Vegas trots out the talent

By E.C. Gladstone

Human Nature (Courtesy: Harrah's Entertainment)

It’s another fascinating phenomenon of Fun City: while most travel destinations might react to a slower season by offering less options, Las Vegas hotels, it seems, are actually offering more — at least when it comes to entertainers. New production shows and residencies have opened all over town in recent weeks (two, Human Nature and Mitsuri at Imperial Palace alone!), and this August-September, as usual, there’s a parade of big names coming through.

Rockers of all stripes are rushing the stages in the next few weeks: August 19, Kings of Leon hit Hard Rock Hotel…on Aug. 21, Green Day take Mandalay Bay while Traffic veteran Dave Mason makes a rare intimate lounge appearance at Santa Fe Station… Toby Keith scoots into Red Rock Aug. 29.

Come September, Santana returns to the Hard Rock’s Joint the 4th-15th…Cheap Trick will begin their Sgt. Pepper performances at the LV Hilton (from Sept. 13)… on the 19th, Mandalay Bay hosts both The Killers (at the Event Center) and the B-52s at House of Blues, …where on the 22nd, another ’80s chart-topper Psychedelic Furs performs…

In September, Mariah Carey will test the waters for a residency with Sept. 11-12 shows at the relatively intimate Pearl atthe Palms…while Latino star Luis Miguel takes Caesars Palace Sept. 12-15, John Legend souls out the Red Rock Sept. 18, and Britney Spears returns to stake her claim Sept. 26-27 at Mandalay Bay.

Rick Faugno (Courtesy: Mansholt PR)

Vegas legends are also front and center these days. In addition to Strip headliners Donny & Marie (returning to the Flamingo Aug. 18), Bette Midler (Caesars Palace from Aug. 11), Barry Manilow (returning Aug. 27 to the LV Hilton) and Charo (ongoing at Riviera),

Tom Jones comes again to MGM Grand Aug. 6-19,
Frank Sinatra Jr. makes a rare return at the Suncoast Sept. 5-6,
Al Green plays Primm Valley on Sept. 6,
Mary Wilson of the Supremes sings at Silverton Lodge Sept. 12,
and the iconic Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon returns to the South Point Sept. 6.

Though he’s not a legend yet, Jersey Boys’ own “Frankie Valli,” Rick Faugno, will showcase his own talents in an one-time Aug. 23 matinee at South Point, and fans of his show might want to catch the “real” Frankie Valli at Suncoast Sept. 11-13.

On August 12-13 and 15-16, the LV Hilton is hosting two consecutive old school soul and hip hop revues, with artists including Freda Payne, The Emotions, Rob Base, Jody Watley, Doug E. Fresh and host Vivica A. Fox.

Joan Rivers (Courtesy: Las Vegas Sands)

Funny people won’t be scarce either.

Don Rickles warms up the Orleans Aug. 21-23,
Joan Rivers talks shop at the Venetian, Aug. 27 – 29 and Sept. 3–5,
Drew Carey and The Improv All Stars wing it at The Mirage Aug. 28-29,
Bill Cosby comes to TI Sept. 5,
Jay Leno is at The Mirage Sept. 4-5 and
David Spade once again hits The Venetian Sept. 18-20.

Magic fanatics may want to see new presentations by Scarlett and her Seductive Ladies of Magic (a very adult magic spectacle at the Riviera), The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas (Sahara) or the impossible-to-categorize Todd Paul (Hooters).

And last but certainly far from least, expect the whole world to watch A Tribute To Michael Jackson being held on his birthday, Aug. 29, at the Palms. Spearheaded by Jersey Boys star Erich Bergen, the all-star, one-night-only show will feature entertainers from Phantom, the Lion King, Peepshow, Barry Manilow, and many more, with all proceeds going to local education.

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Veteran entertainment and travel writer E. C. Gladstone writes regularly for Las Vegas Magazine and the Las Vegas Weekly, also interviewing top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for other local and national publications and websites. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Family time, Las Vegas