John Katsilometes

Blog Post Archive

Upon return to the Strip, Taylor Hicks is moving (closer) to Paris Las Vegas: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013; Taylor Hicks is moving from Indigo at Bally's to Napoleon's Dueling Piano Bar at Paris Las Vegas.
Don't call Lee Meriwether a 'former'; Gallagher's Las Vegas tour; Zowie Bowie takes a Windows seat: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013; Lee Meriwether won the Miss America title in 1955 but had to overcome resistance to become a successful actress.
Sharing a few moments from the esteemed violinist Sasha Semenoff: Friday, Jan. 11, 2013; Sasha Semenoff was one of the most beloved musicians in Las Vegas who loved performing and watching performers.
With 'Rock of Ages' leading the charge, Las Vegas has max headroom for '80s nostalgia: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013; "Rock of Ages" at the Venetian is more than a trip down memory lane. It's a gnarly trip down memory lane.
Was Steven Soderbergh's Liberace film really 'too gay' for the big screen?: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013; Director Steven Soderbergh shopped his Liberace project to every major studio in Hollywood and found no takers.
Snooki nails the fragrance in Las Vegas appearance: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013; Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is taking entrepreneurship seriously with Snooki Couture and Snooki Nails.
This good thing was made to last: Brody Dolyniuk, Maddux Foundation, dozens of artists unleash Newtown benefit: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013; "Our Town for Newtown" has raised more than $10,000 to be delivered to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Big Elvis preps for 'GMA' as Las Vegas celebrates No. 78 for the King: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; Pete Vallee is the city's biggest Elvis tribute act and appears Friday on "Good Morning America."
What's the value of 'Vegas Family Values?' David Saxe is about to find out: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; David Saxe controls 15 shows on the Strip and has a family steeped in Las Vegas entertainment history.
Gamal Aziz jumps from MGM Hospitality to new post with Wynn: Monday, Jan. 7, 2013; Gamal Aziz has spent more than a dozen years with MGM Grand and the MGM Hospitality Division, but is reuniting with Steve Wynn.
Rudy walks onto -- or, in this case, into -- BCS title game: Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013; Rudy Ruettiger has faced countless obstacles in his life and career and will be in Sun Life Stadium pulling for Notre Dame in the BCS title game.
'Sin City Rules' sashays into the sunset, but there is a better idea out there: Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013; A concept to focus reality TV show cameras on Las Vegas headliners is a more inspired idea than the torpedoed "Sin City Rules."
After three years, Don Marrandino leaves post in Atlantic City: Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013; Don Marrandino is one of the more charismatic executives to work in Las Vegas. He resigned his post in Atlantic City effective Friday.
Claire Sinclair makes a New Year's Eve dash to be remembered: Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013; Claire Sinclair was treated to a sprint from the Stratosphere to Fremont Street and back on New Year's Eve.
A long way from Findlay Prep, Mike Peck develops a pro coaching resume in Boise: Monday, Dec. 31, 2012; Mike Peck walked away from one of the most successful high school programs in the country to coach a D-League team in Boise, where his team has already lost a dozen games.
Great guitarist Esteban plans to go around the world in a single show: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012; Esteban can play any variety of style on his acoustic guitar. So he does just that.
Steve Wynn ends 2012 flying high with a new $65 million jet: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012; Steve Wynn's Gulfstream G650 jet is just the seventh of its type to be sold anywhere in the world.
Brody Dolyniuk makes the call, and artists respond for Newtown benefit show at Boulder Station: Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012; Brody Dolyniuk knew he wanted to help the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. He has managed to put together a great show set for Jan. 6.
There seems no colder, or warmer, place on Earth than Lava Hot Springs: Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012; Lava Hot Springs boasts an official population of 407, down by about 100 from a decade ago.
Dave Perrico to appear on PBS on Jan. 18; new vocal trio raises eyebrows; Elvis-Andy Kaufman meeting revisited: Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012; Trumpet ace David Perrico drew the attention of PBS producers during a Pop Evolution show at the Palms.
Plaza productions bitten as hotel splits with Anthony Cools: Monday, Dec. 17, 2012; A week ago, the Plaza was home to four productions. Now it's down to one, at least through mid-January.
Tony Clifton lives! At least, he does at midnight at the Wranglers game: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012; Tony Clifton, a lounge legend who has been portrayed by at least three individuals, is on the ice at midnight with the Las Vegas Wranglers.
Roseanne is headed to the factory of laughs at the Trop: Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012; Roseanne Barr is headlining six nights a week at the Laugh Factory at Tropicana.
Mayor-to-mayor call worth $50,000 at Hurricane Sandy fundraiser; fans picking up the tab for Jaymes & James: Friday, Dec. 14, 2012; A swiftly assembled charity event to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy drew $100,000 on Sunday at New York-New York.
Clint Holmes set for another year at Cabaret Jazz; Rick Thomas is cat-free in return: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012; Clint Holmes told the audience at Sunday's matinee performance at Cabaret Jazz in the Smith Center that he would be back in '13.
Penn Jillette says skewering of 'Celebrity Apprentice' and Donald Trump is not, um, hair-raising: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012; In his latest book, Penn Jillette hammers the show on which he is a cast member, "Celebrity Apprentice," and mocks Donald Trump.
American Country Awards at Mandalay: A spectacle for Las Vegas -- and Fox: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012; Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth co-host the ACAs again at Mandalay Bay, where the performances are more pertinent than the awards.
Mike Tyson unveils his charity and speaks highly of Agassi and Muppets: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012; Mike Tyson is hoping to send his new organization Mike Tyson Cares across the country. And, maybe, he'll also be depicted as a Muppet.
Tim & Faith a classic case of performance and personality over production: Monday, Dec. 10, 2012; Country couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sang it well and played the role of superstars ideally in their debut at the Venetian.
Attacked on TV, Alicia Jacobs enforces her own 'Sin City Rules': Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012; Alicia Jacobs took a risk by taking part in "Sin City Rules," the TLC reality TV show premiering Sunday.
Venetian Theater and 'Soul2Soul' is Robert Deaton's new artistic 'Casa': Friday, Dec. 7, 2012; Robert Deaton once had a chance to make a little history in Vegas, years ago at Casa de Shenandoah, but was busy with NBC. Now, he's back in Las Vegas, producing the Tim McGraw-Faith Hill show “Soul 2 Soul” at the Venetian Theater.
In this corner, Lorena Peril gets patriotic; Hurricane Sandy fundraiser shows L.V.-New Orleans-N.Y. synergy: Friday, Dec. 7, 2012; Lorena Peril of "Fantasy" has never sung the national anthem at a fight as big as Saturday's Pacquiao-Marquez bout at MGM Grand.
Forget Dallas -- NFR is most likely staying put in Las Vegas: Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012; Officials of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Las Vegas Events have never allowed a National Finals Rodeo contract to expire. They don’t plan to let this one go dark, either. To state it simply: Unless there is a rift that no one in either camp can foresee entering this year’s rodeo showcase, NFR will stay in Las Vegas for a long spell.
Dusty Hill is still ZZ Top's sharp dressed (and forever bearded) man: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012; Dusty Hill remembers the days of chicken wire and playing for one man in the early days of ZZ Top.
A piercing lesson in accessorizing from new 'Peepshow' star Coco Austin: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012; New Bo Peep Coco Austin is a former Playboy model and an actress who was cast in the same film as Oscar Goodman.
Back in the saddle, Shania Twain delivers a showcase of force and horse: Monday, Dec. 3, 2012; Shania Twain fulfilled her promise to invoke her story into her new show "Still the One" at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace.
Holly Madison's Neon Museum tour; 'Pinup' news from Stratosphere; myriad changes at Plaza: Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012; EDC founder Pasquale Rotella says he is often stopped while trying to access his own festivals -- except when he's with Holly Madison.
Shania Twain voices vocal confidence as 'Still the One' trots out at Caesars Palace: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012; A confident, enthusiastic Shania Twain met the media a day before tonight's formal premiere of "Still the One" at the Colosseum.
LVH Theater opens doors to Broadway; Clint Holmes runs sprint at Cabaret Jazz; Lon Bronson teams with Tower of Power: Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012; The Toys for Tots benefit show at LVH Theater on Friday costs $19 and is loaded with stars.
Upon passing, Jack Wishna remembered as a man who loved Las Vegas: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; We both loved Las Vegas, more than anything. That is why I got along so famously with Jack Wishna. He loved it here. I love it here. And when we had lunch together at Capital Grille at Fashion Show mall (where he always ordered the Wishna Salad), we would talk about why we loved Las Vegas.
NYE at Pure will be Nicki at night; CeeLo taking over Chateau: Monday, Nov. 26, 2012; A fiery judge on "American Idol" and one of the top-selling figures in contemporary music, Nicki Minaj will appear at Pure on New Year's Eve.
Rush keeps in time with 'Clockwork Angels' show at MGM Grand: Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012; Rush performed nine consecutive songs from its latest release, "Clockwork Angels," at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night.
Cars so intricate you need a 30-minute training session just to get behind the wheel: Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012; Exotics Racing is where you go when you want to get your race on — a process more involved than it seems.
Bob Anderson fills in the blanks when recalling the Strip's golden era: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; Singing impressionist Bob Anderson has performed with and hung out with some of the legends of the Strip. This weekend, he is at Cabaret Jazz at Smith Center.
Can ya dig it? MDA posts 2012 fundraising total: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012; The MDA once announced its fundraising total as its telethon ended. These days, you need to dig into a website to find this year's $58.7 million figure.
In 'Peepshow' rehearsals, Coco is delivering an order of shake: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012; Nicole “Coco” Austin is a reality TV star and a famously shapely celebrity. But she's a trained dancer, too, and “Peepshow” choreographers are impressed.
Vintage film clips, songs, jokes and shtick make Jerry Lewis performance a classic: Monday, Nov. 19, 2012; Jerry Lewis performed a special for PBS at the Orleans Showroom on Sunday, and fans seeking nostalgia were not disappointed.
Carla Pellegrino opens Meatball Spot while celebrating the spice of life: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012; Carla Pellegrino opened Meatball Spot last month, hoping to succeed where Nu Sanctuary failed.
Bravo is unleashing 'Project Vegas,' and odds are you are a candidate: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012; An upcoming Bravo reality TV series is the cable titan's first foray into Las Vegas, and they are looking for stars.
Andre Agassi is running a campaign, but it is not political: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Andre Agassi plays John McEnroe on Saturday at Mandalay Bay in the PowerShares Series Tour event. Michael Chang and Jim Courier also are competing.