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Following two engagements earlier this year, popular Las Vegas entertainment family The Scintas return to the Suncoast Showroom for two Independence Day weekend performances, July 3 and 4.

The Scintas, Buffalo, New York-raised brothers Joey and Frankie, sister Chrissi and “Irish Scinta” Peter O’Donnell, entertain, surprise and provide an anything-but-typical performance filled with music, comedy and impersonations. Their Las Vegas act, which got its start in a bar owned by former Buffalo Bill and present-day ESPN commentator Paul McGuire, includes “guest” appearances by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and others, singing songs audiences love.

Collectively, they’ve dazzled sell-out crowds in Las Vegas showrooms and on the road. Individually, each member of The Scintas has enjoyed a stunning rise to fame. Frankie, recognized as a musical prodigy, appeared on The Merv Griffin Show at age 11. He plays the keyboard on the show and is also a master guitar, mandolin, banjo, drum and bass player. Joey, who originally intended to become a music teacher, developed and mastered his talent for comedy and impressions. The baby of the family, Chrissi, is known for her stunning renditions of the big ballads. Although not related, Peter O’Donnell has been a member of the close-knit clan since joining The Scintas in 1988. He has played gigs with more than 700 bands.

A family on stage and off, The Scintas often welcome their mother Mary Scinta, affectionately known as “Mama Scinta,” and their brother Tony, a retired Buffalo homicide detective, and his family, as special guests at their shows.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $29.95, plus tax and convenience fees and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.636.7075

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The King of Blues, B.B. King, is set to perform two shows at the intimate B.B. King’s Blues Club at The Mirage on Thursday, Aug. 5 and Friday, Aug. 6, 2010, at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now by calling B.B. King’s Blues Club at 702.242.KING (5464).

B.B. King, The King of Blues, has released more than 50 albums over the course of his career, many of them classics. King was born as Riley B. King in 1925 in Itta Bena, Miss. (currently home to a B.B. King’s Blues Club), where he would perform on street corners for dimes. King moved to Memphis, Tenn. in 1947 and started making a name for himself shortly thereafter on WDIA radio. It was with this station that he developed the more catchy radio name – first Beale Street Blues Boy then shortened to Blues Boy King and eventually to what he is now knows as, B.B. King. In the mid-’50s, King performed at a dance in Arkansas, where two men got in a fight over a woman and set the building on fire. Upon realizing his guitar was still in the building, King raced inside to save his guitar which he aptly named Lucille after the girl the fight was over as a reminder to never fight over a woman. Since then, King’s entire trademark Gibson guitars have been named Lucille.

Shortly thereafter, he has his first No. 1 hit for the song “Three O’Clock Blues” and began an extensive national tour, amassing 342 one-night shows. His career took off from there and King has not looked back since. He has changed the face of blues, bringing it to the mainstream with hit songs, such as “The Thrill is Gone” “My Guitar Sings the Blues” and “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?,” all of which he has also won Grammy Awards for. King has won numerous more Grammy’s and has been inducted into both the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At 84 years old, he has yet to take a break, still touring where he performs more than 200 days of the year.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with opening act PJ Barth Band taking the stage at 6 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. Guests will be able to order dinner until 8:45 p.m. and B.B. will take the stage at 9:30 p.m. A limited menu exclusive of ticket prices will be offered the night of the show and features a variety of four-course dinner options.

Tickets are on sale now. Ticket prices are $100, $125, $150 and $175 plus tax and applicable fees. A limited number of King’s Court tickets are available for $200 plus tax and applicable fees and include VIP seating and a glass of champagne per person. Tickets are available for purchase by calling B.B. King’s Blues Club Las Vegas at The Mirage at 702.242.KING (5464).

ABOUT B.B. KING’S BLUES CLUB:
Now open at The Mirage, B.B. King’s Blues Club brings an all-in-one experience, offering music seven nights a week from funky and fast to soulful and smooth. Come for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining to check out Executive Chef Oscar Pena’s delicious Creole cuisine, while experiencing the tunes that emanate from the in-room stage. As the night progresses, so will the music as guests turn to the dance floor to dance the night away. The house band, B.B. King’s Las Vegas All Stars surpasses the standard of what many know to be a house band and friends of the King are likely to stop by at any time to join them and jam the night away. For more information, visit www.bbkingclubs.com or call 702.242.KING (5464).

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The results are in and Celine Dion has been named America’s favorite singer by a new Harris Poll released May 6, 2010. In great company U2 followed in second place, Elvis Presley and the Beatles tied for third and Tim McGraw charted fifth. Rounding out the top ten, Lady Gaga finished in sixth place, George Strait and Rascal Flatts came in seventh and eighth and Alan Jackson and Frank Sinatra tied for the ninth place spot . The online poll was conducted by Harris Interactive on adults within the United States surveyed between March 1 and 8, 2010.

This is great news for Americans who now have the opportunity to see their favorite singer in Las Vegas as Celine embarks on a three year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning March 15, 2011. The brand-new show directed by long-time Grammys director, Ken Ehrlich, produced by AEG Live, and designed exclusively for The Colosseum, features 31 musicians, consisting of a full orchestra and band. The show’s concept will be one-of-a-kind, centered on capturing the romance of classic Hollywood movies, as well as Celine’s biggest hits, performed with a stunning visual presentation.

“Celine’s production team has been working on some unique, creative elements for the show which will take the live Las Vegas experience to a whole new level and offer audiences something refreshingly unexpected,” said John Meglen, President and co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West.

Tickets for the first 54 performances of Celine’s new show from March 15, 2011 through August 14, 2011 are on-sale now.

Additional upcoming projects for America’s favorite singer include recording a French album with all new material and an English Album which will include some brand new songs as well as classic movie songs that will be featured in the Las Vegas show. For project updates visit Celine’s official website www.celinedion.com.

Having sold more than 200 million albums around the world, Celine Dion is one of the most immediately recognized, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history. During her spectacular career Celine has been honored with over 1000 awards. She is a five-time Grammy Award winner, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for Falling Into You (1996); and Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “My Heart Will Go On” (1998). Her recordings have won two Academy Awards®: Best Original Song in 1992 for the title song of Beauty and the Beast (with Peabo Bryson), and Best Original Song in 1998 for “My Heart Will Go On” (From Titanic). She has earned seven American Music Awards, 20 Juno Awards (Canada) and an astonishing 40 Felix Awards (Quebec). In 2004, Celine received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognizing her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2007 she was honored with the Legend Award at World Music Awards in recognition of her global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry.

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After wowing fans for two years with her over-the-top costumes, chart-topping hits and stunning choreography, Cher celebrates the anniversary of her show in May at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace by announcing shows through October 2010. Beginning Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m., fans can purchase tickets for 25 new performances from Sept. 4 through Oct. 31. Two-years after its debut, the high-energy, concert-style production continues to be hugely successful by selling out shows and breaking box-office records.

Tickets for the following September and October 2010 performances go on sale Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m.

September: 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29

October: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31

CHER at The Colosseum is a non-stop concert production featuring the legendary icon’s record-breaking hits, from “I Got You Babe” to “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Believe.” In addition, the show features a collection of songs that pay tribute to old-time Hollywood style from the 1940s, complete with glamorous costumes and choreography. With her infamous rock-and-roll attitude and eye for theatrics, the show treats guests to an intimate look back through Cher’s iconic career, with vintage footage of rarely-seen “Sonny and Cher” clips and an ever-changing stage that adapts its scenery for each song and mood.

In addition to seeing her critically-acclaimed show, fans can join in the celebration during May by sipping on the “Take Me Home”, a cocktail designed for and inspired by Cher for $12 at Caesars Palace lounges. Named after Cher’s 1979 Gold selling album, the delicious cocktail is blended with Belvedere Orange, watermelon juice, Triple sec, simple syrup, a splash of Veuve Cliquot and topped with a lemon wedge. Participating cocktail lounges include Seahorse Lounge, Shadow Bar and Cleopatra’s Barge.

Tickets will go on sale just in time for the airing of a special episode on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on May 10 that features the legendary songstress. Check local listings for airtimes and details.

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Celebrated entertainer and Las Vegas mainstay Don Rickles brings his one-of-a-kind comedy back to The Orleans Showroom June 5 and 6, one performance each night at 8 p.m. Popular Vegas act Shades of Sinatra will perform prior to Rickles taking the stage, kicking off the evening with a vintage musical flair.

Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957 when Frank Sinatra wandered into the small Hollywood nightclub where Rickles was performing. The still-unknown Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, “I just saw your movie, The Pride and the Passion, and I want to tell you, the cannon’s acting was great. And, make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody.” Sinatra doubled up laughing and became one of Rickles’ biggest boosters among Hollywood celebrities. Rickles soon became the “in” comic among Hollywood stars, who flocked to his nightclub engagements to become the targets of his insults.

As a star-struck kid in New York City, Rickles aspired to share the big screen with such greats as Clark Gable and James Cagney. His wish came true in 1958 when he appeared in Run Silent Run Deep, starring Clark Gable. Rickles went on to receive critical praise for his villainous performance in The Rat Race in 1960.

During a period between acting assignments, Rickles tried and succeeded at stand-up comedy. Audiences laughed harder at his impromptu insults than at his prepared material, and Rickles’ legend as the king of insult comics was born.

Rickles has also starred in films and television shows, including Casino, Kelly’s Heroes, Gilligan’s Island, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and most recently, the CBS hit series The Unit. Rickles won two Primetime Emmy Awards, including the 2008 HBO special Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project for Best Individual Performance in a Variety or Musical.

Opening for Mr. Rickles are popular Vegas act Shades of Sinatra. Made up of Larry Liso, Ryan Baker, Carmine Mandia and Lisa Smith, Shades of Sinatra doesn’t try to impersonate the man, but instead blends signature Frank Sinatra favorites with some of the most beloved sounds from his era. Humor and good-natured ribbing among cast members tie together the musical numbers and storytelling.

Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $74.95, plus tax and convenience fees, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.365.7075 or visiting www.orleanscasino.com. Save on convenience fees by purchasing the tickets in person at Coast Casinos.

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PBR’s Ryan McConnel and fellow Team USA member McKennon Wimberly were guests of Angelica Bridges at last night’s performance of FANTASY at Luxor. The two bull riding pros enjoyed the show from the audience before McConnel was hand selected to join the cast for a special guest appearance – as Elvis! McConnel put on his best Elvis impersonation and was cheered by audience members for his outstanding performance. McConnel, in town for the PBR World Cup, was introduced to Bridges at Fremont Street’s mechanical bull riding showdown in Las Vegas on Tuesday, April 13, where he gave her a quick lesson on mechanical bull riding prior to the competition.

Photo Credit: Tom Donoghue

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Veteran performer Tony Sacca, the “Entertainment Ambassador of Las Vegas” and founder of the Las Vegas Rocks Café, has returned to his entertainment roots because of his new downtown venue where there are three distinct rooms: the main dining room; the Marquee Room; and the Embassy Theatre.

The Marquee Room, a relaxed, intimate, retro-Vegas-style showroom with dining tables, has created a sort of “back to the future” experience for Sacca, who is again performing on a regular basis. He takes the stage with live musicians every Friday and Saturday evening in the Marquee Room where an audience can enjoy a meal or cocktail while enjoying the music.

Before Sacca settled in Las Vegas with his now deceased identical twin brother Robert, he toured the country extensively with their act known as “The Sacca Twins.” He performed in a myriad of settings, ranging from hotels and nightclubs to concert rooms and resorts. At that time, the venues featured show bands, which are now a fading breed, but were similar to the Society of Seven and Scintas acts. For the Sacca Twins, it was necessary to entertain with imagination in order to overcome the lack of a hit record,

Their audiences were entertained by a variety of hit tunes, many different genres of music, and a large wardrobe in a structured show from start to finish. “This was a very necessary format if you were to compete with the well known entertainers. When touring around the country, you couldn’t please all the audiences all the time, but you could sure try,” according to Sacca.

We traveled from north to south and east to west in a school bus with a full-size band that included three horns, two road managers, costumes and a couple of dogs. Before relocating to Las Vegas in 1981, the Sacca Twins were held over in Puerto Rico, at the El San Juan Hotel for three years. One evening Siegfried of Siegfried & Roy was vacationing in Puerto Rico and took in a Sacca Twins show. He visited backstage afterwards and complimented the duo on their act and invited them to Las Vegas. They took him up on the offer and the rest is history.

Sacca continued to perform in Las Vegas on a part time-basis in 1986 while developing his entertainment variety talk show “Entertainment Las Vegas Style,” which has become a staple in the Las Vegas community for nearly 25 years.

Sacca has been delighting customers in the Marquee Room with the showmanship he gained from his past. He loves being close to the audience and resurrecting the song stylings of a bygone era. As the venue’s founder, he’s even having more fun and it shows.

The Las Vegas Rocks Café is located downtown at Neonopolis, 450 Fremont Street. There’s easy access free validation parking on Fourth Street between Fremont Street and Ogden in the underground Neonopolis Parking Garage. For information, call 702-227-5872 (LVRC).

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Rick Faugno, one of the Strip’s popular Broadway imports and the original Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas version of “Jersey Boys,” will reprise his critically-acclaimed, one-man song and dance show “Songs My Idols Sang (And Danced!)” on Sunday, April 25, at 3 p.m. in the 400-seat South Point Casino Showroom. The triple-threat Faugno, with his professional dancing, singing and acting talents, premiered his solo show last August and has since sold out four performances all with standing-ovations from his endearing audiences.

Tickets are now on sale for the new $50 VIP package, which includes access to pre-show sound check from 1:15 pm to 1:45 pm, followed by meet and greet, champagne toast, autographed photo, $5 voucher for his new CD, and preferred seating ticket of Faugno’s recommended “best seats in the house,” based on availability. Other tickets are priced at $20, $25 and $30. Call 797-8055 or buy tickets online at www.southpointcasino.com, and at the South Point Box Office, 9777 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

His 80-minute musical showcase features musical standards from the Great American Songbook, and he’s backed by a seven-piece band with some of the best musicians from the Strip. Throughout his show, he shares the significance of his idols of song and dance, such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and others.

Faugno’s performances include “Embraceable You,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” “Cheek To Cheek,” “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” and “Mr. Bojangles.”

He created the show with his long-time love/fiancé Joyce Chittick, a fellow Broadway performer-choreographer, and his musical director Keith Thompson, who’s also the “Jersey Boys” conductor. The show is based on Faugno’s life story in show business, and how he got to where he is today with the love and support of his family and many others while growing up in New Jersey, on to Broadway and to the Las Vegas Strip.

Faugno was born in New Jersey and first appeared on Broadway at age 12 in “The Will Rogers Follies” and came to the Las Vegas Strip in 2008 to appear as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys” at the Palazzo, in which he was named “Best Singer” in 2009 by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

He was just honored this past holiday season in New York at the famous Broadway theatre district eatery Sardi’s with his own caricature.

His impressive list of Broadway theatre credits include performances in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Conversations With My Father,” “Wonderful Town,” “Fosse,” “The Will Rogers Follies,” and the national tours of “Jersey Boys,” “The Boy Friend,” and “Fosse.” His film and television credits include Tri-Star’s “Looking For An Echo,” “Two Bits” by Miramax, “American Dreams,” “Adventures Of Pete & Pete,” and the Kennedy Center’s 25th Anniversary Gala on PBS. Faugno holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting and Theatre from New York University. Visit Faugno’s website, http://web.mac.com/rickfaugno.

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After checking out Matt Goss at Caesars Palace last week, Jersey Boy star, Rick Faugno, made a repeat visit Friday evening. Faugno joined Goss to duet on two songs including the new Strip classic “Lovely Las Vegas.”

Photo credit: Cashman Photo

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Well-known Las Vegas entertainment family The Scintas bring their one-of-a-kind act back to the Suncoast Showroom for two performances, May 15 and 16.

The Scintas, Buffalo, New York-raised brothers Joey and Frankie, sister Chrissi and “Irish Scinta” Peter O’Donnell, entertain, surprise and provide an anything-but-typical performance filled with music, comedy and impersonations. Their Las Vegas act, which got its start in a bar owned by former Buffalo Bill and present-day ESPN commentator Paul McGuire, includes “guest” appearances by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and others, singing songs audiences love.

Collectively, they’ve dazzled sell-out crowds in Las Vegas showrooms and on the road. Individually, each member of The Scintas has enjoyed a stunning rise to fame. Frankie, recognized as a musical prodigy, appeared on The Merv Griffin Show at age 11. He plays the keyboard on the show and is also a master guitar, mandolin, banjo, drum and bass player. Joey, who originally intended to become a music teacher, developed and mastered his talent for comedy and impressions. The baby of the family, Chrissi, is known for her stunning renditions of the big ballads. Although not related, Peter O’Donnell has been a member of the close-knit clan since joining The Scintas in 1988. He has played gigs with more than 700 bands.

A family on stage and off, The Scintas often welcome their mother Mary Scinta, affectionately known as “Mama Scinta,” and their brother Tony, a retired Buffalo homicide detective, and his family, as special guests at their shows.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $29.95, plus tax and convenience fees and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 702.636.7075 or visiting www.suncoastcasino.com. Save on convenience fees by purchasing the tickets in person at Coast Casinos.

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Suncoast Hotel and Casino

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