by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Went to the Stardust the other evening to see Havana Night Club in the Wayne Newton Theatre. This was my second visit and what a difference a few weeks can make. My first time I was not totally impressed, as I had no idea what was going on. I knew the music was vibrant, the dancers were exotic and the dancing was fabulous. But the story line eluded me. Well not anymore. This is truly a wonderful and beautiful show.

I don't know how long you've been living in Las Vegas, or visiting our little village, but at one time a show named "Oba Oba" opened at the old Aladdin Hotel in 1987. It was much like this show in that it was comprised of a group of fantastic dancers from a foreign country. It started out slow and almost closed before the advertising had begun. But, something funny happened. At that time Las Vegas had a lot of great revues with great dancers and singers. The "kids" (dancers, singers, etc) got wind of this new phenomenon and began coming in by dribbles at first. Pretty soon word was out: This is a fabulous dancer's show. Taxi drivers even paid to see the show and of course the crowds began to build. Within a couple of months it was the hit show on the Strip! Word of mouth advertising had made it a hit! Why am I telling this little story? Because Havana Nights reminds me of "Oba Oba" in that word of mouth will make this show a hit.

Siegfried and Roy, who brought the show to the Stardust, are giving 110 percent to make it work. Roy was unable to attend the other evening, but his partner was there. Steve Wynn, who brought the two men to his Mirage Hotel in 1989, was also in the audience. Siegfried addressed the VIP audience prior to the show: "This is the very stage where 35 years ago Roy and I first appeared. And... Roy wanted to be here tonight with us, but was just too exhausted... but in his mind and heart he's with us tonight," a very emotional Siegfried said. "This show is a definitely a celebration of life."

Now I have no names to pin-point who was doing what, except for the host Jose David Alvarez Del Valle who danced and sang throughout the revue. But there are a couple of outstanding Adagio teams that do things rarely seen on a stage anywhere. At times this show is like a ballet, and then at other times it's like a Broadway play: Westside Story, etc. The dancers are costumed in authentic Cuban clothing: nothing fancy here. However, the one girl who comes down from the ceiling is truly exotically attired and beautiful. They even use Wayne's water curtain for one number. There is some English narration to help us understand what is happening, but not enough. I wish there was more for us who do not speak or understand Spanish. The music runs the gamut of songs from the African Bata drum, which is the root of all Cuban rhythms, to the Flamenco, to Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Salsa and Conga.

The show, produced by Nicole "ND" Durr runs about 90 minutes, but it's a fast 90. The music never stops as there is no down time. Someone is doing something all the time to the music. I have no idea how many are in the show but it looked like at least 50 singers, dancers and acrobats were on stage. From what I was told a couple of the singers in the show are very famous throughout the Spanish world.

All I can say is simply this: If you want to see a show filled with dance and beautiful people then see this show before it closes on January 11th.

A 16,000-square-foot quilt memorializing the victims of September 11th terrorist attacks will be at the Tropicana Hotel beginning today (Friday, Nov. 19). It's a free exhibition of the United in Memory 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt, a traveling memorial exhibit in honor of the individual victims. It stretches more than 1,500 linear feet and is a powerful exhibition that evokes many memories. There are over 3,000 eighteen-inch fabric quilt blocks with personalized photos, memories and stories. It is being displayed in the Tropicana Pavilion this Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Caesars Palace is right now building a 60" by 90' ice rink on the open-air Roman Plaza for a new theatrical ice show called "The Stars Are Out Tonight." The new show will run Saturday and Sunday evenings and will headline many Olympic and world figure skating stars. But, what is really neat is beginning Nov. 22 through Jan. 15 we (the public) can go ice skating for $10.00 (including free skate rental). Show tickets go on sale today (Friday, 19th)... Keep hearing a lot about this show billed as the "Last Romantic" starring Patrick Damian and its pending arrival in Las Vegas. He did stop by the Bootlegger the other night for the Kelly Clinton hosted Karaoke Night. After singing a song Clint Holmes came over to his table and said "That was awesome." Will keep you informed as to his debut, when and where... Steve Parks, who drives The Orleans NASCAR Craftsman truck is seventh in points going into the last race of the season at Homestead, Florida this weekend. His predecessor, Brendan Gaughan will be in his final Nextel Cup race in the #77 Kodak Dodge for the season. It's been a tough season for the personable Gaughan who is used to winning, but it was a great learning curve this rookie year. He's second in rookie points by the way, which is very good. Plans for 2005 are a little in the air but Brendan will be back next year - it just might not be with Penske-Jasper Racing. Who knows? Only Penske and Gaughan and they're not telling... The Honky Tonk Angels, starring Sharon Haynes, Corrie Sachs and Lori Legacy will be staging its "A Musical Magical Christmas" show in the Gold Coast Showroom beginning Nov. 24 through the 28th and then from Dec. 15 through the 30th at 8:30 p.m... Well, gang, that's it for another week. I'm outa here!

CONTINUE ON TO...:
>It's The Norm Article Archives
>LVLG "Heard Around Town"
>Las Vegas Leisure Guide