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John Katsilometes

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Blog Post Archive

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‘One Night for One Drop’: Costume designer RuBen Permel is prepared to make a splash
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013
RuBen Permel of "Zarkana" is working extra-long hours to make certain that the performers in "One Night for One Drop" look terrific.

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Penn & Teller working on TV project, and how Barbra Streisand was thrown by needles trick
Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
Penn & Teller celebrated their 20th anniversary on the Strip with a set of tricks hearkening to their Las Vegas debut at Bally's.

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In appearance at the Palms, Anthony Bourdain shows he's got some salt in him
Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
Culinary superstar Anthony Bourdain has eaten his share of exotic foods and abused his share of recreational drugs.

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Resort pioneer Kirk Kerkorian is back on the market
Monday, Feb. 11, 2013
Kirk Kerkorian was reported to be engaged last fall. In time for Valentine's Day, he is a bachelor once more.

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At Studio at the Palms, superstar artists and Grammy nominations are the Thralls’ calling
Friday, Feb. 8, 2013
Pat and Zoe Thrall of Studio at the Palms have recorded the top artists in contemporary music, including a pregnant Beyonce.

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Mike Tyson’s latest combination: Upcoming memoir and a U.S. tour that sends him back to Indianapolis
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
Mike Tyson debuted "Undisputed Truth" at MGM Grand last April. He's about to send the show on the road.

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In criss-crossing Britney Spears reports, don't rule out Planet Hollywood
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013
Britney Spears has been ruled out of the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, but not out of a venue owned by Caesars Entertainment.

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Several musical highways connect Chicago to Las Vegas
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013
Walt Parazaider first played Las Vegas in 1965, two years before founding the band to be known as Chicago.

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Anything goes for Erich Bergen in his return to Las Vegas
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013
Erich Bergen was a co-star in "Jersey Boys" for three years before splitting with the production at the Palazzo.

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Bernie Yuman to produce Broadway show about Gloria and Emilio Estefan
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013
The oft-discussed and long-anticipated musical adaptation of the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan has taken its first step toward Broadway, and renowned Las Vegas producer Bernie Yuman is helping to helm the project. Announced today is that Yuman, for decades the manager of Siegfried & Roy during their rise and superstardom on the Strip, is the executive producer of a musical centered on the music and careers of the Estefans.

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Return of 'America's Got Talent Live' gives Tom Cotter a funny feeling
Monday, Feb. 4, 2013
Tom Cotter has told jokes in all variety of venue, but his run on "America's Got Talent" was a "game-changer."

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Live blog from Jeff's 17th annual Super Bowl Party -- post-blackout, there is a lot of drama as Ravens pull it out, 34-31
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013
There are parties at every Strip and downtown resort, but the real action is at the home of Carrot Top assistant Jeff Molitz.

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Chef Nobu is no centurion, but he’s a towering presence at Caesars Palace
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013
Nobu Hotel replaces Centurion Tower at Caesars Palace, where Chef Nobu's understated style is reflected across the new boutique hotel and restaurant.

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Oscar De La Hoya talks Cosmo's 'chic' boxing vibe; Skye Dee Miles soars at Planet Hollywood; and Rohit Joshi's Niner connection
Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013
Oscar De La Hoya has fought in all sorts of venues, but Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is something different.

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Brad Garrett’s new sitcom follows ‘Modern Family’ as he stretches out to The Arts District
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013
Brad Garrett's Comedy Club at MGM Grand celebrates its first anniversary in March, and he's strengthening his Las Vegas bond with a new workshop.

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Liberace Museum is planning a move downtown — to Neonopolis
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
The Liberace Museum has been dark since closing in October 2010. Its next destination: Neonopolis.

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Penn & Teller: Two decades of real Las Vegas magic
Monday, Jan. 28, 2013
For all of their communal artistry and shared experiences and success, Penn & Teller differ on the moments that made them fall for Las Vegas. For Penn Jillette, it was a quick side trip to Vegas he made with a group of friends in the late 1980s. The plan was to tour the Grand Canyon, but, you know, Vegas was right there.

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A call to the 'Parker' carpet: Coco singing? Carla moving? Carrot Top building?
Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
Coco Austin is seeking a reduced schedule in her contract extension talks with producers of "Peepshow."

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Michael Cavanaugh’s dueling pianos performance keyed a move to ‘Movin’ Out’
Friday, Jan. 25, 2013
Michael Cavanaugh performed 1,200 shows as the star of "Movin' Out," a musical based on the songs of Billy Joel.

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The Stirling Club remains closed, but the dance continues; Santana channels Lennon; Guns N’ Roses rocks 3D
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013
The Stirling Club closed last spring. There is interest, but that $18 million asking price has not been met.

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What's behind Marshall Sylver's $400 million plan for PH Live?
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013
Hypnotist and motivational speaker Marshall Sylver has a long history in Las Vegas performing in showrooms and (occasionally) the courtroom.

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Performing in 'Rock of Ages' piques Holly Madison's interest
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013
Holly Madison has seen "Rock of Ages" in New York and again in Las Vegas. She has more than a passing interest in the show.

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With 'Funhouse' and Billy Joel, Steve Wynn has taken a capital approach
Monday, Jan. 21, 2013
Of "Funhouse," Steve Wynn says, “The key to understanding life is nothing is as it appears to be.” Hmmm ...

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Staging Human Nature is second nature to Andy Walmsley
Monday, Jan. 21, 2013
When Emmy Award-winning set designer Andy Walmsley sees a stage, he also sees opportunity.

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'Million Dollar Quartet' cast is a band working in concert
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013
"Million Dollar Quartet" is opening at Harrah's, and this show about rock 'n' roll is a great rock show, too.

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Boyz II Men's Nate Morris sings the praises of S.F. 49ers
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013
One might expect Nate Morris to be a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. Not so. He's a 49er fan.

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Uberschall set for a bangin' performance with ex-Missing Persons, Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013
For 13 years, Uberschall has been roaring through Double Down Saloon on the last Sunday of the month.

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The guys in Human Nature have become the City Council of Motown
Friday, Jan. 18, 2013
Human Nature arrived in Las Vegas in 2009 and quickly grew to be one of the city's top live acts.

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Sunset Thomas: Chicken Ranch's biggest star is still a fan favorite
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013
Sunset Thomas is touring the 2013 Adult Entertainment Expo at the Hard Rock Hotel, but you can catch her at a nearby brothel, too.

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In ‘major review,’ Cirque lops 400 jobs, most in Montreal headquarters
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013
Cirque du Soleil has seven shows on the Strip and another -- the Michael Jackson production -- planned this year for Mandalay Bay.

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'Pin Up' sets a date as Claire Sinclair is joined by ex-'Bite,' 'Superstars' singer
Monday, Jan. 14, 2013
At age 21, Claire Sinclair is starring in a Strip production, and the calendar is flipping fast.

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When Holly Madison built a big house for her dogs, the HOA started yapping
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013
Holly Madison had a house built in her back yard for her three dogs, leading to some backbiting from her HOA.

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Miss New York didn't go to pot on Sam Champion's gun question
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013
The stage question is not particularly weighty in the Miss America Pageant, but it's a moment to be remembered.

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Familiar figure fills seat at Miss America; novel Nobu approach to room service; Sweets delivers 'Burlesque' party
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013
Alana Lee was onstage for the 2012 Miss America Pageant. Tonight, she's in the audience.

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'America's Most Wanted' founder John Walsh takes on NRA, decries 'woefully inadequate' background checks
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013
Through his long-running TV show, John Walsh has helped track down and bring to justice nearly 1,200 fugitives of the law across the country.

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Upon return to the Strip, Taylor Hicks is moving (closer) to Paris Las Vegas
Friday, Jan. 11, 2013
Taylor Hicks is moving from Indigo at Bally's to Napoleon's Dueling Piano Bar at Paris Las Vegas.

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Don't call Lee Meriwether a 'former'; Gallagher's Las Vegas tour; Zowie Bowie takes a Windows seat
Friday, Jan. 11, 2013
Lee Meriwether won the Miss America title in 1955 but had to overcome resistance to become a successful actress.

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Sharing a few moments from the esteemed violinist Sasha Semenoff
Friday, Jan. 11, 2013
Sasha Semenoff was one of the most beloved musicians in Las Vegas who loved performing and watching performers.

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With 'Rock of Ages' leading the charge, Las Vegas has max headroom for '80s nostalgia
Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013
"Rock of Ages" at the Venetian is more than a trip down memory lane. It's a gnarly trip down memory lane.

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Was Steven Soderbergh's Liberace film really 'too gay' for the big screen?
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013
Director Steven Soderbergh shopped his Liberace project to every major studio in Hollywood and found no takers.

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Snooki nails the fragrance in Las Vegas appearance
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is taking entrepreneurship seriously with Snooki Couture and Snooki Nails.

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This good thing was made to last: Brody Dolyniuk, Maddux Foundation, dozens of artists unleash Newtown benefit
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013
"Our Town for Newtown" has raised more than $10,000 to be delivered to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

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Big Elvis preps for 'GMA' as Las Vegas celebrates No. 78 for the King
Monday, Jan. 7, 2013
Pete Vallee is the city's biggest Elvis tribute act and appears Friday on "Good Morning America."

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What's the value of 'Vegas Family Values?' David Saxe is about to find out
Monday, Jan. 7, 2013
David Saxe controls 15 shows on the Strip and has a family steeped in Las Vegas entertainment history.

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Gamal Aziz jumps from MGM Hospitality to new post with Wynn
Monday, Jan. 7, 2013
Gamal Aziz has spent more than a dozen years with MGM Grand and the MGM Hospitality Division, but is reuniting with Steve Wynn.

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Rudy walks onto -- or, in this case, into -- BCS title game
Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013
Rudy Ruettiger has faced countless obstacles in his life and career and will be in Sun Life Stadium pulling for Notre Dame in the BCS title game.

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'Sin City Rules' sashays into the sunset, but there is a better idea out there
Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013
A concept to focus reality TV show cameras on Las Vegas headliners is a more inspired idea than the torpedoed "Sin City Rules."

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After three years, Don Marrandino leaves post in Atlantic City
Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013
Don Marrandino is one of the more charismatic executives to work in Las Vegas. He resigned his post in Atlantic City effective Friday.

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Claire Sinclair makes a New Year's Eve dash to be remembered
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013
Claire Sinclair was treated to a sprint from the Stratosphere to Fremont Street and back on New Year's Eve.

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A long way from Findlay Prep, Mike Peck develops a pro coaching resume in Boise
Monday, Dec. 31, 2012
Mike Peck walked away from one of the most successful high school programs in the country to coach a D-League team in Boise, where his team has already lost a dozen games.

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