John Katsilometes
Story Archive
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Taylor Hicks settles in for yearlong run in Indigo at Bally's
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012 Taylor Hicks enjoyed a successful run in Indigo at Bally's over the summer and is back beginning Oct. 17.
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Smith Center makes certain that 'Wicked' and Composers Showcase fans can park it
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 The audience leaving "Wicked" and the audience arriving for Composers Showcase are mixing Wednesday night at Smith Center.
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Taylor Hicks marks return to Las Vegas, but not (yet) to Bally's
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 Taylor Hicks is back in Las Vegas this week for the LVHA 2012 Distinction Awards, then off to a play before the LSU-Auburn game.
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Frankie Moreno set to release 'Frankie Moreno' -- the CD, we mean
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012 Frankie Moreno recorded most of his self-titled CD at his Las Vegas home, and helping with production at Studio at the Palms was master guitarist and engineer Pat Thrall.
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Jerry Lewis as 'Idol' judge was an idea that went nowhere
Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 The team from "American Idol" sent material to Jerry Lewis to review in the hopes that Lewis would join the panel of judges for the upcoming 12th season. No such luck.
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Michael Grimm working on new CD, and it will be 'swampy'
Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 Michael Grimm is headlining at three Las Vegas venues — including two Station Casinos showrooms — and is about finished with his latest CD.
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Lorena Peril all warmed up for singing gig of a lifetime at 49ers-Lions game
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 "Fantasy" singer Lorena Peril beat out 3,000 hopefuls to earn a spot as the national anthem singer at Sunday night's 49ers-Lions game at Candlestick Park.
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Master guitarist Esteban plays it inside out
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 Esteban was nearly killed in an automobile accident more than 30 years ago, but he came out of it as a more versatile musician.
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First NFL weekend in LVH era goes well enough for the guy in the Manning jersey
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 Around the time David Akers drilled his 63-yard field goal at Lambeau Field in the 49ers' 30-22 victory over the Packers, I had an epiphany: To visit a different Las Vegas sports book each week of the NFL season.
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'Rock of Ages' blows in when Blue Man Group blows out
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 The musical "Rock of Ages" is headed for the Palazzo in December, likely by the second week of that month, if not sooner or later.
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Music
The $1 million saga of Michael Grimm
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 What happens when you find success on national TV, win $1 million and hate the fame that comes with it? This is how it turns out: A man who wowed millions while winning America’s Got Talent in 2010 is back playing for a couple hundred fans in the same venues he frequented before even auditioning for the far-reaching TV show. He allows that he’s not built for the type of intense fame—much of it totally unrelated to his music—that winning AGT presented. In a way, this outcome was always Grimm’s destiny.
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Joan Dangerfield-Kirk Kerkorian were 'engaged,' but never planned to marry
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 Kirk Kerkorian is reportedly engaged to Lu Beard, and it appears that this will lead to a wedding.
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To the MDA, we ask, 'Whither the total'?
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 The Muscular Dystrophy Association has for decades made its official fundraising totals public immediately after its national telecast is over. Not this year.
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'Absinthe' flush with green after Melody Sweets settles on a contract
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012 Melody Sweets was exploring options outside "Absinthe," but this week producers signed her for at least another year.
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Holly Madison and 'Peepshow' to part ways Oct. 21
Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 Holly Madison opened in "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood in June 2009. Her run as the character Bo Peep ends Oct. 21.
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Craig Ferguson's stand-up act is up to par, but about that golf game ...
Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 "Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson takes the stage at the Venetian from Thursday through Saturday.
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Whether singing with Johnny Mathis or Clint Holmes, Deniece Williams is adept at duets
Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 Deniece Williams recorded 1978's "That's What Friends Are For" album with pop great Johnny Mathis.
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No Prince Harry connection in 'Gigolos’ arrest; executive shift at Tropicana
Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 Newly notorious "Gigolos" star Steven Gantt's arrest last Thursday night stemmed from an incident in May, not from his conduct at Prince Harry's party at Wet Republic on Aug. 18.
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A&E
In search of song: Headliner Frankie Moreno treks to Europe to find inspiration
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 The objective is two-pronged, like a tuning fork. The three brothers will write songs. The accompanying journalist will write about them writing songs. But how does this process begin, exactly? It’s unclear how the Moreno brothers will embark on this 10-day creative adventure, this lengthy overseas road trip. The sites are laid open: Vienna, Florence and Venice.
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'Frozen?' 'Set?' Not 'Vegas! the Show,' still evolving as it turns 2
Thursday, June 28, 2012 David Saxe put a high measure of his resources -- and also his heart and soul -- into "Vegas! the Show." Two years after opening, it is still a high-caliber production.
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VegasVille Photo: Woody Allen's portrait looms large at Brad Garrett's Comedy Club
Saturday, June 23, 2012 At his comedy club at MGM Grand, Brad Garrett pays tribute to the comic greats. In the middle of the room is Woody Allen.
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Fast action on the corner of Trop and the Strip leads to arrival of Bagatelle
Friday, June 22, 2012 Jonathan Segal and officials at Tropicana arrived at the plan to bring Bagatelle to the hotel pretty quickly, and it has been a fast-past project ever since.
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Site Feature
Four things to know about Surf the Musical, as it splashes down on the Strip
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Surf's up.
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Golden Rainbow plays it big as 'Ribbon of Life' moves to Reynolds Hall
Monday, June 18, 2012 Golden Rainbow's "Ribbon of Life" AIDS and HIV charity fundraiser has always been held at hotel-casino showrooms. Not this year, as it moves to Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
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In reel time, Oscar Goodman recounts fishing adventure and hopes to lure masses to Mob Museum
Monday, June 18, 2012 Oscar Goodman is drawing attention, as is his wont, to the Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas with a pair of meet-and-greet appearances this month.
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In a Las Vegas spree, six days with father lead to Father's Day
Sunday, June 17, 2012 In the week leading to Father's Day, Dad and I caught six shows in as many nights as he was treated to a typical, yet atypical, week in Las Vegas. Some fathers and sons go fishing. Not us.
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In prepping for Simon-Porter tribute, Clint Holmes happens upon ... Paul Simon
Friday, June 15, 2012 Clint Holmes has been in New York for a DVD recording of his tribute to Paul Simon and Cole Porter. During a break in rehearsals, he met Simon himself.
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Frankie Moreno's new contract at the Strat is a showstopper ... well, not quite
Thursday, June 14, 2012 Frankie Moreno started his run at the Stratosphere in October, and on Wednesday the hotel and he announced a contract extension through 2015.
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Steve Wynn on Kirk Kerkorian's L.V. 'fatherhood'; two more years for Frankie Moreno at Stratosphere
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Steve Wynn calls fellow casino magnate Kirk Kerkorian "a physical marvel" but is less kind (as always) to President Obama. And Mitt Romney?
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Is musical 'Million Dollar Quartet' built to last here in Las Vegas?
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 'Million Dollar Quartet' opened for a run at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts that ends Sunday, but the show might well enjoy a Las Vegas residency far beyond this month. Perhaps on the Strip?
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Health scare before Friars Club event lands Jerry Lewis in N.Y. hospital
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Jerry Lewis felt dizzy a couple of hours before he was to accept a Friars Club award and introduce Tom Cruise to the audience. He was taken to a hospital and held overnight for precautionary reasons.
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Morning anchor Dayna Roselli leaves KLAS Channel 8
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Dayna Roselli moved to the morning anchor spot on the Channel 8 newscast in 2008. Last year, she signed a new contract with the station. Today, she is out.
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One night, one saga, One Direction and one very happy kid
Monday, June 11, 2012 Cousin Quincee from Boise nearly didn't make it to Saturday's sold-out One Direction concert at Planet Hollywood's Theater for the Performing Arts. We're happy to report that she did.
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The scene at Electric Daisy Carnival: Wasn't this place supposed to be a speedway?
Saturday, June 9, 2012 The late Ralph Engelstad was instrumental in bringing the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to completion. The facility has come a long way since.
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Blue Man Group meets a one-man group (Steve Aoki) in the wee hours of Electric Daisy Carnival
Friday, June 8, 2012 Steve Aoki sought out the Blue Man Group for an over-the-top performance at this year's Electric Daisy Carnival at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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In a case of curious timing, 'Sin City Comedy' bolts for Planet Hollywood
Friday, June 8, 2012 "Sin City Comedy" opened three years ago at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Its move to Planet Hollywood is a case of odd timing as operator John Padon breaks with David Saxe.
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A very dignified flash mob as Kirk Kerkorian turns 95 in Beverly Hills
Thursday, June 7, 2012 Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian was caught by surprise when his girlfriend, Joan Dangerfield, summoned a group of dancers to perform for him at his 95th birthday party at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
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From 'The Tonight Show' to the Chippendales' stage at the Rio, Joey Lawrence has it covered
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 Joey Lawrence resisted joining Chippendales at the Rio for a summer run, but his friends had other ideas.
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With Shenandoah project stalled, Wayne Newton hits back legally
Friday, June 1, 2012 Wayne Newton and his wife, Kathleen McCrone, appeared in court Thursday morning to seek a temporary restraining order against their business partner in the planned Casa de Shenandoah museum project.
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Las Vegas Philharmonic says search for new music director to begin 'immediately'
Friday, June 1, 2012 David Itkin sent a letter to Las Vegas Philharmonic officials Tuesday morning stating that he plans to leave the orchestra after the 2012-2013 season, which ends at the same time his current contract expired.
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Where does a Playmate play when she turns 21? Vegas!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Claire Sinclair spent a few days in Las Vegas catching the Frankie Moreno show, dining with Holly Madison at Golden Steer Steak House and hanging out at Crazy Horse III.
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David Itkin tells L.V. Philharmonic officials he's on his way out
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 David Itkin was chosen as the music director and conductor of the Las Vegas Philharmonic after a nationwide search in 2007.
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Diamond Dave sells it well as Van Halen pours out the power at MGM Grand
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 Van Halen performed in Las Vegas for the first time since 2007, and the result was buoyant, loud, nostalgic and regretfully lacking in vocal quality.
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Entering debut at Tryst, Nick Hissom is a model for a rapid rise to prominence
Sunday, May 27, 2012 Nick Hissom has a lot of forces working in his favor -- Steve Wynn and Kenny Ortega being chief examples -- but says if he doesn't produce, none of those connections matter.
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Business
Riviera CEO Andy Choy takes a gamble with classic casino
Sunday, May 27, 2012 Ask Andy Choy what he studied in college and he smiles slightly. “I was actually a probability major,” he says after a one-beat pause. “I was a statistics major. So, I actually study the odds and understand it beyond the periphery.” That quality, understanding odds beyond the periphery, is vital to the success of Choy and the hotel he operates, the Riviera.
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Michael Gaughan says no to return of 'Vegas Stripped' to South Point; Steve Wynn has enough nightclubs
Friday, May 25, 2012 "Vegas Stripped" aired on Travel Channel for six episodes beginning in February. Originally, South Point owner Michael Gaughan liked the show. But he's seen enough.
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Cosmopolitan sizzling over serving as host hotel for Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters'
Thursday, May 24, 2012 Contestants lived at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for 10 weeks, competing for the $100,000 top prize in the upcoming Season 4 of "Top Chef Masters."
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Suffering from respiratory illness, Elton John spikes three shows at Caesars
Thursday, May 24, 2012 Elton John checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. on Wednesday and was ordered to take a week off from performing because of a serious respiratory infection.
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Riviera
Riviera CEO Andy Choy plays the odds on a classic casino
Thursday, May 24, 2012 The Riviera CEO is betting on classic amenities (and one bingo-ball costume) for casino resurgence.
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Jeff Tracta, Rich Little, Jonathan Clark and a few words about impressionists
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Impressionists continue to permeate the entertainment scene in Las Vegas, with Jeff Tracta and Rich Little performing limited engagements in town and Jonathan Clark leaving the Riv.