Dueling pianos began at the "world’s number-one bar," Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans, around 1945. It has evolved into a legitimate form of entertainment, having been taken to its logical extreme when Elton John and Billy Joel toured together for a while.
Las Vegas has its share of piano duelers -- all free. The pair at the Riviera (which we reviewed in the August 2004 issue of the Las Vegas Advisor) came and went, as many of them do. But the following are Las Vegas’ current dueling shows.
The Bar at Times Square at New York-New has been featuring a rotating "cast" of performers (there are about 150 dueling-piano shows worldwide) since 1997 and have culled the best, based on improvisational-comedy skills, sheer number of songs mastered (in excess of 500), the percussive piano-playing style necessary to drive the beat, and the main ingredient –- the group dances and other audience-participation routines that make it so much fun. The hours are the longest of any dueling-piano show in Las Vegas, 8 pm-2 am Sunday-Thursday and 8 pm-3 am Friday and Saturday. There's a $10 cover charge to enter the bar after 7 pm. Call 702/740-6969 for more details.
Gorgeous twins Kimberly and Tamara Pinegar began playing piano duets at the age of six. Now at Harrah’s Piano Bar located just off the Strip, the Pinegars perform their Wonder Twin Powers Activate show nightly, 9 pm-2 am (3 am Friday and Saturday). No one under 21 is admitted because the twins can get a little off-color and the show is rated "R." Call 702/369-5000.
Paris Las Vegas offers another 21-and-over dueling-pianos show for free in Napoleon’s Lounge from 8 pm to 12 midnight Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, and 9 pm to 1 am on Friday and Saturday; 702/946-7000. Likewise Kahunaville at TI, which features dueling pianos Sunday-Thursday from 10:30 pm until 1:30 or 2:30 am, depending on how busy the joint is. Tel: 702/894-7390 for more information.
