John Katsilometes

Editor at Large

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Story Archive

Las Vegas needs a timeout: Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010; A chlorine leak, a socialite's arrest and nightclub shakeups. Something weird is in the air.
'Vegas! The Show' is a sampler platter of Strip productions: Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010; If you can’t make it to all of Las Vegas’ show, this one gives the audience a taste of all past and present hits.
Photos: Biscayne Steak, Sea and Wine grand opening at Tropicana: Monday, Aug. 30, 2010; Tropicana’s extensive renovation to a South Beach theme took another step last week with the grand opening of Biscayne Steak, Sea and ...
At age 54, Billy Idol can still turn a venue into a cradle of love: Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010; With a rebel yell, she cried, “More! More! More!”
Brad Garrett is taking the ultimate Las Vegas gamble: The funnyman is pouring his own money into a comedy club at the Tropicana; Thursday, July 22, 2010; “Why am I up here? My ex-wife took all my Raymond money!”
Jacobs' ladder: Local entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs has risen to the top, but not without a few bumps and bruises along the way; Thursday, May 13, 2010; Local entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs has risen to the top, but not without a few bumps and bruises along the way.
Pawn shop boys: ‘In the back’ with the Downtown Vegas heroes of 'Pawn Stars'; Thursday, April 8, 2010; ‘In the back’ with the Downtown Vegas heroes of 'Pawn Stars.'
What’s up with Neonopolis?: Thursday, March 11, 2010; You can bet the bar on this one.
The return of The King: On the occasion of his 75th birthday (January 8) and Cirque’s new Elvis-themed show, we rounded up friends and intimates to talk about the Elvis they knew—and what might have been; Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010; On his 75th birthday, Elvis intimates talk about the man and what might have been.
Funny Face: Quality time with Carrot Top, mass of contradictions; Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009; Quality time with Carrot Top, mass of contradictions.
U2 concert a full-scale spectacle, on and off the Sam Boyd Stadium stage: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009; Highlights: an all-too-brief meeting with former President Clinton, record attendance, a faulty BlackBerry and UNLV jerseys not worn.
Kanye West, Lady Gaga's "Fame Kills" tour meets untimely demise: The 34-city co-headlining tour was canceled abruptly this afternoon; Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; The Kanye West/Lady Gaga traveling road show won't be coming to the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Nov. 13 after all. In fact, it won't be coming anywhere.
Tommy Rocker's rocks again: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; Tommy Rocker's is returning to its pre-boobies formula.
Wayne Newton-to-Trop announcement next week: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009; Wayne Newton, who most recently performed at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, will be announced as the new headliner at Tropicana on Wednesday.
Guaranteed to raise a smile: At least if you like your Beatles power-popped by Cheap Trick (with a little help from their friends); Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009; Cheap Trick and many valuable friends are performing some of the best music ever to emanate from the Hilton Theater with their treatment of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
During this wild heavy-metal recording session, it's all Carrot Top -- and clowns: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009; After a long wait, Vinnie Paul of Pantera finally shows up -- dressed as a clown. Others are, as well.
Playing the notes from Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick at MGM: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009; The parade of rock icons assembled last night for a high-volume triple-header at MGM Grand Garden arena was loud, proud and nostalgic.
Hyper-hip Matt Goss finds a fit at the Palms' 'Gossy Room': Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009; Backed by an eight-piece band and the flexible Dirty Virgins dancers, Matt Goss seems to have found a niche at The Lounge at the Palms.
Terry Fator (as Terry Fator) speaks of Caliendo, too much Cirque and personal life: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; Of Cirque du Soleil, Mirage headliner Terry Fator says, "Let's quit bringing in more shows where there are 157 people flipping and dangling from ropes."
A few words about our new TV show, 702.tv: Thursday, June 25, 2009; The charge is simple but not necessarily easy: Capture the news and energy of Las Vegas and convey that information in a way that is sharp, rapidly paced and designed to inform those who also seek not only information but also entertainment.
Holly: Dancing with the new star of Peepshow, the woman who plans to be the ultimate Miss Las Vegas; Thursday, June 18, 2009; Dancing with the new star of Peepshow, the woman who plans to be the ultimate Miss Las Vegas.
Showing his cards: All In director Douglas Tirola talks poker and movies; Wednesday, June 10, 2009; The film is All In, a poker documentary premiering at CineVegas, which asks the question many have been pondering: Why is poker so popular.
Make time for the King: Just don’t schedule a lot for after Disney’s new Vegas venture; Thursday, May 21, 2009; The artistic power of Disney meets the notoriously short attention spans of Vegas audiences: two acts and an intermission, clocking in at two and a half hours—an eternity for Vegas audiences.
The big why: Britney concert provokes existential crisis; Thursday, April 30, 2009; They couldn’t have been more than 18 years old, and they wore matching black T-shirts with white letters spelling out “Its Britney Bitch.”
Joint opening: The Hard Rock's new concert venue debuts strongly; Thursday, April 23, 2009; The Hard Rock's new concert venue debuts strongly, except for a broken nose and one woman's dashed hopes of marrying McCartney.
The Kats Report: Inside the gala, part 4: The spirit of Siegfried & Roy: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009; "Ladies and gentlemen, the spirit of Siegfried & Roy has arrived."
Folies on its last legs at Tropicana: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009; Folies Bergere is one of the Strip's signature production shows, but the hotel has announced it will close for good on March 28.
DJ AM and Travis Barker return with a flourish to LAX: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009; DJ AM and Travis Barker rocked LAX for the first time since June, and the first time since they were both burned in a Learjet crash in September.
Beatles fans: Cue "The Q": Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009; Dennis Mitchell announced last week that his long-running syndicated show Breakfast With the Beatles has a new home on KMZQ 670-AM, “The Q.” But AM?
A very Vegas New Year's Eve with Mayor Oscar Goodman: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009; On New Year's Eve, everyone wants a piece of Oscar Goodman. Follow his travels from 5 p.m. to midnight as Vegas toasts the new year.
Mamma Mia!, by the numbers!: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008; How many yards of Spandex have been used in the construction of costumes for The Dynamos in the Mandalay Bay production of Mamma Mia!?
Winter garden: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008; The tree is 45 feet tall, the reindeer made of whole pecans. That wreath is 21 feet high. The four toy soldiers would dwarf Yao Ming. And more than 2,400 man-hours are required to bring it together.
Lively banter with Three Dog Night co-founder Cory Wells: Friday, Dec. 5, 2008; Cory Wells of Three Dog Night fondly remembers a show at a now-defunct Vegas club where the band shared a bill with Paul Revere and the Raiders.
An experience in Pure energy with DJ AM: Monday, Nov. 24, 2008; Three months removed from a plane crash that killed four passengers and left him and Travis Barker seriously burned, DJ AM spun the crowd into a frenzy at Pure at Caesars Palace.
Dan Goulet: United Way of Southern Nevada President; Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008; Dan Goulet on the late Robert Goulet: “Actually, I’m a second cousin. I get asked about it everywhere I go; whenever I valet park, I’m asked about it. Usually now I just go by ‘Dan’ instead of ‘Goulet.’”
Ghoul oriented: Jason Egan is bringing the vast and varied Strip Halloween attraction Fright Dome back to Circus Circus in October; Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Next week’s guest is Fright Dome at Circus Circus creator and owner Jason Egan. For information about the attraction, which opens Oct. 3, go to www.frightdome.com.
The Road to Denver (and every place on the way): With a fully loaded Mazda 6 and no guarantee of getting into the Democratic National Convention, John Katsilometes and T.R. Witcher sample the political landscape along the way to Denver; Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008; With a fully loaded Mazda 6 and no guarantee of getting into the Democratic National Convention, John Katsilometes and T.R. Witcher drive toward a date with history, sampling the political landscape along the way.
A partner in time: Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth provides a sanctuary and a second chance for teens who need help; Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is Executive Director Matt Hirsch, who is taking over for organization Kathleen Boutin, along with a young man named Hakim who has received assistance from NPHY. For information about the organization, go to nevadahomelessyouth.org.
Hoop Dreams: Alexis Levi is the first (and thus far, only) African-American women to won a team in the burgeoning International Basketball League; Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Alexis Levi, general manager, CEO and owner of the Las Vegas Stars of the International Basketball League. For information about the team, go to www.iblhoopsonline.com.
In Living Black & White: From humble beginnings, Aid for Aids of Nevada’s annual party at the Palms raises thousands of dollars for AIDS treatment and services:; Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) Executive Director Jennifer Morss. The 22nd annual AFAN Black & White Party is set for Aug. 23 at the Palms Pool. Go to the AFAN Web site for information:
Pure Satisfaction: Pat Davis of Passion Parties, Inc., has turned sensual products into a lucrative (and lubricated) direct-marketing business; Thursday, July 31, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties Inc., which bills itself as “the premier supplier of sensual products in the United States and Canada,” and is based in Las Vegas:
Beyond Father Flanagan: Boys Town Nevada survives and thrives; Thursday, July 24, 2008; John Katsilometes chats with Tom Waite, CEO of Boys Town Nevada, in this edition of Our Metropolis.
At last, the black night: In the pits as Spamalot calls it quits; Thursday, July 17, 2008; You understand fully that it will not be a typical show when a horn player grabs a scarred metal flask and asks, “Is this the tequila or the scotch?”
A legacy owed to Celine: AEG Live’s John Nelson has watched the company’s presence in Vegas bloom, thanks largely to the Colosseum’s first resident; Thursday, July 10, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with John Nelson, vice president of AEG Live, which produces top concerts and shows across the country, including Elton John, Cher and Bette Midler at the Colosseum at Caesars, and has partnered with Harrah’s for an arena project just east of the Strip near Bally’s:
Walkin’ Fremont with Jackie Gaughan: El Cortez GM Mike Nolan learned the casino business at ground level with one of the city’s pioneers; Thursday, July 3, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by the Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with El Cortez General Manager Mike Nolan:
Don't blurb me, bro: Our own hard-to-please film critic Josh Bell isn’t looking to appear on any movie posters; Thursday, June 26, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by the Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Las Vegas Weekly contributing editor and film critic Josh Bell:
Of masks and Packers: Anthony Crivello calls an audible as the new (solo) QB of Las Vegas production of Phantom; Thursday, June 19, 2008; This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Anthony Crivello, who this month has taken over as the titular role in Phantom—Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian:
Taking a stand: Legendary Las Vegan Hank Greenspun gets his due in a new documentary; Thursday, June 12, 2008; By the time Hank Greenspun calls out Sen. Joseph McCarthy from the podium at the War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, you’re hooked. Yep. Like the man it is centered on, the documentary Where I Stand is great theater. The documentary moves at a rapid clip, and Greenspun’s scrap with McCarthy is a just one glimpse into his personal tenacity.
They are the champions, my friend: Classic rockers Mitchell, Lea hearken back to old days of KKLZ; Thursday, June 12, 2008; Dennis Mitchell is the Beatles fan who will not let it be. Dan “Big Daddy” Lea is the Harley guy who, upon laying the bike down, simply dusts off and opens the throttle once more.
Film fanatic: Trevor Groth dishes on the evolution of CineVegas; Thursday, June 5, 2008; There are two reactions I get when [people] learn about CineVegas. Most, four out of five people, really get it. It makes perfect sense because it is a city that welcomes all these types of people and can have parties every night. Then there is the one in five who think the city lacks culture.

Las Vegas Weekly

John Katsilometes

Editor at Large

Story Archive

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