Sun File Photo
Metallica performs during day two of Rock in Rio USA on the Las Vegas Strip, May 9, 2015.
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020 | 2 a.m.
“American Idol” is holding virtual auditions in Nevada next week and I can think of a few dozen Las Vegas singers who could make a serious impact. The competition show has created its own custom-built Zoom technology to host “Idol Across America,” its first-ever live virtual nationwide search for the next singing superstar, with remote auditions planned across all 50 states. For more info and full eligibility requirements, visit americanidol.com/auditions.
Stand-up comedy star Iliza Shlesinger, a regular in the Mirage’s Aces of Comedy series, is hitting the road with “Iliza’s Comedy Tailgate Tour” presented by Monster Energy, a nine-city trek set to visit drive-in movie theaters across the country. The tour starts in Pittsburgh on October 2 and makes its way west before wrapping with three shows in Southern California. If you can’t make it, you can always watch one of her five Netflix comedy specials.
Speaking of drive-in entertainment: Metallica is one of the big stadium-touring acts that Las Vegas has a better chance of receiving thanks to the arrival of Allegiant Stadium. Of course, no one knows when that might happen, but it’s fun to think about. And Metallica is the latest headliner in the ongoing Encore Drive In Nights concert series, which can be viewed at the West Wind Drive-In in North Las Vegas at 7:45 and 11:15 p.m. on August 29. For more info visit encorelive.com.
Here’s another virtual show coming up this weekend: “Over the Air: Magic by Vinny Grosso” will take its next flight at 5:30 p.m. August 29, starring the comedian and illusionist you may have seen on “America’s Got Talent,” “Penn & Teller’s Fool Us” and “Masters of Illusion.” The Las Vegas resident will perform this time to benefit the Serving Our Kids Foundation, a local nonprofit that feeds and serves the weekend nutrition needs of thousands of local homeless and at-risk children — certainly a mission that’s never been more important. Get more info about the group at servingourkids.org and register for the show here.
The buzzy new Commercial Center listening room and supper club the Vegas Room will team with the nonprofit Nevada School of the Arts for a jazz show this weekend. Music director Justin DiCioccio will perform “Bird With Strings,” a tribute to Charlie Parker, at 3 p.m. August 29. The show is available in person with limited seating or as a livestream and proceeds go to NSA. For tickets and more information, visit nsamusic.org.
At the same venue, Broadway star Brent Barrett and his husband, entertainer Bernie Blanks will perform a selection of Broadway favorites for two nights on September 3 and 4. The special shows, dubbed “Islands in the Stream” will benefit Golden Rainbow and include a five-course dinner served at 6:30 p.m. both nights, with the performance starting at 8 p.m. Barrett, who serves as entertainment director at the Vegas Room and just this week performed as part of Mondays Dark for the first time, has starred in countless Broadway musicals including “Chicago,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Kiss Me Kate” and “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular” on the Strip. For ticket info, visit thevegasroom.com.
