Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Weekend Rewind: ‘Divas’ shutters, Flo Rida parties at Hard Rock, Ne-Yo sings at Palms and more

Ne-Yo

Amit Dadlaney

Ne-Yo celebrated the release of his new album “Good Man” at Apex Social Club.

No one has performed as a headliner on the Las Vegas Strip longer than Frank Marino. His 23-year run impersonating Joan Rivers and anchoring “An Evening at La Cage” ended in 2009, six years before the Riviera closed. Now Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas” drag show has closed suddenly after nearly nine years at the Linq. The abrupt ending came over the weekend with the last show running June 26 and no official reason has been given; Caesars Entertainment, operator of the Linq, would only state that the company and Marino “have mutually agreed to close the long-running show at the Linq.” I haven’t been able to speak with Marino yet but it’s a safe assumption that the Vegas veteran will be looking for a new venue. “Divas” had been sharing the Mat Franco Theater at the Linq with Mat Franco, the magician who won season nine of “America’s Got Talent.”

Another long-running Strip show — the current longevity champ, actually, at 35 years and counting — is making some changes to celebrate its anniversary. “Legends in Concert” at the Flamingo has a fresh set of acts launching this week and continuing through September 9. Tribute artists will portray Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and, for the first time ever in this show, Jon Bon Jovi and Bob Marley.

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Flo Rida is honored at the Hard Rock.

Multiplatinum rapper Flo Rida has been a big part of the Hard Rock Hotel’s Rehab pool party for years now. He stepped up his Vegas status Friday when the resort dedicated a new Flo Rida memorabilia case in the casino ahead of his Saturday performance at the club. One of Flo’s custom-made outfits complete with Christian Louboutin sneakers and Philipp Plein sunglasses is now on display near the Goose Island Pub. “I love when people tell me how one of my songs got them through a tough time or marked a special time in their life or how they partied to my music,” he said. “Music does all these things and I am proud to play a role as a positive ambassador to the power of music.” He’ll be back at Rehab August 12 and 26.

Later on Friday, former Las Vegas Academy student Ne-Yo celebrated the release of his new album “Good Man” with a party at the Palms’ Apex Social Club. Guests got a listen of the new tunes and a special performance from the R&B crooner, who unleashed hits “Closer” and “Miss Independent” as well as a few of his latest works.

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Celine Dion performs at the Tokyo Dome.

Back-to-back U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka was in town this weekend to celebrate a friend’s bachelor party and the group took their talents to Encore for an afternoon at Encore Beach Club Friday and a VIP late-night experience at XS Nightclub. On the Saturday night club watch, Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas made a surprise appearance at Hyde Bellagio and jumped onstage to perform “I Gotta Feeling.” Earlier that day he’d performed at the Flamingo’s Go Pool.

The unmistakable voice of Anita Baker is coming to town. The eight-time Grammy winning R&B singer and songwriter has scheduled three shows at Encore Theater as part of her Farewell Concert Series on August 29 and September 1 and 2. Tickets are on sale now at wynnlasvegas.com.

Celine Dion won’t be back at the Colosseum until late October but she’s not taking a summer vacation. She recently launched a 22-city tour across the Asian Pacific region with a sold-out performance at the Tokyo Dome presented by Caesars Entertainment, and a group of executives including Jan Jones Blackhurst, executive vice president of government relations & corporate responsibility, were in attendance. Caesars is hoping to build a resort in Japan in Osaka or Tomakomai.