This Week In Vegas: New Years Acts Galore

Happy New Year!  This two-week calendar includes all the big shows in town for Y2K+1. As you go through it, you'll notice that there are a lot of '70s and '80s bands reuniting. It's hard to come up with something interesting to say about them, so I'm just going to list their most famous song so you'll go ... "Oh, yeah ... them!"

• Wayne Newton
  Stardust
  Dec. 26 - Jan. 7
  (702) 732-6325
  
  That's Mr. Las Vegas to you, buddy!
  
  
• Debbie Reynolds
  Orleans
  Dec. 28-31
  (800) 675-3267
  
  The former Vegas hotel owner, chanteuse, comedienne and Carrie Fisher's mom returns to Vegas for a series of New Year's shows.
  
• Chris Isaak
  Mandalay Bay, House of Blues
  Dec. 29
  (877) 632-7400
  
  Quick -- what Academy Award-winning movie did singer Chris Isaak play a small role in?   If you answered "Silence of the Lambs" you win my heartfelt respect.
  
  
• Styx
  Hard Rock
  Dec. 29-30
  (800) HRD-ROCK
  
  "Babe I'm leaving ... I must be on my way ..."
  
  
• America
  Flamingo Las Vegas
  Dec. 29-30
  (888) 308-8899
  
  "I've been through a desert on a horse with no name ..."
  
  
• Lynyrd Skynyrd
  Sam's Town
  Dec. 29-30
  (800) 634-6371
  
  "Sweet home Alabama ..."
  
  
• James Brown
  Blue Note at the Aladdin
  Dec. 29-31
  (702) 862-8307
  
  The Godfather of soul takes over the home of the Vegas blues for New Year's.
  
  
• Don Rickles
  Paris Las Vegas
  Dec. 29-31
  (800) 237-7469
  
  Any hockey pucks out there?
  
  
• Gladys Knight
  Aladdin
  Dec. 30
  (800) 634-3424
  
  What ... no pips?
  
  
• Earth, Wind & Fire
  Mandalay Bay, House of Blues
  Dec. 30
  (877) 632-7400
  
  "Do you remember?  The very first time, September"
  
  
• Journey with REO Speedwagon
  Mandalay Bay
  Dec. 30
  (877) 632-7400
  
  "So now I come to you, with Open Arms ..." and "And I can't find this feeling anymore ..." respectively.
  
  
• Damon Wayans
  Las Vegas Hilton
  Dec. 30
  (800) 222-5361
  
  The former "In Living Color" star takes the stage for a New Year's comedy concert.
  
  
• Patti La Belle
  Venetian
  Dec. 30
  (888) 283-6423
  
  If you've never heard her sing "Over the Rainbow" you have no idea what you've been missing.
  
  
• Dennis Miller & David Spade
  Aladdin
  Dec. 31
  (800) 634-3424
  
  Spend your New Year's with refugees from Saturday Night Live!
  
  
• Boney James & Jonathan Butler
  Texas Station
  Dec. 31
  (800) 654-8888
  
  R&B/jazz fusion from James, a saxophonist, and Butler, a South-African guitarist.
  
  
• Neal McCoy
  Sam's Town
  Dec. 31
  (800) 634-6371
  
  It's a country-western New Year's at Sam's Town with hitmaker McCoy.
  
  
• Mary Wilson
  Riviera
  Dec. 31
  (800) 634-3420
  
  The former "Supreme" goes back to her roots with a salute to Motown.
  
  
• Kool & The Gang, Morris Day & The Time, The Dazz Band, Rain
  Fremont Street Experience
  Dec. 31
  (800) 249-3559
  
  "Celebrate good times, come on;" "Jungle love, oh wee oh wee oh;" "Come on let it whip (whip it baby) ..." and some group that does covers of Beatles songs.
  
  
• Goo Goo Dolls
  Mandalay Bay, House of Blues
  Dec. 31
  (877) 632-7400
  
  Despite predicitons of a one-hit wonder with "Iris" the Goos have continued their string of radio-friendly rock hits.
  
  
• Van Morrison
  Hard Rock
  Dec. 31-Jan. 1
  (800) HRD-ROCK
  
  Irish-born singer/songwriter Morrison started his career at age 12 when he joined a band called Deannie Sands and the Javelins.
  
  
• Guns 'N Roses
  Mandalay Bay, House of Blues
  Jan. 1 (1 a.m.)
  (877) 632-7400
  
  The kings of '90s rock will be performing their first show in 7 years, taking the stage just after midnight on New Year's Eve.
  
  
• Carrot Top
  MGM Grand
  Jan. 2-10
  (800) 929-1111
  
  I have officially run out of things to say about Carrot Top.
  
  
• Gregory Hines
  Artemus Ham Hall
  Jan. 5
  (702) 895-2787
  
  Singer, tap dancer and recurring guest star on Will and Grace -- what more could you want?
  
  
• The Bacon Brothers
  Hard Rock
  Jan. 5
  (800) HRD-ROCK
  
  That would be movie star Kevin Bacon and his brother in case you weren't aware.
  
  
• Penn & Teller
  Rio
  Jan. 5-17
  (800) 752-9746
  
  The clown princes of magic have moved their semi-regular shows to the Rio.
  

Continuing:

• Rita Rudner at the MGM Grand through Jan. 1, 2001.  Tickets: (800) 929-1111
  
• David Copperfield at the MGM Grand through Jan. 1, 2001.  Tickets: (800) 929-1111
  
• David Brenner at the Golden Nugget through April 30, 2001.  Tickets: (800) 634-3454
  

For a calendar of events beyond the next couple of weeks, check out the Vegas4Visitors calendar section.