The Movable Buffet: Dispatches from Las Vegas by Richard Abowitz

Mission accomplished for 'Star Trek' at the Hilton?

"HiltonStar Trek: The Experience"  has proven an enduring attraction at the Las Vegas Hilton. "The Experience" is also one of the few family-friendly entertainments left in Vegas.  It also is one that people will see again and again when visiting Vegas. When I was dragged there by a tourist friend, I watched him practice Klingon with one of the well-trained actors. "The Experience" also includes a museum, a very theatrical ride (revamped with new gizmos in 2004) and a bar. But like other franchises from last century, "Star Trek's" vision of the future is receding into the past. I have heard rumors that the Hilton has decided that the mission is accomplished and this geek haven will be closing for good at the end of the year. I reached out to the Hilton to find out if in fact it plans to close the "Star Trek" restaurant, bar, museum, ride and souvenir shop. I also wanted to know if it does close "Star Trek," what will become of the massive amount of floor space that becomes available to the casino.  In response, I got the noncommittal: "Their ["Star Trek: The Experience"] lease ends in December. Nothing to announce beyond that."

(Photo by Sarah Gerke)

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Barry Manilow Returns To the Top

It used to be that, except for Sinatra, being in Vegas meant your commercial recording career was over. That changed with the arrival of Elton and Celine. They still have hits. But it seems Barry Manilow, the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, has performed a career resurrection from a stage in Las Vegas. With the help of all the exposure provided by his gig at the Las Vegas Hilton, for the first time in nearly three decades, Manilow is now on top of the pop chart with his album "Greatest Songs of the Fifties."  Maybe, this will help him persuade his old colleague Bette Midler to open a show here.
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Barry and Regis

Did the apocalypse happen on Firday night? I hear Regis Philbin joined Barry Manilow (who is the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton) on stage to sing "Can't Smile Without You." 
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Few New Year's Eve Concerts

It will be slim pickings this New Year's Eve. Matchbox 20 (at the Hard Rock) and Goo Goo Dolls (at House of Blues) with the big show being Kanye West at the Aladdin. It looks like among the major venues in town who will have nothing going on December 31: Hilton Theatre, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, MGM Grand Garden Arena and The Mandalay Bay Events Center. December 31 is a Saturday night and so I am a bit surprised or maybe that is the issue (people might need more attractions to come here for a New Year's Eve that fell on a Tuesday). But it seems that New Year's Eve in Las Vegas--at least if it lands on a weekend---has become enough of a draw that casinos no longer feel the need to book a big name.
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