, or H2(EAU), offering Mediterranean and Neo-Japanese cuisine.
Reviews reflect mixed feelings about the Trump. Many reported positively about the guest services, room size, and luxurious atmosphere of the hotel. However, others reported negatively about frequent noise from nearby trains, mall, and interstate as well as the windy 7th floor pool area. While the hotel is in fact located off of the Strip and there is no casino, the entire hotel is nonsmoking. Hotel prices range from around $200-$400 a night for suites and $2500-$5000 a night for a penthouse suite.
In any given Las Vegas casino, there are hundreds of different types of bets that you can make. Although you may love your slots, step outside your comfort zone and take a chance at a new game! It is all too easy to sit down at a one-armed bandit and pull (push, these days) away until your funds are depleted.
While it may be an incredibly simple “game” to play, it comes at a hefty price. Slot machines have some of the worst odds in the house, and can eat you away faster than you may think. Even if a machine pays out over 90%, you should never expect to only lose 10% of your bets in any given session. Keep in mind that the payout percentage includes jackpots, and you’ll have to sit there for awhile before your volatility settles into that 90% figure.
Are you ready to get away from the slots? Great! Here’s your first game to try: mini-baccarat. Mini-baccarat is just a slot machine played with a deck of cards. There is absolutely no strategy involved. None. Zip. Nada. The dealer deals out the cards, and you win or lose. Sure there is a methodology behind it, but the only decision you’ll need to make is choosing your bet.
Ready for something a little more involved? Try blackjack. One popular reason people shy away from blackjack is intimidation. This is nonsense. There is absolutely no need to ever feel intimidated at a table game. Read a quick rundown of the basic strategy, sit on the dealer’s right side (this gives you the maximum time to think about your hand before it’s your turn to play), and enjoy yourself! You’ll pick up on it faster than you think.
If you think table games are too complicated, you’re fooling yourself. Most games are incredibly easy to play. Take craps for example. If you’re not in the know, the game looks daunting! From the betting lingo, to the confusing table layout, to the dice, it seems like a foreign language. But, this game is way too much fun to pass up. Spend five minutes reading up on craps rules, and you’ll be good to go. Jump onto the rail and start with a simple pass bet. From there, slowly expand your arsenal of bets as you watch and learn from others. All in all, craps is extremely social. Not only will your bankroll rise and fall with those around you, 90% of them will be more than willing to teach you a few things as you play the game.
The final step is to go out and explore all the other games that a casino has to offer. Believe it or not, casinos have much more to offer than slots, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Here is an extensive list of Las Vegas casino games. Try something new. You might just find your new favorite game!
Hopefully by now you’re over your fear of table games. If you still don’t feel comfortable, attend a free gambling lesson offered by the casinos. Ask your hotel’s front desk for daily schedules when you check in (they’re usually offered mid-day). In the end, just make sure you don’t miss out on the fun because you were too afraid to give table games shot. Not only are they often a better bet than slot machines, they’re social, and that will only add to your gambling entertainment!
**For a quick rundown on gambling etiquette, lingo, and game rules, check out VegasClick.com’s Crash Course in Gambling.
Once you’ve successfully landed in Las Vegas and retrieved your luggage, the last thing you want to do is wait in line to reach your hotel destination and start winning big. While the most common and obvious way to get from the airport to your hotel is via cab, your excitement may come to a halt once you see the outrageously long line you’ll need to wait in just to get one. This Disney World-sized line seems to endlessly wrap up and down the sidewalks outside of the airport and may not seem like the best way to start an exciting vacation. Not to worry, there are other (and cheaper) options!
The money-savvy experienced travelers will always explore the Las Vegas shuttle option before any other mode of transportation to and from the airport as it is undoubtedly cheap and convenient. Showtime, Gray Line, and Bell Transportation, just to name a few, offer shuttle buses between the airport and various Strip and downtown hotels seven days a week. You can purchase tickets and catch one of these shuttles just outside the north and west sides of baggage claim (specifically outside door exits 8-14 in case you’re lost). You might have to wait for the bus to fill up before leaving the airport and may make a couple stops at other hotels to drop off other passengers before reaching your destination, but for the cost, it’s worth it! Prices range anywhere between $8-$15 round-trip or $5-$7 one-way. This beats paying $15-$20 for a cab and waiting 25 minutes in line any day–not to mention avoiding the risk of having the cabby take the “scenic route” to your hotel!
If you buy a round-trip shuttle bus ticket at the airport, be sure to hang on to it for your return trip to the airport. Ask your driver how far ahead of time you should call for pick-up at your hotel. At the end of your Las Vegas stay, just pick up the hotel house phone and ask to be connected to your shuttle-bus company and arrange for pick-up! No matter how much you gambled away during your stay, this pre-paid option is a guarantee to getting you back home!
Be the first to see the newest Las Vegas discounts and promotions. We’ve added an RSS feed to our Hotel Deals page. Check it out and subscribe now!
Here comes summer! Vegas Hotel Hunt is in full swing and the Summer 2008 Deals are rolling in every day. If you’re still trying to decide which hotel to stay at, while price is undoubtedly the most important factor, hotel location is probably number two. Not sure which hotels are where? Try checking out our new mapping tool, Vegas Vision. It is a map of The Las Vegas Strip which uses Google’s Street View technology to give you a real look at each hotel. You can travel up and down the street, jump from hotel to hotel, change your view, and explore Las Vegas! It’s a great tool to get a feel for the layout and spacing of hotels on The Strip. Even if you’re a Vegas veteran, it is still fun to cruise up and down Las Vegas Boulevard, checking out the new hotels that have opened since your last trip (try Palazzo), and to also reminisce on your favorite Vegas memories.
As always, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or use our Contact Form to let us know what you think about Vegas Vision!
Every year, Las Vegas hotels spend millions to try to lure you into their casinos. Before you gamble a dime, however, you need to be on their property. What better way to get you there than offering free entertainment? The Las Vegas Strip is full of free attractions, events, and shows. Many of these productions are absolutely fabulous, and are worth seeing every chance you get. For example, the Bellagio Fountains are incredible. They are gorgeous at night (especially for those of you lucky enough to be watching them from a Bellagio fountain view suite), and worth watching again during the day. Unfortunately, not every free show is on par with The Fountains. The quality of shows really runs the gamut, all the way from the stupendous to the downright embarrassing. That’s not to say that they all aren’t worth a visit, however!
Take for example the animatronics in the Forum Shops at Caesars. While seemingly a little dated, less than classy, and a little cheesy, they are still fun. Even if it just isn’t your ticket, you probably won’t be able to keep yourself from laughing at the hoards of people who’ve gathered around just to see a few flames, fireballs, and robots speaking in a room with terrible acoustics.
Perhaps equally cheesy is the Sirens of TI spectacle at Treasure Island. From the lip syncing to the absurd songs, it isn’t about to win the Tony for Best Musical. Still, you’d be surprised at how packed the “docks” of TI are at show time! Some may cite the fireworks, pyrotechnics, and dancing “sirens”, but come on! The real draw is seeing a pirate ship the middle of the desert! And, like it or not, you’ll probably find yourself joking with your friends as you incessantly try to get those snappy song lyrics out of your head (something about honey and shaking?).
Needless to say, there are lots of free things to do in Las Vegas. And, if you’ve got a few bucks to spare, your choices are nearly limitless. While sometimes lacking the wow-factor, odds are you’ll get at least a sprinkle of entertainment out of each one. If not, take comfort in knowing you’re only steps away from a casino resort with hundreds of other things to do (ut-oh, their marketing scheme worked!).
Want a sneak peek? Use the playlist below to check out some of the free Las Vegas attractions.
