Celine Dion's return to Colosseum a boon to Las Vegas musicians Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010
Celine Dion's orchestra will be made up of 31 local musicians, and we might well see an upgrade in the video panels behind the Colosseum stage.
A very quick list of which females could replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010
Joe Perry says a woman might well replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith. We have at least three suggestions of who that person could be.
A 3.5-day sprint, highlighted superflously at Flamingo with Las Vegas newcomers Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
A buoyant crowd of about 1,100 took in the Super Bowl at Flamingo Las Vegas. That audience included the new hotel president and his ironically named wife.
The Fortune Ball speaks: Take the Saints on the money line Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010
In today's Big Game, New Orleans has an explosive offense, destiny, and a wholly random iPhone application working in its favor.
Carlos Santana finds a lot to identify with in Andre Agassi's 'Open' Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
Carlos Santana and Andre Agassi are kindred spirits, Santana said during an appearance at Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy.
Fiscally responsible college kids have an option: 'The Lion King' at Mandalay Bay Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010
For just $25.50 - the price of a good textbook - college students can take in "The Lion King" at Mandalay Bay Theater.
Miss America title is a just-miss for first runner-up Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
A friend of Miss California rides the emotional rollercoaster on the night Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron is crowned Miss America.
From Michael Jackson and dancing lizards to 'Pretty. Odd': Studio at The Palms always accommodates Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
Jamie Foxx, Eminem and Alice In Chains have recorded Grammy-nominated music at The Studio at The Palms, operated by industry veteran Zoe Thall.
Miss Nevada Christina Keegan's Miss America path hasn't been all pageantry Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010
Christina Keegan was the victim of a date rape at age 19. Today she is using her run at the Miss America Pageant title to help others similarly victimized.
At Nevada Ballet Theatre gala, Marie Osmond is the last to leave the dance Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010
Marie Osmond held out until the last fan retrieved the last photo and last autograph at the annual NBT Black & White Ball at Paris Las Vegas.
Honor for Marie Osmond comes at a critical time for Nevada Ballet Theatre Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010
Marie Osmond joins a long list of high-achieving women tonight at Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball.
Downtown fixture Michael Cornthwaite expounds on the state of Fremont East Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
Michael Cornthwaite and his fiancee, Jennifer Harrington, are giving themselves all of 2010 to forge success in Fremont East. Then it could be bye-bye Vegas.
More non-music news from The Killers: Shows in Asia canceled Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
Having already announced plans for a lengthy hiatus this year, The Killers have called off a series of shows in Asia for "unforeseen circumstances involving a serious illness to a close family member."
When is a breakup not a breakup? When you are The Killers ending a world tour Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010
Guitarist Dave Keuning told the Australian Associated Press that the band is eager to take a long break, leading to a swift clarification from a band spokeswoman and drummer Ronnie Vannucci.
Greenberg's Martin Luther King Day verbal gaffe has a familiar ring to it Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010
On Jan. 15, 2005, then-KTNV weatherman Rob Blair made an infamous statement that led to him being fired from the station. Mike Greenberg's MLK Day comment was eerily similar.
Is Jay Leno worthy of stand-up fodder? Not to the Jay Leno at The Mirage Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010
Jay Leno was given one opportunity, by an audience member, to make comic hay out of his skirmish with Conan O'Brien. He took a pass.
20 at 20: The Rio, born a locals' casino, celebrates landmark anniversary Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010
"At the Copa" starring David Cassidy and Sheena Easton, and the $99 Danny Gans ticket, are memorable in Rio's 20-year history.
Johnny Mathis masterfully brings a warming trend through Primm Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010
At times during his appearance at Star of the Desert Arena, Johnny Mathis simply closed his eyes and listened to the orchestral music wash over him.
In move to Strip, Liberace Museum hopes to revive stagnant visitor numbers Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
There was a time that 250,000 visitors toured Liberace Museum each year. This is not the year.
Johnny Mathis, former sprinter and current crooner, talks of his voice and Vegas memories Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
Johnny Mathis counts the Copa Room at the Sands as one of his favorite Vegas venues. It will be a different scene Friday night at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.
Hotel rooms dark, but there is still action at Binion's casino Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010
The closing of its 365-room hotel tower, a veritable money pit, has led to a problem of perception at Vegas landmark Binion's on Fremont Street.
Noteworthy: Gaughan plans for new Grandview Lounge at South Point; mopping up at AVN Awards Monday, Jan. 11, 2010
The Grandview Lounge plays off the name of the timeshare resort next door, and plans are for it to open in July.
Porn in the USA: AVN Awards an exercise in sensuality, humor ... and endurance Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010
A night in which more than 120 prizes were doled out during the AVN Awards at the Pearl Concert Theater was marked by a lot of sex talk and even a dose of melancholy.
Big and thin, Sonny and Sammy: That's Elvis' birthday in a wrap Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010
Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee is not nearly as big as he once was, but he still has a passion - and a great voice - for Elvis' musical legacy.
At AVN Awards, there is time to judge ... and judge some more Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
AVN President Paul Fishbein says the process of selecting the best performers and titles is a lengthy, tedious process.
There were myths, and there was the real Elvis Presley Friday, Jan. 8, 2010
Colonel Tom Parker is often blamed for tarnishing Elvis' artistic legacy, but those around Elvis say Presley did precisely what he wanted.
'Idol' champion Kris Allen brings a cooling trend to B.B. King's Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010
Kris Allen is playing it low-key in his return to Las Vegas, playing an acoustic set with a buddy from college.
Love is in the air: Donny Osmond announces new radio show Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010
"The Donny Osmond Show" debuts on Jan. 18 and is targeting a mature, female audience.
Finding our footing with some Old Vegas swagger from Mr. Semenoff Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010
Brendan's Pub at The Orleans brought an unexpected Sasha Semenoff sighting. Semenoff is an icon among Las Vegas musicians who has performed in Vegas for more than 50 years.
A careening look back at a year in blogging in The Kats Report Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
What to make of 2009 in Las Vegas? Not a great year, maybe a mostly lousy year, but it had its moments.
Felix Grucci: A man at the center of the New Year's Eve pyrotechnic storm Friday, Jan. 1, 2010
A total of $500,000 was spent to fire 96,000 blasts from the rooftops of seven Strip resorts for more than 300,000 people, making New Year's Eve in Las Vegas the nation's grandest spectacle.
Longtime pal recalls Danny Gans Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009
In 2009 entertainment manager Chip Lightman saw the act he helped bring to Las Vegas, “Donny & Marie Osmond,” vault to the top of Strip entertainment at the Flamingo Las Vegas as one of the city’s top-selling productions, and he helped broker the deal that brought Garth Brooks to Wynn Las Vegas.
Actress Brittany Murphy's death shocks Las Vegas friends Entertainer Wayne Newton: 'We truly loved her.'
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009
The death of Brittany Murphy this morning at age 32 was a shock to one of her closer friends in Las Vegas, Tricia McCrone, the sister-in-law and publicist of Wayne Newton.
Opening night at Aria: It was a really, really big show Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009
The co-owner of the city's oldest hotel-casino was duly impressed with the newest as Aria opened to the public after a big fireworks show.
Mayor Oscar Goodman turns back White House invite -- for City Council meeting Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
Oscar Goodman was among the 550 invitees to the scaled-back Hanukkah party hosted by The White House.
Questions about 'Viva Elvis' at Aria? We have the answers Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009
The Viva Elvis Showroom at Aria looks a lot like Graceland, and that is no accident, says Gilles Ste.-Croix.
A night at Garth Brooks: $50 tickets, lucky farmers and memories of Texas Club Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009
Fans obtained tickets to Garth Brooks through a variety of means, but thrilled in the chance to see Brooks tell stories and play the six-string.
A cowboy, a guitar and a story suit Garth Brooks -- and Steve Wynn -- just fine Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
Steve Wynn says the $125 flat ticket rate for Garth Brooks' shows at Encore Theater will likely be changed in favor of a scaled tier of ticket prices.
A stay at the new HRH Tower, through the eyes of 'Belinda' Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009
HRH Tower is full of wondrous amenities, attractions and guest services. Just take Belinda's word for it.
Dave Berns leaves KNPR's 'State of Nevada' after four years Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009
Dave Berns brought a newspaper background to KNPR's issues-and-affairs program when he took over for Gwen Castaldi in 2005.
McCartney eager to enact change on the corner of 'Main and Main' Monday, Dec. 7, 2009
Tom McCartney is moving to his third resort in a year, but is eager to bring his vision to the under-renovation Tropicana.
Announcements on the Strip on a chilled Monday morning Monday, Dec. 7, 2009
F&B wiz Tom Recine is leaving Planet Hollywood for Tropicana, joining his friend and boss Tom McCartney, and the Miss America Pageant field of judges is rounded out with Paul Rodriguez and Dave Koz.
Cowboy Steve Wynn recalls days of ropin' on Ralph Lamb's ranch Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009
Steve Wynn expands on his disclosure that he used to lasso more than tourists, remembering days spent as a team roper decades ago at Ralph Lamb's property.
Kirk Kerkorian: CityCenter is 'simply the most amazing' Vegas project ever Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
MGM Mirage mogul and longtime billionaire Kirk Kerkorian didn't say much when forwarded a question about CityCenter, but he didn't have to.
Noteworthy: More from the Trop, Cher changes, Newton on 'CBS Sunday Morning' Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009
A South Beach makeover shouldn't be too much of a stretch at Tropicana, which already has a giant pool with waterfalls and everything.
Dissimilar landmarks -- Binion's and CityCenter -- reflect today's Las Vegas Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009
A visit to Binion's on Monday night and Vdara on Tuesday morning offered opposite, but revealing, images of new Las Vegas.
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Thomas McCartney spent less than a year with Robert Earl at Planet Hollywood. Employees at P.H. and Tropicana have been informed that he is moving to the Trop.
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
The walk along Fremont Street can be more appealing than hoofing the Strip. Why? The smut peddlers, they bug.
Barry Manilow off to Paris: Two-year deal starts March 5 at Le Theatre des Arts Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Barry Manilow began his Las Vegas residency as a headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton in February 2005.
Could a savior of shuttered Las Vegas Art Museum be ... Peter Max? Friday, Nov. 27, 2009
When told of the plight of Las Vegas Art Museum, Peter Max instantly said he'd help the museum reopen its doors.