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: A real estate mogul, a legendary venue and a deal snuffed out in the middle of the night; 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
Mike Tyson confronts ... Mike Tyson: Loved, hated or feared, Mike Tyson has always been the star of his own story. Now, he’s ready to tell the tale himself in a new one-man show; Thursday, March 22, 2012; Loved, hated or feared, Mike Tyson has always been the star of his own story. Now, he’s ready to tell the tale himself in a new one-man show.
Business is a family affair for Golden Gaming’s Blake Sartini: Monday, Feb. 20, 2012; Consider the ram, and its significance in the life of Blake Sartini. It is the official animal of his home state — Nevada. When he hunts big game, Sartini often tracks the powerful and elusive desert bighorn sheep.
Hard-rock home sweet home: Motley Crue's Joint residency starts with a bang: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012; Veteran quartet shakes off some opening-night snags to get its "Sin City" residency rolling.
Show producer David Saxe is on a mission to bring vintage Vegas back: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012; The son of Strip performers was born to build an entertainment empire.
Joe Magliarditi, President of the Palms: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012; Nothing happens at the Palms without his approval.
Sam Nazarian, CEO, sbe Entertainment: 12 to watch in 2012; Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012; This 36-year-old is making plans for the 'ultimate rebirth of the north end of the Strip.'
Three questions with Tina Guo, cellist for 'Michael Jackson Immortal': Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011; Three questions with Immortal cellist Tina Guo
Weekly Q&A: Bellagio's Andres Garcia is a master of the holidays: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011; Bellagio director of horticulture Andres Garcia keeps the seasonal displays stunning
Las Vegas' gold buckle — the NFR — is likely here to stay: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011; The contract that keeps the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where it has been hosted since it was corralled from Oklahoma City in 1985, is due to expire after the 2014 event.
The inside scoop on Mandalay Bay's new Michael Jackson Cirque show: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011; 'Immortal' tour stops for extended stay this month before resident show opens next year.
MGM Resorts tells Cirque to shutter 'Viva Elvis' at Aria: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011; MGM Resorts has asked Cirque du Soleil to replace its show “Viva Elvis” at the Aria by the end of 2012, citing poor ticket sales. The move is the first time that the Canadian company, which has come to dominate the big-production showrooms on the Strip, has been asked to shut a show since arriving here in 1993 with its first permanent show, “Mystere” at Treasure Island.
Dave Rice has strong hand in first season as UNLV coach: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011; If you know Dave Rice, the answer is self-evident. But you ask anyway, because the response flips open his character:
Have you ever gambled?
The 43-year-old head coach of UNLV’s men’s basketball team, a man who has spent much of his adult life in Las Vegas, grins slightly. He blinks, as if waiting one extra count to deliver the obvious:
“No.”
Dragone's 'Le Reve' remains a splashy delight: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011; Le Rêve remains a splashy delight, comparable to any Cirque show, especially as the holidays approach and family-friendly options are at a premium.
Is Oscar Goodman TV bound?: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011; Oscar Goodman could soon be getting his own television show
A look back at the advertising magic of "What Happens Here, Stays Here": Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011; It's hard to imagine Vegas without "What Happens Here, Stays Here." But the campaign almost didn't happen.
'Absinthe' still flowing (and thrilling) at Caesars: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011; Like its alcohol-nipping co-host, Absinthe at Caesars Palace continues to chug away.
A numerical look at the iHeartRadio Music Festival: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011; Kenny Chesney's pants, Pauly D's gum and Randy Jackson's dinosaurs.
Race for the Nerf: Celebrity/media NFL Picks Week 1: No Lance Burton means a new champ is guaranteed; Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011; Two Goodmans, the Phantom, Carrot Top and more weigh in on Week 1 games.
Race for the Nerf: Celebrity/Media NFL Picks Week 1: No Burton means a new champ is guaranteed; Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011; Kerry Collins is the first QB to start a game for Indianapolis since current 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Even after 30 years, 'Jubilee!' still has plenty to offer: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011; 'Jubilee!' looks back on 30 great years, and looks forward to many more
What I learned about wanking from Russell Brand: Wednesday, July 27, 2011; Brit comedian Russell Brand was in usual form at Mandalay Bay, touching on Serena Williams' vocal charms and trying to behave while scrolling through the BBC website.
NKOTBSB tour is everything their (slightly older) fans could hope for: Wednesday, July 6, 2011; What happens when boy bands unite? Sun and Weekly columnist John Katsilometes has the answer.
Photos: Smith Center is Ribbon of Life's new home in 2012: Monday, June 27, 2011; Golden Rainbow's Ribbon of Life AIDS/HIV benefit drew 1,100 to Paris Theater, but next year the show will be in the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall ...
George Maloof: TPG partnership good for the Palms and family: Maloof says the partnership with TPG and Leonard Green will allow the family to expand the Palms brand; Monday, June 27, 2011; George Maloof seems forever to be looking around, pacing through his own Palms resort and competing properties with his head on a swivel, checking out everything from a casino’s carpet patterns to the fixtures in the men’s room.
Daytime Emmys photos: Pat Sajak, Marie Osmond, Oprah and Vanna: Monday, June 20, 2011; There was a roar for Susan Lucci, forever wed to the idea that millions of fans will watch TV during the daylight hours long after All My Children ...
Five unique items up for sale at Gold & Silver Pawn: Saturday, June 18, 2011; Motorcycles, cannons, cars, even Super Bowl rings have been sold or pawned at Gold & Silver Pawn, home of the History Channel’s hit reality show, “Pawn Stars.” Bloody bayonets from the Civil War share space with unopened bottles of Dom Perignon from the 1920s, vintage Coke machines from the 1950s and action figures dating to the 1930s.
The character of the closing of the Sahara in 140 characters or less: Tuesday, May 17, 2011; Sun columnist John Katsilometes moved into the Sahara for the iconic Vegas casino’s final four days. Over those 96 hours, Johnny Kats posted nearly a message an hour on Twitter. Limited to 140 characters per message, here are a few highlights of those posts.
Saying goodbye to the once-great Sahara: Thursday, May 12, 2011; If Las Vegas knows anything, it’s how to turn the lights off on history
Just build it already: Why Las Vegas can't land a pro sports team: The clock is ticking. Las Vegas is either going to build a sports arena—and attract professional sports here—or it’s not; Monday, April 18, 2011; We’re at the home of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!” Boyd Polhamus’ booming voice asserts. “Let it be here for forever! VIVA LAS VEGAS!”
A moment from one of Sahara's better days: Wednesday, March 16, 2011; A perfect Vegas storm, and it won’t be circling back.
The New Face of Friendship: In the age of social media, we're surrounded by friends we never see—or even meet. Are we better or worse off?; Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011; “Sometimes, friendship is like art or pornography: I know it when I see it.”
Thinking about Stephen Hawking, snorting bath salts and more: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011; Also, Jeff Magnum announces two shows.
Scenes from the rodeo: An outsider’s view from inside the greatest show on dirt; Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010; An outsider’s view from inside the greatest show on dirt
Welcome to Wayne Newton's world: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010; Once I was parked outside Casa de Shenandoah and a peacock sprouted at the top of the gold leaf-patterned gate.
Talking shop with Joel Robuchon: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010; To use a cooking term, Joël Robuchon’s attire is “blackened."
Steve Wynn: Viva Las Vegan: How the casino magnate became an unlikely evangelist for healthy, no-splurge eating; Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010; How casino magnate Steve Wynn became an unlikely evangelist for healthy, no-splurge eating
Recycled Percussion in China, Verne Troyer and The Liberace Museum: Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010; Recycled Percussion played to an audience roughly double the size of the entire U.S. population, but what does that mean in Vegas terms? ...
David Foster, wannabe sax man, talks of Bay of Pigs and Betty Boop: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010; David Foster played on Donna Summer's hit "Last Dance," and Summer is one of the performers at Friday's "David Foster & Friends" ...
MDA loves Jerry Lewis, but isn't sure how he'll be used in 2011: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010; Jerry Lewis was informed of the decision to shorten the "MDA Labor Day Telethon" from 21 1/2 hours to 6, and it is still uncertain how ...
MDA makes big plans by shrinking show -- but where's Jerry Lewis?: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010; A news release issued by the MDA announcing a new, 6-hour telethon for 2011 is four pages long. Jerry Lewis doesn't appear ...