Luxe Life Blog
Celebrity preview: Daughtry, Moody Blues, ‘Nutcracker,’ country stars
Chris Daughtry performs with Carlos Santana during Supernatural Santana at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 25, 2010.
Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com
It’s the final performance weekend for the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center and a blowout bonanza of stars to entertain the cowboys and cowgirls before they ride out of town.
We hope you’ve had a grand 10-day visit. We loved having you and look forward to your return same time next year. But don’t be strangers; you’re welcome here any time!
It’s not all about country music this weekend, as we have everything from 50-year career rockers the Moody Blues to Daughtry and Three Doors Down for competition.
Plus, the holiday season has definitely arrived with our wonderful Nevada Ballet Theatre making its Smith Center for the Performing Arts debut with the time-honored “Nutcracker,” and the dancers give it a new interpretation in their new home downtown. Deana Martin also has her Christmas show at Smith Center.
To make the Royal Robin Rundown a little easier, I’ve wrangled it into two-steer sections; we start with the lassoed, gold-buckle rodeo entertainment and follow with the other attractions.
FRIDAY, DEC. 14
MUSIC
Shania Twain sizzles in “Still the One” at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace all weekend. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill continue their “Soul2Soul” run at the Venetian for two nights. LeAnn Rimes is a “Spitfire” at LVH for two nights; check out my Q+A with her to find out exactly what I mean!
Randy Travis is at Golden Nugget. Travis Tritt performs at the Orleans for two nights Jamey Johnson is at the Riviera. Daryle Singletary and Justin McBride are at the Mirage Race & Sports Book, Jack Ingram is at Cowboy Fan Fest, and Nashville Unplugged features Deana Carter at Red Rock Resort.
COMEDY
Ron White continues the “Aces of Comedy” series at the Mirage for two nights. Bill Engvall does blue-collar humor at Treasure Island. And Rodney Carrington is at MGM Grand for two nights.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
It’s Day 9 of the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, with Jack Ingram performing the national anthem.
SATURDAY, DEC. 15
MUSIC
Trace Adkins booms his powerful deep voice at the Riviera. Chris Cagle is at the Mirage Race & Sports Book. Lee Brice is at MGM Grand’s Gold Buckle Zone. And Brett Eldredge is at Cowboy Fan Fest.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
It’s Patriot Night and the final night at the 2012 NFR, with Chris Cagle performing the national anthem.
Now for the non-Stetson, boots and spurs crowd!
FRIDAY, DEC. 14
MUSIC
Daughtry and Three Doors Down rock Green Valley Ranch. Mexican diva pop-rock singer-songwriter Gloria Trevi is at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. And the “Deana Martin Christmas Show” is at Cabaret Jazz in Smith Center all weekend.
COMEDY
Dat Phan and Marc Price are at Harrah’s Improv all weekend, and John Wesley Austin and Jerry Harvey are at Big Al’s Comedy Club at the Orleans all weekend.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Due to sellouts and high-ticket demand, tickets go on sale for Shania’s just-added performances May 14-June 1 at Caesars. Tickets go on sale for Justin Bieber’s June 28 concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena, and the sure bet is that they’ll sell out within an hour! And tickets go on sale for hometown heroes Imagine Dragons’ Feb. 9 show at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.
Due to high demand, chef Wolfgang Puck has extended his Spago 20th anniversary celebration throwback menu at 1992 prices through Dec. 20. Valentino at the Venetian hosts a seven-course white truffle dinner created by James Beard Award-winning chef Luciano Pellegrini.
Arianny Celeste, UFC Octagon beauty, holds an autograph session at the Hard Rock Hotel. Michael Bush, longtime costume designer and friend of Michael Jackson, will be at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in the Forum Shops at Caesars to sign copies of his book “The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson,” plus, unveil a display of the King of Pop’s costumes, apparel, shoes and accessories. And “On Air With Robert & CC” features Danny Koker, car master from “Pawn Stars” and “Counting Cars,” at PBR Rock Bar in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.
PARTY PATROL
Our good colleagues at Las Vegas Weekly celebrate their 14th anniversary with a party at Hyde Bellagio. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Heist World Tour” mini concert at Haze in Aria benefits Three Square food bank. And call it Yuletide terror as horror honcho Eli Roth turns his Goretorium into frightful festivities with Santa’s evil twin brother Sick Nick for Slaughter in the Halls.
SATURDAY, DEC. 15
MUSIC
It’s been nearly 50 years since the Moody Blues formed, and the legendary band is still going strong with “The Voyage Continues Highway 45” tour driving into Pearl at the Palms. Martin Nievera is at Suncoast Showroom for two nights. A capella sensations Pentatonix are at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip. And the Tragically Hip are at HOB.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
“The Ultimate Fighter” Finale” with Roy Nelson vs. Matt Mitrione is at the Joint. The Las Vegas Legends battle the Real Phoenix at Orleans Arena.
Nevada Ballet Theater presents an all-new production of the two-act “Nutcracker” holiday dream choreographed by artistic director James Canfield with a full orchestra at Smith Center through Dec. 23. Legendary Mitzi Gaynor, NBT’s 2013 Woman of the Year, TLC’s “Sister Wives” castmembers, famed ballerina Cynthia Gregory and Las Vegas celebrities including Stratosphere headliner crooner Frankie Moreno, UFC fighter Frank Mir and 2012 Miss Nevada Randi Sundquist will kick off the new show on the red carpet, each displaying a nutcracker that they designed and decorated.
Kendall and Kylie Jenner host a meet-and-greet at Kardashian Khaos in the Mirage. Longtime Food Network chef, restaurateur and author Tyler Florence signs copies of his new cookbook “Fresh” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The Amazing Johnathan hosts his first-ever free Classic Car Show at his warehouse (6290 Harrison Drive). Antique vehicles from his collection will be sold at the showcase to benefit our Southern Nevada Make-A-Wish Foundation.
It’s “Suite Holidays” at the Paris, Rio Caesars, Cosmopolitan, Hard Rock Hotel and Palms as the six casino resorts open their doors to never-before-seen, ultra-exclusive suites for the second annual event from 2 to 10 p.m. For $100, guests receive access to the luxury accommodations, hors d’oeuvres and wine at each location and complimentary shuttle service. Proceeds benefit the local chapter of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada. Go to JALasVegas.org for more information.
PARTY PATROL
“Don’t Mess With the B---- in Apartment 23” star Krysten Ritter celebrates her birthday at the Bank in the Bellagio, and Arianny Celeste hosts “The Ultimate Fighter” Finale after-party at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel.
SUNDAY, DEC. 16
Stephen Sorrentino’s comedy impressions show “Voices in My Head” featuring Sin City Babe Dancers is at Starbright Theater in Summerlin.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
The Eighth Annual Hogs & Heifers Saloon “Miracle on 3rd Street” Motorcycle Run and Toy Giveaway roars off to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center with toys for more than 250 children, and the Wranglers battle the Bakersfield Condors at Orleans Arena.
USA Network’s medical comedy drama “Royal Pains” recently filmed its 2-hour holiday special “Off Season’s Greetings” in Las Vegas, and the episode airs Sunday (check local listings for air time). The episode features the wedding of Evan (Paulo Costanzo) and Paige (Brooke D’Orsay), along with flashbacks, a snowstorm and a surprise visit here (featuring the Bellagio, Palms, Lavo in the Palazzo, Golden Nugget, Fremont Street Experience, the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and more) with a twist. The TV shoot was a first-ever content partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Royal Pains,” starring Mark Feuerstein, returns for its Season 5 next summer.
WEEKEND TEASE
Just as the second “Sin City Rules” episode airs on TLC comes news of lawyers reviewing last week’s debut over claims made about one of the cast member’s ownership in a company featured on the program. Sunday’s show is titled “Whine Tasting,” so it’s probably more of the same.
We’ll post the final rodeo action and ringside photos of the gold-buckle presentations, along with party and entertainment action, so check back often Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
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