John Katsilometes
Story Archive
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Business
Festivals have been a game-changer in Las Vegas, but how much is enough?
Monday, June 6, 2016 The emergence of festivals has changed the face of Las Vegas entertainment, making it more competitive than ever. But in a market where so much entertainment is already being staged, is it possible to oversaturate? What’s become abundantly clear is that in the effort to make the city a major festival destination — led by Las Vegas Events and MGM Resorts executives, ...
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A&E
Monday By the Numbers: Deshauna Barber is tops among 52 Miss USA contestants
Monday, June 6, 2016 Life’s rich pageant flew through VegasVille this week and was capped Sunday night when a member of the U.S. Army won the Miss USA Pageant. Miss ...
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Art
Forever truculent, Muhammad Ali shook up our world
Saturday, June 4, 2016 We watched a lot of fights together in those days, many of them involving “The Greatest.” It was Ali vs. Jerry Quarry, Ali vs. Kenny Norton, Ali vs. Joe Bugner, Ali vs. Ron Lyle, Ali vs. Earnie Shavers, Ali vs. Leon Spinks. Always …
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A&E
Jerry Lewis, Celine Dion and the ‘A-flat’ moment at Caesars
Saturday, June 4, 2016 When the elegant woman in the white dress knelt next to the man seated in the armchair, he smiled and said, “I sing, too.” ...
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A&E
Buzz out of the Park Theater: Lady Gaga joining Justin Timberlake in headliner lineup
Friday, June 3, 2016 The information posted this week by my colleague Ubiquitous Robin Leach noting that Justin Timberlake is being reeled in as one of the resident headliners at the Park Theater at Monte Carlo seems ...
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A&E
‘Baz’ music lineup set; Kelly Clinton Holmes moves to Tuscany (Suites)
Thursday, June 2, 2016 The musicians for “Baz — Star Crossed Love” have been set, and they are all Las Vegas players of high aptitude. ...
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John Katsilometes
Rock of Vegas anchors Fremont Street Experience’s entertainment program
Thursday, June 2, 2016 The free-admission series featuring throwback superstar acts complements a busy, three-stage schedule.
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A&E
Turbulent, trendsetting life of DJ AM spins on in new documentary
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 The family of DJ AM yearned for the late DJ’s story to be told. Filmmaker Kevin Kerslake wanted to tell it. But how, exactly? What would such a documentary look like? ...
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A&E
Penn Jillette unplugged ... in acoustic debut at Smith Center
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Rio headliner magician Penn Jillette performed an original song, “No Martyrs, No Saints,” a tribute to late author and social critic Christopher Hitchens. ...
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A&E
Who cares? Yes, the rockers do, in electrifying show at the Colosseum
Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Being a legend affords a certain latitude: You get to make fun of whatever and whomever whenever you like. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend reminded of that status Sunday night at the Colosseum ...
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Business
How many houses can one city keep full?
Sunday, May 29, 2016 How many arenas are too many? How many are enough? In Las Vegas, we’re about to find out. Announced last week was a partnership between Las Vegas Sands and Madison Square Garden for a 17,500-seat entertainment venue to be built on the …
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A&E
Holly Madison makes the dates in ‘Vegas Diaries’ rollout
Saturday, May 28, 2016 There are literary deadlines, and there are the deadlines of life. Holly Madison understands both. The due date for her second child and second book have been inconveniently aligned, with Madison initially facing a June release date for ...
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A&E
Bill Medley totally righteous at Composers Showcase; Penn Jillette’s latest book to diet for
Friday, May 27, 2016 The Kats Report Bureau once again was ensconced at Composers Showcase of Las Vegas on Wednesday night, and it was a genuine Hall of Fame experience. For the first time, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performed ...
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A&E
It’s Vegas … Straight Up as Chris Phillips opens gig at South Point
Friday, May 27, 2016 Sometimes we refer to him as Zowie Bowie, other times just Chris, but regardless he always brings the party. Chris Phillips-as-Zowie Bowie filled ...
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A&E
Bob Arum: I am ready to promote Trump vs. Sanders
Thursday, May 26, 2016 Bob Arum knows weird. In 1973, he promoted Evel Knievel’s attempt at clearing the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho, in a rocket cycle. The entire spectacle ...
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A&E
Unshakable Tommy Wind stays steady as Vinnie Favorito bolts for Hooters
Thursday, May 26, 2016 Tommy Wind Theater is a cozy family operation housed in the 21,000-square-foot fortress that was once Club Utopia and most recently Boulevard Theater across from Monte Carlo in the strip mall ...
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A&E
Segway antics, Brad Garrett on fumes (and NBC) and more from ‘Power of Love’ Gala
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 It was a uniquely Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” Gala type of moment when the guy on the Segway custom-painted with metallic flames arrived on the red (or make that purple) carpet. ...
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A&E
Monday By the Numbers: ‘One Night’ film and Joan Jett’s show at FSE
Monday, May 23, 2016 Monday By the Numbers is a mix of clipped hair, concrete, champagne and, most important from our friends at Cirque du Soleil, a healthy splash of water. ...
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A&E
At T-Mobile Arena, our own Billboard Music Awards go to …
Monday, May 23, 2016 The Billboard Music Awards telecast is more than just an awards show. It’s a live-performance spectacle, fashion show, means to make a cultural/political statement and great arena spectacle. ...
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A&E
Electric Daisy Carnival announces monster lineup — 250 acts — for 20th anniversary
Monday, May 23, 2016 The lineup of the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival has been announced, and the field of artists rivals the great expanse of the host venue, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More than 250 acts ...
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A&E
Tony Bennett’s medley ramps up the power at ‘Power of Love’
Sunday, May 22, 2016 He kept saying it, in the run-up to the party, during and after: “This is overwhelming.” We know the feeling because when Tony Bennett closed “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” and hit the final, ...
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News
Bill Boyd’s passion for hometown burns bright as ever
Sunday, May 22, 2016 Taking the lead from his legendary father, Bill Boyd, the founder and executive chairman of Boyd Gaming, continues to enrich the community with his vision and generosity. On Saturday night, he was honored at the ...
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News
Steve Wynn makes quick change at Intrigue; Red Mercury scales Stratosphere
Sunday, May 22, 2016 When we refer to the scene in VegasVille as a participation sport, the overnight opening-night party at Jewel is what we’re talking about. The club has overtaken the former Haze nightclub, closed 18 months ago, and ...
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A&E
At Aria, poker ace Bobby Baldwin hits the club at Jewel
Saturday, May 21, 2016 Bobby Baldwin has long been a master at turning a profit at 2 p.m. Now he’s focused on 2 a.m. ...
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A&E
A cool hang with Robert Irvine is just the start at ‘re-energized’ Tropicana
Friday, May 20, 2016 Say this for Robert Irvine: When he hangs out at the Trop, he really hangs out at the Trop. The star chef who hosts Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible” made the ultimate delivery order Monday ...
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A&E
Hello? More dates for Lionel Richie at Axis? Boyband revue sauntering into Sin City Theater
Thursday, May 19, 2016 Lionel Richie’s initial run at Axis at Planet Hollywood sold well enough to spark speculation that he’ll extend beyond the announced dates this fall. ...
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A&E
The Cult’s Ian Astbury brings the fire, but can simmer, too
Thursday, May 19, 2016 The man who sings “Fire Woman” can be a flame-thrower onstage. But in conversation, Ian Astbury feels more like a candle, warm and calm. “I’m not the type who seeks the limelight, and I’m not all about accolades,” the frontman for The Cult said ...
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John Katsilometes
David Spade returns to the Mirage, and remembers the Riv
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 “I did 21 shows per week—this was before SNL, so that was my schedule—and they actually offered to pay you in chips in those days.”
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A&E
From El Rancho Vegas to MGM Grand, Tony Bennett is still a hot ticket
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Tony Bennett recalls what it was like for singers in the early days of Las Vegas. Which is to say, there was not a lot of work for singers in the early days of Las Vegas. ...
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A&E
‘Forever Purple’ Prince tribute show set for June 7 at Smith Center
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Beach Cafe at Tropicana Las Vegas on Monday night. The news out of this building tonight is the announcement of a new restaurant fronted by ...
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A&E
Monday By the Numbers: ‘Power of Love’s’ 35-person turnout in 1995 — and 16,000 since
Monday, May 16, 2016 This week, Monday By the Numbers turns its spotlight on one of the year’s great philanthropic events — and events of any kind — the Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” charity gala benefiting ...
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A&E
L.V. doubleheader: Paul Zerdin opens ‘vent’ at P.H.; Scorpions blackout at Joint
Sunday, May 15, 2016 Once more the lineup of shows was uniquely VegasVille. Early in the night, it was ventriloquist Paul Zerdin with his “Mouthing Off” show at Planet Hollywood Showroom. Later, it was a scramble to the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel to catch veteran German rock band …
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A&E
‘Magic Mike’ muscling onto crowded stage; Criss Angel moves back ‘Mindfreak Live!’ opening
Tuesday, May 10, 2016 Caesars Entertainment is abuzz lately with new or updated shows, including Paul Zerdin’s “Mouthing Off” toggling with Frankie Moreno at PH Showroom and Wayne Newton’s “Up Close and Personal” at ...
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A&E
‘X’ turns XIV at Flamingo; Steve Wynn not grooving to overpaid DJs
Friday, May 6, 2016 A product of the Matt and Angela Stabile “X” empire, “X Burlesque” at Flamingo is advancing with new numbers and visuals. ...
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A&E
Operation Frankie Moreno is finally at full force at Planet Hollywood
Friday, May 6, 2016 I won’t say the man was nervous. He handled that himself Wednesday night. “Why am I so nervous?” Frankie Moreno asked everyone and no one in particular ...
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A&E
Steven Tyler to tell all in Venetian appearance
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 The man who has long demanded, “Walk this way, talk this way,” will be doing some talking — along with singing — on the Strip in July.
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A&E
Long-awaited ‘Magic Mike’ adult revue headed for Hard Rock Hotel
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Primarily naked, dancing men are to descend on the Hard Rock Hotel. “Magic Mike Live,” starring Channing Tatum of the movie of the same name, is set to open at the hotel in March. ...
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John Katsilometes
Prince’s death has shaken up Vegas tribute artist Jason Tenner’s world
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 “We’ve been getting calls from arenas and things of that nature … But I am here to make sure his music, and his legacy, lives on in the right way.”
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A&E
‘Twisted Vegas’ halted at Westgate; Lionel Richie marks ‘crazy’ start at Axis
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 On Sunday, Lionel Richie was justifiably impressed by audience reaction to a show on the Strip — his own. “The crowd, last night, was crazy,” Richie said before taking the stage to close ...
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A&E
Billy Joel nods to Elvis, Elton in return to the Strip
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 Let’s take a look at the audience in the new T-Mobile Arena who turned out to see a man who has sold out Madison Square Garden for 35 consecutive shows. ...
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A&E
Animated Seth MacFarlane puts on showstopper at Encore Theater
Sunday, May 1, 2016 During Seth MacFarlane’s orchestral spectacle at Encore Theater in Wynn Las Vegas on Friday night, a gentleman seated near the stage in the middle of the venue sang in duet with the star ...
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News
No tall tales: 20 facts to mark 20 years of the Stratosphere
Sunday, May 1, 2016 When I explain to folks how long I have lived in Las Vegas, I tell them, “I have lived here as long as the Stratosphere.” True. I moved to Las Vegas from Redding, Calif., the weekend of April 30, 1996. I was …
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A&E
Wynn’s empire is never ‘Never’ land; we hit stage with Mr. Las Vegas
Saturday, April 30, 2016 The Kats Report Bureau cut a swath through the Venetian/Palazzo and Wynn Las Vegas over the past two nights. The Palazzo porte-cochere was the unlikely venue for a sit-down dinner of 300 refined scenesters during the …
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A&E
Human Nature’s ‘Jukebox’ opens up request line at the Venetian
Friday, April 29, 2016 During opening night of their new production “Jukebox” at the Venetian’s Sands Showroom, the guys from Human Nature ask the audience to call out some of their favorite songs. At one point, the affable foursome ...
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A&E
Intrigue, Jewel delivering some extreme club makeover
Friday, April 29, 2016 I visited Jewel at Aria on Tuesday, which was just a hard-hat tour amid a skyscape of LED lights, but it does represent a club experience. ...
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John Katsilometes
‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Paul Zerdin brings his puppets to Planet Hollywood
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 But how many ventriloquists can the Strip absorb?
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A&E
Lisa Marie Smith of ‘Pin Up’ flips calendar for spin with ‘Baz’
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 When Lisa Marie Smith first saw “For The Record: Baz” at Light in Mandalay Bay last June, she gazed at the stage and said, “I am going to be in that show.” She is now in that show. The ...
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A&E
Elisa Fiorillo summons Princely spirit in ‘Purple Rain’ performance
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 To ask Elisa Fiorillo that question late Thursday night would have been pointless. She had just walked offstage after singing “Purple Rain,” bravely and beautifully, at Sunset Station’s Club Madrid.
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A&E
Seth MacFarlane hits Las Vegas and is ready to swing
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 You try to cross this bridge with Seth MacFarlane, linking his affection for the crude/brilliant humor in “Family Guy” — where the highbrow canine Brian will talk of his in-progress novel and suddenly scratch at his fleas with his hind leg — and love of ...
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A&E
Star trek from Clint Holmes-Santa Fe to Frankie Moreno is Uber-eventful
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 There is a saying in my VegasVille universe that helps keep all this activity in perspective. It is, “What could possibly go wrong?” This phrase, always recited facetiously, came to mind ...