Tag: Las Vegas

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Janet Jackson Announces Las Vegas Summer Residency ‘Metamorphosis’

Janet Jackson announces her new Las Vegas residency ‘Metamorphosis’

Music icon Janet Jackson will launch her first Las Vegas headlining residency titled, Metamorphosis, beginning May 17, 2019, at Park Theater at Park MGM Resort.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of her ground-breaking album, Rhythm Nation, Jackson promises her new production will “follow her path to self-love, empowerment, motherhood and activism, amidst the challenges faced along her personal journey,” according to a statement.

The 15 date run of Metamorphosis (spanning May, June and August) will present bold visuals, cutting edge dance numbers, Jackson’s many chart-topping hits plus fan favorite ‘deep cuts.’

One of the biggest recording artists of all time, there’s practically no music award Jackson hasn’t won.

With a career beginning in the 1970s, the 52-year-old has garnered six Grammy Awards, two Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for an Academy Award along with multiple American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards.

Additionally, Damita Jo will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month.

Janet Jackson (photo: Solaiman Fazel)

The new production will help fill the void at Park MGM left by the sudden cancellation of Britney Spears’s Domination.

The announced dates for Janet Jackson’s Metamorphosis are:

May 2019: 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26
July 2019: 24, 26, 27, 31
August 2019: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

Tickets go on sale to the public March 2, but members of Jackson’s fan club will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning February 27 at 10 a.m. PST.

Additionally, Citi credit card holders will be able to purchase pre-sale tickets at 12 p.m. on February 27.

For more info, head over to JanetJackson.com.

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1980s Pop Queen Slays At Sin City Drag Brunch

It was a case of “Is she or isn’t she?” at a recent performance of “A Diva-Licious Brunch” in Las Vegas when diners paused for a moment not sure if they were watching iconic 80s songster Debbie Gibson popping a bop or a really good drag queen.
Debbie Gibson drops by “Diva-Licious Drag Brunch” in Las Vegas
(all photos: Dayna Roselli)

It was a case of “Is she or isn’t she?” at a recent performance of “A Diva-Licious Brunch” in Las Vegas when diners paused for a moment not sure if they were enjoying iconic 80s songster Debbie Gibson popping a bop or a really good drag queen.

Frank Marino, who has been drag royalty for over three decades headlining on the Las Vegas Strip, hosted the event at the popular-with-the-gays DW Bistro at The Gramercy.

Marino brought along several of his drag cohorts to entertain the patrons with tributes to Diana Ross, Katy Perry, Cher, Lady Gaga, and Whitney Houston.

The Gibson look-alike was introduced to the strains of 1987’s “Shake Your Love,” and within moments the audience realized the voice was real and so was the singer.

Gibson, who owns a home in Las Vegas, was attending the event and an associate from Marino’s team asked the 48-year-old if she’d like to say ‘hey’ to the crowd or perhaps sing a bit.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal’s John Katsilometes, Gibson was down to play.

“I was like, ‘Oh, you want me to do 30 or 45 seconds?’ ” said Gibson. “I said, ‘We’ve come this far. I’m wearing sequins. Give me a full song and a live mic.’ ”

Stepping out onstage in bedazzled high heels (girl comes prepared), the platinum-selling popster worked the room as she belted out her song, at times stepping up to dance on tabletops.

As she neared the dance break, she returned to the stage calling the queens to come out and shake their ‘love.’

As the former teen pop star took a bow to a standing ovation, Marino bragged, “Now you know, DW’s has the budget to get the real Debbie Gibson!”

Gibson is scheduled to tour soon with fellow 80s hitmakers New Kids on the Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany and more on the upcoming 53-city “Mix Tape Tour.”

Here in Las Vegas, though, Marino is teasing there are talks of a new incarnation Divas Las Vegas, his legendary line-up of drag impersonators, on the near horizon.

Plus, word is “A Diva-Licious Drag Brunch” could very well become a regular event at DW Bistro.

To paraphrase the old saying, “What happens in Vegas, SLAYS in Vegas.”

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Christina Aguilera Announces New Las Vegas Residency “The Xperience”

Six-time Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera has announced that her new residency show, Christina Aguilera: The Xperience, will open at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Six-time Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera has announced that her new residency show, Christina Aguilera: The Xperience, will open at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, May 31, 2019.

“This is the next chapter in something new, exciting, creative and epic for my fans,” Aguilera told Billboard.

People visit to experience something new, different, exciting, to escape their everyday world. I wanted to put together a fantasy and let people slip into a world of finding their own true selves.

The international superstar recently returned to the road after a break of more than ten years.

Aguilera says the creative process and experience of performing her recently-wrapped The Liberation Tour was the impetus that inspired her to take on Las Vegas and Christina Aguilera: The Xperience.

“To be on that stage has always been my first love since I was a tiny little girl,” Aguilera shared in a statement. “The whole point of Liberation was getting back in touch with myself, finding that love, being in my artist body again, finding my true self and identity on stage again. It was just like coming home. And I want to take that to Las Vegas.” 

“The Xperience is going to be my most ambitious show yet,” promises the pop music powerhouse. “Getting to perform in this adult playground we call Las Vegas is inspiring me to bring forth all of my talents in a mind-blowing theatrical experience – song, dance, visuals and uninterrupted high energy.”

“For years I have been collecting ideas and concepts that have yet to be implemented on my stages, and Las Vegas is the perfect opportunity for me to collectively showcase my artistry,” she adds. “I cannot wait to bring you into The Xperience.”

Aguilera shares that she hasn’t seen her fellow pop-divas (J-Lo, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani) in residence in Sin City yet, but an exploratory trip in the works.

“I’m getting a bunch of my girls together and we’re going to Vegas,” she says. “Check out Gaga’s new extravaganza. I’m sure it’s going to be so exciting. She always brings a great show.”

But it won’t be all playtime – the ‘Genie in a Bottle’ singer plans on scoping out the scene for research.

“[I’ll be looking at] what is a Vegas audience all about?” She tells Billboard. “How do they react to the show? I want to feel their energy, see what they react to.”

She also says she’s getting feedback from fans on what they want to see on the Zappos Theater stage.

“I always like to get what they’re feeling and thinking,” she says.

Currently nominated for two 2019 Grammy Awards (coming up February 10), the 38-year-old former Mouseketeer has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the biggest selling artists in history.

The details: Tickets (starting at $60) go on sale to the public Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. PT. Fans can sign up now at christinaaguilera.com for exclusive access. The 16 performances going on sale are:

May 2019: 31
June 2019: 1, 5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16
Sept. 2019: 20, 21, 24, 27, 28
Oct. 2019: 2, 4, 5

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Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper Surprise Las Vegas Audience With Live “Shallow’ Duet

Bradley Cooper joins Lady Gaga onstage in Las Vegas for surprise performance
of ‘Shallow’ from A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga stunned her Las Vegas audience with a surprise guest during the finale of her Lady Gaga Enigma show at the Park Theater at Park MGM last night.

As she got ready for her finale, her A Star Is Born director and co-star – Bradley Cooper – appeared onstage for the first live performance of their film duet, “Shallow.”

The song has already been honored at the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards.

The movie received 8 Oscar nominations this week, including two for Gaga (Best Actress and Best Original Song) and a Best Actor nod for Cooper.

Also making the Oscar list for A Star Is Born is Sam Elliott (Best Supporting Actor), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Picture.

Cooper was snubbed in the ‘Best Director’ category, which is appalling since the entire endeavor was his vision.

I enjoyed Gaga in the film, but I thought Cooper was sensational.

Watch the performance below.

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Britney Spears Cancels Upcoming Las Vegas Residency “Domination”

Britney Spears (image via Facebook/BritneySpears)

In an announcement on her social media today, pop star Britney Spears announced the cancellation of her upcoming residency “Domination” in Las Vegas which was set to open February 13.

“I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say,” says the 37-year-old singer. “I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart.”

Stating that “it’s important to always put your family first,” Spears cites her father’s recent health complications and hospitalization for the cause of her decision.

Jamie Spears suffered a ruptured colon two months ago and underwent emergency surgery in Las Vegas. He remained hospitalized for 28 days.

Brit says she needs to put her “full focus and energy” on her family for now, and hoped that fans understand.

She closed by thanking fans for their continued support and prayers.

I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say. I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart. However, it’s important to always put your family first… and that’s the decision I had to make. A couple of months ago, my father was hospitalized and almost died. We’re all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time. I hope you all can understand. More information on ticket refunds is available on britneyspears.com. I appreciate your prayers and support for my family during this time. Thank you, and love you all… always.
A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Jan 4, 2019 at 9:01am PST

In a statement to Variety, Spears’ rep said the singer is taking “an indefinite work hiatus” until further notice.

“Domination” was scheduled for a 32-show run at the new Park MGM resort in Las Vegas.

It’s unclear if the production will be rescheduled at a later date.

“Domination” was to be the follow-up to Spears’ initial Las Vegas residency, “Piece of Me,” which ended a four-year run at Planet Hollywood’s Axis Theater in early 2018.

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Two Men Arrested & Charged In Violent Hate Crime Attack On Gay Couple

Kealan Abraham (L) and Andre Duncan (R)

According to local Fox News affiliate, Andre Duncan, 39, and Kealan Abraham, 34, were arrested and charged with battery with a deadly weapon, battery with use of deadly weapon result of substantial bodily harm and conspiracy to commit criminal contempt.

The incident occurred near Vegas Drive and Simmons Street outside the gay couple’s home.

Charles Clements told police he and his boyfriend were followed home and attacked on November 29 as they arrived at their home.

The assault spilled onto their front patio where a glass table was knocked over and shattered. According to Clements, one of the men picked up a shard of glass and began to stab his boyfriend Vincent in the back puncturing his lung and breaking two ribs.

Clements said the men called Vincent a “faggot” and “an abomination” during the attack. Clements suffered head wounds.

Clements said neighbors heard the attack and then saw everything.

“Neighbors, everybody just looking,” he said. “Nobody called the police.”

Police said officers found Duncan’s driver’s license on the scene of the attack.

Vincent told police he recognized one of the attackers as a man who works with him at Walmart. That’s how the man knew about their relationship, he said.

“It was all about gay bashing,” Clements said. “The guy came up to my boyfriend’s job, calling him an abomination, calling him ‘fag.’”

When police went to Abraham’s home on December 2, Duncan’s car was present. According to police reports, he was seen leaving the home and drove to Walmart. Officers arrested him there.

Police arrested Abraham at his home.

Both men admitted to taking part in the fight but claimed there was not ‘hate crime’ aspect to the attack.

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Las Vegas Couple Beaten & Stabbed In Violent Hate Crime

A gay couple in Las Vegas, Nevada, were the target of a violent hate crime that sent them both to the hospital.

Charles Clements told local news affiliate FOX5 that when he picked his boyfriend Vincent up from work last Thursday night, they had no idea they were followed home.

As he was unlocking the front door of their home, Clements heard Vincent call his name.

“I was about to unlock the door, the next thing I hear, he’s calling my name,” Clements said. “I come back, I see my boyfriend fighting with the guy.”

As two men attacked Vincent, the assault moved to the front porch of their home where a glass table was knocked over and shattered. It was then that one of the attackers reached for a shard of glass.

“He picked up the glass and I was like, ‘Don’t do that,’” says Clements. “He started stabbing my boyfriend in the back. The guy was kicking him in his ribs.”

According to Clements, the attack drew the attention of neighbors who watched from a distance but did nothing to intervene. “Neighbors, everybody just looking,” he said. “Nobody called the police.”

After the two men got in their car and drove away, Clements realized he was bleeding. At the hospital, they learned that the attackers had punctured Vincent’s lung and broken several ribs.

After calling 911, Vincent told police he recognized one of the men as someone who works with him at Walmart.

“It was all about gay bashing,” Clements told FOX5. “The guy came up to my boyfriend’s job, calling him an abomination, calling him fag.”

“I never been through nothing like this in my life,” he added. “I was so scared.”

Clements is now frightened to continue living in their present home, “I don’t want to be in this apartment no more because I’m afraid they’re going to come back,”

Clements’ uncle is currently helping the couple to find a new place to live.

Police are investigating the incident but no news on any arrests at this time.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with the couple’s hospital bills and moving expenses.

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Britney Spears Announces New Las Vegas Residency

Chippendales’ Chaz Vorrias and Jon Howes escort Britney Spears to The Park MGM
(photo: Denise Truscello)

Las Vegas loves Britney, and Britney loves Sin City right back.

Last night, on the Las Vegas Strip, Britney Spears took part in an elaborate announcement event to share the news she’s returning to ‘the Entertainment Capital of the World’ with a new residency, titled Britney: Domination.

The new concerts will take place at the Park MGM’s Park Theater beginning in February, and will run through August.

Tickets go on sale on October 26th. For info, head over to ParkTheaterLV.com.

The announcement, live-streamed via Ellen DeGeneres’ YouTube channel, featured a huge build-up with video screens on trucks driving up and down the Strip, a massive light show and Britney music videos being projected on the side of the Park MGM resort.

Watch the live-stream below.

“I am so happy to be returning to my second home – Las Vegas!” said Britney. “I’m working on a brand-new show and I’m so excited for my fans to see it! It’s going to be so much fun being back on stage and I can’t wait to perform at Park Theater.”

Brit’s first Vegas run, Piece of Me, launched in 2013 at Planet Hollywood with an initial announcement of 50 performances over two years. That eventually stretched into almost 250 shows before closing in 2017.

According to Billboard, Piece of Me grossed more than $137 million during it’s four year run. Expect Brit to surpass those numbers with Britney: Domination.

Britney: Domination 2019 Show Dates:

February – 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 27

March – 1, 2

May – 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 26

July – 24, 26, 27, 31

August – 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17

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Tyson Beckford Rocks The House At Chippendales In Las Vegas

Tyson Beckford at Chippendales in Las Vegas (Photos: Denise Truscello)

International super model, fashion icon and actor, Tyson Beckford, returned to the Chippendales stage in Las Vegas for an unprecedented fourth engagement this weekend as the male revue’s celebrity guest host.

After breaking box office records during his three previous appearances, Beckford returned to the award-winning #1 male revue with a sexy red carpet appearance and opening night performance and celebration on Saturday, September 29 2018, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

“This cast is my extended family,” says Beckford. “There’s not a time I’m in Vegas, even when I’m not doing the show, that I don’t come by to see the guys, my brothers. From the first day I walked into this theatre I’ve felt at home and being back really feels like I never left. And to perform for 300-400 people every night is such a great confidence booster.”

A gala opening reception was held at the Flirt Lounge inside the Chippendales Theatre Complex at the Rio and featured Beckford and the cast of Chippendales mingling and taking photographs with partygoers who were enjoying signature cocktails.

“We are thrilled to bring Tyson back,” says Kevin Denberg, Managing Partner, Chippendales. “Our audiences have grown accustomed to Tyson; his star-power, charisma and sex appeal are the perfect compliment to our already sexually charged show.”

The critics agree that the original male super-model was the one the audiences wanted.

After his debut with the Chippendales in 2015, the Las Vegas Sun raved, “Fans of Beckford will not leave the show disappointed, as he not only flexes his buff bod throughout the adult male revue, but also bares his backside in a solo act with a female member of the audience…Beckford fits like a glove in Chippendales.”

Other celebrities who have stepped into the Chippendales spotlight include Dancing with the Stars and America’s Next Top Model champ, Nyle DiMarco, everyone’s favorite childhood crush Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering, and Dancing with the Stars Mirror Ball Champion Tony Dovolani.

Tyson Beckford in Chippendales

The Chippendales have recently revamped their show with new numbers, music, and high-flying acrobatics. The already sexy production is now amped to hot and heavy heights with the return of Beckford.

The dynamic lighting and musical staging is on point and the signature strip style, combined with edgy dance moves and pop music, make Chippendales an audience and critic’s pick!

And yes, men are always welcome at Chippendales 🙂

Beckford’s limited engagement runs through November 3, 2018 (Thursday through Saturday performances).

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“Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” Sashays Away After 33 Years

Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas closes after 33 years on the Las Vegas Strip
Frank Marino and the cast of Divas Las Vegas

Long before RuPaul’s Drag Race, long before RuPaul, long before drag queens had big TV ratings, if you wanted to experience amazing drag entertainment, you went to Las Vegas where Frank Marino has held court as the Strip’s longest running headliner in his revue, Divas Las Vegas.

Last night, the Sin City entertainment community was stunned to hear the news that Divas has suddenly closed.

Originally opening at the Riviera in 1985 as An Evening at La Cage, the show moved to the then-Imperial Palace (now The Linq) in 2010 and changed the show’s title to Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas.

Fronting the show as “Joan Rivers,” Marino has continually kept a cavalcade of drag queens performing tributes to Tina Turner, Madonna, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Cher and more.

In 2014, Marino celebrated his 25,000th performance with the production.

According the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the decision to close the long-running production was mutual between the show and Caesars Entertainment.

The cast was apparently told this past Tuesday the show would be dark for a few days and then have a cast meeting on Saturday. It was then that the cast and crew were informed the show would not continue.

In a text message, Marino reportedly told the paper, “Like Scarlett O’Hara said, I will think about this tomorrow, tomorrow is yet another day.”