Elvis tribute at Cannery

Listen up, you Elvis fans

The Cannery will celebrate the King’s life this Friday (January 9) and Saturday (January 10) with special performances by Johnny Fortuno, The Stamps Quartet, as well as other special guests, friends and co-stars of Elvis Presley. Those guests include Elvis’ personal friend and bodyguard, Sonny West; Elvis’ co-star, Cynthia Pepper; Elvis’ co-star, Darlene Tompkins; DJ with Steve Christopher; Sandy Pichon and Sandy Miller.

Other activities taking place throughout the weekend will include memorabilia dealers and fan club displays and the Cannery Row Buffet will join in the fun by hosting a special “Food that fed the King” section featuring Elvis’ favorite dishes. The concerts begin each night at 8 p.m. at The Club inside the resort and admission is only $10 at the door. As I’m writing this column, just got word that the Cannery is being sold to an Australian company. Will be interesting to see if any changes will be forthcoming. Will keep you posted.

Wanna have some laughs?

The Bonkerz Comedy Club will debut January 15 at Palace Station in what used to be the Sound Trax showroom. The club is part of the Bonkerz Comedy Club chain where comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Carrot Top, Larry the Cable Guy and Sam Kinison performed.

Bonkerz Comedy Club will present five shows weekly, featuring different comedians each week. Show times are Thursday at 8 p.m. and two shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets are $29.95 each. Palace Station hotel guests and locals with a valid Nevada ID receive a $10 discount. You must be 21 years and older. You can get tickets at any Station Casinos Reward Center, The Fiestas and The Galleria Mall or by calling (702) 547-5300 or log onto www.stationcasinos.com.

Stomp stops

The high energy production , which has graced the stage at Planet Hollywood for the past 22 months, ended its run last week (January 4). Following the performance, the cast celebrated on stage. The show is now looking for another, smaller venue on the Strip.

If you enjoy the spoken word and music, you might want to drop into the West Las Vegas Arts Center this Saturday (January 10) at 3 p.m. for the Donna Clark and Brian Coleman concert. The couple will present original spoken word and music, as well as poets from the past that speak to the heart and soul, bringing a spiritual experience that heals. Admission is free. The center is located at 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Coleman, who plays guitar, keyboards and drums, will perform his original compositions with the acoustic guitar. Clark, a veteran of theatre in Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas, who also has performed the spoken word with the Nevada Chamber Symphony Orchestra, will present her own poetry as well as works by Margaret Walker and other poets of the Harlem Renaissance.

More poetry

And speaking of poetry, also at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, you’re all invited to join host Keith Brantley, established poets and open-microphone participants for the monthly Poets’ Corner on Friday, January 16, at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call (702) 229-4800 for more information.

Gans gets ready

Danny Gans, who held court at the Mirage for almost nine years, has started rehearsing for his new gig at Wynn Las Vegas. Gans will open with a charity benefit (the public will be able to attend) on February 6, before regular shows begin February 10. He will do four shows each week, 44 weeks per year.

Shame on Vegas

I’ll wrap up with this letter from Robert Merten who resides in the Florida Keys and is none too happy with Las Vegas. Robert says, “I returned from Vegas on 12/24 and it was a pretty empty visit. So many shows dark -- NO BETTE NO CHER. No Lance Burton...the list goes on. Restaurants closed ...forcing me out of the casinos in search of decent food.

“Roxies closed at Strat Stratosphere)...Strat buffet is mediocre at best. Lucky’s has gotten lousy on service and food is barely edible. Kristofers and Italiano closed at Riviera as well as the snack/food court. Kady's (the Riv’s coffee shop) over-priced for diner food. Buffet closed at LV Hilton. What gives (this was always my favorite buffet).

“The line at the buffet in The Orleans was backed out over 100 feet...they need to get rid of the NO HABLA people and hire those who understand English. People are there to get in and eat...not spend 20 minutes explaining why they are in the line for a FOOD BUFFET. Hyping a new McDonalds on the Strip?...Please, it's still McDonalds !

“Prices going up to try and recover lost revenue from the downturn in tourists? I went to local places and ate, there at least I paid appropriate prices for the food. Bet I didn't gamble $50 because I certainly didn't feel welcome in the casinos. Slot hostesses were in short supply everywhere so I didn't even feed a machine which I usually do while waiting for my show to begin seating. Vegas is shooting itself in the foot. Don't blame the tourists for not showing up and spending their money.”

Hate to say this, but I get a lot of emails expressing the same views as Robert. Maybe it’s time for our hotel/casinos to take a look inward and not just blame the economy for their losses in revenue.

Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip.

And don't forget to check out eNeon each Thursday by subscribing (free of charge) to the Review-Journal's weekly newsletter. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylasvegas@gmail.com. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.