John Katsilometes
Story Archive
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Packing his trunk of memories, Jerry Lewis hits the stage at South Point
Thursday, May 9, 2013 Jerry Lewis is performing at South Point for the first time since leaving the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 2010.
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The Elvis who Linda Thompson remembers 'got a kick' from impressionists
Thursday, May 9, 2013 When Elvis was alive, those dressed as Elvis showed up to his shows at the Las Vegas Hilton. He chuckled at being honored that way.
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Las Vegas entertainers rally for Donny & Marie musician Mike Turnbull
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 Mike Turnbull is a favorite among Las Vegas musicians, who are organizing to help him pay medical bills from his throat cancer surgery.
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‘KWTD’: Frankie Scinta on ‘The Scintas’ trek back to town and performing without Chrissi
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 The Scintas opened at Shimmer Cabaret in 2000 and quickly became a fan favorite. Fronted by Frankie Scinta, the family act is now at The D.
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Cirque puts its best feet forward in evoking the imagery of Michael Jackson
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 The first rollout of "Michael Jackson One" at Mandalay Bay revealed inventive sets and a great sound system.
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Notes: Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s great, but bout wasn’t; Chrissi Scinta’s stage return in question; Marie Osmond hits the (tomato) sauce
Sunday, May 5, 2013 Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a great fighter — too great to ensure that his fights at MGM Grand will be suspenseful or packed with action.
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Beyond 'The Dragon': Andre Agassi and Gil Reyes get a lift with award-winning fitness machine
Thursday, May 2, 2013 Andre Agassi and Gil Reyes constructed a version of the C.O.D. Machine during Agassi's playing career. Now it's for the public.
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With ‘Pin Up,’ Stratosphere has it covered — which is not the best idea for Claire Sinclair
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Claire Sinclair is a one-time Playboy Playmate of the Year, which is what lures many fans to the nonetheless covered "Pin Up" at Stratosphere.
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Notes: Leigh Zimmerman triumphs in 'A Chorus Line'; an only-in-Vegas day for Clint Holmes; Brody Dolyniuk is returning
Monday, April 29, 2013 Leigh Zimmeran, late of "The Producers" at Paris Las Vegas, came away with an Olivier Award for "A Chorus Line" on Sunday.
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Mary Wilson-to-The Venetian would fulfill a Supreme goal
Monday, April 29, 2013 Mary Wilson saw Human Nature at its opening at Imperial Palace four years ago — and now might share the same Venetian theater.
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Holly Madison lends her love for animals to 10th ‘Best in Show’ at The Orleans
Saturday, April 27, 2013 Holly Madison has made repeated appearances at "Best in Show" and in 2011 adopted her pooch Louis at the event.
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Head of Saks Fifth Avenue is ideally suited for his job
Friday, April 26, 2013 Steve Sadove was in town last week for the 10th annual Vegas Dozen, his first visit to the event at Saks at Fashion Show mall.
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Pasquale Rotella's taxing statement: EDC's return in 2014 is in jeopardy
Thursday, April 25, 2013 The Electric Daisy Carnival is back at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in June, but LET concerns have jeopardized its future in Las Vegas.
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Pop Evolution is ready for residency at the Stratosphere starting May 7
Thursday, April 25, 2013 David Perrico premiered Pop Evolution last May at South Point. The band now has a home at the Stratosphere.
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Packed Stratosphere house is treated to some serious burning at first 'Showbiz Roast'
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Vinnie Favorito closed the show with a sometimes uncomfortable flourish at the first "Showbiz Roast" at Stratosphere.
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At Hakkasan, it's time to rock -- er, EDM -- around the clock
Monday, April 22, 2013 Hakkasan is the most ambitious club project ever in a Strip hotel. Is its marriage to EDM going to last?
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Spotlight returns to 'Power of Love' gala; Marshall Sylver's spectacle takes another twist
Saturday, April 20, 2013 The "Power of Love" is set for rebroadcast tonight on Vegas TV, and "Larry King Now" focuses on the gala next week.
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'Lefty' sweeps up a list of skills for judicious magicians
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Doug "Lefty" Leferovich performs an act in Murray Sawchuck's show at the Tropicana, but he does so much more.
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A reinvigorated Jerry Lewis set for May performances at South Point
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Jerry Lewis last performed in Las Vegas in November and is returning to the site of his final MDA Telethon appearance: South Point.
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‘KWTD’: Keith Thompson says The Composers Showcase is happily at home at Cabaret Jazz
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Keith Thompson and Michael Brennan started The Composers Showcase seven years ago at Suede restaurant. That business closed, but the Showcase is prospering.
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Steve Wynn's winning weekend: Raising $1.3 million at 'Power of Love'; dinner with Sheldon Adelson
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Steve Wynn offered a week on his yacht, Aquarius, at Saturday's "Power of Love" gala. He wound up raising $1.3 million.
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In shedding Gold Spike, The Siegel Group reminds that anything's for sale
Monday, April 15, 2013 Gold Spike opened in 1976 and was operated for years by Jackie Gaughan. Its days as a hotel-casino ended on Sunday afternoon.
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With Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine at the center, ‘Power of Love’ is an all-star jam
Sunday, April 14, 2013 Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Lion, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg helped make the "Power of Love" gala at MGM Grand Garden Arena a night to remember.
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Quincy Jones at 80: Still celebrating birthdays, but not retirement
Saturday, April 13, 2013 He’s not finished. That is important to note, or remind, about Quincy Jones: His artistic passion didn’t stop in the 1980s. It seems only to be reinvigorated as he enters the 80s — his own. At age 80, Quincy Jones is a legend-at-work, not a legend-in-retirement.
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Larry Ruvo’s power of persuasion makes ‘Power of Love’ a philanthropic force
Thursday, April 11, 2013 The star-studded lineup for this year's Keep Memory Alive "Power of Love" gala is another example of Larry Ruvo's high-powered connections.
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To theme or not to theme: Casino executives might have this debate
Thursday, April 11, 2013 What might transpire in a conversation between casino executives over how a new resort should be themed.
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'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' sashays into Venetian Theater
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 A show long-rumored to be heading to Las Vegas, "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," rolls into The Venetian in June.
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The dance between BBR and ‘Pin Up’ makes its way to the stage
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 BBR founder Anne Martinez has been onstage in "Pin Up" at Stratosphere, opening speculation that a change in singers is in the offing.
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His live CD recording banked, Clint Holmes preps for appearances at Feinstein's in S.F.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Clint Holmes' weekend shows at Cabaret Jazz are his first live recordings -- and also the first live shows captured for CD at The Smith Center.
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Brad Paisley's use of Brad Garrett's club a shock to ... Brad Garrett, and more from ACM Awards weekend
Monday, April 8, 2013 Brad Paisley set up his equipment and instruments to perform a showcase in Brad Garrett's Comedy Club on Friday. That was fine with Garrett, who learned of it two days later.
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Peter ‘Reveen the Impossiblist,’ manager of Lance Burton, dies at 77
Monday, April 8, 2013 Peter Reveen helped deliver Lance Burton to the then-opening Monte Carlo in 1995. Burton performed at the resort until 2010.
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Co-hosts Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan talk each other's pants, and Bryan pockets Entertainer of the Year at ACM Awards
Sunday, April 7, 2013 Colin Kaepernick was a highlight of the red carpet walk outside MGM Grand before the show, as the 49ers quarterback chatted about predecessor Alex Smith.
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‘Nashville Unplugged’ is an acoustic pick for quick-thinkin’ songwriters
Sunday, April 7, 2013 The four men sit on stools and face the audience, looking like an acoustic-packin' firing squad. It takes a capable and confident artist to take a spur-of-the-moment idea and make it something special -- or at least something that can be performed on a Las Vegas stage. The country musicians of "Nashville Unplugged" at Red Rock Resort are up to the challenge.
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Count’s Kustoms takes a little spin with Brian Thomas on his three-wheeled ‘trike’
Friday, April 5, 2013 Brian Thomas has been featured as a leprechaun, as a member of Little Crue and as the "mini-ster" at KISS By Monster Mini Golf. Now he's a TV star.
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Sometimes a presidential playground, Shadow Creek is used to seeing stars
Friday, April 5, 2013 Two years ago, Mark Brenneman sat with a visiting dignitary at a table in the clubhouse of Shadow Creek Golf Course. The two chatted casually, peering out a giant window at the course’s lush 18th green.
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A cool VegasVille moment at Royal House: 'Jersey Boys' join 95-year-old Vegas icon Joe Vento
Friday, April 5, 2013 On the event of Deven May's birthday, his fellow castmates from "Jersey Boys" met up with a 95-year-old pianist steeped in Vegas history.
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Triple shot: Stones-Killers 'bottle service' recalled; ACMAs to return after Dallas dalliance; Hard Rock's Paul Davis lauds Def Leppard
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 The Rolling Stones last performed at MGM Grand Garden Arena in November 2005, the same month as Paul McCartney and U2.
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Philip Fortenberry’s hands (and body) are key to piano scenes in HBO's ‘Candelabra’
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Philip Fortenberry arrived in Las Vegas nearly a decade ago and spent years paying tribute to Liberace at The Liberace Museum.
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'Jersey Boy' Jeff Leibow takes NF fight to Washington -- and asks for support
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Jeff Leibow has been tireless in his efforts to raise money and awareness to fight Neurofibromatosis, a disorder from which his daughter, Emma, suffers.
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A cool front is moving into the Joint, and it is Def Leppard
Monday, April 1, 2013 Def Leppard talks of being cool -- and more than 30 years after its inception remains just that.
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iHeartRadio Music Festival, a two-night crush of superstars, is returning to MGM Grand
Thursday, March 28, 2013 The iHeartRadio Music Festival is one of the great showcases in Las Vegas and returns to MGM Grand Garden Arena in September.
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A tribal lesson in quick showers, mixing cultures and 'Kenya Rogers'
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Members of the staff of the Porini Mara Camp in Ol Kinyei Conservancy in southeast Kenya sang and danced with Frankie Moreno on a new song, "Lions Den."
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Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond leads The Vegas Dozen’s Class of 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 One of the most distinguished lists in Las Vegas, The Vegas Dozen, has been finalized. As usual, those on the lineup sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue are influential, powerful and representative of all facets of the city.
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Kenyan schoolchildren give a harmonious welcome to visitors from Las Vegas
Sunday, March 24, 2013 The students at Oloibormurt Primary School were happy to welcome a Las Vegas headliner, though to them the music played was unfamiliar.
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In the Kenyan wilderness, the leader of this pride is one tough mother
Saturday, March 23, 2013 A lengthy, and bumpy, quest to find the lions of the Maasai Mara ended with a few face-to-face encounters in a pride of 10.
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An arrival in Nairobi, and how a lion taking down a zebra weighs into a safari experience
Monday, March 18, 2013 This writing adventure starts in Nairobi. It'll wind up in Paris, but for now: Nairobi, and an upcoming safari.
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Bill Maher isn’t hip to turning conservative, but he’s up for a ‘funny-off’
Sunday, March 17, 2013 Bill Maher has performed at a few Las Vegas venues over the years and concedes to his "promiscuity."
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Why a music production starring CeeLo Green lacks musicians and any human playing a piano
Friday, March 15, 2013 CeeLo Green's show is disappointing if the idea was to maximize what the famous showman and musician can bring to the stage.
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Let the bingo games begin at Green Valley Ranch’s shuttered Ovation
Thursday, March 14, 2013 Green Valley Ranch announced today that it is planning to open a bingo center in the space formerly occupied by one of the city’s great live entertainment venues.
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'KWTD': 'Book of Mormon' is 'the next chapter' for Smith Center entering Year 2
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Myron Martin once toured the world to glean ideas for what would become The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.