LE REVE MILESTONE
It got off to a very rocky start and mogul Steve Wynn ordered drastic changes not only to the show but to the theater itself. Even creator Franco Dragone was “bounced” from his production for a while. Critics labeled it “dark, dreary and not fun.” Finally though, all the tinkering paid off and Le Reve’s over and underwater spectacle became a solid hit. Now against all the odds, Le Reve celebrates its 1,000th performance tomorrow night.
Congratulations to all, especially to a vindicated Steve and Elaine Wynn who stuck it out. If you’re one of the first 500 ticket holders at the 10:30 p.m. show you’ll be given the signature red swimming cap as a gift. Since opening day on April 28, 2005, 600,000 towels have been used, 52,0000 loads of laundry have been washed and over 6,400 pairs of red tango shoes have been repaired. Of the ever-changing cast, just six original performers and musicians along with 14 crew members from Day one remain in the show!
Le Reve’s milestone is just one highlight of yet another top-notch Vegas weekend jam-packed with attractions that we’ve set out neatly for your consideration in what we refer to affectionately around here as: THE ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
Fri Sept 28:
*Country outlaw Willie Nelson, with his trademark bandana and two long red-haired braids, is an American icon with eight Grammy wins and a Grammy Legend Award over his near 50-year career. The unique entertainer and songwriter who is “Always on My Mind” plays a rare concert at the Joint inside the Hard Rock. Meantime, poolside garage rock quartet Louis XIV will play their rough primal rock lyrics, and we’ll find out if “True Love is Blind.”
*For a larger slice of comedy, Mo’Nique barrels into the Mandalay Bay theatre. The over-sized author of “Skinny Women Are Evil” once hosted F.A.T. Chance, a beauty pageant dedicated to “fabulous and thick” women on the Oxygen network. You know her recently as the hunky headmistress of VH1’s “Charm School,” tutoring combatants from “Flavor of Love.”
*Step back in time for the hits of the Kingston Trio at the Southpoint for two nights, while up at the Suncoast The Bellamy Brothers croon their country-music hits through Sunday night, so “Let Your Love Flow” for them.
*Jay Leno’s Tonight Show correspondent and VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club contestant Ross “The Intern” Matthews celebrates his birthday at TAO nightclub in the Venetian.
*Joe Weider’s Olympia weekend is in full swing, pumping iron and flexing muscles at the Orleans Arena. Two Vegas bodybuilders star with Ronnie Coleman looking for a 9th record breaking title over defending champ Jay Cutter.
*The prestigious 30-year-old New York ArtExpo appears for the first time in Vegas at Mandalay Bay all weekend. Billed as the world’s largest fine-art fair, there’s more than 300 exhibits including the limited editions of Hollywood movie studio artist Tom Zotos and a commemorative tribute to Frank Sinatra’s 60-years in entertainment.
Sat Sept 29
*Soulful saxophonist Kenny G wraps up the 2007 Stars on the Lake concert series on the floating stage at Lake Las Vegas. He’ll be performing tunes from his latest album, “In the Mood for Love- the most romantic melodies of all Time.” Kenny has enjoyed a 25-year-career, producing eight no.1 albums and selling more than 50-million worldwide. He says he’s looking forward to cruising the lake while in town. By the way, that “G” is for Gorelick and he began playing backup sax for Barry White while still attending high school in Seattle!
* Showman Jeff Beacher kicks off the first of his four fall Madhouse shows at the Hard Rock with Howard Stern sidekick, Gary Dell’Abate guest hosting and introducing a new Little Brit singer. KISS lead singer Gene Simmons will be in the audience filming for his “Family Jewels” reality show, and Tiny Kiss will be on hand for the launch of the Micro Unprofessional Fighting Federation.
*Five femme-fatales who actually broke up in 1985, made-up to make up The Go-Go’s, and their unique surfer-punk rock style is still going strong after all these years. Fan favorite Belinda Carlisle leads them to splash at the Mandalay Bay beach.
*Rock icon Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane and Starship fame launches her line of rock inspired artwork at the new Obsessions store inside Planet Hollywood at 5 p.m.
*It’s a son and dad show as frenzied funnyman Pauly Shore guests at the House of Blues and features his father, Sammy – one of the original Hollywood comic founders of comedy clubs.
*Nobody quite sings and plays the sound of country like Charley Pride, and he pulls into the Texas Station for the sweet sounds from the South.
*It’s the night of the ARTV awards, but I think at the last minute they have been moved from the Pearl at the Palms to Sapphire’s adult club, so please double check to avoid confusion that even I can’t unravel! Art in a strip-joint is a 44-Double-D concept I can’t quite wrap my arms around even if the trophies aren’t packaged in sparkly bras!
Sun Sept 30:
*Tears will be shed and crying will be heard. It’s the final REHAB pool party of the season at the Hard Rock. The ribald rodeo will sigh its final breath of the year, signaling fall has truly arrived with a winding down bash at Body English nightclub.
*The Blue Man Group are putting on a special 5 p.m. show at their expense with all the proceeds benefiting Opportunity Village – our favorite hometown charity - to help build a new Southwest campus for the physically, emotionally and mentally challenged adults of our Valley.
*The Orleans Arena plays host to Daddy Yankee in concert.
*DJ O.B. One celebrates his birthday at the Playboy Club in the Palms with a host of other DJ’s giving him the night off! The bash also marks the soft opening of the new Playboy After Dark romps with the Bunnies in the sky. The official grand opening with new larger dance area and more modular furniture will be next weekend during the Billboard Vegas Music Experience, and followed a week later with the celebration of Playboy Magazine’s 10-page November Vegas Bunny