September 2019

We always feel the changes that happen between August and September—the weather changes dramatically, and because of that, business and conventions come back to town.  Las Vegas gets busy in September.  School is back in session.  Headliners are storming back to the city.  Football is back!  We also have Labor Day, Mexican Independence, and the 18th anniversary of September 11th, (wow, eighteen years, egad, I’ll be flying my flag and taking time to remember the heroes, the horror, the evil, and the strength that was brought about because of all of those events.) It’s also time to change the watering schedule for the yard.

There are some very fascinating national designations for September…I’ll highlight a few that I find the most interesting…

September 1st is National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day. The First Friday in September is National Lazy Mom’s Day.  International Bacon Day is the Saturday before Labor Day, and September 15th is National Linguine Day, National Double Cheeseburger Day, and Google.com Day.  Interestingly, September 18th is National Cheeseburger Day (just a few days after Double Cheeseburger day.)  September 20th is National Punch Day and Wife Appreciation Day…is that just bad taste?  September 22nd is Hobbit Day, and the 23rd is Celebrate Bi-sexuality Day, and the Autumnal Equinox.  In spite of bad press the 26th is National Shamu the Whale Day and the 27th is National Corned Beef Hash Day.  And one of my favorites…September 30th is Blasphemy Day.

55th Annual Pahrump Fall Festival to Launches September 26-29

More than 50 years have passed since the first festival and the tradition continues. The festival started out as a simple harvest festival where just a couple hundred people came out to have some fun, share the harvest and eat some good Barbeque.  There still is no charge for admission to the festival itself or the entertainment. The rodeo does charge a modest fee.  On the Saturday the town stops to admire the Festival parade. Rides, rides and more rides are another highlight of the festival, at least for the kids.

Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, the leading bodybuilding contest for fitness enthusiasts, will return to the Orleans Arena Sept. 11-14. For the 14th consecutive year, the Mr. Olympia contest – an annual bodybuilding competition sanctioned by the International Federation of Bodybuilders Professional League (IFBB Pro League) – will bring top bodybuilders and fitness professionals to the stage at Orleans Arena. Bodybuilding legends such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman, and Las Vegas’ own Jay Cutler – have all earned multiple Mr. Olympia titles during their reign.

From royal courts to enchanted forests, Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the 26th Annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival as it returns to Sunset Park Oct. 11 – 13, 2019. This three-day event will immerse visitors in the Renaissance era with numerous villages and different guilds, activities, historical reenactments, live performances and an array of authentic period foods and beverages – truly an event that’s fun for the entire family!   The festival presents various shows per day along with historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments, medieval pageantry and more than 100 artisans – including blacksmiths, stained glass designers, jewelers, wood workers, toy makers, perfume blenders, stone carvers and sword, dagger and armor craftsman – to demonstrate and sell their wares.

 

 

The former SLS Las Vegas will now operate under the resort’s original, iconic brand name – SAHARA Las Vegas. Since Alex Meruelo purchased the property in April of last year, significant strides have been made in transforming the resort experience. Completed renovations within the $150 million resort overhaul include an updated casino floor featuring the stylish 24-hour CASBAR Lounge and the recently unveiled Infinity premium gaming lounge, renovated hotel rooms, suites and corridors, an upgraded spa and a soon-to-debut new hotel lobby.

Beloved showman Matt Goss recently celebrated 10 years as a Las Vegas Strip entertainer and has extended his acclaimed engagement through November 24 at The Mirage's 1 OAK Nightclub. Schedule for Sunday night performances:

September 1; 8; 15; 22; 29

October 6; 13; 20; 27

November 3; 10; 17; 24

 

On September 6, the Rise Up Gala is an extraordinary, one-night-only experience created to raise funds for The Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF), the nonprofit organization of the GRAMMY® Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling band Imagine Dragons dedicated to supporting families with pediatric cancer diagnoses.  The Gala offers attendees an exhilarating night of entertainment and glamour while celebrating the individuals who have made notable contributions to TRF through direct efforts, philanthropic support, or by raising public awareness for pediatric cancer. Some of the people that will be there include:  Imagine Dragons, Cast of Tenors of Rock, Cast of The Miss Behave Gameshow, Concetta “Aunt Chippy” Potenza, Dolph Lundgren, Hans Klok, Impractical Jokers, Jill Kimmel, Mike Xavier, Steve Young, Wayne Newton, Vegas Golden Knights – Alex Tuch, Brayden McNabb, Cody Eakin, Deryk Engelland, Marc-Andre Fleury, Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Nate Schmidt, Nick Holden, Paul Stastny, Reilly Smith, Shea Theodore.

Big Blues Bender, the 6th annual, only-in-Vegas hotel takeover at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will host One Night on Yasgur's Farm, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legendary music festival that took place on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm, on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. Fifty years ago, a sleepy corner of upstate New York played host to one of the most important events in music history. In this year's installment of the legendary "One" series, GRAMMY® Award nominee Victor Wainwright and his group of Bender All-Stars will pay tribute to the generation-defining musical experience. Dozens of Big Blues Bender artists and special guests will perform together on stage for one night to take festival goers back to Yasgur's farm in a celebration of peace, love and music. 

Golden Nugget Las Vegas has raised the standard for entertainment in downtown Las Vegas with its acclaimed 52 Fridays Concert Series. The resort presents a diverse lineup of weekly acts, from GRAMMY award-winning pop artists to rock and roll royalty.      

The Buckinghams – September 6 at 8 p.m.

After changing their name from the Pulsations to the Buckinghams to reflect the British Invasion craze, this American Sunshine pop group became an overnight sensation.

Last In Line – September 13 at 8 p.m.

Last In Line was formed in 2011, when Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell, (Ronnie James Dio’s co-conspirators and co-writers on the “Holy Diver”, “Last In Line” – the album from which they took their name, and “Sacred Heart” albums) teamed up with esteemed vocalist Andrew Freeman.

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap – September 20 at 8 p.m.

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap had six consecutive Gold records and sold more records in 1968 than any other recording artist, including the Beatles. Their first big hit, "Young Girl," topped the charts in both the US and the UK. Other big hits include "Woman Woman," "Lady Willpower," and "Over You."

Jefferson Starship – September 27 at 8 p.m.

Paul Kantner founded Jefferson Airplane in 1965. They were the biggest rock group in America during the 1960s and the first San Francisco band to sign a major record deal, paving the way for other legends. They headlined the original Woodstock Festival in 1969.

 

Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage welcomed a bouncing baby dolphin this month. Born to first-time mother Bella at 6:44 p.m. on August 16, this new arrival marks the fourth generation of dolphins represented at the habitat.  The proud mother and doting Animal Care team watched as the female calf swam unassisted to the water's surface for her first breath immediately after delivery. Bella quickly proved herself to be a natural mom, nursing her baby and helping her to explore her new world. Bella and her calf are in the Birthing and Research pool, which is open to public viewing during the facility's operational hours.

Freakling Bros. Trilogy of Terror returns Friday, Oct. 4 with three terrifying haunts, including the world-famous Gates of Hell, COVEN of 13 and Castle Vampyre
 Auditions to be held Saturday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 21 at Noon

Fresh off a record-breaking season and an appearance on Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, Freakling Bros. Horror Shows has announced the return of the world-famous Trilogy of Terror for its 27th horrifying year in Las Vegas. Rated the scariest haunt in the country by USA Today, Freakling Bros. The Trilogy of Terror will once again feature the award-winning Gates of Hell, Nevada's first and only R-rated attraction, the experimental COVEN of 13 and the classic Castle Vampyre, which will be celebrating its final season, leading the way to a new haunt in 2020. Freakling Bros. The Trilogy of Terror will open for the 2019 Halloween season Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 at 7 p.m.

Majestic Repertory Theatre opens their fourth season in the Las Vegas Arts District with the electrifying punk rock opera, Green Day's American Idiot.  The two-time Tony Award® winning hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Their quest for true meaning in a post 9/11 world leads them on a journey of self-discovery, heartache, and revelation. Based on Green Day's GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum album, AMERICAN IDIOT boldly takes the American musical where it's never gone before.  

Las Vegas will welcome Mexican Independence Day Weekend with the grand opening of Mama Rabbit Bar at Park MGM. The highly anticipated addition to The Strip’s nightlife and cocktail scene, boasting the country’s largest collection of mezcal and tequila, will be the epicenter of entertainment come this September. 

Grand Opening Night with Mario Lopez – Friday, September 13

Entertainment star and Access Hollywood’s new co-host Mario Lopez will host Mama Rabbit’s grand opening party Friday, September 13. The VIP invite-only event will welcome guests into the Oaxacan celebration created in collaboration with mezcal pioneer, Bricia Lopez. The venue opens to the public at 11 p.m. as musical sets will continue throughout the night.

Mexican Independence Day Weekend with Natalia & Esther – Saturday, September 14

The party will continue throughout the weekend. Michelle Kolnik, more commonly known as DJ Crykit, will kick off Saturday night at 8 p.m. electrifying guests with her infectious energy and diverse beats.

International Mezcal Week – September 11-15

Mama Rabbit is an official destination for the first International Mezcal Week during which leading institutions around the world will celebrate and further educate the public about the Oaxacan elixir in the week leading up to Mexican Independence Day. 

 

HAPPY PLACE, an interactive, immersive pop-up experience with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, is now open at its newest location in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. On a mission to spread happiness across the world, “the most Instagrammable pop-up in America” (Urban Daddy) has helped people of all ages “find their happy” while exploring multiple vibrant rooms. HAPPY PLACE features 15,000 square feet of playful spaces and cheerful moments including a Super Bloom room filled with 40,000 handmade gold flowers for the perfect photogenic floral backdrop, an Upside Down room that defies gravity and bends reality, six-foot tall X’s and O’s covered in thousands of mirrored squares and surrounded by red lips, the World’s Largest Indoor Confetti Dome, a Giant Rainbow complete with a Pot of Happiness into which guests can jump, the signature Rubber Ducky Bathtub of Fun, the wildly popular Cookie Room, which is like stepping inside of your favorite chocolate chip cookie complete with the aroma of fresh baked cookies, the just-added life-size Unicorn named Cornelius, plus other photo-friendly fantasy rooms.

 

Southern California’s favorite pop/reggae/hip-hop band the Dirty Heads will perform at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s 2019 Concerts on the Beach Series sponsored by MillerCoors and Pepsi Friday, Oct. 4 at 9 p.m.

 

The Manhattans performing at The Orleans on Saturday, Sept. 7

Formed in 1962, The Manhattans began writing and singing their doo-wop-influenced hits, releasing their first single "For the Very First Time" in 1964. The Manhattans went on to reinvent their sound, creating smooth R&B and soul ballads in the '70s. After lead singer Smith became ill, the band recruited Gerald Alston as the new lead vocalist of the group. Together, the band released several top-charting songs, including their Platinum-selling No. 1 hit "Kiss and Say Goodbye."

 

On Wednesday, August 21, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas continued its celebration of all things ‘90s with the unveiling of its newest figure, paying tribute to the Princess of R&B, Aaliyah.  The famed attraction welcomed guests and mega fans of Aaliyah for an exclusive unveiling of the singer’s likeness. Guests went Back and Forth to the ultimate playlist of super fly jams while gettin’ down with the rest of the Madame Tussauds ‘90s crew. 

 

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL Music & Arts Festival continues to expand and evolve. Now in its seventh year, the festival — which takes over Downtown Las Vegas from September 20-22 with headliners Chance the Rapper, Black Keys, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Vampire Weekend — is proud to unveil the full line up for The Kicker, Comedy & More featuring a collection of some of the top comedians and pop culture stars in the industry including headliner Fred Armisen, host of “You Up” Nikki Glaser and SNL hot-shot Chris Redd. Also joining the lineup this year is the winner of the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Alaska Thunderfuck, along with live podcast recording of Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe of Bachelorette nation. Already announced IDEAS acts Jonathan Van Ness and Desus & Mero will also be making guest appearances at The Kicker throughout the weekend.

 

On Friday, Sept. 20 the Alien Research Center on the Extraterrestrial Highway will be base camp for believers as prominent ufologists, expert speakers, musicians and artists gather to celebrate the ‘Storm’ Area 51 movement. What began from a tongue-in-cheek meme to “Storm Area 51 – They Can’t Stop Us All,” has ignited a global cultural movement to call for greater transparency around what many believe to be decades of government secrecy surrounding UFO technology.

 

With more pickleball courts than any Las Vegas hotel/casino, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is again the official hotel and title sponsor of the Las Vegas Pickleball Open, Sept. 24-28. The annual competition saw registration more than double in its second year and expects to welcome nearly 650 players in 2019. Due in large part to the success of last year’s tournament, hundreds of amateur and professional pickleball players from across the United States and around the world, including Japan, Mexico and Canada, will participate in next month’s event. Players also span multiple generations, from 12 to 81 years of age. Many players from last year are also returning, including top pros Simone Jardim and Kyle Yates to defend their mixed doubles title.

 

Let’s get ready to Freddie! Hard Rock International is kicking off its annual celebration of the life and music of the legendary Freddie Mercury by hosting “Freddie for a Week” from Thursday, September 5, 2019 – Freddie Mercury’s birthday – through Thursday, September 12, 2019. In honor of the iconic frontman, Hard Rock Cafe® Las Vegas will be rocking in Freddie’s honor with Freddie-themed events, a limited-time milkshake and exclusive merchandise that benefits The Mercury Phoenix Trust, a UK charity created in memory of Freddie Mercury by Queen band members Brian May and Roger Taylor together with their manager Jim Beach to support the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

 

The Super Summer Theatre continues its 44th outdoor Summer Series with the final show of the summer season, "Noises Off" playing Thursday, September 5 through Saturday, September 21.

Called the "funniest farce ever written, "Noises Off" presents a manic menagerie of wayward actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing On. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and a wandering plate of sardines all factor into the plot of this hilarious and classically comedic production. 

 

Ahead of its Las Vegas debut at The Venetian Resort on Sept. 8 inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, ATOMIC SALOON SHOW was just awarded five stars by the UK's leading newspapers, The Times of London – noting that the "Rodeo on steroids is louche and delirious...putting the wild into the Wild West" – and The Scotsman, which declared the show "Clever, hilarious, gorgeous to look at..." and lauded direction by Cal McCrystal, "There's so much talent on stage here, and McCrystal knew exactly what to do with it."

"In the home of Shakespeare and in the international paper of record, The Times of London, to receive a perfect score of five stars is as good as it gets," shared Ross Mollison, Spiegelworld Impresario Extraordinaire. "We want everyone in Las Vegas to know we are working for them to bring the next hit show home to the city we love. And now, I think we will be bringing jumbo jets full of British punters back with us to experience what a five-star show looks like in the Entertainment Capital of the World, Vegas!"

 

Carlos Santana continues an enormous year with touring dates, milestone anniversaries, and the continuation of his House of Blues Las Vegas residency and the release of his latest album, Africa Speaks. As he celebrates these accomplishments, another exciting announcement comes to light...the legend's residency, An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live at the House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will continue into 2020.

2019 performance dates:

Sept. 18, 20-22, 25, 27-29

Oct. 30

Nov. 1-3, 6, 8-10
2020 performance dates:

Jan. 22, 24-26, 28-29, 31– just added!

Feb. 1– just added!

May 13, 15-17, 20, 22-24– just added!

 
FOREIGNER will be taking over the Las Vegas Strip in 2020 with their exclusive headlining residency show at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas beginning Friday, Jan. 24. With ten multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. 

The 10 performances going on sale are:

January 2020: 24, 25, 29, 31

February 2020: 1  

April 2020: 17, 18, 22, 24, 25  

 

Longstanding comedy club and entertainment company, The Comedy Works, will bring nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians and up-and-coming talent to the classic showroom at the Plaza Hotel & Casino Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights beginning Thursday, Sept. 12.

 September 12 – 14: Jim Florentine, best known for hosting seven seasons of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” and as a regular on The Howard Stern and the Opie & Anthony shows. He currently hosts his own program on Sirius XM and will be the headliner for The Comedy Works at the Plaza’s opening weekend. 

September 26 – 28: Nick Di Paolo has performed on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan O’ Brien. He was twice nominated for an Emmy for his writing on HBO’s The Chris Rock Show and had three standup specials on Comedy Central and most recently the controversial “A Breath of Fresh Air.”

October 10 – 12: Tom Green, a comedian, actor, filmmaker, and talk show host known for his own unique brand of shock comedy who found mainstream prominence via his MTV show aptly titled “The Tom Green Show.” Green is also known for his roles in the films “Road Trip,” “Charlie's Angels,” and “Freddy Got Fingered.”

October 24 – 26: Fat Chance: An Evening of Conversation and Story with Lisa Lampanelli, which showcases the former insult comic at her new best. From her humorous storytelling to her lively Q&A with audience members, the no-holds-barred entertainer is truthful, vulnerable, and as hilarious as ever. From her food obsession to her physical transformation with the help of bariatric surgery more than six years ago to her compulsion to date the "junk food of men," Lisa, with the help of Frank Liotti, will tell all in a way never seen before.

November 14 – 16: Jamie Kennedy, a multi-faceted talent who found success as a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer skyrocketed to fame with scene-stealing rants in Wes Craven's “Scream” and “Scream 2.”

January 9 – 11: Tim Meadows, one of the longest-running cast members of “Saturday Night Live” who crafted some of the series’ most memorable characters during his ten years on the popular late night show.

 

Rock 'n rollers The Doobie Brothers announced today additional headline tour dates for 2019 including a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 at 8 p.m.  The Doobie Brothers have been delivering mind-blowing, roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll for more than four decades, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four GRAMMY® Awards. Boasting one of the most loyal fan bases in music, The Doobie Brothers continue to write and record new material and tour the world. Their No. 1 singles "Black Water" and "What a Fool Believes," both gold, lead a catalog of indelible songs that include: "Listen to the Music," "China Grove,"  "Jesus Is Just All Right," "Rockin' Down the Highway," "Long Train Runnin'," "Take Me In Your Arms," "Takin' it to the Streets," "Minute by Minute," "You Belong to Me," "The Doctor" and more. In all, the Doobies have tallied up five top 10 singles and 16 top 40 hits.

 

Tony Bennett, the 19 time GRAMMY Award-winning musician whose music spans over six decades, will headline an exclusive Las Vegas engagement, “I Left My Heart in Las Vegas,” at The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas inside The Venetian Theatre September 25, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. Tony Bennett’s daughter, Antonia Bennett, will open the performance with a collection of jazz/pop standards.  Tony Bennett's life and philosophy is the embodiment of the Great American Story. Having celebrated his 92nd birthday on August 3, 2018, his career as the pre-eminent singer of the 20th and 21st centuries is unprecedented. He continues to be embraced and loved by audiences of all generations.   

 

In celebration of the grand reopening of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, four-time GRAMMY Award winner Keith Urban will bring his acclaimed “GRAFFITI U WORLD TOUR” to Las Vegas for the first time with back-to-back evenings on Sept. 6 and 7. The performances from the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year will mark the debut of the newly-enhanced Colosseum, as well as the first performances to utilize the venue’s new general admission capability on the main floor, creating a high-energy entertainment experience for fans. Urban is one of the most explosive live performers in music today. His concerts are critically hailed the world over and feature many of his 24 chart-topping songs including Graffiti U’s “Coming Home,” RIPCORD’s “Wasted Time,” “The Fighter,” his mega hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” and seminal No. 1’s including “Somebody Like You,” “Days Go By,” “Long Hot Summer” and “Stupid Boy.” His now legendary unpredictability has seen Urban performing with fans, with special guests, giving away used show guitars and performing solos perched atop audience seating.

 

Cesar Millan, the world's most celebrated dog behaviorist, will bring the story of his remarkable life to the stage for the world premiere of his one-man show "Cesar Millan – My Story: Unleashed." Millan will lead the audience on an inspiring journey ranging from his humble beginnings in rural Mexico and travels to America, to his struggles, successes and passion for transforming families and their lives with his unique approach to canine discipline. He often says, "I train people not dogs," and now for the first time ever, Millan "live in person" will share his authenticity, honesty and bravery during this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cesar Millan – My Story: Unleashed will perform September 12-18 in the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry will bring their signature sound to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 4. Rockers Augustana will serve as the special guest. Daughtry was formed in 2006 by Chris Daughtry after he was a finalist on the fifth season of “American Idol.” As the front man for the band bearing his name, Daughtry has become one of the most visible and consistent rock and roll torchbearers of the 21st century.

 

Due to popular demand, Mexican singer, icon, and one of the most successful artists in Latin American history, Luis Miguel, has added a fourth date to his limited engagement over Mexican Independence Day Weekend on Thursday, Sept. 12 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

 

Café Tacvba is bringing its 30th anniversary tour to Mandalay Bay’s Concerts on the Beach series at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Friday, Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. Café Tacvba is widely recognized as the leading alternative rock band in Mexico and one of the most influential alternative groups from Latin America, leading a nonconformist music movement with its mix of elements such as rock, indigenous folk, electronic music and punk.

 

Reik, one of the top Latin pop groups in Mexico brings the Tour 2019 to The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Sept. 14, 2019 at 8 p.m.  As the winners of multiple awards including Lo Nuestro Awards, Billboard Latin Music Awards, Latin GRAMMY Awards, and more, Reik has achieved numerous accomplishments and high sales throughout their career. The band recently surprised their millions of fans with a new album, Ahora, available now in physical format and all digital platforms. 
 

Comedian, Lil Duval, livens things up at House of Blues Las Vegas with the Living My Best Life Tour on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019.  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.

 

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter phenomenon Farruko brings the Gangalee Tour in support of his latest album to The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 at 8 p.m.  Farruko consistently demonstrates his dominion over subgenres of urban music like  his blend of Reggaeton, Rap, Hip Hop, R & B and Trap Latino, and proves his adaptability, crossing over into pop, bachata, mambo and vallenato genres.

 

WICKED, one of Las Vegas' most popular musicals, will return to The Smith Center on Sept. 11–29. The Broadway sensation WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz...but from a different angle.  Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships...until the world decides to call one "good," and the other one "wicked."

 

David Crosby, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder of the Byrds and Crosby and Stills & Nash, is returning to Las Vegas this summer for a special performance with the Sky Trails Band inside the Red Rock Ballroom at Red Rock Resort on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 at 8 p.m.  Joining Crosby will be five musical friends, collectively and affectionately known as the "Sky Trails Band." James Raymond on keys, Mai Agan on bass, Steve DiStanislao on drums, Jeff Pevar on guitar and Michelle Willis on keyboards and vocals. Crosby is in the midst of an incredibly creative and powerful period, showcasing his skills as the brilliant songwriter that he is.

 

One of the most successful reggae acts of all time, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro, have announced their 40th Anniversary Tour: A Real Labour of Love. Special guest Shaggy will join the group as they make a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at 8 p.m.  Fans can expect nothing short of a good time from both founding members of UB40 who have sold more than 70 million records and seen incredible success domestically and internationally throughout their 40+ year long career.
 
The Mirage Hotel & Casino's favorite 'Fluffy' comedian in a Hawaiian shirt, Gabriel Iglesias, adds Mexican Independence weekend dates, September 13 – 14, to his Beyond The Fluffy World Tour 2019.  Iglesias is one of America's most successful stand-up comedians performing to sold out crowds around the world. He was featured in The Hollywood Reporter's Top 40 Comedy Players of 2018 issue alongside comedy giants Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Lorne Michaels.

 

Just days after the official announcement of his new studio album “OPUS,” Marc Anthony is announcing dates for The OPUS U.S. Tour. The tour will kick off in Las Vegas over Mexican Independence Day Weekend on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. 

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon, Deep Purple brings The Long Goodbye Tour to House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.  With a body of work spanning seven decades, Deep Purple has helped pioneer and define the hard rock genre while progressively moving into new areas to keep their sound fresh and attract new fans to the legions who have remained loyal since the band's inception. Known as one of the hardest working bands ever, Purple has released six studio albums since 1996 alone and has toured globally since forming in 1968 with little rest.

 

Los Ángeles Azules will perform at Mandalay Bay Beach’s Concerts on the Beach Series sponsored by MillerCoors and Pepsi at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Friday, Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. After the incredible success of their album, “Como Te Voy a Olvidar” (Double Diamond Certified), Los Ángeles Azules,the creators of symphonic cumbia, continue to make history with their new album, “De Plaza en Plaza.”

 

Those who missed global comedy superstar Russell Peters at his sold-out 2018 Deported World Tour will get another chance as Peters returns to The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019 at 9 p.m.  This show will feature material including plenty of Peters' own signature interactions with the audience. Peters says, "I love getting to know my audience. It's collaboration between us. I've been building the new act in clubs across the States over the past year and I'm very happy with it."
 
GRAMMY-nominated OneRepublic is set to perform at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019.  OneRepublic, is comprised of singer/songwriter and lead vocalist Ryan Tedder, guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, bassist and cellist Brent Kutzle, and drummer Eddie Fisher. The band released their debut set Dreaming Out Loud in 2007. The Mosley Music Group/Interscope release included the multi-platinum-selling smash single "Apologize," which shattered digital sales and airplay records worldwide and received a GRAMMY Award nomination.

 

Ahead of his fifth annual Crossroads Guitar Festival, Eric Clapton will be hosting a limited run of solo concert dates in September 2019, including a Las Vegas stop at T-Mobile Arena Friday, Sept. 13. Eric Clapton’s band for these shows will include Doyle Bramhall II, Paul Carrack, Nathan East, Steve Gadd, and Chris Stainton with Sharon White and Katie Kissoon on backing vocals.

 

In celebration of Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Mexican singer/songwriter Pancho Barraza will perform at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Pancho Barraza has been a classic performer of Mexican Norteño and banda music since starting out as a solo artist in 1995. His debut album, Mis Canciones De Amor, was a smash, and since then, he's become known throughout the field as one of the best singers of this type of music in Mexico.

 

In celebration of Mexican Independence Day Weekend, multiplatinum recording artist Enrique Iglesias will perform his only U.S. date in 2019 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Saturday, Sept. 14. Enrique Iglesias has sold more than 170 million albums (albums and singles combined) worldwide, released ten studio albums plus two greatest hits compilations, and is a multiplatinum artist in almost every country around the world.

 

Jerry Seinfeld, world famous comedian, author, producer and director, will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for two additional weekends this fall to perform his world famous stand-up comedy. Show dates are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. Entertainment icon Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy career took off after his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1981. Eight years later, he teamed up with fellow comedian Larry David to create what was to become the most successful comedy series in the history of television: Seinfeld. The show ran on NBC for nine seasons, winning numerous Emmy, Golden Globe and People’s Choice awards, and was named the greatest television show of all time in 2009 by TV Guide, and in 2012 was identified as the best sitcom ever in a 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll. 

 

Global Latin music idol MALUMA, who has been selling out concerts throughout the world, has just announced his return to the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with the North American leg of his 2019 MALUMA 11:11 WORLD TOUR. The tour will make a Las Vegas stop over Mexican Independence Day Weekend at Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, Sept. 14.  At just 25 years of age, Maluma has taken the world by storm with his live shows.

 

In celebration of Mexican Independence Day, Latin music legend Alejandro Fernández will return to perform at Mandalay Bay Events Center Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.  Fernández is a world-class artist and representative of traditional and modern Mexican music. He first pursued a solo music career after the success of recording the hit song, “Amor de los dos,” with his father, Don Vicente.

 

GLORIA TREVI, the indisputable queen of Spanish-language music who never stops shaking up the industry with her incomparable, audacious and irreverent style, announced today her upcoming “Diosa De La Noche” Tour across the United States alongside the Colombian pop phenomenon Karol G. Produced by Live Nation, the “Diosa De La Noche” Tour will make a Las Vegas stop over Mexican Independence Day Weekend at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.

 

HEART--ANN and NANCY WILSON--will return to the road in 2019 for the first time in three years with their massive "Love Alive" cross-country summer tour. The tour features a stop at The Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019. HEART will partner with REVERB for this tour, to reduce the environmental footprint of the events while also engaging fans in local and national causes each night in the concourse. For more information, visit REVERB.org.

 

And as students are heading back to school, think of this… Why was the teacher wearing sunglasses to school?  --She had bright students!

Why did the M&M go to school? Because he really wanted to be a Smartie!

Mom: What did you do at school today?
Son: We did a guessing game.
Mom: But I thought you were having a math exam.
Son: That’s right!

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.