Garth Brooks is one of the world’s best selling artists of all time, so when Eric York started performing his tribute to the multi-platinum artist years ago, he was all about getting it right—and not because of the trademark loud shirts Brooks is known for wearing. Respect for the man, and respect for his music, put York in a league by himself despite being part of many a cast where he performed his high-energy take. His was one of the standout performances each and every time.

MMA is all about heated one-on-one combat, no-holds-barred fighting skills and earning the right to wear a title strap. Once a fighter has earned that strap, it doesn’t mean his story ends there. More often than not, it’s just the beginning. Now he has to defend his right to claim it over and over again, because of all those hungry guys out there who want nothing more than to take it away and make it their own.

The Tropicana Laughlin once again plays host to the 17th Annual Talent Quest National Karaoke Singing Contest, from September 10-16. While the event uses the name “National” in its title, it is actually an international contest seeing participants from all over trying to win part of the $25,800 in cash, trophies, prizes and recording studio time.

When an experiment turns into a tradition in Laughlin, it means there was a show worth taking a chance on at one time—then consistently that same show proved itself time after time to be one audiences didn’t want to miss. The Memorial Day Comedy Festival at the Riverside Resort was that show. Experiencing comedy served up as a variety show with veteran comedian Gabe Lopez as the show’s producer, performer and emcee was like discovering a hidden gem on the entertainment landscape—more along the lines of one of those underground clubs in Vegas, known only to a lucky few. But now the word is out and the Comedy Festival is coming back to the Riverside Resort over the Labor Day weekend this time.