The Rat Pack Is Back, now playing at the Plaza downtown, is an amusing trip down Memory Lane. It is appearing at the Plaza Showroom on Main Street, and well worth the trip for anyone who loved the “Old” Las Vegas and/or the original Rat Pack.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford made up the Rat Pack. They played the Sands Hotel Copa Room. Not only were they great singers and comedians, but also were renowned for their wild night life and all night partying. Almost more entertaining than their music and jokes was the camaraderie and banter that went on endlessly whenever they were together.

Being led to your table by a distinguished, tuxedo-clad maitre’d, you will notice the red walls, red banquette seating for VIP’s amd ornate chandeliers, and be plummeted back to the 60’s, when this kind of grandeur could be seen at all hotels on the strip.

There is a dinner show available (now that is something from the past!) and the only part of it that is not authentic, is that the food is good.

This show is produced by Dick Feeney and Sandy Hackett (son of Buddy). It has a revolving cast, with some of the performers taking the show on national tours for a few weeks at a time. When seen by this reporter, Frank was played by Brian Duprey, Sammy by Kyle Diamond, Dean by Eric Martin, and Joey by Mickey Joseph. Peter Lawford was no longer part of the show.

You will enjoy listening to all of the Rat Pack’s most famous songs and laughing at their good natured banter. The 12-piece Tribute Orchestra is terrific. The true magic of this group was the way they played to each other, and this is captured perfectly. Mickey Joseph deserves special kudos for never allowing a lull in the performance with his zany antics, dead-pan jokes, and impeccable timing.

So take a giant step back in time and go see The Rat Pack Is Back.

Showtimes are Monday through Friday, 7:30 PM, with the option of dinner at 6:00 PM; Saturdays at 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM. They are dark on Sunday.

Authored by: Sandra Oertell

The Plaza Showroom
Plaza Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada 89125
1 Main Street
www.ratpackvegas.com
(702) 386-2444

Without a doubt, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is by far …. America’s greatest party.

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to Medieval Europe. Although there is no evidence of any written record of how that really transformed into the current Mardi Gras of today. The origins of the Mardi Gras we celebrate today, with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands are traced to New Orleans, Louisiana.

One thing that was bothered many people is the unpredictable dates of the event. Mardi Gras can occur on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9. The fluctuating date was initially established by the Catholic Church, which designed the Gregorian calendar with a fixed date for Christmas, but with moveable dates for other religious holidays.

Since Rex, the King of Carnival, selected them in 1872, the official colors of Mardi Gras have been purple, green and gold. The reasoning appears to be that purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power.

There’s not a generic theme for Mardi Gras, as each individual parade will depict a specific subject. The numerous parade floats then reflect the krewe’s theme for that year. Maskers are costumed in a manner that illustrates the overall parade theme and the individual float title.

Since 1857, the actual themes depicted by the nearly 2,000 Mardi Gras parades staged in New Orleans have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Most Mardi Gras Carnival parades will follow a standard parade format. Usually the captain appears at the head of the procession, either on a special float, in a convertible or on horseback. Next in line are the officers, the king or queen, and in some parades, the maids and dukes, followed by the title float and the floats that carry riding members.

For example, an 18-float procession of a 200-member krewe may feature more than 75 units. When you include band members, dance groups, posses, clown units and motorcycle squadrons, it is not uncommon for the total number of participants to surpass more than 3,000 people.

Records show that baubles have been tossed off floats since at least 1871. Historians say that a masker costumed as Santa Claus aboard float No. 24 in the Twelfth Night Revelers parade handed out gifts to the crowd.

The King of Carnival is chosen by the inner circle of the School of Design, the sponsoring organization for the Rex parade.

In 1873, the first parade floats were constructed entirely in New Orleans instead of France. Then in 1875, Governor Warmoth of Louisiana signed the “Mardi Gras Act” making it a legal holiday in Louisiana, which is still is to this day.

Most Mardi Gras Krewes today developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies. Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, it’s often referred to as the “Greatest Free Show on Earth!”

Michelle Obama has been called “my rock” by her proud husband, President Barack Obama. Amongst the wild presidential ride she’s endured, she’s said this many times: nowhere but in America would her story be possible.

Born Michelle LaVaughn Robinson on January 17, 1964, Michelle grew up in a working class Chicago neighborhood during a time the United States embarked on some of the most tumultuous years of the civil rights movement.

She was the daughter of a local water treatment plant worker who suffered from multiple sclerosis. Michelle Obama rose to attend two of the most prestigious universities in the United States – Princeton as an undergraduate and then followed by Harvard Law School.

Unlike her husband Barack Obama, who was the son of a Kenyan student and white Kansas mother, Michelle Obama can trace her family tree back to the beginnings of slavery in the U. S. and embodies the heritage of the nation’s African Americans.

Given all the media attention, Michelle Obama is now being touted as the first fashion icon to inhabit the White House since Jacqueline Kennedy nearly a half-century ago.

From the shape of her eyebrows to her Jackie O-esque hair, Michelle Obama’s look has become a nationwide obsession.

But it seems that Obama’s approach to fashion is different than that of Jacqueline Kennedy.

Kennedy was all about designers and pale colors. Obama shops off the rack at stores ranging from J.Crew to White House / Black Market. And when Michelle does wear a designer label it tends to be Maria Pinto, a Chicago-based designer relatively unknown until recently.

Obama goes for color. Black and red prints, and dresses in red, coral, violet and purple all spiced the campaign trail. Stripes don’t scare her, even when they’re horizontal. With her lean body and impeccable posture, anything she wears seems to work.

President Barack Obama is immensely proud of his wife, and her accomplishments. For much of their married life for instance, she earned more than him especially in at the University of Chicago medical center.

“Most people who meet my wife quickly conclude that she is remarkable. They are right about this — she is smart, funny, and thoroughly charming. She is also very beautiful,” he said recently.

Regardless of how the future unfolds, Michelle Obama will become the ultimate symbol of the American dream, as the first African American first lady, as Barack Obama takes the presidential oath of office.

The new season of American Idol kicked off this week and there’s a new feisty kid on the block. It’s American songwriter, record producer, and singer, Kara DioGuardi.

Kara DioGuardi is responsible for producing songs for such stars as Pink, Christina Aguilera Gwen Stefani, and Ashlee Simpson.  There has been much speculation since the announcement first hit the news wires. Many have wondered if Kara DioGuardi is actually being groomed to replace the often goofy but always nice, Paula Abdul.

American Idol show producers insist that they’ve always intended to have a fourth judge on the show.

American Idol’s executive producer, Simon Fuller stated, “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”
Kara DioGuardi’s initial dream of becoming a rock star didn’t happen as planned so she switched gears and became a songwriter. Kara quickly rose to the top to become highly sought after, writing hit songs for many of today’s top superstars ranging from Celine Dion to Pink.

Kara DioGuardi personally believes that her struggles and successes should earn her artistic empathy among the American Idol contestants and critics alike.

Becoming the newest judge on America’s top TV show has to be bring on a lot of pressure.

DioGuardi who is 38 years old will join the popular judging group of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. American Idol enters its eighth season on the FOX network.

Kara DioGuardi appeared on TODAY show and was interviewed by Matt Lauer.

Kara said, “I’m a straight shooter, I’m going to tell it like I see it, but I’m also going to bring some heart to the show.” DioGuardi continued by saying, “I don’t want to make anyone cry. I’m not there to destroy their dreams.

It looks like Kara DioGuardi won’t sit between Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. FOX probably doesn’t want to interfere with the color exchanges, and ongoing battles that bring a freshness to the show.

DioGuardi did admit like anything new she has to get used to her new environment and the lively cast of characters.

“I’m a little nervous, believe me,” Kara told Lauer. “It’s scary, especially with the live shows coming up, and the first day, you’re there with Paula, with Simon, with Randy — they are a common trio, they are so well-known. It’s a little nerve-racking.”

Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images North America)

It’s been a long-lasting love fest between American consumers and Miley Cyrus. She became an over-night sensation and never looked back.

So who is in the center of this media fire storm? Well it’s Miley Cyrus. She now has a hit movie, an incredible “Hannah Montana” tour and oh yes, that hit TV show that seems to now air all the time on the Disney Channel.

Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who is famous himself for his hugely hit single “Achy Breaky Heart.” Cyrus was born in Nashville as Destiny Hope Cyrus, but at an early was nicknamed “Smiley,” which then became Miley by her father.

Americans have spent billions of dollars over the last few years into the Miley Cyrus / Hannah Montana empire. Young girls have been bombarded with an endless array of products every time they enter a retail store. Everything and anything with even a picture of Hannah or Miley has come into our homes, making our childless neighbors or those with a cadre of boys scratch their heads in curiosity as to why this teenager’s face graces so many surfaces.

Cyrus shot to instant stardom in the Disney hit show when she was just 14 years old. The Disney teen TV  ”Hannah Montana” show debuted on March 24, 2006. The Hannah Montana series focuses on a young girl who lives a double life – one as an average teenage school girl named Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) by day and two, a famous pop singer named Hannah Montana by night. The secret is Miley Stewart hides her true identity from the public. Only her close friends and family know the truth.

The cable TV show became the most-watched program for kids ages 6 to 14. The show also produced a hit soundtrack that debuted at number one of the Billboard Top 200. Billboard magazine critic Ray Waddell described Miley’s charm as “charisma and a very winning personality that’s easily conveyed by both television and live performance.”

In 2007, Miley Cyrus released a follow-up album “Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus,” which sold more than a million copies. Cyrus went on a 54-city concert tour. People magazine reported Cyrus was dating fellow teen pop star Nick Jonas of Jonas Brothers’ fame, who guest-starred on “Hannah Montana” and toured with Cyrus. Teen magazine website J-14.com often features news on Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.

In 2008 Miley Cyrus was again featured on the cover of People magazine and dubbed “the world’s richest kid,” in a cover story about teen superstars. Cyrus signed a seven-figure book deal, raked in an estimated $1 million per week while on tour and is projected to sell $1 billion worth of “Hannah Montana” merchandise.

But like most celebrities, Cyrus has hit hard with negative news that created a media sensation. At the same time Cyrus’s People magazine cover hit stands, Vanity Fair magazine ran racy photos of Cyrus and a controversy erupted. Many critics attacked Miley Cyrus, saying she disappointed her pre-teen fan base and deemed the photos inappropriate because of their provocative and sexy nature. Cyrus quickly issued a public apology just as the Vanity Fair magazine was hitting the stands.

Miley Cyrus released her new music video Let’s Do This. This will serve as the theme song for Hannah Montana: The Movie, which will be open in U.S. theaters on April 10, 2009. The lyrics do show an attempt for Cyrus to break out of her Hannah Montana cookie cutter image.

Hannah Montana is the latest Disney pop star to try her hand at movies. Whether Miley Cyrus follows either the divergent paths of Lindsay Lohan or Hilary Duff will remain to be seen. While to date, she has not made the poor choices of Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) will have to be strong and have a strong supporting cast against the many evil temptations of Hollywood culture.

Photo by: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In what will probably be the most important event of his life, and by far the biggest boost to his career so far, actor, singer and dancer Hugh Jackman has been announced as People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

Hugh Jackman just turned 40 years old on October 12th and is on a roll.

People magazine’s executive editor, Jess Cagle, said Wednesday on NBC’s “Today” show that Jackman is a “surprising choice,” but he’d been on the editors’ minds “for a long time and it seemed like this was the year to do him.”

Hugh will take the “Sexiest Man Alive” throne away from last year’s winner – Matt Damon.

Jackman is a native of Sydney Australia and made a splash in a high school production of “My Fair Lady”. In 1998, he got raves as the lead in a London production of “Oklahoma”.

Next, Hugh Jackman will star In the highly anticipated upcoming movie “Australia”. Co-star Nicole Kidman says the 6-foot-2 actor was s hot on the movie set that he “left people stammering. Women’s jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room.”

Jackman is a happily married man and had this to say about is family, “Deb (Deborra-Lee Furness) and my kids (Oscar Maximillian – 8, and Eva Elio – 3) have been the best things that have ever happened to me, without a doubt.”

Amanda Leigh Moore was born on April 10, 1984 in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Mandy Moore is a fresh-faced, multi-talented music performer that made here first appearance as one of many blonde hair teen divas in the late 1990s.

Initially, the beautiful Mandy Moore toured with both teen pop groups – the Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Many Moore followed by releasing her chart topping, hit first album. Many soon became popula ron TV’s MTV show.

Last night, the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2008 was televised. The heavenly Victoria’s Secret’s angels have descended upon Miami Beach and showcased their beauty.

Singer Usher kicked off the Victoria’s Secret show which actually occured on Saturday, featuring 35 supermodels, some wearing angel wings.

Models including Heidi Klum and Adriana Lima strutted down the runway at the newly renovated Fontainebleau Miami Beach during the show, which coincided with the opulent reopening of the Fontainebleau hotel.

This year, Marisa Miller, Doutzen Kroes and Miranda Kerr were the newest models added to the show and given their wings by the lingerie giant.

They joined Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Selita Ebanks as the brand’s top models.

The luxurious lingerie brand Victoria Secret created a stunning fashion statement for its opulent target audience. With their latest glamourous offering, it was an amazing fashion show with a star studded audience including P Piddy, Martha Stewart, Paris Hilton, Seal and many more.

In the launch show, model Adriana Lima walked down the ramp wearing a sexy and expensive $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra. The bra contains 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies, for a total of almost 3,900 stunning gems.

Martin Katz designed the $5 million bra that comes decorated with white and black diamonds and rubies. Giving the perfect backdrop to the special fashion treat were two silver palm trees that has models sashaying in 68 kinds of lingerie’s in bold colour that were inspired by the garments of goddesses.

Gorgeous Heidi Klum wore a studding costume of red underwear that was connected by a web of diamonds and sparkling red wings. The luxury annual fashion show offered 35 supermodels to strut their stuff in the extravagantly fashionable affair.

Feathers, lace, sequins and luxurious jewellery were everywhere on the ramp. In fact, some models even wore gilded bras that were embedded with Swaroski crystals and a gold sculpted feather body piece that actually curved around the model’s body.

Photo by: AskMen

The stunningly, beautiful Maria Menounos was born June 8, 1978 in Medford, Massachusetts.

Menounos was a contestant in the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 1996, representing Massachussetts. Maria was asked by then host Bob Goen, regarding what she’d like to do when she grew up. Her deja-vu response was “I want to work with you at E.T., Bob!”. Well she must had a crystal ball because six years later, Maria Menounos joined Entertainment Tonight in 2002.

In 2003, Maria was featured on the MTV show “Punked”.  In 2005, her acting career began to blossom as she was cast as a sexy nurse in the hit movie The Fantastic Four. That same year, Maria’s likeness and voice were featured in EA Games From Russia with Love as Eva Adara.

Maria Menounos is best known for her appearances as a correspondent for The Today Show and Access Hollywood, and abroad for co-hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens, Greece.

In 2008, Menounos became the host of “Hollywood Green” on the “Planet Green” network, bringing glamour to green living. Both as the special correspondent for daily entertainment newsmagazine “Access Hollywood,” and on “Hollywood Green”, Maria provides TV viewers with comprehensive coverage of entertainment and news personalities.

In 2008, she became the first journalist to interview the entire Barack Obama family as a whole. She is represented by Creative Artists Agency.

For the past few weeks Prague has been home to Pitt and Jolie, whose presence has made this capital—so pretty it could have been concocted by a pâtissier—the red-hot center of the celebrity universe.

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In August 2007, The New York Times reported that Denise Richards (who allegedly wanted a third child very badly) approached ex-husband Charlie Sheen in 2007, after their divorce, and asked him to provide the sperm.

Denise supposedly assured him that she was not looking for any future child care support for this potential baby, but Charlie responded with “I would sooner walk on the surface of the moon in what I’m wearing.”

Regarding Heather Locklear, “The thing with Heather, that’s been hard… you know, you can’t help who you fall for, and that friendship was done with and wasn’t salvageable. You know, she wasn’t my best friend.”

Denise Richards continues,  ”She was a close friend in the last couple of years – I hadn’t known her my whole life like people are portraying. It’s been tough having people think that I’m a crappy friend – because if we were friends, I wouldn’t be in this situation.”