Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Curtain Up: Human Nature’s Australia benefit and more Vegas show news

Human Nature

Denise Truscello

Human Nature recently received the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Sun on the Strip

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Brock talks with Luxor headlining comedian Carrot Top and checks out 10-year-old Aria.

There are plenty of Australian entertainers doing their thing nightly on the Las Vegas Strip and their hearts are broken by the devastating destruction caused by the bushfires in their home country. Venetian headlining act Human Nature, inducted into the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Hall of Fame just months ago, has planned a special benefit performance to assist in relief efforts. All ticket proceeds from the foursome’s January 25 performance of “Human Nature Sings Motown & More” at the Sands Showroom will be donated to the cause.

“Nearly 13 million acres of our land has been on fire and the impact felt amongst the community, landscape, wildlife and economy will be brutal,” said Mike Tierney.

“We hope that we have every seat full and know that every heart in that room will be united in our helping our beautiful country in its greatest time of need,” said Phil Burton.

Adam Steck is CEO of SPI Entertainment and producer of the show, as well as Australia’s “Thunder From Down Under” at Excalibur. “I’m humbled when I see the spirit and mateship between Aussies when it comes to their country,” Steck said. “It breaks my heart to see the horrible destruction of one of the most beautiful places in the world, so we will do everything we can here in Las Vegas, Human Nature’s American home, to support those in need back in Australia.”

You can get your tickets to the benefit on January 25 at humannaturelive.com or venetian.com and you can continue to help support relief efforts by contacting the Australian Red Cross or checking out the list of organizations here.

More show news this week:

Click to enlarge photo

Ron Remke, Maren Wade, Niki Scalera and Eric Jordan Young of "The Cocktail Cabaret."

The Cocktail Cabaret” is back. The musical sensation created by arranger and director Keith Thompson and pianist Philip Fortenberry originally performed at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace has two shows set for January 22 and 23 in the Cabaret Room at Notoriety, inside Fremont Street’s Neonopolis. These performances will kick off a February tour of Florida venues and almost all of the tremendous original cast will return with singers Eric Jordan Young, Niki Scalera and Maren Wade along with Fortenberry and bandmates Don Meoli, Josh Jones and Eric Tewalt. Replacing Daniel Emmett as the fourth vocalist is Ron Remke from “Baz” and “Jubilee!” Thompson said the show is expanding to a 90-minute version that play larger proscenium theaters nationwide as well as more intimate cabaret venues, so expect “The Cocktail Cabaret” to catch on all across the country. Ticket info for the Notoriety shows can be found at cocktailcabaret.com.

“Saturday Night Live” favorite Kenan Thompson is sort of coming to Las Vegas. “Kenan Thompson’s Road to NYC Competition,” a standup comedy showcase presented by Simply C360, will take over Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at the Linq Promenade January 18 and 19, with one show featuring child comics 18 and under and one for adults. Both will be judged by a panel of VIP judges (which could include Thompson) and the winners of each showcase will take home a prize package and travel to New York City to meet the cast of “SNL” and boost their new comedy careers. Who’s at the club this week? Rich Vos through January 12, Jill Kimmel at 10 p.m. on January 9, Ian Bagg on January 16 and Steve Trevino January 16-19.

All Shook Up,” the only all-Elvis tribute show on the Strip at the moment, will celebrate its sixth anniversary at V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort on January 20, two weeks after what would have been the King’s 85th birthday. That means “All Shook Up” will pass the 2,000-show mark this month. “There is no greater feeling than watching people of all ages have the time of their lives at your show. They get lost in the moment and swept up in the songs,” said producer Kurt Brown. “There’s really no way to describe the energy. It’s a virtual trip back in time.” The musical tribute runs at 6 p.m. nightly and ticket info is available at vtheater.com.

Clint Carvaho and His Extreme Parrots” returns to the Springs Preserve every weekend through February 22 with two shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Exotic bird specialist and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Carvalho has presented his shows at tons of different casinos and incorporates magic, music, costumes and more into each show, but the feathered ones are the stars. Springs Preserve shows are free for members or included with general admission tickets.