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| - This review is for BIG ELVIS only. Big Elvis (also known as Peter Vallee) used to be at Bill's Gambling Hall, but is now playing at the Piano Bar in Harrah's, Mondays - Fridays (but dark Wednesday) from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. (He doesn't play continuously, but has shows periodically throughout that time.)
I came here specifically to see Big Elvis, and he was fantastic! He is BIG -- so big that he has to sit down while he sings. So while he doesn't 100% look the part, he really channels the King, and has a fantastic voice. (I heard that he used to be twice his size (900+ pounds), and lost a (quarter)ton of weight. How awesome! And I thought Jared from Subway was impressive. . .)
He has an opening/partner act, a guy named Chuck (I think) who's also a great singer. Big Elvis is as nice and friendly as can be, interacting with the audience with a great rapport. He takes photos with fans and signs autographs at the end. It's clear that he loves what he does, and the enthusiasm is infectious.
There's no cover, but there is a 1-drink minimum if you sit at the tables. However, the bar is open to the rest of the casino, with just a half-wall and open windows. So if you're a cheapskate like me, you can stand *outside* the actual piano bar (or just stand right inside the door, without sitting down at the tables) and you don't even have to buy a drink.
It's not exactly a hip crowd -- my partner and I were the youngest people in there by a *long* shot. But we had a blast anyway!
Tip: The casinos can be hard to get around. The piano bar is on the north side of the casino, across the way from Casino Royale (where you can buy $1 hot dogs if the mood so strikes.)
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