Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show

A quick look at some of the accolades on the website for Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show speaks to the show’s quality and authenticity. “Sandy Hackett is my first choice to play me,” says Joey Bishop. “Honestly, I wish I had been that good!” The San Francisco Examiner says of the faux foursome: “The interpretations by the four actors capture the stage essences of the Pack members in a way that is eerily supernatural.” And audiences laud the show’s power to give their memories new life. “My in-laws really appreciated the show,” says showgoer John Christopherson. “They say it brought back memories of how much fun these entertainers really were.”

Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show is a tribute to the original Kings of Cool, Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. “The performers played their roles perfectly,” Christopherson says. “I got the biggest kick out of Dean Martin (Tony Basile)—his antics on stage and his ever-present cocktail were a hoot!”

The show includes a recreation of “The Summit at the Sands,” the first time the group performed together—sans Peter Lawford, who is not represented in Hackett’s show—and show-tune standards such as “That’s A’more” and “That Old Black Magic.” Basile effortlessly recreates Martin’s romantic “Volare,” and David DeCosta carries Sinatra’s swagger and stage presence during “Get Me to the Church on Time.” Doug Starks doesn’t miss a step in his role as Davis, and touches the somber side of the Pack with a rendition of “What Kind of Fool Am I.”

Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show plays Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Riviera in Las Vegas. Shows start at 7 p.m. and tickets are $57.95 for general admission, $77.95 for preferred seating, and $97.95 for VIP seating.

Crazy Horse Paris

What better way to spend a night on The Las Vegas Strip than experiencing what the Parisians call “a celebration of the artistry of the nude” at Crazy Horse Paris? As you take your seat inside the world’s second-largest hotel, The MGM Grand, you’ll start to get the notion that this isn't your run-of-the-mill Las Vegas Show. Instead, you’ll be mesmerized as the show illustrates the sexual combination of sensuous choreography, stunning visual effects, song and dance to portray the dynamic wonder and beauty that is the female body. You will take pride in knowing that you observed the elite of beauty and seduction.

It’s true that cabaret shows in Las Vegas are not as highly profiled as they once were. With numerous adult-themed Las Vegas shows and the never-ending night life, guests of Vegas are constantly bombarded with endless show selections. So how does Crazy Horse Paris stand head and shoulders above their competitors? By revolutionizing the art of Cabaret. Since its inauguration in 1951, Crazy Horse Paris, the French import of Crazy Horse Cabaret, has indulged viewers with various light-and-color combinations with illuminating effects as it maneuvers onto each dancer on stage.

Inspired by the endless theme of femininity, Crazy Horse Paris features a collection of 12 classically trained and naturally toned international dancers. Watch as each dancer is exotically shed in rich colors and textured lighting designs in this French classic. These stunning visual effects enhance each dancer’s immaculate bodies as they move effortlessly and sensually on the stage. The cast of high-caliber dancers alone would be enticing enough to draw you in, but the addition of such stimulating visual effects will make you glad you came.

Another dynamic of Crazy Horse Paris is artistry taking a front seat in this modernly stylized throwback to French sexuality. Casting its dancers to be as similarly enticing as possible in body height, weight and even breast size ensures the show's ability to use their bodies as a canvas. With the use of captivating visual effects and music, the art form comes with the magically inspired way the dancers bodies are showcased, even sometimes as visual illusions.

So sit back, relax and enjoy this Parisian classic as Crazy Horse Paris illustrates the beauty and art of the female form. MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse is an erotic, yet sophisticated show that men and women will enjoy alike. No trip to Las Vegas would be complete without seeing one of its world-famous Las Vegas Shows. To start planning your wild night out on the town, check out the shows section on BestofVegas.com!—Provided by BestofVegas.com

Elvis Week at the Carson Valley Inn

Elvis Presley would have turned 75 years old on January 8, 2011 and the Carson Valley Inn is marking this milestone with a special Elvis Week celebration, January 3-8. Highlights include Elvis impersonators in the casino and Cabaret Lounge, teddy bear and Elvis memorabilia giveaways on January 3, cake and champagne on January 8 and some of Elvis' favorite food combinations served as specials in Katie's all week.

The teddy bear giveaway will kick off the celebration on January 3 when every INN Club member earning 125 points or more that day will receive a free singing teddy bear while they last — plus you keep the points! Accompanying some teddy bears will be a surprise gift which could be cash, free play or a variety of Elvis memorabilia items including posters, shirts, movies, key chains and more.

The Elvis impersonators, Brian Andrews and Rob Ely, will be strolling through the casino from time-to-time during the day and entertaining in the Cabaret Lounge in the evening on Wednesday through Saturday, January 5-8. Rob Ely has placed in the Top 3 in many Elvis Tribute Artist Contests in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Arizona and California. He has done dozens of appearances and shows — from corporate events to casino showrooms — and has appeared on Fox40 TV News and CBS’s Good Day Sacramento, chosen as their Elvis for Elvis’ 75th Birthday edition of the shows.

Rob will appear Wednesday to Friday of Elvis Week. According to D.J. Fontana (Elvis' drummer from 1954 to 1968), "Brian Andrews is the closest thing to Elvis that I've ever seen or heard." It's no surprise that Brian can re-create Elvis so well . . . he happens to have one of the best memorabilia collections around. Brian will appear Friday and Saturday of Elvis Week.

Special large Elvis Birthday Cakes will be cut and served along with champagne in the casino on Saturday, January 8 from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m.

Elvis was also known for his eclectic taste in food and a few of his favorites will be served in Katie's at special prices on January 3 – 8 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Included in the pickings are Biscuits Smothered in White Sausage Gravy for $1.99, Fried Peanut Butter and Nana Sandwich on country-style white bread served with bacon strips for $2.99, Cornmeal-battered Fried Catfish with cole slaw and tomatoes for $4.99 and Banana Pudding with vanilla nilly wafer cookies for $1.99.

The Carson Valley Inn is located on US Highway 395 in Minden, near the start of State Highway 88, twenty minutes from Lake Tahoe's south shore and 45 minutes south of Reno. The property includes a recently-remodeled casino, 152-room hotel, 74-room motor lodge, 59-site RV Park and a convenience store with Shell gas and diesel fuel. Three dining facilities include Katie's, Job's Perk and CV Steak, a Nevada-style steakhouse featuring steaks, seafood, chicken, pasta and more.