Columnist Joe Delaney: Stars to shine at USO benefit concert

Scheduled to appear: Bill Acosta, the Amazing Johnathan, Bob Anderson, Dirk Arthur, Blue Man Group, Lance Burton, the casts of Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" and "O," Andre-Phillipe Gagnon, Robert Goulet, Buddy Greco, Clint Holmes, Jimmy Hopper, cast members of "Jubilee," Mac King, Rich Little, the cast of "Lord of the Dance," McGuire Sisters, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. and Melinda, the First Lady of Magic.

Plus, Wayne Newton, Darren Romeo, the Scintas, Siegfried & Roy, Jessica Simpson, Rick Springfield, cast members of "Storm," Fred Travalena, Earl Turner and an all-star orchestra of 32 musicians.

Newton departs early Monday for a tour of U.S. overseas bases, accompanied by Simpson and others, his first such visit to entertain troops since his appointment to replace Bob Hope as the USO's Celebrity Circle Chief ... Bill Cosby, Tom Hanks, Quincy Jones and Paramount Studios head Sherry Lansing have joined Newton on his executive committee.

During our 34-plus years with the Sun, we have produced and directed numerous fund-raisers for good causes, including telethons, national and local Nites of Stars for St. Jude's Ranch for Children and Helen J. Stewart School and dinners for WestCare, among others ... There were certain performers who always came through as well.

This group includes Bernie Allen, Peter Anthony, Pete Barbutti, Freddie Bell, Sam Butera and the Wildest, Carme, Ken Cornell, Sonny King, Howard Maurer, Babe Pier, Cork Proctor, Nelson Sardelli, Dick Saxe and the Trenierx, all of whom are still here, still performing ... They deserve acknowledgement here and from the various charities involved through the years.

Weekend events

Saturday from 1-4 p.m. at West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., there will be a book signing by Tony Award-winning choreographer Cholly Atkins, co-author with Jacqui Nalone, of "Class Act," Atkins' life story ... We'll be on hand, along with Walter Mason, for a special program which includes music by Eagle Eye Shields & Co.

From the cover of the book, celebrity quotes: "Cholly Atkins was our everything ... He taught us how to walk onstage, how to walk offstage, how to move" (Gladys Knight), and on the back: "Cholly Atkins is one of the true icons ... an original hoofer ... We are blessed to have been touched by his magic" (Quincy Jones).

Star-policy rundown

It's Amazing Johnathan (Golden Nugget); King, afternoons, Holmes, evenings (Harrah's); Paul Rodriguez and Society of Seven, in separate theaters (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); Carrot Top, plus Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage); and Burton (Monte Carlo).

Plus Rita Rudner (New York-New York); Righteous Brothers (Orleans); Jay Mohr (Paris Las Vegas); Penn & Teller and the Scintas, in separate theaters (Rio); Newton (Stardust); Eddie Money (Suncoast), Rick Thomas (Tropicana) and Melinda (Venetian) ... Recommended: Comedian John Mendoza, headlining this week at Riviera Comedy Club.

All the best to Happy Harry on the grand opening of his Happy Harry's Eatery today in the Flamingo Arville Plaza ... Second and final weekend for CCSN's "The Shadow Box" (Nicholas J. Horn Theatre); second of three weekends for LV Little Theatre's "Italian American Reconciliation" (3844 Schiff Drive) ... Please support local community theater.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas' World Stage Series presents the Bangarra Dance Theatre, 8 p.m. Friday (Artemus Ham Hall) ... Sunday at 2 p.m. the LV Jazz Society features Two Jazz Quartets, led by trumpeter Marvin Stamm and tenor saxophonist Wayne DeSilva, respectively, followed by a new CD release party at the Winchester Center ... Recommended: Marv Koral Four tonight (Jazzed Cafe).

Newton closes tonight at the Stardust ... Andrew "Dice" Clay's Bad Boy Comedy Club, with Jim Norton, Bobby Lee and Uncle Joe Diaz, plays the Wayne Newton Theatre Saturday at 8 p.m. ... Clay returns in concert next Monday through Wednesday, followed by Don Rickles and Patty Smyth (Mrs. John McEnroe), Thursday through Sunday.

Comedian John Joseph, impressive, opening recently for Julio Iglesias at Paris Las Vegas, headlines at the Tropicana's Comedy Stop through Sunday ... Mexican magician Ayala appears in Caesars Magical Empire through Dec. 8 ... Ayala starred in Dick Foster's "Spellbound" at Harrah's for several seasons ... See you Friday.

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