November 2020

 

There is some actual entertainment news for my entertainment newsletter!!!  Shows are opening…actual shows to go and see!  And the best news of all…the election is almost over!!

 

November 3rd, the election will take place.  The only good thing that I can say about this entire process is, Thank God it’s almost over.  If you haven’t voted yet, please do so.  All Americans need to be a part of this process…no matter how dysfunctional this campaign season has been.  Happy Election!

 

Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays.  It’s a truly American holiday, and it’s all about friends, family, and just being thankful…and of course, there’s the food.

 

November 26, 1789 - The first American holiday occurred, proclaimed by President George Washington to be Thanksgiving Day, a day of prayer and public thanksgiving in gratitude for the successful establishment of the new American republic.

 

But the first Thanksgiving had its roots in September 1620. A small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their religion in the New World. After a treacherous crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.  Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received a visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans. In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—the festival lasted for three days.

 

 November is the month for: Child Safety Protection, Adoption Awareness, Epilepsy, Model Railroads, Native American Heritage, Peanut Butter Lovers, and Sleep Comfort.

 

Here are the interesting days…the 1st is All Saints Day, and the 2nd is All Soul's Day.  The third is Housewife's Day, the 4th is King Tut Day; the 5th is Gunpowder Day, Guy Fawkes Day, and Men Make Dinner Day. The 6th is Marooned without a Compass Day and Saxophone Day. The 8th is Cook Something Bold Day and Election Day. The 9th is Chaos Never Dies Day - you've got that right. The 13th is Sadie Hawkins Day, the 18th Occult Day, the 20th Absurdity Day, Beautiful Day, and Universal Children's Day, the 21st False Confession Day, the 24th is Evolution Day, and All Our Uncles are Monkeys Day. The 26th is Thanksgiving, the 27th is Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day...does anyone abide by it!? It is also Pins and Needles Day and You're Welcome Day.  The 28th is Make Your Own Head Day and Red Planet Day, and finally, the 30th is Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day.

 

If you haven’t turned your clocks back, do it now…Daylight savings time is over!

 

I hope that everyone has successfully survived the Vegas Halloween.  A friend of mine says that Halloween in Las Vegas is a full contact sport…so now, we can now officially start the Holiday Season! (in our new Covid Reality.)  Most stores have already put Christmas decorations up, and the ads for holiday merchandise have already been airing all over the place. 

 

Caesars Entertainment, the largest gaming and Entertainment Company in the U.S., is pleased to once again offer live entertainment with the return of a selection of its world-class productions shows on the Las Vegas Strip. As Caesars Entertainment will follow applicable guidelines set forth by health and government authorities and implement the Company's enhanced health and safety protocols, guests can expect verbal health screenings, non-contact temperature checks, modified seating for social distancing, mandatory masks for guests and staff, limited capacity and more. The following shows' performances will resume:

X Country at Harrah's – first performance: Thursday, Oct. 22

ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace – first performance: Wednesday, Oct. 28

Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo – first performance: Thursday, Oct. 29

Tape Face at Harrah's – first performance: Wednesday, Nov. 11

 

Additionally, guests can look forward to enjoying complimentary live musicians across the city in many Caesars Entertainment lounge/bar offerings.

 

After more than seven months in lockdown, The Gazillionaire emerged from his million-dollar bunker beneath Caesars Palace to host a history-making performance of ABSINTHE by Spiegelworld, the first major production show to reopen in Las Vegas since the city's stage lights were dimmed in March. From the moment the Green Fairy emerged from her bottle at the top of the show to the on-your-feet finale, the sold-out performance of ABSINTHE was alive with sidesplitting laughter and audible gasps from the audience. Thrilling, sexy, hilarious and ridiculous, ABSINTHE brought laughter back to The Strip and delivered what showgoers have waited many months for: a brief escape from reality.

 

MJ LIVE, the award-winning Michael Jackson tribute concert highlighting the talent of the legendary Michael Jackson, resumes performances in the MJ LIVE Theater at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod starting Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m.  As the #1 Michael Jackson tribute show in the world, MJ LIVE recreates the electrifying stage show of one of the greatest performers of all time. From iconic dance moves like the moonwalk to timeless hits like “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Thriller” and “Beat It,” the spot-on show brings all the Gloved One’s staples to life. Dance and sing along during the special Jackson 5 segment featuring classics like “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and more, inspired by Soul Train. Dazzling lighting and effects, plus the MJ LIVE dancers and a live band, make this show a true spectacular fitting of the King of Pop.

 

 Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's opening night on Friday, Nov. 13 doubles as World Kindness Day - a component with a ticket giveback that the famous holiday light show brings back to life in the 2020 season. The first 200 paid vehicles entering the lights will receive a free Glittering Lights ticket for future use in honor of the day of kindness. There are no restrictions on the free ticket, and it can be used the same night for a second entry or passed along in kindness to a random stranger or friend in need. Nevada's largest holiday drive-thru light show is on a kindness mission with the help of community partner Aaron Taylor The Real Estate Guy, who will be on-site during World Kindness Day in an elf costume greeting cars and passing out some holiday goodies. 

 

 MGM Resorts shared details around the first shows to return following months of closure amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In accordance with current government guidelines, the company will return seven shows to stages at MGM Grand, Luxor and Excalibur beginning November 6.

  

This initial phase of entertainment allows for a maximum audience of 250 guests, physically distanced at 6 feet between parties and a minimum of 25 feet from on-stage performers.

 

Beginning November 6, guests will be able to enjoy:

 

MGM Grand

David Copperfield will return to the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand

Emmy Award-winning illusionist David Copperfield wows audiences with his stage production Live The Impossible. Recipient of the Living Legend honor by the Library of Congress, Copperfield holds 11 Guinness World Records, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has sold more tickets than any solo performer in history. Oprah sums it up..."The greatest illusionist of our time."

            

Jabbawockeez will bring its signature moves and "Timeless" show to the MGM Grand Garden Arena

Jabbawockeez has developed a one-of-a-kind style that has positioned the group as the most influential dance crew in the world. Known for creativity, choreography, athleticism, and intricate synchronization, each member of the dance crew brings a different technique and perspective to form the original style that makes the Jabbawockeez so distinct. Jabbawockeez will bring their new "Timeless" show, which launched earlier this year, to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

 

Brad Garrett's Comedy Club will take to the stage in the resort's Studio A & B Ballrooms

Emmy Award-winning comedian and actor Brad Garrett brings his top-quality comedy to MGM Grand nightly. The club provides Garrett, as well as legendary comedians and the next generation of comics, a place to call home in Las Vegas. Guests must be 21 years of age or older.

 

Brad Garrett said, "Cannot wait to get back to disappointing audiences."

  

Luxor 

Carrot Top will perform in the Luxor Theater

With three decades of comedic performance in his rear-view mirror, Carrot Top is one of the most popular, recognizable and successful comedians in the nation. Utilizing a one-of-a-kind style, the resident show is ever evolving and has become a Las Vegas staple, reflecting current headlines and consistently poking fun at pop culture, politics and music. Guests must be 16 years of age or older. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older.

 

Carrot Top said, "Vegas entertainment is back! After eight long months, I'm so excited to announce the shows are returning. It's been a long tough road, but there's light at the end of the tunnel for us. Can't wait to be BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!"

 

Fantasy will perform in the Luxor Theater

All-time Best of Vegas (2020): Best Female Revue, Fantasy has remained one of The Strip's top productions since its premiere 20 years ago. Dynamic lead singer Lorena Peril delivers powerhouse vocals, taking center-stage alongside a talented cast of beautiful dancers. Popular among singles and couples alike, the always-evolving, sexy production showcases 15 high-energy numbers set to today's top music. International World Champion Magician Murray Sawchuck will be appearing as a special guest star. Guests must be 18 years of age or older.

 

Excalibur

The Australian Bee Gees will perform in the resort's Thunderland Showroom

The Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute to the Bee Gees is a multi-media concert event with a contemporary perspective featuring state-of-the-art sound, superb lighting and giant screens streaming video clips, live camera images and stunning graphics. It is the definitive live celebration of five decades of memorable music written by the Brothers Gibb, one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history.

 

Thunder From Down Under will perform in the resort's Thunderland Showroom

Australia's Thunder From Down Under is the No. 1 male revue show in the world – not only performing in Las Vegas nightly, but also touring in Germany, Ireland, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Guam, Thailand, and Macau, among others. The longest-running and highest-grossing male revue in the history of Las Vegas provides a sensual adventure for guests, using state-of-the-art lighting, amazing costumes and perfected choreography. Guests must be 18 years of age or older. Anyone under 20 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older.

 

The world-famous Laugh Factory will re-open its doors on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Tropicana Las Vegas with Bob Zany headlining, along with Brian McKim and Traci Skene with two shows set for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Andrew Dice Clay will perform Thanksgiving weekend.

 

For show dates and times, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: lvol.com.

Igoshows.com is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production. The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.