John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Brady calls the shots at Venetian; 'Spotter' Harrison of 'Pawn Stars' preps for bi-coastal appearances
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wayne Brady's powerhouse improv show is back at the Venetian through July 5. The comic is also prepping for a turn in "Rent" at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and has recorded an album of children's songs.
Madison says she's in Vegas for the long haul; 'Ribbon of Life' powers through No. 24 at Hilton Theater
Monday, June 14, 2010
As she settles into a more normal life in Vegas, Holly Madison hopes for some domestic bliss and a little less running around.
The questions, and the answers, from 'Sgt. Pepper Live' at Paris Las Vegas
Sunday, June 13, 2010
One for the list: Rick Nielsen displayed his famed five-neck guitar, but did he actually play it? Sadly, no.
Goss scores a three-year extension at Caesars; Louie Anderson goes Bonkerz
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Matt Goss hosted a World Cup party during the U.S.-England match, then later announced he had agreed to a new contract with Caesars Palace.
'Spider Baby' star intrigued by quirky film's musical adaptation at Onyx Theatre
Saturday, June 12, 2010
"Spider Baby," which has grown to a cult classic, is famous as Lon Chaney's final film. Beverly Washburn remembers it fondly and plans to catch the musical version at Onyx Theatre.
Hilton Superbook's World Cup betting action is kickin'; ESPN Zone closes at New York-New York Wednesday
Thursday, June 10, 2010
You can bet either side in individual matches, or even draws, or even catch the United States at 50-to-1 at the Las Vegas Hilton as the 2010 World Cup approaches.
Amid buses, limos and descendants, Mob Experience unveiled (in part) at the Trop
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Family members of deceased mob figures joined Mob Experience officials for the first official news conference specifying some of the attractions and artifacts planned for the project at the Trop.
Report: ESPN Zone facing the final buzzer at New York-New York
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
ESPN Zone, a haven for big servings of bar food, beer and sports aplenty on big screens, is reportedly being closed in Las Vegas.
More transmissions from the mob beat as both Las Vegas attractions jockey for attention
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Famous names - many of them the same names - abound for both the downtown mob museum and the Mob Experience at the Tropicana.
Cheap Trick's Robin Zander happy to portray 'Sgt. Pepper,' but not forever
Monday, June 7, 2010
Robin Zander has enjoyed the Cheap Trick tribute to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," but says he doesn't foresee the band taking part in the production regularly in Las Vegas after this year.
Sheldon Adelson feeling some recovery momentum in tourism, convention business
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Sheldon Adelson said the economic trends are improving in Las Vegas, but also said Asia has become the Mecca for gambling.
Barbara Greenspun was a regal presence in the Sun newsroom
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Prim and dignified, Las Vegas Sun publisher and matriarch Barbara Greenspun hearkened to a different time and place.
'SATC' deconstructed in a tidy 146 words; Burton talks of leaving his 'home' at Monte Carlo
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The "Sex and the City" franchise has morphed into a Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road film, which means these women can now travel anywhere for another installment.
Notes from 35,000 feet: Goodman ponders Cullotta; Wynn's Strip walk sparks chitchat
Monday, May 31, 2010
Mayor Oscar Goodman's vision of a mob museum in Las Vegas will include the voice of longtime antagonist Frank Cullotta.
A crash course at the Indy 500: Seeing the action is not always part of the experience
Monday, May 31, 2010
Mike Conway's No. 22 car was prevented from soaring into the crowd only by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's "catch fence."
Country music awards exec: ‘We’ve outgrown Las Vegas’
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The event mecca that is Las Vegas, specifically the MGM Grand, has helped the Academy of Country Music Awards show bloom to one of the year’s entertainment highlights.
Goodman tours mob museum, says ‘there is no competition’
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
When the city’s mayor is also one of its foremost mob authorities, there will be no competition among organized crime-themed attractions in Las Vegas.
Philanthropy in Las Vegas is rife with canines and semi-nudity
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Following "Best in Show" at Orleans Arena was the midnight "Broadway Bares" at Planet Hollywood, an adult production that is akin to Golden Rainbow's annual "Ribbon of Life" production to fight AIDS an HIV.
Mob memories: Family members will tell their side
Monday, May 24, 2010
The group can be likened to a “Dream Team,” if what you encounter during your slumber are the central figures in the history of organized crime in America.
Lightman vents as his relationship with Bucky Buchanan's offspring gets dicey
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Chip Lightman, manager of the late Danny Gans, joined in partnership with James "Bucky" Buchanan at Coachman's Inn in 2006. After Buchanan's death in November, Lightman has become frustrated with dealing with Bucky's son Jack.
Cleveland Clinic conducting further examination of Symphony Park
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health just opened its Life Activities Center, but is already investigating an expansion on the 12 acres next door.
The latest Vegas comeback effort: Paul Rodriguez at Tiffany Theatre
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Paul Rodriguez is far removed from the days when he starred in his own sitcom or such feature films as "D.C. Cab." He hopes his show at the Tropicana will revive his stagnant stand-up career.
'Lion King' not (yet) clearing out for Jackson; bankruptcy factors in Smothers Brothers' stunner
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Having celebrated a year in Las Vegas, Disney exec David Schrader said it was "speculation" the show would clear out to make room for Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson-themed production.
Monday wrap: Access Hollywood's Menounos hits 'Legends,' Liberace Museum parties for No. 91
Monday, May 17, 2010
This evening a show by Las Vegas photographer Erik Kabik is set for the 23rd floor Mandarin Bar at Mandarin Oriental.
Entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs has risen to top, but not without bumps
Monday, May 17, 2010
The artist leans in slowly, delicately gripping a thin MAC Cosmetics lip brush in his right hand while holding his subject's face still with his left. Alicia Jacobs doesn't typically let a person in so close, but now she is almost face-to-face with her longtime friend and trusted photographer, Jerry Metellus.
Chef Kerry, owner George, travelin' Holly all converge on Playboy Playmate fete
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Hope Dworaczyk, whose 4Ds are shown in 3-D in the June issue of Playboy, was honored at Rain at the Palms as the magazine's Playmate of the Year.
Transmission from Sahara: Comic Jay Black hopes to resurrect 'Police Academy'
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Comedy Stop at Sahara recurring headliner Jay Black was age 8 when "Police Academy's" first film was released, but he and writing partner Brian Herzlinger are finalists to write the franchise's eighth installment.
Paul Rodriguez brings space-age opening act, a couple of all-Spanish shows to Trop
Friday, May 14, 2010
Paul Rodriguez is set to perform at Tiffany Theater from Monday through June 20, and he's offering a unique opening act and bilingual approach.
It's Human Nature, it's AC/DC, it's an Aus-Fest of a different color
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Imperial Palace's Motown tribute act Human Nature can turn in a credible version of "T.N.T." Who knew?
Smokey Robinson says don't expect the contestants on 'American Idol' to be pros
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Smokey Robinson says that he would have taken on "American Idol" if it were around early in his career, whether or not he was ready for national exposure.
Liberace Museum celebrates, contemplates move; Human Nature gets two years at I.P.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Liberace's 91st birthday anniversary is Sunday, and Liberace officials are celebrating while also looking for a new home for the famed attraction.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer: Celebs give 'stamp of approval' to Las Vegas as an event Mecca
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Stars ranging from Muhammad Ali to Kevin Dillon of "Entourage" peppered the arena Saturday night as Floyd Mayweather Jr. schooled Shane Mosley at MGM Grand Garden.
At 15, Friedman's Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's is where laughing matters
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A grease fire seemed to wipe out the first night of comedy at the Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's, but the first show in a 15-year run did go off as scheduled. Sort of.
Mac King spins magic out of Maxim debacle; ex-mobster DiDonato releases documentary
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mac King was, for two months anyway, the star of the Maxim. He's long outlasted that hotel and is celebrating his 10th anniversary at Harrah's.
Live color from MGM Grand as Floyd Mayweather takes on Shane Mosley
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Fight night at MGM Grand Garden Arena for Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley is abuzz with bloodthirsty and Tecate thirsty boxing fans.
Palminteri explains audience participation; Mazer has no problem with Flowers' 'Flamingo' release
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Chazz Palminteri shouted down an audience member during his current run of "A Bronx Tale" at The Venetian Showroom, but the exchange was not entirely improvised.
Kenny Ortega's day in Vegas: Catching up with Steve Wynn, singing with Matt Goss
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Kenny Ortega hit the stage with Matt Goss at Caesars Palace on Friday night, and also offered he'd met with his longtime friend Steve Wynn during his current trip to Vegas.
From the Riv to Ham Hall: Peters makes return to Vegas with show at UNLV
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Bernadette Peters will sing "Fever" atop a piano, which is reason enough to catch her show at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.
In return to Vegas, Lily Tomlin's characters still plugged in
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Lily Tomlin returns to MGM Grand beginning Thursday night. She had never performed in Las Vegas until November, when she was glad to learn "Ernestine" was depicted on a slot machine.
Cheap Trick's 'Sgt. Pepper Live' returns to Vegas -- at Paris Las Vegas Theatre
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Cheap Trick's performance of the full "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album was well-received at the LV Hilton in September.
Newton turns to projects away from the stage as 'Once Before I Go' closes
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wayne Newton's final performance at Tiffany Theatre was Saturday, and his next work is a film in Maine and a reality TV show.
'Experiential entertainment' to be a hallmark of Las Vegas Mob Experience
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Las Vegas Mob Experience exec Jay Bloom stresses that his project and the Mob Museum downtown are vastly different.
Report: Las Vegas Mob Experience, rival of Mob Museum, to open at Tropicana this year
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A story published in The New York Times specifies Tropicana as the planned home for the Las Vegas Mob Experience, which will compete with the city-backed Mob Museum.
Metal Elvis, where The King meets Van Halen, seeks a home in Vegas
Saturday, April 24, 2010
With Chance Tinder at the front, Metal Elvis is a powerhouse tribute show that leaves you laughing, even as your ears ring.
Even before a single performance, 'Vegas! The Show' makes a name for itself
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tony Sacca claims he was the first to use "Vegas, the Show" as a production title, but David Saxe says his title is safe from legal trademark infringement.
'LASt VEGAS' gives a new wrinkle to the party-in-Vegas spirit of 'The Hangover'
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Jack Nicholson is targeted for the lead role in 'LASt VEGAS,' where the blackouts might well be merely natural short-term memory loss.
It's one last toast for Killian's Angels at Orleans' Brendan's Irish Pub
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A happy hour, or, rather, four happy hours, have chased one of Las Vegas' great live acts, Killian's Angels, out of Brendan's Irish Pub at the Orleans.
David Saxe finally takes over the theater 'built for him' at Miracle Mile Shops
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
David Saxe produces 10 shows at V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops. "Vegas! The Show" at Saxe Theater will be No. 11.
Weekend in Vegas: Them Crooked Vultures rock The Joint, a take on the ACMs, and bull riders at 'Fantasy'
Monday, April 19, 2010
Them Crooked Vultures filled The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, but the floor was a study in order for an otherwise rowdy rock concert.
International Celtic Festival in Las Vegas is no longer a pipe dream
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Las Vegas International Celtic Festival doesn't take place until April 2011, but Las Vegas Events and the LVCVA already are staring the marketing push for the event.