John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Vegas Blue Man Matthew Banks ready to rock Super Bowl XLV
Monday, Jan. 31, 2011
More than a decade ago, while living in Toronto, Matthew Banks answered an ad for an open audition for Blue Man Group. Sunday, he'll be performing as part of the official Super Bowl XLV Tailgate Party at Cowboys Stadium.
Could there be another Elvis? Priscilla says, 'It would be difficult'
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011
Priscilla Presley said the idea of Elvis Presley appearing on "American Idol" is interesting speculation, but his under-the-radar development worked for him.
Priscilla Presley to be lauded by NBT, Nigel Lythgoe ... and Vince Neil
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
Recently sentenced rocker Vince Neil has been a friend of Priscilla Presley's for years, and he'll be saying a few words about her at the NBT Black and White Ball on Saturday.
Hidden treasure Composers Showcase Las Vegas ends its brief intermission
Friday, Jan. 28, 2011
Composers Showcase dates to 2006 at Suede restaurant, then moved to The Liberace Museum. The series is now trying out a new venue, Creative Studios, for a revival performance Feb. 24.
In a curious confab, King argues Vegas seating capacity with Conan
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011
Larry King mentioned an appearance at The Mirage that, at this moment, is not scheduled, leading to a discussion of whose theater seats a bigger audience, Mirage's or the Palms' Pearl Concert Theater.
Renowned scientist Stephen Hawking at Tao? Believe it
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011
News that Stephen Hawking was spotted at Tao on Sunday night cried for further investigation.
Avello's Oscar odds: Look out for 'The Social Network,' Firth and Portman
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011
"The Social Network" is a slight favorite to win Best Picture over a strong field that includes "The King's Speech" and "The Fighter."
Whether you're a local, a Strip entertainer or an NBA owner, Cosmopolitan is hot
Monday, Jan. 24, 2011
Cosmopolitan's momentum has not ebbed since its opening in December. If anything, it's word-of-mouth has only gotten stronger in the first month of 2011.
Las Vegas loses an institution with death of venerable PR man and journalist Frank Lieberman
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011
Longtime journalist and publicist Frank Lieberman was friendly with Elvis and worked for years as a PR man for Siegfried & Roy.
Get yer Beatles on with The Fab at the Club at the Cannery
Friday, Jan. 21, 2011
The Fab has been churning out Beatles music for more than 15 years, and tonight offers a special night at the Cannery -- and I shall emcee.
What's better than one Andre Agassi Prep Academy? Several academies!
Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011
Andre Agassi is teaming with an L.A.-based investment company to build Andre Agassi Prep Academies across the country.
Michael Jordan tournament to yank shroud of secrecy from Shadow Creek Golf Course
Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011
Steve Wynn signed famed course designer Tom Fazio to conceive Shadow Creek Golf Course, which was part of MGM's takeover of Wynn's holdings in 2000.
Safe Harbor is awash in confidence that its seal will instill confidence
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011
Safe Harbor has partnered with several of Las Vegas' busiest restaurants in an effort to give consumers confidence that what they eat is safe to eat.
Benefit show for Debora Flores Narvaez set for Jan. 26 at Crown
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011
Performers who were among Debbie Flores Narvaez's Vegas contemporaries are putting together a 21-and-over show at The Rio. Proceeds go to Shade Tree and Narvaez's family.
Did Andre Agassi have (Stefanie's) skin in this game?
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011
First, I’ll say I can’t believe that Andre Agassi would use a naked picture of his wife to boost the auction price for a fancy platter. Second, I’ll say … I don’t know what else to say, actually. But here goes:
The Siegel Group's building buy is its latest attempt to 'take over' Las Vegas
Monday, Jan. 17, 2011
In moving its headquarters to a $3.3 million building, The Siegel Group says it continues to be "bullish" on Vegas.
At 17, Teresa Scanlan shows that Miss America can be kid's stuff
Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011
Teresa Scanlan, a 17-year-old from small-town Nebraska, was crowned one of the youngest Miss Americas in history Saturday night.
Miss America judges debate swimsuits and ‘Jersey Shore’
Friday, Jan. 14, 2011
When Joy Behar speaks of the swimsuit competition in the 2011 Miss America Pageant, she winces a little. It is likely an involuntary response.
As always, Julio Iglesias speaks the language ... of love
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011
Julio Iglesias is part romantic, part comic, as he performs at Green Valley Ranch for the first time Saturday night.
Anita Mann: Debora Flores Narvaez was part of 'Fantasy' family
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011
Debora Flores Narvaez was a "swing" performer in "Fantasy," but the show's close-knit cast treated her as family.
A downtown haunt among Oscar Goodman's post-mayoral plans
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011
Oscar Goodman has recently referred to opening a speakeasy in downtown Las Vegas, an idea that bears a toast.
Michael Douglas ready to take on Lee; a wiser Pauly Shore; and Pinball Hall doles out 100K
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011
Michael Douglas is limbering up his fingers to portray Liberace, too late to save the museum but not too late to revive Lee's legacy.
Penn & Holly speak of the physical form (and current events) with Joy Behar
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011
Sitting with Penn Jillette, Holly Madison talked of the directive to lose weight for "Peepshow" during an appearance with Joy Behar today at Planet Hollywood.
Venerable ranch hand Dennis Hof now in Las Vegas' neighborhood
Monday, Jan. 10, 2011
Dennis Hof has done business for decades near Reno and Carson City, but a fortuitous turn of events has allowed him to build a couple of outcroppings in nearby Crystal.
With TV special at the Palms, Pauly Shore shows he's still a little nuts
Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011
Pauly Shore acts, tells jokes, writes the script and assembles the talent for his variety show at Pearl Concert Theater. He even picks the drapes.
From the AEE floor: Craig Gross and Ron Jeremy debate religion and adult films
Friday, Jan. 7, 2011
“Jesus Loves Porn Stars.” Spin that one around for a moment. Craig Gross has. A slight, somewhat-bearded 35-year-old guy ...
A Penn-Paul McCartney summit? That, and other musings, on Penn & Teller's actual 10th anniversary
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011
Penn & Teller did celebrate an anniversary in October, but last night was the in-fact 10th anniversary of their show at The Rio.
AEE/AVN brings the naughty -- but not too naughty -- to Las Vegas
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011
It’s a feel thing. The Palms is a multi-demographic kind of resort. Meaning, it appeals to most any age division, cultural background, regional residency and political affiliation.
Danny Gans among new inductees in UNLV Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame
Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011
Danny Gans performed in Las Vegas from 1996 until his death in 2009 and will be honored in February by UNLV. ...
CES appeals to the Gadget Guy in us all
Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011
Guy and Gadget Guy walk the preview event at CES and find a different application of the term "tablet." ...
Brody Dolyniuk's big wheel keeps on turning with new dates at Ovation
Monday, Jan. 3, 2011
Dolyniuk has had scant chances to perform "Brody's World" for a live audience, or any audience, for that matter. That changes next month. ...
'Believe' it: Criss Angel's work has markedly improved Luxor show
Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011
Criss Angel ditched many of the plot effects -- which were pretty pointless anyway -- to focus on the magic in the new and improved "Believe."
Quick and dirty from UFC 125, live color from The Octagon
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011
At the UFC 125 fight card, Randy Couture took a break from the real violence to speak of some staged violence.
From Wynn to Lewis to Agassi, 2010 was rife with great commentary
Friday, Dec. 31, 2010
The world comes to Las Vegas, and not coincidentally, those who are in Las Vegas often have amazing comments to impart. ...
Who to watch in 2011 includes the mayor (no surprise) and Brody (something of a surprise)
Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010
Oscar Goodman ends his term on a hot streak, with Zappos moving to City Hall and business bubbling in downtown Las Vegas. ...
A holiday reunion with the 1967 Mercury Cougar Dan Gurney Special
Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
I once slept in the Cougar during an overnight trip to South Lake Tahoe. Forgot to check the fuel gauge. ...
More Cosmopolitan: Some straight shots of a cool opening party
Friday, Dec. 17, 2010
The Strip gleamed like a new bauble from the 2,200 terraces at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas during the resort's opening on Wednesday night.
Jim Murren says the neighborhood (which his company owns) is boosted by Cosmopolitan
Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010
MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren led the parade of praise Wednesday as The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opened to the public.
Cosmopolitan a new jewel on The Strip -- especially that chandelier
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010
An uncommon vertical feel and some lovely design effects help put Cosmopolitan Las Vegas in its own class of Vegas resort.
Kats Goes Cowboy: A last tip of the hat, as the NFR bucks out of town
Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010
The contestants, bullfighters and officials who put on the National Finals Rodeo showed during their two-week Vegas run that they work hard and play hard.
Kats Goes Cowboy: A lesson in risk-taking and medical care
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010
Ryan Gray's potentially life-threatening injury during his second go-round bareback ride underscored the importance of the medical staff at this year's NFR.
Kats Goes Cowboy: A celebration of great names as the NFR bucks to a close
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010
The sport that gave us Ote Berry does not disappoint with some distinctive names from this year's NFR.
Kats Goes Cowboy: We're prepped to toast Ricky and the Redstreaks
Friday, Dec. 10, 2010
Ricky and the Redstreaks have been a favorite of cowboys and rodeo fans since being discovered performing at a club in Cheyenne, Wyo., in the mid-1970s.
Kats Goes Cowboy: If it's shots and beer and a mechanical bull, it must be Gilley's
Friday, Dec. 10, 2010
Bill Engvall sang and played with Austin Law as Gilley's at T.I. rejoiced in its own version of Cowboy Christmas, a party for rough-riding cowpokes.
Kats Goes Cowboy: Time-lapse photos capture a night at the NFR in 3 minutes
Friday, Dec. 10, 2010
The National Finals Rodeo is well-suited for Las Vegas, which likes its entertainment at a fast clip. During the run-up to this year’s event, officials and contestants had explained that it is quicker a pace than any rodeo in the country, and to watch the percolating 2-hour show play out is to appreciate precision in a sport rife with unpredictable moments.
Kats Goes Cowboy: It's a numbers (and question) game with outgoing Miss Rodeo America
Friday, Dec. 10, 2010
Miss Rodeo America 2010 Kelli Jackson took an on-the-fly question about religion during the buckle presentation at South Point this week.
Kats Goes Cowboy: Marilyn: 'Is it getting hot in here?' Davis: 'No!'
Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010
Shawn Davis isn't known to be much of a Marilyn Monroe fan, but really, what does it matter?
Kats Goes Cowboy: An interloper takes in scenes from a rodeo
Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010
The greatest show on dirt -- or a mixture of such and something else -- is unfolding at the Thomas & Mack Center. It has been an eye-opening experience.
Kats Goes Cowboy: From the chutes, bareback contestants are pure rodeo
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010
Bobby Mote and Wes Stevenson had dissimilar performances during Tuesday's sixth go-round of the bareback competition at the National Finals Rodeo.
Kats Goes Cowboy: PRCA chief says it's too early to worry about NFR leaving town
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010
Asked if people in Las Vegas should be concerned about losing one of the city's great tourism draws, PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman said his organization loves the city.