Nevada Dance Theatre to open ‘Luna Gitana’ tonight

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

WORLD PREMIERE! ... Nevada Dance Theatre proudly presents "La Luna Gitana" ("The Gypsy Moon"), a new ballet created by NDT Artistic Director Vassili Sulich for the company's 24th season. ... Performances will be 8 p.m. today through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday in UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre.

Also included is the delightful "Graduation Ball" and a classic Spanish divertissement, "Paquita." ... Our critique will appear in Friday's SUN.

Reminder: Tickets are also available for NDT's "Stars of American Ballet" gala benefit, April 9 in UNLV's Ham Hall. ... Leslie Browne, star of the film, "The Turning Point," with Mikhail Barishnikov, will perform with Jon Marshall Sharp and there will be an ensemble "Salute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers."

Second reminder

"Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation 1996," presented by American Express and Calphalon, a major annual gustatory event, takes place 6-9 p.m. April 17 in the Riviera's Convention Center. ... More than 40 of LV's best chefs will join forces in this fight against hunger, offering samples of their culinary delicacies.

Las Vegas is one of more than 100 major cities in the United States and Canada that participate each April. ... Nevada beneficiaries include Chef and Child Foundation, Community Food Bank of Clark County and St. Vincent Dining Room, plus Project NAMA up north.

Local sponsors include First Interstate Bank, the Food & Beverage Directors Association, both of Nevada, and Macy's. ... Beverages will be provided by Seagram Classics Wine Co. and Southern Wine and Spirits.

Star policy rundown

It's Paul Anka-Stewie Stone (Bally's); Wynonna-Kim Richey (Caesars); Rip Taylor in "That's Entertainment, Live" (Debbie Reynolds Hotel); Chuck Berry, Friday through Sunday (Sheraton D.I.); Lance Burton (Hacienda); Oak Ridge Boys, Hollywood Theatre, and Jay Leno, Grand Theatre (MGM); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); and Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons (Sands).

Special events: Average White Band and Sam Moore (Arizona Charlie's), Thursday only; Jose Feliciano, Saturday (Boulder Station); Captain & Tennille, also on Saturday (Flamingo Hilton); Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis, Friday (LV Hilton); and the Beach Boys, Friday and Saturday (Riviera).

Hudson and Saleeby were a class lounge act here in the 1970s and early 1980s before returning to Memphis, Tenn. ... The popular vocal-piano duo will be here one night only, Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., in the Alexis Park Pisces Lounge. ... Welcome back.

Anent Debbie

Debbie Reynolds has just completed a new hot film and returns to action at her hotel Monday, her birthday. ... The new show schedule has Debbie's show at 7:30 p.m. and Kenny Kerr's "Boy-lesque" at 10:30, Monday through Saturday. ... "That's Entertainment, Live" moves to 1:45 and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday, a bargain at $12.95 -- for an extra $5, you get the museum tour.

Debbie's Hollywood Museum is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. ... Jazz & Jokes resumes, 10:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays in the hotel's Celebrity Cafe.

On Monday, her natal day, there will be free admission to the museum until 4 p.m. plus free admission, depending upon seat availability, to both Monday performances of "That's Entertainment, Live." ... See you Friday.