Thursday, March 6, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
I WONDER WHY a themed hotel like the Orleans would name its main showroom the Branson Theater, opening with a Rex Allen Jr. country-music show, rather than go for a Harry Connick Jr., Al Hirt and Pete Fountain, the Neville Brothers or a New Orleans-theme production featuring guest stars representative of the Crescent City. ... 'Tis a puzzlement.
I also wonder why, on the Friday starting the President's Day weekend, a person would have to drive from Karen Avenue to Desert Inn Road on Joe W. Brown Drive before learning the road was closed at the Desert Inn end. ... A sign on the Karen corner would have sufficed.
On that same night, with the town packed, the valet full early, I wonder why Bally's saw fit to close off all the self-parking on the east end of the property. ... I had to park with the Maxim's valet in order to attend the press opening of Bally's "CATagious."
More wonderment
I wonder why, with our Clark County population on its way to the 2 million mark, that approximately 1,000 people attended last Friday's performance by the magnificent, world-acclaimed Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. ... UNLV's Ham Artemus Hall should have been filled to the rafters all three nights. ... What is the matter with us?
Rick Romito, director of the UNLV Performing Arts Center, and his exceptional staff have done a great job of continuing the high standards of the Charles Vanda Master Series, expanding the number of quality events, maintaining price levels, doing things above and beyond the call of duty. ... The fault lies with us.
I'm sorry that the new powers-that-be at Nevada Dance Theatre did not give founder and former Artistic Director Vassili Sulich a better send-off at Ham Hall. ... He was a major factor in getting NDT this far.
Ten more days
Bally's Entertainment Director Joel Fishman gets our vote for creating a viable seventh night, in the otherwise dark Jubilee Room, with "CATagious," starring Dirk Arthur & Friends. ... All the best to the Stardust as well for doing likewise and booking Branscombe Richmond (from TV's "Renegade") and Pat Morita as the March 21 attraction.
St. Patrick's Day is a week from next Monday. ... Fitzgerald's hotel-casino is making it an eight-day observance, starting this coming Monday. ... The Sons and Daughters of Erin will have a St. Pat's golf tournament March 15 at the Los Prados Golf Course (call 458-5715), followed by the annual dinner-dance at the Maxim that evening.
There will be a special St. Patrick's Day Mass at 12:30 p.m. March 16 at the Guardian Angel Cathedral, with the Rev. Pat Hayes officiating. ... Father Hayes serves as the chaplain for the Sons and Daughters.
He's back
On March 17, this columnist resumes his role as St. Patrick in the parade after missing our first year in 25 in 1996. ... We spent the day en route from Switzerland. ... Publican Tom Lally was an excellent Patrick. ... This year, look for the huge Celtic cross. ... If you wave at St. Patrick, I promise he will wave in return. ... Parade starting time: 10 a.m.
Parade starting point is Las Vegas Boulevard South at Gass, proceeding north to Fremont, then east to Seventh, then south before disbanding and reconvening at the Maxim for the day-long Block Party.
"March Madness" is upon us. ... College basketball will dominate our days, especially as long as our UNLV Rebels and "my" Tulane team are competing in one tournament or the other. ... Whatever happens, Bill Bayno and this year's Rebel squad deserve a great deal of credit and all of our support for their exciting efforts this season.
Star-policy rundown
It's Paul Anka-Stewie Stone (Bally's); Chicago, stating Friday (Caesars); Debbie Reynolds (her hotel); Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons (Desert Inn); Righteous Brothers (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Danny Gans (Rio); Bobby Vinton (Riviera); Bobby Collins (Sahara); and Marty Allen-Karon Kate Blackwell (Westward Ho).
Claude Trenier and the Treniers are in the Aladdin lounge these next three weeks; the most musical fun in town. ... See you Friday.
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