Las Vegas sizzles with hot summer shows

By E.C. Gladstone

Most places here in the Northern Hemisphere tend to slow down in August. Not Las Vegas! Despite the summer heat, Sin City is still busy, and hopping. Especially when it comes to entertainment. I was so surprised with the number of top names coming here in the next few weeks — truly something for everyone — I thought it was worth pointing out.

Stars coming to Mandalay Bay include Motley Crue, Buckcherry & Papa Roach (together, 8/1), rappers Nas (8/8) and Mos Def (8/22); The Palms is hosting Steely Dan (8/8), Poison (8/22), Kiss, (8/29) and Judas Priest (9/1); Green Valley Ranch will have the Neville Bros (9/13); while other shows include Rod Stewart (8/2, MGM Grand), Daughtry (Red Rock, 8/15), and Bob Dylan (9/1, Hard Rock). And you really shouldn’t miss The Time, reunited, playing the Flamingo from 7/29 to 8/2.

At Terrible’s Primm (which is actually 30 minutes outside of town, on the Nevada border), they’ve got Pat Benatar (8/2), Liza Minnelli, (8/16), Bill Cosby (8/30) and Al Green (9/13)!

If it’s classic Las Vegas performers you want, Don Rickles is at Orleans (7/31-8/3) as is Gladys Knight (8/22-24); MGM Grand has "Mr. Las Vegas," Wayne Newton (7/31-8/6) and Tom Jones (8/7-20), Tony Bennett’s coming back to the Hilton (9/19-20). And, not that he’s exactly in this category, but legendary opera tenor Placido Domingo comes to Planet Hollywood 9/15.

You Osmonds fans know that Donny & Marie start their residency at the Flamingo Sept. 9. But plan your trip around the weekend of 9/26-28, and you can see the Osmond Brothers at the Orleans as well!

Lest we forget, Elton John and Cher are both performing at Caesars Colosseum this month as well, and Barry Manilow returns to the Hilton 8/27.

Comedians worth coming out for include Craig Ferguson at MGM Grand (through 7/30), Jay Leno (8/8-9, Kevin James (8/1-2) and Lewis Black (8/30-31) all at Mirage; Jerry Seinfeld (8/8-9) and Chris Rock (8/29-30), both at Caesars Palace; and Joel McHale at Mandalay Bay (8/8).

True, some of the touring artists might also be playing your town — but keep in mind that most Vegas venues tend to be smaller than places the same stars play elsewhere, and sound and sightlines are almost always excellent. This is not a town where you worry about ticket scalpers either. Really really want to see a sold out show? Odds are, your hotel concierge can figure it out. Just don’t forget to tip!

Insider tip: Check out Vegas legend Cook E Jarr, who performs free at Harrah’s Carnaval Court every Friday and Saturday night. He’s truly one-of-a-kind!

Related Orbitz resources:

• Las Vegas hotels
• Las Vegas vacation

E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top
Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes
players for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when
absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas