Stories by John Katsilometes - Las Vegas Weekly

Marie Osmond speaks at the Children’s Miracle Network Evening of Dreams gala at Planet Hollywood on Jan. 29, 2010.

Marie Osmond still 'struggling'; this week's 'Donny & Marie' performances at Flamingo canceled

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Donny and Marie Osmond returned to the stage on March 9, following the death of Marie's son, Michael Bryan. But she is still struggling to cope with the loss and tonight's show, and this week's shows have been canceled.

Wayne Newton performs as a photo of him as a young man flashes on the screen during the opening night performance Wednesday of “Once Before I Go” at the Tropicana. The show traces Netwon’s career and has him singing duets with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, who appear on video screens.

'CBS Sunday Morning' profile catches Newton amid ever-changing hardships in his life, career

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Months in the making, Sunday's "CBS Sunday Morning" profile of Wayne Newton covered more than 10 minutes of network airtime and spanned his career from a child star to Vegas legend.

Neonopolis hasn’t become quite the hit that was expected.

Downtown

What’s up with Neonopolis?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

You can bet the bar on this one.

Jerry Jones, keeping his grip with the 1996 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl ring.

An open workout for Clottey in Dallas, and that means one thing: Jerry Jones is in the house

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Joshua Clottey was holding an open workout in preparation for his bout against Manny Pacquiao, but the (lone) star attraction was Jerry Jones.

Bill Fayne, wearing his new favorite hat.

Friends of Bill Fayne flood Suncoast for benefit performance

Friday, March 5, 2010

Longtime music director and vocalist Bill Fayne underwent surgery to remove his esophagus in November, and his friends are helping him pay the resulting medical costs.

A display on the murder of Bobby Kennedy is displayed at “Behind the Scenes: The LAPD Homicide Experience” Tuesday in the Palms. Kennedy was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan June 5, 1968 at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The exhibit, a glimpse into some of the most notable homicides and critical incidents in Los Angeles in the past 100 years, coincides with the four- day California Homicide Investigators Association conference.

Family of RFK gets an apology from LAPD as Palms' 'Behind the Scenes' evidence exhibit opens

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Members of the Kennedy family were not pleased to know that one of the exhibits in the "Behind the Scenes" exhibit at the Palms would be the shirt, tie and jacket worn by Robert F. Kennedy the night he was mortally wounded in Los Angeles.

Paul Anka and Larry Ruvo at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

'Power of Love' windfall: $27 million for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

An $8 million check written by Anchor Gaming chief Stan Fulton helped Keep Memory Alive raise $27 million in a single night for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

Nevada Ballet Theater honored Marie Osmond as its Woman of the Year in the Champagne Ballroom of the Paris on Jan. 23, 2010.

Marie Osmond treasured trips to Los Angeles to see her son Michael

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

Road trips to and from Los Angeles helped Marie Osmond stay in contact with her son Michael Blosil, who died Friday after leaping from an apartment window in downtown L.A.

Wayne Newton at the grand opening of his Once Before I Go at the Tropicana on Oct. 28, 2009.

Illness to oldest daughter brings more trying times to Wayne Newton

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010

Wayne Newton wasn't home when authorities showed up to haul away his personal belongings. He was in St. Louis with his oldest daughter, Erin.

Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis at MGM CityCenter’s Aria.

A comparison of Cirque's 'Viva Elvis' and 'Love' -- and why The Beatles win

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010

Because it was far more inventive and boundary-challenging, the music of The Beatles is a far better fit for Cirque than even Elvis' best material.

As a history piece, Cirque du Soleil's 'Viva Elvis' bears some explanation

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010

When we consider the life, career and legacy of Elvis Presley, many images spring to mind. Is one of those images a lasso set aflame?

Danica Patrick stands by her car as she prepares for the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010.

NASCAR counting on Danica to help steer sport back on track

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010

Danica Patrick has no plans to race in a Sprint Cup race this year, but she's still a force in NASCAR based on her enormous popularity on the IndyCar circuit

Jaden Bubolz, 7, of Suring, Wisconsin, and a wax likeness of President Barack Obama at Madame Tussauds’.

President Obama scheduled for Vegas visit -- and yet, he's already here

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010

"The Oval Office Experience" has debuted at Madame Tussauds at The Venetian, but the actual inhabitant will be on the Strip on Friday.

Priscilla Presley and Cirque du Soleil unveil Viva Elvis at Aria in CityCenter on Dec. 15, 2009.

Humanizing Colonel Tom Parker was a Priscilla Presley objective

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010

The fedora-wearing, cigar-chomping depiction of Colonel Tom Parker in the earliest versions of "Viva Elvis" were too cartoonish for Priscilla Presley.

Bette Midler watches a video message from Celine Dion in her final performance of The Showgirl Must Go On in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Jan. 31, 2010.

Celine Dion's return to Colosseum a boon to Las Vegas musicians

Friday, Feb. 12, 2010

Celine Dion's orchestra will be made up of 31 local musicians, and we might well see an upgrade in the video panels behind the Colosseum stage.

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Dominique Piek, left, and Esti Ginsburg at Paris Las Vegas Thursday, February 11, 2010. JOE ELBERT/ LAS VEGAS SUN

Sports Illustrated models prove true page-turners in Vegas visit

Friday, Feb. 12, 2010

A party at Vanity hosted by Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray and introducing this year's lineup of SI swimsuit models was held Thursday at at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Jason Alexander as motivational speaker Donny Clay.

Advice from Shatner helped Alexander appreciate the Costanza universe

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010

When Jason Alexander turned 35, William Shatner advised him to accept the affiliation with George Costanza.

Don Marrandino, left, and Rick Mazer pose during an interview at the Flamingo in August. Marrandino left his post as president of five Harrah’s hotels on the Strip and heading to an expanded role for Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Rick Mazer, formerly Indiana regional president and general manager of Horseshoe Hammond and Horseshoe Indiana, succeeded Marrandino as regional president of Harrah’s Las Vegas, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and O’Sheas.

A 3.5-day sprint, highlighted superflously at Flamingo with Las Vegas newcomers

Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

A buoyant crowd of about 1,100 took in the Super Bowl at Flamingo Las Vegas. That audience included the new hotel president and his ironically named wife.

Carlos Santana plays a guitar he donated to the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy while taking a tour of the school with Andre Agassi on Feb. 4, 2010.

Carlos Santana finds a lot to identify with in Andre Agassi's 'Open'

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

Carlos Santana and Andre Agassi are kindred spirits, Santana said during an appearance at Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy.

Buyi Zama performs as “Rafiki” during a media run through of selected scenes from the new production of “The Lion King” at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Monday, May 11, 2009.

Fiscally responsible college kids have an option: 'The Lion King' at Mandalay Bay

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010

For just $25.50 - the price of a good textbook - college students can take in "The Lion King" at Mandalay Bay Theater.

The 2010 Miss America Pageant contestants make an appearance at Fashion Show on Jan. 23, 2010. Miss Nevada Christina Keegan is at center.

Miss Nevada Christina Keegan's Miss America path hasn't been all pageantry

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010

Christina Keegan was the victim of a date rape at age 19. Today she is using her run at the Miss America Pageant title to help others similarly victimized.

Frontman Brandon Flowers of The Killers at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

When is a breakup not a breakup? When you are The Killers ending a world tour

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

Guitarist Dave Keuning told the Australian Associated Press that the band is eager to take a long break, leading to a swift clarification from a band spokeswoman and drummer Ronnie Vannucci.

Greenberg's Martin Luther King Day verbal gaffe has a familiar ring to it

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010

On Jan. 15, 2005, then-KTNV weatherman Rob Blair made an infamous statement that led to him being fired from the station. Mike Greenberg's MLK Day comment was eerily similar.

Johnny Mathis masterfully brings a warming trend through Primm

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

At times during his appearance at Star of the Desert Arena, Johnny Mathis simply closed his eyes and listened to the orchestral music wash over him.

Penn & Teller, longtime headliners at The Rio, celebrate The Rio’s 20th anniversary with President Gary Selesner, Rio Rita and General Manager Gerry Tuthill. The Rio culinary team created a cake in the form of the all-suites hotel for the celebration.

20 at 20: The Rio, born a locals' casino, celebrates landmark anniversary

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

At the Copa starring David Cassidy and Sheena Easton, and the $99 Danny Gans ticket, are memorable in Rio's 20-year history.

Jay Leno at the 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction at Mandalay Bay.

Is Jay Leno worthy of stand-up fodder? Not to the Jay Leno at The Mirage

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

Jay Leno was given one opportunity, by an audience member, to make comic hay out of his skirmish with Conan O'Brien. He took a pass.

Binion’s on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

Hotel rooms dark, but there is still action at Binion's casino

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

The closing of its 365-room hotel tower, a veritable money pit, has led to a problem of perception at Vegas landmark Binion's on Fremont Street.

Johnny Mathis, former sprinter and current crooner, talks of his voice and Vegas memories

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010

Johnny Mathis counts the Copa Room at the Sands as one of his favorite Vegas venues. It will be a different scene Friday night at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

South Point owner Michael Gaughan speaks at his American Gaming Association Hall of Fame induction at the Global Gaming Expo in November.

Noteworthy: Gaughan plans for new Grandview Lounge at South Point; mopping up at AVN Awards

Monday, Jan. 11, 2010

The Grandview Lounge plays off the name of the timeshare resort next door, and plans are for it to open in July.

Crossover star Sasha Grey at the AVN Awards Show at Pearl Concert Theater. Guess which award she has just claimed.

Porn in the USA: AVN Awards an exercise in sensuality, humor ... and endurance

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010

A night in which more than 120 prizes were doled out during the AVN Awards at Pearl Concert Theater was marked by a lot of sex talk and even a dose of melancholy.