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Hot Happenings
The Katz Meow
By Bobbie Katz
The tragedy that struck New York and Washington, D.C. September 11 not only had a worldwide impact but a major affect on the casino entertainment industry as well. Many shows were cancelled the day the bombings occurred and some headliners were forced to postpone their engagements for the following weekend because of the travel restrictions. Those who continued to perform, however, did their best to uplift audiences and reinforce a feeling of patriotism, ending their shows with God Bless America or Lee Greenwood’s Proud to Be an American. The crowds stood, waved their hands and many cried, inducing a spirit of unity never before seen in a Las Vegas showroom. MGM Mirage was among the first casino corporations to respond to the national crisis, donating $1 million to families of the bombing victims.
The Beach Boys, scheduled to open the new Stratosphere Outdoor Events Center on September 14-15, postponed their date until November 3-4. Led by Mike Love, 60, the lead singer and a founding member of the group, and Bruce Johnston, 59, who initially came on board in 1965, the Beach Boys are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Love says he still has a bond with cousin and group co-founder Brian Wilson, who is currently touring with Paul Simon. Love relates that Wilson is interested in getting together with him and doing a musical project. There is also a possibility that Brian might join them if they decide to do a tour to celebrate the group’s 40th anniversary.
What’s New?
Popular casino entertainer Tony Orlando, whose show is like a party every night, is featured in a Miramax movie to be released shortly called Waking Up In Reno. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, and Charlize Theron. The movie centers around the above-named stars’ characters coming to see Orlando, who plays himself in the film, perform in Reno. On top of that, Tony’s autobiography is scheduled to be published by St. Martin’s Press.
In the musical arena, Orlando has started his own band and has written and recorded nine songs for a new Latin flavored album. You may also catch his son, Jon, who is a comedian, opening for him.
This ‘N That
Las Vegas is starting to see some vestiges of Hawaii as of late. The Las Vegas Hilton has welcomed to its Nightclub Hawaii’s most popular group, the Society of Seven (S.O.S.). The multi-talented multi-ethnic group of seven men sings, dances, plays instruments and does impressions and impersonations. The show is upbeat and fun. The two original founders of the group, Tony and Burt, first performed with the group in Vegas back in the ’60s as the Fabulous Echoes, however, there were only six members then. Although S.O.S. is scheduled to appear through December 2, negotiations are in progress for them to continue on through January. It was announced at their grand opening that they had already pre-sold 9,000 tickets.
In other entertainment news, songstress Sheena Easton is rumored to be due back at the Hilton in January. Andre-Philippe Gagnon, who used to appear at C2K at the Venetian, was recently spotted looking at the Paris showroom. C2K is said to be bringing in the Broadway production Chicago. Gladys Knight is set to sign a long-term deal to perform at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Carmen Elektra, starring in Lumiere at the Aladdin next year, is engaged to be married. Also next year The Righteous Brothers will be moving from the Orleans to the Las Vegas Hilton.
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