January 2010
2010!!! A new hope, a new year...2009 sucked. I mean, it REALLY sucked. 2009 made me look fondly back at 2008—which also sucked. In 2009, we hit the bottom, and wallowed there. From all indications, we will continue to wallow for a little while longer, and then finally see some improvement. There are things that I am thankful for—I still have my home, which is far more fortunate than a lot of people I know. I have learned a new level of humility—one where I had to find a way to truly set aside all pride and ego. I have seen, received, and been able to show true friendship and have gained a far greater appreciation for those around me. It’s nice to know that there really are people that you can count on no matter what.
The New Year is supposed to be a time of renewal...a time when we get to look back and see what we did right and wrong in our lives, and then as we look ahead, we have to figure out how to make this year better than the previous one. We have to figure out the path that will make more things go the way we want them to. It is a time for resolutions...It’s time to get fit and healthy, a time to get thin, or rich, or married, or divorced; a time to stop smoking or drinking; a time to be a better, more committed person both personally and professionally. It is a time when we are forced to try and figure out how to do less of what is bad for us and more of what is good for us. The New Year always brings new hopes and new challenges to people. We fill ourselves up with resolutions and hope that the New Year will bring us into a better and more prosperous time of our life. With these hopes also comes the pressure to achieve—that personal commitment within us that is undoubtedly going to take a lot of time and energy.
It is different for the entertainment industry. Simple barometers of sales measure the success and failure of just about any production. Did it make money or not? Oh, would that our lives be so easy to figure out...
It’s 2010!!! Happy New Year!!
Not that I want to get nostalgic for 2009, but...2009 had some interesting occurrences...
When so many shows suffered and did badly, Donny & Marie flourished at the Flamingo. They started off with a six-month contract, and their show was so great and popular that after two-weeks, they were extended to two-years.
Also, the Lion King has been setting attendance and revenue records.
Bette Midler will end her show at Caesars after two years, leaving only Cher in the showroom.
Folies Bergere closed in late March. The show had just celebrated its 49th year, and it was moving toward 50, but owners of the Tropicana decided to pull the plug. This show was the last true connection to the past glory of Las Vegas. Its showgirls were synonymous with the city. It had been the longest running show in America. Jubilee still has showgirls, but that show opened in the ’80s, not the ’50s...there’s a big difference. It is merely a pup in comparison. Folies was the quintessential Las Vegas show. It was replaced by Wayne Newton starring in his new show, “Once Before I Go—Celebrating 50 Years on the Strip.”
Gordie Brown Live officially opened at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Feb. 5, in the Golden Nugget’s newly named Gordie Brown Showroom.
ND’s “Fuego—The Evolution of Nightlife” debuted a multi-faceted club experience at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino...it closed after about a week.
The third longest running show in town, after 24 years, “An Evening at La Cage” shut down.
The Scinta’s ended their run at the Hilton, and replacing the Scinta’s in the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton was Earl Turner and Lani Misaluci in “Voices.” Later in the year, Turner left the show, and Misaluci was the only “voice” to continue.
“Peepshow,” opened at Planet Hollywood. It started with Mel B and Kelly Monaco; it has continued with Holly Madison.
Terry Fator successfully opened at the Mirage, and then was surrounded by controversy for dating one of his assistants and divorcing his wife.
“Ignite” opened at the Greek Isles, ran for six months and then was forced to close.
“Scarlett: Princess of Magic” suddenly closed her show at the V Theatre...then re-opened her show as a sexy topless magic show at the Riviera, and then closed that show a couple of months later.
Trent Carlini opened his show “Evolution” at the Steve Wyrick theatre...and lasted about three weeks. Then, Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” came to the Wyrick theatre and closed after a couple of shows... “Rockstar” had a few performances there...and left. Andrew Dice Clay had a couple of performances there...and left. “The Platters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters & The Marvelettes” moved into the theatre...and then closed.
...and finally, Steve Wyrick himself closed his show. It is a shame...it closed due to internal conflict and not for lack of sales...Wyrick is very positive about re-opening his show on the Strip.
Charo opened at the Riviera, and then got hurt, and never came back. She was replaced by Andrew Dice Clay.
“Sgt. Pepper Live,” featuring Cheap Trick had a successful limited run at the Hilton.
Bobby Slayton moved to the Tropicana...and closed.
Rich Natole moved to the Tropicana...and closed.
The Primm resorts introduced the “Freecation.”
The V Theatre open a second and then a third venue and now has eleven shows running.
Rick Thomas came back from a two-year break and moved into the Sahara.
“Shear Madness” opened and closed its doors at the theatre in Town Square, but the operators say that they will be reopening with a production of “Schoolhouse Rock.”
“Matsuri,” came back to town. The smaller version of the original reopened at the Imperial Palace.
“Divas Las Vegas,” the new Frank Marino show also opened at the Imperial Palace.
The Naughty Boys of Hypnosis has managed to survive at the Harmon Theatre when so many other shows failed...such as Cashetta, Rockstar, and Rich Natole.
A Bronx Tale made a huge impact with Chazz Palminteri.
Garth Brooks cut an amazing deal with Steve Wynn to come out of retirement.
Barry Manilow’s record-setting five-year engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton ended on December 30th. He will reopen shortly at the Paris.
And the sad news of Danny Gans passing away at the age of 52, stunned and shocked the city.
It is always interesting to look back at an entire year...it is amazing to see the things that you forgot.
CES convention will be the big news for January—it comes in the first part of the month. It is a huge time in the city, and the Adult Entertainment convention runs at the same time—always interesting to see...
The entertainment this month ranges dramatically:
Continuing and closing entertainment include:
Las Vegas Wranglers
Orleans Hotel through Apr 3, 2010
Gift of Lights
Sunset Park through—Jan 4
Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
Opportunity Village through—Jan 2
Winter Wonderland Experience at Mystic Falls
Sam’s Town Hotel through—Jan 2—free
The Fercos Brothers “Untamed Illusions”
Planet Hollywood through—Jan 3
Bette Midler—The Showgirl Must Go On
Caesars Palace through—Jan 2
2nd Annual TributePalooza
Fremont Street Experience through—Jan 2
The first week has:
Aaron Lewis
Aliante Station Jan 1
Bonfire—A Tribute to Early AC/DC
Las Vegas Hilton Jan 1
Family Stone
Orleans Hotel Jan 1—2
Garth Brooks
Encore Las Vegas Jan 1—3
Joe Rogan
Mandalay Bay Jan 1
Ne-Yo
Palms Casino Jan 1
Phil Vasser
Green Valley Ranch Jan 1
Aaron Lewis
Green Valley Ranch Jan 2
Darling Stilettos
Las Vegas Hilton Jan 2
Doobie Brothers
Texas Station Jan 2
Flogging Molly & Special Guests
Mandalay Bay Jan 2
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Silverton Hotel Jan 2
John Caparulo
South Point Jan 2—3
UFC 108: Nogueira vs. Velasquez
MGM Grand Jan 2
The second week contains:
Andrew Dice Clay
Riviera Hotel Jan 6—10
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Jan 6—9
19th Annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auctions
South Point Jan 7—9
David Spade Live
Venetian Resort Jan 8—10
MidAmerica Auctions/Gene Romero’s West Coast Flat Track Series
South Point Casino Jan 8—9
Shecky Greene
South Point Jan 8—10
Dennis Wise—Tribute to the King
Santa Fe Station Jan 9
Roy Rivers—A Tribute to John Denver
Suncoast Hotel Jan 9—10
Worlds Collide Boxing/MMA Championship
Buffalo Bill’s Jan 9
Week number three has:
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Jan 13
UNLV Men’s Basketball vs San Diego
Thomas and Mack Center Jan 13
Frankie Avalon & Bobby Rydell
Orleans Hotel Jan 15—17
Home and Garden Show
Cashman Center Jan 15—17
International Sporting Arms Show
Riviera Hotel Jan 15—17
Johnny Mathis
Buffalo Bill’s Jan 15
Keith Sweat
Silverton Hotel Jan 15
Las Vegas Antique Arms Winter Show
Riviera Hotel Jan 15—17
Las Vegas Custom Knifemakers Show
Riviera Hotel Jan 15—17
Paul Revere & the Raiders
South Point Jan 15—16
It’s Madame with an E
Suncoast Hotel Jan 16—17
Psychic Medium John Edward
Flamingo Jan 16
Take Control of Your Life—Lectures
Las Vegas Hilton Jan 16
UNLV Men’s Basketball vs Utah
Thomas and Mack Jan 16
The fourth week has:
Andrew Dice Clay
Riviera Hotel Jan 18—31
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy
Thomas & Mack Center Jan 20—24
Tom Jones
MGM Grand Jan 21—27
Garth Brooks
Encore Las Vegas Jan 22—24
Kathleen Madigan
South Point Jan 22—24
The Temptations
Orleans Hotel Jan 22—24
Five Finger Death Punch w/ Shadows Fall, Throwdown, and 2 Cents
Mandalay Bay Jan 23
Las Vegas Showdown Cheerleading & Dance Championships
Cashman Center Jan 23—24
Ted Nugent
Green Valley Ranch Jan 23
Las Vegas Bridal Expo
Mandalay Bay Jan 24
Rick Faugno “Songs My Idol Sang (And Danced)”
South Point Jan 24
The last week has:
Miss America 2010
Planet Hollywood Jan 26—30
UNLV Men’s Basketball vs Air Force
Thomas and Mack Jan 26
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Jan 28—Feb 3
Bridal Spectacular Expo
Cashman Center Jan 29—30
Heart
Las Vegas Hilton Jan 29—30
LeAnn Rimes
Eastside Cannery Jan 29
Sheena Easton
South Point Jan 29—30
Air Supply
Buffalo Bill’s Jan 30
Mosley vs. Berto
Mandalay Bay Jan 30
Open Wings—Broken Strings
Venetian Resort Jan 30
Utada “In The Flesh” 2010
Mandalay Bay Jan 30
Wes Winters
Suncoast Hotel Jan 30—31
And the first week of February has:
Nile
Mandalay Bay Feb 3
Supernatural Santana: A Trip through the Hits
Hard Rock Hotel Feb 3—21
Drew Carey: The Improv All-Stars
MGM Grand Feb 4—7
Henry Cho
South Point Feb 5—6
Led Zepagain
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 5—6
Badfish—A Tribute to Sublime
Mandalay Bay Feb 6
George Strait and Reba McEntire w/ Lee Ann Womack
MGM Grand Hotel Feb 6
National Collegiate Cheerleading Championships
Cashman Center Feb 6
UNLV Men’s Basketball vs BYU
Thomas and Mack Center Feb 6
