EVERY YEAR, MAY brings out the best in Las Vegas entertainment. In recent months, a ton of shows have just opened, and there are still more are on the horizon. The summer season is upon us, and it is a crucial time for productions to get a strong foothold into the entertainment world and establish themselves for the very busy fall season. The summer will generally determine what shows are going to be staying around for a while and which ones will be closing forever. This May is going to be an interesting month for a lot of reasons. May is always an odd transitional month...the weather is changing as frequently as the shows...the only thing that we can really count on is that we know that by the end of the month, things will just start getting hot.
Remember that Mother's Day is on the 13th. If you're in town, there are several shows that will offer specials for you and your mother. If you're not in town...just remember Mom.
May 15th is the 102nd Anniversary of the founding of the City of Las Vegas. No one really cares about this statistic. We had a great 100 year celebration, and we may have to wait for the 150 year mark to get the city to celebrate again.
San Gennaro Feast is at the Grand Canyon Shopping Center from May 2nd to the 6th. The festival is the biggest Italian Feast in town is now even bigger. The Annual San Gennaro Feast is a yearly festival held in honor of the Saint, San Gennaro. The festival features a wide variety of ethnic food vendors, live national acts hourly on the main stage, amusement rides and game fun for the whole family. The festival is one of the most popular festivals for locals and visitors from all over the world. Each festival expects to out-do the last...and the food is wonderful.
Helldorado Days are on the horizon. A Las Vegas tradition since 1934, Helldorado Days recaptures the spirit of the Old West. It is a celebration of our community's western heritage for residents and visitors. It is the longest-running civic in the area. For generations, southern Nevadans have joined in Helldorado Days with parades and events that highlight our city's western heritage. The event is hosted by the Las Vegas Elks. The annual Helldorado parade will be on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 7:00 pm, and will feature floats, bands, civic organizations, school groups and our community's elected officials.
Legendary tap dancer and choreographer Henry Le Tang passed away on April 26, 2007. He choreographed the movie, "Cotton Club," with acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, as well as the much acclaimed Broadway musical, "Eubie" and the smash hit, "Sophisticated Ladies," starring Judith Jamison and Gregory Hines. He won a Tony Award for Broadway show, "Black and Blue." He also choreographed the movie, "Tap," with Sammy Davis Jr. and Gregory Hines. His great tap dancing students include his protégé Gregory Hines, Hinton Battle, Maurice Hines, Debbie Allen, Joey Heatherton, Chita Rivera, Lola Falana, George Kirby, Bette Midler, Harry Belafonte, and Billie Holiday...just to name a few. The legendary dance man Bill Bojangles Robinson summed up Henry's choreographic talent, "that young man's staging is really copacetic." He will be greatly missed. Here's to you Henry. You will never be forgotten.
Beacher's Unprofessional Bowling Association is starting up at Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes. Jeff Beacher and his zany cast of characters will all be there every Monday. B.U.B.A. (Beacher's Unprofessional Bowling Association) has a 128 team single elimination bowling tournament. The winning team will receive a free flight to the Bahamas and complimentary rooms at Atlantis. This is not your regular bowling match, there will be stilt walkers, acrobats, a Lady rolling in Glass, The Worlds oldest Male Stripper, Go-Go Girls and much more going on to distract you as you bowl. The Strip Clubs will be facing other Strip Clubs, Fire Departments will battle each other, and Nightclubs will take on other Nightclubs. B.U.B.A. has the potential for ironic competitions and face offs such as Pimps against the Cops.
KVBC News 3 anchor Nina Radetich, Star 102.7, and The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort have joined together to present the 4th annual Nina's Night Out on Thursday, June 7, 2007. The annual fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Center will feature multi-platinum singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne, performing tracks off of her new album, The Best Damn Thing. Avril will perform at The Pearl, the new concert theater at the Palms. Ticket prices range from $50 - $115. To date, Nina's Night Out has raised over $250,000 for the Rape Crisis Center.
The Scinta's will be closing their doors (at least for a while.) The family of singers have had a great run in town...starting off seven years ago at the Hilton nightclub, and then moving over to the Rio, and finally at the Sahara. They are a group that will truly be missed, and at least, I hope that they find another spot here in the future. The Scinta's, along with token Irishman Peter O'Donnell, have made Las Vegas their home and were active in the community. It will not be the same city without them.
Taking over at the Sahara will be "Matsuri." Matsuri is a spirited heart-pounding Japanese production that fuses the allure of world-class athletics and extreme sports into an array of stimulating stunts, breathtaking acrobatics, and symphony of sounds created by tapping, clapping, and stomping the stage. World-renown as the number one longest-running production show in Japan, Matsuri celebrates the human mind, body, and spirit by engaging audience members with an interactive, physical, and thrilling glimpse of Japanese tradition and culture. The show was here for a two-month run last year at the Riviera. Producers were hoping to bring it back, and it looks as if they have succeeded.
"Shag with a Twist" has closed its doors at the Plaza. This kitsch musical dance show ran for five months downtown...which is actually four months longer than I expected.
Comedian Louie Anderson celebrated his one-year anniversary at the Excalibur Hotel. The celebration at his show included surprise visits by other comics in the city--Rosanne Barr, George Wallace, and Carrot Top; all joined Louie on stage at the start of his show to offer him good wishes and to sing Happy Birthday to him.
Also celebrating one-year anniversaries are Nathan Burton, The Price is Right, Love, and the Bevertainers at the Rio.
ICE: direct from Russia has just opened at the Riviera. It is an ice show that combines traditional ice skating with acrobatic and aerial performances. The cast of 42 will guide audiences on a magical journey from the bitter cold of Moscow to warmth and vibrant colors of the Las Vegas desert. Debra Brown, of former Cirque fame, adapted the show.
Comedienne Roseanne Barr has extended her "All You Can Eat Comedy" show at New York, New York through Mid-June. Barr has been getting a bit of press lately because rumor has it that she is on the short list to replace Rosie O'Donnell on The View. It would be an interesting change...though Barr just recently stated that no one from the show has had any contact with her yet.
After all sorts of intrigue and rumors of fits and breakdowns, Carmen Electra has left the Hans Klok, "The Beauty of Magic" production at Planet Hollywood. Pamela Anderson has signed on to replace her. The stage spectacular will combine the illusions of Klok with the sexiness of Anderson in a new and unique production. Klok's production hopes to fill the void that was left with Siegfried & Roy's absence.
Legendary entertainer Clint Holmes, a favorite on the Las Vegas stage, previews his autobiographical musical "Just Another Man" beginning June 1, exclusively for Las Vegas audiences, inside the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV. The show, a look at the life and career of an extraordinary talent, will eventually travel to London, before hopefully premiering on Broadway. "Just Another Man" is based on the true story of Holmes' parents—his father an African-American jazz musician and his mother, a classically trained opera singer from Great Britain. It begins in 1944 and covers six decades. "Just Another Man," is presented by the Nevada Conservatory Theatre.
May brings out some of the best people to kick off the summer season.
The first week has:
Howie Mandel
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino Apr 20 - May 2
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
University of Nevada Las Vegas Apr 20 - May 6
San Gennaro Feast
Grand Canyon Shopping Center May 2 - May 6
Boyz II Men
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 3 - May 6
Kenny Chesney w/ Pat Green & Sugaland
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 3 - May 4
Moenia
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 3
Tom Jones
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 3 - May 9
An Evening with Chris Cornell
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 4
Belu Olisa Fairs Holistic & Metaphysical Fair
Cashman Center May 4 - May 6
Bill Maher
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 4 - May 5
David Sanborn
Suncoast Hotel and Casino May 4 - May 6
Eric Church
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino May 4
Fiesta Boxeo - the Fight Before the Fight
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 4
Herman's Hermits w/ Peter Noone
Whiskey Pete's Hotel and Casino May 4 & 5
Holistic & Metaphysical Fair
Cashman Center May 4 - May 6
Lake Las Vegas International Dragon Boat Festival
Lake Las Vegas May 4 - May 5
LL Cool J
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 4
Paul Anka
Las Vegas Hilton May 4 - May 5
Ray Romano
Mirage May 4 - May 5
The Donnas
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 4
The Next Great Heavyweight Contendors
Palms Casino Resort May 4
2007 DHRA Vegas Diesel Nationals
Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 5 - May 6
Ambrosia
Boulder Station Hotel-Casino May 5
Amp'd Mobile Supercross Series
Sam Boyd Stadium May 5
Atomic Punks - Van Halen Tribute
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino May 5
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Fremont Street Experience May 5 - Free
Floyd Mayweather, Jr vs. Oscar De La Hoya
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 5th Tickets range from $150 - $2000
Gary Allan
Sunset Station Hotel Casino May 5
Norman Brown's Summer Storm
Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel May 5
Taylor Hicks
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 5
The second week...
Maxxis MiniMoto SX 2007
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 7
Elton John - The Red Piano
Caesars Palace May 8 - May 13
Minus the Bear w/ the Honourary Title & Chin Up Chin Up
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 8
Chicago
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 10 - May 15
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 10
Stringfever featuring Jeff Hobson
Suncoast Hotel and Casino May 10 - May 11
Bellamy Brothers and Asleep at the Wheel
Whiskey Pete's Hotel and Casino May 11
Cars, Stars & Guitars
Hooters Casino Hotel May 11 - May 12
Chris Isaak
Lake Las Vegas May 11
Everlast & DJ Muggs
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 11
Jay Leno
Mirage May 11 - May 12
Johnny Mathis
Las Vegas Hilton May 11 - May 12
Jungle Boogie
Cannery Casino & Hotel May 11 - Free
Paul Rodriguez
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 11 - May 13
Phil Vassar
Boulder Station Hotel-Casino May 11
The West Coast Regional Finals Rodeo
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa May 11 - May 12
Unauthorized Ozzy
Silverton Hotel and Casino Lodge May 11
Academy of Country Music Weekend featuring Gretchen Wilson
Fremont Streeet Experience May 12 - May 13 - Free
vJimmy Hopper
Suncoast Hotel and Casino May 12 - May 13
Las Vegas Gun Show
Cashman Center May 12 - May 13
Mel Carter & Lenny Welch
Cannery Casino & Hotel May 12
Roller Derby
Cashman Center May 12 - May 13
The Rippingtons
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino May 12
vVH1 Rock Honors
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 12
World Extreme Cagefighting: McCullough vs. Crunkilton
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 12
APO Hiking Society
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 13
The third week presents...
Paramore w/ the Providence and Quietdrive
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 15
Breeder's Invitational Cutting Horse Event
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa May 16 - May 26 - Free
Dimmu Borgir w/ Unearth, Devil Driver & Kataklysm
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 16
Hans Klok "Faster than Magic" w/ Pamela Anderson
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino May 17 - Jul 12
Helldorado Days
Fremont Street Experience May 17 - May 20 - Free
Howie Mandel
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 17 - May 22
Steven Wright
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 17 - May 20
The Bon Appétit Culinary & Wine Focus
Multiple Locations May 17 - May 20
Area 108's - The Gathering
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 18
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa May 18 - May 10
Body Beautiful, Wedding Beautiful
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa May 18 - May 19
Buddy Guy
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 18
Dread Zeppelin
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 18
Jay Leno
Mirage May 18 - May 19
Joe Bonamassa
Four Queens Hotel and Casino May 18 - May 19
John Legend
Lake Las Vegas May 18
Quest for the Best: Foxxy 4 U vs. Rhythm Nation
Cannery Casino & Hotel May 18
The Whispers
Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel May 18
38 Special & Kansas
Sunset Station Hotel Casino May 19
Emerson Drive
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa May 19
Lisa Lampanelli
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 19
Rainbow Connection Dance Competition
Cashman Center May 19 - May 20
The fourth week will present...
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 23 - May 27
Gino Vannelli
Flamingo Las Vegas May 23 - May 27
19th Annual Snow Mountain Pow Wow
I-15, Snow Mountain Exit 95 May 25 - May 27
An Evening with Anita Baker
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 25
Bo Bice & Gary Nichols
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino May 25
Collective Soul
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa May 25 - May 26
Delbert McClinton
Boulder Station Hotel-Casino May 25
Don Rickles w/ Shawn King
Golden Nugget May 25 - May 27
Eek-A-Mouse
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 25
Escape the Fate
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 25
Los Tigres Del Norte
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 25
The Romantics
Sunset Station Hotel Casino May 25
Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Friends of Distinction, More
Cannery Casino & Hotel May 26 - Free
Little River Band
Silverton Hotel and Casino Lodge May 26 - May 27
Smokey Robinson
Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino May 26
Tahitian Dance Competition
Cox Pavilion May 26 - May 27
Tigerjam X w/ Bon Jovi & special guest Daughtry
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 26
Toto
Boulder Station Hotel-Casino May 26
Tracy Morgan
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 26
UFC71: Liddell vs. Jackson
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 26
Aaron Kwok - Dancing Nation Live in Las Vegas 2007
Orleans Hotel and Casino May 27
Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino May 27
Robin Williams Live
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 27
The last part of May and into June will feature...
Howie Mandel
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino May 28 - Jun 13
Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Orleans Hotel and Casino Jun 1 - Jun 2
International Gem & Jewelry Show
Cashman Center Jun 1 - Jun 3
Jay Leno
Mirage Jun 1 - Jun 2
The Killers
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Jun 1
Vegas Cruise
Fremont Street Experience Jun 1 - Jun 3 - Free
Wayman Tisdale
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa Jun 1
5th Annual Best in Show
Orleans Hotel and Casino Jun 2
Lang Lang
Lake Las Vegas Jun 2
Charley Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band & the Outlaws
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Jun 3
The Sax Pack
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa Jun 3
Alejando Sanz
Palms Casino Resort Jun 6
Citizen Cope
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Jun 6
