Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Iconic Las Vegas Strip sign to be revived
TODD Vonbastiaans remarked a few days ago that he needs to become accustomed to hugging again. He’s hugged only a half-dozen people (well, seven after Friday) throughout COVID-19.
But Vonbastiaans is embracing Las Vegas history, significantly. The wonderful artist and lighting professional is sponsoring the renovation of the famous Lido de Paris sign, from the legendary adult revue and variety show at the Stardust, for the Neon Museum.
The sign will be lit anew at an invitation-only ceremony Thursday at sunset, then be exhibited in the Neon Museum’s permanent Neon Boneyard display at 770 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Go to the Hard Rock Hotel Gibson guitar and make a left. It’s there, appropriately just across from the Stardust sign.
The multicolored, 56-footlong sign has not been illuminated in a quarter-century. “Lido” was a hallmark Las Vegas Strip show from 1958-1991. The hit production packed ’em in when Lefty Rosenthal ran the hotel-casino and featured Siegfried & Roy as a specialty act.
The classic Las Vegas showgirl spectacular entertained more than 19 million guests over 22,000 performances.
The show’s history is revived in every Katy Perry “Play” performance, when the superstar talks of her grandmother, the late Ann Pearl Hudson, working as a seamstress in the show. Perry headlines Resorts World Theatre, about where “Lido” was staged.
Vonbastiaans, who happens to be a big Perry fan, knows the story. He knows the entire history of what the sign represents.
“I had people remind me to go and pick something, and do something, that isn’t just restoring the sign,” Vonbastiaans says. “We want a sign that really helps cement the museum, as the Neon Museum, and away from just being a tourist attraction.”
Lido is the only sign out of 23 restored and illuminated at the Neon Museum that is specifically dedicated to entertainment. This is by design.
Himself an artist who creates behind the scenes, Vonbastiaans’ influence in Las Vegas never goes dark. Vonbastiaans’ first meeting on his first day of work after moving to town in September 1996 was to replace the lighting atop The Strat tower (that work is still in place). His second meeting was at the testing pool for “O” at Bellagio.
Since, Vonbastiaans has worked for every Las Vegas property, major and otherwise. The Caesars Forum Shops’ sky ceiling, original Lake of Dreams show and new version of the production at the Wynn, the first architectural lighting for Neon Boneyard’s night tours and the “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” moment in “Love” are among his favorite efforts.
Vonbastiaans has enlightened the scene at Allegiant Stadium and every significant Vegas theater and venue. He is currently working on The MSG Sphere. He and has worked for more restaurants, nightclubs, retail businesses, casino floors, meeting rooms and ballrooms than he can count.
With that track record of lighting, Vonbastiaans had been planning to lead a sign revival for years. He was reviewing four other famous Vegas signs, but wanted this restoration effort to represent the stage crews so critical to Las Vegas’ entertainment history.
The “Lido” sign is an homage to the wardrobe artists, lighting and sound techs, carpenters, riggers and stagehands who have worked in Vegas over the decades. The cast and crew of the “Lido” show will be on hand Thursday, along with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Neon Museum executives.
“There was this one opportunity and it was like, wait a second, we can use this as an educational tool,” Vonbastiaans said. “This can really honor, and be a beacon for, the generations of families who worked backstage in entertainment. There is a uniqueness there. It just all fit.”
Adele dispels
Multiple Grammy Award winner Adele set the record straight at the Colosseum on Friday night.
“Who said I’m not going to the Grammys?” Adele said as the sold-out crowd roared. “Whoever started that rumor is ridiculous, because I am going to the Grammys. That’s disrespectful to other artists and the Grammys.”
Speculation had seeped out of social media fan accounts that Adele planned sit out this year’s event, scheduled for Feb. 5 at Crypto.com Arena. This year’s event follows the 2022 show, which was moved to MGM Grand Garden after a COVID-19 surge in L.A.
Among Adele’s nominations are Record of the Year (“Easy on Me”), Album of the Year (“30”), Song of the Year (“Easy on Me”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Easy on Me”), Best Pop Vocal Album (“30”), Best Music Video (“Easy on Me”) and Best Music Film (“Adele One Night Only”).
The vocalist also shook up the place by singing “Someone Like You” in its original key, A major, for the first time in 12 years. She said as much after the song, which she dedicated to an man in the audience holding up his phone with a photo of his wife who had recently passed away.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry for your loss, I didn’t realize what you were showing me until I was over there,” Adele said, in tears, after the song. “It’s so beautiful, but it can be really emotional.”
Cool Hang Alert
The premiere of Count Room Live inside Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo. The Moonshiners make it, uh, Count from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It’s Prohibition Pop at its best, and yes, try the veal.