Shows: Run away with the circus

Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystère” at Treasure Island is a wondrous world of  mystifying creatures who perform a series of incredible acrobatic and gymnastic feats. Catch the show at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday – Wednesday.

The Rocket Man soars to new heights in his show The Million Dollar Piano at Caesars Palace. See Elton John perform his greatest hit songs May 17 – 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Elton John delights fans in his show at Caesars Palace.

“Slide” into the groove with R&B Live Old School Edition – The Dramatics, Slave and Rose Royce at LVH – Las Vegas Hotel & Casino May 19 at 8 p.m. The show features bands who spawned hits like “Car Wash,” “Be My Girl” and “Just a Touch of Love.”

Experience the best in Burlesque at “Dita Von Teese ‘Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray!’ Variety Show” at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay May 17 – 19. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Paul Williams, an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning songwriter, brings his catalog of classic songs to audiences in Vegas May 18 – 19 at his 7:30 p.m. show at the South Point.

For a limited time, fans can experience all the excitement from the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars” live in Vegas at the Tropicana. The 80-minute stage show features fan favorite dances, new routines and some DWTS almuni including Joey Fatone, Carson Kressley, Kyle Massey, Sabrina Bryan, Tia Carrere, Dmitry Chaplin
and Lacey Schwimmer. Show times are 8 p.m. Mon., Wed. – Thu., Sat.; 9 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sun. The show runs through July 7.

Well known impressionist Jeff Tracta transforms into countless celebrities from Billy Joel to Lady Gaga in his show “A Journey Through the Decades” at the Palms.
Tracta performs at 7:30 p.m. May 17 – 20.

Nightlife: Catch the hottest DJs

You just got invited to the newest club in Vegas, The BLVD Social Club
- Thursdays Live. Every Thursday night this summer, the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan transforms into an offbeat yet contemporary nightlife
exper ience featuring up-and-coming bands along with resident DJ M!ke Attack. Along with enjoying the live music, guests are invited to swim in the venue’s three pools. Proper swim attire is required. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the featured performer starts at approximately 9 p.m. Dr. Dog. is the featured
act on May 17.

"Bounce" on over to XS to hear Calvin Harris spin.

British producer, DJ and pop star Calvin Harris “Feels So Close” to revelers in Vegas as the featured DJ at XS on May 18 at Encore. Special guest DJ Warren Peace will also be doing a set that evening. Doors open at 10 p.m.

Rap superstar CeeLo makes a stop at Surrender at Encore on May 19 for a special live performance. Resident DJs Bingo Players add to the scene with their body-shakin’ beats. Doors open at 10:30 p.m.

Unleash your inhibitions under the Eiffel Tower at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas. Every Saturday on the rooftop things get BAZAAR with featured DJs, gypsy vendors and other characters creating a mystical marketplace for partying of mythic proportions.On May 19 guest DJ John O’Callaghan, commonly referred to as a legend in the trance genre, will be the featured DJ. Doors open at 10:30 p.m.

Pool Club: Make a splash

Call in sick and cut loose from your cubicle for Ditch Fridays at the Palms Pool and Bungalows. This weekly party features plenty of sun and fun for partygoers who want to make a splash. On May 18 DJ Mark Stylz will bring his innovative mixes to poolside partiers. Doors open at noon.

Pack your bags. It’s time for Summer Camp Fridays, the new pool party concept at the Hard Rock Hotel. This weekly party features entertainment by SKAM Artists and “camp counselor s” who host out door activities including water balloon fights and squirt gun battles. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Make headlines at Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan.

It’s the hottest nightclub in the evening and a poppin’ pool scene during the day. Marquee at The Cosmopolitan is multipurpose venue
that never sleeps. While the sun is up, guests can party poolside at The Marquee Dayclub featuring a non-stop line-up of special guest DJs. This weekend the featured DJs are Rebecca & Fiona on May 18, Chuckie on May 19 and Above & Beyond on May 20. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Dining: Bite into a burger

Beef up your weekend in Vegas. May is National Burger Month, and Nobhill Tavern at the MGM Grand is celebrating by offering weekly burger specials inspired by America’s train lines and Executive Chef
Michael Mina. On May 17 – 19 patrons can sink their teeth into The Lake Shore Limited, a juicy burger featuring bacon strips, a fried egg and beer cheese sauce. The specialty burger is $20.

For the first time in 30 years, I actually got to shoot real guns. Machine Guns Vegas is more than just your average shooting range. Featuring an ultra-lounge setting, the attraction makes you feel comfortable the minute you walk through the door.

“It’s definitely a range with a Vegas touch to it,” said Mike Collier, operations manager at Machine Guns Vegas. “There’s a place to relax [and] sit down. You can watch TV, listen to music [all] without having to stand in line and wait to be called.”

As soon as you walk in, a host seats you at your table and shows you a range of packages to choose from on an iPad. You can pick your firearms and shooting targets. Since I had no idea what I’d be comfortable with, they suggested I try an automatic shotgun, as well as a semi-automatic machine gun used in Special Forces. While I was nervous just by looking at all the guns on the iPad screen, the staff assured me that I would be fine.

“We have shooters from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures that’ll come down,” Collier said. “There’s no requirement besides just being sober. We’re going to help you out.”

Unlike typical gun ranges where you stand alone, you’ll feel confident with a safety officer right behind you. They’ll also show you the proper way to hold the gun. Each staff member is a military veteran, including Collier, who served in the marines for six years.

“With our range crew here, a lot of them have been doing this for a long time so they have a lot of experience with a [fire] range,” he said.  ”During the entire process, there’s going to be someone with you, making sure that the process is completed in a safe manner.”

After I signed a waiver and put on my “ears and eyes” (hearing protection and goggles), I stepped into the 10-person gun range. The sound of the machine guns from the other firing lanes was startling, but I was excited at the same time. I couldn’t wait to shoot.

Since I’m a fan of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” I wanted to put my survival skills to the test and picked the zombies target poster. After my experience, let’s just say I wouldn’t make it past one episode!  Even though I missed their heads completely, I still had fun trying two different guns and giving it my best. While the impact of the gun shots shook me up, there’s this crazy adrenaline rush that comes along with it. Other shooting poster options include aliens, Osama Bin Laden and the standard qualification target.

If you plan on coming with a group, Machine Guns Vegas offers a VIP lounge with two private firing lanes.  This is the only gun range in town offering such amenities.

“It’s a different environment here,” Collier said. “[Instead] of having a dominant guy or patriarchal place where it’s very aggressive and unwelcoming, [we] have lowered lights, couches, seats and music playing.”

The attraction also sells merchandise including a fashionable Louis Vuitton holster and matching gun bag for the ladies.

Machine Guns Vegas is all about the shooting experience. “With our range location, we offer strictly a shooting experience without the sale of firearms,” he said. “It’s pretty much focused on quality service with a pleasant environment.

“Everyone’s been pleased,” he continued. “A lot of them say it’s the best experience they’ve had in Vegas, something they’d remember for the rest of their lives.”

After my visit, I had the energy equivalent to six cups of coffee. The rush is definitely intense, but you’ll leave feeling like you can take on the world. So what are you waiting for? Shoot ‘em up!

Other gun ranges in Vegas worth checking out:

• American Shooters
  3440 Arville St.
  (702) 719-5000
• Guns & Ammo Garage
  5155 S. Dean Martin Drive
  (702) 440-4867
• The Gun Store
  2900 E. Tropicana Ave.
  (702) 454-1110
• Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearm Center
  4610 Blue Diamond Road
  (702) 386-4867

We’ve gone and rounded up some of the top entertainment talent to be hitting the pool parties and nightclubs on Memorial Day weekend this year. Which one are you  most psyched for?

Friday May 25:

Memorial Day weekend is the time to go all-out at Las Vegas' nightclubs

At the Palms, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas puts on a performance at Rain, Mark Foster of Foster the People performs at Moon Nightclub and Ditch Friday will feature DJ Roger Sanchez.

At Wynn, Afrojack and Warren Peace play Tryst, Tiësto and Manufactured Superstars will be at XS, DJ and producer Steve Aoki will be spinning at Surrender and during the day, Sebastian Ingrosso of the Grammy-nominated group Swedish House Mafia spins at Encore Beach Club. The weekend marks the second anniversary of Encore Beach Club and Surrender.

“The two-year anniversary and Memorial Day weekend lineup is unprecedented for the Las Vegas day/nightlife scene,” said Sean Christie, managing partner of Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub. “It is what [electronic dance music] fans expect at top international music festivals and, after two years of setting the bar in this city, it is what we are able to present at Wynn Las Vegas – the top electronic dance music destination in the country.”

The sensational Laidback Luke comes to Haze, with sets by Dave Aude and DJ Stellar.

DJ Scooter mans the tables at The Bank at Bellagio, with resident DJ IKON spinning a set as well.

Tabú Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the premiere of its new Forbes Fridays night, featuring DJ Eric Forbes entertaining partiers into the early morning hours.

“Forbes Fridays will complement the high-energy and stylish vibe that our guests are accustomed to seeing nightly,” said Anthony Olheiser, director of nightlife at MGM Grand. “Partygoers will experience Tabú’s best in Las Vegas nightlife while enjoying a more intimate setting.”

Gabe Saporta, the lead singer of Cobra Starship, performs live at Pure at Caesars Palace, bringing on some of the group’s most well-known hits like “Snakes On A Plane” and “Good Girls Go Bad.”

At the Venetian, EC Twins will play at Tao Beach, with Trey Songz putting on a performance at Tao Nightclub. Over at Lavo at the Palazzo, Cassie performs.

Summer Camp Fridays at the Hard Rock Hotel will feature a special DJ set by Matt and Kim.

Holly Madison will be the special guest at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas, while Felix da Housecat puts on a special DJ set.

At Red Rock Resort, Cherry Nightclub: Summer Affair and the Red Rock Cabana Club reopen for the season.

“We want Red Rock Resort to be the obvious choice for weekend and late-night entertainment this summer,” said Senior Vice President of Station Casinos LLC and General Manager of Red Rock Resort Mark Dunkeson. “We’re increasing the amount of amphitheatre concerts and are bringing back our exclusive day-club pool parties on weekends to round out the summer entertainment offerings.”

Guests are to be announced for Cherry and Red Rock Cabana Club, but they promise “specialty drinks, entertainment and music spun by top DJs.”

Cosmic Gate play at Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan, while Benny Benassi and Fedde Legrand spin at night at Marquee Nightclub.

Saturday May 26:

Rapper Fabolous performs live at Haze Nightclub at Aria with a special DJ set by DJ E-Rock.

At Palms Pool Saturdays, Busta Rhymes and Cali Love are the special guests, with sets by Mark Stylz and Alie Layus. Later, Ludacris puts on a show at Rain, with a special DJ set by Dave Fogg.

Surrender is putting together an all-star lineup for Memorial Day weekend, which is also their 2-year anniversary party.

Size Matters, Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia, AN21 and Max Vangelli play Encore Beach Club, EDM superstar Tiësto plays Surrender, Grammy-winner Skrillex and Dave Fogg play Tryst, and Steve Angello, Max Vangeli and AN21 return to play XS, with an opening set by Nathan Scott.

JFK of MSTRKRFT puts on a special guest DJ set at LIQUID Pool Lounge at Aria.

Dev of “Bass Down Low” and “Dancing in the Dark” fame has a special live performance at Pure Nightclub. At LAX at the Luxor, Ice T and Coco host.

DJ Vice plays Tao and Sean Kingston puts on a live performance at Lavo, with a special set by DJ Reflex. House music legend Benny Benassi spins during the daytime hours at Tao Beach.

“[Memorial Day weekend] is always the busiest weekend of the year for the summer. It’s an explosive energy with a great crowd there to enjoy the daytime and nighttime experience,” said Tao Group partner Jason Strauss.

Nectar Musical Festival at the Hard Rock Hotel will feature Richard Beynon, Manuel De La Mare and DJ Kilmore of Incubus.

DJ and producer Chris Cox puts on a special DJ set at Gallery at Planet Hollywood.

Sunday May 27:

Hip-hop artist Nelly hosts at 1 OAK at The Mirage, preceded by a special set by DJ Que. Over at Haze at Aria, Akon performs after a set by DJ E-Rock.

At Pure Nightclub, Sky Blu of LMFAO debuts his DJ residency.

EDM star Paul van Dyk will be at Tao Beach, while Erick Morillo takes on Tao.

After an opening set by Derrick Anthony, Lil Jon and Manufactured Superstars put on a show at Tryst.  deadmau5 will be firing things up at XS, Scottish EDM sensation Calvin Harris takes to Surrender and a lineup of Wynn’s all-star resident DJs will be at Encore Beach Club, including David Guetta in what will be his Wynn Las Vegas debut.

Kaskade takes on Marquee Dayclub, while Armin van Buuren and Gareth Emery play Marquee Nightclub.

Quest Love and DJ Jazzy Jeff will get the crowd pumped at Moon Nightclub.

Monday May 28

To start off Memorial Day, Armin Van Buuren plays at Tao Beach. ATB and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano at spin at Marquee Dayclub, with Nicky Romero and DJ Vice at Marquee Nightclub.

David Guetta comes to XS, with Avicii playing a special set. At Encore Beach Club, deadmau5 spins.

The Relax pool party at Hard Rock Hotel will feature Ibiza resident DJs Sam Divine, Danny Howard and Jon Constantine.

By Renée LiButti
Vegas.com

When it comes to world-class poker, nothing compares to the World Series of Poker, which will get underway at the end of this month in Las Vegas. Now in its 43rd year, the prestigious poker tournament is on track to bestow the richest first-place prize in sports.

“With a $200 million prize pool, it’s going to be a record-breaking World Series of Poker,” said Ty Stewart, the tournament’s executive director. “I think people are going to recall the special $1 million buy-in and having the all-time record of a $15-million-plus first-place prize, which should end up being not just the biggest prize in poker history, but also the biggest single prize that’s awarded in sports.”

Players competing in the early action of the 2011 World Series of Poker at the Rio

The World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, kicks off on Sunday, May 27 at the off-Strip Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The action – consisting of approximately 75,000 entrants competing for a $200 million prize purse in front of ESPN cameras – will run through July 16. Due to this year’s presidential election, the Main Event, a final table of nine contestants dubbed the “November Nine,” has been moved up a week. This year it will be called the “October Nine” because the nine finalists will play down to two on Oct. 28, and then the final battle and crowning of the champion will take place on Oct. 30.

“We would have been head-to-head in our normal slot in November against the presidential election, and it’s not in anybody’s best interests to be up against that,” explained Jack Effel, the tournament director of the World Series of Poker. “Other big organizations – whether it’s the NFL or Major League Baseball – are making scheduling changes around the conventions and the whole process as well.”

This will be Effel’s eighth year working at the World Series of Poker and his sixth year as the tournament’s director. He oversaw the first $100 million prize pool when he started in 2005 and now eagerly anticipates the trailblazing prize pool of 2012.

“World Series of Poker just continues to break records, and players continue to show their support,” said Effel. “Every time a World Series of Poker event is played, history is made, prize money is won and someone is that much richer in World Series of Poker wealth.”

Indeed, the tournament has experienced mind-blowing growth over the years. The World Series of Poker began in 1970, when Benny Binion invited a handful of the best-known players to be part of a high-stakes tournament at his namesake Binion’s Horseshoe casino (now known simply as Binion’s) in downtown Las Vegas. The following year, seven players posted a $5,000 entry fee to complete for a winner-takes-all prize. Today, the World Series of Poker, which moved to the Rio in 2005, boasts a collection of 61 distinct tournaments in all variations of poker, with buy-ins ranging from $500 to $1 million per event.

The 2012 World Series of Poker is sponsored by Jack Link's Beef Jerky.

“We’re excited to be back at the Rio. We’ve continued to expand – as we’ve done every year for the past few years,” said Effel. “This year – along with the convention space utilized for poker action – we’ll have the Brasilia Room, where we’ll house 92 additional tables that will be dedicated to bracelet events. Between the Brasilia Room, the Amazon Ballroom and The Pavilion, we’re going to be approaching 470 tables. And that’s not including the resort’s poker room and the Búzios space that we have in the casino, which will put us at close to 500 poker tables on the property – the largest number ever played in one venue for a poker event. We’re prepared for a huge and great World Series of Poker!”

With 61 bracelet events, players and fans alike can rest assured that all of their favorite games are coming back – and being joined by a few new ones. This includes two fairly affordable events: an ante-only no-limit hold’em tournament with a $1,500 buy-in and a four-max no-limit hold’em tournament with a $2,500.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in popularity with four-handed poker this year,” said Effel. “With the $2,500 buy-in, we’ll likely have a 1,000-plus player field in the World Series of Poker.”

Plans are also in the works to debut what’s been nicknamed a “mix-max” event with a $5,000 buy-in. The format engages nine players per table on day one, six players per table on day two and so on. This will continue until the final 32 players are determined. Then the field will be reseeded into a heads-up bracket from high to low chip stack and played down until there’s a winner.

“We used this format at the World Series of Poker Europe with about 125 non-seeded players and a 10,000 euro buy-in. It was very exciting,” said Effel. “Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi won it. He didn’t even let other players have a chance. He beat them in five minutes every time he got to the table.”

Besides these and other events, there will be 24-hour cash games along with single-table and mega-satellite daily tournaments. Thrice-daily no-limit hold’em tournaments with buy-ins priced as low as $135 will be occurring nonstop throughout the Rio as well.

Plus, there are some interesting changes to the rules that are likely to lead to a livelier World Series of Poker this year. First off, players will be allowed to celebrate their success as long as it doesn’t disrupt the tournament or injure anyone. Excessive celebration – like jumping, grabbing chairs and other theatrical outbursts – are still being discouraged.

Pius Heinz won the Main Event – and $8.72 million! – at the 2011 World Series of Poker. This year, the first-place winner will take home more than $15 million.

“We want to have an authentic experience. If people are excited about potentially winning unthinkable money, then they should be able to show excitement,” said Stewart. “This is unlike any other poker tournament in the world, so my hat is off to Jack for acknowledging that there can be some flexibility in the rules to make everything more enjoyable for the players.”

Secondly, along similar lines, players will also be allowed to use “verbal strategy” during this year’s World Series of Poker. Many people in the poker community have felt that the rules for talking have been too tight – meaning it’s been too quiet at the tables because players won’t say anything in fear of penalties. However, according to Effel, verbal strategy has been an important way to outmaneuver opponents dating back to poker’s origins at saloons in the Old West.

“We’d like to see more players talk at the table because we definitely feel it’s an integral part of the game. So we’ve revised our talking rule to be as such: You can say anything you want regarding the contents of your hand, as long as you don’t expose your cards and you reopen the action to a player who has already acted,” explained Effel. “Obviously, there are going to be some errors, but what we’re trying to do is get players to loosen up a little, be able to talk and have a good time at the poker table.”

Although there has been some anxiety about the viability of poker in recent years, both Effel and Stewart share a positive view about the future.

“I think we’ve seen that this game is stronger than we’d all even hoped, that it has become truly global and that it is here to stay,” added Stewart. “There’s little doubt that in a few year’s time we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Series of Poker, and I’d be willing to bet the over on it right now, whatever the line.”

For more information on the World Series of Poker and a complete schedule of events, click here.

The costumes each represent a different gemstone and color for "Jubilee's" finale.

The showgirls at “Jubilee!” do more than perform. They’re living relics. Adorned in sequins, feathers and Swarovski crystals, the dancers in “Jubilee!” at Bally’s are an iconic part of the city’s history. Behind the statuesque beauties are years of tradition that have shaped what the Las Vegas showgirl means to people around the world.

“It’s an illusion of perfection and maybe a glamour that people don’t have anymore,” said “Jubilee!” Company Manager Diane Palm. “No one gets dressed up and yet the showgirl seems to symbolize that part that is really so glamorous and so mythic out there. I think when people come to Las Vegas, I think they’re looking for something like that.”

Palm has been with the show since it opened. She was hired as both a dancer and dance captain and has since performed almost every role including teaching choreography to dancers, scouting new talent, holding auditions and choreographing routines. Over the past 30 years she learned everything there is to know about “Jubilee!” from the former company manager Fluff LeCoque.

“I feel pretty confident that because of all her training I’m able to continue to keep ‘Jubilee!’ moving in a great direction so that is still has that great Las Vegas showgirl that people have come to expect,” said Palm.

That expectation was first set in 1958 when “Jubilee!” creator Donn Arden introduced his showgirls to audiences in Vegas with the opening of “Lido de Paris” at the Stardust. Featuring elaborate costumes, sets and beautiful showgirls, Arden’s “Lido de Paris” was an instant hit and set the stage for production shows in Vegas. It also set the precedent for the Vegas showgirl. The show ran for more than 20 years.

In 1981 Arden opened “Jubilee!” at Bally’s. The show cost $10 million to create and continued Arden’s tradition of combining grand-scale production elements with glamorous showgirls wearing extravagant costumes. Today “Jubilee!” is the only production where people can see Arden’s classic Vegas showgirl, a trained dancer wearing a glitzy costume, spectacular headpiece and who is at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall. Height was important because Arden felt that tall dancers showed off the costumes the best.

“You can’t really have a short girl and a huge headdress on because then you look like a hat with legs basically. So you have to be tall to balance out the costumes,” said Palm.

Male dancers in “Jubilee!” need to be at least 6 feet tall.

The show’s lavish costumes were designed by Pete Menefee and Bob Mackie, the same creator behind Cher’s exquisite wardrobe. Menefee is a designer well-known for creating costumes for the Radio City Rockettes and pageant gowns for Miss America and Miss Universe contestants. Menefee recently designed 20 new dresses for “Jubilee’s” Titanic scene that cost $250,000.

“Jubilee!” has a cast of 85 dancers who wear 1,000 costumes in the show. The costumes most notably feature a dazzling array of rhinestones in various shapes and colors made from only Swarovski crystal. The show has one of the largest collections of Swarovski crystals in the world, including many stones that are no longer in production. There can be hundreds of crystals used in a single costume for both the male and female dancers in the show. The vests that the men wear in the finale use 666 rhinestones on each one, and there are 19 dancers who wear them.

One of the other main costume elements is the feathers. There are several different types of feathers used including ostrich and pheasant. All of the feathers are imported from either South Africa or South America. Palm explained that working with the feathers can be very labor intensive as some of the costumes can use up to 5,000 of them. Each feather had to be individually wrapped with wire and sewn onto a form called a branch and that’s then sewn onto a steel frame that later gets covered with fabric and covered with applications like sequins and rhinestones.

Not only are the headpieces elaborate, but they’re heavy. The heaviest hat weighs 22 pounds and it worn by one of the singers in the show. The hats worn by the dancers are between about 12 and 16 pounds. Along with the hats some of the costumes include shoulder pieces or other adornments.

“By the time you get everything on, you’re probably carrying close to about 30 plus pounds on you, so it’s a lot,” said Palm.

Despite wearing headpieces that weigh up to 16 pounds the showgirls in "Jubilee!" always exemplify grace and beauty on stage.

With such intricate costume pieces, the show has a team of people who work during the day to clean and maintain everything. Their precise work has enabled the show to keep using some of the same pieces that it opened with 31 years ago. Some of the original pieces still used include the wire framing for the headpieces and a wire frame bikini top covered in clear Swarovski crystals worn by dancers in one of the numbers.

“You’re not just performing a piece of history, but you’re wearing a piece of art, and it’s part of history as well,” said Julie Taber, one of the dancers in the show.

Along with the wardrobe she explained that showgirls in “Jubilee!” have a classic look when it comes to stage makeup. MAC cosmetics created a signature look for the dancers that everyone must follow. The main elements are dramatic Cleopatra-like eyes and ruby red lips.

“Our stage is massive, and we have massive set pieces. We have massive costumes that we wear, so if we don’t overdraw some features we would just get lost in all of that,” said Taber.

Learning the makeup technique is part of training for the show and understanding another element of the showgirl tradition in Vegas.

Before joining the case of “Jubilee!” Taber was a Radio City Rockette, a Walt Disney World dancer and had performed in several musical across the country. She didn’t know much about the Vegas showgirl tradition before signing her initial six month contract. Taber has been with the show for four years now and has no plans of leaving anytime soon. For her and the other showgirls in “Jubilee!,” filling the role of a Vegas icon is a dream come true.

“You get here and you have the glamorous makeup. You have these one-of-a-kind expensive costumes, I mean you’re decked out in $10,000 worth of costumes. You’re getting to dance, which is our passion first and foremost, and then you have people coming from all over the world to see you. It’s wonderful. It’s glamorous times twenty-five,” said Taber.

Ilario Pesco, general manager of Bally's Steakhouse, is the face of the restaurant.

In Vegas, it seems people who hold positions in the food and beverage industry come and go as quickly as some of the tourists. But a few select people have withstood the test of time and stayed with their companies through the years — and their loyal patrons appreciate a familiar face in a quick-changing town.

Ilario Pesco has gone to work in the same building for almost 40 years. He’s seen the hotel become Bally’s (formerly the MGM Grand) and has been a part of several restaurant changes (formerly Caruso, GG, Barrymore) before currently working in Bally’s Steakhouse.

While just about everything from the customers to the food has changed, Pesco and many of his staff members have remained in the restaurant for decades. Most of the waiters in Bally’s Steakhouse have worked with Pesco for more than three decades. The newer wait staff have only worked with him for 10 – 15 years. With a loyal staff behind him, Pesco says his passion for what he does keeps him going.

“In my business, if you believe in what you do, you do well,” says Pesco. “The restaurant is like a picture, if the chef is not there, the manager is not there, then you change the picture. So I try to keep the picture the same. What it takes doesn’t matter— the show must go on.”

Many an after-show has gone on in Pesco’s restaurants — Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tom Jones have all dined while he was at the helm. But even if you’re not a celebrity, you can still visit Pesco at Bally’s Steakhouse and the Sterling Brunch, where he works six days a week and has become a friendly familiar face.

Jay Morrison, general manager of Twin Creeks, has been in Vegas restaurants since 1972.

“I live for my customers. If they don’t come to this restaurant, I am nobody and that’s what I believe in,” says Pesco.

 —

Though Jay Morrison has only been at Twin Creeks in the Silverton for four years, he has been in the Vegas food and beverage industry since 1972, and boasts a résumé which includes The International Hotel (now LVH – Las Vegas Hotel), Bally’s and The Flamingo.

Morrison’s career has led him to some of the largest hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, so if anyone has advice for younger generations that want to have a sustainable career in Las Vegas, it would be him.

“It’s very simple, love what you do and always do it to the best of your ability. Give it all you got and keep it fun,” says Morrison.

 —

Since July of 1985, Ron Randazzo, general manager of The Steakhouse at Circus Circus, has been hosting tourists and locals at the legendary spot. The food is simple, but consistent — and is still a great value.

Randazzo says through his 27 years with The Steakhouse, his commitment to quality and excellence is always high.

“Every time we win an award, our job just got harder because the standards are higher,” says Randazzo.

Ron Randazzo has been general manager of The Steakhouse at Circus Circus since 1985.

While the Brooklyn-born general manager has been at The Steakhouse for nearly three decades, some of his staff have been working at the restaurant even longer. Needless to say, the turnover of the waitstaff is low.

“We have three extra food servers who have been there for more than seven years, one of them for 15 years…we’re not hiring anytime soon,” says Randazzo.

Through the years, Randazzo has had some funny requests, including a twice-cooked, well-done steak from Montel Williams. But mostly, when celebrities like Holly Madison and Rich Little come to The Steakhouse, they’re low key — and hungry.

While Randazzo says it is a challenge keeping things fresh, he credits The Steakhouse’s familiar food, the staff and surroundings as being pluses.

“People like it, they’re comfortable — they don’t have to worry about the food or the service — no surprises,” says Randazzo.

You can visit Pesco, Morrison and Randazzo in their respective restaurants, where they are making guests feel welcome, nightly.

Rehab is back for its ninth season, but this year it's bringing a few friends.

Hard Rock Hotel has unleashed the new concept for its pool parties this season:  Beachlife.

“It’s more of a beach club now,” said Hard Rock Hotel Executive Director of Beverage Ian Kohoutek. “It’s a desert oasis to get away from The Strip, three areas with three different experiences.”

Hard Rock Beachlife features three pools and four parties. For pools, there’s the sprawling Paradise Beach (which has been home to Rehab all these years), the massive Nirvana Pool and the more spa-like Breathe Pool.

On top of these varied areas, Paradise Beach plays host to some very distinct parties this season: Summer Camp Fridays, Nectar Music Festival, Rehab, and Relax. Though these parties focus on the Paradise Beach area, you can access them all with admission to a party.

Relax, the industry pool party that takes place every Monday, continues into its fifth season, while Sunday’s Rehab party is in its ninth season. Summer Camp and Nectar are the new additions this year.

If you take Kohoutek’s word for it, the genesis of these new days was simple enough.

“Well, we have a couple of guys that sit in a room and think up fun stuff,” he joked. But they indeed sound like fun additions to the Las Vegas daylife landscape.

“It’s just a playground,” Kohoutek said.  ”All the stuff you could do at summer camp, just think about that. It’s not about one style of music, it’s a fun environment.”

Saturday’s Nectar Music Festival, as the name implies, is going to be more music-heavy than its other counterparts on any given day.

“Some of our electronic music programmers came up with this festival style [in response to] the amount of DJs bought out by Wynn… basically ‘Why see one DJ when you can see five?’” Kohoutek said of the Saturday pool party.

Some of the announced Nectar lineups: Guru-Josh, Felix Cartal and Clockwork, Carlo Astuti, DJ BEEJ and RUN DMT, and on Memorial Day Weekend: Richard Beynon, Manuel De La Mare and DJ Kilmore of Incubus.

As you can expect from the infamous pool party, Rehab Sundays has a lot of big names coming up as well.

“We have a lot of good talent lined up this season, from Wyclef Jean to LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Timbaland and then of course, our resident DJ Pauly D,” Kohoutek said.

Whether you’re there for Rehab or any of the other Beachlife events, you’ll have access to some plush amenities.

There’s the tropically-themed Palapa Bar & Grill’s libations and food, along with swim-up blackjack, as well as a water slide that will have the more adventurous guests splashing down into a pleasant beach area. More than 50 cabanas — located on multiple locations and levels throughout the Paradise Beach area are readily available and provide a great daylife VIP experience.

If you’re looking for an escape from the usual, this might just be it.

Audrey Napoleon's "underground pop" sound is finally coming to Vegas.

Audrey Napoleon is a relative newcomer to the electronic dance music scene, but she’s already a hit. With residencies at Los Angeles’ Avalon and Music Box venues, and her catchy number “#Mysunrise” being featured in a popular Heineken commercial, you can rest assured that her Vegas residency will bring in EDM fans in droves.

Audrey Napoleon kicked off her Marquee residency last Friday at The Cosmopolitan and will be back June 1, July 20, August 17 and September 14.

How did you get your start in music production?

It actually was a natural progression to music production. I’ve been musical since I was a child. In fact, my father played drums… and he bought my first guitar.

So, I moved to L.A. right out of high school and my friends started taking me to clubs. Avalon was first club I went to and the first time I heard electronic music I was like “What is this? What is this music?” And it was just “darling, this is electronic music.” I just fell in love with it.

Then when I was working at Geisha House in Hollywood and they had a DJ booth, so I asked if I could start practicing on the tables. From there, I went around L.A. doing different clubs and things and started into music production, because that was the next step up for me. And that was three years ago.

What genres or artists influence you the most and what do you listen to on your own time?

I love to listen to anything good. At the moment, I’m listening to The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Cure and Joy Division.

David Bowie is my favorite artist in the world, well, not this world since he’s not from this world [laughs] so maybe, universe.

A lot of my inspiration comes from different sounds that are made naturally, when I’m walking down the streets, or hearing pots and pans banging. I have a huge Sicilian family and we’re always cooking in the kitchen or I’m cooking as well, so could come from pots and pans, or me being clumsy, in addition to different artists.

What are you most looking forward to with this residency?

To get to know the Vegas people, that’s what really I’m looking forward to.

See, I’ve never played Vegas before, and I heard it is one of the fun places to play and I’m just excited to get to know the people that come to Vegas. I’m excited that I get to play these next few months and give the exposure to different kinds of music that I will be playing.

In Vegas, I’m going a bit bigger than normal… I’ll be playing some big room tunes, which I secretly listen to all the time but almost never play. I’m an in-the-closet big tunes girl [laughs]

I will always stick to my original techno roots. Gotta have my driving bass lines.

When you’ve visited Vegas in the past, what do you personally like to do when you come to Vegas?

I like to sit in my room and read. [laughs] No, no, not at all.

During the day, the spas, the restaurants, the energy of the city… It’s an adult’s playground, especially for somebody like me, who’s a night owl. In Vegas, I don’t look like the weirdo walking down the road at  7:00  in the morning.

Perfect city for me, isn’t it?

How do feel about the new-found popularity of electronic music in Vegas and the U.S.?

I think it’s incredible that it’s achieving this popularity. Electronic music is the new rock and roll, it’s the new punk rock. That’s really what it is now.

You can catch Audrey at Marquee Nightclub next on June 1 and listen to more of her music on her official website: audreynapoleon.com

Shows: Top music stars play in Vegas this weekend

“V – The Ultimate Variety Show” at Planet Hollywood is your ticket to fun. The 75-minute, high-energy show includes everything from acrobatics to magic and comedy. The show performs nightly at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The Smith Center presents “Stormy Weather: Lena Horne Project” starring Mary Wilson. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, with two shows on Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Comedian Rob Riggle (“The Hangover” and “The Daily Show,” pictured right) performs May 10 – 12 at Empire Comedy club inside Paris Las Vegas. Show times are 8 p.m. (Thursday and Friday) and 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. (Saturday).

Keep the laughs going with stand-up comic Amy Schumer at Riviera’s Icons of Comedy Series. Schumer appeared in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Comedy Central’s “Roast of Charlie Sheen.” See her performance May 11 – 13 at 10:30 p.m.

Grammy-nominated recording artist Drake performs for The Club Paradise Tour at MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, May 11 at 8 p.m. Special guests include J. Cole and Waka Flocka Flame.

Enjoy a free show at The Cosmopolitan’s Book and Stage. See indie pop sensation The Wombats Friday May 11 and Saturday, May 12 from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

See Grammy Award-winning rockers Creed Saturday, May 12 at The Pearl inside The Palms. The show begins at 9 p.m.

Enjoy a poolside concert with Snow Patrol (seen right) at The Cosmopolitan May 12. Show time is 10 p.m.

If you’re more of a rap fan, you can always kick it with the Dogg Pound. See Snoop Dogg live at the Hard Rock Hotel pool at 10 p.m.

Legendary performer Liza Minnelli performs at LVH – Las Vegas Hotel Saturday, May 12. Show time is 8 p.m.

See-I (featuring members of Thievery Corporation) rocks the house at the Hard Rock Café on the Strip Sunday, May 13.

Mother’s Day: Treat Mom to something special

It’s Mother’s Day weekend, so spend time with Mom over bubbly and delicious eats.

From May 10 – 13, Vegas Uncork’d by “Bon Appétit” presents more than two dozen food events throughout the Las Vegas Strip. For information on participating restaurants, click here.

Nobody is ever too old for ice cream. Start the weekend right and cool off with sweet treats at the Springs Preserve Ice Cream Festival on Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Enjoy a 2-for-1 special at The Mirage. Moms eat free at any of the property’s restaurants with purchase of another entrée.

Olives at Bellagio offers a not only a breathtaking view of the Fountains (right), but also a specialty menu for the occasion. Items include wild mushroom tart, bay shrimp and Nantucket scallop ceviche, watermelon and cucumber gazpacho, salt-roasted prime rib, veal, chicken breast with macaroni and cheese and pan-seared Alaskan halibut. End the meal with a green tea mousse, complete with tangerine jam, caramelized peanuts and vanilla bean ice cream.

Located inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops, PBR Rock Bar & Grill treats moms and grandmas to free bull rides all day. Bringing the little ones? Each family gets one complimentary entrée from the Rookie menu with a purchase of one regular entrée.

Moms can enjoy special treatments at Venetian and Palazzo’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Surprise her with a Mom’s Ultimate Day of Luxury package, which includes an 80-minute Mom’s Day massage, custom facial and a $10 meal credit ($385 Tuesday – Thursday, $405 Friday – Monday). Or, opt for the Mom & Daughter package, which includes side-by-side facials, pedicures and a $10 meal credit ($400 Tuesday – Thursday, $435 Friday – Monday).

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. For more Mother’s Day ideas, click here.

Nightlife/Pool parties: Party like a rock star

Country stars Chad Freeman and Redline perform at Treasure Island’s Gilley’s Saloon on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12. The show starts at 10 p.m.

Marquee nightclub at The Cosmopolitan parties all weekend with Joachim Garraud and Cedric Gervais, Friday May 11; Avicii (right), Saturday, May 12; and Nicky Romero, Monday, May 14.

Marquee Dayclub presents special guests Arty, Friday May 11; Avicii and Glenn Morrison Saturday, May 12; and Nicky Romero for Wet Wonderland on Sunday, May 13.

Located inside Artisan Hotel Boutique, Naked Pool offers a couple’s only, European-style pool party, evolve Beach Club. Couples can enjoy a discreet, upscale pool featuring oversized day beds, concoctions and live DJs spinning electric dance music. This summer, evolve Beach Club is every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission is charged per pair, with local couples receiving discounted entry.

Every Sunday, Rumor Boutique Hotel hosts Sunkissed Sundays, a gay daylife event. The party begins with a courtyard Addiction restaurant brunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  For $35, the brunch also includes bottomless bloody Marys and mimosas. From 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., partygoers can listen to live DJ music.