While OCCUPY LAS VEGAS was going on downtown, I was staging my own
OCCUPY THE RIO. 13 days/12 nights/15 Shows/2 mini member meets/1 day
playin' 'tour guide' to my next door neighbor and her sister who were in town,
and LOTS OF TIME to do something other than gamble.
Years ago, I did a 10 day trip...thought I was gonna go crazy but...with nothing
much of interest on the 'Upcoming Headliners' calendars for December AND October
being one of the BEST WEATHER months to visit Vegas, I canceled the December
idea and took advantage of all the great entertainment in October.
STEELY DAN, MASQUERADE SHOW IN THE SKY, WOOPIE GOLDBERG, JAY LENO,
FREMONT ST. FRIGHT FEST, MAC KING, PLATTERS-COASTERS-MARVELETTS,
SANTA FE AND THE FAT CITY HORNS, VEGAS THE SHOW, ELTON JOHN, GORDIE BROWN,
ABSINTHE, K.D.LANG, LEON RUSSELL, and PAUL SIMON.
Paying for daily cab rides to get to all my Shows gets real expensive (AND CUTS INTO
THE VIDEO POKER KITTY...) For that matter, I didn't want to be throwing money into the
machines for 12 days either. A modest daily bankroll for gaming and regular trips on
the RIO's shuttle to the Strip worked great.
I brought a couple buddies to keep me company too...KEITH RICHARDS book "LIFE" and
PENN JILLETTE's book "GOD NO! SIGNS YOU MAY ALREADY BE AN ATHEIST AND OTHER
MAGICAL TALES" kept my butt planted on a RIO pool's chaise lounge chair enjoying the
great weather (temps in the mid 80's/NO WIND/blue sky.
I rarely stay over a weekend but this trip gave me 2 weekends to experience which were great!
'Casual' weekend Shows I never get to see offered 4 nights of entertainment.
I'd been wanting to see WOOPIE and LENO again and enjoyed great updates with their
stand up comedy routines.
K.D.LANG and LEON RUSSELL were nice enough to adjust their schedules for my trip and those
were great nights also however...I don't plan on making a habit of weekend stays. Weekend room
rates are high, lines are longer, visitors are louder and tend to over do more...4,5,days are
long enough for me (weekends are a different 'vibe' though...kinda fun)
My trips are probably a bit different than most folks. I'm there for Shows first/gaming second.
I'm up early, play a bit of video poker, have some breakfast...maybe lunch around noon, then it's
back to the room for a siesta...get up around 4pm and get ready for SHOWTIME!
I enjoy the Strip while I'm there for Shows but other than that...try to avoid it as much as possible, lol.
HERE'S HOW THE STAY WENT.........................
OCT. 13, THURSDAY
Got my favorite corner room around noon...13th floor, Ipanima Tower, Pool/Strip view.
RIO was busy, 3 out of 4 pools open, good crowds in the restaurants.
STEELY DAN, 9pm, PALMS Pearl Showroom.
The Pearl is such a great concert venue. Seating is set up like a horseshoe around the stage
with lots of different levels, balconies and boxes and the usual floor chairs.
I had a floor seat, 7 rows back/center stage.
DONALD FEGAN and WALTER BECKER along with the MILES HIGH BIG BAND and always cool
EMBASSY BRATS background singers are one of the best, quintessential jazz/rockers around.
Their music seduces you over and over again!
OCT. 14, FRIDAY...........................................
Breakfast wth LVA friends Cindy, Candy and Scott at MON AMI GABI.
CLV drove us all to MResort for fun and games after breakfast, toured Candy and Scott's newly
decorated room in BELLAGIO with a KILLER VIEW of the fountains below and Eiffel Tower across
the street.
WOOPIE GOLDBERG at 8pm, t.i. MYSTERE THEATRE.
When CIRQUE isn't using the room, they drop a curtain creating a normal looking stage front.
WOOPIE had lots of room to move around, a very warm, normal stage presence ....talked about
life, the VIEW, her kids, menopause, smoking pot, smoking cigarettes and she's not quitting...(EITHER, lol)
I chose and aisle seat, second row from the stage/center...LOTS OF FUN!
A burger 'n fries at BLT there at MIRAGE killed time for the cab line to go down after the Show.
BEST COFFEE MILKSHAKES IN TOWN!
OCT. 15, SATURDAY........................................
It was BREAST CANCER awareness month and fund raiser events were everywhere. I made my donation
at MAC KING's afternoon Show and an event at RIO. From 6am til 6pm...for a donation, you
could 'rappel' down the side of MASQUERADE TOWER pool side (ijustwatchedandgave'emmoney)
The property had set up chairs and tables pool side for spectators and a welcoming area, complete with
a 'medals' presentation and photos for the rappelers as they reached the bottom of MASQUERADE TOWER.
Had a great spaghetti and meat ta ball dinner in MARTORANO'S before heading over to the MIRAGE.
JAY LENO, 10pm, TERRY FATOR Theatre.
I saw LENO there years ago when it was the DANNY GANS Theatre. He really has a quite entertaining Show.
He even had an opening act this time. A wonderful, 4 member acapella DOO-WOOP group...very cool!
Awwwww, opening acts. We've all seen 'em, most are pretty good, but who remembers their names, lol, sorry.
For those who don't know, the TONIGHT SHOW tapes at 4:30pm. I went one year when JOHNNY CARSON
had the Show. This makes it easy for JAY to get to Vegas for his stand-up Show of which he averages 150
dates a year. From the time he hits the stage, it's BANG, BANG, BANG...one long monologue, one topic
after another...VERY ENTERTAINING.
I was down front again, SEC.102, ROW EE...5 rows from center stage.
OCT. 16, SUNDAY...................................
No Shows tonight...(or so i thought)
I wanted to see if CRYSTALS in CITY CENTER had finished all their construction and filling all their
retail shops. YES, the construction seems to be finished and NO, many retail spaces are still empty.
I took the RIO shuttle to BALLYS, then walked over to BELLAGIO, through the CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS,
to the LEFT REAR ESCALATOR and up to the FREE TRAM station to CITY CENTER.
From CRYSTALS I walked to the COSMO...up to the 3d floor and enjoyed 2 SLICES OF PIZZA in their
(not so secret now) SECRET PIZZA SHOP.
I back tracked myself to the tram to BELLAGIO, walked thru to the sky bridge to the plaza in front
of CAESARS to get an update on how the 'new' ABSINTHE 'tent' was taking shape.
Hmmmm...5 days to re-opening night and they don't look like they'll be ready (AND I'VE GOT A TIC!)
Back to RIO and with nothing happening tonight...it's siesta time again.
An in house dinner, a bit of VP and hit the sack early is the game plan.
I had a good dinner in BUZIO's and a spur of the moment decision to see PLATTERS,COASTERS,MARVELETTS.
...WHAT A SURPRISE!....very good Show.
I saw this Show at the SAHARA years ago (before MARVELETTS replced DRIFTERS) but in the RIO's
showroom, it took on a whole new life.
This room is so versatile...it works so well for what ever Show is in there (RAT PACK IS BACK, DANNY GANS,
SCINTAS, RONN LUCUS, COPACABANNA DINNER SHOW)
OCT. 17, MONDAY...........................................
Monday nights, even if I have a Show, I always try to hit the PALMS LOUNGE at 10pm for
SANTA FE AND THE FAT CITY HORNS. These guys were CLINT HOLMES band when he worked at
HARRAH'S and they're just GREAT!
One long set, every Monday, 10pm, SEVEN BUCKS!
These days, all the guys work other residency Shows around town before the PALMS gig...and that's where
I started off my Monday....SAXE THEATRE for VEGAS, the SHOW (they're the Shows orchestra)
I've seen this Show before. It's tighter now, not many changes, and quite entertaining for what it is.
$51.00 with your Total Rewards Card.
I also like the $55.00 'TUNE UP' massage from 'PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE' that sets up their massage chairs
just down from SAXE THEATRE in the MIRACLE MILE SHOPS connected to PLANET HO.
OCT. 18, TUESDAY..........................................
ELTON JOHN's MILLION DOLLAR PIANO was just WONDERFUL!
Folks who wanted more songs and less stage theatrics are gonna love this one.
That's not to say ELTON's stage set is plain or un eventful...ON THE CONTRARY! It's elaborate, colorful,
animated as one would expect...IT'S VERY COOL!
2 hour Show...his full band plus two new, young 'cello' members and background singers.
A pepperoni pizza from SPAGOS in the FORUM SHOPS topped off a great evening.
OCT. 19, WEDNESDAY......................................
Today I played 'tour guide'.
My neighbor and her sister were in town. Met 'em at 9am in MON AMI GABI at PARIS for breakfast,
then walked BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY, FORUM SHOPS, showed 'em the FREE TRAM from MIRAGE
to t.i.(they wanted to see SIRENS at night)...picked up their HUMAN NATURE tics at the IP and
explained how to get to the PLAZZO for JERSEY BOYS that night.
Got back to RIO at 3:30 and they were on their own for the rest of their stay.
I stayed in that night...played VP and had FZ YOGURT from RIO's 'EVENING CALL right there
next to the front doors which for me...lol, was more of a daily event over morning coffee)
OCT. 20, THURSDAY..........................................
I don't care for downtown.
I haven't been downtown in years, but this night...I went downtown.
For the month of October, Fremont Street was presenting their Halloween themed 'FRIGHT FEST'.
3 different acts on 3 different stages.
1 in front of the PLAZA, 1 by the GOLDEN NUGGET, and one down FITZGERALDS way.
I cabbed to the PLAZA to check out the 'new' look and eat first at ex mayor Goodman's
steakhouse 'OSCARS'................nothing was open!
Inside the PLAZA, the remodel looks good. Entryway, new clean casino area but OSCARS (now to
be named 'BEEF, BOOZE, and BROADS' won't be open til late November.
The food court wasn't finished, or was the Cupcake Factory...it's ALL UNDER CONSTRUCTION and
one big disappointment. To me...it's still the same ol' PLAZA.
The FRIGHT FEST was pretty dull also. Most of the hype was just to get you downtown but the Shows
didn't come off as advertised. Other obligations for the bands left their schedule up side down.
Some came off, others didn't...nothing was on time and very little Halloween 'feel' to the bands...they
were just local Rock 'N Roll bands on 'sorta' dressed up, Halloween looking stages.
Even the 'billed' ALICE (Cooper) and OZZY (Osborn) FRIGHTMARE Show were 2 different Shows/times.
IT WAS MORE OF A TRICK THAN A TREAT.
I walked into the GOLDEN NUGGET and found an Italian ristorante...GROTTO. It was back in the newly
contemporary decorated area by their pool...pretty good. (PIZZA LOOKED GREAT) I had pasta.
As I was leaving, I saw a 15% OFF coupon for GORDIE BROWN laying on the floor and figured...WHY NOT.
It was 7:25...Show was at 7:30 and I headed up the escalator to the showroom.
2nd floor...the box office was closed.
Up to the 3d floor...nobody home, then I saw someone from the Nugget. I said I'd like to see the Show.
She said I needed to go back downstairs to the other side of the casino and the 'other' box office.
I said..."but I'll miss much of the Show"
She said..."go to the showroom on the 4th floor and see...John."
Okay, okay, okay...up the escalator again. I found John and two other ushers. The Show had started,
and I made my request.
They looked at each other and one said..."just seat him in VIP/no charge" (i tipped John twenty bucks)
I've seen GORDIE several times over the years. I don't think he's a very good impressionist.
His 'voices' aren't very good. DANNY GANS was the very best. His voices were spot on...he had a gift.
GORDIE's thing is to add comedy lyrics and gags to his routines instead of delivering a convincing voice.
FOLKS DO ENJOY HIS SHOW....
He only makes me smile (sometimes...) AND, he had a couple very inaccurate routines he obviously hadn't
done his homework on that made fun of/put down a couple artists that irritated me.
The audience however, was just as ill informed as GORDIE and mindlessly laughed right along.
OCT. 21, FRIDAY......................................
ABSINTHE, ABSINTHE, ABSINTHE...yep, it's back for a years stay.
When I got in town 8 days ago, I was in CAESARS neighborhood and walked by the new, white,
weatherproof tent. Construction guys every where...and only the roof was on. No sides yet and
NOTHING on the inside. I thought...NO WAY was this going to be ready for Friday the 21st...I really
believed they'd cancel and I'd get a refund.
I called CAESARS the morning of the re-opening and sure enough, 'they' said it had postponed the opening
til the 28th and to call the ABSINTHE box office at noon for a refund (1.800.745.3000)
(the little box office...in the colors of TIX4TONIGHT, is just outside the gate/Strip side now)
I called at noon. They had sold tickets for both the 8 and 10pm Shows.
It came as GREAT SURPRISE to the gal I talked to that the Shows wasn't on for tonight!
"WE ARE GOING ON WITH THE SHOW" she said, however it might be a bit of a late start...they're still
setting up.
When I got there at 7:00, both General Admission and VIP lines had started to form.
Word was circulating they 'hoped' to let us in by 8:30.
8:45...still not open and some folks are starting to get irritated.
9:00...and we're still standing in the...once full of vendors/games to play/waiting area outside the tent...now
totally just an empty cement area and folks are now getting pissed.
THEN...The GAZILLIONARE comes out and apologizes...makes some jokes and tries to loosen up the mood and
says we'll be going in SOON!
10pm ticket holders are trying to exchange to the 8pm Show...now the 'maybe' 9:30 Show.
Other folks want a refund BUT...had purchased 3d party tickets and the ABSINTHE box office couldn't do
refunds on those. You had to get them from where you bought them (if you even could...)
Hell, even the ABSINTHE box office wasn't giving refunds. THE SHOW WOULD GO ON.
9:20 THEY OPENED THE DOORS!
As soon as the Show started, the GAZILLIONARE came out and apologized AGAIN.
He thanked everyone for understanding the re-opening night fiasco and said...
"It's my fault. I know you're all REAL PISSED OFF AT ME so on the count of three, I want EVERYONE
to 'flip me off' and yell...F_ _ _ YOU as loud as you can!
Well, lol...needless to say, EVERYONE DID
Then he had us do it again and AGAIN until the energy had been released and the mood improved.
Ya know...that little bit of showmanship really worked.
Folks got so much frustration out that when it was over...EVERYONE WAS READY FOR THE SHOW.
Now...ABSINTHE is basically the same but...much of the 'charm' is gone due to the new tent and
surrounding courtyard. The Show is the same. Lots of fun, and the audience just loved it!
One funny...'Oops' happen too, LOL!
'ANGEL' who fills in for HOLLY MADISON in PEEPSHOW has a routine she does in ABSINTHE.
She comes out in a bikini carrying a HUGE, LATEX BUBBLE which she crawls inside of (not popping it)
...removes her top, deflates the bubble and emerges TOPLESS.
Well...while crawling into the tight little slit in the bubble...her bikini bottoms get caught on the opening.
Angel crawls in...her bikini bottoms don't.
Inside, on her hands 'n knees and bare butt in the air....she can't do a thing about it. THE AUDIENCE LOVED IT!
Just before she pops her bubble she grabs 'em, pulls 'em on and...red faced and all...takes her bow before
leaving the stage. AWWW...RE-OPENING NIGHT.
OCT. 22, SATURDAY...................................
Frank and Ann (the 'westies') picked me up at 8:30am and we drove to ALENTE STATION for their
breakfast buffet (it was okay...)
Always good company, we said hello to LVA's SUE CASEY and toured the casino...very nice.
They dropped me back at the RIO just in time for (wait for it........................) siesta time!
AND NOW...BACK TO THE MUSICAL PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM!
K.D.LANG/PALMS/Pearl Theatre, 8pm.
I've always loved this gal's voice and it's more than just her voice...it's her instrument.
It's so versatile and dynamic. I've loved the duets she's done with other performers and always
had a 'constant craving' for her solo Show as well...she did not disappoint!
5 piece band, great sound and views in the 'Pearl'...it was a GREAT evening.
OCT. 23, SUNDAY........................................
Know who LEON RUSSELL is?
Long white hair and beard...sunglasses and white cowboy hat?
In the 70's when he was JOE COCKER's touring piano player on the 'MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMENS' tour,
he used to ware a large, green top hat previously owned/worn by P.T.BARNUM.
He has a voice similar to DR.JOHN, plays killer piano and now...after his musical collaboration on the
2010 album 'The Union' with ELTON JOHN, he's out...'on the road again' (made albums with Willie too)
LEON is a session player.
Inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, you'd remember the songs he's co-written or wrote himself.
'SUPERSTAR', 'DELTA LADY', 'A SONG FOR YOU', just to name a very few.
EXCELLENT SHOW in the ORLEANS THEATRE SHOWROOM.
I had dinner that night before the Show in one of my ol' favorite restaurants...The PRIME RIB LOFT.
OCT. 24, MONDAY...(my last night in Vegas)
Well, this was a great way to top off my extended stay...
One of America's most cherished singer-songwriters, PAUL SIMON in CAESARS COLOSSEUM.
I usually sit somewhere on the main floor, but thought I'd try a balcony seat this time.
FIRST MEZ6 worked out great.
With a 9 piece band, the sounds of PAUL were far from silent.
He sang from his new album "SO BEAUTIFUL or SO WHAT" plus may ol' favorites.
In addition to his past hits...a WONDERFUL, meditative version of GEORGE HARRISON's
"HERE COMES THE SUN" was VERY COOL!
Encore after encore...the Show was well over 2 hours.
Coming from a guy who recently won the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize and was inducted
into the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, PAUL is...even after all these years,
an American treasure to be sure.
WELL...........THAT'S IT...it was a long but fun trip.
Gaming was normal...win/loose, win/loose and only small WINS but entertaining and no big losses.
AND...(despite what I said at the top of this little report)... I did find something for December!
Got a HOT DATE for New Years with...
BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND at the Mandalay Bay Event Center.
OCCUPY THE RIO. 13 days/12 nights/15 Shows/2 mini member meets/1 day
playin' 'tour guide' to my next door neighbor and her sister who were in town,
and LOTS OF TIME to do something other than gamble.
Years ago, I did a 10 day trip...thought I was gonna go crazy but...with nothing
much of interest on the 'Upcoming Headliners' calendars for December AND October
being one of the BEST WEATHER months to visit Vegas, I canceled the December
idea and took advantage of all the great entertainment in October.
STEELY DAN, MASQUERADE SHOW IN THE SKY, WOOPIE GOLDBERG, JAY LENO,
FREMONT ST. FRIGHT FEST, MAC KING, PLATTERS-COASTERS-MARVELETTS,
SANTA FE AND THE FAT CITY HORNS, VEGAS THE SHOW, ELTON JOHN, GORDIE BROWN,
ABSINTHE, K.D.LANG, LEON RUSSELL, and PAUL SIMON.
Paying for daily cab rides to get to all my Shows gets real expensive (AND CUTS INTO
THE VIDEO POKER KITTY...) For that matter, I didn't want to be throwing money into the
machines for 12 days either. A modest daily bankroll for gaming and regular trips on
the RIO's shuttle to the Strip worked great.
I brought a couple buddies to keep me company too...KEITH RICHARDS book "LIFE" and
PENN JILLETTE's book "GOD NO! SIGNS YOU MAY ALREADY BE AN ATHEIST AND OTHER
MAGICAL TALES" kept my butt planted on a RIO pool's chaise lounge chair enjoying the
great weather (temps in the mid 80's/NO WIND/blue sky.
I rarely stay over a weekend but this trip gave me 2 weekends to experience which were great!
'Casual' weekend Shows I never get to see offered 4 nights of entertainment.
I'd been wanting to see WOOPIE and LENO again and enjoyed great updates with their
stand up comedy routines.
K.D.LANG and LEON RUSSELL were nice enough to adjust their schedules for my trip and those
were great nights also however...I don't plan on making a habit of weekend stays. Weekend room
rates are high, lines are longer, visitors are louder and tend to over do more...4,5,days are
long enough for me (weekends are a different 'vibe' though...kinda fun)
My trips are probably a bit different than most folks. I'm there for Shows first/gaming second.
I'm up early, play a bit of video poker, have some breakfast...maybe lunch around noon, then it's
back to the room for a siesta...get up around 4pm and get ready for SHOWTIME!
I enjoy the Strip while I'm there for Shows but other than that...try to avoid it as much as possible, lol.
HERE'S HOW THE STAY WENT.........................
OCT. 13, THURSDAY
Got my favorite corner room around noon...13th floor, Ipanima Tower, Pool/Strip view.
RIO was busy, 3 out of 4 pools open, good crowds in the restaurants.
STEELY DAN, 9pm, PALMS Pearl Showroom.
The Pearl is such a great concert venue. Seating is set up like a horseshoe around the stage
with lots of different levels, balconies and boxes and the usual floor chairs.
I had a floor seat, 7 rows back/center stage.
DONALD FEGAN and WALTER BECKER along with the MILES HIGH BIG BAND and always cool
EMBASSY BRATS background singers are one of the best, quintessential jazz/rockers around.
Their music seduces you over and over again!
OCT. 14, FRIDAY...........................................
Breakfast wth LVA friends Cindy, Candy and Scott at MON AMI GABI.
CLV drove us all to MResort for fun and games after breakfast, toured Candy and Scott's newly
decorated room in BELLAGIO with a KILLER VIEW of the fountains below and Eiffel Tower across
the street.
WOOPIE GOLDBERG at 8pm, t.i. MYSTERE THEATRE.
When CIRQUE isn't using the room, they drop a curtain creating a normal looking stage front.
WOOPIE had lots of room to move around, a very warm, normal stage presence ....talked about
life, the VIEW, her kids, menopause, smoking pot, smoking cigarettes and she's not quitting...(EITHER, lol)
I chose and aisle seat, second row from the stage/center...LOTS OF FUN!
A burger 'n fries at BLT there at MIRAGE killed time for the cab line to go down after the Show.
BEST COFFEE MILKSHAKES IN TOWN!
OCT. 15, SATURDAY........................................
It was BREAST CANCER awareness month and fund raiser events were everywhere. I made my donation
at MAC KING's afternoon Show and an event at RIO. From 6am til 6pm...for a donation, you
could 'rappel' down the side of MASQUERADE TOWER pool side (ijustwatchedandgave'emmoney)
The property had set up chairs and tables pool side for spectators and a welcoming area, complete with
a 'medals' presentation and photos for the rappelers as they reached the bottom of MASQUERADE TOWER.
Had a great spaghetti and meat ta ball dinner in MARTORANO'S before heading over to the MIRAGE.
JAY LENO, 10pm, TERRY FATOR Theatre.
I saw LENO there years ago when it was the DANNY GANS Theatre. He really has a quite entertaining Show.
He even had an opening act this time. A wonderful, 4 member acapella DOO-WOOP group...very cool!
Awwwww, opening acts. We've all seen 'em, most are pretty good, but who remembers their names, lol, sorry.
For those who don't know, the TONIGHT SHOW tapes at 4:30pm. I went one year when JOHNNY CARSON
had the Show. This makes it easy for JAY to get to Vegas for his stand-up Show of which he averages 150
dates a year. From the time he hits the stage, it's BANG, BANG, BANG...one long monologue, one topic
after another...VERY ENTERTAINING.
I was down front again, SEC.102, ROW EE...5 rows from center stage.
OCT. 16, SUNDAY...................................
No Shows tonight...(or so i thought)
I wanted to see if CRYSTALS in CITY CENTER had finished all their construction and filling all their
retail shops. YES, the construction seems to be finished and NO, many retail spaces are still empty.
I took the RIO shuttle to BALLYS, then walked over to BELLAGIO, through the CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS,
to the LEFT REAR ESCALATOR and up to the FREE TRAM station to CITY CENTER.
From CRYSTALS I walked to the COSMO...up to the 3d floor and enjoyed 2 SLICES OF PIZZA in their
(not so secret now) SECRET PIZZA SHOP.
I back tracked myself to the tram to BELLAGIO, walked thru to the sky bridge to the plaza in front
of CAESARS to get an update on how the 'new' ABSINTHE 'tent' was taking shape.
Hmmmm...5 days to re-opening night and they don't look like they'll be ready (AND I'VE GOT A TIC!)
Back to RIO and with nothing happening tonight...it's siesta time again.
An in house dinner, a bit of VP and hit the sack early is the game plan.
I had a good dinner in BUZIO's and a spur of the moment decision to see PLATTERS,COASTERS,MARVELETTS.
...WHAT A SURPRISE!....very good Show.
I saw this Show at the SAHARA years ago (before MARVELETTS replced DRIFTERS) but in the RIO's
showroom, it took on a whole new life.
This room is so versatile...it works so well for what ever Show is in there (RAT PACK IS BACK, DANNY GANS,
SCINTAS, RONN LUCUS, COPACABANNA DINNER SHOW)
OCT. 17, MONDAY...........................................
Monday nights, even if I have a Show, I always try to hit the PALMS LOUNGE at 10pm for
SANTA FE AND THE FAT CITY HORNS. These guys were CLINT HOLMES band when he worked at
HARRAH'S and they're just GREAT!
One long set, every Monday, 10pm, SEVEN BUCKS!
These days, all the guys work other residency Shows around town before the PALMS gig...and that's where
I started off my Monday....SAXE THEATRE for VEGAS, the SHOW (they're the Shows orchestra)
I've seen this Show before. It's tighter now, not many changes, and quite entertaining for what it is.
$51.00 with your Total Rewards Card.
I also like the $55.00 'TUNE UP' massage from 'PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE' that sets up their massage chairs
just down from SAXE THEATRE in the MIRACLE MILE SHOPS connected to PLANET HO.
OCT. 18, TUESDAY..........................................
ELTON JOHN's MILLION DOLLAR PIANO was just WONDERFUL!
Folks who wanted more songs and less stage theatrics are gonna love this one.
That's not to say ELTON's stage set is plain or un eventful...ON THE CONTRARY! It's elaborate, colorful,
animated as one would expect...IT'S VERY COOL!
2 hour Show...his full band plus two new, young 'cello' members and background singers.
A pepperoni pizza from SPAGOS in the FORUM SHOPS topped off a great evening.
OCT. 19, WEDNESDAY......................................
Today I played 'tour guide'.
My neighbor and her sister were in town. Met 'em at 9am in MON AMI GABI at PARIS for breakfast,
then walked BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY, FORUM SHOPS, showed 'em the FREE TRAM from MIRAGE
to t.i.(they wanted to see SIRENS at night)...picked up their HUMAN NATURE tics at the IP and
explained how to get to the PLAZZO for JERSEY BOYS that night.
Got back to RIO at 3:30 and they were on their own for the rest of their stay.
I stayed in that night...played VP and had FZ YOGURT from RIO's 'EVENING CALL right there
next to the front doors which for me...lol, was more of a daily event over morning coffee)
OCT. 20, THURSDAY..........................................
I don't care for downtown.
I haven't been downtown in years, but this night...I went downtown.
For the month of October, Fremont Street was presenting their Halloween themed 'FRIGHT FEST'.
3 different acts on 3 different stages.
1 in front of the PLAZA, 1 by the GOLDEN NUGGET, and one down FITZGERALDS way.
I cabbed to the PLAZA to check out the 'new' look and eat first at ex mayor Goodman's
steakhouse 'OSCARS'................nothing was open!
Inside the PLAZA, the remodel looks good. Entryway, new clean casino area but OSCARS (now to
be named 'BEEF, BOOZE, and BROADS' won't be open til late November.
The food court wasn't finished, or was the Cupcake Factory...it's ALL UNDER CONSTRUCTION and
one big disappointment. To me...it's still the same ol' PLAZA.
The FRIGHT FEST was pretty dull also. Most of the hype was just to get you downtown but the Shows
didn't come off as advertised. Other obligations for the bands left their schedule up side down.
Some came off, others didn't...nothing was on time and very little Halloween 'feel' to the bands...they
were just local Rock 'N Roll bands on 'sorta' dressed up, Halloween looking stages.
Even the 'billed' ALICE (Cooper) and OZZY (Osborn) FRIGHTMARE Show were 2 different Shows/times.
IT WAS MORE OF A TRICK THAN A TREAT.
I walked into the GOLDEN NUGGET and found an Italian ristorante...GROTTO. It was back in the newly
contemporary decorated area by their pool...pretty good. (PIZZA LOOKED GREAT) I had pasta.
As I was leaving, I saw a 15% OFF coupon for GORDIE BROWN laying on the floor and figured...WHY NOT.
It was 7:25...Show was at 7:30 and I headed up the escalator to the showroom.
2nd floor...the box office was closed.
Up to the 3d floor...nobody home, then I saw someone from the Nugget. I said I'd like to see the Show.
She said I needed to go back downstairs to the other side of the casino and the 'other' box office.
I said..."but I'll miss much of the Show"
She said..."go to the showroom on the 4th floor and see...John."
Okay, okay, okay...up the escalator again. I found John and two other ushers. The Show had started,
and I made my request.
They looked at each other and one said..."just seat him in VIP/no charge" (i tipped John twenty bucks)
I've seen GORDIE several times over the years. I don't think he's a very good impressionist.
His 'voices' aren't very good. DANNY GANS was the very best. His voices were spot on...he had a gift.
GORDIE's thing is to add comedy lyrics and gags to his routines instead of delivering a convincing voice.
FOLKS DO ENJOY HIS SHOW....
He only makes me smile (sometimes...) AND, he had a couple very inaccurate routines he obviously hadn't
done his homework on that made fun of/put down a couple artists that irritated me.
The audience however, was just as ill informed as GORDIE and mindlessly laughed right along.
OCT. 21, FRIDAY......................................
ABSINTHE, ABSINTHE, ABSINTHE...yep, it's back for a years stay.
When I got in town 8 days ago, I was in CAESARS neighborhood and walked by the new, white,
weatherproof tent. Construction guys every where...and only the roof was on. No sides yet and
NOTHING on the inside. I thought...NO WAY was this going to be ready for Friday the 21st...I really
believed they'd cancel and I'd get a refund.
I called CAESARS the morning of the re-opening and sure enough, 'they' said it had postponed the opening
til the 28th and to call the ABSINTHE box office at noon for a refund (1.800.745.3000)
(the little box office...in the colors of TIX4TONIGHT, is just outside the gate/Strip side now)
I called at noon. They had sold tickets for both the 8 and 10pm Shows.
It came as GREAT SURPRISE to the gal I talked to that the Shows wasn't on for tonight!
"WE ARE GOING ON WITH THE SHOW" she said, however it might be a bit of a late start...they're still
setting up.
When I got there at 7:00, both General Admission and VIP lines had started to form.
Word was circulating they 'hoped' to let us in by 8:30.
8:45...still not open and some folks are starting to get irritated.
9:00...and we're still standing in the...once full of vendors/games to play/waiting area outside the tent...now
totally just an empty cement area and folks are now getting pissed.
THEN...The GAZILLIONARE comes out and apologizes...makes some jokes and tries to loosen up the mood and
says we'll be going in SOON!
10pm ticket holders are trying to exchange to the 8pm Show...now the 'maybe' 9:30 Show.
Other folks want a refund BUT...had purchased 3d party tickets and the ABSINTHE box office couldn't do
refunds on those. You had to get them from where you bought them (if you even could...)
Hell, even the ABSINTHE box office wasn't giving refunds. THE SHOW WOULD GO ON.
9:20 THEY OPENED THE DOORS!
As soon as the Show started, the GAZILLIONARE came out and apologized AGAIN.
He thanked everyone for understanding the re-opening night fiasco and said...
"It's my fault. I know you're all REAL PISSED OFF AT ME so on the count of three, I want EVERYONE
to 'flip me off' and yell...F_ _ _ YOU as loud as you can!
Well, lol...needless to say, EVERYONE DID
Then he had us do it again and AGAIN until the energy had been released and the mood improved.
Ya know...that little bit of showmanship really worked.
Folks got so much frustration out that when it was over...EVERYONE WAS READY FOR THE SHOW.
Now...ABSINTHE is basically the same but...much of the 'charm' is gone due to the new tent and
surrounding courtyard. The Show is the same. Lots of fun, and the audience just loved it!
One funny...'Oops' happen too, LOL!
'ANGEL' who fills in for HOLLY MADISON in PEEPSHOW has a routine she does in ABSINTHE.
She comes out in a bikini carrying a HUGE, LATEX BUBBLE which she crawls inside of (not popping it)
...removes her top, deflates the bubble and emerges TOPLESS.
Well...while crawling into the tight little slit in the bubble...her bikini bottoms get caught on the opening.
Angel crawls in...her bikini bottoms don't.
Inside, on her hands 'n knees and bare butt in the air....she can't do a thing about it. THE AUDIENCE LOVED IT!
Just before she pops her bubble she grabs 'em, pulls 'em on and...red faced and all...takes her bow before
leaving the stage. AWWW...RE-OPENING NIGHT.
OCT. 22, SATURDAY...................................
Frank and Ann (the 'westies') picked me up at 8:30am and we drove to ALENTE STATION for their
breakfast buffet (it was okay...)
Always good company, we said hello to LVA's SUE CASEY and toured the casino...very nice.
They dropped me back at the RIO just in time for (wait for it........................) siesta time!
AND NOW...BACK TO THE MUSICAL PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM!
K.D.LANG/PALMS/Pearl Theatre, 8pm.
I've always loved this gal's voice and it's more than just her voice...it's her instrument.
It's so versatile and dynamic. I've loved the duets she's done with other performers and always
had a 'constant craving' for her solo Show as well...she did not disappoint!
5 piece band, great sound and views in the 'Pearl'...it was a GREAT evening.
OCT. 23, SUNDAY........................................
Know who LEON RUSSELL is?
Long white hair and beard...sunglasses and white cowboy hat?
In the 70's when he was JOE COCKER's touring piano player on the 'MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMENS' tour,
he used to ware a large, green top hat previously owned/worn by P.T.BARNUM.
He has a voice similar to DR.JOHN, plays killer piano and now...after his musical collaboration on the
2010 album 'The Union' with ELTON JOHN, he's out...'on the road again' (made albums with Willie too)
LEON is a session player.
Inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, you'd remember the songs he's co-written or wrote himself.
'SUPERSTAR', 'DELTA LADY', 'A SONG FOR YOU', just to name a very few.
EXCELLENT SHOW in the ORLEANS THEATRE SHOWROOM.
I had dinner that night before the Show in one of my ol' favorite restaurants...The PRIME RIB LOFT.
OCT. 24, MONDAY...(my last night in Vegas)
Well, this was a great way to top off my extended stay...
One of America's most cherished singer-songwriters, PAUL SIMON in CAESARS COLOSSEUM.
I usually sit somewhere on the main floor, but thought I'd try a balcony seat this time.
FIRST MEZ6 worked out great.
With a 9 piece band, the sounds of PAUL were far from silent.
He sang from his new album "SO BEAUTIFUL or SO WHAT" plus may ol' favorites.
In addition to his past hits...a WONDERFUL, meditative version of GEORGE HARRISON's
"HERE COMES THE SUN" was VERY COOL!
Encore after encore...the Show was well over 2 hours.
Coming from a guy who recently won the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize and was inducted
into the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, PAUL is...even after all these years,
an American treasure to be sure.
WELL...........THAT'S IT...it was a long but fun trip.
Gaming was normal...win/loose, win/loose and only small WINS but entertaining and no big losses.
AND...(despite what I said at the top of this little report)... I did find something for December!
Got a HOT DATE for New Years with...
BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND at the Mandalay Bay Event Center.
