# 2009 Vegas DopeFest Preliminary Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425 "2009-02-04T15:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![deedeeknowit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@deedeeknowit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deedeeknowit)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/41 "2009-06-28T17:17:26Z")
The Pinball Hall of Fame/Museum is a nice, low-cost entertainment venue. No fee to get in and there are hundreds of pinball machines that range from simple to high tech. All you need is a roll of quarters and a little time to enjoy the games. Retro fun could be had by all for a very low price! [http://www.pinballmuseum.org/](http://www.pinballmuseum.org/) (Hope I posted the link correctly.) ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/42 "2009-06-29T00:35:03Z")
That’s also a good idea, deesiresjohn. Thanks for posting it! ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/43 "2009-07-02T19:38:56Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Researching deals and one place for you out-of-towners to check out is: > [Stay And Play Here](http://mailcenter.newmediagateway.com/lasvegas/main/index.php?action=viewsenthtml&id=2321&ids=4a623dc55b60fb0cba02dcb89e0ec0a80b181093&viewers_email=nkarvounis@lvcva.com) which is a relatively new website trying to get locals to stay in Las Vegas for their vacations and offering “locals” specials. > > I am sure there are enough locals here who could step up and get those deals for you. Check out the listings and see what might interest you and let us know. UPDATE ON TICKET OFFERS: So - regarding Mirage: We can get 35% off tickets for LOVE if someone has a valid student ID with photo (they can buy up to six tickets -assuming there are tickets available for that show). Unfortunately, that doesn’t include teachers (me) to get this discount, it has to be a student. If someone has a military ID, we can get 25% off tickets to Terry Fator (for up to 15 people). (Again, assuming there are tickets available.) I have seen lots of comp tickets for Louie Anderson on the day of the show - they offer them for a short window, sporadically, and will be a hit-or-miss opportunity. Might be able to get a discount there as well, but not sure if he is on anyone’s “must-see” list. There have also been some comp tickets for Nathan Burton’s magic show - but again, that is a hit or miss on the day of the show; I get email blasts and you have to call pronto, and I believe maximum of four tickets per person. I could order four, I could call another Las Vegas local quickly and they could order four, etc. But again, that would be luck of the draw on Friday. Group rates for other shows fall about into the same category of discount - but a minimum of 15 tickets required So - that is the update on tickets - other than the above link. LOVE tickets are a bit pricey, but 35% off makes it more affordable. The show has had excellent reviews - so that might be the best offer so far\* - if we have a student in the midst? \*Knowing a few people who work in casinos - the reason there are currently not such huge discounts on many show tickets is simple - people are still coming to Vegas in droves (weekend room occupancy is really not all that horrible - just mid-week) but instead of gambling like they used to, more people are opting to see shows. And although I heard they actually had a few comps to see Bette Midler a month ago (for hotel workers only), that is pretty much a rarity. Shows are doing pretty well. One of my ex-students works for the show Legends In Concert and said that show is pretty much sold out every night! She had to beg for comps for her parents to see it. ---
**Author:** ![kurilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@kurilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurilla)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/44 "2009-07-06T14:59:30Z")
I did a little checking over the weekend, and it looks like the Improv at Harrah’s is a good value – it’s $30 per person, before discount, and if we can get 15 people, there’s a good chance we’ll get a discount, too. There are shows at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Friday, and we can meet in the Piano Bar near the exit to Carnival Court ahead of time. PLEASE pm me to let me know whether you’ll be there Friday evening for the show, so I can call for the tickets/discount. So far, I know **silenus** , **deesiresjohn** , **glee** , and **Scuba\_Ben** are planning to attend – besides, of course, me and **tpkurilla** , **DMark** , and the other locals. We’re at 8 so far… only need 7 more! ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/45 "2009-07-06T18:42:01Z")
I sent a PM. I can do the early show on Friday but the late show is out. They fired a guy at work and screwed up my schedule ☹ Slee ---
**Author:** ![kurilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@kurilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurilla)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/46 "2009-07-06T18:46:48Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > I sent a PM. I can do the early show on Friday but the late show is out. They fired a guy at work and screwed up my schedule ☹ > > Slee Oh, no fun at all! Hope you can make the Saturday BBQ though. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/47 "2009-07-06T18:48:37Z")
I’m going to have to take a pass, we just got tickets to Spamalot here in LA for Saturday. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/48 "2009-07-07T00:08:35Z")
We’re a pass on Friday night. Other plans and friends. But we will be at the BBQ Saturday with bells on. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/49 "2009-07-07T13:02:43Z")
I prefer the 8:30 show, as that will be 11:30 subjective. ---
**Author:** ![kurilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@kurilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurilla)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/50 "2009-07-07T15:21:46Z")
Sounds like we’re on for the 8:30 show on Friday. I’ll call and see about getting a group discount and/or reserving tickets and will post later with details. ---
**Author:** ![kurilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea5d25/32.png) [@kurilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurilla)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/51 "2009-07-09T16:14:51Z")
No group discounts for any group less than 15, unfortunately, and I haven’t received that many positive confirmations yet. That said, availability is good for the 8:30 show Friday. If anyone wants me to purchase their ticket in advance, please let me know! The Saturday BBQ will start around 5:00 p.m. at my house, though people are welcome to come over as early as 2:00 for board games and general chat. Hope to see you at either or both! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425/52 "2009-07-09T16:58:40Z")
I have checked in for my flight tomorrow – boarding order A19, and 1 through 15 are reserved for premium customers. I also got a travel vest. I’m now pretty certain I’ll be traveling with carry-on luggage only, and will update my IMHO thread once I’m packed (probably right before I leave for the airport tomorrow). See you all in Vegas. _Viva Las Vegas!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-vegas-dopefest-preliminary-thread/484425.md?page=2)