The rock band Chicago will perform at Harrah's Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $36, $46 and $56; call 800-447-8700 or 702-298-8510.

Chicago was formed in 1967 when a group of DePaul University music students began playing a series of late-night jams at clubs on and off campus. The band began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominately softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had a steady stream of hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Second only to the Beach Boys in terms of singles and albums, Chicago is one of the longest running and most successful U.S. pop/rock 'n' roll groups.

Today, despite the personnel changes over the years, the group still keeps active four decades after its founding. They are one of the few major rock groups that has never broken up or even taken an extended hiatus. And four of the six surviving founding members (major songwriters Lamm and Pankow, plus Loughnane and Parazaider) remain to this day providing continuity, while Bill Champlin has put in more than 25 years with the band, Jason Scheff more than 20, Tris Imboden more than 15 and Keith Howland has logged more than 13. The current lineup has been in place longer than any other in group history; 13 years.

The Talent Quest National Karaoke Contest will be held at the Tropicana Express in the Pavilion Showroom from Sept 23-28. The competition will be judged in a variety of categories and the public is welcome to watch.

Talent Quest has released some last minute news that the producer out of Hollywood that is making the documentary movie on karaoke singers will be filming everyone's performance during the week of competition in Laughlin.

DVD's of contestant performances will be available for anyone that is interested in purchasing one. For contestants who want to get a feel of the main stage before the contest and meet some of the other contestants, there will be open mic karaoke in the Pavilion on Sunday Sept. 21 after registration.

Karaoke Specialties (www.karaokespecialties.com) will have a store set up with all the latest in karaoke supplies in the Coronado Room during the week of competition.

The Bluzmen: A Tribute to the Blues Brothers is playing at Harrah's Fiesta Showroom through Oct. 4 with 8 p.m. shows nightly except Tuesdays, plus a 10 p.m. show on Saturdays. Tickets are $20, $25, and $30.

This tribute show features Eric Martin as Dan Aykroyd and Carmen Romano as the late John Belushi. The act begins with their opening rendition of I Can't Turn You Loose and keeps up the energy to the closing finale with the rousing hit Shout.

For more than 10 years, Martin and Romano have performed on stages across the United States, Europe and Asia and appeared on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Entertainment Tonight.

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The River Palms is keeping the laughter center stage at the River Palms Comedy Room. Comedians Kenny Davis, Nancy Ryan, and a comic TBA will be telling the jokes Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Shows are presented Tuesdays through Saturdays at 9 p.m. Tickets are $17.95 for general seating and $22.95 for preferred seating, call 1-866-448-7849 or 702-474-4000.

The 21st Annual Chef's Food Fest will be held at the Aquarius on Thursday, Oct 16. It's the annual fundraising showcase featuring casino and local restaurants chefs, lavish food displays and samplings. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person; call the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce at 702-298-2214.

Laughlin has launched a new multimillion-dollar marketing campaign emphasizing the opportunity for visitors to spend time drinking, gambling and partying along the Colorado River at a fraction of what it costs to "throw caution to the wind" in Las Vegas. Actress Kelly Marchand is featured in the new Laughlin ad campaign and the theme's tagline is, "Laughlin. It's like you own the place." The average daily room rate in Laughlin in July was $46.87.

The Dance Club at the Riverside will host Tom & Sharon's Ballroom, Latin and Swing Dance Party on Oct 4, 25, Nov 8, 22, and Dec 20. The Saturday parties take place from 1:30 -4:30 p.m. For details on the parties or dance classes, call Tom and Sharon Craddock, 928-754-2097 or 702-298-2535, ext 5708.

The 17th Annual Roddin' on the River - annual car show hosted by the River Cruizers will be held in the South Parking Lot at the Riverside, Sept. 25-28.

This event features a Show 'n' Shine," night slow drags, contests, kids game, pedal car raffle, vendors, happy hour cocktail party each day from 2-5 p.m., plus more. For information, call Ellen Bridges at 928-505-8457.

The Acrobats of Hebei China will bring their gravity-defying stunts and incredible acrobatics to Don Laughlin's Riverside from Sept. 23-Oct. 5. The multi-talented troupe range in ages from 19-25 and feature unique acts, daring maneuvers, stunning costumes and props in a "wow-factor" production. Tickets for the 8 p.m. shows are $30.

The Riverwalk between the Colorado Belle and Edgewater will hold "Halloween Safe Street" on Oct. 31, which is free. On that night, the Riverwalk from 5 to 8 p.m. will be turned into a "trick or treaters" paradise with decorated booths giving away treats, eerie decorations and appropriate sound effects.

Mojave Crossing Event Center near the Avi Resort will be the site of the River Gambler 6 Steer Team Roping on Oct. 4-5.

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