August 2018
This is the 18th year anniversary of this newsletter. With both the entertainment news and show reviews, my goal has been to let people know what to expect when they come to town or want to go to a show. I am proud to have been able to bring you the news of what is happening in Las Vegas entertainment, and I look forward to the years to come.
August is a relatively slow month in Vegas…well; it’s just too damn hot! July is recorded as the hottest month of the year, but it is so dry that you don’t really feel it. August is monsoon season…so we get a lot of afternoon thunderstorms…which adds a lot of humidity to the air…so it feels a lot worse than July. Vegas is still Vegas, though, and it’s a fun place to be any time of the year…just stay inside a casino or a showroom.
August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and its predecessor, the Julian calendar. The month of August was originally named Sextilis in Latin since it was the sixth month in the ancient Roman calendar. It became the eighth month with a length of 29 days around 700 BCE when January and February were added to the year. Julius Caesar added two days to the month around 45 BCE. It was later renamed to honor Augustus Caesar in 8 BCE. It is considered the busiest time for tourism because it falls in the main school summer holiday period. Its birth flower is the gladiolus or poppy which represents beauty, strength, love, marriage and family. The birthstone for August is the peridot or onyx.
August is an interesting month...it is:
Admit You're Happy Month, National Golf Month, and Romance Awareness Month.
Some of the interesting day designations are:
3 National Watermelon Day
4 U.S. Coast Guard Day
5 Work Like a Dog Day
6 National Mustard Day, and Wiggle Your Toes Day
8 Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day!
9 Book Lover's Day, and Chinese Valentine's Day/Daughter's Day - 7th day of 7th Lunar Month
10 Lazy Day, along with National S'mores Day
11 Presidential Joke Day, along with Son and Daughter Day
12 Middle Child's Day
13 Left Hander's Day, it’s my day!
14 National Creamsicle Day
15 Relaxation Day!
16 National Tell a Joke Day
17 National Thriftshop Day
18 Bad Poetry Day
19 Aviation Day
20 National Radio Day
21 National Spumoni Day and Senior Citizen's Day
22 Be an Angel Day, and National Tooth Fairy Day
23 Ride the Wind Day
24 Vesuvius Day
25 Kiss and Make Up Day
26 National Dog Day and Women's Equality Day
27 Global Forgiveness Day and Just Because Day
29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day
30 Frankenstein Day and Toasted Marshmallow Day
31 National Trail Mix Day
The MAGIC convention comes to town August 13 – 15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. This monster show kicks off the start of the fall convention season. The fall show of MAGIC will bring in close to 100,000 people. MAGIC is the world's largest fashion marketplace, comprised of eleven unique communities showcasing the latest in apparel, footwear, accessories, and manufacturing. Every February and August the retail industry convenes in Las Vegas to spot and shop the latest trends. From its humble beginnings, it is now a huge convention that is in town, twice a year.
The annual Mrs. America Pageant will once again return to its original home at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino this summer. The 2018 competition will be August 18 – 25, 2018. The preliminary and final competitions will be in the Main Showroom. Be sure to follow Mrs. American, Mekayla Eppers, as she crowns her successor on August 25th. The winner of the Mrs. America Pageant will go on to represent the United States in the internationally-televised Mrs. World Pageant.
Baz has closed at the Palazzo.
Masters of Illusion at Bally’s will be closing in September.
After more than a decade, Criss Angel will unveil an over-the-top visual spectacular unlike any other in existence – Criss Angel MINDFREAK®, in the newly-renamed Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino opening Dec. 19, 2018. The brand-new production incorporates cutting-edge technology and boasts more than 75 illusions with 20 never-before-seen effects that will give fans the ultimate immersive experience, showcasing the iconic Angel on a massive scale. The final performance of MINDFREAK LIVE! at the Luxor will take place Sunday, Oct. 28.
Kevin Burke, of Defending the Caveman at the D Las Vegas, has announced that he will be leaving the Las Vegas production following his performance on August 2. Burke has been the face of Defending the Caveman in Las Vegas for 10 of the years it has been in the market. He’s performed the show at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, Harrah’s Las Vegas and the D Las Vegas. He is honored to have been the last Caveman to be hand-picked by original Caveman and writer, Rob Becker. Burke has performed the show worldwide since 2003 with more than 5,000 performances under his belt.
“The New Mr. Vegas” is back. Renowned comedian and longtime star of stage and screen, George Wallace, returned to Las Vegas with a new residency show at the intimate Westgate Cabaret inside the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino a few weeks ago. Wallace has not missed a beat since leaving the stage at the Flamingo in 2014 to get re-charged—and he is re-charged.
Backstreet’s Back! Following an appearance on “Take A Break” on CBS’s Emmy-winning “The Late, Late Show with James Corden,” AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter are making headlines as they return to Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for the next run of their record-breaking Las Vegas residency, “Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life.”
The remaining show dates are: August 2018: 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11; October 2018: 24, 26, 27, 31; November 2018: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17; February 2019: 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 23; April 2019: 10, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27
The show will come to an end on April 27, 2019.
Hooters Casino Hotel Las Vegas, in conjunction with Admit.VIP, just opened its newest comedy production at The Night Owl Showroom, The Hilarious 7. The Hilarious 7 is a departure from typical stand-up comedy where seven comics will deliver an ‘all punchlines’ comedy bout. Hosted by Las Vegas veteran comedian, John Hilder, this hysterical comedy performance takes guests on a journey where seven comedians take the stage to showcase their best jokes in just 70 minutes.
Latin Grammy Award-winning música urbana artist, Tego Calderón, with special guest Diego Val, will take over M Pool as part of M Resort Spa Casino’s concert series. Best known for his collaboration with Don Omar on “Bandolero,” which was featured in multiple Fast & Furious movies, Tego Calderón is a multifaceted entertainer who continues to make a name for himself in the music industry by fusing an experimental reggaeton style with a strong dose of hip-hop.
Multi-platinum-selling artist and four-time Grammy® Award winner Lionel Richie has announced the final shows of his wildly successful residency, “Lionel Richie - All the Hits.” The music icon will return “All Night Long” to the stage at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Aug. 15 through Oct. 20 for his final performances.
One Tree Hill star, Tyler Hilton brings the City on Fire Tour to B Side at House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 25. Tyler Hilton was performing at coffee houses at the age of 15 when a chance encounter with a pair of Los Angeles radio personalities opened the doors to multiple radio appearances, live concert dates, and national exposure. After Hilton released his first album independently, he garnered the attention of major labels and eventually signed to Maverick/ Wagner Records where he released The Tracks of Tyler Hilton. While on tour promoting the album, Tyler was cast as his childhood hero Elvis Presley in “Walk the Line” and received a gold record for his work on the movie’s soundtrack.
Mariah Carey, the iconic chanteuse and best-selling female artist of all time with over 200 million records sold, launched her all-new Las Vegas headlining residency, “The Butterfly Returns” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Tickets for the following performances are on sale now: Aug. 2018: 31
Sept. 2018: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10
Fresh off the heels of the all-new Mamma Mia movie, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, ABBA The Concert will return to Tropicana Las Vegas.Guests are invited to sing and dance to the best hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, as ABBA The Concert brings its iconic ABBA tribute performance to Tropicana Theater for one night only on Saturday, August 25. This is the closest to ABBA you will ever get. ABBA the Concert brings one of the best pop phenomena back to life. ABBA the Concert continues to dazzle all who see with their fantastic performance while playing the most iconic hits from ABBA, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” and “Dancing Queen.”
The Orleans will bring highly-acclaimed musical acts to The Orleans Showroom in August, featuring performances by Grammy Award-winning comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Australian soft rock duo Air Supply.
Cheech & Chong, Saturday, August 18
Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong are one of the most iconic duos in comedy history, currently in their 2018 Cheech & Chong comedy tour. Cheech & Chong burst into the comedy scene with their 1978 movie “Up in Smoke” and continued making movies into the 1980s. The pair recorded nine comedy albums and eight films, including the 1972 best-selling comedy album “Big Bambu” and the 1973 Grammy Award-winning comedy album “Los Chochinos.”
Air Supply, Friday, August 31, Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2
Formed in 1975, Air Supply members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock burst into the music scene with their unique vocals, harmonic ballads and soft rock sound. Early in their career, the duo performed throughout Australia, winning over fans with hit singles like “Love and Other Bruises.” Air Supply later gained international recognition as the opening act for Rod Stewart’s North American tour.
Renowned comedian and Emmy-nominated actor Billy Gardell is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Grand Events Center inside Green Valley Ranch Resort on Saturday, August 11 at 8 p.m. Gardell starred in the CBS Hit television series, MIKE & MOLLY as Officer Mike Biggs from 2010-2016.
Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber’s high-octane Broadway and West End hit School of Rock – The Musical is coming to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas Aug. 7-12. School of Rock – The Musical is based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same, featuring music from the movie, as well as an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Julian Fellowes, choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and direction by Laurence Connor.
Comedian and co-host of Top Gear, Adam Ferrara will be headlining Topgolf Laughs with special guest Warren Durso inside The Birdie Bar at Topgolf Las Vegas on Aug. 24 and 25, 2018. Adam Ferrara, the actor and comedian who Entertainment Weekly dubbed “hilarious,” is an internationally touring headliner, two-time nominee for Best Male Stand-up by the American Comedy Awards, and has three Comedy Central specials.
Two of the most prolific singer-songwriters of all time, Gavin DeGraw and Phillip Phillips, embark on a summer co-headlining tour with a stop at the intimate Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Aug. 24. Multi-platinum-selling singer, performer and songwriter Gavin DeGraw first broke through with the 2003 release of his debut album, Chariot, which sold more than 1 million copies, earned platinum certification and yielded three hit singles: “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through” and the title-track, “Chariot.”
Singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Stevie Wonder today announces “The Stevie Wonder Song Party: A Celebration of Life, Love & Music,” a limited engagement at Park Theater at Park MGM August 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11. Stevie Wonder is one of the most celebrated and prominent figures in popular music who, at the age of 12, was the youngest recording artist to have achieved a #1 single with “Fingertips, Part 2”. Stevie has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and he is a designated U.N. Messenger of Peace with special focus on persons with disabilities. He continues to be a pivotal influence in U.S. and world events, demonstrating the activism that has made him such a vital voice for social progress and world harmony.
ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Brett Young will perform at Mandalay Bay Beach in Las Vegas on Friday, August 17 as part of Mandalay Bay’s Concerts on the Beach 2018 summer lineup sponsored by Coors Light and Pepsi. Young will be joined by special guest Mitchell Tenpenny.
Rock and pop sensations Train to perform at the newly renovated Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018. Train is a multi-GRAMMY and Billboard award-winning band from San Francisco, Calif. that landed 14 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 list since the release of their debut self-titled album.
Multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning R&B singer and performer Chris Brown is returning to the stage with the announcement of his Heartbreak On A Full Moon Tour. He will be joined by hip-hop and R&B rising stars and some of today’s hottest acts with very special guest 6lack, and including H.E.R. and Rich the Kid. The 27-city tour produced by Live Nation will wrap Saturday, Aug. 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Chris Brown is celebrating over 12 years in the music business with the November 2017 release of his eighth solo album Heartbreak on a Full Moon, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (followed by the release of Heartbreak on a Full Moon Deluxe Edition: Cuffing Season – 12 Days of Christmas in December 2017).
Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson announced ticketing details for their co-headlining ‘Twins of Evil’ tour. The 29-date co-headlining North American summer tour produced by Live Nation will make a Las Vegas stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Aug. 25. The pair of rock icons will perform in support of their recent albums, Zombie’s 2016 The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser and Manson’s 2017 Heaven Upside Down.
Jack White has announced a second show at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday, August 24. Best known for singing and playing guitar in the widely popular and influential early 2000s rock band the White Stripes, Jack White has achieved chart-topping success with two other bands, as well as a solo artist. To date, White has won 12 GRAMMYs in eight different categories with 34 career nominations, and was honored with the Producers & Engineers Wing “President’s Merit Award” in 2017.
Rock icon Alice Cooper, who released his 27th album Paranormal last July via earMUSIC, has announced his summer 2018 tour A Paranormal Night with Alice Cooper which includes a stop at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. This stop in Las Vegas is one of two stops on the tour that will feature special guest — guitarist Ace Frehley.
Comedian Bill Burr will return to Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to perform his hilarious stand-up routine Saturday, Aug. 18. Burr is one of the top comedic voices of his generation achieving success in TV and film as well as the live stage. Having first gained notoriety for his recurring role on the second season of “Chappelle’s Show,” Burr developed a comedic style of uninformed logic that has made him a regular with Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon.
TOTO is pleased to announce the first set of North American shows in support of the band’s 40th Anniversary. The 40 Trips Around The Sun World Tour will arrive at the Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Friday, August 10, 2018. The band is currently in the middle of an extensive European tour with multiple dates already sold out across Europe. The 40 Trips Around The Sun Tour will be the band’s most extensive run in years. Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO. Toto has over 400 million streams on Spotify alone along while views on YouTube far exceed over a half billion.
Fresh off his La Criatura USA Tour, rising Venezuelan star Nacho “la criatura” will take the Mandalay Bay Beach stage at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Saturday, Aug. 18. After entertaining audiences around the world for a decade as half of the Chino & Nacho duo, Nacho has invited his millions of fans to join him as he establishes himself as one of Latin pop’s hottest solo acts.
Comedian Ryan Hamilton is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the world-famous Comedy Cellar at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The Netflix Happy Face star will perform Monday, August 6, 2018. Armed with the unique perspective of growing up in rural Idaho, Ryan Hamilton has become a favorite in the New York stand-up comedy scene. He’s truly one-of-a-kind. Ryan recently released his first stand-up special on Netflix titled Happy Face, which follows a wealth of television appearances and a non-stop headlining tour.
Live Nation Presents: Lil Duval. The “Guy Code” comedian brings his standup to House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 25. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Roland Powell, aka Lil Duval, always had a knack for making people laugh. During school pep rallies and other activities, Duval embodied the entertainer spirit as he flourished in the limelight. Ultimately he envisioned himself on the big screen, drawing inspiration and motivation from the work of Chris Tucker. Like Tucker, Duval started his journey of success with standup comedy, first taking the stage In Atlanta’s Uptown Comedy Corner where he soon became a regular.
The hugely-successful I LOVE THE ’90s TOUR will have a permanent home on the Las Vegas Strip when I LOVE THE ’90s – THE VEGAS SHOW opens at Paris Las Vegas Friday, Oct. 12. This 90-minute, immersive dance party will feature a live DJ, nostalgic video content, dancers and more, giving audiences the opportunity to rediscover the music that influenced and defined a generation and contributed to making the ‘90s a decade to remember. A rotating lineup of crowd favorites will headline the Las Vegas shows, with Salt-N-Pepa, Rob Base and All-4-One kicking off the residency. The I LOVE THE ’90s TOUR kicked off in 2016, quickly racking up hundreds of shows across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD have announced the cancellation of their upcoming summer tour, as lead singer M. Shadows is under doctor’s orders to rest his damaged vocal cords. Avenged Sevenfold were scheduled for a summer “End of The World” tour with Prophets of Rage & Three Days Grace, along with appearances at the Impact Festival and Heavy Montreal. The tour had planned to make a Las Vegas stop at T-Mobile Arena Friday, Aug. 17.
Tropicana Las Vegas will welcome Edwin Siu and Fang Ning for a special Midsummer Chinese Concert inside Tropicana Theater on Saturday, August 4. Guests will be treated to an array of Mandopop and Cantopop for a one-of-a-kind concert experience, featuring Mandarin and Cantonese dialogue. Hong Kong singer and actor Edwin Siu, who started his career as an idol singer before transitioning to acting, will be gracing the Tropicana Theater stage alongside Fang Ning, who is known for impersonating the legendary Chinese singer Fong Fei Fei. Together, they will enrich the audience with their talents and create an unforgettable show.
Award-winning grand illusionist David Goldrake announces today he is planning to open a new show, set to debut to Las Vegas audiences in spring 2019. Following his final performance at the Tropicana on September 30, 2018, David Goldrake will focus on producing and rehearsing for his new headlining magic production. He looks forward to announcing the details regarding his new project within the next few months.
The month starts off a bit slow as far as the headliners go, but it certainly picks up steam, and of course, September will be crazy.
For 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.
