Charo is on hiatus from the Riviera in Las Vegas for at least a month — maybe as long as three — after she injured her
ankle and knee in a backstage fall as she was leaving the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon Sept. 7. No return date has been set.
Tag Archives: Riviera
Charo Sidelines Her “Cuchi-Cuchi” in Las Vegas
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Thousands Head to Las Vegas to get Hitched on 09/09/09
What does Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Elvis Presley and Priscilla Anne Beaulieu, and Mickey Rooney and his eight brides all have in common? They, and many other celebrities like them, were all hitched in Las Vegas. 
Weddings are one of the primary reasons why many make the trek to Sin City. And the Wedding Destination Capital of the World is more than just a hotspot reserved for celebrities or those wanting a wedding that’s scandalous and spontantaneous. Las Vegas weddings are growing increasingly popular in the most respectable circles.
Bridal couples and Las Vegas also have something else in common: They love their number sequences. Last year it was August 8th, 2008 which drew in huge crowds because in Asian cultures 8’s a lucky number. Two years ago it was all about the 07/07/07 which is the jackpot-y-est of all dates.
Many times, the pros of having a Las Vegas wedding outweigh the cons, particularly in today’s current economic reality, in which many Americans are hemorrhaging money and watching all their pennies.
It’s hard not to find a Las Vegas casino or wedding venue that is not getting in the spirit of 09/09/09 weddings. Whether it be Cupids Wedding Chapel, Little White Chapel, or the Riviera, all are offering some package deal to draw in thousands of wedding couples that will, hopefully, improve long-sagging wedding industry revenues.
On the haute style end, Bellagio is offering a very special package. For $5,000, the bride and groom can treat guests and themselves to a wedding that includes one hour of chapel time, a bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, two mantle floral arrangements, bottle of Dom Perignon bubbly, wedding certificate, an officiant, rose petals and more.
Caesar’s Palace offer packages that fit any budget and that offer up the outdoor plaza or the Venus Garden as settings. They also have a category called “Unforgettables.” These are the details that personalize a wedding. With the help of a wedding planner, couples can design a unique wedding cake or even arrange for a live character such as Cleopatra or Roman guards to attend the wedding.
Arguably one of the most romantic of all wedding sites in Las Vegas is the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Casino and Hotel. Although only big enough to host 12 guests, the Eiffel Tower Observation Deck allows couples to wed night or day, with the bejeweled Las Vegas vista behind them.
If you more into the big crowd feeling, on September 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm, 99 couples are paying $99.09 for the privilege of getting married on the Stratosphere’s enclosed observation deck, enjoy a champagne celebration, get themselves superimposed in a Stratosphere souvenir photo and get two tickets to ride the roller coaster.
Despite the spontaneity that can come with a Las Vegas wedding, it is important to allot enough time to get the marriage license at the Marriage Bureau at 201 Clark Ave. The fee is $55 in cash. Anyone applying for a license must be at least 18 years old and must be able to prove their age. Social Security numbers are also required.
For those of you that can’t make this memorable date, don’t forget THE largest Las Vegas wedding convention – the Las Vegas Bridal Spectacular – will be August 21 and 22 at Cashman Center. The event offers all the wedding resources under one roof to make your special day a lifetime memory.
Viva Las Vegas!
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Entertainer “Cuchi-Cuchi” Charo Quits Tribal Tour, Packs Bags for Vegas
It’s been a long time since the Latin flamenco guitar-playing jokster Charo has graced the Las Vegas Strip- 2003 to be to be
exact. With the former burlesque show “An Evening at La Cage” closing at the Riviera, she’s heading to the showroom on July 10, complete with all her side-splitting boobie jokes.
Charo briefly headlined at the Sevilla nightclub (now the V Theater) at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas before it went bankrupt in April 2003. Since then the part-time Las Vegan has mostly entertained by touring tribal casinos.
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Sneak into Las Vegas Casino/Hotel Pools for FREE!
Las Vegas tourists and residents alike enjoy splashing around in pools and trying to cool off as temperatures hit the triple digits. But with our economy languishing in the doldrums, it’s sometimes hard to find enough dough to pay for the experience. So, here’s our Las Vegas Backstage Access listing of the most sneak-friendly pools in Las Vegas. Enter at your own risk!
Tropicana – 3801 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Start at the Reno Avenue entrance at the southwest side of the Tropicana. It’s maybe not the classiest place, but it’s gigantic, including a swim-up bar, blackjack tables, and two separate hot tubs.
Flamingo – 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Go in the parking garage, walk down the metal staircase, go across the street and head directly into the extremely crowded pool area. Could be there is staff members at entrance, but usually not a problem to enter.
Riviera – 2901 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Their very deep pool isn’t fancy with waterfalls, bars and such, but very relaxing. They don’t ask to see a room key to get a beach towel, just think of a name and room number and write ’em down before you enter.
Artisan – 1501 W. Sahara Ave. Valet park your cark and saunter through the lobby. Features a cool grotto with foliage and comfy lounge furniture. Not a bar at the pool, but you can use the pool phone to call the bar and a bartender will bring your cocktails poolside.
Golden Nugget – 129 Fremont Street Security guards stand sentry at the door, but just look like you’re going swimming, bring your own towels, and wait for families to go through and follow them. Huge waterslide that goes through a shark tank. Very luxurious with cushioned deck chairs and VIP areas.
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The Crazy Girls Show in Las Vegas Struts for U.S. Topless Domination
The Crazy Girls is a topless show showing plenty of bottoms at the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas. But now they also want to spread their sin, taking their wares in a move across America. While they are still appearing in their topless show at
the Riviera, a new Crazy Girls Cafe could perhaps be coming to a neighborhood near you.
Producer-owner Norbert Aleman is preparing to unveil the first Crazy Girls Cafe in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Then he has ambitious plans set for a string of them from as nearby as Reno to as far away as Atlantic City, N.J.
Dancers will strut their stuff atop the bar and customer tables at each place, and there’ll be a gorgeous female singer who’ll play mistress to oversee the party hijinx.
“It’s a fun, wild concept that marries fabulous food with delicious drinks and an outrageous party feel,” Norbert said. “It’s priced right so people will want to shake off the economic blues with a real fun night out without feeling pained when the check arrives.”
Norbert plans to have 10 venues open over the next 12 months under terms of a deal he has made with a Las Vegas gaming entertainment company.
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Celebrity Impersonator Frank Marino to Star in Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding in Las Vegas
Las Vegas celebrity impersonator Frank Marino’s, the star of the Riviera’s now-defunct “An Evening at La Cage,” in
which he hosted the show as a Joan Rivers impersonator for more than 20 years, has packed his bags and on May 8 he’ll be performing in the role of the “special guest” in the dinner and comedy show Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding at the Planet Hollywood Resort Casino in Las Vegas.
Marino will be bringing all his Bob Mackie gowns, glittering Manolo Blahnik stilettos and makeup bags with him in his role that is planned to run through the end of May.
Marino is also the local ABC affiliate’s “Dancing With the Stars” correspondent, on which he critiques who was great, who was awful and whose costume sparkled the brightest on the hit program, now in its seventh season.
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Liberace Show, Museum & Foundation Sparkles in Las Vegas
As the promotion of Las Vegas culture continues to be challenged, with many museums closing or facing severe budget cuts, the Liberace Museum continues to weather the economic storm. In fact, it’s just celebrated its 30th anniversary. 
Liberace’s fan popularity continues to soar. A new show titled Liberace: The Man, The Music & The Memories has been announced for Broadway this fall. The musical will recreate the experience of a Liberace concert in a Las Vegas show room. The musician and comedian Wayland Pickard has been cast in the leading role.
Liberace opened his museum in 1979, three years after establishing his Liberace Foundation for helping students of the arts. All proceeds from the museum still support the foundation’s mission. So far, 2,500 scholars have received $5.2 million in awards.
Over the years, the museum hasn’t changed much. And though his fans are aging, still about 50,000 people tour the Liberace Museum daily, says museum director Tanya Combs. Featuring his cars, pianos, clothes, and jewels, the people who come through the doors watched Liberace on television, saw him in concert, or just heard the museum in a fun attraction, she adds.
Then there are those people who know Liberace, with his bejeweled costumes, larger-than-life jewelry and penchant for flashy shows- the kin of Las Vegas kitsch.
Liberace performed in Las Vegas for the first time in 1944, playing the piano at the Las Frontier Hotel. He dubbed himself Mr. Showmanship in 1956 during an engagement at the Riviera, and make Las Vegas his official residence.
Liberace represented a style of entertainment that became the very essence and embodiment of the City of Entertainment.
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‘La Cage’ Impersonator Show at Riviera Abrubtly Ends 23-Year Run on Las Vegas Strip
It’s been a very colorful and extremely popular 20-year run for the female impersonator show “Evening at La Cage” at the Riviera in Las Vegas. Since 1985 the show has gone on with non-stopped passion, headed up by headliner and 
“Mistress of Ceremonies” Frank Marino. A cast of female impersonators nightly duplicated every mannerism and nuance of Cher, Britney Spears, Madonna, Bette Midler, and Michael Jackson.
Last night, February 10, at 9 p.m. the iconic Las Vegas Strip show abruptly ended.
Only memories remain for the fourth longest running show in Las Vegas.
The cast and crew of the show were notified by owner Norbert Aleman that he regrettably was being forced to shut down the long-running production.
There were weeklong negotiations with Riviera executives and the show’s producers, but because of falling ticket sales and no sign of an immediate recovery for hotel bookings, it was decided to close the show.
Frank Marino, who played the show’s colorful Mistress of Ceremonies as Joan Rivers, held the title of Las Vegas’ longest-running headliner. He was presented with a key to the city on “Frank Marino Day” on Feb. 1, 2006. Additionally, Frank has a star on the Strip’s Walk of Stars and Frank Marino Drive in honor of him. He also appeared in “Miss Congeniality 2,” which was filmed in Las Vegas and authored the book “His Majesty the Queen.”
Marino said he was expecting the closure because of falling audience numbers. After a monthlong vacation, he says he’ll start work on his “ultimate drag show” he’s been working on for several months.
Also let go last night were actors Lane Lassiter, who played Michael Jackson; Steven Wayne, who played Cher and was at the superstar singer’s premiere last year at the Caesars Palace Coliseum at her invitation; Ryan Zink, who performed as Reba McEntire; Brent Allen as Bette Midler; and Crystal Woods as Diana Ross, along with Frank’s understudy James Henderson.
Norbert, who also produces the sexy topless adult cabaret revue “Crazy Girls” at the Riviera, says that revue will continue. “Crazy Girls” has been on extended hiatus since Christmas, and that lineup of eight topless beauties will reopen this Wednesday.
News of “La Cage” closing follows the announcement that “Folies Bergere,” the topless revue at the Tropicana, will close in March after a 49-year run.
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Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 