Columnist Joe Delaney: There are plenty of show values to be had

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 8, 2001 | 8:12 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com.

The following is for locals and visitors alike, especially those with limited budgets ... There are three shows, all afternoon offerings, that can be seen for the price of a drink, approximately $5, with a coupon ... The oldest, a Las Vegas favorite for more than three decades, is Breck Wall and Patrick Maes' "The Best of Bottoms Up," at the Flamingo Las Vegas, starring Wall with David Harris and Sue Motsinger.

"The Best of Bottoms Up" is a fast-paced "revusical," jokes that are new and old but all funny, burlesque-type bits, dance numbers, great fun ... Our next recommendation is another long-run champion, "Viva Las Vegas," at the Stratosphere, with comedy by Dave Swan, Bruce "Big John" Mickelson and Golden Joe Baker, our favorite Elvis impressionist, plus singers, dancers and fine production values.

The third recommendation, one that could be well on its way to long-run status, is "Stars of the Strip" for all of you who are Danny Gans, Bill Acosta and Andre-Philippe Gagnon fans, or of those "Legends in Concert"-type shows ... Robbie Howard, the wonderful Walkers, Kathy, Bill and Greg, plus David Poe, Pat Marlin and Bruce Miller in a show worthy of a Strip location.

Magic shows are much less expensive in the afternoon. Try Mac King (Harrah's); Dixie Dooley's "Houdini Lives Again" (Plaza) and "The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas" (Tropicana); with prices ranging from $16-$22 ... The various comedy clubs and Elvis clones are also in that price range.

Check around; you can also find two-for-one specials for locals with proper identification ... Competition is tough these days and there are good shows that are trying to maintain their price level yet offer bargains to residents, especially now when LV's population is rushing toward 2 million.

Star-policy rundown

It's Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas); "Honky Tonk Angels" (Gold Coast); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); Clint Holmes, evenings, King, afternoons (Harrah's); Tim Conway, Harvey Korman and Luise DuArt (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); Katarina Witt's "Kisses On Ice," Saturday only (Mandalay Bay); George Carlin, Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" and, Thursday and Saturday only, the Backstreet Boys (MGM Grand) ... There's lots more.

Plus Siegfried & Roy and Gans, in separate theaters (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); "The New Kenny Kerr Show" (New Frontier); Everly Brothers (Orleans); Bobby Vinton (Paris Las Vegas); Pete Barbutti (Plaza); Little Anthony & the Imperials plus the Spinners (Sam's Town); Chicago (Stardust); Elvin Bishop (Suncoast); David Benoit (Sunset Station); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic, plus Gagnon (Venetian).

Good news: Caesars Magical Empire has been extended once again, this time to June 2 ... This is the only evening entertainment left at Caesars Palace other than lounge action ... Note to Caesars: There should be at least one place to send a customer who wants to see a show in your hotel ... Keep Caesars Magical Empire at least until you have an alternate choice ... Sending hotel guests elsewhere for a show can be harmful to your casino drop.

Jazz notes: Don't miss Gus Mancuso, Chris Gordon and Santo Savino, nightly in Napoleon's Bar (Paris Las Vegas) or an afternoon treat, Jim Fitzgerald's Kinda Dixie Jazz Band (Gold Coast) ... There is also Friday jazz at Pogo's; Saturday, it's Paisano's; Sunday, the World's Smallest Jazz Band plays; and Mondays, it's Don Menza's Big Band.

Vibraharp virtuoso Tommy Vig will premiere his "Moment of Vibraharp, 22 Strings and Piano," with Vig as soloist, part of the Youth Camerata Orchestra Concert, conducted by Oscar Carrescia, Saturday at 2 p.m. (Winchester Center) ... Vig and his art collection can now be found at Art Gallery 2000 ... His book, "How To Tell What Things Are Really Worth," is now avilable in various book stores.

Special treat: Multiple Grammy-Award winner Vikki Carr performs Friday at 8 p.m. (Boulder Station) ... Correction: Comedian Bernie Allen was 85, not 83, on February 25 ... Mea culpa ... See you Friday.