John Katsilometes

Story Archive

After a hiatus took her to Europe and Mexico, Lorena Peril is back dazzling audiences in 'Fantasy': Thursday, June 23, 2016; "What I’ve missed, really, is the family atmosphere of the show. ... It’s been a learning process, and you realize how much you miss that when they are not around.”
Las Vegas NHL chief Bill Foley: ‘This is not going to be a 10-year program’: Thursday, June 23, 2016; Bill Foley sidestepped a commemorative street sign reading “NHL Hockey Boulevard” to talk for a time about his hockey team. ...
Homegrown musical ‘Idaho!’ opens in Las Vegas with one eye on Broadway: Thursday, June 23, 2016; “The only reason we are here is because I couldn’t think of anything to rhyme with Wyoming.”
Even before talk of pro pucks, Las Vegas has been a major league city: Wednesday, June 22, 2016; Eight years ago, almost to the day, a group of experts with a deep education of pro sports visited the Las Vegas Sun offices for a round-table discussion about the city’s potential as a big-league city. ...
The Stanley Cup: Still looking great at 123: Tuesday, June 21, 2016; At the after-party of the 2009 NHL Awards at Palms Pool, a fan who had succumbed to revelry leapt into the water and began swimming toward an object standing on a platform in the middle of the water. No ordinary object, this. It was ...
Monday By the Numbers: Bye-bye to Mermaids, Glitter Gulch, La Bayou and all that deep-fried yumminess: Monday, June 20, 2016; This week, Monday By the Numbers focuses on three famous but ill-fated businesses on Fremont Street: The Girls of Glitter Gulch, Mermaids and La Bayou. That Triumvirate of Regretful Decisions has been purchased by ...
Imagine Dragons’ charitable pulse still strong in Orlando benefit concert: Monday, June 20, 2016; Ben McKee was peacefully navigating the Rogue River in Southern Oregon on the night of the terrible shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. So he did not immediately learn of that tragedy and ...
Las Vegas’ hockey honeymoon must be precursor to a lasting marriage: Sunday, June 19, 2016; Novelty is fickle, and Las Vegas is a fickle city. This is especially true for locals and tourists figuring out how to spend their entertainment dollar. Las Vegas is unique not only as the largest metropolitan outpost in North …
EDC’s roots at LVMS planted 20 years ago; Tiesto takes a spot with The Who, Bon Jovi: Friday, June 17, 2016; The vision of the original architects of Las Vegas Motor Speedway is certainly a prominent reason for the success of the Electric Daisy Carnival. But this is maybe a coincidental vision, as LVMS was not built ...
Mark Shunock’s Mondays Dark to relocate and more from the VegasVille scene: Wednesday, June 15, 2016; South Point's newly-renovated lounge, new shows at Planet Hollywood and more.
‘Baz’ backs up its opening at Palazzo; ‘Showstoppers’ invokes Danny and Sandy: Wednesday, June 15, 2016; We begin with a great quote from Tala Marie, the lone remaining original member of Matt Goss’s dance troupe The Dirty Virgins at the Gossy Room in Caesars Palace. Marie is leaving the act because her hubby, Jim Yancey, and she are ...
Monday By the Numbers: ‘Cabaret’ and its rich history open at Smith Center: Monday, June 13, 2016; This week, Monday By the Numbers focuses on the legendary musical “Cabaret,” the touring version of which makes a stop at Reynolds Hall in the Smith Center ...
Tragedy sparks prayer vigil at centers in Las Vegas, Reno; Reno arch to go dark: Sunday, June 12, 2016; The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada is holding a prayer vigil tonight at 7 at the organization’s headquarters, 401 S. Maryland Parkway. ...
Penn Jillette’s ‘Director’s Cut’ should carve cult following; Ron White hosts righteous hang: Saturday, June 11, 2016; Penn Jillette’s appearance at the Reason Rally last weekend didn’t go off without a hitch, or a Hitchens. An uncommonly long soundcheck on the Washington Mall kept Jillette in the grassy expanse for ...
Frank Marino: ‘Riviera was never a drag for me’: Saturday, June 11, 2016; The legacy of entertainment at the Riviera lives on throughout Las Vegas, and even beyond. Undeniably, one of the hotel’s foremost ambassadors and spokesmen has been a hot lady named ...
‘With a Twist,’ Travis Cloer is ready to change seasons: Friday, June 10, 2016; For Travis Cloer, a new start coincided with the end of an era. And he was prepared for all of it. Set to debut a show titled ...
How Rock in Rio, ACM Party for a Cause slipped into uncertainty: Thursday, June 9, 2016; Those who have staged big festivals at Las Vegas Festival Grounds are certainly a worldly bunch. Some have just been kicking it up in Lisbon and are back in Rio. ...
‘Jersey Boys’ to close at Paris Las Vegas on Sept. 18: Tuesday, June 7, 2016; “Jersey Boys” is closing, the cast and crew were notified this evening at Paris Las Vegas. Its final show is Sept. 18. Officials from production company Dodgers Theatricals met with the creative team after the performance tonight and announced ...
Clint Holmes looking to uncork an ace with ‘Between the Lines’: Tuesday, June 7, 2016; Clint Holmes is a very good tennis player, one reason he is so fit at age 70. Naturally, the way to win at that game is to find the lines and fire shots at those boundaries. Holmes’ new show ...
Jim Murren discusses high-end Park MGM, ‘romantic’ NoMad and ‘the best of the best’: Tuesday, June 7, 2016; An effort to revive Monte Carlo has been three years in the making and led to the announcement Friday that the resort is to be renamed Park MGM and NoMad Hotel, a $450 million deal in partnership with Sydell Group and MGM Resorts International.
Hard Rock Hotel opens arms to women, conventions: Monday, June 6, 2016; In May, the hotel celebrated completion of the steel structure on its convention center expansion, and Channing Tatum is bring "Magic Mike Live" to the hotel ...
Festivals have been a game-changer in Las Vegas, but how much is enough?: Monday, June 6, 2016; The emergence of festivals has changed the face of Las Vegas entertainment, making it more competitive than ever. But in a market where so much entertainment is already being staged, is it possible to oversaturate? What’s become abundantly clear is that in the effort to make the city a major festival destination — led by Las Vegas Events and MGM Resorts executives, ...
Monday By the Numbers: Deshauna Barber is tops among 52 Miss USA contestants: Monday, June 6, 2016; Life’s rich pageant flew through VegasVille this week and was capped Sunday night when a member of the U.S. Army won the Miss USA Pageant. Miss ...
Forever truculent, Muhammad Ali shook up our world: Saturday, June 4, 2016; We watched a lot of fights together in those days, many of them involving “The Greatest.” It was Ali vs. Jerry Quarry, Ali vs. Kenny Norton, Ali vs. Joe Bugner, Ali vs. Ron Lyle, Ali vs. Earnie Shavers, Ali vs. Leon Spinks. Always …
Jerry Lewis, Celine Dion and the ‘A-flat’ moment at Caesars: Saturday, June 4, 2016; When the elegant woman in the white dress knelt next to the man seated in the armchair, he smiled and said, “I sing, too.” ...
Buzz out of the Park Theater: Lady Gaga joining Justin Timberlake in headliner lineup: Friday, June 3, 2016; The information posted this week by my colleague Ubiquitous Robin Leach noting that Justin Timberlake is being reeled in as one of the resident headliners at the Park Theater at Monte Carlo seems ...
‘Baz’ music lineup set; Kelly Clinton Holmes moves to Tuscany (Suites): Thursday, June 2, 2016; The musicians for “Baz — Star Crossed Love” have been set, and they are all Las Vegas players of high aptitude. ...
Rock of Vegas anchors Fremont Street Experience’s entertainment program: Thursday, June 2, 2016; The free-admission series featuring throwback superstar acts complements a busy, three-stage schedule.
Turbulent, trendsetting life of DJ AM spins on in new documentary: Wednesday, June 1, 2016; The family of DJ AM yearned for the late DJ’s story to be told. Filmmaker Kevin Kerslake wanted to tell it. But how, exactly? What would such a documentary look like? ...
Penn Jillette unplugged ... in acoustic debut at Smith Center: Tuesday, May 31, 2016; Rio headliner magician Penn Jillette performed an original song, “No Martyrs, No Saints,” a tribute to late author and social critic Christopher Hitchens. ...
Who cares? Yes, the rockers do, in electrifying show at the Colosseum: Tuesday, May 31, 2016; Being a legend affords a certain latitude: You get to make fun of whatever and whomever whenever you like. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend reminded of that status Sunday night at the Colosseum ...
How many houses can one city keep full?: Sunday, May 29, 2016; How many arenas are too many? How many are enough? In Las Vegas, we’re about to find out. Announced last week was a partnership between Las Vegas Sands and Madison Square Garden for a 17,500-seat entertainment venue to be built on the …
Holly Madison makes the dates in ‘Vegas Diaries’ rollout: Saturday, May 28, 2016; There are literary deadlines, and there are the deadlines of life. Holly Madison understands both. The due date for her second child and second book have been inconveniently aligned, with Madison initially facing a June release date for ...
Bill Medley totally righteous at Composers Showcase; Penn Jillette’s latest book to diet for: Friday, May 27, 2016; The Kats Report Bureau once again was ensconced at Composers Showcase of Las Vegas on Wednesday night, and it was a genuine Hall of Fame experience. For the first time, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performed ...
It’s Vegas … Straight Up as Chris Phillips opens gig at South Point: Friday, May 27, 2016; Sometimes we refer to him as Zowie Bowie, other times just Chris, but regardless he always brings the party. Chris Phillips-as-Zowie Bowie filled ...
Bob Arum: I am ready to promote Trump vs. Sanders: Thursday, May 26, 2016; Bob Arum knows weird. In 1973, he promoted Evel Knievel’s attempt at clearing the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho, in a rocket cycle. The entire spectacle ...
Unshakable Tommy Wind stays steady as Vinnie Favorito bolts for Hooters: Thursday, May 26, 2016; Tommy Wind Theater is a cozy family operation housed in the 21,000-square-foot fortress that was once Club Utopia and most recently Boulevard Theater across from Monte Carlo in the strip mall ...
Segway antics, Brad Garrett on fumes (and NBC) and more from ‘Power of Love’ Gala: Tuesday, May 24, 2016; It was a uniquely Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” Gala type of moment when the guy on the Segway custom-painted with metallic flames arrived on the red (or make that purple) carpet. ...
Monday By the Numbers: ‘One Night’ film and Joan Jett’s show at FSE: Monday, May 23, 2016; Monday By the Numbers is a mix of clipped hair, concrete, champagne and, most important from our friends at Cirque du Soleil, a healthy splash of water. ...
At T-Mobile Arena, our own Billboard Music Awards go to …: Monday, May 23, 2016; The Billboard Music Awards telecast is more than just an awards show. It’s a live-performance spectacle, fashion show, means to make a cultural/political statement and great arena spectacle. ...
Electric Daisy Carnival announces monster lineup — 250 acts — for 20th anniversary: Monday, May 23, 2016; The lineup of the 2016 Electric Daisy Carnival has been announced, and the field of artists rivals the great expanse of the host venue, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. More than 250 acts ...
Tony Bennett’s medley ramps up the power at ‘Power of Love’: Sunday, May 22, 2016; He kept saying it, in the run-up to the party, during and after: “This is overwhelming.” We know the feeling because when Tony Bennett closed “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” and hit the final, ...
Bill Boyd’s passion for hometown burns bright as ever: Sunday, May 22, 2016; Taking the lead from his legendary father, Bill Boyd, the founder and executive chairman of Boyd Gaming, continues to enrich the community with his vision and generosity. On Saturday night, he was honored at the ...
Steve Wynn makes quick change at Intrigue; Red Mercury scales Stratosphere: Sunday, May 22, 2016; When we refer to the scene in VegasVille as a participation sport, the overnight opening-night party at Jewel is what we’re talking about. The club has overtaken the former Haze nightclub, closed 18 months ago, and ...
At Aria, poker ace Bobby Baldwin hits the club at Jewel: Saturday, May 21, 2016; Bobby Baldwin has long been a master at turning a profit at 2 p.m. Now he’s focused on 2 a.m. ...
A cool hang with Robert Irvine is just the start at ‘re-energized’ Tropicana: Friday, May 20, 2016; Say this for Robert Irvine: When he hangs out at the Trop, he really hangs out at the Trop. The star chef who hosts Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible” made the ultimate delivery order Monday ...
Hello? More dates for Lionel Richie at Axis? Boyband revue sauntering into Sin City Theater: Thursday, May 19, 2016; Lionel Richie’s initial run at Axis at Planet Hollywood sold well enough to spark speculation that he’ll extend beyond the announced dates this fall. ...
The Cult’s Ian Astbury brings the fire, but can simmer, too: Thursday, May 19, 2016; The man who sings “Fire Woman” can be a flame-thrower onstage. But in conversation, Ian Astbury feels more like a candle, warm and calm. “I’m not the type who seeks the limelight, and I’m not all about accolades,” the frontman for The Cult said ...
David Spade returns to the Mirage, and remembers the Riv: Wednesday, May 18, 2016; “I did 21 shows per week—this was before SNL, so that was my schedule—and they actually offered to pay you in chips in those days.”
From El Rancho Vegas to MGM Grand, Tony Bennett is still a hot ticket: Wednesday, May 18, 2016; Tony Bennett recalls what it was like for singers in the early days of Las Vegas. Which is to say, there was not a lot of work for singers in the early days of Las Vegas. ...