John Katsilometes

Blog Post Archive

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BBR, a hair-raising vocal group, takes off at Boulevard Theater: Tuesday, April 2, 2013; BBR was an idea Anne Martinez has had for years, and she has found the right hair colors -- and voices -- to fill the bill.
'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.
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.
‘Absinthe’ goes zombie, but this show is very much alive: Friday, March 29, 2013; The 1,000th performance of "Absinthe" at Caesars Palace was punctuated by a zombie-like finale.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
‘One Night for One Drop’: Team behind charity show draws on shared experience: Tuesday, March 19, 2013; David Chabira has a great seat for this run-through of “One Night for One Drop” at Bellagio’s O Theater. One might say he has a VIP position, and the acronym has never been more fitting.
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.
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."
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.
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.
'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.
Laugh Factory’s Jamie Masada knows when to give, laugh ... and send a monkey into space: Wednesday, March 13, 2013; Jamie Masada is in town to help raise money for the family of Michael Boldon, killed in the Feb. 21 shooting and collision on the Strip.
Clint Holmes to capture Cab Jazz live on CD; a Scinta plans a comeback; Luciano Pellegrini preps for Valentino closing: Tuesday, March 12, 2013; In March, Clint Holmes performed a knockout show at Cabaret Jazz and won a Bistro Award.
Carlos Santana and Herbie Hancock pairing enlivens star-laden 'Power of Love' event: Tuesday, March 12, 2013; Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine are celebrating their 80th birthdays in Las Vegas, so there's gonna be a party.
'American Idol' finds the sign, and Wayne Newton, as microphone tour hits Las Vegas: Tuesday, March 12, 2013; "American Idol" taped at Love Theater at Mirage this month, and its microphone tour is winding through town as the show promotes its Top 10 broadcasts Wednesday and Thursday.
Holly's 'Rainbow' wins out over a list of colorful suggestions: Monday, March 11, 2013; Before deciding on Rainbow, Holly Madison was sent a wide array of possible baby girl names, which were silly, inspired and even bubbly.
A fast-spinning combination opens 'Rock Vault' at LVH: Saturday, March 9, 2013; "Raiding the Rock Vault," a loosely scripted rock production show, opens tonight at LVH Theater.
Massive plans for Krave: June 15 opening, Caesars partnership, Tony Hsieh investment ... and 'Boy Hunter': Thursday, March 7, 2013; Krave Massive was originally targeted for a December 2012 opening, but is now set to open in time for summer at Neonopolis.
Richard Petty Experience a crash course in thrill racing: Thursday, March 7, 2013; I have what can be best described as an Issue With the Wall. It’s the lengthy barrier along the backstretch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Appropriately, it is painted in thick black letters reading, “Las Vegas Motor Speedway.”
'KWTD': Human Nature expounds on its classic sound, new showroom ... and gondolas: Tuesday, March 5, 2013; Human Nature arrived in La Vegas in 2009 and has revamped its production at The Venetian's Sands Showroom.
Glitter, concealer and a wig: Making up a look for a new Cirque show: Monday, March 4, 2013; Roger Stricker, the makeup, hair and wig supervisor for "Zumanity" at New York-New York, finds new ways to decorate the cast of "One Night for One Drop."
Shorn enough: St. Baldrick’s experience is a bald move: Monday, March 4, 2013; Giving of your time and hair for St. Baldrick's is a noble, and terrifying, experience.
LEE is the new Liberace Museum name; Frankie Moreno, Lacey Schwimmer absent from 'Pin Up' opener; Travis Cloer gives voice to vocal recovery: Sunday, March 3, 2013; The Liberace Museum collection will be renamed Liberace Entertainment Experience — LEE — at Neonopolis.
From over the hills and far away, Brody Dolyniuk is back with a flourish with Led Zeppelin USA: Friday, March 1, 2013; Brody Dolyniuk, founder of the long-running Vegas rock tribute band Yellow Brick Road, performs with ZUSA tonight at Boulder Station.
'Pin Up' can learn a lot from 'Vegas! The Show': Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013; 2011 Playboy Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair is the host and star of "Pin Up" at Stratosphere, which opens for previews Saturday night.
'Mystere' hysteria: Michigan man has seen show 100 times — and counting: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013; John Hunt slides into his row at Mystere Theater, something he has done 99 times before. On this night, No. 100, he has an aisle seat in Row D, just a few feet from the lip of the rounded stage.
CeeLo Green and his Liberace-laced production are ready to orbit Planet Hollywood: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013; CeeLo Green is the co-founder of Gnarls Barkley and famous for his run on "The Voice," but he prefers live performance.
Smokey Robinson-Human Nature partnership remains harmonious: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013; Aussie foursome Human Nature has earned the endorsement of Smokey Robinson, and the five men have all become close over the past five years.
'One Night for One Drop': Team at 'Ka' helps provide proper props: Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013; Prop pieces for Cirque du Soleil's "One Night for One Drop" charity show start with a concept of a design. Then the building starts.