Columnist Joe Delaney: More local performance venues coming on line

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 25, 1999 | 11:50 a.m.

Entertainment times are a-changing in Las Vegas, getting better. ... The Thomas & Mack Center was the first venue with a 15,000-plus potential. ... The MGM Grand Garden Arena came next, about the same capacity, and like Thomas & Mack, is basically a sports arena. ... Opening on April 10, with operatic superstar Luciano Pavarotti, the Mandalay Bay Events Center has a 12,000-seat capacity potential that is more entertainment friendly.

The Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts (7,000 seats) should be back in action in 2000. ... Before that, LV will have three events centers with a 5,000- to 6,000-seat potential: Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena at Primm, a new one at the Rio, and the Millennium, being built in North Las Vegas.

Thomas & Mack will soon have a new events center (3,000-4,000 capacity) on its grounds. ... Las Vegas will have to find more active, aggressive and knowledgeable people to book these venues.

In the future

Early in the new millennium, hopefully, LV will have more Broadway shows; classics, contemporary successes and original works so that we can become the Legitimate Theatre Capital of the World as well. ... Steve Wynn has been a leader in developing fresh entertainment concepts. ... Mandalay Bay and Circus Circus could become the new pace-setter. ... One hopes that the Venetian and Paris-Las Vegas will follow suit.

An appreciation

Television and radio personality Jack Kogan entered eternity at approximately 4 p.m. last Saturday. ... This good friend, one of the first late-night movie hosts on local TV, was still active on radio with a weekly show on KLAV-1230 AM. ... It is fitting that he was watching television in his room when he quietly made his final exit.

Jack and the late Gus Giuffre were like brothers, inseparable. ... Gus was a longtime afternoon TV movie host on KLAS Channel 8. ... Together, Kogan and Giuffre did more local fund-raising for various good causes than the rest of the media combined. ... Both were firmly established and we were already good friends when I moved here in 1962.

Kogan was also the co-founder and catalyst for the annual 30-30 Dinner for Vegans who have lived here 30 years or more. ... Abrasive at times, Kogan had a good heart, he really cared. ... Rest well, Jack.

Star-policy rundown

It's Percy Sledge, Friday (Arizona Charlie's); Chicago, the band, Friday through Sunday (Caesars); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Golden Nugget); Neil Young, Thursday and Friday (Hard Rock); Andrew "Dice" Clay, Friday and Saturday (LV Hilton); B.B. King, Friday and Saturday (House of Blues); and Bill Acosta (Luxor); there's more.

There's Carrot Top plus Tommy Tune in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Anne Murray (Orleans); Michele LaFong (O'Shea's); Don Williams, Friday (Palace Station); Danny Gans (Rio) and Dave Mason and Jim Capaldi, Saturday (Sunset Station).

Comedian and magician Mac King is replacing Nick Lewin through April 3, doing Comedy Magic, 1 and 3 p.m. at the Maxim. ... Lewin returns with a new two-year deal on April 5. ... Column favorite Max Alexander is headlining at Harrah's Improv through Sunday, always worth catching.

Local happenings

The MGM Grand Adventures opens Friday for the spring and summer season. ... The 10th annual Native American Arts Festival, a three-day museum program, is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Clark County Heritage Museum. ... Scott Keely's "The Shanachie: An Irish Story Teller," is at 8 p.m. Friday, Reed Whipple Cultural Center; great stories but it is suggested that you leave the wee ones at home.

Miguelita's Flarumba Dance Troupe performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Winchester Community Center. ... LV Little Theatre's "Seven Year Itch" concludes Sunday, 3844 Schiff Drive.

Dr. Douglas R. Peterson's Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society presents an afternoon with Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart at 3 p.m. Sunday, UNLV's Ham Hall. ... This is SNMAS's 36th season. ... Most of these local events are high quality efforts, usually with very low prices.

Thursday addenda

Elizabeth Perry appears in a one-person play, "Sunflower," Tuesday at 8 p.m., Charleston Arts Center. ... Perry is also the author of this drama based upon the life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a fighter for women's rights and a mentor to Susan B. Anthony, a fitting part of Women's History Month. ... See you Friday.