LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006 | 7:11 a.m.

You can see one of Las Vegas' most energetic and talented R&B artists this week for free at the Riviera, or you can attend international superstar Barbra Streisand's concert at the MGM Grand and spend as much as $1,000 for a VIP ticket.

Soulful and free

Julius, a versatile entertainer with one name but "a thousand voices," performs at corporate events as well as lounges. The St. Louis native puts so much energy into his performances you'll be sweating right along with him. He'll touch your soul with his R&B numbers, especially the tributes to Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendergrass, and groove along with smooth jazz. For good measure, he may throw in some country, pop, rock, Latin or hip-hop.

Julius was chosen Best Male R&B Performer by the Black Music Academy Association of America at the Las Vegas Sounds of Soul Music Awards last summer.

Over the years, he has performed with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Will Downing, Najee, Roy Ayres, The Temptations, George Duke, Chuck Mangione, Phyllis Hyman, Patti LaBelle, the Fattburger Band, Babyface and comedians Dennis Miller and Tommy Davidson.

Details: 5:30 until 8 tonight and Thursday ; Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre; free; 363-4771.

Top-tier ticket

Streisand commands one of the highest ticket prices of any performer in Las Vegas and doesn't seem to have a problem getting it.

She will make one of her rare appearances Saturday at the MGM Grand.

Her last one was for New Year's Eve 1999. Top price for Streisand's millennium show was $2,500. The concert sold out in five hours and was such a hot ticket that MGM added a second show the following day.

The Grand Garden Arena is her home. She was the first performer to play the 13,000-seat venue when it opened in 1993, another New Year's Eve event.

The highest-selling female recording artist in history, Streisand has accumulated 50 gold and 30 platinum albums. She has also received eight Grammy Awards, 10 Golden Globes and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement and Legend awards.

Streisand kicked off her entertainment career on Broadway with "I Can Get It for You Wholesale" in 1962. Her first album, "The Barbra Streisand Album," was released the following year. In 1964 Streisand began a two-year-long stint starring in the Broadway show "Funny Girl," and later starred in the motion picture.

Appearing with Streisand this weekend will be Il Divo, an international operatic pop vocal group.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday ; MGM Grand Garden Arena; $100 to $1,000; 891-1111.