Frankly fabulous: Six Days of Sinatra

Louis Chunovic

Tuesday, May 26, 1998 | 10:19 a.m.

The city that Frank Sinatra made synonymous with dapper, high-roller sophistication and smokey show-biz cool will remember him this week with a long-planned tribute that includes a celebrity golf tournament, a memorabilia display at the MGM Grand and parties at the Desert Inn and the Hard Rock.

The tribute's centerpiece is Saturday's "Thanks Frank" black-tie gala at the MGM, featuring performances of classic Sinatra tunes, with the original Ol' Blue Eyes arrangements. Performers include Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Vic Damone, Paul Anka and Wayne Newton, co-chair of the gala with Barbara Sinatra, the late singer/ actor's widow, who is expected to appear at several tribute events.

The gala is being produced by composer Quincy Jones, who conducted the orchestras for such well-known Sinatra albums as "Might As Well Be Swing" and "Sinatra at the Sands," and it's being directed by choreographer Debbie Allen.

The only change in the gala caused by the singer's death, Jones says, is that instead of being "about Frank, now it's for Frank."

The gala is open to the public and tickets are available at $200 and $500 from the MGM Grand. Proceeds from the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic golf tournament benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center and Opportunity Village in Las Vegas. The schedule of tribute events, most of them open to the public, are:

* Today, 4 p.m.: Barbara Sinatra opens the memorabilia exhibit at the MGM Grand.

* Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.: Barbara Sinatra book signing at the Mirage.

* Thursday, 7 p.m. (closed to the public): Gregory Peck and Jack Lemmon are among the celebrities expected at the party at the Desert Inn.

* Friday, 10 a.m.: Golf tournament starts at the Stallion Mountain Country Club.

* Friday, 7 p.m. (closed to the public): More celebrities party at the Hard Rock.

* Saturday, 10 a.m.: Golf tournament at Stallion Mountain continues.

* Saturday, 6:15 p.m.: Celebrities arrive for the "Thanks Frank" gala at the MGM Grand.

* Saturday, 6:30 p.m.: "Thanks Frank" reception.

* Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: "Thanks Frank" dinner.

* Saturday, 9 p.m.: "Thanks Frank" concert.

* Sunday, 10:30 a.m.: Celebrity golf shoot-out at Stallion Mountain.

For more information on all Sinatra events, call 888-33-MYWAY.