August 2019
This is the 19th 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.
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 12 – 14 at the Las Vegas 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.
PALMS CASINO RESORT
Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Blondie
Pearl Concert Theater
Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 8 p.m.
Elvis Costello and Blondie shared spots near the top of the UK Singles Chart 40 years ago when Blondie's "Heart Of Glass" sat neck-and-neck alongside Elvis Costello & The Attraction's "Oliver's Army" in the company of The Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor and ABBA. The same week, Blondie's seminal album Parallel Lines reached No. 1 on the Album Chart while Costello's Armed Forces landed at No. 3.
At The Joint inside the Hard Rock
Lion Fight 57 Full Rules Muay Thai
Saturday, Aug. 3 at 5 p.m.
Mary J. Blige
Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17
Brian Wilson and The Zombies – Something Great from ’68 Tour
Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.
CAKE & Ben Folds with special guest Tall Heights
Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.
Greta Van Fleet
Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
Daughtry with special guest Augustana
Friday, Oct. 4
Demetri Martin
Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.
Stone Temple Pilots + Rival Sons
Sunday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
Red Rock Resort will host the 7th annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend August 9-10. The star-studded weekend will allow fans to get up close with boxing greats, including Nevada-based boxers Joel Casamayor, Leroy Haley, Wayne McCullough, and Hasim Rahman, as well as “School Boy” Bobby Chacon, and Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzales, to name a few. The weekend will include a special meet and greet, amateur fight, and gala for the ultimate two-day affair.
The world-famous Comedy Cellar has announced the August 2019 lineup for its first West Coast location, an exact replica of its New York club, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 (SHOWCASE):
Mike Finoia, Jason Cheny, Carl LaBove, Jackie Fabulous and Mark Cohen
MONDAY, AUGUST 5 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 (SHOWCASE):
Orlando Leyba, Nathan MacIntosh, Gina Brillon, Dean Edwards and Rocky Dale Davis
MONDAY, AUGUST 12 (SHOWCASE):
Mike Yard, Daniel Simonson, Chloe Hilliard, Chris DiStefano and Mark Cohen
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 (SHOWCASE):
Carl LaBove, Chloe Hilliard, Daniel Simonson, Mike Yard and Mark Cohen
MONDAY, AUGUST 19 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 (SHOWCASE):
Byron Bowers, Lynne Koplitz, Jackie Fabulous and Mark Cohen
MONDAY, AUGUST 26 THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 (SHOWCASE):
Emma Willmann, Kurt Metzger, Sherrod Small, Don McMillan and Mark Cohen
Due to popular demand, one of the world’s greatest rock bands – Journey – has added four new shows to the band’s limited engagement inside The Colosseum at Caesars Palace over New Year’s Eve week. Tickets for performances on Dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31 will go on sale to the public Friday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m. PT. Additionally, a limited number of tickets are available for the following previously-announced performances: Oct. 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25 and 26.
Influence, The POOL at The LINQ Hotel + Experience is celebrating the most anticipated television event of the summer with its own festivities in honor of the ocean’s most-feared predator. The adults-only pool, which offers complimentary admission to all guests 21 and older every day of the week, will transform into a shark-themed retreat where revelers can enjoy shark-tastic poolside programming, drink specials, shark swag and more. Featured cocktails will include the Hammered Shark (Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey®, Mike’s® Strawberry Kiwi, Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and grenadine), the Deep Blue Sea (Absolut Vodka®, blue curaçao, lemonade and raspberries) and The Great White (Malibu Rum®, blue Curaçao, lemonade, grenadine, blackberries and raspberries). Through -Sunday, Aug. 4
Global icon Janet Jackson returns to Las Vegas for the final dates of her critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency, Metamorphosis, at Park Theater at Park MGM resort. Envisioned by Janet and her creative team, Metamorphosis peels back the layers of the immensely private life of Janet, sharing her transformation from a young girl with issues of self-esteem to global icon. The centerpiece of her all new thought-provoking show, is Janet captivating you through your senses with electrifying visuals, explosive dance numbers, chart-topping hits and fan favorite deep cuts. The show also features a special 30-year anniversary celebration of her ground-breaking album “Rhythm Nation 1814.”
August 2019: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17
Get ready to 'meat' Chosun Hwaro & Nara Teppan, the first authentic Korean BBQ experience on the Las Vegas Strip and the largest in the state of Nevada. Opening July 31, this is the first U.S. restaurant from parent company Ebadom. The restauranteurs bring more than 20 years of experience and operate more than 200 world-class dining destinations in Korea, China and beyond. Guests can choose from two dining experiences; barbecue selections grilled at their seats, or a teppanyaki show at custom cooking tables. Both options can be complemented by Chosun Hwaro & Nara Teppan's curated sushi menu. The expansive 13,000-square-foot dining space boasts 30 Korean BBQ tables, 12 teppanyaki tables, with seating for up to 485 guests. The restaurant also offers VIP private dining rooms, equipped with their own Korean BBQ tables and a special VIP menu for diners. Guests on the go can stop by Chosun Hwaro & Nara Teppan's outdoor patio and walk-up bar area adjacent to Harmon Avenue.
Golden Nugget Las Vegas has raised the standard for entertainment in downtown Las Vegas with its acclaimed 52 Fridays Concert Series.
Ambrosia – August 2 at 8 p.m.
Los Angeles quartet Ambrosia, whose founding members included guitarist/vocalist David Pack, bassist/vocalist Joe Puerta, keyboardist Christopher North, and drummer Burleigh Drummond, fused symphonic art rock with a slickly produced pop sound.
Rick Derringer – August 9 at 8 p.m.
American rocker Rick Derringer was just 17 when his band The McCoys recorded the No.1 hit "Hang On Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, knocking "Yesterday" by The Beatles out of the top spot.
The Grass Roots – August 16 at 8 p.m.
The Grass Roots had a series of major hits -- most notably “Let’s Live for Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” “Temptation Eyes,” and “Two Divided by Love” -- that help define the essence of the era’s best radio. The Grass Roots managed to chart 14 Top 40 hits, including seven gold singles and one platinum single, and had two hit collections that effortlessly went gold.
BJ Thomas – August 23 at 8 p.m.
With hits transcending pop, country, and Christian music, BJ Thomas has a repertoire that is sure to impress. Some of his greatest hits include "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head," "Don't Worry Baby," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
Lita Ford – August 30 at 8 p.m.
Lita Ford is an English-born American rock guitarist, actress, vocalist and songwriter who was the lead guitarist for the Runaways in the late 1970s before embarking on a solo career in the 1980s. Following the breakup of the Runaways, Ford set about launching a solo career.
Happy debuts its Las Vegas residency at Mandalay Bay. HAPPY PLACE, an interactive, immersive pop-up exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, will turn Sin City into “Grin City” with their newest location at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino opening Friday, Aug. 23. On a mission to spread happiness across the world, “the most Instagrammable pop-up in America” (Urban Daddy) has helped more than half a million people “find their happy” while exploring 12 vibrant rooms.
Pete Davidson, "Saturday Night Live's" youngest cast member, will join the Aces of Comedy series at The Mirage Sunday, Aug. 25 at 10 p.m. Davidson is the first "Saturday Night Live" cast member born in the 1990s and the youngest member of the current cast. In 2015, Davidson made headlines as one of the featured comedians during Comedy Central's "Roast of Justin Bieber."
The Super Summer Theatre continues its 44th outdoor Summer Series with "CHICAGO: A MUSICAL VAUDEVILLE" playing through Saturday, August 17. In roaring '20s Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband to take the rap, until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces. The longest-running American musical on Broadway is a sharp-edged satire and a Bob Fosse classic.
The Australian Bee Gees Show has brought Saturday night fever to Excalibur Hotel & Casino for the last eight years and will keep the party 'Stayin' Alive' with a three-year contract extension. The rejuvenated show is scheduled to relaunch later this month in the multi-million-dollar THUNDERLAND showroom. Complete with high-resolution LED screens, multiple interactive performance spaces throughout the room, dazzling special effects, new lighting, sound, décor and increased seating capacity, THUNDERLAND is everything show goers want in a Vegas showroom.
International cabaret sensation BLANC de BLANC will make its debut on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, Friday, Aug. 16. The acclaimed production, which blends vintage glamour and high-end spectacle with theatre, circus, and aerial performances, will perform at SLS Las Vegas – which will be re-branded as the new SAHARA Las Vegas in Fall 2019. Tickets for the show, which has sold out the Sydney Opera House, London’s West End, the Brisbane Festival and Adelaide Festival, are now on sale.
Rap veteran, Nas brings his Illmatic verses to House of Blues Las Vegas Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. Since his Illmatic debut in 1994, hip-hop heavyweight Nas has long been considered one of the most influential and talented MCs to ever hold a mic. The Queens, NY native has dodged the unpredictable and ephemeral nature of the rap industry, consistently releasing critically acclaimed projects that become more than just hip-hop records, but defining moments in music history.
Country legends Lonestar are returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Saturday, August 10, 2019. With over a 100 dates worldwide per year, they are celebrating more than 20 years together.
The Boxmasters with acclaimed actor Billy Bob Thornton are returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 at 8 p.m. Fronted by the mercurial actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, The Boxmasters released their debut album The Boxmasters in 2008. The band is made up of Thornton (vocals and drums), J.D. Andrew (guitar, bass and vocals), and Teddy Andreadis (keyboards).
The Bacon Brothers, featuring award-winning actor Kevin Bacon and his Emmy-winning brother Michael Bacon, are bringing The Shaky Ground Tour to Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at 8 p.m. Most people would agree that there's nothing stronger, more durable and occasionally, even more volatile, than the bond between brothers. And when that bond includes the common goal of making music, the results often offer reason for an audience to sit up and take notice. There have been any number of examples in music's modern era -- the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, and Oasis to name but a few. Not that it's easy or even agreeable, but there is common cause, and that's generally enough to ensure there's passion and purpose in its creation.
PSYCHO LAS VEGAS continues to make waves as it announces its full artist lineup for this year's festival at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino August 16 – 18, 2019. From Opeth's only U.S. performance of 2019 and Megadeth performing their only Vegas show of the year, to the return of fan favorite Electric Wizard, the lineup is sure to create one for the record books. Four stages with more than 65 bands will rock the resort as both first-time and veteran acts bring the biggest and most electrifying PSYCHO LAS VEGAS music fest to life.
CMA Award-winning country music singer and songwriter, Martina McBride, will take the stage for an unprecedented debut performance at M Pool as part of M Resort Spa Casino’s summer concert series on Saturday, Aug. 3. Since releasing her debut album in 1992, Martina McBride has sold more than 18 million records worldwide with six No. 1 hits and 20 Top 10 singles. Over her 27-year career, the multifaceted entertainer has garnered more than 15 major music awards including four Female Vocalist of the Year awards for Country Music Association and three Female Vocalist of the Year awards for Academy of Country Music. Additionally, McBride is an avid philanthropist who began her own charity initiative, Team Music is Love, and was honored with the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award.
Legendary guitarist and singer, Buddy Guy is keeping the blues alive at House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The title of Buddy Guy's latest album says it all: The Blues Is Alive and Well. The legendary blues artist's eighteenth solo LP and follow-up to 2015's Born to Play Guitar showcases his raw and unadulterated sound, its fifteen tracks a true pleasure for aficionados and genre newcomers alike. It only takes one listen to The Blues Is Alive and Well to realize that Guy's mission has been more than accomplished here.
Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time GRAMMY Award winner Brian Setzer is bringing his Rockabilly Riot! Summer Tour 2019 to the Grand Events Center inside Green Valley Ranch Resort on Friday, August 30, 2019 at 8 p.m. Setzer's rockin' style and guitar assault always leave audiences smiling, and his red hot compadres are Noah Levy on drums, Kevin McKendree on piano/guitar and Mark Winchester on bass. They'll be jumping into the most electrifying songs from Brian's 40-year career as a solo artist and as a Stray Cat. Highlights will include "Let's Shake," "Ignition" and "Nothing Is A Sure Thing," along with such Stray Cats gem as "Rock This Town," "Rumble In Brighton" and "Stray Cat Strut."
As the one and only Cher prepares to return to Las Vegas next week for her acclaimed engagement CLASSIC CHER performances at Park Theater at Park MGM, due to incredible ticket demand, six new shows shave been added. The additional show dates scheduled August 21 – September 1, 2019. Now in its third year, CLASSIC CHER, continues to garner rave reviews and remains one of the must-see shows on the Las Vegas Strip. The over-the-top production celebrates the Oscar, Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning artist's phenomenal 50-year career in music, film and TV and features her top hits including "If I Could Turn Back Time," "Believe," "I Got You Babe" and "I Found Someone" along with highlights from her most recent ABBA tribute album Dancing Queen.
PRETTYMUCH officially announce their summer North American headlining outing, The FOMO Tour. The tour follows the group's highly successful sold-out headline Funktion Tour last fall and their slot as main support on GRAMMY nominee Khalid's Roxy Tour last summer. Produced by Live Nation, the tour includes a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019.
Reggae-influenced alternative rock band Iration will be coming to fans all across the United States Live From Paradise! this spring and summer, bringing special guests Pepper and Katastro along for the ride. By tapping some unparalleled aloha spirit, these acts are combining forces to spread nothing but good vibes, creating a truly serene and exclusive environment at each of their 43 tour stops, including a Las Vegas stop at Mandalay Bay Beach’s Concerts on the Beach series at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8:30 p.m.
Chart-toppers, O.A.R. bring The Mighty O.A.R. Summer Tour 2019 with American Authors to House of Blues Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 with supporting act Rozzi. Twenty years, endless shows and 13 albums later, O.A.R. (an acronym for, of a revolution) has assembled a comprehensive career that was built to last. O.A.R. transformed itself from an independent college band to a Billboard chart-topper over the course of two decades.
After launching his first arena headlining tour last year, multi-platinum entertainer Chris Young is excited to announce the “Raised On Country Tour 2019.” Sharing the same name as his “funky, rollicking, lively” (Music Row) new single, which name-checks his predecessors and country music icons Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Joe Diffie, George Strait, Alan Jackson and Hank Williams Jr., Chris Young’s “Raised On Country Tour 2019” will make a Las Vegas stop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. He’ll be joined by special guest Chris Janson as direct support along with LOCASH.
Lynyrd Skynyrd has announced Bad Company as the support act for their Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour when it makes a Las Vegas stop at T-Mobile Arena Friday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. The farewell tour will continue to take the band across the country and around the globe through the remainder of the year giving fans one last unforgettable night of classic American Rock-and-Roll. The Southern Rockers will be joined for select dates by special guests including: Bad Company, Cody Jinks and Hank Williams Jr.
Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World bring 2019 Summer Gods Tour with Ra Ra Riot to the intimate Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. Third Eye Blind has announced the 30-city Summer Gods Tour, produced by Live Nation, together with Jimmy Eat World. Ra Ra Riot will join on all shows as tour opener. Touring in the summer "feels like more of a festival thing, because Third Eye Blind takes a lot of time in picking out the bands to play with us," Jenkins tells iHeartRadio's on-air personality, Andrew Harms, in an exclusive interview that ran earlier this morning across iHeartMedia's network of Alternative stations.
"Weird Al" Yankovic has just announced the dates for his 2019 Strings Attached tour - a high-energy, rock and comedy show featuring costumes, props, a video wall, and - for the first time - a full orchestra. The tour will make a stop at The Smith Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. For his 2018 Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, Weird Al wanted to reward his hardcore fans with an intimate, scaled-down show that showcased a rotating setlist of semi-obscure deep-cut non-parody album tracks, many of which he and his band had never performed live before. For his 2019 Strings Attached tour, he's back to playing the hits and classics – but this time his band will be supported every night by background singers and an entire symphony orchestra.
August is a slow month for our city…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.
