John Katsilometes on the eclectic mix of comedians slated to perform at the second Comedy Festival

Friday, Sept. 29, 2006 | 7:31 a.m.

The second Comedy Festival announced a lineup that is truly laughable - in a good sort of way.

Dane Cook brings a special presentation of his "Tourgasm" show to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Nov. 17. Joining him will be Gary Gulman, Robert Kelly and Jay Davis.

Also announced Thursday were a live version of MTV's "Nick Cannon Presents Wild 'N Out"; radio star Tom Joyner's "Oh, Oh, Oh, Comedy Show" featuring Mike Epps, Mo'Nique, Damon Wayans and Katt Williams; self-proclaimed D-lister Kathy Griffin; Mario Cantone (late of "Sex and the City"); Dave Attell and Louis C.K.; an adults-only late-nighter hosted by the deceptively dark Bob Saget; the "Maxim Real Men of Comedy," starring Joe Rogan, Charlie Murphy and John Heffron; a special appearance by Don Rickles; and the Comedian Award presented to Chris Rock (that's the award that went to Jerry Seinfeld last year).

And for the first time, the Comedy Festival (or, TCF) will feature an interactive Festival Village, which will be positioned in Caesars Palace's outdoor Roman Plaza. The village will provide live entertainment, food, drink and stogies for each day of the festival (which runs Nov. 14-18 at Caesars Palace). Admission to the Festival Village is free. Serving as hosts are former "American Idol" contestant and Vegas native Mikalah Gordon and "Dateline: Hollywood" film critic Woody Wittman.

As previously announced, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams will host "Comic Relief 2006" on Nov. 18 at the Colosseum.

Tickets to the festival are offered in various packages and were to go on sale at 10 a.m. today at www.thecomedyfestival.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.vegas.com and by phone at (877) 823-3378 .

Notemart

The date for the Las Vegas Walk of Stars ceremony honoring Siegfried & Roy has been set: Tuesday, at the Mirage. The time is still being determined ...

The aspirations at the Stratosphere, which is planning for a Mirage- and Treasure Island-style extreme makeover, are as high as the tower itself.

To be open by the end of the year is the nightclub Poly Esthers, a 28,000-square-foot party haven that features '70s disco, '80s retro and '90s techno themes all in one venue. Poly Esthers will be built in the big open expanse just off the casino's sports book. Bob Watman, a principal in the Poly Esthers chain, is reportedly moving to Las Vegas to oversee the project. Also planned at the Strat is a circle bar (at the moment to be called the Circle Bar) that will resemble the Drop Bar at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. Circle Bar should be open by the end of November ...

Two notes about Wayne Newton (good friend): One is that his holiday show at Harrah's will run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 31 (prices are $86 and $113.50). The other is that he is the defending champion of Sun sister publication Las Vegas Weekly's NFL celebrity pick 'em contest and is off to a 6-3 start this season, tied with "Phantom: Las Vegas Spectacular" co-lead Anthony Crivello for first place ...

Still seeking strolling entertainers, the Fright Dome at Circus Circus has scheduled auditions for 5-8 p.m. today, 4-7 p.m. Saturday and 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Call 252-0382 for information, and be forewarned that any potential cast members will be drug-tested ...

Nicolas Cage has purchased a home in Las Vegas and has hired a hotshot interior decorator to give the manse a once-over, a project that is said to have cost Cage big bucks. Cage is also still pursuing a biopic on the life and times of Liberace (which is a development that some visitors to Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens, next to the Liberace Museum, claim has evoked the angry ghost of Liberace himself. But I digress.) ...

Great moment from the nuptials of Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith (of the Checkmates) and his new bride, Linda, celebrated Monday night at Montelago Village at Lake Las Vegas. After the couple exchanged vows, Sweet Louie seized the mike (not for the first time) and began introducing all of the celebrities and dignitaries in attendance (including Dennis Bono and Sweet Louie's performing partner, Sonny Charles).

After several minutes of this, Linda leaned over and whispered into Sweet Louie's ear.

He responded, "I know, baby. My feet are starting to hurt, too." ...

Hey-hey it's the ... artsy acoustic performance! Peter Tork, formerly of the Monkees, teams with longtime collaborator James Lee Stanley at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the "Acoustic Routes" series at the Highlight Office Center (2735 S. Highland). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door; www.acousticroutes.com ...

Reader reports the celebratory vanity plate 4TUN81 on a Toyota Highlander.

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