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A Cockatoo, a Macaw and Big Elvis
5 wild and crazy acts that prove the lounge show lives in Vegas
By Joal Ryan
Bill Murray's lounge lizard lives.
While Mr. Murray is otherwise engaged these days with high-falutin Oscar nominations and what-not, the spirit of his crazed Saturday Night Live crooner can be found all over Las Vegas, from Karaoke Kings to, dare we say it, Elvis impersonators.
Here's a look at five of crazytown's wildest, craziest lounge acts--performers whose motto seems to be: If a lounge acts put you to sleep, you've been hanging out in the wrong lounges. Oh, and did we mention that most of these are free.
Somewhere, Bill Murray is smiling in approval.
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For the birds: Tiana Carroll and winged friends.
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THE TROPICANA BIRD SHOW
The Hook: You'll believe a cockatoo can ride a bicycle.
Where You'll Find It: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., Fridays-Wednesdays, Tropics Lounge at the Tropicana Resort & Casino.
Cost: Free. You don't even need to hire a babysitter--all ages are welcome.
What to Expect: To feel outdone by a bunch of bird brains. Watch as veteran trainer Tiana Carroll leads her winged friends through a 20-minute variety show. The macaw does comedy. The parrot does a duet. And, yes, the cockatoo bikes.
You'll Say It's Like: The Donny & Marie, with beaks and better lines.
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Big hunka love: That's Big Elvis.
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PETE VALLEE
The Hook: Vallee is "Big Elvis." 'Nuff said.
Where You'll Find Him: 3-6 p.m., Tuesdays-Fridays, the Lounge at the Barbary Coast Hotel & Casino.
Cost: No cover, no drink minimum. If Elvis had abided by such a spartan lifestyle, he wouldn't have become Big Elvis.
What to Expect: A big, beefy guy with big, bushy sideburns in a big white jumpsuit singing big, fat Elvis tunes. Which is, granted, exactly what you'd expect of a guy who bills himself as Big Elvis.
What You Wouldn't Expect, Part 1: Big Elvis dabbles in gospel and Louis Armstrong tunes.
What You Wouldn't Expect, Part 2: The Strip isn't as overrun with Elvis impersonators as you might think. (Outside the Graceland-type wedding chapels, that is.) Pass up Vallee, and you'll be passing up a golden Vegas opportunity.
You'll Say He's Like: Why, Elvis. Hopefully.
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