By Jerry Fink (contact)

Tue, Feb 12, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Arizona Charlie’s is bucking the trend toward DJs and canned music, putting the spotlight on some of the finest lounge performers in Las Vegas.

There are two Arizona Charlie’s — one at 740 S. Decatur Blvd., the other at 4575 Boulder Highway (at U.S. 95/93) — and both are featuring well-known local entertainers. Some are playing both venues.

The lineup at Arizona Charlie’s Naughty Ladies Saloon on Decatur features the Smith Brothers Band tonight through Saturday; Sidro’s Armada, Feb. 19-23; and Denise Clemente, March 11-15.

Over at Arizona Charlie’s Palace Grand Lounge on Boulder, the entertainment includes the Smith Brothers Band, Feb. 19-24; Denise Clemente, Feb. 26-March 2; and the Cool Cats featuring Lena Prima, March 25-29.

The Naughty Ladies Saloon at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur offers live entertainment five nights a week: 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Jerry Tiffe Band plays from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays. Karaoke Mondays take over from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Mondays.

The Palace Grand Lounge at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder has a similar schedule, with live entertainment five nights a week: from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays and from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There is also live music from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. The lounge is dark on Mondays.

For information about Arizona Charlie’s Decatur call 258-5200. For Arizona Charlie’s Boulder call 951-5800.

‘Ka’ special

Cirque du Soleil feels your pain, financially speaking.

There’s a lot of talk about the “don’t call it a” recession; folks are tightening up the old purse strings and trying to make their shrinking dollar go further. To help, Cirque is offering locals 50 percent off the regular price of “Ka” at the MGM Grand.

From now through April 12 area residents can take advantage of the half-price offer on tickets, which normally cost $99 and $125.

As a bonus, backstage tours will be given to the first 50 ticket purchasers who request a tour for the 7 p.m. shows each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the promotion period. The tours will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, call (866) 431-7111 and ask for the locals offer. For the backstage tour, ask for a reservation when booking tickets.

“Ka” performs nightly at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Residents must present Nevada identification when picking up tickets at the “Ka” ticket office at MGM Grand.

Around town

Magician Dixie Dooley, who has performed in Vegas since 1978, has signed a deal with Royal Resort to perform at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. (99 Convention Center Drive, $19.95, 457-8448, houdiniexperience.com) ... Comic magician Jeff Hobson has rejoined the cast of “The World’s Greatest Magic Show” at the Greek Isles on Convention Center Drive. (9 p.m. nightly, tickets are $61.75 and $72.75, which includes 7 p.m. dinner at Yanni’s. Beginning March 8, the show begins at 7 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m. Info: 737-5540) ... “The Rat Pack Is Back” shifts its show from the Greek Isles to the Plaza on March 1. The Plaza says the information won’t be available until mid- or late February. (7:30 and 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 386-2444)

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at jerry@lasvegassun.com.