John Katsilometes

Blog Post Archive

‘Cirquespeak’ is a language — or anti-language — of its own: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; As Paul Bisson conveys “Cirquespeak” to the audience, he is not exactly singing. He’s playing an instrument, which happens to be his voice.
Cirque hopes a touch of the bizarre in ‘Zarkana’ breathes life into Elvis Theater: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; The lead character in “Zarkana” is a tortured magician named Zark, who is trapped in an abandoned theater, having lost the love of his life and his gift of magic. Begging to the beyond for the return of both, Zark is plunged into a bizarre, arcane universe replete with surreal sights and echoing sounds. In a broader sense, there’s a different sort of return-to-magic effort being made at Aria.
In time for New Year's Eve shindig, Hard Rock Hotel resurrects Body English: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012; Body English closed New Year's Eve 2009 and has hosted special events since shuttering. But it will be reopened, full time, by New Year's Eve this year.
Recycled Percussion stepping in for Human Nature at I.P./Linq; Trop undergoing theater overhaul: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012; Recycled Percussion played Tropicana Theater and, more recently, performed in "America's Got Talent Live" at the Palazzo.
The Joint produces mass 'Hysteria' with Def Leppard residency: Monday, Nov. 12, 2012; Def Leppard is booked to play nine shows at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel in March and April.
Clint Holmes, Pete Barbutti, Pia Zadora, Sammy Shore to share stage at annual Joe Williams benefit: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012; The Joe Williams benefit show Sunday at UNLV's Ham Hall will deliver funds to UNLV's outstanding jazz program.
The great trick for 'Zarkana' is to remain unique in a sea of Cirque: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012; Cirque du Soleil is going back to what it does best while unveiling its first rock opera with "Zarkana."
PBS special fits well into David Perrico's Evolution: Friday, Nov. 9, 2012; David Perrico has built a great live act, Pop Evolution, and is the subject of an upcoming special on PBS.
End of an era: Marley Taylor is leaving Zowie Bowie: Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012; Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips have made Zowie Bowie one of Las Vegas' most popular live acts, but on Saturday she is leaving the act.
Lewis Black banks on angst in his return to the Mirage: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; Lewis Black gets his news from newspapers and cable TV, but he's not so fond of the pundits.
Two lounges -- Zebra and Rocks -- await Michael Grimm, while Lon Bronson books a CD party: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012; Michael Grimm and Lon Bronson, two headliners at Ovation in Green Valley Ranch, are off to new venues -- and Grimm's is somewhat ironic.
Las Vegas voting experience: Albertson's, banana bread and a beauty queen: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012; During early voting at Albertson's, 2011 Miss Nevada Alana Lee cast her ballot -- amid no fanfare.
Spending a night with Babs and Guns N’ Roses is a legendary experience: Monday, Nov. 5, 2012; Barbra Streisand caused the audience at MGM Grand to swoon, and Guns N' Roses rocked the Joint for 3 hours -- in the same evening.
Bill Maher is part of the 47-percent solution: Friday, Nov. 2, 2012; Bill Maher has been hosting a roundtable talk show dating to his days as host of "Politically Incorrect" in the early 1990s.
L.V. Philharmonic to give Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights' its tramp of approval: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012; Conductor Taras Krysa revives the Charlie Chaplin classic "City Lights" with the L.V. Phil on Saturday night at Reynolds Hall.
If you want to see a show at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch Resort, make it quick: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012; Ovation opened in the spring of 2007. Its final show is Nov. 24.
Right here on our stage, 'AGT' resurrects Ed Sullivan's spirit: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012; "America's Got Talent" might be called "America's Got Odd Talent," as the live show at Palazzo reminds.
In revamped Monte Carlo show, Blue Man Group shows no signs of turning gray: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; Blue Man Group has never been content with tossing marshmallows into each other's mouths, but you still see that act today.
Las Vegas loves its neon, but will it again embrace Liberace?: Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012; The same week the Neon Museum opened amid great fanfare, the Liberace Foundation filed for bankruptcy.
Mixing horror and erotica at the Palomino Club is a delicate dance: Friday, Oct. 26, 2012; Adam Gentile took over the Palomino Club as part of a payment to his lawyer father Domenick. The place has never been the same.
Tropicana and Carla Pellegrino end partnership as chef focuses on new projects: Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012; Carla Pellegrino was brought on by the Trop to run Bacio in the spring of 2010. She announced today that she is leaving the restaurant.
Composers Showcase, a hidden gem, would like to be less hidden: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012; Composers Showcase, back onstage tonight at Cabaret Jazz, has always been a cool little thing. It should be bigger.
Holly Madison talks family, career and casting decisions as she ends 'Peepshow' run: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012; Holly Madison opened in "Peepshow" in June 2009 and since then has become one of the city's most famous and active celebrities.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, PT's plans to run the table: Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012; Golden Gaming purchased the PT's chain in 2002 and immediately went to work on revamping the company's image.
Jeff Leibow of 'Jersey Boys' gives voice to the fight against neurofibromatosis: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012; Jeff Leibow sheds his role in the show at Paris Las Vegas to play father in Sunday's "NF Hope Concert" at Harrah's.
Mike Tyson turns a page -- for real -- with a new book deal: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012; Mike Tyson delved into stage performance earlier this year. Next summer, he'll be an author. Or, co-author.
As an intuitive drummer, Elton John’s Nigel Olsson can't be beat: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; Nigel Olsson has performed with Elton John since 1970 and says he is a "descriptive" drummer.
Holly Madison and Pasquale Rotella are expecting ... a girl!: Monday, Oct. 15, 2012; "Peepshow" star Holly Madison announced on Aug. 29 that she is pregnant. Now boyfriend Pasquale Rotella and she know the baby's gender.
Madonna muscles her way through a spectacle at MGM Grand: Monday, Oct. 15, 2012; Madonna showed that she is built to last in a show at MGM Grand that featured gun play, a cathedral scene and a majorette number.
Oscar Goodman saddened at the death of his friend and mentor Arlen Specter: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012; Oscar Goodman was a young law student looking for work when he met Arlen Specter in Philadelphia.
La Toya's dog? Busey's rantings? Michaels' 'do rag? Jillette says bring it on: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012; Penn Jillette is back for another gig in Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice."
Facing resistance Down Under, Mike Tyson is doing a lot of good at home: Friday, Oct. 12, 2012; Struggling to get into New Zealand and facing resistance in Australia, Mike Tyson has launched a charity in Las Vegas.
Sorting out impact of Frankie Moreno's 'DWTS' appearance a delicate dance: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012; Stratosphere headliner Frankie Moreno spent a decade performing for a handful of fans at Las Vegas lounges. Tonight, he entertains millions.
Vinyl's new headliner is the city's foremost cancer-surviving crooner: Monday, Oct. 8, 2012; Five years ago, cancer nearly claimed the life of Mark OToole. But today, "The Crooner" has set up at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel.
At Wynn, Garth Brooks performs a one-man show that involves everyone: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012; Skeptics — including this one — wondered whether Garth Brooks' show would work in Las Vegas. It did, in a big way.
This weekend, improv is right for Drew Carey: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012; Drew Carey is at the Mirage on Friday and Saturday, and don't be surprised to see him at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch, too.
New Stratosphere show to have a Lacey look; no takers for Jerry Lewis' one-man show idea: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; Lacey Schwimmer returns to "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday with Frankie Moreno, and she also is working on the new Stratosphere production.
After three years, Garth Brooks closing at Wynn Las Vegas on Nov. 17: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; There is no plug to pull in Garth Brooks’ acoustic show at Encore Theater, but he’s packing the guitar and heading out of Las Vegas.
Claire Sinclair signs up for new production at the Stratosphere: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012; Claire Sinclair has been a guest star in "Crazy Horse Paris" at MGM Grand, which closes tonight. She's now in the cast of a new show at the Stratosphere.
Linq pinning its live entertainment hopes on Brooklyn Bowl: Monday, Oct. 1, 2012; Brooklyn Bowl is a vast live music venue with a twist — 32 bowling lanes — planned for Linq.
David Itkin: Las Vegas Philharmonic's conduct is 'unprecedented': Monday, Oct. 1, 2012; Whether directing an orchestra or imparting a point-of-view, David Itkin specializes in precision. Composed, cautious and conciliatory during a recent phone interview from his home city of Dallas, the outgoing music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra said he wanted to finish the full term of his final contract.
VegasVille Photo(s): Gossy, a Dirty Virgin and dayglow pink nails: Friday, Sept. 28, 2012; Matt Goss celebrates his birthday Saturday night at the Gossy Room in Caesars Palace.
‘Vegas’ premiere harkens to the days of Cowboy Wynn and wins the night: Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012; Ralph Lamb is the central figure in “Vegas” on CBS, which covers his period as sheriff of Las Vegas beginning in the early 1960s.
Frankie Moreno's Oct. 9 'DWTS' appearance to be sweetened by 'Tangerine Honey,' Lacey Schwimmer: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012; "Tangerine Honey" is a song off Frankie Moreno's new CD. He's playing the song to a dance number on "Dancing With the Stars" with Lacey Schwimmer on Oct. 9.
‘Peepshow’ replaces Holly Madison by adding Coco to the mix: Monday, Sept. 24, 2012; Coco Austin, buxom co-star of "Ice Loves Coco," has been confirmed to join the cast of "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood.
Mary J. Blige deals ace in the shade of purple as iHeart closes at MGM Grand: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012; Mary J. Blige was joined by Prince -- the real Prince -- during the second and final night of the iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand.
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong heads to rehab post-iHeart Music rant: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012; The 40-year-old vocalist/guitarist erupted in a verbal and physical torrent at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night, and there is now an explanation as to why.
Bon Jovi uncorks 'Shout,' Pink pushes up No Doubt, Psy appears ... just because at iHeart's first night: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012; Billie Joe Armstrong was the talk of iHeartRadio Music Festival, but there was a lot more happening on the first night.
'Lazy' audience, truncated set prompt Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong to rock the house: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012; After shouting profanities at the audience, Billie Joe Armstrong smashed his guitar after Green Day's set was shortened at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
'Dream lineup' for iHeart Radio Music Festival may need more than one MGM venue: Friday, Sept. 21, 2012; The iHeart Radio Music Festival is still in its infancy, but it’s already outgrowing its crib.