John Katsilometes

Story Archive

Monday by the Numbers: Hitting 140 mph in a Ferrari and 13 million on Broadway
Monday, June 8, 2015
This week, Monday by the Numbers touches on such vehicles as Ferrari and Lamborghini and Porsche as the crew at Exotics Racing celebrated the opening of a Welcome Center at the attraction’s Las Vegas Motor Speedway home.
The Amazing Johnathan hosts watery celebration; Burlesque Hall teases with new exhibit space
Monday, June 8, 2015
As always, The Kats Report Bureau is between mani-pedi appointments. More will be explained here, of course. But a rare manicure-pedicure and interview at the salon Color, the Michael Boychuck groovy grooming fortress at Caesars Palace, highlighted the weekend.
How much would you pay for a 50 Cent cocktail?
Sunday, June 7, 2015
A famous rapper shakes things up downtown, big names prepare for EDM conference and more details announced about the nation's biggest Hooters ...
Andre Agassi likes Novak Djokovic to join Grand Slam royalty at French Open
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Andre Agassi called it. Or, he has called it so far. Agassi has consistently picked those to advance through the men’s side of the draw at the French Open, and he likes top seed Novak Djokovic to win Sunday morning’s final ...
In the end, guitar great Tony Drake did not play solo
Friday, June 5, 2015
The news of Tony Drake’s death hit our large pond in April, splashing down heavily like a boulder of bad news. Several weeks later, we are still feeling the ripples of sadness. The guitar great who was part of ...
Myron Martin dealt ‘Late Show’ four-of-a-kind; Dee Snider praises(!) ‘Raiding the Rock Vault’
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Dee Snider seems to be doing what they term in political campaigns as “walking back” some comments he made last week.
As Kristen Hertzenberg prepares for a Texas move, Las Vegas loses a performing luminary
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
"We are not abandoning Las Vegas, or running away from it. We will never just leave Las Vegas in the rear-view mirror.”
Frankie Moreno adds dates to already-stacked Cabaret Jazz schedule
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
In an impressive, often staggering series of performances, Frankie Moreno and his backing band have learned and played a unique show each week.
Monday By the Numbers: Earl Turner and Checkmate Charles check in at Suncoast
Monday, June 1, 2015
Today’s Monday By the Numbers is inspired by Earl Turner, The Checkmates (especially Sonny Charles) and George Wallace. These favorite Las Vegas entertainers met Saturday and Sunday night at Suncoast Showroom during Turner’s latest residency there.
Palms finds a new friend in Hooters
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Set to open sometime this summer, likely in July, is a Hooters restaurant just off the casino floor in the former Heraea space. The spot originally was a Garduno’s Mexican restaurant ...
Robert Plant captures time and space at Brooklyn Bowl
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Robert Plant squinted toward the audience Thursday night and implored, “Put the cellphones down.” Mockingly, he held an imaginary smartphone in his left palm and ...
‘American Ninja Warrior’ gets shot of ‘Absinthe’ as Almas Meirmanov storms course
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Almas Meirmanov is the type of guy who can perform a one-handed handstand at any waking moment and, therefore, is not to be trusted.
Dee Snider takes on ‘Rock Vault’ (again), says Twisted Sister ‘is one of the best live bands ever’
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Dee Snider says “ ‘Rock Vault’ is a tribute band of a bunch of add-on people who were not the people who played on these classic albums except for (guitarist) Howard Leese.”
Matt Goss gets ‘Strong’ with Komen, Yuman partnerships; Garrett (and his book) headline MGM Grand
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
One of the city’s pre-eminent entertainment managers over the past several decades, Bernie Yuman is now in partnership with Matt Goss in a consortium titled MBM.
Monday by the Numbers: EDC and its confetti-helicopter dance fest
Monday, May 25, 2015
On this Memorial Day, Monday By the Numbers is focusing on the upcoming Electric Daisy Carnival, which is set for June 19-21 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Mob stories never get old for Goodman — or audiences
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Up next for Goodman on his mini-tour of Vegas speaking engagements is a discussion about Chagra’s fanciful life as a high-stakes gambler and his highly theatrical legal battles. “Oscar’s Case of the Century: The Life and Crimes of Jimmy Chagra,” which also might be the case of this century, is set for May 28 at the Mob Museum ...
A frothy Eagles remembrance featuring beer, JuneFest and ‘Love’ seating chart
Thursday, May 21, 2015
A long spell ago, I recall it being in 1984, Glenn Frey was a guest on “Late Night With David Letterman.” The charter member of The Eagles had just released “The Allnighter.”
Blackstone adviser talks future plans for the Cosmopolitan
Monday, May 18, 2015
UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration alumnus John Ceriale recalled humbler moments early in his career — in particular, his first job at Caesars Palace. He worked as ...
Celine presents, Mariah performs, Taylor lauded at Billboard Music Awards
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Las Vegas continues to serve as the center of the pop music universe, as the 2015 Billboard Music Awards telecast is rumbling through MGM Grand Garden Arena. The show hits town less than 24 hours after Rock in Rio USA closed its two-weekend run at MGM Resorts Festival Grounds.
Nine Groovy Things from Rock in Rio USA pre-Bruno Mars
Saturday, May 16, 2015
You might be wondering, from this Rock in Rio USA experience on the Strip, “Whither the groovy-ness?” It is all around us ...
Funneling the clouds, the ‘weather guru’ reigns over Rock in Rio USA
Friday, May 15, 2015
Around these grounds there has been talk of a “voodoo weather guy” or “weather guru” who has protected Rock in Rio USA from any debilitating wind, rain or even ...
Riviera signs to glow anew at Neon Museum; L.V. Phil to reprise Sinatra’s Reprise era
Friday, May 15, 2015
Just about to haul The Kats Report Bureau back to the Rock in Rio USA festival. Pop Weekend is upon us, with the most significant latest news that John Legend has been moved from the Mercedes Benz Evolution Stage ...
B.B. King was an international, and Las Vegas, treasure
Friday, May 15, 2015
B.B. King lived in Las Vegas in a way that was not so apparent. “I don’t think most people in Vegas know that I live there. I never do hear anything about B.B. King living in Las Vegas,” King said in a lengthy phone interview in August 2010. “I see where a lot of other people …
Clearance sale, sizzling party in the works as Penn Jillette vacates the Slammer
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Penn Jillette and his family have moved out of his famous Las Vegas home, where the verbose half of Penn & Teller has lived since relocating to the city in 1994.
Metallica brings the pyro and power as Rock in Rio USA closes its first weekend
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Rock in Rio USA served as what it was destined to be during the weeks of preparation, a fine marketing performance for what would come in future shows. The countermarketing of Las Vegas ...
Maná, No Doubt among big draws on Rock in Rio USA’s first night
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Maná, which owns a huge international following, was among the highlights of the first night of the Rock in Rio USA festival Friday night on the Las Vegas Strip ...
Sandoval ‘absolutely confident’ in progress at Resorts World Las Vegas
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Activity is taking place on the northern end of the Strip, where darkened parcels are becoming animated with development or plans for such.
Larry Ruvo: Visionary Roberto Medina reminds of Sarno, Kerkorian, Wynn and Adelson
Monday, May 4, 2015
“Roberto Medina is one of those visionaries who comes to Las Vegas very, very infrequently,” Larry Ruvo said after Medina presented Keep Memory Alive with a $50,000 check at the Rock in Rio USA VIP fortress at MGM Festival Grounds.
Monday By the Numbers: ‘Crazy Girls,’ Charo, Dolly Parton and a little Shecky as the Riviera closes
Monday, May 4, 2015
Today’s Monday By the Numbers column focuses on the Riviera, which closed about noon today. Figures related to the place that, upon opening, said it was “The New High in the Sky.”
Riviera Comedy Club hosts one last blowout before blowing up
Monday, May 4, 2015
The history of entertainment at the Riv is as rich as any hotel-casino to ever conduct business on the Strip. It is where Liberace debuted at the hotel anointed as “The New High in the Sky” in April 1955.
Celebrities stream into MGM Grand Garden Arena for Mayweather-Pacquiao
Saturday, May 2, 2015
The total take on the fight from Nevada sports books should approach $80 million ...
The $16 million watch says it’s time for Mayweather Jr.-Pacquiao to make more money
Thursday, April 30, 2015
If MGM Grand were not already hued in green, it would be repainted that color for Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout at Grand Garden Arena. 
Money is what sets this fight apart.
‘The Rat Pack Is Back’ eyeing new spot — T Spot at Tuscany; Penn shops ‘The Slammer’
Monday, April 27, 2015
I’ve been writing about T Spot quite a lot over the past several months, or even year, with good reason. There is a lot happening in that entertainment den just off the casino floor.
ACM Awards returns in 2016; MGM Resorts Festival Grounds to join party
Sunday, April 26, 2015
After spending its 50th anniversary in spacious AT&T Stadium, the Academy of Country Music Awards is back in Las Vegas for 2016, and three country stars are already booked.
Elvis revival isn’t the only comeback special at Westgate Las Vegas
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Not so long ago, the only evidence Elvis Presley was at the hotel where he famously headlined was a bronze statue at the entrance and tribute show in Shimmer Cabaret.
Lisa Marie Presley on return to Las Vegas: ‘This was like a second home’
Saturday, April 25, 2015
As Graceland was turned into an international tourist destination celebrating Elvis, Lisa Marie Presley all but forgot about the hotel where her father performed 636 consecutive sold-out shows during her childhood.
Priscilla Presley ready to return Elvis — for real — to Las Vegas
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The core question for fans of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll has long been: “How can we bring Elvis back to Las Vegas?” Priscilla Presley has long asked that herself.
Monday By the Numbers: 1 dominates Pacquiao conference call; 0 prevails at Mayweather-Pacquiao ticket office
Monday, April 20, 2015
This week, Monday By the Numbers collects statistics from AFAN’s AIDS Walk, “Marvel Universe Live!” at the Thomas & Mack Center and the sale of Cirque du Soleil.
Guy Laliberte swings deal with TPG, sells interest in Cirque for $1.5 billion
Monday, April 20, 2015
The famed founder of Cirque du Soleil has sold controlling interest in the company, and the new majority ownership company is familiar around the world and ...
Entering 25th annual AFAN AIDS Walk, Penn Jillette talks ‘Duck,’ ‘Fool Us,’ Broadway plans
Friday, April 17, 2015
Lately, Penn Jillette has been musing about curtailing Penn & Teller’s long commitment to AFAN, as the organization preps for its 25th annual AIDS Walk. When checking the dates in the duo’s performance calendar, ...
Ready to ruffle feathers, ‘Duck Commander Musical’ sets down at the Rio
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
The oddly matched musical features the family famous on A&E’s reality-TV series “Duck Dynasty” and is based on Willie and Korie Robertson’s book, “The Duck Commander Family — How Faith, Family and Ducks Built a Dynasty.”
Monday By the Numbers: Taking a drag at Hard Rock Cafe; welcoming expensive equines to the Thomas & Mack
Monday, April 13, 2015
This week, Monday By the Numbers celebrates one of the great civic achievements ever in VegasVille, the Guinness World Record for the largest staged drag show.
Dominoes are falling into place for Las Vegas’ tourism industry
Sunday, April 12, 2015
May 5 is a pivotal point in our city. The groundbreaking of Resorts World Las Vegas is scheduled for that day, more than two years after plans for the resort development were announced.
The Act space looks like ‘Dead’ zone; Priscilla Presley recalls discarded items that helped inspire Graceland
Friday, April 10, 2015
During a walk through Times Square, we took notice of a Mazda commercial starring Penn & Teller running on an endless loop on a giant Sony LED screen.
Unique Vladimir Kush-Tommy Ward event to raise money, and awareness, for Lou Ruvo Center
Thursday, April 9, 2015
In the latest fundraising effort for Keep Memory Alive, artist Vladimir Kush is partnering with Las Vegas singer-songwriter Tommy Ward for an event billed “Kush & Ward: Sights & Sounds” set for April 25 at Kush Fine Art Gallery.
DJ Ashba is deep into Sixx:A.M., but GNR is not finished; record-setting drag event is taking over the Strip
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Guns N’ Roses guitarist DJ Ashba is not the GNR guitarist this weekend. Rather, he’s performing with SIXX:A.M. at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday night.
Monday By the Numbers: Sir Elton John and his 12 standing O’s
Monday, April 6, 2015
This week’s Monday By the Numbers statistical raking centers on Sir Elton John and his “Million Dollar Piano” show at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace. He needs no further introduction. Let’s play.
Uber controversy highlights complaints about cabs
Sunday, April 5, 2015
John Katsilometes talks with a limo driver who loves the ride-sharing app ...
Matt Goss still riding waves at Barge; Claire Sinclair, Sabina Kelley toggle sultry in ‘Pin Up’
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Every so often, I hear murmurs that the Barge will be disassembled (and, likely, dried out) in favor of a new concept, but the Goss show continues to power along like a Beneteau luxury yacht.
‘Absinthe’ to Cosmopolitan? Ha! And dual VegasVille action with Kelly and Clint Holmes
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Ross Mollison promised a surprise announcement before midnight at the fourth-anniversary performance of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace on Wednesday night, and he followed through.