 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Sunday, October 30, 2005 | PRIOR ISSUE - ARCHIVES |
 | |
| Blue Man Group Holds Appeal, Gwen Stefani Headlines, Mirage Changes, Delisco Is Delightful, Closures Galore, David Copperfield Returns, World Series Of Poker Online, Riviera Readies For New Years, 'Avenue Q' Gains A Furry Of Attention, Bruce Baum On Stage, Tennis Channel Open Moves In, "Ovation" Gets New Digs, Wine Dinners Winners, More... | |
The fun loving bizarre Blue Man Group show after much success in the 1,200-seat Luxor showroom has opened at its new home in the larger 1,760-seat Venetian Theatre. The remodeled showroom that was formerly the C2K nightclub is an ideal environment for the innovative techno show starring three men decked out in blue paint. The popular show integrates music, multi-media theatrics, and silent comedy. There is no dialogue; communication is done via body language.
The show's signature routine is the classic drum scene in which two cast members pour red, yellow and blue paint on top of drums beaten by the third member. The effect is brilliantly colored paint splattering everywhere. The free-for-all choreography that includes props such as marshmallows and Cap'n Crunch cereal may explain why the first few rows of audience are draped in plastic.
Blue Man Group or "bluephoria" has a lot of life left especially after its commercial success both in television commercials and with two record albums. Tickets are $88, $110 and $126.50, call 1-866-641-7469.
Gwen Stefani will bring her "Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005" to the Aladdin Theatre on Dec. 3, and feature her special guest Ciara opening the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $97.50, $85 and $55, call Ticketmaster at 702.474.4000.
Stefani's tour is in support of her multi-platinum album "Love. Angel. Music. Baby," which has sold more than five million copies worldwide, on the heels of the hit singles "What You Waiting For?," "Rich Girl" (with Eve) and the No. 1 smash "Hollaback Girl." Her tour also coincides with the launch of Stefani's Harajuku Lovers line of accessories.
Ciara's recent release, "Goodies" has been certified double platinum. The release includes the No. 1 single, "Goodies," "1, 2, Step" and the latest track, "Oh" featuring Ludacris.
Many dining, nightclub action and showroom changes are taking place at the Mirage. The remodeling changes began last year with the opening of the high-end buffet Cravings.
In the coming months, four of the Mirage's six fine dining restaurants will be revamped or replaced. A Chinese restaurant called Fin will open in November at the site of the former five-star Renoir restaurant. Stack, featuring updated American food, will open in December at the site of the Moongate restaurant. Japonais, a modern Asian eatery, will open by May in the space now occupied by Mikado. The Mirage's steakhouse, Kokomo's will be reworked and reopen in December.
Mink is scheduled to open in January and it will replace a central bar near the Mirage's tropical atrium. Jet, a new nightclub built onto the north end of the property facing Flamingo Road, is expected to open in December.
The upgrades will all lead up to the opening and debut next summer of the new Cirque du Soleil show based on the music of the Beatles. The Mirage is spending more than $100 million to remodel the former Siegfried and Roy showroom.
Delicso, who won the title "The Entertainer" on the E! cable channel's reality show centered around Wayne Newton, also won a headlining gig in Las Vegas. He's got his own show backed by an 11-piece band and backup singers in the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton. Tickets are $35.90, call 702-732-5755.
Fellow contestant on "The Entertainer," comedian Dave Russo opens the show with 10 minutes of joking around. Then Delisco, who goes by one name, takes over with a show of diversified music. His seven years in Broadway shows such as "Smokey Joe's Caf‚," "Ragtime" and the Elton John musical "Aida," account for his fun loving personality and theatrical skills.
Delisco who is also a songwriter introduces some original tunes that really hold up. The whole show is entertaining; however, his shining moment is when he transforms himself into his fourth-grad self singing "This Little Light of Mine" a cappella. He's so good that the band often overshadows his very pure talent.
It's seems closings are being announced on a weekly basis. First Bourbon Street that is now owned by Harrah's was suppose to close over Halloween, but due to a water main break, it closed a couple weeks early.
Next the Westward Ho made the notification that it will be closing on Nov. 17, to make room for a high-rise.
Now the Boardwalk with the beachside, Coney Island, midway-theme will close on Jan. 9, 2006. The 654-room property, now owned by MGM Mirage will be razed to make way for the $5 billion CityCenter project that will include a 60-story, 4,000-room hotel-casino, boutique hotels, a shopping mall, and 1,640 luxury condominium units.
Another property affected by the CityCenter project is Seven. The late-night club closed this weekend and it is going to relocate downtown and open under the name of Stage in early 2006.
At Wynn Las Vegas, some lounge acts are being eliminated. The last day for Kimberly Styles and the Fabulous Baker Boys will be Nov. 11.
Nothing for sure yet; however, we're hearing rumors that Steve Wynn may close his art gallery.
Harrah's Entertainment has signed an agreement with America Online to create a cyberspace home for the World Series of Poker that will include free-play poker rooms, event updates and other content in an effort to widen the tournament's audience.
The relationship with AOL will allow 12 poker fans, age 21 or older, to win a free seat at the $10,000 buy-in No limit Texas Hold 'em world championship event at either the 2006 or 2007 World series of Poker.
This year's World Series of Poker drew more than 30,000 participants to 45 events with a record prize pool of $103 million. The world championship event drew 5,619 players with a total prize pool of $52 million. The final nine players each won at least $1 million and the overall title winner took home $7.5 million.
ESPN is now broadcasting taped play from this year's event and the 2006 contest will take place at the Rio next summer.
A couple of Chef Gustav Mauler's multi-course wine dinners are set for November. At Sazio inside the Orleans, the 6:30 p.m. dinner on Nov. 15 will feature Frederick Wildman wines. Cost is $39 plus tax, call 702-948-9500. On Nov. 29, the dinner at Spiedini in the JW Marriott in Summerlin will feature Markham wines. Cost is $63 per person, call 702-869-8500.
|
Master magician and illusionist David Copperfield back from an European tour will return to MGM Grand's intimate 740-seat Hollywood Theatre with his latest stage production, "An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion." Copperfield will perform Nov. 17 - 30. Tickets are $97 inclusive, call 702-891-7777 or 800-929-1111. Copperfield, whom the New York Times calls "our era's giant of magic," touts "An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion" as his most spectacular stage show ever. New illusions include "Lottery," one of the most incredible predictions in the history of magic. Copperfield has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as the greatest magician in the world. In addition to decades of network television events, worldwide tours and "Dreams and Nightmares," the critically acclaimed Broadway show that set box-office records, he has been featured on the covers of Forbes, Architectural Digest and Esquire. He has performed seven times for presidents of the United States and was inducted into the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. "Ring Out The Old; Bring In The New" is the theme of two big New Year's Eve parties planned for the Riviera as it nears the end of its 50th anniversary and the Las Vegas Centennial. For reservations, call 702-794-9433. The Royale Pavilion will once again house live entertainment with surprise guest stars. A gourmet dinner, open bar, dancing to a live big band, and party favors will be featured for $150 per person, plus tax and fee. The Top Of The Riv Ballroom will transform into a dancing disco with a DJ until 2 a.m., plus an open bar and party favors, Tickets will be $100 per person, plus tax and fee. Must admit, it's a creative idea to introduce an "Avenue Q" furry cab campaign, where cabs are covered with orange "fur." It's a clever way to promote a truly innovative show. Another note - "Avenue Q" at Wynn Las Vegas is revising its show schedule as of Nov. 10. Shows will be at 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 6:30 and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 4 and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $99 with tax included. Zany comedian Bruce Baum, who has been seen on reruns of "America's Funniest People" for years, will headline the Riviera Comedy Club for seven nights beginning Monday, Nov. 14. Baum is also known for the many characters he has created including Babyman, Dimples-the Cow, Dr. Environment and Chairman. The multi-talented Baum has produced popular short film pieces and "Dirty Dances With Wolves" and "Dimples The Cow" received awards on FOX's "Fractured Film Awards." Along with many television credits, Baum has appeared in films including the cult classic, "Shakes The Clown," as well as in "The Adventures Of Babyman" and "Crossing The Bridge." His comic book, "The Adventures of Babyman," is in its second printing. No stranger to recordings, Baum's album, "Born To Be Raised," was a Billboard Pick Of The Week and produced the international hit, "Marty Feldman Eyes," also a Billboard Pick Of The Week. Appearing with Baum are funnymen Pete Gray and Buddy Flip. Show times are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., nightly, Tickets are $17.95 plus taxes, 702-794-9433. The newly reconstituted INSX that gained a new front man via a television competition will headline the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Jan. 28. Tickets are $47.25, $68.25 and $89.25. The Tennis Channel Open will call Las Vegas home next year after moving from Scottsdale, Ariz. Being billed as "Tennispalooza," the event will take place, Feb. 27-March 5, at the new Darling Memorial Tennis Center, which sits in a 110-acre park on Washington Avenue bordered by Buffalo and Durango drives. The venue has 23 courts and a 2,200-seat stadium court that can be expanded to seat 3,500. The promoter has a vision that this event will include clinics, seminars, concerts and other entertainment. Half-price ticketing is starting to explode around town. In 2002, the idea was started by one company, Tickets 2Nite, which split into two companies after the partners went their own ways. The second business was Tix4tonight. Now Showtickets.com, formerly Allstate Ticketing, is entering the playing field with multiple outlets. What does this all mean? Most likely it means ticket prices being raised to compensate for having to sell them half price. The Plaza downtown will have John Stuart's "Ovation" opening there on Nov. 4. The show had to move because the Lady Luck closed its tent-like showroom. The other new show at the Plaza is magician Curtis Adams' "Adrenaline - Magic That Rocks." Boulder Station headliners will include Kenny Rankin on Jan. 14 and B.J. Thomas on Jan. 21. Tickets range from $23 to $42, call 702-547-5300. The former Utopia nightclub has had a multi-million dollar facelift and reopened as The Late Night Empire, at the Empire Ballroom. The infamous "no ifs, ands or_" taxicab ads are getting a lot of exposure in the new film 'Domino." The Riv's "Crazy Girls" buttocks ads show up in a chase scene. The Rampart Casino in North Las Vegas has extended The Mentalist, Gerry McCambridge, for a fourth time with performances in Addison's Lounge through November. Beginning Nov. 7, The Mentalist will perform at 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, except on Nov. 24. You can see the show for free with a one-drink minimum purchase. Complimentary tickets are available at the Rewards Players' Club.  A Centennial Time Capsule dedication ceremony will take place at Centennial Plaza (Fourth Street, near Lewis Avenue) at 11 a.m. on Dec. 15. Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, and Centennial Board Members will attend the ceremony.
CONTINUE ON TO...: |
