John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Remembering J.T.’s welcome of Celine in ’02; Franky Perez gets his Earls all mixed up
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015
Timberlake met Celine backstage that night, took one look around the lavishly appointed quarters and bellowed, “This dressing room is nicer than my first house!"
Tats and … more tats on display as Lou Lou D’vil joins Melody Sweets’ ‘Coney Island’ show
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015
In some circles, and in many tents, you can never have enough tattoos. Lou Lou D’vil will illustrate that point Friday night. The 2013 Miss Exotic World is a featured performer in Melody Sweets’ “Coney Island! Burlesque at the Beach!” ...
Challenge for Mat Franco is to really ‘reinvent’
Monday, Aug. 24, 2015
The most recent champion of “America’s Got Talent,” the 27-year-old Mat Franco celebrated his grand opening Friday night at the Linq Hotel. The room was packed with ...
Jerry Lewis is ‘Dead Serious,’ and, yes, it’s a comedy
Monday, Aug. 24, 2015
Jerry Lewis touches on myriad topics, including his upcoming film role, another tour of his stage show, his ongoing dreams of his famous friends, and even a brush of his never-released …
Monday By the Numbers: The Judds are set for nine shows at the Venetian
Monday, Aug. 24, 2015
The Judds are the Strip’s latest country superstar duo to hit the onetime home of the Phantom. Announced today, mother Naomi Judd and daughter Wynonna Judd are performing a series of shows at Venetian Theater beginning ...
Rick Harrison of ‘Pawn Stars’ builds empire to outlast show’s popularity
Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015
The star of the hit History Channel reality-TV show is finishing construction of Pawn Plaza, a reported $2 million project that will house 13 restaurants and retail outlets. His objective: Build a mini-empire that will long outlive the popularity of “Pawn Stars.” ...
‘Ace’ ace Sam Cordes is an unfettered pilot
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015
Steadier in the portrayal of the central character than he is when riding a bike one-handed, Sam Cordes and co-lead Tina Walsh hardly leave the stage in the musical co-written by “Ka” music director Richard Oberacker and ...
‘Spirit of 45’ a high-caliber event; setting new scene at Beacher’s Madhouse
Monday, Aug. 17, 2015
An oft-discussed venue on the Strip, for its recent history and perceived opportunity, is Beacher’s Madhouse at MGM Grand. There have been murmurs about a supper-club show going into Madhouse. Don’t bet on it. An MGM Grand ...
Las Vegas Club closing begins Sunday, may finish Thursday
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015
For five years, owners of The D Las Vegas talked with officials of the Tamares Group, expressly GM Jonathan Jossel, about buying the Las Vegas Club. That back-and-forth finally intensified about a month ago, and Friday it was announced that Greg and Derek Stevens ...
‘Rick the Bartender’ might be worthy of ‘Pawn Stars’ spinoff
Friday, Aug. 14, 2015
Rick Harrison will be bartending Fridays and Saturdays at the top-level bar at Rick’s Rollin’ Smoke Barbecue & Tavern when the complex opens Oct. 1. He won’t develop any “flair” bartending skills, so don’t ...
Hall of Fame event honoring Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a rare 15-rounder
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015
The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame gala at Caesars Palace honored Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali, “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roger Mayweather, Johnny Tapia, Gene Fullmer and ...
Former mayor catches up with times; hotel may turn back clock
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015
Oscar Goodman, the man who ran Las Vegas without a computer, is now answering emails. And the Fremont is preparing for a milestone birthday ...
Mike Tyson to ‘dig deep’ in presenting Muhammad Ali at Hall of Fame gala
Friday, Aug. 7, 2015
Mike Tyson doesn’t need long to respond to this hypothesis: If Muhammad Ali and he had squared off when both fighters were at their athletic peak, how would the fight have turned out?
“Nobody beats Ali in his prime. Nobody,” Tyson said during ...
Sean & John back in the saddle with Steven Tyler; Elvis residency in Las Vegas still a possibility
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015
The ever-scurrying tap-dance tandem of Sean and John Scott were among the members of “Absinthe” to meet Steven Tyler on Sunday night after the show’s performance at Caesars Palace. This was not the first meeting among the twins and Tyler, but it was ...
Guitar great Doug Aldrich vaults from ‘Vault’; Wall of Sound encloses Rocks Lounge
Monday, Aug. 3, 2015
“Raiding the Rock Vault,” still tirelessly churning out the classics at Tropicana Theater, is seeking to replace one of its real rockers in guitarist Doug Aldrich.
Horsford out to make a difference, any way he can
Monday, Aug. 3, 2015
Former U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford was forced to do some unanticipated soul-searching in November, after he was defeated by Republican Assemblyman Cresent Hardy in the race to represent Nevada’s 4th Congressional District. He would become managing director of the R&R Resources+ office in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region ...
Big-cat illusionist Dirk Arthur lands on his feet at Westgate Las Vegas
Friday, July 31, 2015
It’s not easy to pinpoint the number of lives for Dirk Arthur, but it is likely about the same number as a cat. One of the city’s great survivors, Arthur has lived through yet another hotel ownership change and closure and ...
First responder marks rapid-moving events of Cosmopolitan fire
Thursday, July 30, 2015
It’s rare that a first call for a fire at a fire station is made by a firefighter running into that station. The front door of Station 32 is a little less than 500 feet from ...
Donny Osmond recovering from throaty concerns; ‘Absinthe’ joins the (night) club
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Even the term sounds uncomfortable: bleeding polyp. It is the vocal condition from which Donny Osmond has been suffering for the past several weeks. At issue is a lesion on his right vocal chord that ...
If this is it for Rush, they leave on a high note
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Rush-infused memories are so plentiful and indelible, we don’t always know where to begin or end. On Saturday night, the band took that task themselves, rolling in reverse from finish to start during its “R40 Tour” stop.
Fountains incident recalls night at Caesars Palace starring Shecky Greene
Friday, July 24, 2015
In a slice of Strip lore that might be lost to time for many visitors to Las Vegas, the greatest fountain crashing ever was the 1968 drive into the Caesars Palace fountains by venerable comedian Shecky Greene ...
On 40th anniversary, 40 reasons to still dig Rush
Thursday, July 23, 2015
The timeless band Rush, my fave, fave, favorite for nearly all of its 40 years of existence, is back for its “R40” anniversary tour Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
‘Vegas Nocturne’ still alive — in New York; Mac King faces down Penn & Teller on ‘Fool Us’
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The Spiegelworld Production “Vegas Nocturne” lives on, if in a scaled-back form. The show that closed a year ago at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is set for a one-off Thursday night at the Slipper Room in New York.
CEO wants to bring downtown out of the ’70s
Monday, July 20, 2015
Jim Simms remembers the moment, about 16 years ago, when he was a newly hired casino marketing official at Paris Las Vegas. He was walking along Le Boulevard at the then-new hotel, just past ...
Of Donald Trump’s Twitter onslaught, Penn Jillette says, ‘I’m embarrassed to say I like this’
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Seemingly out of the dark, Donald Trump sent out a pair of acidic tweets this morning blasting Penn Jillette and the current version of the Penn & Teller show on Broadway at Marquis Theater.
It’s ‘L.V. Live,’ and a new Monte Carlo, as MGM Resorts reshapes the Strip
Thursday, July 16, 2015
The Monte Carlo theater is to be positioned adjacent to a gleaming arena (Las Vegas Arena) in the same way Microsoft Theater has been built adjacent to Staples Center. MGM Resorts also is developing the Park, an 8-acre entertainment ...
MGM sends ripples across Strip with 5,000-seat theater at Monte Carlo; shuffling of BMG, Jabbawockeez
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
MGM Resorts International has given its 20,000-seat Las Vegas Arena a little buddy. Announced today in a series of moves previously reported is a new theater planned for the Monte Carlo. This entertainment hub is ...
Monday By the Numbers: Guy Laliberte’s final bow as head of Cirque du Soleil
Monday, July 13, 2015
This week, Monday By the Numbers marks the end of an era as the co-founder of the Strip’s predominant production company has formally stepped down. Or, to use the vernacular of his company, he has unbuckled the harness.
Despite slow start, SLS boss confident in future
Monday, July 13, 2015
Having worked as an executive at MGM Resorts International and Station Casinos, Scott Kreeger understands the Las Vegas market. He also knows about struggling resorts, having taken over SLS Las Vegas after leaving the now-closed Revel in ...
Penn & Teller debut on Broadway as Ben Hale makes million-dollar decision, Matt Goss explores not-so-new horizons
Sunday, July 12, 2015
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Crossroads lounge at the Marriott Marquis hotel. The resort is home to Marquis Theater, where tonight Penn & Teller celebrate the premiere of their first series of shows on Broadway ...
Stone of Blarney, meet head of Lenin
Friday, July 10, 2015
People pilfer anything in Las Vegas, especially when they’re a little besotted. There has been a recurring problem with visitors making off with the tip cup at Fuel coffee bar near the Paradise entrance of the Hard Rock Hotel. Five years ago ...
The One Group orders a double: Katsuya and Cleo at SLS Las Vegas
Thursday, July 9, 2015
It’s fitting that Jonathan Segal heads up a company with “one” in its title given that he is a comparatively confident individual.
For John Payne, it’s EDM and smile; ‘Baz’ performs quick change at Light
Friday, July 3, 2015
The Kats Report Bureau was set up for a time Wednesday night at Barnes & Noble at Rainbow Promenade, where Holly Madison hosted a book-signing event for her new tome, “Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures ...
‘Ace,’ an original musical, cleared for takeoff at UNLV
Thursday, July 2, 2015
In Las Vegas, Richard Oberacker is known principally as the music director of the band in “Ka” at MGM Grand, among the most widely respected production ensembles in the city.
Frank Marino relishes victory in ‘the fight’ for same-sex marriage
Monday, June 29, 2015
“What we have been fighting for, aside from the paper making it legal, is for people who are in gay relationships to have the same benefits of anyone who is in a straight relationship,” Linq Hotel headliner Frank Marino said during a phone conversation Sunday.
After Miss Nevada judging process, it’s time to toast
Sunday, June 28, 2015
It was late Friday night at the Flamingo, after the judging panel for the Miss Nevada America and Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen competition had returned to the hotel from the Smith Center. The two pageants ...
‘The Mistress of Sensuality’ enlivens Golden ‘Ribbon of Life’ charity show
Saturday, June 27, 2015
We know HIV/AIDS by that title, but there are millions of other names connected to the disease. For performer Edie of “Zumanity” at New York-New York, Joe is ...
New regime piloting Westgate entertainment; Somers shimmies back after summer
Thursday, June 25, 2015
The Kats Report Bureau is reeling from a visit to Tuscany’s T Spot lounge where I encountered for the first time the metal band Tinnitus fronted by Jeff Tortora of the Blue Man Group band.
Circus action with Incredible Shrinking Jeff Beacher at MGM and Flying Wallenda at Caesars
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is bracing for a barnburner of a weekend, though the actual burning of a barn seems not in the offing.
2015 EDC Las Vegas plays out as an imperfect spectacle
Monday, June 22, 2015
Fans who trudged to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday night talked of myriad methods to make future events more efficient and user-friendly. “They need to work on the organization of the parking lot. It took us three ... ”
Monday By the Numbers: Mac King’s total audience count at Harrah’s; Bryan Cranston’s set at EDC
Monday, June 22, 2015
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Beat Coffeehouse on Fremont East. I’ve written from here before, and will again, enjoying my freshly brewed coffee and the vinyl audio entertainment of “Slanted & Enchanted” by ’90s indie rockers Pavement.
With five minutes of fury, Skating Aratas wheel to fame on ‘I Can Do That’
Sunday, June 21, 2015
The Skating Aratas are paired with Joe Jonas and Nicole Sherzinger on NBC’s “I Can Do That.” But can the celebs really perform the demanding and dangerous skating act? We’ll find out Tuesday ...
Kerkorian’s generosity will influence generations
Sunday, June 21, 2015
On a night in 2011, Andre Agassi was about to tell the audience of about 1,000 dignitaries and supporters that Kirk Kerkorian had made a donation of $18 million to his foundation. “But before I tell you that gift, let me tell you that if it wasn’t for him and his kindness to my family, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you today. ...”
Review: Reba, Brooks & Dunn scoot and boogie at Colosseum
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Some middle-of-the-road music fans will say what Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace is a lot like rock. Heck, at one point the backing band and Brooks & Dunn are playing a half-dozen guitars. They rock it so effectively ...
Final notes being played at famed Center Bar in Hard Rock Hotel
Thursday, June 18, 2015
That Hard Rock Hotel's Center Bar is long overdue of an overhaul, and this week hotel officials announced plans to redesign that space beginning June 29.
‘Unforeseen circumstances’ cut short Michael Grimm’s run at Hard Rock Hotel
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Michael Grimm’s latest foray into a Las Vegas residency has been cut short. His run at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel was canceled effective today. A hotel spokeswoman who issued the announcement cited ...
Latest stadium plan is visionary, but still a long shot
Monday, June 15, 2015
Someone far wiser than I — maybe it was Steve Wynn or the late Bob Stupak — once said to be wary of a man and his renderings. Regretfully, you could paper the Strip with the fancy and fruitless concepts proposed for our city through the years: the UNLV Now stadium, the downtown Las Vegas Arena, the downtown Las Vegas soccer stadium. So what to make of the Fusion Project, a project of F Group International, and its ...
Boosted by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, Keep Memory Alive gala is equal parts power and love
Sunday, June 14, 2015
This was a customarily Las Vegas-fashioned event, the style and scope of which happens only here. A festival of love, philanthropy and opulence, the 19th annual Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” gala played out Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Carrot Top is half-man, half-horse and all-in for Melissa McCarthy film
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Given the choice between appearances in two surefire hit movies, “Zoolander 2” starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson and an upcoming comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, Carrot Top opted for … the centaur.
Dr. Cummings, Ruvo Center’s Babe Ruth, is still swinging for the fences
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
The quality of what is offered at what is considered one of the Top Five medical facilities in the country far outpaces the amount of revenue on hand.