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Vegoose isn’t the only big show this fall

Richard Abowitz

Two classic talents are on their way to Vegas at the end of September. First up, the fantastic Pat Metheny Trio comes to the House of Blues on September 20. Metheny's appearances a few years ago were among the few highlights of the short-lived Las Vegas Blue Note. On September 9, Tony Bennett returns for another stand at the Golden Nugget. Bennett is one of the last great bearers of the American songbook, as well as an accomplished jazz and pop vocalist of great finesse, grace and swagger. Truly one of a kind, Tony Bennett is not to be missed.


Another one and only, Dolly Parton, returns to the House of Blues for an intimate show October 1. Long ago abandoning her "9 to 5" mainstream pop career, Parton has revisited her roots, making discs that offer a stunning display of her songwriting skill ("Little Sparrow") and unpredictable choice of covers ("Stairway to Heaven"). Her latest, Live and Well, shows her stage charisma and bluegrass skills are as undiminished as her other talents. The same day marks the return of the Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Children at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. This year's talent includes Celine Dion, David Foster, Duran Duran, Earth, Wind & Fire, George Lopez and Mary J. Blige. Truly making October 1 a night that will highlight the range of entertainment Vegas can offer on any given evening, at Sam Boyd Stadium will be an Xtreme show, featuring My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio and Reggie & The Full Effect.


On October 7, local sensations the Killers appear for a sure sellout at the Hard Rock, to be followed the next night by an already sold-out appearance by Motley Crue.


The main musical event of the fall is the massive Vegoose Music Festival, which starts October 28 and runs through Halloween. Already based on the lineup alone, this will be among the greatest events in the history of Las Vegas music. Built around shows at Sam Boyd Stadium and mixing in venues from the Aladdin to the House of Blues, a small preview of the current—yet still expanding—roster of performers includes Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, the Meters (hopefully this is still the case, as the New Orleans group features Art Neville, Zigaboo Modeliste, George Porter Jr. and Leo Nocentelli), Beck, the Flaming Lips, Ween, Talib Kweli, Sleater-Kinney and Digable Planets. May this show be a success and inaugurate many more events like it.


Just as Vegoose closes out, aiming at a slightly younger crowd will be the Nintendo Fusion Tour November 1 at the House of Blues. This year, the tour includes among its headliners Fall Out Boy and Motion City Soundtrack. On November 3, please show up to honor the about-to-turn-80 Las Vegas resident B.B. King as he takes up his guitar for some dates at the Stardust. Perhaps Bono will drop by, as the two have enjoyed playing together since "When Love Comes to Town." Then on the next two nights, U2 headline at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.


In fact, for the big names, the MGM Grand Garden arena is the place to be throughout November. Ultimate arena rockers the Rolling Stones arrive November 18, and a week later, on November 25, Paul McCartney is in the house.

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