John Katsilometes
Story Archive
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With Atrium Suites renovation, Stephen Siegel is crafting a new signature
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 The Siegel Group founder Stephen Siegel could make millions if he sold the old Atrium Suites building today, as is. But he has other plans.
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Porn legend (and Las Vegas resident) Sunset Thomas still showing naked ambition
Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 Sunset Thomas says hello, then she apologizes for an absence of cosmetic enhancement. “I’ve kissed all my lipstick away,” she says, laughing. “I’ve kissed a lot of people today.”
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'Phantom of the Opera' epitaph: We did well to survive six years
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 "Phantom" is one of the finest productions ever in Las Vegas. It also is one of the most expensive, and paying for those high standards has led to its ultimate closing after six years at the Venetian.
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Distinguished broadcaster George Stevens Jr. focuses on Smith Center's opening show
Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 The Smith Center for the Performing Arts opens March 10, and plans are for that show to be recorded and broadcast on national TV by a production team headed up by "Kennedy Center" producer George Stevens Jr. and his son.
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As always, Madonna and Cirque hope to surprise with halftime show
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 When the NFL announced that Madonna was teaming with Cirque du Soleil to perform this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, we all thought the same thing: Madonna cavorting with Spandex-clad gymnasts hooked to bungee cords.
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Odds don't weigh in favor of Miss Nevada to capture crown
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 Wynn Las Vegas Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello offers his odds for who will win Saturday night’s Miss America Pageant. Avello says any of his half-dozen picks could easily be the favorite.
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The Strip
Show producer David Saxe is on a mission to bring vintage Vegas back
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 The son of Strip performers was born to build an entertainment empire.
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'Phantom' closing at the Venetian on Sept. 2: 'We've had a triumphant run'
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 "Phantom" opened amid ample fanfare in June 2006. Nearly 2,700 shows later, it has been announced that it will close Sept. 2.
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Double sevens for Elvis, double the fun for Big Elvis and Sonny West
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 Pete Vallee is holding his weight loss at 460 pounds, and his buddy Sonny West, too, has dropped some pounds. But not for the same reasons.
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Dash for the sash that is the Miss America Pageant puts Las Vegas onstage
Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 As the Miss America contestants meet the public, en masse, for the first official photo opportunity of this year’s pageant, most of us see 53 attractive women.
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Three movers and shakers to watch in 2012
Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 A year ago at this time, I wrote of three fascinating figures to watch in VegasVille for the upcoming year. Before rolling out this year’s triumvirate, let’s see how our figures from the 2011 Three to Watch list fared.
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12towatchin2012
Joe Magliarditi, President of the Palms
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 Nothing happens at the Palms without his approval.
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12towatchin2012
Sam Nazarian, CEO, sbe Entertainment
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 This 36-year-old is making plans for the 'ultimate rebirth of the north end of the Strip.'
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The art of the deal: LVAM, UNLV partner to revive dormant museum collection
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 Citing a soft economy and scant community support, LVAM closed in February 2009. Through a partnership with UNLV, the collection will be back on display this year.
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It's Guns N' Roses at the Joint, so it's New Year's rockin' eve
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 Powered by its founder and the band's only remaining charter member, Guns N' Roses rocked for 3 hours at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel to usher in 2012.
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Rob Kardashian's foray into 'Dancing' inspired him to do more, such as go to law school
Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 Rob Kardashian says he learned more than how to do the tango on "Dancing With the Stars," where partner Cheryl Burke and he placed second.
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Onstage mishap has the Skating Aratas at the center of a dizzying episode at V Theater
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 Geniia "Jenny" Arata lost consciousness briefly in a bizarre and potentially hazardous event at "V -- The Ultimate Variety Show" on Wednesday night.
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Trombone solo leads a parade of happenings as 2011 sashays out the door
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011 This was the year of the trombone solo. That’s how I’ll best remember this topsy-turvy turning of the calendar, as 2011 is ushered out of the showroom as if part of a trombone-led parade at Frankie Moreno’s show at the Stratosphere.
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Writing from a childhood haunt: 'It is still a good place to be'
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 Today, the Kats Report bureau is College Market in Pocatello, Idaho. College Market is a dripping-with-nostalgia coffee pub located just three blocks from the first house my family owned.
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Stories of stars in the Studio at the Palms
Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 It was 3:30 a.m., and Zoe Thrall got the call. An assistant working for the multiplatinum country band Alabama had a need: Time.
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Pull up a stool for Michael Grimm's next Las Vegas gig
Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 Michael Grimm most recently performed a limited engagement at Flamingo Las Vegas, which ended Dec. 11. His next live appearance is something of a shocker.
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Charity holiday song was a mad dash for Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton-Holmes
Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 Clint Holmes and his wife, Kelly Clinton-Holmes, recorded "One More Christmas With You" to benefit Nathan Adelson Hospice. Getting the song recorded at all was something of a Christmas miracle.
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Events clash in Jerry Lewis' universe as MDA chief retires, laudatory documentary premieres
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 Jerry Lewis' year is closing with news that the man who headed up the MDA during Lewis' ouster from the organization is retiring, and a documentary focusing on his legendary career is premiering.
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Brad Garrett closes out at the Trop, focuses his ample energy on MGM Grand
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 Brad Garrett closed his run at the Tropicana on Sunday. What's next is a move across Tropicana Avenue to the MGM Grand.
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As We See It
Weekly Q&A: Bellagio's Andres Garcia is a master of the holidays
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 Bellagio director of horticulture Andres Garcia keeps the seasonal displays stunning
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No wrapping (or rapping) on Matt Goss's holiday gift
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 Matt Goss has fired a text to friends and family. When this little gem is opened, you hear Goss evoking memories of Bing Crosby and thoughts of light-falling snow.
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NFR wraps with an injury that could've been worse and exciting plans for the future (maybe even legal wagering)
Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 When Shane Proctor boarded the bucking bull Black Attack near the end of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the event was already an unqualified success.
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Stratosphere's investment in Frankie Moreno is a tall order, but well worth it
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 Frankie Moreno has been headlining at the Statosphere showroom for a little more than a month, and already the hotel has proven a go-for-broke strategy in marketing its new star.
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Domenick Allen and Leigh Zimmerman have it covered, A to Z
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 Domenick Allen and Leigh Zimmerman, a couple who have enjoyed rich and multifaceted entertainment careers, join forces in a pair of benefit shows at Suncoast Showroom.
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From Tokyo to the world (that's the plan) and finally to Vegas (maybe), brace for the Jackson 3
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 Jackie and Tito Jackson both say their new stage show, which is playing Japan next week, would be a fine fit in Las Vegas -- and who is to argue?
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A first: All acts at Las Vegas Hilton represented in a single show, this one for charity
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 Rick Faugno, Greg London, Trent Carlini, "Nunsense" and "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show" are joined by Paul Shortino and Adrian Zmed on Friday for a show to help relieve the plight of orphans worldwide.
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In 'Immortal,' 'The Giving Tree' has been taken away, but expect Jamie King to stay
Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 Jamie King used "The Giving Tree" as a metaphor and central set piece in the first version of "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" in Montreal. That changed for size restrictions at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
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Cirque du Soleil's big shows exert big influence on the Strip
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 Nourished by millions of visitors annually to the Strip, the giving tree that is Cirque has given and given. The seeds were planted by Steve Wynn in the Mirage parking lot in November 1993 with the tent show “Nouvelle Experience.”
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Post 'AGT,' Michael Grimm is still a champion -- of live performance
Monday, Nov. 28, 2011 Michael Grimm is not too fond of the online distribution methods used by today's emerging artists, preferring old-style live performances, such as his run ...
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Guns N' Roses at the Joint is a lesson in 'risk managment' and understanding the rock business
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 Guns N' Roses at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel will be one of New Year’s Eve’s more fascinating events in Las Vegas, regardless of the outcome.
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Saturday's performance of ‘O’ was a royal treat ... and a missed encounter
Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 You really never know when, where or how you’ll encounter a newsmaker in Las Vegas. Example: A week ago Saturday, I was in the men’s room at MGM Grand Garden Arena during the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez bout and found myself standing next to the fine actor Steve Buscemi.
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Report: Prince (Harry) puts on a show at Tryst
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 Upon completion of military training, People reports that Prince Harry hung out at Tryst until the early morning hours Saturday.
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In '40 West,' Mr. Las Vegas is not Mr. Nice Guy
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 The centerpiece of the Las Vegas Independent Film Festival, "40 West" is a rough saga played out on two stages: A limo carrying Wayne Newton, and a sketchy hotel room in East Texas.
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Jerry Springer prizes his freewheeling Vegas game-show gig
Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 It’s Viva Jerry time at Bally’s Jubilee Theater, as Jerry Springer hosts “The Price Is Right Live” stage show, dealing Plinko discs like poker chips and even uncorking a highly credible Elvis impression. That’s right.
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The scene from ringside at Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 Manny Pacquiao entered tonight's WBO World Welterweight title bout against Juan Manuel Marquez as a prohibitive favorite, by sports bettors and thousands of Filipinos at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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VegasVille Photo of the Week: A wheel that tells the story of a soldier
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 Wayne Newton greeted Wounded Warriors on Friday at McCarran International Airport, including one who wore his service on his wheel.
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Bolstered by Kirk Kerkorian's donation, Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children to take a year off
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 Andre Agassi's annual fundraiser pulled in $26.1 million on Oct. 29. The record-breaking take means his volunteer staff and he can table the event for 2012.
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Gary Sinise's philanthropic music project is Taylor-made
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 Gary Sinise began performing on USO Tours nearly 10 years ago, and his Lt. Dan Band is still busy playing.
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'Manny! The Musical': Does it have a fighting chance?
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 When not beating people up, Manny Pacquiao likes to sing. But is he good enough to star in his own Las Vegas show?
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Oscar Goodman to hold court at Las Vegas Hilton
Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 Oscar Goodman has parlayed a career in defending reputed mobsters and three terms as mayor of Las Vegas into a courtroom show with tantalizing potential.
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Club Nikki to take new name -- RPM Nightclub -- on New Year's Eve weekend
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 RPM Nightclub, operated by the Tropicana, will take the place of the name Club Nikki on Dec. 30.
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A&E
Dragone's 'Le Reve' remains a splashy delight
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 Le Rêve remains a splashy delight, comparable to any Cirque show, especially as the holidays approach and family-friendly options are at a premium.
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Recycled Percussion is the act, Tropicana Theater the name as showroom (loudly) enters new phase
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011 The loud-and-proud crew from Recycled Percussion is performing at the former Gladys Knight Theater and Tiffany Theater nightly at 7.
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In Las Vegas, it really is Lopez Tonight, as he takes the stage at Mirage
Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 George Lopez has found life busier than ever since his TBS talk show Lopez Tonight was canceled in August.
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Cool hang alert: Brimming-with-talent Composers Showcase is back at Garfield's
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011 The Composers Showcase, which hearkens to 2006 at Suede, returns for a performance tonight at Garfield's.