Archive for October, 2009

Some of our afternoon and early shows will surely be affected this weekend. by the Yankee-Angel playoffs. These games have been some of the most exciting major league games in recent years. Yours truly is a long-time Yankee fan hoping to see them win. Should they win, the players may just freeze their b___s off  in that cold Northeast climate. By the way, how about Alex Rodriguez!!!!!

I’ve been running around the Las Vegas landscape gathering all my information – sometimes right, sometimes wrong, with rumors and innuendos along the way – while some sources provide bad, bad, bad input. The Wayne Newton show at the Tropicana, which is really in previews, continues to go through the pain of re-writing and re-tooling. Sources say the show should be ready October 28.  From what I hear, Wayne shares the stage with film and video clips galore.

The economic downturn continues to headline in Las Vegas with such things as the reduced values of the City Center Condos declining some 30 or 40% and news that the Fontainbleau, which was 90% complete, is being used for fire drills. How sad. Can’t somebody finish this project?

More signs of the times this week when we heard the Greenspun television show Las Vegas One had been cancelled, and print media continue to struggle all across the country. The Boulder City and Henderson newspapers,  both Greenspun  publications, recently suspended publication.  At least 22 people have allegedly let go.

Psychic Comedian Kevin Burke is a very busy man.  After finishing his performance in “Caveman” at The Excalibur he rushes over to The Firtz Hotel/Casino to do his stand-up comedy show., which has a 13 month anniversary in November. It takes alot of talent have 2 simulteous hit shows in this town, and Kevin has it.  Catch either or both  shows if you can-the laughs are worth it.

Stefanie Jordan, aka Sanchez, was the emcee and star of Fantasy at the Luxor for 10 years and apparently set the bar quite high. Her permanent replacement hasn’t been found. As Stefanie pursues other avenues, Fantasy continues the search. Since I consider creator and producer of Fantasy Anita Mann to be a friend,  I can honestly say the show needs a great host or an emcee.

This week I had lunch with Adam Steck, and we discussed the possibility of a new show that would include Lanie Kazan, Carol Lawrence, Mimi Hines, and Diahann Carol with yours truly featured as emcee. It might be Divas of Yesterday

In the meantime, I’ll be heading to Atlantic City for another Disco Ball to be held at the Taj Mahal on November 14. My last trip to Atlantic City for this production just couldn’t have been better. Everything was perfect. The music, the timing, the hotel all were the best. I expect this trip to be the same. And, by the way, I love meeting the new fans of  Disco-Tex.

Longtime Las Vegas entertainer Kenny Kerr, who appears regularly at De Stefano’s, might be joining the cast of  Divas Las Vegas. I first met Kenny back in MY diva days while sitting in my yellow Rolls Royce and working with Trudy Heller in New York City. I feel like I’m Kenny’s great aunt!   Another diva of yesterday, Madame – yes Madame,  the Puppet - is coming to town. Madame was the creation of the late, great Wayland Flowers.and is now being “handled” by Rick Skye.    Frank Marino, Kenny Kerr, Madame–can we handle these three??????

The Nevada SPCA and Pause for Paws benefited from the Sahara Hotel & Casino special charity event in conjunction with Rick Thomas and the Magic of Tigers. Rick is performing his show regularly at the Sahara, but I must say I was deliciously surprised. Those beautiful animals and the magic of Rick Thomas produced a first-class show. Not only did Rick perform his usual visual magic, he did a fabulous job of dancing. It was a great evening and I definitely would recommend the show to visitors and locals. That’s entertainment folks!

The Walk to Cure Diabetes for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will take place November 14 at UNLV North Field. Some 4,000 walkers are expected to show up in an effort to meet this year’s goal of $600,000. Be there at 9 a.m. on the morning of the walk for onsite registration or call JDRF at (702) 732-4795 to preregister or for more information.  There’s always time for charity in all our lives.

Of course, we have to cover some of the television events for the week. Like aren’t we all tired of Kate Gosselin, her eight kids and carousing hubby? And what about the Real Housewives of Atlanta? To that one loudmouth broad (oh, oh…. did I really say that?)….. SHUT UP!  For some people, their 15 minutes of fame is a bit too much for the rest of us.