A new show this Thursday and Friday at the Empire Ballroom should be a lot of fun. It's Joey & Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding, an interactive show that I'm sure will produce a lot of laughs and shouting. The two-hour dinner show begins at 6 p.m. (complete with Italian Buffet and wedding cake) and will run every Thursday and Friday. It will share the stage with another very funny show, The Sopranos Last Supper.

In case you don't know, the Empire Ballroom is located behind Walgreen's on the Strip. For a limited engagement, September though December, Joey & Maria's will be getting married 15 times at the Riviera, so call the Riv Box Office at 702-794-9433 for ticket info. If you're going to see it at the Empire Ballroom, call 702-733-8669.

END OF SUMMER BASH

Here's something you don't want to miss and the price is perfect. The Cannery in North Las Vegas is saying goodbye to summer with the End of Summer Bash-Bubblegum Bonanza Concert featuring a host of classic musical acts. The festival takes place on Saturday, September 1 beginning at 4 p.m. at The Club, the Cannery's indoor/outdoor venue.

The musical line-up includes The Archies with Ron Dante, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Andrew Gold, The Ohio Express, Alan O'Day and Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods, along with a special guest appearance by Trini Lopez. Tickets to the concert are free (didn't I tell you it was the perfect price?) and you can get them at the Cannery's ticket sales counter located at the front desk check-in.

LOCAL DEALS

And speaking of prices, a couple of entertainment industry veterans have joined forces to offer locals complimentary show tickets through a new outlet, ShowTickets4Locals.com. Chip Lightman, whose career has included the management of Danny Gans for almost 15 years, and entertainment publicist Laura Herlovich said they saw the need to reach out to locals. "Shows such as Danny Gans and Lance Burton have always reached out to locals when they had tickets to share and were always appreciative of the locals' support and positive word of mouth which led to greater success and longevity of these shows," explains Herlovich.

Lightman seconds, "These shows, like many others, have become huge successes in large part to word of mouth by locals. With ShowTickets4Locals.com we will donate a portion of the company's proceeds to a local charity each month. Charities need only send their letter of request for consideration of the funds to our public relations team at P.R. Plus. Each month, a different charity will be selected to benefit from the company's success," explained Lightman.

Locals may sign up free of charge for complimentary tickets by going to the ShowTickets4Locals.com website. There will be an additional opportunity for members of ShowTickets4Locals.com to upgrade their memberships beyond the initial sign-up, if they choose. In addition to the tickets which might be more readily accessible to the members of ShowTickets4Locals.com, Lightman will be purchasing tickets to some of the harder-to-get shows to add value to the memberships.

Shows such as Lance Burton are expected to be added quickly to the ShowTickets4Locals.com roster because of their loyalty to locals. Concerts and in-demand production shows will be secured in the near future. Danny Gans has already come on board showing his commitment to locals. All shows currently participating in ShowTickets4Locals.com can be viewed at the website.

The process for members, both shows and patrons, is very simple and can be handled easily through the website. ShowTickets4Locals.com will have a fully trained staff to assist both sides of the operation to make sure tickets are always handled professionally and with the intention of a ‘win-win' partnership for all involved. Anyone wanting to join, ShowTickets4Locals.com, may do so by visiting the website. ShowTickets4Locals.com is only available to locals with Las Vegas addresses.

SENIOR IDOL

Now for something for that group of people that I can relate to. It will soon be time for the annual City of Las Vegas Senior Idol Talent Show. If you're 50 or older (do they have to call us "seniors" once we pass 50?) and think you can sing, dance, play an instrument, or perform comedy, call the Las Vegas Senior Center at 702-229-6454 to request an audition registration packet be mailed to you. Or you can pick one up at the center, located at 451 East Bonanza Rd. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Friday, August 31. Audition times are being scheduled as completed registrations are received. Auditions will be held September 20 and 21 by appointment only. There is no audition fee. Individual and group acts are welcome, provided the 32-by-36-foot stage can handle the act. In case you do magic, use of fire isn't allowed.

"Last year about 300 people enjoyed dancers, singers, comedians - even a rapping granny," said Center coordinator Lettie Peters. "Las Vegas has an abundance of talented older adults and retired professional performers who like to show their abilities."

The 4th annual Senior Idol Talent show will be held Thursday, November 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, located at 800 South Brush St. Doors will open at 3 p.m. Tickets for this family show are priced $3 in advance and $5 at the door. Advance tickets will go on sale at the Las Vegas Senior Center October 1. For more information, call the Center at 702-229-6454. Should be great fun.

STATION SMART START

Hats off to Station Casinos, despite their "Don't Let Lenny Win" policy. As part of its "Smart Start" school partnership initiative that provides needed financial and volunteer resources to all high-need elementary schools in the valley, Station Casinos is presenting 70 elementary schools with $5,000 and $10,000 donations totaling $405,000 at a reception for the principals of each school. The donations will be used to assist schools in such efforts as improving test scores, after-school tutoring programs, parent development programs, purchasing necessary library books and much more. Since its inception in 2001, more than $2.4 million has been donated to Clark County's all identified high-need elementary schools. Nice to see casinos giving something back to the community.

Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com. If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylasvegas@gmail.com. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.