John Katsilometes on a big announcement made onstage during a Manilow concert

Monday, July 17, 2006 | 7:16 a.m.

International recording star Jon Secada visited Vegas for some fun over the weekend. But he still slipped in a little free-lance work.

Secada was invited onto the Las Vegas Hilton Showroom stage by Barry Manilow on Saturday night and the two performed a bouncy version of "Copacabana (At the Copa)" for the thrilled full-house crowd. The walk-on appearance wasn't a complete surprise - the two had made plans for the duet during the week and Secada took part in Saturday's sound check.

Secada's appearance served a larger purpose - to plug a Secada concert in September at the Hilton. Manilow announced that Secada will be filling in at the Hilton Showroom on Sept. 15, when Manilow is off.

Afterward, Secada and his wife, Mari, met up with "Phantom of the Opera" star Brent Barrett and friends at the SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn President Andrew Pascal stopped by to chat up the two stars. Secada is also set to perform at a private party at the hotel for Steve Wynn on Aug. 19.

Secada is branching out to network TV, too, as he is signed to be a celebrity judge on the new "Latin American Idol," which debuts across 25 countries this summer.

NoteMart

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