LAS VEGAS -- Last-minute discount tickets are a staple on Broadway, but in Vegas if you want to see a show you'll have to pay full price even if you slip in just before the curtain goes up. Now, a California based company is aiming to change that. Tickets2Nite has set up a booth in the Showcase Mall next to the Coca-Cola store that will feature same-day tickets for Vegas shows at half-price. For now the booth will only be featuring a few shows, varying per day and based upon availability, but more may be added if the service proves successful.

The booth will primarily be used to pump up attendance on less-popular shows, so don't expect to get half-price tickets to "O" on the day of the show. But if you're looking for a cheap alternative for an evening of entertainment, this could be the way to go.

One show that doesn't need any help is the one starring The Amazing Jonathan, who will be making a move early next year to an extended gig at the Flamingo, following Gladys Knight in the main showroom.

AJ's current show at the Golden Nugget has been drawing rave reviews (including one from me) and sold out crowds, so I'm happy to see him getting a higher-profile gig. However, downtown Vegas needs as much help as it can get, so losing the thousands of people a week who make the trek to Jonathan's show is bad news for that part of town.

But the good news for downtown is the recent opening of another major tenant at Neonopolis. A branch of the national chain Jillian's has opened to mostly positive word-of-mouth. The places features a restaurant, non-gambling games (video, virtual reality, etc.), bowling lanes and a nightclub. Whether it's enough to pump new life into downtown or Neonopolis, the $100 million entertainment center that was supposed to be the lynchpin of redevelopment in the area, is yet to be seen.

And finally, a sad closing to note. One of my favorite attractions in Vegas, Caesars Magical Empire, has shut its doors for good. Rumors of the closure of the magical dinner theater experience have dogged the attraction for years, mostly ramping up in early 2000 when the hotel was close to signing a deal to replace it with an upscale nightclub. That deal apparently fell through, but may be resurrected with rumors of a famous Latin singer "Conga"-ing her way through the space to check it out for a possible new nightspot.

A big thumbs down to Caesars for taking away this terrific entertainment venue.

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Q: Which four hotels on the Strip currently have roller coasters in operation? s? ANSWER

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The Full Story

• Classiest, Loveliest Casion In Vegas Honored
• New Year's Rates High, But Dip Could Be Coming
• Holiday Idea: Vegas Gifts For The Hard To Please
• Other News: Find Half-Price Show Tickets; Magic Changes
• Vegas Q&A: Where Can I Find A Regular Hotel?
• Vegas Q&A: Staying Fit In Vegas

In Next Week's Column

Next week: Next week: Top 10 Shows and Attractions

Plus, don't forget to send me your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!

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Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors

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