Fabric added to costumes of dancers in casino shows

After getting complaints from patrons, the Alcoholic Beverage Control office sent agents to watch the casino shows.

Fabric has since been added to the thongs that cast members wear in the two shows.

ABC agent Mark Ford said his office suggested changes to some costumes at the Grand in Biloxi, but did not file any formal charges. He would not say what other casino shows agents viewed because his office had not discussed possible problems with those casinos.

Jean Herbert-Wiesenburg, director of public relations for Grand Casino, said costumes were altered for the choreographed stage shows "Glitz" at Biloxi's Grand Theatre and "Sideshow" at the Grand Showroom in Gulfport.

Wiesenburg feels the costumes are a part of the casino atmosphere.

"Some really positive changes have come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Las Vegas-style entertainment is one of them," she said. "We have legitimate quality entertainment at both of our properties, and we do not think these regulations are necessarily applicable to these shows.

"We will comply, but the regulations do not allow any latitude and we will work vigorously to change these regulations."

Ford said the ABC spoke with Grand Casino officials Friday about their Biloxi show, telling them that some of the costumes and one segment of the production featuring a striptease violated ABC regulations.

The regulations forbid anyone with an alcohol retailer's permit from featuring live entertainment that includes a strip act or simulated strip act, or suggestive clothing.

Ford said the Grand show in Biloxi featured performers wearing "swimwear, lingerie or similar attire."

If the ABC finds violations of agency regulations and a business refuses to make changes, the business could face fines and possibly lose their license to sell alcoholic beverages.

"We went and met with officials at the Grand and, more or less, gave them a warning and suggested that they make alterations to their costumes," Ford said. "At this time, they are attempting to make changes."

This is the second time a Grand Theatre cast has added extra fabric to costumes. In March 1995, costumes were altered after the ABC received complaints about "Dancin' in the Streets."

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