Frankie Tease Blog

FrankieTeaseFoto of Ness at Tropicana Vegas The Las Vegas Tropicana Resort & Casino has changed hands many times, but that hasn't slowed its popularity. Located at the intersections of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana, it holds one of the most densely populated hotel intersection corners in the world. It also holds many points of curiosity for Vintage Vegas lovers and new visitors alike. Since 1957 it has seen many famous films shot on-site including the ever popular Viva Las Vegas with Ann Margaret and Elvis Presley, and The Godfather II . It has never veered very far from its original Cuban theme, and has most recently been bought and remodel by Alex Yemenidjian's Armenco Holdings (2009).  The $165 Million South Beach style remodel was reported to be a three-phase job from 2009-2011. The remodel has brought a lot of changes including a lot more white. "It's all about the white" one clerk told me as I took photos of the new front desk. The count

Halloween Downtown Vegas Downtown Vegas will host the official parade Oct. 31, at 7pm, beginning with a costume contest and ending with the contest winner announcement. Celebrity judges involved include: Tony Heisch CEO of Zappos, who's recently moved the company's HQ downtown adding to its revival. Peepshow at Planet Hollywood Star Holly Madison announced her pregnancy with her fiance in the last month, causing an early end to her promised December exit of Peepshow. Interim star Angel Porrino is borrowed from Absinthe (Ceaser's Palace) until new star Nicole CoCo Austin known only as "Coco" will be put in place Dec. 3, 2012, and is signed through Mar. 2013. Ice-T has gone on record as saying "believe me, the show is going to be a lot sexier with Coco". Coco can be seen on her reality TV show "Ice-T Loves Coco". Manheim Steamroller at Venetian for First Ever Vegas Show If you didn't grow up with this music in your life for christma

Rita Rudner (58) Courtesy of lifeafter50.com  The longest running, most-successful one person comedy show in the history of Las Vegas is Rita Rudner. Having sold over 50 million tickets to her shows, she's doing something right. Creating believable, intrinsic, observational humor, Rita has entertained audiences in droves and shows no signs of slowing. Unlike a lot of comedians today, she hasn't come through SNL or Comedy Central. Crediting Woody Allen and Jack Benny as her inspirations, she has a biting wit and sarcasm spoken in a warm friendly tone. But Rudner didn't get her show biz start in comedy. Once a New York Broadway dancer, she saw how short-lived their careers were and made the move at age 25 to 'learning to talk'. She encourages people to be realistic and not always follow their dreams now. "Is your dream your nightmare? Be realistic" she quipped in a Conn TV interview. That's advice from a woman who has practiced what she's

Skyvue Observation Wheel to  Join Vegas Skyline  New Year of 2013 A Preview There is a new addition to the Las Vegas skyline making its way to completion very soon. The massive 40 car observation wheel and event center will sit at the South Vegas Strip end, at the intersection of Mandalay Bay Drive and Las Vegas Blvd. The groundbreaking ceremonies were held May 23, 2011, with a promise to see the wheel come to fruition in 18 months. The new structure will be on the East side of the  Las Vegas Strip, the same side as McCarran International Airport. In fact, the wheel may well be the first thing you see flying into Vegas now, perhaps in competition with its neighboring light beam into space coming from the Luxor. Other neighbors to Skyvue include Mandalay Bay, The Little Church of the West, The Las Vegas Sign, and the Luxor who can't be complaining about new business the big wheel in the sky will attract.  Taller than Mandalay Bay (that's tall!), the hanging G

With so many options of what to do for Halloween in Vegas, it pays to check out all the choices in advance (though a stroll through the Strip or Fremont St. will be endlessly entertaining). Here is a well-rounded list of a few 2012 choices, whether you're looking for adult, day, night, or family fun, you will find it in the town that never shuts down, on one of its favorite holidays. Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball (Joint at Hard Rock) "One of the top five events to attend before you die" Maxim Magazine. Featuring DJs: Bad Boy Bill, Head Hunterz and 12 others, and over 15 live fetish acts. 4455 Paradise Rd. http://www.halloweenball.com/ Sat. Oct. 27. 3rd Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade (Downtown) 2012 Contest Judges : Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos.com . Michelle Dell, owner of Hogs & Heifers , Pamela Jenkins, owner of The Cupcakery , Michael Cornthwaite, a downtown entrepreneur,Alexandra Epstein: Executive manager and vice president of market

I n 2012, Si Cranstoun came to Las Vegas and played the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender as his first ever U.S. gig. (It was love at first tune for both fans and band, and he's billed again for 2013). That's when I saw the wild audience response to the man and his band.  Is it possible to experience instant nostalgia for that which you have never heard?  Such was the case for me with Si Cranstoun (UK). His live show is like a recording of Doo Wop or Swing Music by Jackie Wilson, Nat King Cole, or at times the power vocals of Sammy Davis Jr.  Si Cranstoun  has just released his new album "Dance Halls & Supper Clubs, Limited Edition" (2012 Galley Music) featuring ten songs and two bonus tracks. What's fascinating about it is that Si is the Composer, Vocalist, and Producer [Engineered by Jon Radford and Si Cranstoun, Mastered by Guy Davie of Electric Mastering], and with all that autonomy, it still sounds amazing. His fifth album effort includ

Festivities kicked off at the back of the Monte Carlo property around 10 am, on Wednesday Oct. 10, 2012. Workers, press, and public were seen gathering to take in what was heralded as the Blue Man Group skydiving into the Monte Carlo (Las Vegas, Nevada). As I approached the area, everyone was focused on the plane circling above. Soon, five men had jumped from the plane and were air-born (three Blue Men and two auxiliary men), barely visible - just specs in the sky -they slowly descended toward land. As they came into view overhead they appeared to have an accelerate trail behind them. Red Bull parachutes became visible and one by one The Blue Men navigated through blue skies and low winds onto a huge plastic blue tarp on the cement acting as their landing area. It was short, and very ambitious. They arrived to great applause and moments after, they began posing for photos with Mayor Oscar Goodman and his showgirls, Co-Creators of the Blue Man Group: Chris Wick and Phil Stant

There is a small niche of Las Vegas Blvd. which visitors may not have heard about. It's called the Historic Cultural Corridor. It runs along Las Vegas Blvd. N, between Bonanza and Washington. Funny, because that's the part of the map I carved out to find out where the Neon Museum is located on my exploratory photo visit (though it's currently closed to visitors until Oct. 27). I ended up letting the GPS do the work. You can also just follow Las Vegas Blvd. heading north, and use signs to Cashman Center, or the Natural History Museum. You will see the large iconic sign boasting the new remodeled venue. The Neon Museum is in good company and belongs to a coalition dedicated to promoting and restoring this historic area of Las Vegas [ http://www.culturalcorridorvegas.org/  ]. The Neon Museum, though established in 1996, has been growing steadily in its procurement of signs and acreage. It's newer location includes the lobby building of the famous Las Vegas La Conc

"Vegas" photo by Kristine Jane You may have heard the legend about the Sheriff who squared off with the mob and kept order in the Wild West in Las Vegas. No? That's okay. You can pick up a TV telling of tales from the new show "Vegas" airing Tuesdays on Vegas Channel 8, 10/9c, or the next day via your computer on CBS.com . I've seen the pilot which was filmed in New Mexico, though the show's perma-set recreation of Fremont Street 1960 is located in Santa Clarita, California (the Valley). Due to the commitment to representing Old Vegas back in the day, filming in Vegas now just wouldn't work. It's too changed since 1960. There has been many a fascinating shows set in the city we love such as Vega$, The Defenders, C.S.I. Vegas. None have sought to tell the story of mob vs. law set in the historic surrounding that made this place famous around the world (glitzy gaming, shows, resorts, drinking). Vintage buffs will revel in the detail adde

Congratulations are in order to Organizers Charles Lee and Rob Lee who just pulled-off a well- attended brand new event in our fair city: Las Vegas Comic Expo (LVCE). The event spanned Saturday and Sunday Sept. 29 and 30, 2012 at the Riviera Hotel. The Expo held special guests (tons), lectures, a large exhibit floor with 11am book signings, an adult and childrens' cosplay contest, and continuous gaming, as well as lots of roving character models. It wasn't  as large as Comic-con in its inception, but it sure looks like it's going to be one of those Las Vegas favorites to stick around for years to come, and one that will grow on locals and visitors alike. Over 50 stars were on-hand for panels on comics, art, writing, and storytelling. The top-billed were Thomas Jane (Watchmen), and Tricia Helfner (Sexy #6 from Battlestar Galactica). The panels were star-studded with special guests sprinkled among the presenters. During the day announcements were made about each panel