Las Vegas

Matt Goss Grand Opening at Caesars Palace

Monday, March 15th, 2010

I’ve told you before, this guy is good.  I’m talking about Singer/Songwriter Matt Goss.  He opened his show, “Matt Goss Live from Caesars Palace,” on Friday night (3/12).  You can read my review below.

Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

The star studded, sold out crowd rose to their feet inside The Gossy Room at Cleopatra’s Barge.  It was a high energy show, similar to the one he did at the Palms. 

Goss opened to a full house with “Superstition” and performed Frank Sinatra favorites including “Luck be a Lady” and “I’ve Got the World on a String.”  The crowd erupted and sang along to the popular “Hotel California” and “Lovely Las Vegas,” an original score written as a love song to Goss’ new home. 

During the final number of the show, Natasha Bedingfield and Mel B sang and danced with Goss on stage. Other attendees included creator of the Pussycat Dolls and show producer Robin Antin, and multi-platinum recording artist Leona Lewis.

Credit: Denise Trsucello/Wireimage

Credit: Denise Trsucello/Wireimage

Credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA/www.erikkabik.com

Robin Antin, Leona Lewis, Mel B, Matt Goss, Natasha Bedingfield

Goss’ show is backed by a 9-piece band and sexy female dancers known as The Dirty Virgins.  His new production blends original music from his “Gossy” album with classic covers influenced by the Rat Pack.  

My Two Cents:

As I always say, I’m no expert, but here’s what I thought of the new venue and production. 

The room was really cool.  Red rugs, smoke coming up from the floor around the barge, great hosts to greet you and seat you… it was a class act event. 

The room fits about 160 people.  The experience is just as intimate as it was at the Palms.  That’s what makes it special.  Goss also works the room, and tries to make everyone feel the “love.”  His voice is amazing.  His original music is catchy and moving.

Cleopatra’s Barge is where the stage sits, it’s a little smaller than the one he used before.  This doesn’t allow him to move around that much, but really, who cares… his voice and interaction with his band is good enough.  

The dancers had a bit of a tough time fitting on the stage so they moved around the room a lot.  In some cases you couldn’t see them or find them.  I think that will have to be reworked a bit.  The good thing is, the dancers are sexy and they are good. 

The room is closed off mostly with curtains, so the outside can’t see in.  But there are uncovered areas which gives people walking by a quick peak and listen to what they are missing out on!

One part I did miss was Goss on the piano.  I think he played at least one song on the piano at the Palms.  I enjoyed watching him play and sing.  It really showcased his wide range of talent.  Maybe the piano couldn’t fit in the new room.  It may make its way back.   I expect there will be some changes along the way.

Matt Goss will perform every Friday and Saturday at Caesars Palace at 10 p.m.  Tickets are 40 dollars.   (Note: at the Palms they were $25, so the price did go up… but I still think it’s worth it.  It’s still one of the lower costing shows on the strip and you WILL have fun and see some great talent.) 

Drink prices were around 12 dollars.  For example: a Jack Daniels and Coke will cost you $11.50 and a Dirty Martini will clost you $13.50.  Just a heads up!

Also… so far we have Matt Goss planned to come on 8 News Now This Morning this upcoming Friday.  Working out the final details.  I’ll sit down with him live in our studio.  Stay tuned!

Jersey Shore’s Pauly D Signs Exclusive Vegas DJ Residency

Monday, March 15th, 2010

“Jersey Shore” reality TV star, Pauly D (Paul Delvecchio) enjoyed the royal treatment at the Palms Casino Resort this weekend. Pauly D has signed on an exclusive DJ residency with 9 Group this spring. 

 

Photo Credit: Joe Fury

Photo Credit: Joe Fury

He was spotted all over property. He began Friday night by enjoying a quick bite inside N9NE Steakhouse where he sat at the bar and ordered the 12-ounce filet with mashed potatoes.

Following N9NE Steakhouse, Pauly D headed upstairs to Nove Italiano
where he enjoyed a second meal with five others. Before dinner, George Maloof stopped by the table to say hello and chat for a bit. The group feasted on signature dishes sent out by Executive Chef Geno Bernardo, including: sausage pizza, calamari, burrata, Bolognese and veal Nove. Pauly D was later seen in the kitchen signing Chef Geno’s famous celebrity door and taking photos with Geno and Executive Chef Barry S. Dakake of N9NE Steakhouse.

After Nove Italiano, Pauly D and his party made their way upstairs to Playboy Club where he was presented with a coveted Playboy Club key.

Photo Credit: 9 Group

Photo Credit: 9 Group

Continuing the long evening, Pauly D then headed to ghostbar where he spun his beats on the turntables in front of a packed house. Pauly D and friends enjoyed the scene from a table in the VIP room where they sipped on Ketel One mixed drinks and FIJI Water.

Around 2:30 a.m. Pauly D and his group made one last stop at Rain Nightclub where DJ Jazzy Jeff had the crowd dancing to his music.

Other celebrities from the evening included: NFL free agent Adam
Archuleta who dined at N9NE Steakhouse with five friends and reality TV star from “The Girls Next Door Holly Madison who partied at Playboy Club with a five others.

Terry Fator Celebrates One Year at Mirage

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Saturday night Terry Fator celebrated his one year anniversary as a
headliner at The Mirage. After a star-studded red carpet which included Fred Willard, Mad Men’s Rich Sommer and Michael Gladis, American Idol’s Kimberley Locke, Maeve Quinlan, Kristy Swanson and more – Fator took the stage and put on a great show where he introduced the audience to his new character Wrex - a crash test dummy who sings songs about cars including Little Red Corvette and Ridin’ Dirty.

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

During the show members of The Laff Pack, as they are fondly called, Carrot Top and Frank Caliendo, joined Fator on stage. Carrot Top came through the back of the showroom to borrow some money for a great hand of blackjack he was playing – Fator didn’t have it, but luckily puppet Walter did and gladly gave Carrot Top $100 dollars. Caliendo took the stage later in the evening and wowed audiences with his quick impressions of Bill Clinton, George Bush, Dr. Phil, Robin Williams and more. The Laff Pack includes Fator, Caliendo and Carrot Top – the performers are known for making surprise appearances in each other’s shows.

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Photo Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Following the performance, Fator, along with James Kyson Lee, Katherine
Boecher, Pawn Stars’ Rick and Corey Harrison and others headed to B.B.
King’s Blues Club where Terry and his band jammed while guests enjoyed
cupcakes from The Cupcakery (decorated with the photos of puppets from the show of course!).

Venus Williams Attends Criss Angel BELIEVE

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Tennis star Venus Williams attended the 9:30 pm performance of CRISS ANGEL Believe at Luxor on Wednesday night (3/10). Following the show Venus and her 7 friends went backstage to meet Criss.

Venus and friends will be attending the 311 concert Thursday night.  Here’s a picture!

Photo Credit: Tom Rutan

Photo Credit: Tom Rutan

Matt Goss Debuts at Caesars Palace: VIPs Will Attend

Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Matt Goss; Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Matt Goss; Credit: Denise Truscello/Wireimage

Singer/Songwriter, Matt Goss has been busy with rehearsals all week at Caesars Palace. 

His show debuts in The Gossy Room at Cleopatra’s Barge Friday (3/12) night.  The show will be similar to the one he did at the Palms Casino Resort, but he has added a few changes including a new song.

Friday’s grand opening red carpet will host a slew of VIPs including singers Leona Lewis, Natasha Bedingfield, & Mel B. The show is produced by Robin Antin.

Backed by a nine-piece band and sexy female dancers known as The Dirty Virgins, Goss’s new production blends original music from his “Gossy” album with classic covers influenced by the Rat Pack.

The show takes place at 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $40.

You can check out the one on one interview I did with him at the Palms in the fall.

I’ll be at the opening, follow me on twitter for live updates.

Lion King Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay and Madame Tussauds Las Vegas unveiled the iconic Rafiki Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas.

Cast members from the Las Vegas production posted with the figure.  Buyi Zama plays Rafiki in the show, she also took some pictures alone with the wax figure.

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com

© Erik Kabik/ Retna/ erikkabik.com