Band leader and trumpet player David Perrico after a media preview of “Pin Up,” a new show at the Stratosphere, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013. The show, featuring Claire Sinclair, Playboy’s 2011 Playmate of the Year, is scheduled to open March 2.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 | 5 p.m.
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is a new writing station: Culinary Dropout at Hard Rock Hotel. Every few minutes, a person in street clothes asks how I am doing. Usually, this person works here, as was the case when the gal in the wool sweater and matching scarf asked what I would like to drink.
But sometimes, I know this person, as was the case when Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie checked on me to say he was entertaining family in town. I just ordered a ginger ale, but I can’t remember who took the order.
The scene tonight is twofold, with Mark Shunock hosting the latest installment of “Mondays Dark” at nearby Vinyl benefiting Vegas Shepherd Rescue. Shunock’s next charity event is the celebration of the first anniversary of “Mondays Dark,” Dec. 15 at the Joint, where he hopes to draw about 1,300 attendees to celebrate those charities who have already been featured in the event since it launched in November 2013.
The “Rock of Ages” at the Venetian star also will announce the next set of organizations for 2015.
Post “M.D.,” it’s the Rockie Brown Band at Tuscany’s T Spot Lounge. Tuscany continues to advance the cause of live entertainment in VegasVille. T Spot is kind of a nondescript little venue, but it really rocks. The Monday-through-Wednesday lineup now is Brown on Mondays, Zowie Bowie’s Devil Deluxe ’80s revival on Tuesdays and Franky Perez and the Truth on Wednesdays.
On Friday night, joining Kenny Davidsen’s weekly “Bow Tie Cabaret,” is Jassen Allen Croop’s tribute to Luther Vandross, “With Love,” at 10 p.m. No cover for any of this.
Longtime Las Vegas music director and trumpet master David Perrico (founder of Pop Evolution and the former MD at “Pin Up” at the Strat) has had a hand in booking that room, hence the range and quality of the acts.
More on the horn ace in a few. But first …
• A month before opening at Encore Theater, “Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers” has undergone a major cast change. Stepping in as one of the three female vocalists is Nicole Kaplan Fenton, who has most recently performed as one of the backing singers and dancers in Terry Bradshaw’s stage show at the Mirage in June 2013 and subsequently across the country. Fenton is the wife of “Jersey Boys” cast member Graham Fenton, who alternates the role of Frankie Valli with Travis Cloer.
Kaplan steps in for Lauren Molina, who played Johanna in “Sweeney Todd” on Broadway and survived a nationwide audition to earn one of the plumb roles in the lineup of principal singers. The female leads now include Kerry O’Malley (“Annabelle,” “Earth to Echo,” “Terminator: Genesis” on film and “Those Who Kill,” “Shameless” and “Boardwalk Empire” on TV) and Lindsay Roginski, who played Roxie Hart in “Chicago” on Broadway and Lola in “Damn Yankees.”
The show’s opening for previews is Dec. 16; the gala opening is Dec. 20.
• Perrico is bringing strings into Tuscany on Saturday night for a pops strings performance at T Spot. This effort is formally known as The David Perrico Pops String Orchestra. He has built a 16-piece ensemble, similar to his approach to Pop Evo, with vocalist Naomi Mauro again at the front.
There will be a few original compositions from Perrico and Mauro, and the show will fold in Perrico’s re-interpretation of songs by Maroon 5, India.Arie, Jill Scott and Madonna.
Perrico plans to build the stage at T Spot over the dance floor to allow for the extra musicians. This is the most inventive and ambitious use of T Spot since BBR was showcased this year, and Perrico plans to make this a regular showcase at Tuscany. The cover is $10, and start time is 11 p.m.
• The schedule for “Rock of Ages” has been shuffled. The show is now performed only once on Saturdays, instead of twice, as it has been previously. The result:. The current “Rock of Ages” schedule is 8 p.m. nightly, still seven shows a week, with the second Saturday show moved to Monday. The production is selling tickets through December 2015, a positive sign for everyone in the show.
Meantime, the Broadway version of the show has announced it is closing. Its final date at Helen Hayes Theater is Jan. 18. The show has been running in New York since April 2009.The show was performed nearly 2,400 times during that run.
• Perez is living a rock-star schedule at the moment. He has been in Helsinki, Finland, for a photo shoot with his cello/rock band Apocalyptica for that band’s next album due in the spring. He then flies in from Finland landing in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Wednesday for a show that starts three hours later.
With world-class dining, shopping, spas, golf and entertainment, there's no shortage of things to do at Wynn. The resort’s aquatic acrobatic show, “Le Reve—The Dream,” a creation by Cirque Du Soleil veteran Franco Dragone and Steve Wynn, will leave guests wanting more with its breathtaking performances that conjure an imaginary world. The Wynn Esplanade offers a unique shopping experience with stores including Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta and many more. Tryst is its signature nightclub, offering a secluded lagoon inside the club and spacious dance floor. Blush, the Wynn’s ultra lounge, draws swanky party-goers. Tryst, Wynn’s signature nightclub, is situated along a private lagoon under a 90-foot waterfall and plays host to some of the world’s most renown DJs.
Arguably one the coolest joints in town, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino houses some of Vegas' best entertainment, restaurants and nightlife.
At Hard Rock, it's all about the music. From the light fixtures made out of drum cymbals and guitar shaped door handles to stage costumes and tools of the trade of legendary musicians displayed on the walls, the hotel screams rock and roll. The Hard Rock's Joint has hosted some the biggest names in music — from The Who to Bob Dylan to hometown heroes, The Killers.Aside from the music venues, the pool at the Hard Rock is one of its biggest attractions. Spread out over 4.7 acres, the pool area features swim-up blackjack, a bar and grill, private cabanas, a bevy of secluded nooks, a waterfall and an extensive live music venue with a dance floor. During the summer, the pool transforms into the Rehab club on Sunday afternoons.
The resident nightclub Body English fuses European elegance with a rock star bachelor pad and it often a hot spot for visiting celebs and popular DJs. Vintage rock memorabilia lines the walls at Wasted Space, Hard Rock's anti-club.
Restaurants at Hard Rock are just as hip as the rest of the casino. Pink Taco serves up Mexican dishes, as well as a Central American and Caribbean menu. Nobu, one of five worldwide Japanese-specialty restaurants from famed Nobu Matsuhisa, satisfies a different taste. For round-the-clock cuisine, Mr. Lucky's 24/7, is sure to ease your appetite even after a Vegas-all-nighter.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.
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