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Double Down Interactive adds Texas Hold'em to virtual casino

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ICONS fun June 29, 2010 7:05 AM by Eileen Di Rocco
Looking for a fun, entertaining evening? Don’t want to spend $100-plus per ticket? Go see Greg London’s ICONS (pictured), which opened recently at the Mardi Gras Theatre in the Riviera Hotel. We went to the Saturday night show and had a foot tapping, hand clapping, laughing good time.

The show opens with the voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator instructing the audience on proper conduct and warning us to turn off our cell phones or "be terminated."

London comes onstage and quickly gets into character with a very believable Johnny Cash ("Ring of Fire," "Walk the Line"), followed by Joe Cocker ("Unchain My Heart") and Tom Jones ("Delilah").

Throughout the hour-long show we were entertained with at least 30 different impersonations covering a wide range of musical tastes, including Dean MartinLouis ArmstrongRod StewartTony BennettMacy GrayWillie Nelson and Julio Iglesias. (Willie and Julio actually performed a duet!) There was David BowieJim Morrison,Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osbourne and even Kermit the Frog.

In addition to showing us the versatility of his vocal talents, London also impressed us with his ability to play several musical instruments, including the trumpet.

He was ably backed up by Peter Supersano (keyboards) Chris Cook (drums), Barbara Leoni (guitar) and Danny Leoni (bass). He also has three lovely showgirls who can dance, sing, change costumes at an incredible rate, and even look cute in their ZZ Topbeards.

AROMA THERAPY? While walking toward the entrance of an off-Strip casino recently we were hit with the aroma of sandalwood (at least that’s what it smelled like to us) about 100 feet from the door. As we got closer the scent got stronger, and when we entered the casino it was almost overpowering. By the time we left, less than 30 minutes later, we had a splitting headache, which cleared up quickly in the fresh outdoor air.

Several employees, when asked, suggested the smell was being used to cover the odor of cigarette smoke.

While we’re all for getting rid of cigarette smells, we know a number of casinos who seem to manage the problem quite well without the use of added odors. Maybe a little less sandalwood and a little more fresh air would do the trick.

CUTTING EDGE: Harrah’s has always been a leader when it comes to new technology. A recent guest at one of their properties was asked by a floor manager if she and her spouse would like a drink. They replied yes and placed an order, which the manager quickly typed into an iPod touch. In just a few nano seconds the bartender on the other side of the casino had the request and mixed the drinks, which were promptly delivered by a cocktail waitress.

"Very cool," said the guest.

TOP NOTCH COLLECTION: If you like sports memorabilia, you need to make a stop at Las Vegas Club downtown where autographed items line the walls. Of course it doesn’t seem like there’s quite as much as when the late Mel Exber owned the casino, but there’s still plenty left.

Mel, a native of Brooklyn, New York, bought the place around 1961 and, with his partner Jackie Gaughan, turned it into one of the best joints in Las Vegas for the serious gambler to bet, no matter what game they were looking for.

But Mel’s first love was sports. He loved to bet sports; he loved to book sports; and he loved to collect anything related to sports. He then proudly displayed his prized possessions around the casino.

If you stop in today you will see some wonderful things, including a great picture ofEbbets Field, a seat from the old Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox until 1990, many autographed pictures and jerseys, and a one-of-a-kind collection of autographed World Series bats from 1946-1958.

See you around town.

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