John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Change in Criss Angel's lineup as Flynn departs
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Steve Flynn, Criss Angel's longtime Las Vegas rep, is leaving to focus attention on his other clients.
Caliente: I couldn't leave if I wanted to
Friday, July 10, 2009
About 150 miles north of Las Vegas, the car sputters, wheezes and halts. So it is that I'm unexpectedly spending time in a motel in Caliente.
'Rampage' Jackson has a few thoughts on UFC 100, and we'll allow that
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Frank Mir, Georges St. Pierre and Michael Bisping are "Rampage" Jackson's preferred fighters for Saturday's UFC 100 at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
For Frantz: No computer, no cell phone, no stress
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Frantz Schumacher plays a lot of golf, drinks a little light beer and does a lot of walking. But he's never logged on to a computer in his life.
Jackson fans convene on Strip for a final farewell
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
They sat on the concrete as if they were lifelong friends. One guy wore a New York Mets cap and a crimson T-shirt reading, “Sin City Las Vegas,” the type of shirt that shouts “tourist!” and is sold at those little gift shacks all along the Strip. The other guy sported a white British driving cap, a peach golf shirt and a heavy cross hanging from a long silver chain. They watched the glowing figures on the big screen high above the Strip at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
Michael Jackson at the end: Thin, but showing energy
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
One of those involved with the show remarked that Michael Jackson was as thin as he'd ever seen the star, but Jackson still showed he could perform in short bursts.
Monday List: 40 at 40, a look at the Las Vegas Hilton on a landmark anniversary
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Las Vegas Hilton opened as the International Hotel, owned by youthful casino executive Kirk Kerkorian, on July 2, 1969. We take a look at some odd facts and figures to mark that anniversary.
LV Phil 'Spectacular' at Springs Preserve was great -- for the music
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A couple of big screens on either side of the stage was a meager replica of the actual fireworks blasting across the valley.
It's the fourth, it's the Phil, but it is not fireworks
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The LV Phil has moved from Hills Park to Springs Preserve, and the show is "green," with lights replacing pyrotechnics.
On the track, this Kwasniewski is making a name for himself
Friday, July 3, 2009
Dylan Kwasniewski, whose surname should strike you as familiar, is already a 10-year driving veteran and a multiple-points champion at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
No Internet? No problem for Goodman
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Mayor Goodman is wondering if his wife, Carolyn, uses Twitter. Maybe he should start following her.
Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts is a sleeping beauty
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts has been dormant since Miss USA was crowned in April. A delayed renovation plan is the reason, says BASE exec Scott Zeiger.
'Ribbon' show survives injury to performer, hobbled economy
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sonya Sonnenberg of "Sin City Kitties" suffered multiple fractures to her wrists and pelvis prior to the show, which drew about 1,100 to the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.
Monday List: Fireworks and sports nicknames
Monday, June 29, 2009
Patriot, Goose, Jimbo and Johnnie Disaster -- we've got 'em all on today's list of sports nicknames and makes of fireworks.
Siegfried on death of Michael Jackson: 'It hurts'
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Siegfried Fischbacher took several moments to compose himself before talking about the death of his longtime friend and fan, Michael Jackson.
Because this is online, Mayor Goodman is likely not reading
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Mayor Goodman reads a lot, but never online, and claims never to use e-mail.
'Ribbon of Life,' as always, doesn't lack for variety
Friday, June 26, 2009
This year's "Ribbon of Life" show will be set in three stages and feature dozens of Vegas headliners and production show performers.
Remembering a time when Michael Jackson really was bad
Thursday, June 25, 2009
In 1982, few were cooler than Eddie Van Halen and Michael Jackson, and they teamed on the remarkable "Beat It."
With Carrot Top, Luxor's light takes on an orange hue
Thursday, June 25, 2009
An act loaded with Vegas-specific material has served Scott "Carrot Top" Thompson well, and the material will serve him well for another six years at the Luxor.
Goodman in his element during mayoral icing
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Already depicted in wax, Mayor Oscar Goodman yesterday was immortalized in a block of ice at a Strip ice lounge.
Monday List: Ways in which the mayor has not been memorialized
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wax and ice are befitting methods of sculpting the mayor, but what about soap?
Miracles take many forms for Smokey Robinson
Monday, June 22, 2009
On a May day in 1986, Smokey Robinson sought retreat at Ablaze Ministries in Los Angeles. His life hasn't been the same since.
'Vocal Soup' marks a fine time in the 'burbs
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A tribute to both Sinatra and Woodstock were folded into "Vocal Soup," an ambitious project that debuted last night at the Suncoast.
As a Vegas headliner, Larry King is a great dinner guest
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Long stories peppered with famous figures, an opening set by vocalist wife Shawn King and a joke familiar to Bette Midler fans were some of the highlights of Larry King live at Encore Theater.
More from Madison on Angel and Hef
Thursday, June 18, 2009
At the end of a day with Holly Madison, you realize how myopic and insulated celebrities can become as they meet the demands of living in the public eye.
A broadcaster's journey: From CNN to the King of shtick
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Larry King has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a broadcaster, but he's never performed as a headliner in a Las Vegas Strip showroom -- until this weekend.
An event that has it all: Drums, tattoos, executives -- and Leach
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Robin Leach's long career in covering entertainment news was recognized yesterday at Brenden Theatres at the Palms, and event that left us starry-eyed.
There is no place like home, unless it's CineVegas
Friday, June 12, 2009
A media center featuring an Imperial Palace Dealertainer is just one reason to appreciate our CineVegas Film Festival.
'All In' poker documentary director likes his cut
Friday, June 12, 2009
One of the films to look for from this year's CineVegas film festival is "All In," a poker documentary that premiered this week and asks the question many have been pondering: Why is poker so popular?
Gans epilogue: Entertainer was not nearly as healthy as he appeared
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
County Coroner Mike Murphy and medical examiner Dr. Gary Telgenhoff explained Danny Gans' death as accidental, but that likely won't stop discussion of the entertainer's sudden and untimely passing.
Burlesque reunion is a performance for the ages
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Yellow devil horns and a wedding ceremony where the bride has to have oil wiped from her body were a couple of signature moments from last night's show.
No Buffett shows at MGM Grand in October -- but he's in Camden this month
Friday, June 5, 2009
The Margaritaville.com Web site reported months ago that Jimmy Buffett would perform in October in Las Vegas, but the shows were never officially booked.
Academic bully talk from Chancellor Rogers about Mrs. Ashley
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Chancellor Jim Rogers says there have been allegations that Bonnie Ashley has been abusing her authority (she has no authority, actually) at UNLV.
Eleven things overheard today at an election polling place
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Turnout at polling places for municipal elections in Clark County was disappointing. Sorry. Didn't mean to break the peace and quiet there.
Vegas transmissions from Onyx Theatre, Caesars Palace and beyond
Monday, June 1, 2009
For a great party, count on Vegas magazine and Pure at Caesars. For a uniquely appealing show, count on Onyx Theatre.
Santana's superb, but can he keep it lit for two years?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Carlos Santana's show is splendid for a single performance, but can it work to fill more than 3,000 seats over 70-plus dates?
Live from Vegas DeLuxe: Robin Leach is not dead
Thursday, May 28, 2009
As Robin was engaged in hi-jinks with John Curtas, it was reported on his Wikipedia entry that he was, in fact, dead.
In the end, mayor should have gone under the radar with Obama concerns
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Trying to pin the president down for a specific pro-Las Vegas statement only guaranteed that specific statement would not be uttered by the president.
Headliners abound, but The Colosseum stage belongs to Obama
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
As audience members cheered the mention of Searchlight, the president broke from his prepared speech and asked, "You from Searchlight?"
Be it a statement or heartfelt amends, Goodman eager to hear from Obama
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A skirmish that began in February and involved heated comments from Mayor Oscar Goodman should be resolved today as President Obama says some nice things about Vegas.
Finding a slice of Vegas during Indianapolis 500 weekend
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Charlene works at a place called The Green Door, which is not at all like Vegas' Green Door, but does carry some memories of home.
As Danny Gans is remembered, we're reminded to grasp the moment
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A song released long ago by Paul McCartney, "This One," holds special meaning today as friends, family and colleagues recall Danny Gans.
It's Glenn Beck's turn to be questioned -- by Penn Jillette
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Glenn Beck, forced to cool off his usually manic monologuing, told the Strip headliner that he is not anti-gay and wants us out of Germany and South Korea.
B.J. Penn finished fighting here? This is bad, how?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saying that Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer "can't be trusted" was a sharper shot than anything B.J. Penn threw at Georges St. Pierre on Jan. 31.
With Captain Buffett, it's not entirely wastin' away again at the MGM Grand
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Jimmy Buffett beamed throughout the 2 1/2-hour show, and if he's having fun, how can you not?
Original song is Gordie Brown's tribute to Danny Gans
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The new song is titled "Live Today," and it's Gordie Brown's musical tribute to the late Danny Gans.
Shecky: Not so much a name as a state of being
Friday, May 15, 2009
While at the Tropicana, Shecky Greene was once relegated to second billing to the hotel's roast beef and apple pie special.
As a wordsmith or tunesmith, Coral Reefer McAnally has tales to tell
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Having achieved recent success with the No. 1 "Down the Road" with Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally performs Friday at Green Valley Ranch and with Jimmy Buffett on Saturday at the MGM Grand.
Quick blasts: Change in the air as 'Menopause' moving to Luxor
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
"Menopause the Musical," long of the Las Vegas Hilton, has announced that it will share space with Criss Angel, Carrot Top and "Fantasy" at the Luxor. Welcome aboard, ladies.
Siegfried & Roy's mantra: Never stop working
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Roy Horn promises to keep up his rigorous workout program until he recovers fully from injuries suffered onstage at The Mirage on Oct. 3, 2003.