Bringing The Rat Pack Back To Las Vegas

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One of, if not the most, well known acts in Las Vegas entertainment history was the famous Rat Pack. Their antics were legendary and helped set the stage for what we now call "Sin City." Their show was only a great memory to those lucky enough to see it. Until now. "The Rat Pack Is Back" show at the Plaza Hotel and Casino is a faithful and energetic reproduction of their infamous stunts.

As recently noted by the Las Vegas Shows Reviews blog:

Sammy is on stage next, his shark skin is shiny blue, and he just about takes over the show. And it would be Sammy’s show if Dean didn’t keep butting in and Joey didn’t try so hard to make Sammy look small, but that couldn’t happen to Sammy. “That Old Black Magic” comes out big and as smooth as silk, and “Mr. Bojangles” still brings a sad joy to the heart. There is something electric about Kyle Diamond’s performance. Perhaps it’s the excitement in his eyes and the pure Sammy Davis Jr. energy that he pours out onto the audience. He makes us as glad to be in the audience as he is glad to be on stage. Now that we’ve been blushed by Joey, boozed by Dean, and seduced by Sammy, we know we will not be disappointed with Frank.

In contrast to the goofy antics of his buddies, David DeCosta walks Frank Sinatra on to the stage with an authority that ends all questions to who is the real star. Looking suave in his expensive grey suit with the small red triangle handkerchief in his breast pocket, he commands and corrals the other players into now participating in HIS show.

After he belts out the classic "That's Life", "Frank" brings up the cast to pull up a stoll and sing some songs. It's just like it was in the Copa Room at the Sands in 1962. The performers do a fantastic job of recreating the voices and actions of the legendary entertainers. Some performances feature different cast members and at some shows even a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like joins the festivities!

There's also a dinner package available and the food is quite good! For anyone that longs for the "Old Vegas" and a glimpse into how Vegas started off being the "Entertainment Capitol of the World" The Rat Pack Is Back is simply a show not to miss!

You can read the complete review at: Indeed, The Rat Pack Is Back In Las Vegas

Posted by Access Vegas staff

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Lack Of Las Vegas Visitors?

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This was a recent "Letter To The Editor" of the Access Vegas Insider Vibe:

My wife and I just returned home from our Vegas trip (6 nights/5 days). We stayed for the first time at the Paris (2 nights) and then 4 nights downtown at Main Street Station. The biggest change we noticed was the lack of people. I know it was the 4th of July week, but the 'people' traffic was much less than before. We asked a floor person at MSS about traffic and she too said the size of the crowds were much smaller than they use to be. My guess as well as hers was, 'all about the cost of gas'.

I think the casinos are helping their bottom line by making slots much tighter, just as the airlines are charging for suitcases and giving less service. It may be time to re-think our Vegas trips. Enjoy your weekly publication.

The Kinneys,

Pleasant Garden, NC

AccessVegas.com Managing Editor Ted Newkirk responds:

I agree with you: The gaming properties tried to squeeze tourists too hard during the good times, and it is biting them back during the bad times.

For decades, people would go through hell and high water to get to Las Vegas regardless of the economy. They knew the reward would be reasonably priced rooms and food, plus a fair chance at winning some money.

It is a rude awakening for many in hotel/casino management, many whom have never been here long enough to see a downturn and thought the "gravy train" of the past few years was the norm.

My prediction? Everyone will finally see a return to some of the "old Vegas" way of doing things that attracted so many for so long.

Per July 4'th, it is my opinion that the LVCVA (Visitors Authority) completely botched marketing July 4. Americans see it as a holiday to grill with some friends and watch their local fireworks. If a New Years Eve style fireworks "Tribute To America" kind of show had been set up for The Strip and well-promoted, I'd think we would have had full rooms despite the traditional "backyard grilling" nature of the holiday.

This for a couple of reasons:

1. New Years Eve here is legendary, but ultra-expensive with the highest room rates of the year. Give people a chance to experience a sample of it in July and the word-of-mouth (and desire for a return visit) would have been off the charts. I don't mean a complete "shut down the street" situation like New Years Eve. Simply a coordinated fireworks show well promoted.

2. International visitors would have been drawn to town to experience a "real" American 4'th of July. This could have been marketed to those visitors whose currency is much stronger than ours.

Thanks for taking the time to write and thanks for reading!

Ted Newkirk CEO, Managing Editor AccessVegas.com

Posted by Access Vegas staff

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Getting Cheaper Flights Into Las Vegas?

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Las Vegas McCarran Airport

This was a recent "Letter To The Editor" of the Access Vegas Insider Vibe:

Since reviewing things on your site as well as others, it’s apparent that Las Vegas is experiencing a slow down in economy. Gambled money and room occupancy is down, even our paper has reported it in the Sunday travel section. My suggestion is to have the city and casino’s work in conjunction with the airlines to help lower the cost of flights in and out of Las Vegas.

My wife and I travel on the average 4 times a year to L.V., being that we gamble a lot, Hooters has “comped” us for each stay. The travel is what’s costing us and preventing us from going more then 2 times this year so far. An example of price fares form Cleveland to L.V. via Continental airlines – In April it was $ 198. round trip ; in May it was $ 218. round trip; now the cheapest we can travel is $ 438. round trip.

I know airlines are taking a beating on fuel cost, but if the city and casino’s can work with the airlines to help subsidize travel I would bet that more people would come out and reverse the decline in gambling revenue and room occupancy. It’s just a suggestion, for a 4day – 3 night trip we generally add $ 1,500. to the L.V. economy via gambling; food; drinks; and misc spending. Thank you for your time to review my request,

John M. Kacvinsky

AccessVegas.com's Managing Editor Ted Newkirk responds:

John,

Interesting thoughts. Actually, the hotels are starting to "subsidize" the cost of the flights by slashing their room rates. You end up paying more for your flight, but less for rooms.

I realize that doesn't help those like you who gamble enough to get your stay comped. For those of you who do play enough to get free rooms, I'd strongly suggest writing the hotel you give your action to and simply tell them "Hey... we come and gamble a lot of money, but airfare is killing us and a free room just doesn't make it worth coming out. Is there any way players at are level can get something like a rebate on our airfare, extra free play, or meals?"

Per the city or casinos subsidizing flights:

The Las Vegas Strip isn't even inside the City of Las Vegas and all local governments are experiencing shortfalls. As it is, McCarran Airport (owned and operated by Clark County, Nevada) has one of the lower fees in the nation that they charge the airlines.

Side Note: With 2 million people living here (and using the airport for their travel to other places), a blanket subsidy wouldn't work anyway. Imagine the paperwork trying to figure out how much of a flight was tourists, and how many on the flight were locals.

Hotels have run "junkets" over the decades and/or partially invested in certain airlines. The now defunct National Airlines was partially funded by Harrah's Las Vegas and Rio Las Vegas (prior to Rio being bought out by Harrah's).

I'm going to tell you a little secret: The media reports are overblown. Considering that it is the "slow" time of year for Las Vegas (summer season) and the U.S. is at the mid-point of a recession, numbers aren't down that much. Gaming revenue is only down a few percentage points. Room rates are down quite a bit, but in previous decades, significant room rate reductions in the summer were not unusual.

Gaming stocks are down, but this is mostly because of the "sky if falling on Las Vegas" stories that have spread like wildfire.

Also, how expensive it is to get here depends on what market you live in and what your major airlines are. Some visitors are reporting spending twice as much on airfare. Other markets are reporting only a 20% increase.

Californian's aren't happy about the price of gas, but at the end of the day many of them are used to 45-60 minute commutes do pouring piles of cash in the gas tank is nothing new. Once again, the cheaper rooms are offsetting what they spend coming here.

At the end of the day, new exploration for U.S. oil will start to drive down oil speculation and the price to fly will stabilize (and maybe even come down a bit).

The good news for tourists? I see the low room rates (which were a hallmark of Las Vegas for decades) staying for years to come. Especially with all the new rooms coming online.

For comped players? This will mean more competition for players gambling at the "room comp" level. Thus, the same amount you are playing now will get you comped at a more upscale hotel.

Ted Newkirk CEO, Managing Editor AccessVegas.com

Posted by Access Vegas staff

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Las Vegas Hotels In Bed With Everyone And Advertising It!

Station Casinos and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (the water district) have been running this ad in the Las Vegas local newspaper Las Vegas Review-Journal:

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Team Members of Red Rock Station, Station Casinos, Water Conservation Coalition Member

Since the text in the photo is hard to read in the above picture, this is what is says:

IT'S TRUE.

WE'RE IN BED WITH THE WATER AUTHORITY.

Station Casinos participates in the Water Conservation Coalition's Linen Exchange program. By replacing towels and linens upon request, we save our desert community millions of gallons of water each year. Our guests appreciate our "green" effort, and we save thousands of dollars in water and opperational costs.

The Water Conservation Coalition challenges all of Southern Nevada's resorts, hotels and motels to do the right thing by joining the Linen Exchange program. There is no cost to participate. To learn how you can save water and money while demonstrating leadership as well, call 258-7291 or visit waterconservationcoalition.com.

Water Efficiency Is Everyone's Business

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Just a couple of thoughts:

• Only in Las Vegas could an ad with a sexy babe cocktail waitress along with two other women (and one man) standing poised next to a bed go almost unnoticed! I guess the golf term foursome has a new meaning.
• We do need to use less water here in Las Vegas (since we are simply out of water supplies despite thousands moving here each month) and putting out that "do not disturb" sign may not only be a sign you are having the time of your life in a Las Vegas hotel room, but also will help save the planet.

Selected Station Casinos Las Vegas Hotels are:

• Boulder Station
• Fiesta Henderson
• Fiesta Rancho
• Green Valley Ranch
• Palace Station
• Texas Station

Posted by Access Vegas staff

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