LeAnn Rimes Will Visit the Edgewater
International multi-platinum selling singer LeAnn Rimes will headline the Edgewater’s E Center on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. Globally the multi-award winner has sold more than 44 million units, and last year, she released her 16th studio album “Remnants.” Tickets start at $35.
Rimes music career took off when she was young. At age 14, Rimes won “Best New Artist” making her the youngest recipient of a Grammy® Award. Out of her 42 singles, Rimes song “How Do I Live,” continues to rank No. 4 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time: Hot 100 Songs,” and it holds the record for being the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Rimes recently revealed a new EP titled “Re-Imagined” featuring five new versions of some of her record-breaking hits including an epic duet with Stevie Nicks. Additionally, this winter, Rimes for the holiday season is starring in a new original Hallmark Christmas movie, “It’s Christmas, Eve.”
Tropicana Features “El Vez Christmas Show”
El Vez will present his Christmas show in the Pavilion Theater at the Tropicana on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and parental guidance is suggested, translated this isn’t your typical holiday presentation.
El Vez performs his holiday songs in a saucy, cheeky humorous manner while accompanied by the lovely Elvettes, singer/dancers, and his band, the Memphis Mariachis. Known as the Mexican Elvis, he is a singer-songwriter and musician who has toured the United States and internationally. While he’s “Elvis-inspired,” he performs his original songs as well as those of popular artists.
Kool & The Gang Bring Their Hits to the Edgewater
Two-time Grammy Award winners Kool & the Gang, who have performed continuously for the past 43 years, which is longer than any R&B group in history, will be center stage in The E Center at the Edgewater on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
Their playbook of hits such as “Celebration,” which was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame, “Cherish,” and “Jungle Boogie,” have influenced the music of three generations and earned them 31 gold and platinum albums. In 2014, the group was honored with a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award and the next year received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Back in 1964, brothers Ronald and Robert “Kool” Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. At first, they went through a few name changes – the Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames – before settling on their famous moniker.
Nostalgic Peter, Paul & Mary Christmas at the Riverside
“MacDougal Street West: Presents Peter, Paul and Mary Christmas Experience” will be center stage at the Riverside in Don’s Celerity Theatre Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 13-16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.
This exceptional holiday show echoes the music from the famous folk group’s Christmas television special and favorite accompanying soundtrack album, “Peter, Paul and Mary: A Holiday Celebration.” Their holiday album featured “The Magi,” “Light One Candle,” “Twas’ The Night Before Christmas,” and “Silence Night,” to name a few. Tribute act MacDougal Street West will also include memorable unforgettable songs such as “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,” “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” and “If I Had a Hammer.”
A Merry Christmas at the Riverside with The Platters
“The Platters Very Merry Christmas Show” with special guest act The Drifters will appear in concert at the Riverside Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 19-23 in Don’s Celebrity Theatre at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.
Romantic early rock ‘n’ roll group The Platters always enchant audiences with their timeless melodies including: “My Prayer,” “Only You,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “The Great Pretender,” “Harbor Lights” and “Twilight Time.” The Platters vocal evolution continues today through the crisp, vocal stylings of members Lance Bernard Bryant, Kingsley O’Bryan McIntosh, Leslie Mone and Kenny Williams.
— Jackie Brett
On the Road from Las Vegas to Laughlin: Laughlin
This is Part 12 of a series. Read Part 1 (Searchlight), Part 2 (Cal-Nev-Ari), Part 3 (Laughlin), Part 4 (Laughlin), Part 5 (Laughlin), Part 6 (Laughlin), Part 7, Part 8 (Laughlin), and Part 9 (Laughlin), Part 10 (Laughlin), and
Are you ready to exercise your body and mind during the holidays by doing something different, outside of the hotels?
The holidays can be just as fun in Laughlin as in Las Vegas. The weather is nicer, the crowds … well, they are still going to be there. It is surprising, since there is very little entertainment at the hotels during December until you get to the last week of the month, with Christmas and New Years Eve performances.
So let’s see what we can do in town during December. You need to find things you can do to spend time away from the sensory overload of the casinos. I don’t want you to miss the little experiences to truly get a feel for Laughlin.
If you have not made the trip to Laughlin Outlet Center yet this can be a good time to try it out. The mall is to the north of the Tropicana Hotel and across the street from the Edgewater Hotel. You will notice vacant stores; however, those that are open are bound to have some good deals for the holidays. They are open Sunday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
They have 48 stores/restaurants/services available, including Levi’s, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Pendleton, The Hat Company, Wild West Coffee, L’eggs/Hanes/Bali, Claire’s, and Bath & Body Works.
They also have a small food court with minimal vendors. A good ice cream place called Sugar Rush opened in September which has Thai rolled or stir-fried ice cream. It is made right in front of you, with delicious flavors. Just choose your base, choose your mix and any 2 toppings plus drizzle for $7.
There is also a movie theater, Stadium 9 Phoenix Theatres, which has $7 tickets all day. The entrance is on the 2nd level at the back (Southwest) side of the Outlet Center. (Go to your left at the top of the escalator.) The seats are very comfortable, stadium-style, and the sound system is good.
The movies start around 9 a.m. on the weekends (Fri., Sat. & Sun.) and at noon during the week. Be sure to check with the theater for shows and starting times. The nice thing about this theater is it is not jam-packed with people for a show. Note: make sure you get there a little early to purchase your tickets, since you might have to purchase them from the person at the concession stand.
A small, pass-right-by building that has a load of information on Laughlin, the surrounding area and Nevada is the Laughlin Visitors Center. They are located across the street from the Riverside Hotel’s north outdoor parking lot, or if you park in the Riverside garage on the west side of the Strip, take a left out of the garage and a left on Laughlin Civic Drive, with a quick right into the driveway entrance. The gray building will be straight ahead.
There is a lot of information stuffed into this building. They have maps, discounted coupons, area attraction updates, posters, brochures, and very knowledgeable customer service representatives who can answer all of your questions. And the best part of the information is it’s all free! I have collected many posters over the years, framed them and have them hanging in my home garage. I make a point of stopping in every time I am in town since I can take my time perusing the material.
They are only open during the week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Because of the hours they are not packed with people, so you can look at your leisure.
So now take a little drive or long, long walk, depending on how in shape you are, to the Labyrinths! I am not sure how many are currently available for walking; however, I do know there were at least 8 of them when I was in town. They are in circles, rectangles, squares, an arrow, a heart, and other shapes. They are accessed from Thomas Edison Drive, which runs parallel to the Strip (Casino Drive) and is to the west of the Tropicana Hotel. You can connect to Thomas Edison Drive by taking Bruce Woodbury Drive (the street running west from the Strip next to Laughlin Outlet Center).
The way to identify where the labyrinths are is by this marker, which you will see close to the road, either painted on stone or a sign, in an area that has well visited vehicle flat land for parking. They are, basically, behind the Tropicana Hotel and to the south of the property up the hill. The first set after you turn from Bruce Woodbury Drive are about a half mile south. You can’t see them from the road — just the marker. So park and walk east from the road.
There is another set of five labyrinths on the same side further down Thomas Edison Drive, just as you start the uphill curve. There is a dirt road barricaded with rocks. You can make out some of the labyrinths from where you park. The labyrinths are free walks at your leisure and promote a peaceful serenity to the outdoor environment. This is strictly for your enjoyment, exercise and to view the river and scenery from a higher location. There is no charge to walk the walks. It is actually pretty cool to think someone has spent their time designing the rocks so we can enjoy them. December is the perfect weather to check them out. Note: If you are having a problem finding them, try the Pokemon Go app. Also, make sure you do not go past any No Trespassing signs! We want you to visit Laughlin, not get stuck here!
— Pauline Cimoch
Coming in January…The New Pioneer and AVI Hotel & Casino
