Not all New Year’s Eve shows a ‘grand’ experience

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 9:40 a.m.

Las Vegas' night life will be filled with enriching experiences New Year's Eve, especially for some of the more costly entertainers.

Barbra Streisand is getting up to $2,500 for her show in the Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand; Rod Stewart's most ardent fans are shelling out $1,000 to get into the Pavilion at the Rio hotel-casino, and Bette Midler's best tickets for her Mandalay Bay Events Center are going for $500.

One thing about Vegas, though, it is very democratic when it comes to getting your money.

It will take cash from anybody.

For those of us who have modest budgets, but still would like to celebrate the dawning of the new century, there are plenty of things to do that won't cause our credit cards to self-destruct.

For example, Buddy Greco and the Lezlie Anders Orchestra will be be in the Grand Ballroom at the Resort at Summerlin beginning at 8:30 p.m.

However, even though the evening will include a five-course dinner and champagne, the $275 price tag is still pretty steep for some of us.

If you want to keep your costs between $0 and $150 per person, there are still lots of things to do.

Actually, I lied about the $0. If that's all you have then you probably will want to stay home and turn in early, or stay up late and watch Dick Clark or whomever ring in the new year on television.

But, for $150 or less, there still is a lot to choose from.

For example, for $50 (actually $49.99) you can party into the next century with the daughter of Las Vegas lounge icon Louis Prima. Lena Prima will be singing with the Spiral Staircase in the Le Briso lounge at the Riviera hotel-casino. The show begins at 10 p.m. The price of admission includes four drinks.

Call 794-9433 for ticket information.

Even cheaper is the $49.95 magic show in the Showroom at the Lady Luck hotel-casino, where Steve Wyric will have what's billed "A Magical Millennium Celebration" beginning at 10:30 p.m. Admission includes champagne and party favors. For more details, call 385-4386.

Cheaper yet is a $25 cover charge at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd.

The Village is planning something a little different -- it is offering families with children the opportunity to celebrate the New Year without the children missing their bedtime by observing the East Coast midnight hour rather than the Vegas' Pacifit Time Zone celebration.

By celebrating with the New York residents, the family can experience the event together, and mom and dad will have time to leave the kids with a sitter while they go out and celebrate a second time.

For more information, call 295-3741.

The following is list if other things people can do on New Year's Eve for $150 and under per person.

Comedy acts

Comedy Show, in the Improve Club at Harrahs Las Vegas hotel-casino. James Stephens III, Willie Barcena and David Gee perform at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $39.95, which includes party favors. Call 369-5222.

Stand-up comedy, featuring Joan Fagan, Butch Bradley and Joe Yannetty in the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana hotel-casino. Show begins at 10 p.m. Admission is $50, which includes two drinks, champagne and party favors. Call 739-2714.

Smothers Brothers, in the Orleans Showroom at The Orleans hotel-casino. The show begins at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $79.95 and up. Call 365-7075.

Don Rickles, in the Crystal Showroom at the Desert Inn hotel- casino. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $150. Call 733-4566.

Riviera Comedy, in the Top of the Riv theater at the Riviera hotel-casino. Featured will be comedians Dom Irrera, Rich Hall, Andy Kindler and Chuck Cason. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $150, which includes unlimited drinks, hors d'oeuvres and party favors. Call 794-9433.

Music

bf Heroes of Rock n' Roll, in the Ice Lounge at the Santa Fe hotel-casino. Show begins at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $49, which includes two drinks, champagne toast and party favors. Call 658-4950.

Tropical Splash, Latin band in the Esplanade Room at the Orleans. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $49.50, which includes two free drinks and hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. Call 365-7075.

The Checkmates, with Sonny Charles and Sweet Louie in the Naughty Ladies Saloon at Arizona Charlie's hotel-casino. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $50, which includes champagne and party favors. Call 258-5100.

Tommy Thompson Band, in Addison's Lounge at the Resort at Summerlin. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $50. Call 869-7667.

The Prodigals, Irish rock band in the J.C. Wooloughan Pub at the Resort at Summerlin. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $50. Call 869-7667.

Western Dance Party, in the Western Emporium at Sam's Town hotel-casino. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $65, which includes hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and party favors. Call 456-7777.

Jim Fitzgerald Orchestra, in the Showroom at the Gold Coast hotel-casino. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $75. Call 251-3574.

Sounds of Destiny, dance band in the Mardi Gras Ballroom at The Orleans. The dance begins at 10 p.m., following an 8 p.m. gourmet buffet dinner and entertainment by Sharon Haynes and the Jordanaires. Admission is $99.50, which includes the dinner and party favors. Call 365-7075.

The Platters, the Marvelettes and Billy Guy's Coasters, in the Congo Showroom at the Sahara hotel-casino. The show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $99.99, plus tax. The price includes champagne and party favors. Call 737-2111.

Band Experience, at the Fremont Street Experience with REO Speedwagon, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Starship and the Guess Who. Show begins at 5 p.m. Admission is $100. Call 678-5777.

Dance Party, in the Grande Ballroom at the Riviera hotel-casion. DJ begins playing at 10 p.m. Admission is $100, which includes unlimited drinks, hors d'oeuvres and party favors. Call 794-9433.

Sinn City Daddies, a swing band, in the Savoy Room at the Flamingo Hilton casino-hotel at 9 p.m. The $100 admission price includes complimentary hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. Call 733-3333.

Branscombe Richmond and his Renegade Posse band, in the Tiffany Theatre at the Tropicana hotel-casino. Show begins at 10 p.m. Admission is $100 for a table and $125 for a booth. Call 739-2417.

Pat Benatar, in the Hilton Theater at Las Vegas Hilton. Show starts at 10:30 p.m. Admission ranges from $100 to $125. Call 732-5111.

Bobby Morris All-Star Band, in the Banquet Room at the Showboat hotel-casino. Show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $119, which includes gourmet buffet, open bar, commemorative champagne glass, gift and party favors. Call 385-9123.

Daryl Hall and John Oates, in the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesars Palace. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $125, which includes champagne. Call 731-7333.

Smothers Brothers, in the Gold Coast Ballroom at the Gold Coast hotel-casino. A dinner at 6 p.m. precedes the act, which begins at 7 p.m. Following the act, the Dick Saxe Orchestra will play dance music. Price for the evening is $150. Call 251-3574.

Sheena Easton, will be in the Venetian Ballroom at the Venetian hotel-casino. Show begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $150, which includes desserts and cordials. Call 414-4100.

Production shows

Midnight Fantasy, in the Luxor Live Theater at the Luxor. Show begins at 10 p.m. Admission is $29.95. Call 262-4400.

Legends in Concert, in the Imperial Theater at the Imperial Palace hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $49.95, which includes two drinks. Call 1-888-777-7664.

Spellbound, with magician Joaquin Ayala, in the Spellbound Theater at Harrah's hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $49.95, which includes party favors, champagne and celebrating with the cast. Call 369-5222.

Jubilee, in the Jubilee Theater at Ballys hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $70-$75 for theater seating and $100 for booths and tables. call 1-877-374-7469.

Forever Plaid, in Bugsy's Celebrity Theater at the Flamingo Hilton. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $75. Call 733-3333.

Tournament of Kings, in King Arthur's Arena at the Excalibur hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $75, which includes a special dinner and party favors. Call 597-7600.

"EFX," starring Tommy Tune in the Grand Theatre at the MGM Grand. Show begins at 10:15 p.m. Admission ranges from $78.50 to $99, which includes champagne and party favors. Call 891-7777.

bf Imagine, a theatrical odyssey in the Luxor Theater at the Luxor hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $79.95, which includes one drink and party favors. Call 262-4400.

Radio City Rockettes, will perform in the Flamingo Showroom at the Flamingo Hilton hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:20. Admission is $120 for the cocktail show and $225 for the show and dinner. Call 1-800-221-7299.

Splash, in the Splash Theater at the Riviera hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $125, which includes champagne and other treats. Call 794-9433.

Mystere, in the Mystere Theatre at the Treasure Island hotel-casino. Show begins at 10:15 p.m. Admission is $140, which includes champagne and party favors. Call 1-800-392-1999.