Celebrating to the sounds of LiberaceStafford set to headlineParty at Plush and menu specials on tap at RampartFitness walk with mayor scheduledRetro acts top bill for '06 bashes

The Plush Lounge will ring in 2006 with a celebration at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the 221 N. Rampart Blvd. venue.

The Summerlin New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball will last until 4 a.m. and will include party favors, a balloon drop, a champagne toast and unique specialty acts. DJ Benny Black will spin the music.

Complimentary gourmet hors d'oeuvres will be served from 8 to 10 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite masks.

Admission prices are $75 per person in advance, $100 per person at the door, or $50 per person in groups of 10 or more.

To order tickets for the event or to obtain additional information, call 869-2335 or visit www.vegas.com.

Also scheduled inside the Rampart are holiday dining specials for New Year's Eve, in addition to the regular menu at the Carmel Room, the Promenade Cafe, and the Rampart buffet.

The Carmel Room will offer a four-course meal from 4 to 9 p.m. for $100 per person. The main course will be a choice between roasted duck, lobster, filet mignon, salmon or lamb.

The Promenade Cafe's special menu starts at 4 p.m. and lasts until midnight, with prices varying depending on orders. The holiday menu at the buffet begins at 7 p.m. and will cost $45 per person.

Jim Stafford will headline at the Orleans Showroom from Thursday to Jan. 8.

The performances are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.95 and can be obtained by calling the box office at 365-7075.

In 1974, Stafford wrote and recorded "The Swamp Witch," his first song to hit the charts. He followed with gold single "Spider and Snakes," which remained on the American pop charts for 26 weeks.

Subsequent hits included "My Girl Bill," "Wildwood Weed" and "Cow Patti," which was written for the Clint Eastwood movie "Any Which Way You Can." Stafford also appeared in that film.

Stafford launched his television career on ABC in 1975. He co-hosted the prime time show "Those Amazing Animals" with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. He also hosted 56 episodes of "Nashville on the Road" and made 26 appearances on the "Tonight Show."

Senior citizens can take part in a free fitness power walk with Las Vegas' top elected official at 8 a.m. on Jan. 31 at the Meadows Mall.

Adults ages 50 and older are invited to join city Mayor Oscar Goodman for the event.

The walk is scheduled to last an hour or less.

Participants will meet at the food court on the mall's upper level. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. Reservations are not necessary.

The Meadows Mall is located at 4300 Meadows Lane, near U.S. Highway 95 at Valley View Boulevard. For more information, call 229-6454.

Two genre performances are scheduled inside two Station Casinos venues to help revelers celebrate the new year.

Loveshack, a 1980s cover band, is set to perform at 10 p.m. inside Santa Fe Station. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $39.95 in advance or $49.95 the day of the show.

Also performing at 10 p.m. on Saturday is 1970s tribute band Wonder Boogie. The show will take place inside Texas Station. Doors for the concert open at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $25 apiece in advance or $30 each on the day of the show.

To purchase tickets for either event, call 547-5300. VIP booth reservations can be made for the Wonder Boogie performance by calling 631-8275.

Liberace first met Las Vegas in 1944 when he played at the Last Frontier on the Strip.

It's 61 years and a ton of rhinestones later, and Mr. Showmanship will be honored at his old stomping ground, now the New Frontier, for New Year's Eve. Wes Winters, who performs at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave., will count down the new year with Liberace's "Chopsticks."

"I find it a wonderful responsibility to keep the music and memory of Mr. Showmanship alive," said Winters, who created a special costume to toast 2006.

The museum also gave him permission to wear Liberace's white mink coat that he donned for the Queen of England during a 1972 performance.

The New Year's Eve 2005 Marquee Dinner Party will be from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. In addition to Liberace tunes, there will be a buffet dinner, a KJUL-FM DJ and fireworks. The event will be broadcast live on KVBC-TV, Channel 3. Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door. For tickets, call 597-5970.