Columnist Joe Delaney: Plenty of choices for holiday weekend entertainment

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or [email protected].

Fourth of July weekend is coming up. ... Those fortunate enough to live here or visiting have a large variety of entertainment choices, a truly eclectic selection. ... Here is a weekend preview. ... If the world of illusion is your favorite area, there are three top choices available: David Copperfield (Caesars Palace), Siegfried & Roy (Mirage) and Lance Burton (Monte Carlo). ... There's more.

Caesars Magical Empire includes dinner with a full evening of illusions. ... Magic is also the central theme of "Spellbound" (Harrah's) and there is magic in the afternoon with Nick Lewin's very funny Comedy Magic (Maxim) and Rick Thomas and his big cats (Tropicana).

Cirque du Soliel is represented by "O" (Bellagio) and "Mystere" (Treasure Island). ... Multiple Tony Award winner Tommy Tune in "EFX" (MGM Grand) ranks right up there, as does "Jubilee" (Bally's).

For younger set

The Cherry Popping Daddies, Friday and Saturday (Bally's), is for the yuppies. ... K.C. & the Sunshine Band (Hard Rock Hotel) and Jim Belushi (House of Blues), both on Friday, for older yuppies. ... Dr. Funkenstein is the House of Blues' late Friday night attraction. ... Sammy Hagar is the Saturday special at the Hard Rock hotel.

Variety abounds in your comedy choices with Dennis Miller's caustic yet on-the-mark rants (Desert Inn) and Sinbad's stream-of-consciousness (LV Hilton). ... Carrot Top's alleged prop comedy, done so much earlier and better by Rip Taylor and Gary Mule Deer, is a taste I don't care to acquire, but he does do excellent business at the MGM Grand.

Try the many comedy clubs: Harrah's Improv, Comedy Magic and Comedy Max (Maxim), the Riviera Comedy Club and the Tropicana Comedy Stop. ... The list changes weekly and prices are reasonable.

Good impressions

Danny Gans is the hot impressionist at the Rio, reserve immediately or be there at show time, you might get in. ... Bill Acosta's "Lasting Impressions" (Luxor), a hit from the start, has been updated and expanded. ... There are also the "Salute To..." shows such as "Legends In Concert" (Imperial Palace) and "American Superstars" (Stratosphere) with no lip sync in the former, a little bit in the latter.

The Oak Ridge Boys will do 8 and 10:30 p.m. performances, Saturday only (Flamingo-Hilton). ... Clint Holmes (Golden Nugget) is one of the best reasons to visit Casino Center, along with the Fremont Street Experience.

In addition to the Oak Ridge Boys, country music fans will enjoy the Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast) and Waylon Jennings, Saturday only (Texas Station). ... The Little River Band is the Orleans' weekend attraction and Paul Revere & the Raiders play Saturday (Silverton).

International star

Mexico's No. 1 songwriter-singer, Juan Gabriel, appears in the Mandalay Bay Events Center along with a full Mexican rodeo, 7 p.m. Saturday. ... This is the last weekend to catch Chita Rivera, starring with Ben Vereen, Stephanie Pope and Marcia Lewis, in the musical comedy hit, "Chicago" (Mandalay Bay); Marilu Henner takes over for Rivera next week.

Other production show choices: "Tournament of Kings," plus dinner (Excalibur); "Great Radio City Spectacular" (Flamingo-Hilton); "Imagine" (Luxor); "Lord of the Dance," now in its second year (New York-New York); "Splash" (Riviera), plus "La Cage" and "Crazy Girls"; "Enter The Night" (Stardust) and "Best of the Folies Bergere" (Tropicana).

Saturday specials: The Glenn Miller Orchestra (Stardust) more on this in Friday's column; Harold Weller and the LV Philharmonic (Sunset Station); and the Tropicana's Independence Day Salute.

Jazz specials

Marv Koral's All-Stars, featuring top trombonist Carl Fontana, play 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Wild Oats Market, Lake Mead and Tenaya; and at the Flight Deck Restaurant, NLV Air Terminal, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday. ... Morris Day and The Time perform at Boulder Station, Saturday and Sunday. ... Bobby Vee's All-American Solid Gold Rock 'n' Roll Show is in the Riviera Royale Pavilion Saturday and Sunday.

Chris Isaak will be in concert Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in the Mandalay Beach area. ... Whatever you choose, the above listing will give locals and visitors in town today a head start. ... Whatever you do, stop for a moment and remember what Independence Day stands for, say a quiet "Thank You" to those people in the past who helped bring our country to this point. ... See you Friday.

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