Category Archives: Cirque du Soleil

‘Viva Elvis’: It’s here and …

Posted on February 22, 2010 by David McKee

… it’s one giant, steaming heap of merde. Cirque du Soleil is clearly just doing this one for the bread and it shows. Desert Companion Editor Andrew Kiraly‘s baneful summation of Cirque’s oeuvre as “arid pretension” never seemed more appropriate. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on February 20, 2010 by David McKee

“One [cowboy] draws a pistol and fires a shot into a campfire, which bursts into flames. It’s terrific fun, but when we think of Elvis, is a cowpoke spinning a flaming lasso something that springs to mind? I mean, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Gettin’ “Gossy” with it

Posted on February 3, 2010 by David McKee

Our staff is definitely having too much fun today. They’ve suggested a new, Gossyfied look for Lance Burton … which certainly beats the Criss Angel-ic angst currently adorning his billboards. Personally, having recently seen Burton in performance, I can’t decide … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Gettin’ “Gossy” with it

Douchebag of the Year

Posted on January 4, 2010 by David McKee

This is one of Steve Friess‘ brainchildren, but S&G had a chance to get in on the fun. As they say in Chicago, vote early and often! Stripper Poll Who was the biggest douche bag of 2009? (Pick 3) Charlie … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Illinois, International, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, TV | 3 Comments

Back on the air

Posted on December 30, 2009 by David McKee

After a Yuletide hiatus occasioned by the need to relocate S&G‘s offsite base of operations (meaning that I can now boast of a bedroom window with a view of the Tropicana), I’m back and scrambling to catch up. My new … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, Current | 2 Comments

CityCenter giblets

Posted on December 17, 2009 by David McKee

While I’m gathering my thoughts — and notes — from yesterday’s Orgy o’CityCenter (and trying to maintain a Cone of Deafness, as far as other commentators), here are a few stray tidbits: Even MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren can’t hide … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Donald Trump, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | 3 Comments

We have a winner!

Posted on December 17, 2009 by David McKee

S&G reader Dawn was the first to guess which state in our great nation has the second-most casinos (after Nevada, natürlich). It’s the Sooner State, Oklahoma — where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, as native Jeff in OKC … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Aria, Vdara discounting already

Posted on December 3, 2009 by David McKee

In its discussions with J.P. Morgan analysts, MGM Mirage has regularly been boasting that Aria’s room rates are running higher (very, very slightly higher) than Bellagio. Being a skeptical fellow by nature, my instinct was that Aria was being propped … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Silverton, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

We *are* Dubai

Posted on December 2, 2009 by David McKee

“If anywhere is emblematic of the debt-fuelled extravagance of the past decade, it is surely [X], which strove to have the tallest, the biggest and the best of everything.” They’ve just got to be talking about Las Vegas, right? No, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Plaza, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 6 Comments

CityCenter dodges bullet

Posted on November 27, 2009 by David McKee

Morton Grove, IL. Lying low while Black Friday sweeps Chicagoland … You will remember that, when CityCenter teetered upon the brink of bankruptcy earlier this year, it was saved by a compromise that put the onus on MGM Mirage for … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Don Barden, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, WMS Industries | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 26, 2009 by David McKee

“… a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music will focus on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas.” — Frank Sinatra, right? No, Elvis Presley, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 2 Comments

Use found for The Harmon

Posted on November 8, 2009 by David McKee

Yes, “Dubai’s Diminuendo,” the “Harmonini,” Baldwin’s Bump, whatever you want to call it, has been given a purpose in life. Strip hotel guests awoke in the wee hours of Saturday morning to behold the following: If nothing else, the truncated … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 6, 2009 by David McKee

“If not exactly humbled by the show’s critical drubbing and lackluster sales, [Criss] Angel, now the butt of jokes by most other Strip comics and magicians, seems less hubristic than he did a year ago. There’s less swagger and no … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Much ado about something?

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David McKee

Vive le Roi! After much coy hugger-mugger, Cirque du Soleil has just announced the name of its Aria show is … wait for it, people … Viva Elvis. (I cannot decide if the uninspired logo, which looks like a Ronco … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Do not resuscitate?

Posted on September 17, 2009 by David McKee

Most of us hew to the standard English-language definition of “fixation” (as in “I have a sudden fixation with actresss Crystal Chappell“). However, in Cirque du Soleil-speak, “fixation” means “damage repair.” To wit: Criss F. Angel vehicle Believe has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sports, Technology | Comments Off on Do not resuscitate?

"Viva Elvis"

Posted on September 2, 2009 by David McKee

Yes, Viva Elvis will be the long-awaited, enshrouded-in-secrecy title of the Cirque du Soleil show scheduled to debut this December at CityCenter.* Wow, they must have had to really burn the midnight oil in Montreal to come up with that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on "Viva Elvis"

No more "free" play?; Sahara sleaze; Donny & Tina; Criss F. Angel

Posted on August 31, 2009 by David McKee

In a decision that could have wide-ranging implications, Foxwoods Casino Resort and Mohegan Sun have been ordered to count (and pay taxes on) “free play” coupons as though they were revenue. This isn’t a sock-it-to-the-players move like the one the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Sahara, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on No more "free" play?; Sahara sleaze; Donny & Tina; Criss F. Angel

Chintz thy name is …

Posted on August 22, 2009 by David McKee

… Harrah's Entertainment. We've just returned from the formal opening of Matsuri. The 8 p.m. show started at 8:16, due in no small part to the fact that the Imperial Palace had one usher working the entire showroom. One showroom. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Chintz thy name is …

Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station

Posted on August 14, 2009 by David McKee

As we were driving to LVA HQ this morning, we spotted a disoriented-looking little cat running through the Flamingo Rd./I-15 interchange, across from Caesars Palace. We were in a quandary about what to do until it turned and started ambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pets, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station

It’s lonely in the bunker; Luxor gets its groove on

Posted on July 15, 2009 by David McKee

Two resignations made the news today. First, the publicist for Criss F. Angel took a hike. Given the choice between the much-reviled Angel and unlikely rising star (and reportedly much, much nicer person) Holly Madison, Fantasy flack John Flynn left … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on It’s lonely in the bunker; Luxor gets its groove on