If you’re looking to get a real “buzz” on this Christmas, then you need to be at the Mirage where acclaimed ventriloquist/impressionist Terry Fator answers the constantly ringing doorbell and, one by one, lets in his hilarious characters in a “guess who is coming to dinner?” holiday special show, "Terry Fator’s Country Christmas," through December 24th. The uniquely talented entertainer brings to the table an evening of fun and song as he introduces audiences to country singer, Walter T. Airdale; soul singer, Julius; stoner Duggie Scott Walker; Elvis impersonator, Maynard Thompkins; the king of bling, Berry Fabulous; Vikki the Cougar; entertainer, Emma Taylor, and of, course, his signature puppet, Winston the Impersonating Turtle. Even Bing Crosby drops by to do a duet with Garth Brooks (Fator). The audience eats up every moment of hilarity, with Fator doing all the serving up of the goodies and being the only one not moving his lips.
The theme of the show is to lift the spirits of homesick Kentuckian, Walter T. Airdale, and make him feel at home for the holiday. One of the things that is so amazing about Fator is that he has the uncanny knack of making his puppets seem alive. Then, there is the one really alive man he picks from the audience every performance and turns into a Dolly Parton “puppet.” Fator’s ability to emulate the voices of legends such as Parton, Crosby, Nat King Cole, Cher, Willie Nelson, Etta James, Karen Carpenter, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Johnny Mathis and others never ceases to amaze. Added to that is the fact that he writes his own scripts and designs his own puppets.
Throughout the show, Fator asks his puppets what they think the true meaning of Christmas is. By the end of the show, it is evident that it is about sharing, caring (Fator does a tribute to the military, including a self-penned song for those who can’t be home for the holiday, and donates the proceeds from his memorabilia sold after the show to non-profit military organizations), music, laughter, family, camaraderie, and good food (including stoner Duggie’s favorite “brownies” -- just another way to get a buzz on!).
Meanwhile, over at The Venetian, Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott and their children Finn, Stella, Hattie and Liam joined in to light up the hotel’s Christmas tree and take in a special holiday kickoff performance by Human Nature. In the spirit of the holiday season, Human Nature performed songs from their just-released Christmas album, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “White Christmas,” which will be showcased in their brand new, limited-engagement show in The Sands Showroom, “Christmas, Motown and More,” from December 12 to 24.
Opportunity Village celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Las Vegas Great Santa Run as thousands of Santa lookalikes joined reality TV star Holly Madison and The Chippendales to participate in one of the world’s largest gatherings of Kris Kringles. The event included appearances by singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton-John and Las Vegas legend Wayne Newton, as well as other surprise guests. Featuring a 5k run and one-mile walk, this cherished event raised funds for the incredible “OVIPs” within Opportunity Village.
For the 14th consecutive year, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino headliners Penn & Teller partnered with United Blood Services to raise awareness of the need for blood donations during the holiday season. Those who donate blood between Friday, Dec. 19 and Thursday, Jan. 1 will receive two complimentary tickets to Penn & Teller’s show.
On December 18, the cast of the smash-hit musical, ROCK OF AGES, celebrated its second anniversary at The Venetian Las Vegas. Following a full standing ovation from the crowded theatre during the show’s finale, ROCK OF AGES’ raucous narrator Mark Shunock (“Lonny”) addressed the house, sharing words of gratitude for the audience and community’s ongoing support of the production. At the conclusion of his speech, the company was presented with a commemorative ‘80s-themed cake replicating the show’s set and featuring members of the cast and designed by Carlo’s Bakery, made famous by TLC’s Cake Boss Buddy Valastro
Just in time for the holiday season, Sugar Factory has partnered with iconic superstar Britney Spears to launch the “Piece of Me” Couture Pop to celebrate her show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Joining the pop star’s current line of “Circus” Couture Pops, the new lollipop’s design features a playful, pink bejeweled stem that comes with a replaceable lollipop head, including a choice of flavors such as bubblegum, creamy orange, blue raspberry and pink lemonade, and is adorned with a signature “Britney” charm, priced at $26.
Solidifying her title as Las Vegas’s biggest star of the year with an elaborate event at The LINQ Promenade, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino headliner Britney Spears was recently presented with the Key to the City of Las Vegas’ iconic Strip by Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak, who also officially proclaimed Wednesday, Nov. 5 “Britney Day.” Additionally, Britney has announced new show dates for her massively successful Las Vegas resident show, “Britney: Piece of Me,” with tickets having gone on sale to the public Saturday, Nov. 8.
Celebrity Idols from Movies & Music is a high-energy journey through our most treasured memories of movies and music. Where were you when the song “Fame” was number one on the dance chart? Headliner Billy Hufsey, will sing and dance his way with you through all your favorites. Joined by the beautiful and talented Sina Foley, Celebrity Idols is filled with amazing dance and live singing from all your favorite movies and songs. With Over 30 numbers and 50 costume changes, you will be “Footloose,” and ready to “Scream and Shout” from beginning to end
After two years and performing 105 shows for 337,500 guests from all over the world, international superstar Shania Twain took the stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for the last time Saturday evening with her headlining residency show, SHANIA: STILL THE ONE. Ever since she made her historic arrival to the city by shutting down the famed Las Vegas Strip with a stampede of horses, Shania has made an indelible impact on Las Vegas. Since opening SHANIA: STILL THE ONE on Dec. 1, 2012, the show has received accolades from fans and critics alike, including being named “Best Resident Performer” in the Las Vegas Weekly’s annual “Best of Vegas 2014” issue.
She’s the one that they want! Olivia Newton-John has extended her “Summer Nights” Residency at Flamingo Las Vegas Through Sept. 2015 Tickets for Beloved Entertainer’s 2015 show dates went on sale Friday, Dec. 12.
Dubbed the “Crown Prince” of Swing Louis Prima Jr. and the Witness will perform a special free show at Red Rock Resort on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. Son of musical legend Louis Prima, Louis Prima Jr. is a Las Vegas-based entertainer, singer, songwriter and musician, who was dubbed the “Crown Prince” of swing music. After giving up a lucrative shirt-and-tie job at 44 years old, Prima Jr. began pursuing music full time with the goal of bridging the gaps between the swing and rock eras. Prima Jr. and his band The Witness released their debut album, Return of the Wildest, in 2012 and followed with 2014’s Blow.
The renowned Riviera Hotel & Casino is proud to usher in 2015 with a free performance from singer, songwriter and celebrated pianist George Bugatti. Held inside the intimate Le Bistro Lounge located in the heart of the casino floor, Bugatti’s performance will take place from 11:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Discovered by the legendary Steve Allen while performing at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, George Bugatti was born in Brooklyn, NY, where he honed his skills as a classical pianist at both the prestigious High School of Performing Arts and The Juilliard School. After studying under the legendary acting coach Stella Adler at New York University, he released his debut album Oh, What a Night For Love and made his concert debut in Los Angeles alongside Tony Bennett. Following a move to Las Vegas, Bugatti released his sophomore album, Bugatti Live on the Strip and followed with A Night for Romance, which was produced by “American Idol’s” Executive Music Producer Nigel Wright. The critically-acclaimed album features the single “Two Shots of Happy,” which was given to Bugatti by U2 front-man Bono after Frank Sinatra, whom the song was originally written for, passed away.
Renowned comedian Tim Allen will return to The Mirage in 2015, bringing his stand-up comedy to the Terry Fator Theatre for five scheduled performances, the first being on Saturday, January 31. Allen recently announced his upcoming schedule on LIVE with Kelly and Michael and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The award-winning actor stars on the ABC hit sitcom Last Man Standing and was the star on the long-running ABC television series Home Improvement. His film credits include leading roles in The Santa Clause, Toy Story, Galaxy Quest, and Wild Hogs, among many others.
Superstar entertainers Reba, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will join forces to launch a one-of-a-kind Country music residency – REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas – opening June 24, 2015 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Tickets for select performances in 2015 went on sale on December 4th.
Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band announced new tour dates today including a final tour stop at The Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on March 15, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band - Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Gregg Rolie, Todd Rundgren, Gregg Bissonette and Warren Ham will embark on new tour dates beginning in February 2015 which takes the super group through a few stops in the U.S. before traveling throughout Latin America with shows in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and more. This incarnation of the All Starr band is the same lineup Ringo has played with since 2012 and the addition of these new dates comes as no surprise to anyone who has heard Ringo talk about this band, with whom he loves performing. “We have so much fun playing together, we don’t want it to end!” he exclaimed.
Famed photographer Terry O’Neill debuted his original collection at the official grand opening of the Iconic Images Gallery at the SLS. To commemorate the gallery opening, O’Neill presented three never-before-seen images and celebrated the night with a private party hosted in partnership with Vegas Magazine at Foxtail Nightclub®. O’Neill’s work in the very location that for years was a hotspot for many of the legends featured in the gallery, including notable Sahara® guests Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. O’Neill unveiled two never-before-seen images of Sinatra. Photographed in May 1975, the images capture the singer’s crowd-pleasing performance at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Renowned performer Clint Holmes recently joined the cast of the smash-hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET onstage for a special encore performance at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Performing on the 58th anniversary of the legendary night that inspired the production, Dec. 4, 1956, Holmes sang a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up” alongside the cast. Following the finale of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Holmes was welcomed to the stage with applause from the crowded Showroom. Audience members sang and danced along to the rockabilly tune, giving Holmes and the cast a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance.
Comedy-Magician Mac King was named “Entertainer of the Year” at Win-Win Entertainment’s Headliners Bash 2014, presented by the John C. Kish Foundation. Las Vegas’ top entertainers and headliners gathered in the Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino to raise funds for the non-profit organization.
“I Am Woman” songstress Helen Reddy is set to perform at The Orleans Showroom January 24 and 25.Best known as a recording artist, Helen Reddy had more fifteen singles on the Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 – six of which hit the Top 10, with three reaching No. 1 – including her signature hit, “I Am Woman.” In addition to Billboard chart success, Reddy was the first recording artist to win a “Favorite Pop/Rock Female” American Music Award, the first Australian to win a Grammy Award and to have three No. 1 hits in the same year.
Stand-up comedian and actor Sinbad returns to The Orleans Showroom with his unique comedic storytelling and wit January 30 and 31. Sinbad is best known for various television and movie appearances throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including several HBO comedy specials. Sinbad’s comedy is built more on stories than jokes, based on everyone he meets, everything he’s seen and everything he does. As the son of a preacher man, he is committed to making his comedy side-splitting but not profane. He also takes the trials and tribulations of audience members and throws it back in their faces, creating a unique comedy experience.
Pia Zadora is back at Pia’s Place inside Piero’s! In recovery from a recent accident, Zadora was anxious to return to Pia’s Place and, in the spirit of the holiday season, has added some of her favorite classic holiday songs into her repertoire during her shows. Zadora, her musical director Vincent Falcone and her band, put their twist on traditional favorites – and even Santa himself stops by each night for a little Jingle Bell Rock! No cover; must be 21 with valid I.D.
Singer, writer, entertainer and founder of The Supremes Mary Wilson comes to the Suncoast Showroom January 17 and 18. While growing up in Detroit’s Brewster Projects, Wilson befriended Florence Ballard, Betty McGlown and Diana Ross at age 13. The quartet later formed a singing group, The Primettes. Wilson, Ballard and Ross were signed to Motown Records and became known as The Supremes.
The Mirage Hotel & Casino will host the seventh annual “Ron White’s Comedy Salute to the Troops” Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. The one-night show will take place at the Terry Fator Theatre with proceeds benefiting the Armed Forces Foundation. Ron White is best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour.” He has established himself as a star in his own right with multiple comedy albums and videos including Drunk In Public, They Call Me Tater Salad and You Can’t Fix Stupid.
The Mirage Hotel & Casino welcomes John Mulaney when he makes his Aces of Comedy debut Friday, March 6. Mulaney, who is quickly becoming one of the most sought after young comedians and actors in the comedy world, currently stars in Mulaney, FOX’s new comedy about a rising stand-up comic trying to take his career to the next level. He also serves as creator, writer and executive producer of the series.
Monte Carlo Resort and Casino invites guests to start their Saturdays with stretches and salutations with its newly launched Yoga in the Plaza. The Strip-side location provides a revitalizing setting for participants to connect with their body and breath while embracing the refreshing morning air. Taking place each Saturday at 8 a.m., the hour-long class is designed to accommodate all skill levels and is complimentary for Monte Carlo hotel guests.
Caesars Palace Las Vegas has turned the heart of the Las Vegas Strip into an ice skaters’ paradise once again with a real ice skating rink this holiday season. Guests can ice skate over the iconic Caesars Palace fountain, the Strip-facing promenade that overlooks the Las Vegas Boulevard, through Jan. 11. Caesars Chalet offers a traditional real ice skating rink with an infusion of entertainment and special activities that evoke the holiday season. Guests can indulge in warm decadent seasonal food and beverage offerings from Moet and Patron. Festive funnel cakes are available in flavors such as Caramel Apple, Red Velvet and the traditional favorite dusted with powdered sugar. Signature cocktails include Miracle on the Blvd., Inner Elf, Naughty & Nice, Ugly Red Sweater and Red Roller. Bottle service with Adirondack seating is available nightly.
Guests can now book the complete holiday adventure package at the High Roller, tubing hill at Winter PARQ and ice skating session at Caesars Chalet. The $50 per person package includes: All-Day tubing pass with tube rental at Winter PARQ Flex Pass to ride the High Roller during the day or night, and a 90 min skating session with skates at Caesars Chalet
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA), the premier cultural destination on the Las Vegas Strip recognized for presenting world-class exhibitions in an unrivaled setting, has debuted “Fabergé Revealed.” Culture seekers and art lovers can view the exhibit through May 25, 2015. Organized in partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, “Fabergé Revealed” showcases 238 rare Fabergé artifacts. A part of the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, these treasures are synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship, impeccable taste and the rich history of the Russian imperial family from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unique to this exhibition is a small collection of “Fauxbergé” objects – Fabergé look-alikes once believed to be originals.
On December 13th, the High Roller at The LINQ Promenade in Las Vegas played host to nearly 100 lucky couples who “Put a Ring on It” for 12/13/14 – this century’s last sequential wedding date. Offering complimentary weddings and vow renewals from 10:11 a.m. to 12:13 p.m., the “in-motion” ceremonies occurred 550-feet in the air offering picturesque views of the Las Vegas skyline on the world’s tallest observation wheel. The event also served as a launch for the High Roller’s new wedding packages, making it the city’s most unique venue for the quintessential “quickie” 30-minute Las Vegas wedding
Eric Jordan Young has announced the end of a successful run of his headlining production, Shakin’, at the Sin City Theatre inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The 90-day engagement showcased Young as a triple threat who has transformed into a staple of Las Vegas talent.
The Las Vegas Strip is about to step up its sex appeal with the Las Vegas debut of 50 SHADES! THE PARODY. With sold-out audiences across the country left begging for more, the hilarious parody will move into the Windows Showroom at Bally’s Las Vegas on Feb. 3, 2015.
Red Mercury Entertainment announced today that the company will bring two popular tribute shows, MJ LIVE, co-produced by Darrin Feinstein and Dick Feeney, and The Rat Pack is Back, produced by Feeney, from the Rio All-Suite & Hotel’s Crown Theatre closing February 22. To the Riviera. Shows are scheduled to open Monday, March 2, and perform seven-nights-a-week in the 950-seat Versailles Theater, a historic Vegas showroom that has been closed for five years.
First Friday Las Vegas, one of the largest arts and culture festivals in the Western United States, will celebrate its monthly festival of arts and entertainment in Downtown Las Vegas with “Endless Summer,” a hot Hawaiian and Polynesian-inspired gathering, on Friday, Jan 2. Keeping with the island traditions that inspire “Endless Summer,” event-goers are encouraged to fashion grass skirts and leis and come dressed up in their favorite summer and Hawaiian-inspired wear. Attendees can sample a variety of island-inspired cuisine from the traditional food trucks on site. Food trucks offering a special themed dish for the evening will be identified by a beach ball on their façade and scattered throughout the First Friday footprint. First Friday-goers can also capture their First Friday experience at the all new welcome tent complete with a surf-inspired backdrop, enjoy “surfing” (courtesy of Surfset Las Vegas), marvel at traditional Polynesian fire dancing by Flameology, play “beach” volleyball, or experience the 8-foot volcano
Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris, who is best known for playing Barney Stinson in the TV comedy How I Met Your Mother, was spotted at Michael and Jenna Morton’s La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway inside Wynn Las Vegas recenlty. Harris and a group of friends stopped in for a nightcap and enjoyed Asahi, a leading Japanese beer.
The Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art (SNMFA) has extended the viewing dates through Saturday, Jan. 3 of “Anne Frank, An Historical Remembrance” featuring the work of well-known artist and lithographer Michael Knigin (1942-2011) and “Chai Lights,” a collection of 100 works of art by 31 Las Vegas artists, focused on Jewish themes.
Knigin said, “In 1975, the Israel Museum and the Jerusalem Foundation asked me to establish the first professional lithographic and silk screen atelier in Israel. I was simultaneously working with the ministry of labor and education where I began meeting [Holocaust] survivors. Their stories were so unbelievable, compelling and horrifying that I started then and there to create collages of my interpretation of what I’d heard.”
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, in partnership with Art Production Fund, is pleased to announce artist-in-residence JK Russ. During her residency, Russ invites guests to join her for the creation of a magical new kingdom. Ruled over by feathered fashionistas in designer stilettos, her collaborative collage installation, House of Paper Birds, turns the foundation of contemporary biological classification on its head.
House of Paper Birds is a collage collision of female forms, birds and desert plants laced with a strong fashion component inspired by The Cosmopolitan itself. The kingdom will manifest itself in two large collages. One window work will feature bird women figures positioned in a desert landscape. Guests will co-create this landscape using rock and sky images from National Geographic magazines. The second collage will be created on panels and feature a surreal flowering Joshua tree created from images cut from fashion publications. The discarded paper cut-outs produced during this process will be left to accumulate on the floor, creation a sea of color as the weeks pass.
Urban Turban, a Bombay Kitchen and Tapas Bar, is bringing its fresh take on authentic Indian fares to Las Vegas. Scheduled to open by the third weekend in December, Urban Turban has created a unique dining dynamic by fusing authentic Bombay-style cuisine with a modern dining ambiance. Urban Turban owners Jasmine and Bhushan Arolkar, along with a professional culinary team from Bombay provide a menu that includes a wide array of flavors unique to Bombay (Mumbai) style cuisine.
The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will host one of the biggest names in country music history, Kenny Chesney, for a two-night concert series Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m. Chesney won the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year Award a combined eight times with more than 24 No. 1 hits topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He has collaborated with other iconic country musicians such as Jimmy Buffet, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith and George Strait.
Tickets are now on sale for Motley Brews’ 2015 Great Vegas Beer Festival (GVFB), Nevada’s largest craft beer event, on Saturday, April 11, 2015. During the fifth annual GVFB, beer enthusiasts, brewers and culinary masterminds will join together to celebrate the lifestyle surrounding the craft beer movement in the streets of Downtown Las Vegas. After a record turnout in 2014, Motley Brews will once again host GVFB near Fremont East Entertainment District, returning with more beer and vastly expanded culinary options. In addition, the festival offers enhanced programming with revamped BrewLogic educational sessions and a full afternoon of live music.
Justin Shandor, named “The World’s Ultimate Elvis” by Graceland and winner of the Elvis Presley Enterprises “Top Elvis Tribute Artist” contest, will return to the M Resort Spa Casino for two spectacular performances at the 2,300-seat M Pavilion in 2015. Shandor will star in “Elvis, The Aloha Concert Tribute” on Saturday, March 14, and “Elvis, The Vegas Tour Tribute, Hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s” on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015.
After igniting a twitter frenzy following her arena tour announcement, the official dates for GRAMMY-nominated Iggy Azalea’s The Great Escape Tour presented by AEG Live, have been announced. On Friday, April 25 Azalea and multi-talented recording artist and actor, Nick Jonas will perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In addition, also joining as support acts are R&B/Hip-Hop favorites Tinashe and DJ Wizz Kidd.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino brings actor and comedian Kevin Hart to the Events Center Sunday, May 24 at 8 p.m.
Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas hosted the second annual regional BARocker competition on Wednesday, December 17. Hundreds of people packed the third level of the strip location of the famous cafe to cheer on their favorite bartender from cities spanning the central and west regions. Hard Rockers from Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago and Dallas all traveled to sin city to flip, twirl, pour and spin their way to the top spot.
At the end of the night bartenders Christian Ortiz and Stefano Bellelli from Las Vegas and Seattle reigned supreme and will be moving on to the world finals in Riviera Maya, MexicoThe competition was judged by a panel of industry experts and local celebrities, including Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch. Competitors were judged on several key components, including recipe knowledge, pour testing, accuracy, speed, flair and showmanship.