Gloria and Emilio Estefan were honoured with a Las Vegas walk of fame entertainment star, the first for the celebrated Latino music icons. Following two days of fanfare, a star was placed in their honour on the Las Vegas Strip sidewalk on Friday. 
Famed producer and musician Emilo Estefan told The Associated Press that the award was special to him because it is the first time he and his wife have received a star as a couple, and it comes from Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world.
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Las Vegas Gay Pride is built around two key events: the Las Vegas Pride Parade, held on Friday, April 30, at 8 pm; and the Las Vegas Pride Festival, which takes place the following day, Saturday, May 1, from noon until 10 pm. Keep in mind, though, that there are a number of smaller gatherings and parties leading up to the big weekend – here’s a full calendar. 
Las Vegas’ first Gay Pride took place in 1983 – there’s a nice synopsis of the event’s history on the Pride Las Vegas website.
More than 10,000 people attended in 2009.
Las Vegas performer Frank Marino acts will be the Grand Marshal on Friday during the Gay Pride Parade in downtown Las Vegas.
The Pride Parade takes place in downtown Las Vegas at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30. The parade route is along 4th Street from Charleston Blvd. to Ogden Avenue.
In 2009, organizers added a Parade Pre-Party, which takes place on Friday at 5:30 pm in the pedestrianized Fremont Experience section of downtown’s historic Fremont Street.
The Las Vegas Pride Festival is set at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater at 500 S. Grand Parkway on Sat., May 1 from noon until 10. This action-packed, all-day event always features a slew of notable entertainers.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Please check local gay papers and websites, such as Q Vegas and GayLasVegas.com, for details.
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Cirque du Soleil has confirmed months of rumors and announced plans to unveil a Michael Jackson-based show in 2011 in Las Vegas. Shows, actually—there will be two of them.
The first, a touring arena show, will debut next fall and get “an extended run” in Las Vegas before the permanent Jackson show opens in late 2012.
Assuming none of the existing shows—KÀ, The Beatles Love, O, Mystère, Zumanity, Believe or Viva Elvis—don’t close between now and then, the incoming MJ spectacle will make the eighth resident Cirque show in Las Vegas.
Cirque is keeping tight-lipped about where the show will be housed, among other facts, but its promised “special lifestyle projects, including a nightclub.” Rumors say the show will be at Mandalay Bay.
The new show announcement comes less than a year after Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009.
Michael Jackson’s estate will receive royalties from the projects—but it will also share in half the costs of “creating, developing, building and producing” the shows, too.
The size and scope of the Cirque show will be unprecedented, including larger than life 3-D technology and most likely the largest budget for any Las Vegas show.
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DJs are firmly entrenched in nearly every entertainment nook and cranny in Las Vegas. Now they get to show who has the best music blending talent of all in the first ever Las Vegas DJ Awards.
The event is Sunday, April 25 at The Bank nightclub in Las Vegas. About 40 Djs will duke it out across 12 categories for the title of top turntablist in Sin City, including Best Local Following, Best Female and Sexiest DJ. While there are no cash prizes, winners get trophies and bragging rights for the next 365 or so days. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., $30 cover, Las Vegas residents free. Vote for your favorites at www.jackcolton.com/lvdjawards
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If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Wayne Newton, known as “Mr. Las Vegas,” then Saturday is your last chance to see him at the Tropicana.
Wayne Newton’s show “Once Before I Go” at the Tropicana’s Tiffany Theater ends April 24. The show is backed by full orchestra and celebrates the iconic performer’s 50-year career entertaining Strip-goers with jokes; banjo, fiddle and guitar skills; and tunes such as “Danke Schoen” and “Great Balls of Fire,” during which he’s been known to play the piano with his toes a la Jerry Lee Lewis.
Classic photos and videos, as well as Newton’s signature “meet and greets” with the audience, add to the fun. Ticket prices range from $69.99–$168.99 VIP; the latter includes a “golden circle” seat, meet and greet with Wayne Newton plus photo taken with Wayne.
The Tropicana plans to remodel the showroom after his exit, but comedian Paul Rodriguez will have a month’s engagement in the interim starting May 3, with a special Cinco de Mayo show in Spanish.
Tropicana: 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 800-634-4000.
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Parrotheads in Las Vegas can breathe a deep sigh of relief- paradise, at long last, is coming! Jimmy Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band will be serving up a grand buffet with way more then cheeseburgers and margaritas when they take the stage at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas on Sat., Oct. 23. 
The 63-year-old singer/songwriter is ageless. On April 24 in Tampa, Florida, Buffet will kick off his “Under the Big Top” tour, which will find the veteran entertainer backing a new live double-album and trekking across over 16 U.S. cities in 2010.
“Buffet Hotel” was his latest studio release and first since 2006′s “Take the Weather with You,” surfaced late last year.
Tickets for the Las Vegas performance will go on-sale Mon., April 26 through TicketMaster.com A word to the wise: Strive to be the first as tickets go quickly.
Until then, you’ll have to be content to just nibble on sponge cake and watch the sun bake in good ol’ Sin City.
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Mark McGrath is hosting auditions this Saturday in Las Vegas, seeking seeking contestants to appear on a hit game show.
On Sat., April 24th an open casting call will be held for the all-new syndicated version of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” Set to premiere in the Fall, 2010, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” is a musical game show that tests contestants’ knowledge of song lyrics from different genres, decades and artists.
Mark McGrath, a member of the multi-platinum group, Sugar Ray, will host “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” where he brings ordinary people center stage for a chance to win a fortune – just by knowing the words to the biggest hit songs ever recorded.
The auditions will be held on Sat., April 24th from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bonkerz Comedy Club, 2411 West Sahara Ave., in Las Vegas.
A photo ID is required as contestants and their guests must be 21 years or older to audition. Casting is seeking contestants that are fun, outgoing and very knowledgeable of popular song lyrics. Also contestants must be willing to sing the songs on the game show.
Whether your cup of tea is Motown or Country, or anything in between, they’re looking for all types of music fans as the songs are hits, from the 50s to present day Top 40.
“Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” originally premiered on July 11, 2007, on FOX television and became one of the most popular shows in America, as well as an international phenomenon.
For an application and further details please log on to http://www.dftl.tv.
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In the fickle music biz, careers many times breeze in and out like the capricious winds.
Last year the Nashville trio Lady Antebellum, right, - “Lady A” to their fans – didn’t win the one category they were nominated in last year (for Top Vocal Group), but this year it’s a whole new story. They’re the favored front-runner, with seven nominations for Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Lady Antebellum’s free performance drew a huge crowd to Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas last night. Some said the show drew upwards to 20,000 people. If so, that would make it the largest non-New Year’s Eve gathering ever on Glitter Gulch and the biggest in the four-year tradition of ACM-related concerts.
Nominated for seven awards, the group attended last Wednesday’s “American Idol” show and did a post-show taping of their hit “Need You Now.” Their performance will be part of the “Idol Gives Back” show next week.
Lady Antebellum announced on Friday that their latest, “American Honey,” was the band’s third consecutive No. 1. Lady Antebellum’s current single, “Need You Now,” is No. 4 on Billboard’s overall Hot 100 song chart, sandwiched between Train and Lady Gaga.
Miranda Lambert, right, a six-time nominee for Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards show, though, will prove tough competition. She heads an ACM-filled lineup of free concerts tonight at the Fremont Street Experience. Lambert performs from 10:45 to midnight on the Third Street stage. Kicking off the evening from 7-7:30 p.m. at the First Street stage will be Joey + Rory, the Top Vocal Duo nominee. Gloriana, the Top New Vocal Group nominee, plays from 7:45-8:25 p.m., also at the First Street stage. The Randy Rogers Band, nominated for Top Vocal Group, performs from 8:40-9:25 p.m. on the Third Street stage. Luke Bryan, winner of the Top New Solo vocalist award, precedes Lambert, from 9:40-10:30 p.m., performing on the First Street stage. 
If you’re lucky enough to catch Lambert and others tonigt performing live in Las Vegas, it’s a good deal. The ceremonies at the MGM Grand Garden are a pricey ticket if you don’t have friends at a record label, topping out at $450 for something you can watch free at home. (The 5 p.m. festivities air on CBS, live on the East Coast and tape-delayed on Las Vegas KLAS-TV, Channel 8, at 8 p.m.)
Most of the ACM stars will stick around Monday in Las Vegas for “Brooks & Dunn — The Last Rodeo,” an all-star tribute concert that will be taped at the MGM for a separate CBS show airing next month. Tickets are $108 to $208 for the 7:30 p.m. show in which the likes of Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and George Strait will salute the venerable duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn before they hang it up.
The ACM Awards ride country music’s ever-growing popularity; what once was a niche genre is getting harder to distinguish from any remaining notions of a separate pop world.
Last year’s ACM broadcast drew 14.8 million total viewers, a 26 percent gain from the year before. “It’s a happy problem,” says Barry Adelman, a producer and writer for the broadcast. “We’re not trying to fix something that’s dipping, we’re trying to keep something that’s going up, going up even higher.”
And lest we forget…Garth Brooks isn’t performing at Wynn Las Vegas this weekend. But Steve Wynn did buy him that private jet and the pilot surely knows the route by now. And who would want to leave that guy out of a weekend like this one?
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Maybe yes, maybe no. The duo from the classic rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer has planned their “Unplugged Tour” for the Las Vegas Hilton for April 24. But, hold on… to date, the group has had a very rocky start and have cancelled their prior U.S. shows due, as they say, to “musical and technical reasons.” Keep your fingers crossed- and toes!
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What Las Vegas Backstage Access reported yesterday, came true: Season 9 “American Idol” finalists were spirited quietly away on an overnight trip to Las Vegas.
On Friday the finalists arrived and took in Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis” show and then they took over the stage on Saturday for a critique and mentoring by Adam Lambert, Season 8 ”Idol” runner-up.
Lambert flew in from Vancouver to meet the contestants, who rehearsed Elvis hits such as “Viva Las Vegas.” Lambert told them not to be afraid to jump out of character.
Season 9 finalist Crystal Bowersox was standoffish at the Friday meetup, eating by herself at the Aria buffet as other fellow contestants ate together.
No photos were released of the “Viva Elvis” event and security personnel went so far as to temporarily confiscate cell phones for most of their three-hour stay in the Elvis theater at Aria.
The “Idol” contingent left about 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, across town at Sam Boyd Stadium, Season 8 winner Kris Allen tweaked Lambert during Pet-a-Palooza, which drew an estimated 28,000 happy four-legged beast owners {also reported by Las Vegas Backstage Access yesterday}.
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Brooks & Dunn, Lady Antebellum, Randy Houser, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Montgomery Gentry are just some of the many country music stars planning to participate in the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards In Las Vegas starting on April 18.
Honoring country music’s top talent and the industry’s hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 18 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. In addition, the Academy will tape an all-star concert special, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo at the same location on Monday, April 19, to air at a later date on the CBS Television Network. Both shows are produced for television by Dick Clark Productions.
The list of events includes the ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience, the ACM Chairman’s Ride, a special USO performance, All-Star Jam and more.
Some details are as follows, with timing information to be released later:
Friday & Saturday, April 16 & 17
ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience – For the 4th year in a row, the Academy of Country Music presents concerts at Fremont Street Experience! Featuring headlining performances by Lady Antebellum on Friday and Miranda Lambert on Saturday, these free and open-to-the-public concerts start at 6:30pm on two stages in downtown Las Vegas. For the 2nd year in a row, winners in each of the newcomer categories Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo will have the chance to perform at Fremont Street Experience during these concerts.
Saturday, April 17
ACM Chairman’s Ride – This event has grown from its inception and for the second year will be an invitation-only event for artists and industry VIPs to experience a scenic ride through the gorgeous Nevada landscape. ACM/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award honorees of 2010, Montgomery Gentry, will host the ride for the 6th time this year. The event benefits ACM Lifting Lives. Event details and timing will be made available only to invited, registered participants.
USO Concert in Partnership with ACM Lifting Lives™ – For the first time ever, ACM Lifting Lives (the Academy’s charitable arm) is partnering with the USO to bring a free, private concert to the service men and women of Nellis Air Force Base just outside of Las Vegas, NV. USO tour veterans Montgomery Gentry and Randy Houser are scheduled to perform for the crowd. The event will be open to all military ID holders and media credentialed specifically for this event.
Sunday, April 18
45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS – Hosted by Reba McEntire for a record 12th time and featuring the hottest performances by today’s superstars of country, the Awards will once again take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
ACM All-Star Jam – This raucous, no-holds-barred jam features impromptu performances from the artists who participate in the Awards. Past performers have included Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Sara Evans, Jack Ingram, Jewel, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, James Otto, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam and more.
Monday, April 19
ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo – Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling duo in the history of country music, will receive the Academy’s Milestone Award in recognition of their 20-year, record-breaking career during this tribute concert special. They will be honored for holding the record for the most wins of any artist in the Academy’s history with 26 awards in total, including three Entertainer of the Year awards. They will also be honored for holding the record for most Top Vocal Duo wins, with 15 awards, eight of which are consecutive from 2000-2007. Artists already scheduled to perform at the taping include superstars Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Details on special elements of the show and more performers that will be added will be announced at a later date. Tickets are still available for this show, which benefits ACM Lifting Lives and will air at a later date on CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. For information on tickets visit www.Ticketmaster.com
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Alicia Keys is tackling the unemployment epidemic, one fan at a time. On April 6 the neo-soul singer-songwriter-philanthropist proudly announced she is partnering with the jobs Web site www.Monster.com to launch her Web site IAAS.com (I Am a Super Woman) and have it fully operational with all the bells and whistles in July.
Keys is specifically looking for a full-time “head blogger,” and she’s taking applications through May 1.
So, if you’re in Las Vegas this Saturday, April 9, don’t forget to stop by Keys’ Freedom Tour at Mandalay Bay Event Center, with plenty of resumes in hand– she just may snatch yours blowing in the stiff unemployment wind as she’s singing her message-laden songs.
Failing this, you need to wait until Keyes is in Portugal to start the European leg of her tour.
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Las Vegas is definitely showing signs of perking up and bouncing back if popping champagne corks and dining on haute cuisine is any indication.
What city needs Big Brother and trillion-dollar bailouts when you’re lucky enough just to have Jay-Z and wife, Beyonce, grace your presence?
Jay-Z and Beyonce battled preganancy rumors like true rock stars last weekend — by hitting up Las Vegas with gusto. After Jigga rocked out at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms alongside Young Jeezy and Trey Songz, he joined B at the hotel’s Mint High Roller gaming lounge around 4 a.m.
Music mogul Jay-Z was also celebrity host and a big part of the crowd draw at Tao nightclub last Saturday night with Beyoncé.
A colossal 3.9-gallon bottle of Ace of Spades champagne is now for sale at the Tao nightclub in the Venetian for $100,000, thanks to the big price boost that comes with Jay-Z’s autograph on the bottle Saturday.
The bottle, known as a Nebuchadnezzar in the bottle family – only two in the world -holds five times the amount of bubbly that comes in a double magnum, but is only half of the king of champagne bottles, the 30-liter Melchizedek.
Jay-Z featured the champagne in his 2006 video “Show Me What You Got” after Cristal boss Frédéric Rouzaud made some disparaging remarks about the music mogul’s fondness for Cristal. Jay-Z led a boycott of Cristal and switched his allegiance.
The mega-club Tao, which opened in September, 2005, announced it had a monster night that didn’t include champagne imbibing last Saturday– a record 1,400 dinner covers on the restaurant side and more than 7,000 people going through the nightclub, another record.
Then, further down the Strip at CityCenter, the Light Group nightclub Haze at Aria was the scene of an epic champagne-buying spree last Saturday night. A photo of the high roller’s receipt for $182,000-plus turned up on an Aria casino host’s Twitter site.
According to the casino host, the big spender ordered super-sized bottles: one each of Cristal, Moet Chandon, Dom Perignon and an unidentified brand of vodka.
He left a $30,000 tip on top of the automatic 20 percent gratuity.
The man made the purchase after asking for an entire section of the nightclub. Told he would have to “buy big” for that to happen, he ordered the four bottles, which appear much larger than magnums. A magnum holds two bottles, a Jeroboam four bottles and a Methuselah eight bottles.
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The aging but still high-energy rocker Vince Neil, apparently believes that if you don’t reinvent yourself you’ll die- or at least slowly wither away. He’s once again onward and ever upward, this time in a unique way: he’s launching his own mini air force! 
Neil, a Las Vegas resident, is helping people fulfill their dreams of having the opportunity to travel like a rock star. The Motley Crue frontman is in the midst of launching Vince Neil Aviation to be headquartered in the private terminal at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
The first three planes in his new fleet are a Hawker 700, a Lear 35 and a Gulfstream.
“The planes are now all finished, they are all tricked out exactly how you think a rocker’s tour plane would be, complete with painted flames on the fuselage and the zebra-striped interior furnishings!” Vince laughed.
“The Hawker holds eight people and makes the trip to New York from Las Vegas nonstop. The Lear 35 holds seven and goes nonstop to Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Aspen and into Mexico and Canada, but cross country to the East Coast requires one fuel stop,” says Neil.
“I even took the third plane — the Gulfstream — hopping through South America on my most recent solo tour there, and we stopped in Aruba on the way home to Vegas for a four-day-weekend vacation. I’ve booked it myself next week for concerts in Mexico,” says Neil.
Neil says that he’d started his new airline company to primarily complement his other entrepreneurial enterprises that include his imported tequila, his Dr. Feelgood’s chain of rock bars and his Vince Neil Ink tattoo shops.
Shortly, his new Web site VinceNeilAviation.net will be up and running with rates and all the other information on his charters.
The rocker loves all his toys — a black 2008 Lamborghini, a 1932 Ford hot rod and his special Count Kustom chopper — that’s when he’s not working at his Tattoo Shop at The Rio or the Dr. Feelgood’s Bar & Grill on West Sahara in Las Vegas.
Neil also will release his new solo single “Tattoos & Tequila” on April 6, and his new CD Tattoos & Tequila follows in May. Check out an advance download sample, the video and his screensaver at VinceNeil.net.
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Michael Legrand is a virtuoso musician with few equals. The three-time Academy Award winner and five-time Grammy winner started his lifelong dedication to music at the ripe age of 11, where he began his study at the Paris Conservatoire. 
Legrand has composed more than 200 film and television scores for directors, including Jean-Luc Godard, Richard Brooks, Clint Eastwood and Robert Altman, and has recorded more than 100 albums with international music celebrities.
On March 27 he will be blending his magic for his 50th Anniversary Concert Tribute at 8 p.m. in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Legrand will conduct a 66-piece orchestra and be showcasing the evening’s entertainers: George Benson, Melissa Manchester, Jerry Lewis, Dionne Warwick, Andy Williams, Patti Page, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Steve Lawrence.
Actors Jon Voight and Jennifer O’Neill will host the gala, which will air at a later undetermined date as a made-for-TV concert special.
Perhaps the biggest news is the rumored surprise appearance by Sting.
Tickets range from $62.50 to $150 (plus fees); www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com For more concert details: www.MGMLegend.com
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The Neon Reverb music festival is taking place on Fremont Street stages in Las Vegas from March 10 through 14. It’s a huge affair and offers a talented array of musicians to satisfy virtually any music taste.
And thanks to a growing number of corporate sponsors and name indie bands, with any luck, this edition should prove to be a resounding success.
The outdoor stages will be graced with the likes of The Ruby Suns, The So So Glos, Spindrift, Rainbow Arabia Soe & The Skyrider Band, Bo-Peep, Aerodrone, Kid Theodore, Wild Yacks, Imagine Dragons, Black Camaro, and tons more to numerous to list. For a full list of bands, please go to www.NeonReverb.com
This Neon Reverb installment will look a bit different from its three predecessors. While Downtown — the Beauty Bar, Bunkhouse, Aruba, Gypsy Den, Las Vegas Country Saloon — will once again serve as the fest’s hub, plans could call for an enhanced all-ages component at North Las Vegas’ Area 702 Skatepark.
Hip-hop should also command a larger presence among the bill’s 100-ish acts, thanks to partnerships with Vegas collective Macro-Fi and local rapper HighDro (the latter runs a weekly hip-hop showcase at Boomers, another Neon Reverb stronghold). And Yayo Taco, Dino’s and the 540-capacity showroom inside the Greek Isles Hotel all serve as first-time venues.
Also, expect this Las Vegas music festival to feature more international flavor than ever before. Working with online promotional entity Sonicbids, Neon Reverb’s booking team has secured confirmations from a number of overseas acts, such as New Zealand Sub Pop-pers Ruby Suns, Japan’s Bo-Peep and Ireland’s Autumn Owls. Other out-of-towners already on board: LA’s The Delta Mirror, Colorado’s Indigenous Peoples, Idaho’s Finn Riggins and Reverb returnees Leopold and His Fiction, and Mere Mortals. And, of course, the fest will boast its usual slew of Las Vegas favorites over its three nights.
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The recently deposed “Tonight Show” host Conan O’Brien has apparently lined up his first Las Vegas headliner gig. 
O’Brien, who took over Jay Leno’s spot last June only to lose it to him in January, has apparently a May 1 engagement at The Pearl, the Palms’ concert venue.
But he’s reportedly still bound to his NBC contract, which paid him $45 million to walk away. His exit agreement with NBC reportedly prohibits him from any form of TV until September, when he is allowed to launch his own show. According to reports that surfaced after his departure from NBC, where he was a late-night host since 1993, he’s not even allowed to give interviews.
But as a way to get around that, keep his name out there and interact with his fans, his people have been talking about some sort of national tour for the past few weeks.
According to rumblings, he’s poised to use his new Twitter account, possibly to circumvent the contract language.
Look for his announcement any day that his national tour will include a stop in Las Vegas. It will be called a revue because it will be a mix of music and comedy.
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Members of the Las Vegas entertainment community are once again stepping up again to help one of their own. An all-star lineup will be donating their time this Saturday for a fundraiser at the Suncoast for singer/musical conductor Bill Fayne, who is recovering from major throat surgery for cancer. 
“The great news now is that he is on a course to full recovery,” said entertainer Clint Holmes, co-host of the afternoon show with his wife, Kelly Clinton-Holmes. Fayne has been Holmes’ longtime conductor and arranger.
Fayne, who has lost 50 pounds from his surgery and diabetes complications, and Clint Holmes have been friends since their college days.
Taking the stage will be Terry Fator, Frankie Scinta, Lance Burton, Louie Anderson, Robin Leach, Sandy Hackett & the Rat Pack Show, the ladies from “Menopause,” Elvis Presley tribute artist Paul Casey, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute artists “Oh What a Night” and Human Nature.
The lineup of entertainers include Domenick Allen, Leigh Zimmerman, Cayleigh Capaldi, Rick Faugno, Lena Prima, 5th Avenue, Voci Vegas, the Las Vegas Tenors, Tony Sacca, Jerry Lopez, Jeff Neiman and Vincent Falcone.
The event begins at 2 p.m. this Sat., March 6 at the Suncoast. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25 and are available at the Suncoast box office and other Boyd Gaming properties.
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It’s once again time for the Extreme Thing in Las Vegas.
Tickets are on sale for the Clark County Parks and Recreation Departments 15th annual Extreme Thing Sports and Music Festival, Saturday March 27 at Desert Breeze Park in Las Vegas.
This is the first year the event will have three stages: The Verizon Wireless Stage will feature Sum 41; the AP (Alternative Press) Stage will showcase Call the Cops and I Fight Dragons in addition to Story of the Year and The Cab; and the XPOZ Local Band Stage will feature loca Las Vegas acts. Which local acts is still a question as Las Vegas bands are competing in the XPOZ Battle of the Fans. For more information on Battle of The Fans checkout www.smokefreescene.com
In addition to great music, Ricardo Laguna will once again present his pro-BMX dirt jump competition. Professional wrestler Adrenaline Unleashed brings professional wrestling to the outdoors. And the roller derby tournament and skate competition is sure to be a fine flying feature.
Sponsors of the 2010 event include Las Vegas City Life, Red Bull and X107.5FM.
Tickets can be purchased for $17 general admission or #45 for the combo package at www.extremething.com by phone at 702-454-4000 and at participating Smith’s Grocery stores. Tickets will be $20 on the day of the event.
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Barry Manilow believes that a good love song never goes out of style. He believes it so much that he has now released an album dedicated to the idea. “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time”, released January 2010, contains 15 classic love songs including “Fools Rush In” and “How Deep Is the Ocean.” And the 63-year-old singer will be bringing these songs and more to his two-year run at the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino starting Friday, March 5.
“I’m actually going to focus on the fact that we are in the most romantic world called Paris,” a gushing Manilow said. “Since I sing such romantic songs, I thought that would be a really good place to do something like this.”
Manilow hopes his new Las Vegas show will receive the same response as his prior Hilton show. The Las Vegas Hilton performances were primarily collections of his greatest hits. However, fans need not worry, he plans to incorporate those long-time favorites into his new Paris show as well.
Tickets start at $95 and can be purchased at parislasvegas.com; 800-745-3000.
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Smokin’ Hot Aces in Las Vegas will host an as-yet untitled battle of the bands beginning March 7.
This is not your run-of-the-mill band contest. The winner receives $10,000 in cash and prizes, the opportunity to open for a Universal act during Memorial Day weekend performance at the Venetian’s new rock bar, and exposure to major record labels.
Judging the event will be Las Vegas musicians, Strip performers and celebrities to later be announced.
Band performances will be spaced two-per-night (9 and 10 p.m.) every Sunday from March 7 through Memorial Day.
Judges scores will be combined with online and in-person ballot voting to determine the competition’s four finalists.
If you think you’re smokin’ hot enough, please contact Steve Slaughter at steve@thirtythreegroup.com
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Insurgo’s No Shame Theatre in Las Vegas may just be the ticket you’re looking for to show you can write plays that people will flock to see.
No Shame is a longtime national movement that has finally arrived in Las Vegas. The first 15 written works arriving each week at Insurgo Theatre will be cast, rehearsed and performed- on the same night.
You can bring literally anything in to showcase- from avant-garde to music- or movement-based pieces to improvisational works, monologues and scenes.
Non-writers interested in acting can also show up and let the Insurgo staff know they’re ready to perform whatever’s thrown at them. The only rules for actors and playwrights is that you can’t hurt yourself, the audience or the space. And no breaking the law. Anything else is fair game.
No Shame Theatre on Thursdays beginning Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m. $5 for both general audience and participants. Insurgo Theatre Movement, 900 E. Karen Ave., Las Vegas, 702-369-3692. www.insurgotheater.org
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Performances, Uncategorized
What does the very popular Austrialian vocal group Human Nature when they’re not performing at Imperial Palace in Las Vegas? Gamble. What else? It’s Sin City! 
Human Nature, who formed as a doo-wop band in 1989 in Sydney, Austraila, has now been performing “The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound” to rave reviews at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas for the past nine months.
Tight harmonies and rich vocals are what make Human Nature standout in concert. Songs like “Reach Out”; “Just My Imagination”; “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch);” The Jackson Five’s “ABC,” and the group’s moving version of Robinson’s “Ooh Baby, Baby,” are their mainstays.
Motown music legend Smokey Robinson has acted as their official envoy and presenter of the LasVegas show and its touring production. Now, it appears that Robinson has switched gears somewhat, gearing up for doing his own shows and promoting his own music including his new CD on his own label, “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun,” which is an album that embraces Robinson’s favorite theme: Love.
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The official once-a-year celebration in Nevada occurs in Black Rock City, starting on Aug. 30 and running through Sept. 6. But if you can’t afford to lose that much time from work – or simply don’t want to fry your ass with some 48,000 or so other radical and self-reliant Burning Man participants (called ”Burners”) - there are other alternatives close to Las Vegas to get your radical art and nature urges on.
The first major event is “Forgotten City,” running April 22 through 25 in Nipton, California, one hour south of Las Vegas.
The next artist conclave is on May 6 through 9 called, “Toast!” an Arizona burner event in Witch Well, Arizona. Four days of large scale art, music, performance, and interactive participation. The Azburners are an interactive group of artists, performers, musicians and participants.
Vegas Backstage Access has written many articles on “Burning Man” which can be searched on our site in the right hand column.
And, here is a cool 360-degree movie style panoramic of the various enclaves comprising the big daddy Black Rock City event.
Filed under art, entertainment, news, Uncategorized
Let’s face it: Celine Dion operates like a city within Las Vegas. When many performers are looking to hang it up, or at least slow down, Dion, 41, who started singing professionally when she was 12, churns full speed ahead with no end in sight. 
Keeping a relative secret for over a year, Dion recently officially revealed that she is returning to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on March 15, 2011 with an all-new show and a three-year contract, while planning to stay in her Lake Las Vegas home. Tickets are now available.
During her last five-year reign at Caesars, a custom-built Colosseum was completed for her at a cost of $95 million, who then proceeded to sell more than 200 million copies of her 25 albums in French and English. The queen singer also drew celebrities galore into Las Vegas, refreshing the entertainment scene like few others before her. Most can’t wait for her Las Vegas comeback.
Her Las Vegas show, A New Day, took in more than a whopping $400 million at the box office and in merchandise, and the production employed hundreds – the 50 dancers, musicians and others visible onstage were just the half of it.
It has been announced that she’ll be employing 31 musicians, a full orchestra and a band. Not bad for a city starving for any economic bumps it can get.
Talking about bumps, after four unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization, Céline Dion is not giving up hope for a second child, with her husband, Rene Angelil, 26 years her senior.
“I’m going to try until it works,” says Dion, who continues giving herself daily hormone shots — and enduring the roller-coaster ride of emotions they bring — after the heartbreaking loss of a pregnancy in August and three other failed IVF attempts last fall.
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Performances, Uncategorized
And you thought he was…dead? Pshaw! Elvis performed his last show in Las Vegas and now is back to his old Sin City haunts, if only in spirit. But his show will, hopefully, run forever. 
Viva Elvis premiered on Feb. 19 and is the seventh Cirque du Soleil show on the Las Vegas Strip. It is one of the centerpieces of the new $8.5 billion MGM Mirage CityCenter, located in a new theater in the Aria Hotel and Casino.
Viva Elvis features all of his greatest hits set to music and embellished with spectacular sets and effects, dancing and acrobatics. It positively fills the eyes-all the time steering clear of the somber and darker sides of Elvis, thanks to the untiring efforts of Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises to protect the Elvis legacy.
This is a spectacularly beautiful show and it is one of only two Cirque shows in Las Vegas to employ a proscenium stage rather than using a theater-in-the-round setup.
There are other singers, but the only male voice belongs to The King himself. The evening opens witha huge video-jukebox. On the screen is Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes. It’s light, fun and immediately gets the audience in the mood for more of his music. Don’t Be Cruel is next, followed by Junior Clay, the only actor in the show. He is Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker. He comes out to explain that Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth and Elvis missed his twin his entire life. Thus he introduces the next number, One Night- a love song, more shouted than sung and is very effective. But here, for some reason, it’s used to portray brotherly love.
Two acrobats do their schtick on a large wire guitar suspended upstage center. As they’re doing their acrobatics, there’s a woman sitting at an old upright piano softly playing and singing the song. No argument that Elvis missed his twin. And no argument that these two guys on the guitar are really good at what they do. The only argument is against taking such a passionate number and doing this to it.
The next scene goes back to Elvis’ childhood in Tupelo, MS. Old photos are projected on the screen as the townsfolk carrying umbrellas come out on the stage and perform All Shook Up as a gospel tune. And the woman singing the song actually changes the lyrics to say “I’m itchin’ like a woman on fuzzy tree.”
The spectacle is a grand and joyous event that will stick in your mind for a long time — a terrific celebration of Elvis’ music. The dancing and acrobatics are lavish and exuberant. The on-stage band is exellent. And the production values are incomparable. It’s just plain fun to watch with wonderful sets, colorful costumes and captivating special effects.
Yes, the show is a bit pricey in a struggling Las Vegas economy, tickets ranging from $114 to $200, but well worth the price if you can afford it. Shows are at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Fridays though Tuesdays. 702-531-2031.
Long live The King!
Filed under entertainment, Music
Gilley’s is coming back, bull and all. The mechanical bull that has long been victorious in numerous battles waged by tourists, locals and bikini-clad riders is back to buck off all comers at it’s new ‘arena’ at Treasure Island, when Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall and Bar-B-Que re-opens April 16.
A Las Vegas cousin of the famous Texas saloon, it was THE popular country honky-tonk and a huge attraction at the New Frontier for years until owner Phil Ruffin sold it and bought Treasure Island for $775 million.
It will be going in the former Tangerine nightclub space now occupied by Christian Audigier the Nightclub, which overlooks the Sirens of T.I. gunbattle. Gilley’s will have retractable glass for outdoor Strip seating, and will be accessible from inside the casino and via a newly constructed bridge in front of the Siren’s ship. 
Gilley’s will be open for lunch and dinner, featuring a show kitchen and custom saddle seats at the bar, live entertainment Thursday through Saturday, line dancing and the world-famous Gilley Girls.
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Celine Dion, 41, is reportedly in a New York City fertility treatment center. She was impregnated in August but it was announced in November that the embroyo transfer was unsuccessful.
Dion will be reportedly announcing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” this week that she is returning to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in March 2011.
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Believe it or not, Las Vegas does have a Downtown Arts District. Yesiree, and, not only that, but they are offering up a second showing of cultural artsy-fartsy festivities with the inauguration of Third Friday this Friday, Jan. 15, starting around 6 p.m., running until approximately midnight.
Following the footsteps of the economically challenged First Friday, now Las Vegans have the added opportunity to browse art galleries, enjoy the bands and mingle amongst fellow art fanatics twice a month — doubling the pleasure and doubling the fun- if not immediate income to producers.
Taking place on the same Las Vegas streets and benefiting the same cause, Third Friday may be similar to First Friday in many ways, but it’s projected to vary slightly.
While Cindy Funkhouse, of the Funk House and Fallout galleries, runs the beginning of the month installment, Cion Noble of the Box Office gallery and venue is coordinating this middle-of-the-month run.
Hans Cewe , one of the owners of the Gypsy Den — a vintage boutique and art gallery which also triples as a music venue — is happy to see the rise of another event to bring people Downtown Las Vegas, hoping thing will expand from there.
The Gypsy Den, also run by Cewe’s daughter Katie, will be offering up it’s stage to local bands for the night, with the lineup so far including local acts Vitamin Overdose, Close to Modern and The Marquees.
Third Friday’s main focus is not merely on the patrons it brings Downtown, but also on the various artists involved.
“It’s basically going to be a networking opportunity for creative people,” says Noble. “The theme is to network… I don’t anticipate vendors and crafts in the first couple of months — I’d like to see it grow into something that’s similar to First Friday eventually.”
The mix of “creative people” so far set to ring in Third Friday’s opening night at the Box Office includes Cameron Grant, rock and blues bands Black Cherry Blue, Flux and JD Vittles, as well as a comedy improv and musical open mic event hosted by LV Freeze.
In keeping with the idea of supporting Las Vegas arts, Funkhouse isn’t viewing the second installment as a threat. Instead she’s offering her support, “merely as a participant,” and opening her galleries’ doors — although she says the art on the walls will be the same as what’s viewed the first weekend of the month. “It’s not practical to change our show out every two weeks, that’d be too much work,” explains Funkhouse.
If Third Friday catches on, perhaps the struggling downtown Las Vegas can look forward to a more regular crowd. Who knows, maybe a little more culture in our Sin City lives, with good eats, is a good thing.
Filed under art, entertainment, food, Las Vegas, Music, Uncategorized
2009 American Idol winner Kris Allen is making a special appearance at B.B. King’s Blues Club at The Mirage in Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 8 at 9 p.m.
Allen will be performing a very special solo acoustic set. His previous appearance at B.B. King’s saw him perform with a full band, playing hits from his latest album as well as spins on favorite songs from years past.
Allen’s path to the recent “American Idol” victory included memorable performances of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Kanye West’s “Heartless.” He was praised by the judges for his original arrangements of such well-known songs.
Since the finale, Allen has had multiple songs appear on the Billboard charts and his finale song “No Boundaries” was No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Earlier this month, Allen released his debut album for 19 Recordings/Jive, featuring the already hit single “Live Like We’re Dying.”
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Performances, Uncategorized
Doug Elfman of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil is in Las Vegas at friend Danny “Count” Koker’s Desert Moon Productions recording his new solo album, “Tattoos And Tequila”, with bassist Dana Strum and Jeff Blando (both of Slaughter) and drummer Zoltan Chaney. 
One of the tracks being laid down during the sessions is a cover version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, “Who’ll Stop The Rain?” An April release is expected.
In a recent interview with The News Tribune, Vince stated about the upcoming CD’s title, “It’s rock ‘n’ roll. That’s it. It has nothing to do with MÖTLEY CRÜE. Tattoos and tequila is basically my life.”
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Neil is also writing a book akin to MÖTLEY’s autobiography, “The Dirt”, with Esquire writer Mike Sager.
Filed under Las Vegas, Music, news, Uncategorized
Las Vegas Backstage Access has scoured the plethora of deals (and steals) in Las Vegas for New Year’s Eve and we think for the money, the best place to be is the Crazy Horse III. They’re offering unlimited well drinks the entire evening, free admittance, and free limo rides all for $40. If you want a bottle of good champagne, it’s $100.
More than that, their entertainment complex, now called Party On (was Afterhours) is featuring a free birthday celebration party for Scott Ian of Anthrax. And you can also hang out to listen and dance to Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and the Junk Beer Kidnap Band. They’ll be having lots of surprise guests during the evening.
Equally important, instead of fighting the over 300,000 revelers on the Strip to travel anywhere, their conveniently located off of Interstate 15 at 3525 W. Russell Road. Phone 702-673-1700.
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, news, travel, Uncategorized
Everything in Las Vegas does not need to emphasize the new and expensive ritzy venues. Take for example the Fremont Street Experience in “old” Las Vegas. For only $10 (locals) to $20 (visitors) they’re offering a “TributePalooza” this New Year’s Eve featuring the tribute bands of INXS, U2, Depeche Mode, Van Halen, No Doubt, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will lead the countdown in a fireworks show in a specially designed New Year’s show that will take place under the street-long video screen canopy.
Only people age 21 and older will be allowed.
The concerts start at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 702-678-5600.
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The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas will host a special performance of The Darling Stilettos’ Rock-N-Roll-A-Go-Go, presented by rock legend Matt Sorum. 
The rock music show features four sexy female leads, takes the audience on a rock-fueled journey through the history of rock music from the British Invasion to Punk and Classic Rock. Backed by Sorum on drums and a guitarist, the show is an experience for any rock music enthusiast.
These special performances of The Darling Stilettos’ Rock-N-Roll-A-Go-Go will take place on Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19 at 11 p.m.
The good news is the show is complimentary and is open to the public. Must be 21 years of age and older. For more information, please visit www.darlingstilettos.com.
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Looking for a great blues music experience while visiting or staying in Las Vegas? Now’s you can have it all at the new B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage in Las Vegas. 
With few blues clubs in Las Vegas, the club’s grand opening is a welcome addition to our entertainment and dining landscape. The venue opens with a blue carpet gala this Friday, Dec. 11, from 7 to 8 p.m.. Confirmed celebrities include the legend himself, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Willie Nelson, Steve Cropper, Lee Ritenour, Robert Cray, Lee Roy Parnell, Matt Goss, Robin Antin, Taylor Barton, Cast of History Channel’s “Pawn Stars,” Cast of Thunder From Down Under and many more.
The empire of B.B. King is rapidly expanding, with clubs opened in Orlando, Memphis, Nashville, Itta Bena, West Palm Beach.
Located across from The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge, next to Samba Brazilian Steakhouse in The Mirage, the new Las Vegas venue offers music seven nights a week, ranging from funky and fast style to soulful and smooth tunes that emanate from the in-room stage.
The house band, B.B. King’s All-Star Band, surpasses the standard of what many know to be a house band and friends of the King are very likely to stop by at any time to join them and jam the night away.
And if you feel like cutting the rug, you can dance the night away on their spacious dance floor.
Hungry? Not only can you enjoy all the music, you can come in anytime for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining to check out Executive Chef Oscar Pena’s delicious Creole cuisine.
It’s also a great place to book for your meetings and events.
For more information, please visit www.bbkingclubs.com or call at 702-242-KING (5464).
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It’s been a rather long time since Las Vegas Backstage Access has written on the Dancing With the Stars Julianne Hough- on April 6, 2009 to be exact, when she garnered awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards show in Las Vegas. 
Hough, 21, who as a Las Vegas youth attended the Las Vegas Academy and whose mom still lives here, is reportedly recording a CD that will reflect her musical influences (such as U2 and Coldplay), and she’s also making two movies, the remake of Footloose, as well as Burlesque, starring along with Cher and Christina Aguilera. If that’s not enough, she also has a cardio ballroom dance workout DVD, Dance with Julianne, due out in January.
Is she done with Dancing With the Stars?
“Never say never,” Hough says, “but at least for the next two seasons.”
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Uncategorized
The famous Sand Dollar Blues Nightclub & Lounge at 3355 Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas is older than Schep is a pup (and that’s a damn old pup), known for providing some of the best blues music on the planet- let alone Las Vegas.
Not only that, but every biker that’s anyone has kicked up their boots and stayed awhile at the music venue.
But, sadly, as with many Las Vegas businesses, it has succumbed to economic plights, closing last month.
But don’t throw in the towel just yet.
New owner Steve Champlin says the venue should be back up and swinging sometime over the next couple of weeks. He says to expect pretty much the same “blues-oriented” Sand Dollar us locals have come to know and love, but with more rotating bands, more benefit events and, eventually, multiple acts slated each night.
That’s good news for a blues population that has been faced with fewer and fewer Las Vegas venues.
The dank lighting, aromatic carpet and even the cobwebs taking up corner residences will remain part of the unique ambiance.
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, Performances, Uncategorized
Last year, only about 13,000 runners took part. This year, organizers say an international field of elite athletes helped round out and expand the registered runners, bringing out 27,000 racers on a brisk and wintry day today in Las Vegas.
Runner Caroline Rotich led all runners, finishing with a kick and crossing the finish line with a time of 2:29:49 to win the Rock ‘n’ Rock Las Vegas Marathon today, Sunday. She took home $25,000 for her win.
The festive marathon started at 6:15 a.m. today on Las Vegas Blvd. north of Russell Rd, near Mandalay Bay parking lot. And, for the first time ever for the marathon, nearly 7 1/2 miles of the Strip was closed to traffic.
As the name Rock ‘n’ Roll suggests, there were more than 35 live bands, cheerleaders and themed water stations set up along each line of the Las Vegas Strip course. There were also be hundreds of running Elvi and 85 couples taking part in the Run through Wedding.
Event organizers expect the Las Vegas economic boost to be around $30 million. There is a strong international presence of athletes who have come from 39 countries and all 50 states.
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, sports, Uncategorized
It was interesting to note that many of the top Grammy nominations on Wednesday night were garnered by performers that recently have performed in Las Vegas.
Beyonce lead the pack, receiving ted nods, including nominations for Album of the Year for “I am…Sasha Fierce.”
Country crossover sensation Taylor Swift wasn’t far behind, the 19-year-old got eight nominations, including Album of the Year for her multiplatinum sophomore DVD “Fearless.”
Other nominees for album of the year – and Las Vegas entertainers – include Lady Gaga’s “The Fame,” (coming to Vegas shortly), the Black Eyed Peas’ “The E.N.D.” and Dave Mathews Band’s “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King.”
The Grammys are Jan. 31. For a complete list of nominees, please go to: http://www.grammy.com
Filed under entertainment, Music, news
Grammy-award winner Ne-Yo is set to perform at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms Casino Resort on Jan. 1. 
In 2006, Ne-Yo hit the R&B scene with a style all his own – a mix of classic sounds with a modern twist. His debut album, In My Own Words, hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified his role as an artist to watch. The Las Vegas singer’s sophomore album, Because of You (2007), also peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 and brought Ne-Yo much acclaim when he won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
With Ne-Yo’s third DVD, The Year of the Gentleman, the Las Vegas native and premier songwriter has constructed a suite of songs that shows exactly what he means by class. Written over the course of travels through Europe and his own fascination with the hometown boys known as the Rat Pack, Ne-Yo explains, “For me, the sharpness of Sammy and Sinatra is the kind of style I strive for in clothes and music. Year of the Gentleman is named in honor of those guys.”
This event is produced by Andrew Hewitt and Live Nation. The Pearl Box Office in the Palms Casino Resort is open from noon – 7 p.m. daily. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m. and show time is 9:00 p.m. For more information, please call 702-942-6888.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs is about to open a new nightclub in Las Vegas. Well, at least he’s going to help open one.
“(The) Hard Rock is opening a club and I’m supposed to be opening up that new club for them,” so says the versatile artist.
The new nightspot, Vanity, is set to open on New Year’s Eve.
Still, the rapper formerly known as Puff Daddy won’t necessarily be at the Hard Rock when the ball drops on 2010.
Instead, he said he is scheduled to host a day or two after the grand opening celebration, on or around Jan. 2.
Still, he may very well be there at the Hard Rock on NYE.
Maybe.
“I may be out here, I may be shooting a television special,” he teased, adding with a smile, “I can’t give you any more details, that’s breaking news.”
Still, it’s pretty safe to say Puffy is planning to party somewhere in Las Vegas on Dec. 31.
The hip-hop heavyweight is no stranger to the Las Vegas club scene and likely has a litany of lucrative hosting offers on the table for New Year’s Eve.
“I’m the Black Sinatra,” he said. “I’m supposed to be out here.”
It wasn’t always this way for the rapper/actor/producer/fashion designer/fragrance developer/father/vodka czar. Whew!
“I used to come to Vegas maybe once every other year,” the outspoken 40-year-old icon said. “I’ve been out here already four times this year … This is the most I’ve been out here.”
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Performances, Uncategorized
According to People.com, Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor married Stephanie Luby on ‘lucky’ Friday, Nov. 13 at Las Vegas’ Palms Casino & Hotel, where the wedding party walked down the aisle to Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. 
Approximately 350 wedding guests packed the hotel’s nearby Pearl Concert Theater, including Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, as well as Camp Freddy’s Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison, who acted as the minister. The rockers then all took the stage, and even the groom joined in on three songs.
This is Taylor’s second marriage.
Taylor, 35, has two children: A daughter named Angie, born in 1992, and a son named Griffin, born in 2002, both of whom he had with his first wife, Scarlett.
Taylor divorced Scarlett — whom he married on March 11, 2004 in a small ceremony at the Botanical center in Des Moines, Iowa — in early 2007.
In the November 2008 issue of Revolver magazine, he is quoted as saying, “After I got sober, I realized my relationship wasn’t right for me. My wife and I had damaged each other too much.”
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Uncategorized
Extremely popular Korean superstar Rain, 27, promoted by J-Tune Entertainment, has announced he will play his first American concerts in three years when he headlines The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Dec. 24-25. 
Rain is one of the very first Asian pop singing stars who has a rapidly growing fan base extending beyond Asia.
Rain’s last American concert also took place at The Colsseum in December 2006. The Caesars shows will be the first in the U.S. since the end of the lawsuit brought against the singer for canceling concerts in Los Angeles and Hawaii in 2007.
This concert marks be the U.S. leg of his “Legend of Rainism” tour that took place in Japan in August and in South Korea last month.
Rain is also on an American press junket to promote “Ninja Assassin,” a Hollywood extreme action movie produced by James McTeigue, in which the South Korean-born star, whose real name is Jeong Ji-hoon, plays the lead role of Raizo, an orphan who is trained by a secret ninja clan to become a deadly killer.
Amazingly, Rain pulled off 90-percent of the stunt roles, using minimal wire support. He was hurt on many occasions, and though he didn’t break any bones he bears “many scars of honor.”
It is also the first time a Korean star is playing the title role in a major Hollywood franchise.
The modern martial arts flick is the South Korean superstar’s second collaboration with the creators of “The Matrix” series. He made his Hollywood debut in “Speed Racer,” which was directed by the Wachowski brothers.
Before playing in Las Vegas, Rain performs a two-night stand at AsiaWorld-Arena in Hong Kong Nov. 28-29, followed by a Dec. 3 gig at Jakarta International Event & Convention Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Links: Web http://www.rain-jihoon.com/main.html and http://www.rainism.com and MySpace http://www.myspace.com/officialrainusa
Filed under entertainment, Las Vegas, Music, news, Performances, travel, Uncategorized
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is losing its Colosseum headliner in a few months and has had to hustle to replace her. 
Bette Midler is wrapping up her two-year run in “The Showgirl Must Go On” in January. Cher has stepped up to fill the void and has added to her contract shows in April and May.
“What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert—it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines. But first I need to finish recording my album of the sexiest new love songs that only a showgirl could sing,” stated Midler.
“Bette is one of the most talented, hard working professionals in the business and we would have loved for her to stay longer, said John Meglen, co-CEO and President of AEG Live/Concerts West. “All of us at AEG Live thank Bette and the entire cast, crew and staff for a great two year run at The Colosseum.”
“Like every one of her performances, the approaching finale of Bette’s two-year engagement leaves us applauding for more,” said Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace. “Bette always will have a home at Caesars Palace.”
The Showgirl Must Go On will perform November 7 through 15 and December 30 through January 31, 2010. The show is dark Monday, Thursday and occasional Fridays. Tickets for these final performances are on-sale now at Ticketmaster.com, keyword “Bette Midler”, by calling 1-877-7BETTEM, or in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office in Las Vegas, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Wayne Newton is telling his fans “Danke Schoen” after 50 years in Las Vegas and hinting that his latest run in Las Vegas could be his last. But the singer synonymous with Sin City says he’s leaving himself an opening in case he wants to perform after April. 
The man known throughout the world as “Mr. Las Vegas” says retirement is possible, but that decision won’t hinge on the success of his new show that opened at the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Instead, he says, it depends on whether his itch to keep working conflicts with his desire to spend more time with his 7-year-old daughter.
“I’m enjoying my second daughter in a way that I didn’t get a chance to do the first time around,” Newton, 67, told The Associated Press. The decision that I make, whether or not to perform or retire, will pretty much be based on that.”
Newton’s current Tropicana show, “Once Before I Go” took 2½ months to write and is presented as a live memoir of Newton’s life and his career, with never-before-shared insights from Newton about personal episodes along the way.
“It’s challenging to keep it entertaining,” Newton said. “And that was my first prerequisite.”
Newton has told his audience that it was tough for him to pick highlight songs from a career that includes 165 records.
“It would be impossible for me to pick songs from all of them even if I remembered them, which I don’t,” Newton quipped.
Newton arrived in Las Vegas in 1959, when a two-week tryout at the Fremont Hotel & Casino turned into lounge act of six shows per night, six nights a week for nearly a year. The crooner earned national fame after a 1962 television appearance on “The Jackie Gleason Show,” which led to many more singing and acting gigs on TV and in film.
He also headlined at several casinos throughout Sin City, including the New Frontier, which hosted entertainers including Elvis Presley, Ronald Reagan and Siegfried & Roy over its 65 years. The casino was imploded in 2007.
“I’ve been working since I was four,” Newton said. “There really has not been a time in my life that I don’t remember working.”
“If I still feel like I have something to give when this particular show is over, then I’ll make the decision to probably curtail work a little bit but not give it up totally,” he told the Associated Press. “If I don’t feel that way at the end of this, then I’ll probably hang it up.”
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