The Mirage announced details of a redesign to its signature Volcano that will incorporate all-new technology plus music from two legendary performers.

Known the world over for its iconic Strip-front feature, The Mirage has joined forces with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain, and Fountains of Bellagio design firm WET, to create an all-new audio/visual spectacle. The top-to-bottom overhaul is scheduled for completion late 2008.

When it first opened in 1989, the Mirage Volcano literally stopped traffic on The Strip as carloads of tourists would pause and gawk at the spectacle. Nearly 20 years later it was still amusing but not quite amazing so the folks at The Mirage decided it was time for an overhaul.

Tasked with bringing the latest innovations to the project, WET will create a volcanic environment of sound, light, music, and heat. WET's choreographed FireShooters™ - which send massive fireballs more than 12 feet into the air - were designed specifically for The Mirage using the latest developments in what they call flame-expression technology. The FireShooters™ will punctuate the performances with eruptions of fiery "lava" that will flow down the mountain's fissures in a series of lively flames. As the eruption ignites the surrounding lagoon, the FireShooters™ will bring Las Vegas' signature blast within feet of spectators.

An all-new state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system will be blasting a new soundtrack for the Volcano composed by Grammy Award-winning talents of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Mickey Hart and Indian musical virtuoso Zakir Hussain.

"To put percussive sound to the image of fire and have it dance around a lagoon is something I've never done; I've never birthed a volcano," said Hart. "Zakir and I immersed ourselves in the legends and myths and studied what really makes a volcano work. The result, a true union of the senses, will rattle your bones, just like a real volcano."

The new Volcano will debut December 8, 2008.

Meanwhile, if you want to be at the grand re-opening festivities, you can enter a contest on The Mirage website.