John Katsilometes
Story Archive
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Priscilla Presley 'excited' about Cirque du Soleil's changes to 'Viva Elvis'
Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 Priscilla Presley has long been a proponent of telling the Elvis Presley story onstage, but says Cirque du Soleil's decision to move away from that narrative will make the show better.
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It's lace and frills, yet no frills, at this year's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Palms
Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 Eschewing the courtship theme of years past, the fifth Midsummer Night's Dream at the Palms on Saturday night is going to focus on pure party.
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Entertainment
Even after 30 years, 'Jubilee!' still has plenty to offer
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 'Jubilee!' looks back on 30 great years, and looks forward to many more
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John Padon muses on 'Sin City Comedy' false start and performing for an audience of one -- Steve Wynn
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 John Padon opened "Sin City Comedy" at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops in April 2009. He's still trying to get the club on cable TV.
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Eight factoids from a Las Vegas-to-Boise flight on Delta
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 There is a way to get a flight attendant on a Delta flight to kick down with extra bags of peanuts.
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David Saxe of 'Vegas! The Show' is a better show producer than prom date
Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 During an appearance on "Kats With the Dish," David Saxe talked of his youth in Las Vegas as producer of his sister Melinda's magic show, and how he continues to needle Cirque du Soleil.
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In two swift paragraphs, Jerry Lewis' run as MDA chairman and telethon host ends
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 In May, the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced that Jerry Lewis would make one final appearance at September's MDA Labor Day Telethon. It was announced today by the MDA that Lewis had completed his tenure as national chairman and would not be part of the telethon after all.
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Michael Grimm, 'Rat Pack,' Zowie Bowie, twin tappers: Jeff Jordan benefit has it all
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 Michael Grimm's appearance at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch helped boost a benefit show for local sax player Jeff Jordan. An all-star cast of performers didn't hurt, either.
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It's a happy interrogation as Tony Hsieh visits 'The Colbert Report'
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 During an interview Monday night on "The Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert asked Tony Hsieh if suffering, not happiness, would be a better business model for Zappos.
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Sometimes it takes an army, and the Clarion charity show was such a time
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 On Sunday at Clarion's Fame Theater, a lackluster turnout for The Salvation Army was offset by a lotta love in this room!
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Onstage oddities, and how the MGM fire led to a worldwide crystal shortage, from 'Jubilee!'
Monday, Aug. 1, 2011 "Jubilee!" celebrated its 30th anniversary Saturday at Bally's, and the production reminded of its unique place in Las Vegas history.
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Las Vegas gives back with benefits for musician Jeff Jordan, Salvation Army
Saturday, July 30, 2011 A heart condition and subsequent complications have put sax man Jeff Jordan in a deep financial hole, and his fellow performers are helping him offset his medical bills with a show at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch.
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In GQ story, Jerry Lewis shows he's hardly ready to retire
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Jerry Lewis has several projects in progress, including a new telethon in Australia, and is as active as ever, as a profile in the edition of GQ reminds.
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'Jubilee!' and Moksha have roots in Las Vegas, if in different patches of soil
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 On a night that the Vegas rock band Moksha held a jammin' show at House of Blues, "Jubilee!" put on its characteristically tradition-steeped show at Bally's.
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Is George Clooney positioning himself for a run at public office?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 George Clooney was reportedly in talks with a business interest in Las Vegas but pulled out to protect his already compromised public image.
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Jay Bloom's involvement in The Mob Experience, proposed Star Wars attraction in question
Sunday, July 24, 2011 The Mob Experience's visionary, Jay Bloom, is no longer a part of that attraction, and his involvement in a proposed Star Wars-themed attraction is in question.
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'Neon scar,' 'Twilight' as a breakfast cereal, and more whimsy from Russell Brand at Mandalay Bay
Saturday, July 23, 2011 At Mandalay Bay on Friday night, Russell Brand tucked his wedding ring in his pocket, ventured into the audience to seek sexual partners and blew past one of the city's top female topless dancers.
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Frank happenings for Moreno and Perez; 'Vegas! The Show' shows more skin
Saturday, July 23, 2011 Frankie Moreno has been busy recording for Sony Records, and he is still a popular live draw. Beginning Aug. 2, he is at The Lounge at the Palms. Meantime, Franky Perez has expanded his schedule and is to appear at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch.
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Caesars Entertainment: 'Look at us! We don't shaft our guests!
Friday, July 22, 2011 Caesars Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and PH Towers Westgate, Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's, Bally's, Rio, Imperial Palace and Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Casino, held a parade Thursday morning for playing fair with its guests.
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Russell Brand ready to turn the tiger loose (metaphorically speaking) in Las Vegas
Thursday, July 21, 2011 Russell Brand typically visits Vegas to walk a red carpet or attend a championship fight, but he is in town working this weekend -- one show at Mandalay Bay.
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Life after office still full speed ahead for Oscar Goodman
Saturday, July 9, 2011 What you take from Oscar Goodman’s winding road as mayor of Las Vegas is that in three terms over 12 years, there was never a dull moment. No one wanted to be mayor of Las Vegas more than Oscar Goodman, that can be said.
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Din is served, especially in our row, at NKOTBSB at Mandalay Bay
Tuesday, July 5, 2011 The Guy in Blue put on such an energized performance that he, too, could be on tour.
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Lounge Lizards unite: Vintage Vegas is still alive and well
Saturday, July 2, 2011 A tour of the Las Vegas scene reminds that the spirit of the Old Vegas lives on in such vocalists as Chris Phillips, Mark O'Toole and Clint Holmes.
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Mary Wilson, on protecting artists' work, her first visit to Vegas with The Supremes, and why it's still 'Diane' Ross
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Former Supreme Mary Wilson has built a solo career around a primarily jazz repertoire as she performs at the Riviera's Starlight Theater.
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Criss Angel talks of new partnership with Cirque, says ex-relationship with Holly Madison is 'such old news'
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Luxor headliner Criss Angel is busier than ever with a new website, TV project and possible touring production partnership with Cirque du Soleil.
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Joe Magliarditi is named president of the Palms
Monday, June 27, 2011 The man who started the year as the president of one of the Palms’ chief competitors is now president of the Palms. Joe Magliarditi, a longtime gaming executive who most recently was president and CEO of the Hard Rock Hotel, was formally announced today as president of the Palms.
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Golden Rainbow is moving great 'Ribbon of Life' show to Smith Center in 2012
Monday, June 27, 2011 Golden Rainbow's "Ribbon of Life" AIDS/HIV benefit drew 1,100 to Paris Theater, but next year the show will be in the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall at Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
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Me at 18: Rush is still performing? Me Now: You better believe it
Sunday, June 26, 2011 Rush rocked MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night, evoking a mythical conversation between me now and my 18-year-old Rush fanatic self.
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A visit to Michael Jackson's old home, where interloper leads tour and pit bull is shot — for starters
Saturday, June 25, 2011 It all began when a guy described as an overzealous fan led an unauthorized tour of the Las Vegas home once rented by Michael Jackson. Soon there was a call to Metro. The guy leading the tour turned out to have a warrant out for his arrest and shouldn’t have been on the property, at all.
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Notes: The great singles hangout at the Rio; Anthony Crivello's take on Groucho; an injury-forced change in 'Absinthe'
Saturday, June 25, 2011 The Flirt Lounge is named such for a reason, as Chippendales star Jeff Timmons related during the latest episode of Kats With the Dish.
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Fatigued Jerry Lewis resting after canceling appearance in Australia
Saturday, June 25, 2011 An exhausted Jerry Lewis bowed out of a speaking engagement in Sydney on Friday, but is expected to fulfill the next two such appearances before returning to his Las Vegas home.
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Shaq-Maloof friendship is a far cry from the days of 'Sacramento Queens'
Friday, June 24, 2011 George Maloof has a dim memory of when Shaquille O'Neal referred to the Maloof family's Sacramento Kings as "The Queens."
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Scott Zeiger: On fifth anniversary, 'Phantom' on solid footing; don't rule out extended run for 'Absinthe'
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 It seems that each year, when Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular celebrates an anniversary, we ask, “Will it be around for another year?” The show keeps answering that question itself -- it celebrates its fifth anniversary at the Venetian on Thursday.
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At Daytime Emmys: Sajak's aversion to 'Wheel' slot machine; Marie joins 'Bold'; Oprah's remote acceptance; Vanna's tumble
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater was as remarkable for who didn't show up as who did, but Susan Lucci and the two top game-show hosts on TV -- Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Alex Trebek and Pat Sajak -- did turn out.
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Wynn's Johnny Avello reveals the beauty of pageant oddsmaking
Monday, June 20, 2011 Johnny Avello gauges pageant contestants on beauty -- and so much more -- when setting odds such as those for the Miss USA Pageant.
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Return to the 'Pawn Stars' nerve center shows the guys are ... pretty much the same
Friday, June 17, 2011 When last we checked in on the men of “Pawn Stars” at their Las Vegas Boulevard headquarters, it was March 2010, and the show had just erupted across cable television.
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Brody's world changes amid fatigue, rock and a symphonic performance at Henderson Pavilion
Friday, June 17, 2011 Brody Dolyniuk's vision of a casino-based classic rock band led to a 14-year run with Yellow Brick Road. His final show with the band is Saturday night at Henderson Pavilion. What's next for him and one of the city's most popular live acts?
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Miss California (at 8-to-1) tops Miss USA odds field; Miss Nevada 25-to-1
Thursday, June 16, 2011 What can be said about Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella, Johnny Avello's odds-on favorite to win Sunday's Miss USA Pageant: She has a shapely form and a heavy foot.
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Miss Nevada USA Sarah Chapman: Preschool exec, model, beauty queen -- and children's book author
Thursday, June 16, 2011 Sarah Chapman has made her mark on Las Vegas, and the state of Nevada, for that matter, having secured a job as the director of a Henderson preschool and winning the Miss Nevada USA title.
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For Susan Lucci, the time was right to tell her own story
Thursday, June 16, 2011 Susan Lucci says she was "blindsided" by the abrupt announcement that "All My Children" would be canceled, a development not covered in her new autobiography, "All My Life."
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Chip Lightman is selling grilled cheese, and we ask, 'Why?'
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Chip Lightman led Danny Gans to Strip stardom and once produced Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. His latest venture is a cartoonish food truck specializing in melted cheese.
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Frankie Moreno's path to fame features Joshua Bell, Paul McCartney, Simon Cowell and a few camels
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Frankie Moreno's affiliations include Simon Cowell and violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, and an appearance on Cowell's "X Factor" is in the offing. In Moreno’s adventure-filled world, where for fun he plays Rush Lounge and Garfield’s on the Lake at Desert Shores, these moments are all connected.
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Latest stop for the traveling road show that is Composers Showcase: Garfield's
Monday, June 13, 2011 Many of the favorites of the Composers Showcase -- and a few impressive guests -- will turn out for the July 6 event, set for Garfield's Grand Atrium at the restaurant at the Lake at Desert Shore.
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Appearance by Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon makes Paul McCartney show a rare experience
Sunday, June 12, 2011 The song is called “Here Today.” It was written by Paul McCartney shortly after John Lennon was murdered on Dec. 8, 1980. As McCartney introduces the song, he says it is to remind us all to say what we want to say to those around us, because you never know when those people will be taken away.
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Post-election kudos to Michael Cornthwaite for his spot-on prediction
Saturday, June 11, 2011 A month before Election Day, Michael Cornthwaite said the candidate he was backing -- Carolyn Goodman -- would win the race by 21 percent of the vote. He wasn't quite perfect; she won by 21.02 percent.
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With John Waite, Arcanas had a pretty good wedding singer
Saturday, June 11, 2011 Steve and Dana Arcana shared a love for John Waite music, and for making out, in the years before the onetime Babys vocalist performed at their wedding ceremony.
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Casa de Shenandoah project takes wing with a couple hundred lovebirds
Saturday, June 11, 2011 The new series Confessions: Animal Hoarders examines abuses in animal ownership, which helped lead 200 lovebirds out of a bad scene and into a new home at Casa de Shenandoah.
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Rowdy red carpet is a little McCartney and Yoko, but a whole lotta 'Love'
Thursday, June 9, 2011 "Love" celebrated its fifth anniversary at the Mirage on Wednesday, as Sir Paul McCartney was the lone surviving Beatle to usher in the landmark event. As McCartney made the turn off the carpet and toward the theater lobby, fans who began assembling for a glimpse of one of the two surviving Beatles led out a roar.
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For Sir George and Giles Martin, The Beatles' legacy is all about 'Love'
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 Sir George Martin was The Beatles' producer throughout their breakthrough recording career in the 1960s, and his son Giles has been entrusted with remastering the music heard in Love, celebrating its fifth anniversary at the Mirage.
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Oscar Goodman's mayoral reign has been social, but not at all social media
Monday, June 6, 2011 Oscar Goodman is an avid reader and a generally intelligent man, but he has no use at all for Twitter, Facebook ... or even a computer.