Tuesday, June 17, 2003 | 10:51 a.m.
He doesn't make tigers disappear, or have 50 elaborately costumed backup dancers and a massive LED screen behind him.
Singing impressionist Bob Anderson relies solely on his talent.
But talent alone is not enough to keep the longtime Vegas entertainer from moving to Branson, Mo.
Anderson told VegasBeat on Monday that he leaves for a full-time gig in the Ozark mountain resort town in a month, shortly after fulfilling a commitment in Laughlin from July 12 to July 14.
Anderson refused to criticize or take a parting shot at Las Vegas, a town he loves. He simply says that the offer from Branson was too good to pass up. He is class to the core.
"There is a changing entertainment scene in Las Vegas, and for whatever reason, there is no place anymore for some acts that may have thrived here in the past, and may one day thrive here again," Anderson said.
Anderson has appeared on a Strip stage -- and more than held his own -- with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Tony Curtis to George Burns to Tom Jones.
"I love Las Vegas, always have and always will," Anderson said. "I have had the time of my life performing here and I would never close the door on doing it again."
He first shared the Branson news at the VEGAS.com-sponsored CineVegas opening party Sunday night at Venus at The Venetian. His performance there, his last in Las Vegas for the foreseeable future, brought down the house.
Bit parts
Furious trading in goodies going on around some CineVegas screenings. When paying customers check in for the festival, they get a snazzy travel bag stuffed with gifts.
Everyone is trying to get extras of the zeppelin-shaped silver cocktail shakers with the CineVegas logo on them, and the accompanying martini glasses.
Women are trying to hoard the embroidered tank tops from the Talulah G boutique and the purple flip-flops.
Only bad part is that visitors are finding out how hot it really is in Las Vegas. Several people have left their gift bag in the trunk of their rental cars and returned to find everything covered in melted chocolate -- the result of some confections that were also inside.
Shhhha-Na-Aaa
The world may have heard the last of Sha-Na-Na frontman Jon "Bowzer" Bowman.
Against his doctor's orders, Bowman performed in "Bowzer's Ultimate Doo-Wop Party" at the Aladdin on Saturday night, despite warnings that he may never speak again if he did.
Before the show, which also featured such groups as Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Danny and the Juniors, The Crystals and The Fleetwoods, he told 4,000 people in the sold-out room that his voice was weak and he wouldn't be shouting so much. But he did sing, albeit quietly.
"I developed a long, horrible cough from a bad cold and it caused blood blisters to form on my vocal cords," Bowman whispered afterward. "If they broke, the doctors told me, I might never sing again and might lose my voice for the rest of my life."
Now he is on a two-week speaking ban, after which doctors will take another look.
Jay OK
Incumbent Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler dined at N9NE, the Palms steakhouse, a few times last week.
A barkeep asked him if he was worried that the team had signed Brian Griese, son of Miami legend and Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese.
"I ain't worried ... He's my backup," Fiedler said.
Balance
Maybe President George W. Bush can't stay upright riding a Segway, but several Strip performers have mastered it.
At the Riviera on Saturday night, Amazing Johnathan brought his new toy to a surprise party for Rich Bloch, his opening act. Those two took off zooming around the ballroom with Lance Burton and Penn Jillette.
Bloch's wife, Susan Low Bloch, also went for a spin. The occasional network television commentator is well known for her work heading the Constitutional Studies Center at the Georgetown School of Law.
VegasBits
Fortunate: Game show hostess Vanna White will be at Harrah's Carnival Court on Saturday afternoon to present a $100,000 prize to a sweepstakes winner. She'll also give away a trip to the "Wheel of Fortune" set and answer questions from fans ...
Tuned in: Fox's Alan Colmes now has a Vegas outlet. His nationally syndicated radio show made its local debut Monday at 7 p.m. on KNUU 970-AM (K-News) ...
Guest: Prana's Elizabeth An will attend the highly anticipated Vegas Magazine launch party next week with her pal, Wyclef Jean. Also, "The Green Mile" star Michael Clarke Duncan has RSVP'd ...
Rose: The rumor making the rounds at The Venetian is that Britney Spears will be one of the "Special Guest Performers" at a Rose Education Foundation benefit there at the end of the month ...
Name on the door: Yes, there is a real guy named Hamada. Jay Hamada presided over the ceremony opening the ninth Vegas eatery with his name on it the other night at The Rio. He also has a restaurant in Los Angeles ...
Ziggy: David Bowie starts his "A Reality" world tour Oct. 7 in Denmark. He is looking at a Vegas date around Christmas ...
Fireworks: Supermodel Molly Simms, who stars in NBC's new fall drama, "Las Vegas," will co-host the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. The special airs (KVBC Channel 3) July 4 (surprise!) at 9 p.m. and will also feature Kelly Clarkson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford and Reese Witherspoon ...
Backlash: Bleu, Blanc and Rouge, the fairly new and fairly empty French-themed eatery in Mandalay Bay, is about to get a name change, we hear. Top of the list is Red, White and Blue, and there'll be more American-style menu choices ...
Next Generation: McKenna Medley, the 16-year-old daughter of Righteous Brother Bill Medley, makes her solo performance debut at the Suncoast Showroom on June 27 for a weekend engagement. Expect the proud papa to join her for some duets.
From Sun wires
William Petersen, who stars in CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," married his longtime girlfriend during a weekend ceremony in Italy.
Petersen, 50, and former schoolteacher Gina Cirrone were married Saturday in Petrignano, Italy, his publicist said Monday.
The newlyweds, who live in Los Angeles, were honeymooning in Europe.
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