The Colorado Belle will begin the citywide Winter Break celebration with a one-man art show and watercolor painting demonstrations by Nevada fine artist Mark Vranesh on Jan. 7 and 8, 2006. Vranesh will display his work and paint from 2 to 4 p.m. each day on the Belle's "D" Deck. During the show, Vranesh will accept sign-ups for his craft workshops to be held from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m., Jan. 9-11.

An accomplished multi-media artist, Vranesh works out of his Las Vegas studio and sells his work at well-known shows and festivals in southern Nevada, Utah, and the Red Rock Canyon Visitor's Center. One of his signature techniques involves adding layers of hand-made paper to his watercolor paintings, creating multi-dimensional collages. In addition to being a working artist and art show promoter, he has extensive experience teaching a variety of art and craft techniques.

Mark Vranesh's appearance in January is a prelude to Colorado Belle's Third

Annual Riverwalk Art Festival set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 8-9, 2006.

There will be a Red Hat Social Hour from 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, in the Colorado Belle's Boiler Room Microbrewery. Red Hatters will be treated to hors d'oeuvres, microbrews, wine and well drinks and soft drinks.

Winter Break workshops will focus on papermaking, natural fiber basketry and mixed media collages. Class sizes are limited and fill fast, so people interested in participating are urged to come to sign up early. A fee of $5 will be charged at sign-up; $5 in gift / dining certificates will be given to participants at completion of classes. Special Riverwalk Art Festival commemorative posters featuring renditions of Vranesh's original prints from the First and Second Annual Art Festivals (2004 and 2005) will also be given to each workshop participant. Vranesh will be available to autograph the posters following the workshops.

The Colorado Belle is featuring two-night midweek Winter Break room packages (valid between Jan. 8 -12) from $46 plus tax. A two-night weekend package valid Jan. 6-7, starts from $90 plus tax. These packages include a two-night stay, $10 certificate for any of the Belle's six dine-in restaurants or the Main Gift Shop, and a free stay the following winter. To book a Winter Break package, call 800-477-4837.

It will be a Hawaiian Christmas at the Riverside Resort, Nov. 29 - Dec. 21, with "Mele Kalikimaka," a Christmas musical variety production featuring the spirit of the Christmas holidays in song and dance as performed by some of the stars of the islands. Tickets are $25, call 1-800-227-3849.

Wailana Lee is the daughter of the late legendary songwriter Kui Lee, whose songs have been recorded by such artists as Bing Crosby and Elvis. Manea Manuma hails from Samoa, along with his brother, Moe, where they perform and star in their own island musical and comedy revue as the "Manuma Brothers."

Originally from Tahiti, Dino's voice reminds people of the sounds of Julio, Engelbert and Sinatra. A former model, Dino lives in Tahiti where he serenades tourists in hotels on Bora Bora and Papeete. Don Rose's voice is unmistakably his greatest gift.

These four star acts will be supported by the Hot Lava Dancers in beautiful costumes, along with the music by the Don Rose Band. "Mele Kalikimaka" is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

"A Really Big Shew, America's Favorite Variety Show" is a take-off on the Ed Sullivan Show with a rotating cast of acrobats, comedians, musicians, impersonators, and even Topo Gigio. The cast rotates about every eight weeks and the show will run through April 16.

The current cast features Jerry Hoban as Ed Sullivan, world champion fiddle player and contortionist Yogi Baird, illusionist Steve August, Maria The SnakeBabe, and Sherie Rae Parker impersonating Bette Midler.

Show are nightly at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $14.95 with tax included and $13.95 with a Connection Card. For information, call 1-800-435-8469.

From Dec. 5-8, the Edgewater will host the Toys for Tots Golf Tournament. This charitable event collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to needy children in the surrounding community. For information, call 800-876-0046, ext. 3346.

Early Bird Specials are available in both The Steakhouse and Passaggio Italian Gardens and they rotate weekly. They are served from 4-6 p.m., Sunday-Thursday (excluding holidays).

The Early Bird deal in The Steakhouse offers entrees like Prime Rib for only $18.99, steak grilled as you like it for $19.99, and a variety of seafood entrees for $19.99. Specials include table-side salad, side dishes, and attention to detail.

Passaggio Early Bird Specials offer an authentic Italian meal. Choose pasta dishes like Tortellini Carbonara, Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo, or Creamy Primavera for $5.99. All the Early Bird Specials are under $6.99 and include freshly baked warm breadsticks drizzled with butter, garlic and parmesan cheese.

The top prize for Harrah's "Set For Life" Giveaway is $2 million paid out in annual installments of $$100,000 for 20 years. Other prizes range from a Lexus to shopping sprees.

This promotion is running through Saturday Dec. 10 and entries must be earned through Sunday, Dec. 4. The promotion is a joint one with 28 participating casinos owned by Harrah's License Company, LLC.

From Dec. 2-17, you can vote for your favorite Christmas trees and wreaths made by the Colorado Belle employees in their "Deck the Boat" Employee Christmas Tree and Wreath Decorating Contest.

The current Golden Nugget's promotion for video poker players is winning plush jungle animals with qualifying jackpots hit on nickel through $5 machines. Maximum coins must be played with a 24 Karat Club inserted. This promotion runs through Thursday, Dec. 15.

When Pioneer Round Up Club members earn 6,000 bonus points in a month, they get to choose one of 12 different gifts offered that month. The gifts are shipped directly to the player's home.

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>THIS WEEK'S LAS VEGAS NEWS
>LAST WEEK'S LAUGHLIN NEWS
>VEGAS VIEWS FULL ARCHIVES
>Return to "Heard Around Town"
>Return to Las Vegas Leisure Guide