On January 28, 2000, Riviera announced that Bingo was returning to its gaming schedule on February 14, 2000. Just take the Mardi Gras Entertainment escalators up to the first landing and you're there!

After extensive remodeling, our program is set and our Bingo team is in place. You can now play Bingo seven days a week. We have four big sessions at 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm, and 8:30pm." -Harvey Puller, Bingo Manager

Also on January 28, 2000, a Las Vegas magazine announced the results of a poll of tourists for the Best Showgirls in Las Vegas and Crazy Girls won. Crazy Girls was presented with a Tourist Top Choice Winner Certificate, edging out Bally's Jubilee, and Stardust's Enter the Night.

Crazy Girls were interviewed by top Australian model-TV show host Marina Henchcliff for a 10-part TV series on Las Vegas showgirls to air in the United Kingdom.

The Riviera hosted Super Bowl XXXIV at the Royale Pavilion for $110. The Riviera offered a "Super Buffet" with open bars, wide screen TV's, autographed memorabilia and surprise commemorative gifts. Historically, the Riviera's Super Bowl Party ranks among the best anywhere in the State of Nevada according to football fanatics everywhere.

For the 2000 Super Bowl Party, people mingled with NFL greats Len Dawson, Don Maynard, Leroy Kelly, and Floyd Little. These gentlemen were on hand for autograph signing and just plain reminiscing. Former members of the Raiderettes, as well as the San Diego Charger Girls, complete with a marching band was also in attendance. A raffle also took place for valuable sports memorabilia including autographed helmets, jerseys and footballs.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, Len Dawson was Super Bowl IV's MVP. Dawson completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with one interception, as the Kansas City Chiefs upset the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings, 23-7.

Don Maynard helped lead the 1969 New York Jets to the Super Bowl where the Jets beat the Baltimore Colts 16-7 in what is still considered the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. Playing in three AFL All-Star games, Maynard was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Floyd Little became the first No. 1 draft pick ever signed by the Denver Broncos in 1967. A Pro Bowl participant in 1971, he also twice played in the AFL All-Star Game in 1968 and 1969. When Little retired in 1975, he was among the Top Ten all-time rushers in NFL history. He is one of the four original "Ring of Fame" inductees at Mile High Stadium and is the Broncos' all-time kickoff return leader, having racked up more than 2,500 yards.

Cleveland Browns' Leroy Kelly won NFL rushing titles in 1967 and 1968. He is a two-time punt return champion (1965 NFL, 1971 AFC). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

The grand opening gala for the new Splash was February 2, 2000.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, guests of Splash, I join with the Riviera in welcoming you to the anchor of the Riviera's multiple entertainment presentation.
We at Splash are proud to welcome you once again to an exciting, entertaining show. This is not an attempt to get an "Oscar" or an "Emmy." This is pure entertainment. We will have accomplished our desires if the patrons of our show go away with the feeling that they received more than what they bargained for.
The show features very high-energy, continuously breath-taking, and eye-pleasing dancing and specialty acts. Naturally and from its inception, water and ice have been introduced in conjunction with video bursts of legends of music and entertainment greats.
The addition of the Russian and American skaters with their elegant performance enhances the excitement already inherent in Splash.
The Gauchos, Richard Brothers and the full-time engagement of Undarmaa gives the show some breathing space between the very-high energy dancing clips.
The World's Record holders of "Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome" (often referred to as the globe of death) thrilling ending leaves you wanting to come back and feeling released of the high tension it projected.
In conclusion, I shall only quote the stream of favorable comments from customers all over! This is an elegant projection of a very classy show; dynamic and spectacular in nature yet glamorous and sensuous, appealing to all ages." - Meshulam Riklis, opening of Splash, February 2, 2000

In February, 2000, Frank Marino went to see David Cassidy and Sheena Easton in At The Copa showcasing at the Rio. Click here to read about the meeting.

On February 6, 2000, I had the opportunity to see Splash and what a fantastic show! Please see my description at My February 4, 2000 trip.

An all-star benefit for Lenny Souza, formerly the drummer of Stark Naked And The Car Thieves was held on March 12, 2000, in the Riviera's Le Bistro Lounge beginning at 4:00pm for a $15.00 donation. All monies donated went to Souza's family to help defray medical expenses. Not wanting to burden anyone with his problem, Souza has been secretly battling cancer for over three years.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Las Vegas was home to one of the hottest rock groups making the lounge scene. You could always find Stark Naked And The Car Thieves alternating between the International (Las Vegas Hilton), and the Flamingo. The band was offered long term contracts and soon became local favorites.

Souza was well known for his wild antics and endless energy on stage.

"He was an unbelievable showman and no one played harder or better. There was nothing that Leonard wouldn't do to make people laugh . . . nothing! The people absolutely loved him." - Les Silvey, one of Stark's founding members

In 1971, the band decided to travel. Leonard decided to settle in Vegas with his wife, Marie, and raise their family. Although he never quit playing the drums, bartending became his new profession. From the Hilton to the famous Brewery Disco to Buffalo Bills to most recently New York New York, Souza has brought the house down time and time again with his "two drink shakers" routine, playing everything from the tables to the floor.

As the months have gone by, the chemotherapy and alternative medicines offered have wiped out the family resources. The family needed to ask friends, fans and the public for any assistance possible.

"I promise you an afternoon you'll never forget. We start at 4:00pm and go until the last act plays. Already we have Freddie Bell, Wild Willy Parsons, Bernie Allen, Susan McDonald, Debi Gutierrez, and The Don Rose Classic Show Band. Ex-members of Stark Naked will be on hand. I know that Lenny and the Souza family thank you from the bottom of their hearts." - Steve Schirripa, Entertainment Director

The following additional celebrities appeared: Sonny Turner, Kip Addotta, Breck Wall, Jim LeBoeff, and John Padon.

It's blackjack as usual, but with a twist. Riviera announced the Strip's debut of its newest table game, "Push Your Luck." Invented by gambling raconteur George Long, "Push Your Luck" was the only table game to win Casino Journal's "Most Innovative Product." (Push Your Luck" is a registered trademark of Long Games of Florida). Making its appearance for the first time on February 29, 2000, people were already lining up to try this new way to play an old favorite game.

"Basically, it's regular black with an optional tie bet. You play blackjack as usual, but collect on ties with side bets.
When you split hands and tie two hands, each hand pays 20 to 1; tie three hands, each hand pays 50 to one; and when there is a tie of four hands, each hand pays 500 to 1. In other words, a $5 side bet, which is the maximum bet allowed, on drawing a tie with the dealer, pays $50 while the regular bet is a Push. A jackpot payout of $20,000 can result from a multiple tie on split hands. A whole new strategy for playing blackjack can result from this new game." - Mickey Falba, Vice President of Casino Operations

In March of 2000, counterfeit reproductions of the Crazy Girls statue were found on the auction site Ebay.

Sculptor Michael Conine bought one of the miniature statues for $2 or $3 after seeing it on Ebay. Conine was browsing through Ebay when he uncovered the illicit key rings and searches Ebay weekly to check for other Crazy Girls paraphernalia:

"It depicted a Crazy Girls sculpture by Michael Conine. I said, 'How did you know who did this?' He said he read it in a magazine from Las Vegas. He said, 'A friend gave me several of them.' It was a guy in Florida. It's a mechanically reproduced key ring. The lettering is reproduced well but the hands and butts are distorted in that small a scale. I thought they were behind this idea and made this trinket. It was stamped on the back Made In China. I saw another one for sale on Ebay from New York. It was identical to this one. The person I bought mine from said they were bought in Las Vegas. It's strange that someone is counterfeiting the sculpture I did.
Someone could have even done it from a picture of the famous bronze statue. I bought a $5 Crazy Girls on Ebay. You have to pay to list the item so there isn't much of a profit but it is interesting that they keep popping up on the world's most popular auction website." - Michael Conine, Sculptor of the Crazy Girls bronze statue

On March 18, 2000, Riviera hosted Women's Summit 2000. Nearly 50 speakers and panelists including business leaders, financial advisers, elected officials, victims of domestic violence, and approximately 300 women participated.

Carole Montgomery of Crazy Girls at the Riviera Hotel & Casino hosted Expedition 2000 a Dutch Oven Cookoff & Fundraiser to help raise funds for breast cancer awareness, on March 25, 2000, from noon to 5:00pm, at The Arts Factory and Cricket Studio. The monies benefited the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and the Breast Cancer Coalition of Nevada. The donation was $3 at the door or for $20 patrons enjoy some great cooking. There was a raffle, an art auction and informational booths.

"My Mom died of breast cancer so this cause strikes very close to home. My friend Dar Freeland who is also an artist ran the Expedition 2000 and that's how I became involved. Expedition 2000 is a trail ride by horseback and mules across some of the most beautiful wilderness in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. The expedition will depart from Naco, Mexico. Trail boss and Expedition 2000 Founder George Stephen III will be taking breast cancer survivors on this ancient trail to assist them in launching the rest of their lives, as well as inspiring the rest of us, and raising funds." - Carole Montgomery

On March 21, 2000, the Crazy Girls arrived at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to participate in CART Driving 101 - The Official Driving Experience of Championship Auto Racing Teams. Driving 101 gives race enthusiasts the opportunity to be buckled in behind the wheel of a full-sized, open wheel, purpose built Champ car tested at speeds of up to 200mph. Driving 101 is a state-of-the art race car driving school for anyone 18 or older with a driver's license.

Vanessa O'Brian drove the fastest by hitting a speed of 146mph edging out Karen Raider who went 145mph while Marla Gomes from laid-back Hawaii drove a cool 95mph.

Winner Vanessa O'Brian

In March of 2000, Brian Snow of Anchorage, Alaska parlayed $60 in a Ten Times Pay reel slot machine into a cool $40,000.

"I plan on buying my girlfriend something extra nice! I love this place. I love playing at the Riviera" - Brian Snow

Also in March 23, 2000, Jimmy Emerson who plays in An Evening with La Cage with comic relief as Madonna's Bigger Sister and Tammy Spraynet left the show to play Roseanne and Carmen Miranda in an impersonation show called "The Follies" in Brazil. He returned on April 3, 2000.

In March of 2000, Riviera was once again an actress when she starred in the filming of 3000 Miles to Graceland, starring Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, Christian Slater, David Arquette and his wife Courtney Cox Arquette.

3000 Miles started off with the stars pulling off a casino cage heist at the Riviera amidst an Elvis Presley Convention. After a bloody gun battle, they escape on the Riviera's roof to a waiting helicopter. The plot centered around the adventures that follow the pursuit of the bad guys across the country.

"The Riviera was chosen over many other hotels because it had 'the retro-look' the director (Demien Lichtensten) wanted. Neon flashing everywhere, motion and casino sounds added to the feel achieved during the five nights of filming.
The Riv is known internationally to be 'Hollywood-friendly." In fact, when word got out who was going to be here, fans waited hours for the arrivals of the stars. For those that stayed up at 3 and 6:00am, they could have played black jack with Kevin Costner or roulette with David Arquette between takes, both in their Elvis attire.
In a closing ceremony on the final morning, Lichtenstein presented a "purple heart" engraved with "for beyond the call of duty, from 3MFG" to David Arquette, and three crew members for having sustained shrapnel wounds during a scene filmed two nights prior. The company has now moved to Vancouver to complete the picture." - John Neeland, Riviera publicist

On April 14, 2000, the members of Splash visited "Child Haven" to bring a little early Easter Holiday cheer to the youngsters residing there. They provided some entertainment and presented additional donations made by the Riviera to the residents. Child Haven provides temporary shelter and treatment for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. The children range in age from three days to 18 years. Clark County supplies the buildings, food and utilities. For all other operational necessities such as furniture, clothing, dishes, books, toys, playground equipment, etc., Child Haven is entirely dependent on donations. FOX 5's "Take Five for Kids" also delivered diapers, baby food, formula, clothes, toiletries, candy, toys and other gifts gathered during the months of March and April.

From Sunday, May 28, 2000, through Sunday, September 3, 2000, there was one special 7:30pm covered show to allow everyone travelling with children during the summer season to experience Splash. These Sunday only shows were for children as young as five years old to attend. All other performances were topless.

In April of 2000, Kim Barranco returned to Crazy Girls. Barranco is a native of Florida and now lives in Green Valley. She is also one of the immortalized Crazy Girls (the middle woman) in the "No, Ifs ands or..." bronze statue anchored to the front of the Riviera. She is also a fitness trainer and instructor at The Sporting House on Industrial Road.

"We'd like to put a couple of new numbers in the show and hire a couple of new Crazy Girls. We want to keep the dancing really clean and tight. Everything is the same as when I left one year ago." - Kim Barranco

On April 11, 2000, Prince Albert and his entourage went to the Riviera to see Crazy Girls. Prince Albert was so taken with them he treated them to a night of dancing on the town where the girls enjoyed an evening of riding in a limousine and champagne into the wee hours.

Four of the Crazy Girls joined Prince Albert for a night out. Stacey Shea, Marla Gomes, Vanessa O'Brian and Andrea Guevara went to Drai's for after the shows.

"We hung out at the VIP bar at a local nightclub. We danced, had cocktails and had lots of fun. We had a great time and were there until about 4 in the morning. We turned lots of heads because we're local celebrities. He invited the `Crazy Girls' to go to Monaco and he would host us there. He loved the `Crazy Girls' show. He had a really nice time. He's very down-to-Earth. You wouldn't think he was the Prince of Monaco. We drank Greyhounds." - Stacey Shea

"We danced the night away into the wee hours of the morning. I don't think there was a minute that we weren't dancing. Afterwards we were invited back to his villa at the hotel but we all declined. He had an entourage. Hanging out with the Prince of Monaco didn't seem to be any different then spending a night out with the `Crazy Girls.' Some people were trying to figure out who we all were." - Vanessa O'Brian

"It was a once in a lifetime experience. He was very humble for a prince. My plan is to go to Monaco on our Christmas break in December and visit him. I couldn't believe he was so nice and down-to-earth. It was a fantastic night for us all. He came to get us in a limousine and that's when the party began. After dinner we all danced for hours. The fun was nonstop and we all made it home before daybreak." - Marla Gomes

On April 28, 2000, Riviera announced that patrons ordering from the catalogue will receive a free deck of Riviera cards with a minimum purchase of $20, and cards and logo dice with any order of $40 or more. Get it while the promotion lasts!

Also in April of 2000, Carole Montgomery of "Crazy Girls" was elected Second Vice-President of the Parents & Teachers Association (PTA) at her son's school in Spring Valley.

"My eight-year-old son Layne Montgomery is in the third grade at the school and I've always been an involved parent with him as a room mother. Now I've joined the PTA, which has about 150 to 200 members and I'm very active as an officer in the organization. We meet and work on projects after school two or three times a week. This particular PTA group has only been in existence for four or five years so it is relatively new and there is a lot of work to be done."
As a room mother I'm very active grading spelling tests and doing things like that. As second vice-president of the PTA I'm in charge of public relations for our chapter. Some of my duties include things like bake sales to raise money for projects that we elect to take on.
The members all know that I'm a comedian in `Las Vegas' Sexiest Topless Revue' and work with showgirls who were recently once again voted `Best Showgirls' in the Tourists' Top Choice Awards of Entertainment Today magazine. Some of the parents have been in to see the show and I assure you they think that it's great that I have a career at night and help them by day. After all this is Las Vegas. When it comes to being a mom by day I'm as normal as you can get."
My husband is my ideal man. My biggest accomplishments are having my son Layne, appearing in "Crazy Girls," performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival and being on `Oprah.'" My main goal in life is to produce and write television shows. My favorite actors are Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks. My favorite musical band is AC/DC." - Carole Montgomery

In May of 2000, Frank Marino, star of La Cage since September 18, 1985, signed a 10 year, $10 million contract to continue his run in La Cage, which will allow him to keep his title as "Queen of Las Vegas" for at least another decade. Marino claims even as a small child growing up in New York, he had always known he'd become a star. What he didn't realize is he'd have to be dressed up as comedienne Joan Rivers, draped in Bob Mackie gowns to do so.

"Climbing the ladder of success was even harder wearing high heels." - Frank Marino

On June 2, 2000, Crazy Girls was featured on Mike Walker's National Enquirer for their racing on March 21, 2000 described above.

From June 16, to 20, 2000, Riviera presented its Spin For the Gold Million Dollar Slot Tournament. The odds were one in 800 that a person could be a millionaire. A maximum of 800 entrants were allowed to participate. The person with the highest overall combined score from all three days was the first place winner and the winner of the guaranteed $1 million. This amount was payable in equal annual installments over the next 20 years. The daily prize structure, based on 1,000 total entries, but may have been adjusted to the actual number of entries is: 1st - $15,000; 2nd - $10,00000, 3rd - $5,000; 4th - $3,000; 5th - $2,000; 6th-12th - $1,000; 13th-30th - $500; 31st-60th - $300; 61st-100th - $200, and 101st-400th - $100.

On June 17, 2000, Lon Bronson All-Star R&B; Rock & Soul Revue celebrated its 10th Anniversary at the Riviera with a special party beginning at midnight in the resort's Le Bistro Lounge. The celebration included free T-shirts for everyone in the audience, and a birthday cake, (there was a two drink minimum).

Lon Bronson All-Star R&B; Rock & Soul Revue won critical acclaim from musicians and non-musicians alike. Amongst the band members, the "all-star" Vegas ensemble backed up such stars as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, David Cassidy, Celine Dion, The Four Tops, Elton John, and The Temptations to name a few.

Having resided in Las Vegas since 1985, Bronson was born and raised in Keene, New Hampshire. Taking up the trumpet at the age of 10, he found himself winning many awards for musical achievement, including first chair trumpet in the All State and All New England orchestras. In 1977, he entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston on scholarship, where, during the next four years, he studied with many musical legends before graduating with a Bachelor of Music cum laude, in 1981. For the next few years, he toured the United States and Canada.

In 1994, Bronson became House Orchestra Leader for the Riviera. In 1995, he joined the faculty of the prestigious music department at UNLV. He is also a professor at Las Vegas Community College.

During the week of June 12, 2000, Riviera announced that the Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome would attempt the incredible five motorcycles racing at 40-plus miles-per-hour within a 14'13" diameter cage of metal mesh during the 7:30pm performance of Splash.

Tabak announced the names of those who were attempting this death-defying stunt with him. Tabak were joined by the father and son team of Humberto Fonseca and Humberto Fonseca, Jr., as well as Gary Laurent and Rob Swarez. Click Here for a brief history of these dare-devils.

"We are going to do what we believe has never been done before." - Bela Tabak, third generation globe rider and leader of the group.

Originally, the show's motorcycle-stunt routine consisted of two motorcycles inside an 18-foot diameter ball of metal mesh, with Tabak's father riding one of the bikes. With training, experience, technology and practice, they added a third bike in the late 1980s; and then, a couple of years later split the globe for the first time ever -- While the riders circle the upper two-thirds of the chamber, the lower one-third of the structure drops. The space between the top and bottom sections creating the potential for their bikes literally to fly out of the steel structure. Today, the routine is performed daily in Splash with four motorcycles racing about the inside the globe.

Tabak and his team appeared two years ago on the NBC special, Death Defying Thrills in which they performed their four-man, daredevil motorcycle stunts with Tabak's wife standing in the middle of the globe.

The globe, the seventh for Tabak's team, is fashioned from four tons of cold steel, machine-rolled and then hand-assembled by the riders themselves into a perfect sphere. The inner walls of metal mesh is constantly polished.

Their bikes, Yamaha RT 100s (innocently enough, kid's training cycles), have been retrofitted with five-cross Harley Davidson spokes, 750 Nighthawk-style shocks, unidirectional tires and custom dual suspension and gearing. They are awesome machines that cannot be categorized as either dirt or street bikes.

These bikes are the hardware the dare-devils would propel to speeds as high as 43mph, pulling several G's, riding the rims of their tires as they thunder about the globe flexing the stage floor below them, with nothing more than nylon-mesh leathers between them and the steel.

The tickets for this very special show were $50 for adults and $22.80 for children ages 5 to 15 (children under the age of 5 will not be allowed to the show).

Fonsecas and Swarez were the first to take off and as Swarez explained, the start is crucial. It must be precise because there are four other riders in the globe and one slip could end in fatality. It will be the older Fonseca's job to make sure that everything goes smooth in the top of the globe and in particular, to control the position and relative spacing of the top riders. With each member of the team having his own particular riding style, this would be quite a challenge for Fonseca. While Laurent and his styles are all about safety, they share space in the globe with Fonseca, Jr., who has a crazy and outgoing but safe and ever mindful riding technique; Tabak who is an aggressive (he describes it as "agro ego") full-out rider; and Swarez who brings fun and artistry combined with action to the sphere. "This is most critical when a bottom rider comes up to the top," says Fonseca while describing the next phase of the ride where a rider pops up into a space between the bikes already racing about the upper hemisphere of the globe.

It is when they all return to the base of the sphere, however, that is the moment of greatest risk. Not only do they have to fit five bikes into the bottom of their 14'3" diameter globe, but also they have to bring them to a complete stop within a few feet from speeds as high as 43mph; passing within inches of another bike.

"We are going to do what has never been done before!" - Bela Tabak

In May of 2000, Jonathan Nelson completed his basic Emergency Medical Training course at Community College working toward a degree in Fire Science. Manager/Lifeguard Nelson had no idea he would have to put into use what he had just learned in class. From Calgary, in town for a pool tournament, Norman Doucette, suffered a massive heart attack poolside. Nelson jumped into action with mouth to mouth resuscitation. Assisted by his staff, Nelson was able to revive Doucette until the paramedics arrived.

I couldn't have done it without my staff. This is the first person I've ever given first aid to." - Jonathan Nelson

Karen, Doucette's spouse, flew into Las Vegas after the incident.

"Norman is extremely lucky to be alive. If he had been alone, he wouldn't have survived. Jonathan is a hero. He's such a sweet, sweet kid." - Karen Doucette

To show the resort's appreciation, Chairman of the Board and CEO William Westerman presented Nelson a Letter of Commendation. Nelson insisted all who helped be a part of the honor.

On July 2, 2000, before a packed-to-capacity crowd, Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome accomplished the incredible: five motorcycles racing at 40+ mph within a 14'3" diameter cage of metal mesh during the 7:30pm performance of Splash.

The pulse of a primordial drum beat echoed throughout the room, the air thick with anticipation as the revving of motorcycle engines became perceptible over the ever-intensifying music and dance. Entering the glob one after another, Tabak and his team performed that which was mere fantasy a little over a decade ago. The Fonsecas and Swarez were the first to take off, swinging into the upper third of the globe with flawless precision. All of them aware that with the two other bikes still parked in the center of the sphere one slip could end in death. With three bikes racing against gravity in the globe above them, Tabak and Laurent began their spin as low as possible - which also meant within the smallest circumference possible in the bottom of the globe.

The Fonsecas and Swarez opened up the gap and Tabak slowly rose into a space between the bikes racing about the upper hemisphere of the globe. Criss-crossing in chaotic rage, coming within inches of each other in every direction, bikes to the right, left, above and below.

On July 23, 2000, the Splash dancers performed to the shrill screams and wild applause of some of the hottest young dancers in America. Ranging from 15 to 20 years old, 24 members of Dance Olympus' VIP Program spent the evening at Splash as part of their Summer Tour 2000.

Olympus was the leader in the field of dance education in the United States and Canada for over 35 years. Beyond conducting dance conventions and competitions in major cities through the country, Olympus also provided students of small town dance studios with the chance to meet and train with the greats in the dance field. Through their Olympus VIP Program, advance students of dance age 15 and older spend their summer traveling around the country. This tour offered students who may not yet be ready to make the move to New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas, the invaluable opportunity to train on a daily basis with leading dance masters while taking in dance performances and meeting professional dancers around the nation.

From August 11-13, 2000, Riviera hosted the Arena Darts, the pro game, mass TV sport of the United Kingdom via the prestigious Accudart North American Open Darts Tournament.

On August 27, 2000, Rik' Shaw closed permanently making way for its conversion to a very upscale lounge, and on August 31, 2000, bingo was cancelled.

In August of 2000, Donovan Louis of The Thunder Down Under and Scott Kinworthy of the Blue Man Group was in the audience of An Evening with La Cage. They posed for pictures with La Cage star Frank Marino which can be found on his page.

Also in August, 2000, Rayma Alfred joined Crazy Girls.

On August 4, 2000, Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome set a world record riding five motorcycles racing at 40-plus miles per hour within a 14' 3" diameter cage of metal mesh with a very brave woman, Robin Soli-Tabak (wife of Bela Tabak), standing in the middle. Certified by Guinness World Records, their record setting ride was aired that evening on "Guinness World Records: Primetime.

Across the U.S., as 4.4 million viewers sat on the edge of their seats, the Fonsecas and Kunz opened up the gap and Soli-Tabak slowly rose into a space between the bikes racing about the upper hemisphere of the globe. Criss-crossing in chaotic rage, coming within inches of each other with Soli-Tabak standing as still as a statue with her arms extended far above her head, they rode into history.

From Sept. 4, 2000, and every Monday night throughout the football season Riviera hosted its Monday Night Football Parties in the Le Bistro Lounge. On September 4th the Bud Girls appeared with free giveaways throughout the game.

"Again, we will be offering our Bud and Bud Light drafts for a dollar, as well as nachos and hot dogs for a buck each too." - Todd Wingate, Event Coordinator

Riviera once again got that acting bug when in September of 2000, she had a role in the TV series Huntress.

September also marked the 15th anniversary of An Evening At La Cage. Rock N' Roll icon Monti Rock III was the official host of the evening. Rock met and greeted the general public as well as celebrities and media that were invited for the special occasion. Rock was the DJ in Saturday Night Fever. A private party in the Riviera's Ristorante Italiano was held after the performance. This picture is Riviera publicist John Neeland with Frank Marino at the party.

Click Here for pictures from the party. Depicted are LV SUN Society Columnist Elizabeth Foyt, writer Norm Johnson, Sahara Marketing Director Jackie Brett, and Vegas Visitor Advertising Manager, Mel Carter, Vegas Visitor; Aki who is the former star of "Enter the Night" at the Stardust. She is now choreographing some numbers for the new Crazy Girls version with George Staresinic, Director of Advertising for Riviera; Norbert Aleman, George Staresinic, and John Mommoth, the lawyer who handled the Binion murder case; Monti Rock III and George Staresinic; cast surrounds veteran columnist Sig Sakowicz; and Larry Edwards as Tina Turner with Publicity Manager John Neeland, and publisher/owner of Las Vegas Style, Phil Hevner.

Please click here to see my page to Frank Marino

Riviera also introduced "Quick Pick 7" in 2000. Each customer received up to one scratch card per day. Drawings were held every day inside Nickel Town from 10:00am-10:00pm with one drawing every two hours. Seven numbers from 1-40 are drawn. The prizes matched all seven numbers - $100,000; and six of seven numbers - $1,000. Even if zero numbers matched the scratch card was still a winner. Numbers were posted for two hours until the next drawing. The 10:00pm numbers were posted until 11:00pm. Prizes must be claimed while the matching numbers are displayed.

Crazy Girls was featured on The Travel Channel's "Conde Nast Traveler Magazine All Stars Special" on September 21, 2000. Ann Fairbain, the newest Crazy Girl gave an exclusive interview after her first night on the job. The highly trained dancer from Worcestershire, Massachusetts, had just danced in her first two topless shows of her life and did a midnight interview from the Crazy Girls dressing room. Vanessa O'Brien also spoke of her first year in Crazy Girls, laughing and talking about what the Crazy Girls do after midnight.

Crazy Girls celebrated its 13 year at the Riviera in September 2000. Click Here to read about the history/characters of the show.

In the fall of 2000, Riv hosted her Celebrity Blackjack and Slots Tournaments. In this group picture is Ruth Buzzi, Pat Morita, Jimmy "Dyn-O-Mite" Walker, Kevin Klein, and Johnny Dark.

In September of 2000, it was announced that the A&E; Network will be doing a biography on one of the Crazy Girls.

We are trying to choose between two of the Crazy Girls for a 12-minute segment and that means at least seven hours of filming. Following the girls, day and night, will be a tough assignment. This special also highlights the nightlife of Las Vegas, the most exciting city in the world. We also would like to include the producer in this piece we are planning. A&E; is the most respected arts channel on cable and airs internationally. This show profiling a handful of people who work in Las Vegas will air about 50 times over the next five to eight years. Crazy Girls also has been around a while and that's one of the reasons we liked it too." - A&E; Network

In Nov. & Dec., 2000, and Jan. 2001, Riviera honored travel agents by offering the special rate of $9.99 per room per night Sunday-Thursday, and $19.99 Friday & Saturday, single or double occupancy, to reward them for assisting the Riviera in achieving another year of impressive occupancy levels. The offer also included a complimentary show in any of the Mardi Gras Plaza showrooms. All registered travel agencies holding IATAN or IATA cards were eligible. The dates were Nov. 16-22, 26-29, Dec. 3-7, 10-23, and Jan. 2001 1-4, 9-23, 28-31.

In 2000, the Royale Pavilion showcased Air Supply, America, The Belmonts & The Dovells, Danny & the Juniors, Joey Dee & the Starlighters plus Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners, The Duprees, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, Stan Mark and His Sin Sity Suitz, Susan McDonald, Tony Ocean, Tony Orlando (10/13-14/00), Person 2 Person, Pete and Lisa, The Don Rose Classic Show Band, Spiral Starecase, Touch of Silk, Bobby Vee's Solid Gold Rock n' Roll Show with Shirley Alston (formerly of the Shirelles), Bobby Vinton, and Dionne Warwick.
The La Cage Theater, which changed its name to Mardi Gras Plaza, showcased the Count Basie Orchestra.
The Top of the Riv showcased Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling (10/20-21/00), D.L. Hughley, Rich Little, Tommy Chong & Bobcat Goldthwait (9/1-3/00). Click here to see a picture of our own contact person for the Riviera, John Neeland with Bobcat Goldthwait.
"Tribute to Elvis" appeared every Sat. and Sun. night in the Le Bistro Lounge from 4:00 to 7:30pm, and Lon Bronson's All-Star R&B;, Rock & Soul Revue. (There was no coverage charge but there was a one drink minimum).
Every Monday was jazz night with Jimmy Wilkins Big Band, Don Menza Big Band, and The Four Tenors w/a Tribute to Stan Getz.
The Riviera Comedy Club showcased David Acer, Kip Addotta with Dan Grueter and Johnny Sanchez (9/4-10/00), Bruce Baum, Joey Bielaski, Lois Bromfield, Ed Byrne, John Caponera with Daniel Tosh, & Mike Marino (10/16-22), Lenny Clarke with Ted Alexandro & Marty Rackham (10/30-11/5), Mac Clever, Sean Corvelle, Johnny Dark with Stanley Ullman and Don Learned (11/20-26), Jim Dunn, Willie Farrell, Rich Hall (9/18-24), Dan Horn with John Bizzare, & Vinnie Coppola (10/9-15), Clinton Jackson, KXTE's Xxxtreme comedians Mike B, Billy Gardell, & Bobby Lee, Barry Julian, Don Learned & Richard Carter, (10/23-10/29), Joe Rogan (10/27-28), Cathy Ladman with Doug Starks & Sean Corvelle (11/6-1/12), Dean Lewis, John Manfellotii, David John McCarthy, Steve McGrew (12/4-10), John Melichar (11/24-25); John Mendoza, O'Brien & Valdez, John Padon (9/25-10/2), Harris Peet, Jackson Perdue Emo Philips, David Raibon, Nicole Robinson, John Rogers, Kenny Rogerson, Al Romero, Mike Saccone, hypnotist Frank Santos (9/29-30), Rob Sherwood, Tom Simmons, Hal Spear, "Happy Hypnotist" Mark Sweet, Lisa Sundstedt, "Ted", TREE, Stanley Ullman, Gary Valentine, Steve Valentine, and Dan Villapando.

Kip Addotta apprenticed under Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Redd Foxx. At a time when even Johnny Carson stopped in the clubs to do guest sets, Addotta had the experience of watching these masters work the same stage he would take later in the evening.

Addotta headlined most major comedy clubs in the United States and appeared on every major talk show including more than 30 guest shots on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. He was a series regular on the comedy game show Make Me Laugh, hosted Playboy Channel's Everything Goes, appeared in A&E;'s Harry and the Hendersons, and was a regular performer on Fox's Comic Strip Live. Addotta also created original comedy material with original music which has resulted in two MTV videos, four albums, and four novelty hits: Life in the Slow Lane (which featured a spread in People magazine), The Big Cock Roach, Wet Dream, and a cult classic I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus. Also appearing with Addotta were BT, Mitchell Walters and Wall Wang.

"I've seen the comedy business made into fast food. It's just bland. The material stays the same; the faces change. I find it most satisfying to write a line nobody else does, but I'm in a minority. There aren't more comedians out there than there ever were, despite what some people say. There are only more people claiming to be comedians!" - Kip Addotta

Another Riviera favorite was Johnny Dark (Koletes). Dark's credits included Growing Pains; Running in the Halls; Just the Ten of Us; The Tonight Show; Late Night with David Letterman; The Merv Griffin Show; L.A. Law; Equal Justice; Silk Stalkings; Superior Court; Point Man; Touched by an Angel; Stand Up, Stand Up; Caroline's Comedy Club; and John Byner's Comedy on the Road. Dark stars with Ullman whose credits include Golden Girls; Funniest Person in America; Comic Strip Live; The New Comedians; Julio Iglesias Midnight Lady video, and as "the doctor" in The Guiding Light. Co-star Learned has opened for Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, David Brenner, Englebert Humperdinck, and Sam Kinison.

John Melichar warmed up live audiences for the TV shows Frasier, Married with Children, and Unhappily Ever After. He also appeared in Beyond Believe, The Twilight Zone, Ask Harriet, The Good Doctor, the Paul Fleiss Story, and Deep Family Secrets.

Nov. 11-15, 2000, Riviera showcased Crazy Girls Fantasy Revue with adult film stars Adara Michaels, Midori, Sydnee Steele, Devinn Lane, Julia Ann Tavella, and Chloe.

On Dec. 12, 2000, Royale Pavilion celebrated Christmas by presenting Colors of Christmas with Peabo Bryson, Bill Medley, Marilyn McCoo & Roberta Flack. This show featured a full orchestra and a Gospel Choir.

Peabo Bryson's career has spanned close to 18 years including his 1991's release of Can You Stop The Rain on Columbia Records. Born in Greenville, S. Carolina, Bryson was exposed to music at an early age, since his family members were ardent concert-goers. During his teenage years, he began singing with local bands, working the now famous "chitin' circuit". In 1992, Bryson became the first artist in history to have separate records on top of four different charts: A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme), a duet with Regina Belle, topped the Pop and Adult Contemporary charts and garnered two 1993 Grammy Awards; The King and I featuring We Kiss In A Shadow, a duet with Tony winner Lea Salonga, became No. 1 on the Classical Crossover charts (remaining on that chart for over a year); and Kenny G's multi-platinum Breathless featuring By The Time The Night Is Over with Bryson on vocals topped the Contemporary Jazz charts and enjoyed a three-month run as a hit single. Bryson also teamed up with Epic artist Celine Dion in 1992 to record the theme for the top-grossing Disney film Beauty And The Beast.

Roberta Flack's debut album included the hit The First Time I Saw Your Face which won her Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year at the 1973 Grammy Awards. Flack's other hits included Killing Me Softly, and Where Is The Love, with Donny Hathaway. Flack performed for President Bush at the Kennedy Center, and traveled to South Africa and performed for President Nelson Mandela. In 1999, Flack received her star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Bill Medley is best known as a member of The Righteous Brothers with such hits as You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', You're My Soul and Inspiration, and Unchained Melody. In 1987, his duet with Jennifer Warnes I've Had The Time Of My Life, the theme from the hit film Dirty Dancing won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Song From A Film. Medley has contributed music to movies Major League, Rambo III, Cobra, and The Last Boy Scout.

Marilyn McCoo, whose combined record sales as a solo performer, a member of The 5th Dimension, and part of a duo with husband Billy Davis, Jr., ranks her among the top 10 Black female vocalists of the rock era. McCoo has won a total of eight Grammys. When she sang with The 5th Dimension, the group won six Grammys and with Davis she won Best R&B; Vocal Performance By A Duo for You Don't Have To Be A Star.

Recently McCoo starred as Julie in the Broadway revival of Showboat directed by Hal Prince. Early in 1999, she united with her husband and toured with the production Hit Me With A Hot Note - The Duke Ellington Song Book.

Riviera celebrated the holiday season with management serving employees their holiday meal. Tips were matched by the company and a total of $5,500 was presented to the Marine's Toys For Tots charity. Click here to see a picture of Riviera's publicity manager John Neeland, Chairman of the Board and CEO William Westerman, and Senior Vice President of Operations Robert Nickels ready to start serving; Marines accepting the check from Westerman; and employees being served.

For New Year's Eve, Royale Pavillion showcased the Supremes' Mary Wilson with a tribute to the Motown sounds of The Temptations, The Four Tops, as well as others. This included a gourmet dinner, open bar, champagne, dancing, and party favors. Splash offered a special 10:30pm show, including two drinks or a split of champagne, plus party favors. Bela Tabak's Riders performed their world record-setting stunt. Unfortunately, Wilson went on late, just before midnight. Much of the audience went outside the Riviera to watch the fireworks.

Wilson performing New Year's Eve

Actor Pat Morita was in the audience during Wilson's show and took the opportunity to jump up on stage and dance with female patrons.

The Comedy Club presented funnymen John Padon, Mike Saccone, Steve Lazarus, and Jerry Minor at 10:30pm. This show included unlimited drinks and party favors. Le Bistro Lounge showcased Spiral Starecase starting at 8:00pm. This show included two drinks and party favors. Then at 2:00am, Lon Bronson and his All Star Band took over free of charge with a two drink minimum. Top of the Riv was transformed into a disc jockey's dance palace where one danced in the new year with unlimited drinks, hors d'oeurves and party favors.