STRIP SCRIBBLES
When my pal, renowned artist Peter Max returns to his gallery at the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace on November 23 and 24, he will unveil a new collection of original works including a 6ft tall Statue of Liberty painting. He tells me that for everybody buying a painting, he will not only sign a personalized autograph, but will add a quick drawing to the inscription too…a mega-rock and hockey showdown make it a far more interesting weekend than usual - because it’s not just wall to wall headliners. You’ve got many different choices ranging from an ice-hockey revenge war sure to bring blood, plus two back to back rock concerts with the biggest giants of the industry. Add a porn-prince to the mix and you’ll understand why I’ve labeled it “interesting” for what we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN
Fri Sept 21
*Lest we forget… country kings Brooks & Dunn still have two nights of shows at the Hilton – click back to Wednesday’s column where it all began!
*A huge night of rock royalty as two giants team up for the Re-evolution Tour at Mandalay Bay. Velvet Revolver pulls the trigger as headliners with Alice in Chains as special guests with Sparta. Former Guns N’ Roses members Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan join Slash, who promises to keep his trademark hat on throughout his amazing guitar solo work of Scott Weiland’s group. Slash hosts his after-party at JET in the Mirage after the show.
*It took just 15 minutes for the tickets to fully sell out for British alternative rock star, Morrissey’s concert at the Pearl in the Palms, so a second back to back show was immediately added. He’s still hitting the top of his game after 30 years as a cultural phenomenon.
*International bands make the night at the Hard Rock: German heavy metal rock band, The Scorpions move their weather forecast music of “Hurricane” and “Wind of Change” inside The Joint, along with the five member band from Monterrey, Mexico known as Kinky at poolside – that name certainly doesn’t translate from the Spanish!
*A blast from the past when Paul Revere and the Raiders start three nights of concerts up at the Suncoast. He sounds the battle cry, “Make way for the 60s!” Over at Boulder Station, the Robert Cray Band pulls in on time, while the Romantics search for love in the right place at the Red Rock.
*NASCAR’s star drivers will attend a one hour “meet the drivers” autograph session at the Stratosphere at 7 p.m. Formula One racer, Jacques Villeneuve will be joined by other international auto-racing stars including Todd Bodine, Matt Crafton, Mike Bliss, Stacy Compton, Chris Wimmer and Scott Lynch, amongst others.
Sat Sept 22
*One of the most important forces in rock music, Def Leppard, with 65 million worldwide albums sold, performs at Mandalay Bay with STYX and Foreigner as special guests, ensuring a second night of mighty powerful electrifying rock shows.
*Funnyman Ray Romano goes solo tonight and tomorrow at the Mirage after his successful teaming with Brad Garrett – and won’t be censored if he reveals those X-rated one-liners that he used but were blacked out on last weekend’s Emmy broadcast.
*Actor comedian Dan Finnerty formed his Dan Band to do covers of originally female-performed pop songs, but added his own obscenity laced humor - and they are at the Hard Rock.
*“I’m So Excited” that I could “Jump” with the news that The Pointer Sisters will retro their hits of yesteryear with a Cannery concert where tickets are just $14.95. That gets a “Slow Hand” of very big applause.
*John Waite has a “price is right” concert in Ovation at Green Valley Ranch - because admission is FREE!!!!
*Ice-hockey fans will thrill to the “Frozen Fury” when the LA Kings face-off with the Colorado Avalanche as the stars skate onto thin ice at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a pre-season showdown of strength - and fists!
*The Orleans Arena hosts a freestyle old-school explosion with the Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and 12 other musical acts including Company B and Expose.
*It’s the 2nd annual Rock ‘n’ Roll “Wine Amplified” Festival at the Mandalay Bay Beach when 50-plus wineries will be serving up more than 120 wines to the sounds of Sugar Ray - and maybe some other surprises!
*Legendary porn-prince Ron Jeremy signs copies of his racy life-story at love boutiques around town and wraps up the night with a party at Showgirls - but remember, that’s the totally nude club, so he’d better keep his clothes on!
Sun Sept 23:
*Now that Tangerine nightclub at the TI is open on Sunday evenings, it’s safe to expect weekly celebrity stay-overs. Tonight, Mickey Avalon, Andre Legacy and Dirt Nasty, better known as the Dyslexic Speed Readers, will rock it while hot DJ’s Kid Millionaire and Steve Aoki will spin the sounds from the turntables.