John Katsilometes

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Turning 40, Wayne Brady is back in Las Vegas to walk the improv wire: Friday, June 1, 2012; Every weekday morning on CBS, Wayne Brady hosts the indefatigable game show, “Let’s Make a Deal.” Yet he says, “I need to place myself in jeopardy.” He is referring to a state of professional risk. Not the game show.
Las Vegas Philharmonic says search for new music director to begin 'immediately': Friday, June 1, 2012; David Itkin sent a letter to Las Vegas Philharmonic officials Tuesday morning stating that he plans to leave the orchestra after the 2012-2013 season, which ends at the same time his current contract expired.
With Shenandoah project stalled, Wayne Newton hits back legally: Friday, June 1, 2012; Wayne Newton and his wife, Kathleen, appeared in court Thursday morning to seek a temporary restraining order against their business partner in the planned Casa de Shenandoah museum project. They got what they wanted, but there seems a long and bitter fight ahead.
Where does a Playmate play when she turns 21? Vegas!: Wednesday, May 30, 2012; Claire Sinclair spent a few days in Las Vegas catching the Frankie Moreno show, dining with Holly Madison at Golden Steer Steak House and hanging out at Crazy Horse III.
Diamond Dave sells it well as Van Halen pours out the power at MGM Grand: Tuesday, May 29, 2012; Van Halen performed in Las Vegas for the first time since 2007, and the result was buoyant, loud, nostalgic and regretfully lacking in vocal quality.
Entering debut at Tryst, Nick Hissom is a model for a rapid rise to prominence: Sunday, May 27, 2012; Nick Hissom has a lot of forces working in his favor -- Steve Wynn and Kenny Ortega being chief examples -- but says if he doesn't produce, none of those connections matter.
Michael Gaughan says no to return of 'Vegas Stripped' to South Point; Steve Wynn has enough nightclubs: Friday, May 25, 2012; "Vegas Stripped" aired on Travel Channel for six episodes beginning in February. Originally, South Point owner Michael Gaughan liked the show. But he's seen enough.
Cosmopolitan sizzling over serving as host hotel for Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters': Thursday, May 24, 2012; Contestants lived at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for 10 weeks, competing for the $100,000 top prize in the upcoming Season 4 of "Top Chef Masters."
Suffering from respiratory illness, Elton John spikes three shows at Caesars: Thursday, May 24, 2012; Elton John checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. on Wednesday and was ordered to take a week off from performing because of a serious respiratory infection.
Jeff Tracta, Rich Little, Jonathan Clark and a few words about impressionists: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Impressionists continue to permeate the entertainment scene in Las Vegas, with Jeff Tracta and Rich Little performing limited engagements in town and Jonathan Clark leaving the Riv.
Monti Rock III on the mend; Carla Pellegrino's Bacio marks one year at Trop; Barbara Cook postpones shows: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Monti Rock III is back home after a bout with dehydration, exhaustion and a blood infection. He was hospitalized for a month because of the condition.
For a moment, the circus halts to honor one of its greats: Wednesday, May 23, 2012; Brian Dewhurst faced an audience full of red noses and smiling faces as he celebrated his 80th birthday doing what he does most nights -- clowning around in "Mystere."
Live from Billboard Music Awards: Stevie Wonder closes with 'Superstition'; Adele wins 12 awards: Sunday, May 20, 2012; The Billboard Music Awards were at MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight, with a tribute to Whitney Houston and a show-closing medley by Stevie Wonder highlighting the ABC special.
Stirling Club hosts its last dance, but is it really over?: Saturday, May 19, 2012; Announced months ago in a letter to members, the Stirling Club closed Friday night. But the party might not be over.
One Group-Palms sports restaurant Heraea to have a co-ed appeal: Friday, May 18, 2012; “Oh, we have done the research, and 75 percent of all household decisions are made by wives or girlfriends,” said Jonathan Segal, the Britain-based CEO of the One Group. “And 100 percent of guys think they are in control, so women have learned exactly how to make the decisions while making us think we’re making them.”
Cancer claims master monologist Ron Shock at age 69: Thursday, May 17, 2012; Ron Shock announced his cancer diagnosis in December and performed standup for the last time Jan. 7.
A quick peek at 'Empire' as Spiegelworld bridges Las Vegas and New York: Thursday, May 17, 2012; "Empire" is a multiple-act, adult-themed production on the same plane as "Absinthe" that debuts in Times Square next week.
Composers Showcase performs Act II tonight at Smith Center: Wednesday, May 16, 2012; The Composers Showcase needs a bit of support -- like, 100 paying ticket-holders for each show -- to cover its costs at Cabaret Jazz.
Lid closes on Pete's Dueling Piano Bar at Town Square: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; Pete's Dueling Piano Bar opened in November 2009 and has closed, as a Facebook update confirms.
Nathan Burton still cooking with new Flamingo contract, evening shows, engagement: Tuesday, May 15, 2012; Nathan Burton arrived in Las Vegas in 1999 for a role in "Showgirls of Magic" at San Remo and since has been one of the city's busiest entertainers.
Liza Minnelli's short, sweet show thrills LVH crowd; Dave Perrico's band at South Point a monster: Monday, May 14, 2012; Liza Minnelli enthusiastically, and often whimsically, sang a series of classic tunes, including "Cabaret" and "New York, New York," to an adoring audience.
Meet Las Vegas' latest racing sensation: Michael Gaughan: Monday, May 14, 2012; Michael Gaughan has been racing competitively for 40 years, or even longer, and continues to win trophies, his latest being a Vintage class title in the NORRA Mexican 1000.
A bit of trickery from would-be magician Joey Fatone: Monday, May 14, 2012; Joey Fatone has a hidden talent. Well, he had one. Until now.
Elvis contest conjures up memories of one of history's great wardrobe malfunctions: Sunday, May 13, 2012; Victor Trevino Jr. won the 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition over the weekend at Fremont Street Experience, topping a field of 21 ETAs.
Can ace roaster Amy Schumer find comic heaven at the Riviera?: Sunday, May 13, 2012; At the end of the interview at Lobby Bar Cafe at the Encore, Amy Schumer will say thank your for not being asked a particular question.
Sinatra's exaggerated mob ties, JFK's unplanned campaign swing detailed in '10 Things' Rat Pack episode: Friday, May 11, 2012; The History Channel focused its cameras and research on the Rat Pack for an episode of the "10 Things You Didn't Know About" series.
To Mary Wilson, Lena Horne has always been supreme: Thursday, May 10, 2012; Mary Wilson met Lena Horne in 1968 while Wilson was a member of the Supremes. The two became longtime friends, and Wilson is performing a tribute to Horne on Friday and Saturday at Cabaret Jazz at Smith Center.
For a brief moment, Carrot Top was a potential Stooge: Tuesday, May 8, 2012; Carrot Top had a brief foray into feature films in the early period of his career, and a casting company once summoned him as a potential Larry for a Three Stooges project.
Matt Goss receives unwanted shout-out during Nevada Ballet’s 40th anniversary performance: Monday, May 7, 2012; An audience member yelled at Caesars headliner Matt Goss during the introduction of one of his songs at NBT's premiere at Reynolds Hall, but the night went off famously anyway.
Live from Mayweather-Cotto: Money man wins by decision, talks Pacquiao: Saturday, May 5, 2012; Thousands of fans jammed MGM Grand Garden Arena to watch Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto determine who is the "Ring King."
Joe Magliarditi owes a few dinners as Palms sports book opens; Dave Rice event draws large crowd: Saturday, May 5, 2012; Lee Amaitis of Cantor Gaming and Joe Magliarditi of the Palms made a wager on whether the new sports book at the casino would open in time for the Kentucky Derby.
Appearance by Matt Goss gives Nevada Ballet Theatre a lift: Friday, May 4, 2012; Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss and Nevada Ballet Theatre Artistic Director James Canfield have collaborated on the piece "Four Songs" as part of NBT's premiere at Smith Center.
Cozy House of Blues is a real jam hall as Santana opens two-year residency: Thursday, May 3, 2012; Performing at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, Carlos Santana delivered on his promise to make his new Las Vegas engagement a more intimate affair.
Brad Garrett returns (a day early) to his MGM Grand club; Palms staff departures: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; Brad Garrett returns to his club to host a Sunday night lineup and is back performing his standup through May 13.
A night of celebration set for Michaelina Bellamy: Wednesday, May 2, 2012; Longtime Las Vegas vocalist Michaelina Bellamy died April 7 of leukemia. A celebration of her life is set for tonight at Mr. B's.
'AGT' champ Michael Grimm is back, at $5 a pop, at Ovation: Tuesday, May 1, 2012; Michael Grimm won "America's Got Talent" in front of millions of network TV viewers. He's returned to where he performed pre-"AGT," Ovation Showroom at Green Valley Ranch.
In winning 'The Pitch,' SK+G makes Waste Management an offer it can't refuse: Monday, April 30, 2012; SK+G was matched against the Ad Store, a highly regarded agency in New York, to produce a brand-shaping campaign for Waste Management of Houston. The Las Vegas crew won.
The Jackson 4 — Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie and Tito — set for July date at the Cannery: Monday, April 30, 2012; The four brothers who, along with Michael, made up the original Jackson 5 are performing together for the first time since the 1984 "Victory" tour.
Of beer pong, Lucky and 'Freaks': O'Sheas performs its last jig: Sunday, April 29, 2012; O'Sheas has been a favorite of Las Vegas visitors looking for a party at an affordable price. It closes in favor of Linq at noon Monday.
Kelly Clinton-Holmes taking a serious shot with comedy-laced shows at Suncoast: Saturday, April 28, 2012; Kelly Clinton-Holmes has served as the comedic and singing host at Stirling Club and Bootlegger Bistro for years. This weekend's gigs at Suncoast are a step toward a more formal showroom residency.
Quick shots: A torrid performer sets up at the Palms; illness befalls Monti Rock III: Friday, April 27, 2012; Sherry St. Germain has been rocking the Lounge at the Palms since March, and her energy never subsides in a show that starts at 11 p.m.
Making a wrong turn of biblical proportions in Florence: Wednesday, April 25, 2012; A series of mishaps led a quartet of motor-scooting international visitors into Cathedral Square, and the Duomo courtyard, in Florence, Italy.
Don't worry: These gondoliers know how to avoid a watery collision: Monday, April 23, 2012; Venice is a far different city at night than during the day, when it is under a crush of international visitors.
In Vienna, mere beholding of cathedral's splendor is religious experience: Friday, April 20, 2012; A couple of mornings ago, I went for a morning walk. I walked along the sidewalk in Stephansplatz, the city’s commercial and cultural core. I made my way once more to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, one of the oldest and tallest churches in the world.
A trip to a music club in Vienna brings Las Vegas to the stage ... well, almost: Wednesday, April 18, 2012; The club is Zwe, and the scene is at once smoky and chill. The hope was for Frankie Moreno to play the club, but the idea was flatly denied.
Onstage, Mike Tyson pulls no punches, but show often fails to connect: Sunday, April 15, 2012; Mike Tyson’s “Undisputed Truth” was predicted to be either an entertaining exercise in multimedia storytelling or a train wreck of mythic proportions. “Muted” or “measured” never entered the conversation.
It's the foxtrot and Las Vegas memories for Tia Carrere as 'DWTS' touches down at the Trop: Thursday, April 12, 2012; If you had once danced the foxtrot on national TV, you might expect to remember doing it. But Tia Carrere, she doesn’t remember. “They told me I’m going to dance the foxtrot and that it should be easy because I danced it on the show,” says Carrere.
Rick Faugno's run at the Lounge at the Palms to end April 17: Monday, April 9, 2012; Rick Faugno departed "Jersey Boys" in October. His search for a solid residency in Las Vegas will continue after he leaves the Palms on April 17.
Roy cracks wise, Siegfried speaks of an unbreakable bond at Mirage event: Monday, April 9, 2012; Siegfried & Roy took part in a commemorative stamp unveiling today at the Mirage, and both showed the spirit and shared affection that help make the duo one of the great acts in entertainment history.
In wake of MDA move, Jerry Lewis rolls out 'The Nutty Professor' -- and it ain't in Las Vegas: Sunday, April 8, 2012; The bond between Las Vegas and the MDA Labor Day Telethon was severed when Jerry Lewis left the organization and the show. He's now focused on "The Nutty Professor" musical, which premieres ... in Nashville.