by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

This is exciting news. With the city's help, a six-block zone downtown is being developed into an area called Fremont East District, or FED, with lots of bars. The area begins on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard and runs to Eighth Street, and from north to south it will stretch from Ogden to Carson avenues. The city has changed ordinances to allow bars to be next to each other in the area.

So far two drinking establishments, Take 1 Nightclub and the Beauty Bar, are already open. Two other venues, The Griffin on Fremont Street, and Downtown, a cocktail room around the corner on Las Vegas Boulevard South, are set to open in August or September.

The city has committed to put a 10,000-square-foot nightclub at 601 E. Fremont St.

On the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard, Hennessey's Tavern and Micki Finnz Fish House and Bar opened recently and above the stores, the owner is planning to put in a jazz club called Brass.

In August, the city's project to remake the street includes a large neon sign arching over Fremont Street as a huge welcoming sign to the new district. Also, a median will be added to the street, with neon signs and palm trees. Sidewalks are going to be widened and the streets will be cut down to a single lane each way to slow traffic. Valet parking at night will be available at each business.

Arizona Charlie's Boulder located on the Boulder Strip has completed its $8.3 million expansion. The 7,300 square-foot project includes new gaming space, front desk area, Ultimate Rewards Center, gift shop and porte cochere.

The expanded gaming space features an additional 250 slot and video poker machines along with blackjack and craps tables. The front area of the property was completely made over and the front desk space and Ultimate Rewards Center are significantly larger.

The new gift shop was expanded to hold a larger inventory of items including a line of Arizona Charlie's apparel. The porte cochere and front entrance have retained the same look as before, but re-designs have maximized the space and made it more convenient for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

It's well known by now that the Stardust is going to close and be torn down. But, before that happens, a reunion of performers and crews from the hotel's two famous production shows, "Lido de Paris" and "Enter The Night," and other French extravaganzas of the era should mark their calendars for Sunday, Sept. 10. The event will be held in the convention center with a dinner, a celebration of the musical numbers, and costumes that weren't burned as was required by contract when "Lido" close in 1991.

Tickets are $100 if purchased by July 21 and go up to $115 through Aug. 21, and then increase to $125. More information can be found on the Web site, www.castandcrewreunion.com or by calling 702-243-6329.

The Cannery in North Las Vegas will present a British Invasion with The Searchers, Denny Laine, and Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas on Saturday, July 22 at 8 p.m. inside The Club. Tickets are $19.95 and $13.95, call 617-5585 or 866-287-4643.

The distinctive jangling of the 12-string guitar and the rich vocal harmonies have assured The Searchers a lasting place in the history of popular music. Their first hit in 1963, "Sweets for My Sweet," shot to No. 1 and was followed by other smash hits including "Sugar and Spice," "Love Potion #9," and "Needles and Pins."

Denny Laine grew up in Birmingham, England, and by 1964 co-founded the group that became the Moody Blues. Laine's tenure with the band was highlighted by one monster hit, "Go Now" and a brace of superb R&B styled sides. Throughout the rest of the sixties, Denny played with his own band, The Denny Laine String Band and Ginger Baker's Air Force. In 1971, Laine joined Paul and Linda McCartney in their newly formed band, Wings. Denny played guitar, bass and sang vocals for one of the biggest bands of the '70s with hits like "Band On The Run," and "Live And Let Die."

Billy J. Kramer grew up in Liverpool, England. He caught the attention of manager Brian Epstein, whose clients already included Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Beatles. The Lennon-McCartney penned songs "I'll Keep You Satisfied," and "Bad To Me" became international million sellers for Epstein and his back up group, The Dakotas. Epstein followed these with his biggest hit, "Little Children."

For the ninth consecutive year, "Lance Burton & Friends" will raise funds for The Shriners with a special 4 p.m. afternoon show on Sunday, July 30 in his theatre at Monte Carlo. Ticket are $35 and $28.50, call Zelzah Shrine at 702.382.5554.

Lance Burton will be taping Public Service Announcements for the MDA Telethon but tune in early on Sunday, Sept. 3. There's talk that Burton and his dancer / magician's assistants may open the Jerry Lewis Telethon.

Teresa Keegan a designer from Las Vegas was rewarded by The Women's Entertainment Network's two-hour show "SHEHOUSE" to air at 8 p.m. on Sept. 4. She won a chance to see Burton's show and meet with him.

The Aussies are coming to interview Burton on Thursday, July 20 after taking in his new show "New Wonders Await!" This interview segment will air in New Zealand and Australia on TVNZ with scenes from the revamped magic production show.

In 1996, the Lance Burton Theatre was voted No. 1 in the Las Vegas Reader's Poll and it's recently been redone from top-to-bottom. It has had a state-of-the-art $1 million sound system upgrade and the 1,274 seats have been completely reupholstered.

Burton will be taking a vacation after doing one show on the eve of Labor Day Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. He'll re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Andres Fernandez, who made it big in the New York comedy scene about six years ago, will headline at The Comedy Stop at the Tropicana, July 19-23, with fellow comedy headliners Jeff Norris and Rick Crom.

Latino comic Fernandez was a classically trained actor; however, his brand of humor has universal appeal. He draws from experiences with his Cuban father and his marriage to a Greek woman, and charms audiences with his storytelling ability. He's fluent in Spanish, and has performed as a member of the Copa Comedy Troupe at the Copacabana, a sketch player in "El Barrio" at Caroline's, and a legit actor with the Puerto Rican Repertory Theater.

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