John Katsilometes

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Standing ovation? Reflections on the Smith Center's first year: Thursday, March 7, 2013; For an organization that ballyhooed every dollar raised to build a performing arts center, cheered the arrival of 2,458 tons of Indiana limestone and posed for countless photo ops, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts seems, well, quiet this time of year. And just when there’s so much to get nutty about: 10 touring Broadway productions scheduled for next season; a lingering high from the six-week run of Wicked last summer, and who could forget the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s March performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony.
Good or bad, Super Bowl halftimes have produced some memorable shows: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013; I was on the phone with my brother the other day talking about the Super Bowl. I mentioned to him that I am writing a column about the all-time memorable Super Bowl moments. “You have to have ‘Be Bop Bamboozled’ in there,” he said. “Of course,” I said.
Holly Madison ditches the 'Peepshow' corset and prepares for motherhood: Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012; Ready for her biggest challenge yet, the Queen of the Strip continues to keep everyone guessing. This spring, Holly Madison and the producers of "Peepshow," the adult revue in which she has starred as Bo Peep, announced she would leave the Planet Hollywood show on December 30. It was to be the end of an era, albeit a relatively short one, for the woman who arrived in town in the fall of 2008 and quickly embarked on a hard-focused campaign to become “Miss Las Vegas.”
In search of song: Headliner Frankie Moreno treks to Europe to find inspiration: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012; The objective is two-pronged, like a tuning fork. The three brothers will write songs. The accompanying journalist will write about them writing songs. But how does this process begin, exactly? It’s unclear how the Moreno brothers will embark on this 10-day creative adventure, this lengthy overseas road trip. The sites are laid open: Vienna, Florence and Venice.
The strange saga of the Stirling Club: Thursday, July 19, 2012; Late at night on May 17, the fate of the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place was hanging in cyberspace. Stephen Siegel had committed to buy the club, but he needed to move quickly. Stirling Club was set to close May 18, a Friday night, hosting its “last dance” at 10:30 p.m. A day earlier, Siegel sent an email to the Turnberry Place Master Homeowners’ Association saying he had agreed to buy the Mansion — home to the Stirling Club and all of its amenities — for several million dollars.
Four things to know about Surf the Musical, as it splashes down on the Strip: Wednesday, June 20, 2012; Surf's up.
Riviera CEO Andy Choy takes a gamble with classic casino: Sunday, May 27, 2012; Ask Andy Choy what he studied in college and he smiles slightly. “I was actually a probability major,” he says after a one-beat pause. “I was a statistics major. So, I actually study the odds and understand it beyond the periphery.” That quality, understanding odds beyond the periphery, is vital to the success of Choy and the hotel he operates, the Riviera.
Riviera CEO Andy Choy plays the odds on a classic casino: Thursday, May 24, 2012; The Riviera CEO is betting on classic amenities (and one bingo-ball costume) for casino resurgence.
Santana moves into House of Blues: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; The House of Blues will feel more like a big club for his new residency, which began Wednesday night.
Seven quotes from the Academy of Country Music Awards: Wednesday, April 4, 2012; John Katsilometes catches some words of wisdom on the ACM red carpet and in the media room

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Blog Entries

D time is now for the Scintas to take hold in downtown Vegas: Friday, May 24, 2013; The Scintas bring a family vibe to the D, replacing the old Irish vibe of Fitzgeralds.
Debbie Reynolds: More of Liberace the showman in HBO's ‘Candelabra’: Thursday, May 23, 2013; Actress Debbie Reynolds has just a few significant scenes in HBO's "Behind the Candelabra" but relished the chance to play Liberace's mother, ...
Debbie Reynolds says she wanted more of Liberace the showman in ‘Candelabra’: Thursday, May 23, 2013; Debbie Reynolds has just a few significant scenes in "Behind the Candelabra" but relished the chance to play Liberace's mother, Frances.
Crazy Horse III halts use of name Crazy Horse Too, but rival club is opening anyway: Wednesday, May 22, 2013; Mike Galam's effort to resurrect the name Crazy Horse Too was thwarted today by a judge in Las Vegas.
Crazy Horse III halts Crazy Horse Too name; rival club opening anyway: Wednesday, May 22, 2013; Mike Galam's effort to resurrect the name Crazy Horse Too was thwarted today by a judge in Las Vegas. He was going to call the gentlemen's club ...
Louie Anderson makes waves at Plaza; 'The Showbiz Roast' to return: Tuesday, May 21, 2013; Headliner comedian Louie Anderson took the high road, and high dive, on the ABC show "Splash." Now he's returning to Las Vegas, moving to the Plaza ...
Backlash has taken hold — but why was Justin Bieber booed?: Tuesday, May 21, 2013; Justin Bieber spent 57 seconds in silence as fans booed him after he won the Milestone Award at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden ...
The backlash has taken hold — but why was Biebs booed?: Tuesday, May 21, 2013; Justin Bieber spent 57 seconds in silence as fans booed him after he won the Milestone Award at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.
Photos: Penn finishes second, spins magic on 'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice': Monday, May 20, 2013; The Rio headliner Penn Jillette was uncertain about returning to "Celebrity Apprentice" but has won nearly $1 million for Opportunity Village on the NBC ...
Penn Jillette finishes second but spins a lot of magic on 'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice': Monday, May 20, 2013; Penn Jillette was uncertain about returning to "Celebrity Apprentice" but has won nearly $1 million for Opportunity Village on the NBC show.