Stay ConnectedPodKats! is a weekly hang with the biggest names in entertainment, hosted by man-about-town columnist John “Kats” Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can find his column on page 3A every day and online all the time at http://reviewjournal.com/Kats.
Thanks to longtime Vegas headliner Frankie Moreno for the PodKats! theme, ‘Biggest Cat in Town,’ from the album Broke Down in Paradise.
The scene never stops, folks, and this week I was ignited by Cameron Hughes! He’s known as the igniter! And he is the guy who works the crowd during breaks in the action at Vegas Golden Knights games at T-Mobile Arena. I also caught up with Mike Hammer, the acerbic comic magician at Four Queens; and Kenny Davidsen of Don’t Tell Mama in downtown Las Vegas who is also the bandleader at Tuscany Suites.
I am on the prowl, once more! Welcome to PodKats! This is Kats, John Katsilometes, of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. My column is called Kats!, fittingly enough, on page 3A every day online all the time. I met up with rock legends ZZ Top. I also Chat with another Rock legend Carlos Santana of House of Blues at the children’s book charity Spread the Word Nevada. I reconnected with magician Xavier Mortimer, who is opening a new headling show at Windows Showroom. AND I spent time backstage with Gina Katon and Marc Jordan of Little Miss Nasty, the adult rock/burlesque show at Hooters Hotel Casino! Let’s hit it
Derek Stevens, who, along with his brother Greg, have announced the name of the resort they are building on Fremont Street. The hotel-casino is scheduled to open in December 2020. If you follow the Kats! Column, you know that Derek is the bold overlord of The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate. His company also operates the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, the site of the naming-announcement party on January 10th. Derek explains this name inspired by Las Vegas history and its pioneers, and also talks of the great sports book and Garage Mahal, and how he will always be on the casino floor chatting up customers.
The Righteous Brothers, they are righteous, Bill Medley and Bucky Heard. The act has performed a residency at Harrah's since 2015 and the residency is ongoing until 2019. Lets Hit It!
Mark Shunock, is the proprietor of the Space and founder of Monday’s Dark. He also played Lonny in Rock of Ages at Venetian and the Rio. Since then, the Space has become a community destination, and Monday’s Dark is a popular music production and fund-raising effort that was launched in December 2013. Shunock is also an arena emcee for the Vegas Golden Knights and has also emceed for Top Rank Boxing. As always, we have a lot happening on the scene this week, as I sat with Mark Shunock of the Space, former Jersey Boys cast member Travis Cloer, and Amy Saunders, the star of Miss Behave Game Show at Bally’s.
Human Nature has been a popular Las Vegas act since opening at the then-Imperial Palace -- now Linq Hotel -- in 2009. The Australian quartet began with a Motown-themed show presented by none other than Smokey Robinson, and have since moved to the Venenetian and expanded the theme to JukeBox -- a collection of great rock and roll classics. They planning to add to their resiencey at Sands Showroom with a new multi-year contract. The are also returning to Australia for a two-month tour beginning next May. John Katsilometes also catches up with Terry Fedor and Matt Ryan who performs the “Bruce Springsteen” character for the acclaimed Legends in Concert.
Jennifer Romas of the adult revue Sexxy at the Westgate Las Vegas; Stephanie Calvert of the rock band Starship and also Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding; and Las Vegas rock tandem Rockie Brown and Jason Tanzer. Welcome to PodKats, this is Kats, John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. I write the column called Kats! on Page 3A, every day, and online all the time!
2008. The much-hyped “Believe” was originally a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, but was not well received by reviewers or the public and went through a major overhaul soon after it opened. Angel convinced Cirque officials to allow him to produce the show himself. The plan worked. After a successful residency his hit show “Mindfreak Live” has closed as his contract with Cirque expired. As he moves into his next show at Planet Hollywood, Angel talks of his time at Luxor, his young son Johnny Crisstopher’s health challenges, how he has been perceived by the media, the influence of his family and how he has grown over the past decade. Plus, We go out on the town with Las Vegas showman Frankie Scinta, and “Zombie Burlesque” star Enoch Augustus Scott.
Welcome to PodKats, this is Kats, John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. I am on Page 3A, every day and online all the time. We have an action-packed episode this week with John Shaw of Zak Bagans Haunted Museum. John is a longtime magician and sideshow artist who is known to put drills and nails in his face and lift paint cans from hooks in his eyes. His act is not for everyone, but he is a hit at Bagans Haunted Museum. Branden Powers is a flamboyant entrepreneur who has opened, and operates, such popular clubs and restaurants as Evel Pie on Fremont East and The Golden Tiki in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road. Powers is known for his fascination with pop culture of the 60s, 70s and 80s, his appreciation for Evel Knievel and his famous display of shrunken heads. Philip Fortenberry is a master pianist and showman who has lived and worked in Las Vegas for more than a decade. He was the star of Liberace and Me at the now-closed Liberace Museum, the music director of The Cocktail Cabaret, and over the summer he introduced Broadway numbers to fans of all in mainland China on a 19-day, 14-city tour.
Welcome to PodKats, this is Kats, John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. I am on Page 3A, every day and online all the time! We join the jam with Tenors of Rock, the quintet from the United Kingdom, has logged 500 shows at Harrah’s Showroom. They map their long path to the Strip, which includes a showcase at the Palms where Priscilla Presley was in the audience. Former Las Vegas Mayor and famous mob attorney Oscar Goodman sits with us for a martini (for him) and a fizzywater (for me) at Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza. Daniel Emmet rose from the lounges of Las Vegas to the final 10 of “Ameria’s Got Talent,” and he describes his wild ride on the NBC competion show.
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