Loggins bringing songs, stories to Encore
IT’S funnywhatyou remember when you’re talking to Kenny Loggins. Not surprisingly, this memory centers on “Top Gun.”
I told Loggins of a time when the movie had just been released on VHS and a friend was shopping for a home-entertainment center.
We visited a department store and the sales rep inserted “Top Gun” into a TV/VCR system outfitted with a pair of giant speakers. He then fast-forwarded to the “Danger Zone” scene, with the boys zipping around in their fighter jets.
“We were told that scene was the best way to judge an entertainment system at the time,” I said to Loggins. “And I promised myself if I ever talked to Kenny Loggins, I would tell you that.”
Loggins laughed and said, “I have never heard that. It’s a rocking scene, but for me, the great test was the original ‘Star Wars,’ with all those great effects and the beautiful John Williams music. But that is an achievement, you know? You have to be known for something.”
The singer opens a series at the Encore Theater at 8 p.m. Wednesday, continuing Friday and Saturday. It is his first such run at the resort, and he originally arranged the framework of the deal with then-operator Steve Wynn. Loggins had performed for Wynn back when he owned the Golden Nugget.
Loggins is adopting a storytelling/concert hybrid, a template that worked so well for Garth Brooks in his Encore Theater residency. But unlike Brooks, who sang and spoke while strumming an acoustic, Loggins will bring a band while spinning his stories.
“Think of it as a life-andtimes kind of show,” he said. “With a great band.”
Black & White is back
Miss Behave of “The Miss Behave Game Show” at Bally’s and “Empress of the ’80s” Norma Llyaman co-host the 32nd annual Aid for AIDS of Nevada Black & White Party on Saturday at the Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay. The event runs from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. and benefits Aid for AIDS of Nevada’s client service programs for Southern Nevadans with HIV or AIDS.
This year’s theme is Escape to Paradise (I thought that was the theme every year), and the gala is designed to take guests back to the 1980s. So pack a Walkman. Several culinary stations will be set up. Performers include Tenors of Rock, Blue Man Group, Murray Sawchuck, David Goldrake, the Queens of Piranha Nightclub and East Side Riot. Also set to appear are the casts of Penn and Teller, Chippendales and “Sexxy.”
General admission tickets are $80, with VIP tickets $125 and group packages $1,200 and $2,000. Go to www.afan. org for ticket and scheduling info — and fashion tips.
Machine of Mariah
Mariah Carey, back for another run at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, premiered her slot machine Saturday at Caesars. Upon payout, the game plays Carey’s hits “Dreamlover,” “Emotions,” “Fantasy,” “Heartbreaker,” “It’s Like That” and “Make It Happen.” I call out “Make it happen!” every time I gamble already, so find me at this machine.
Perrico and P-40
Trumpet ace and adept bandleader David Perrico is producing a new band, Pop 40, set to perform regularly at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. P-40, as I am calling this ensemble, opens Sept. 14 and plays 8 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, leading to Perrico’s Pop Strings performances.
Perrico’s fiancee, Lily Arce, and Fletch Walcott share singing assignments and are backed by keyboardist Joe Spraker, guitarist Cameron Tyler and bassist Marcus Vann.
P-40 is off when Paul Shaffer and the Shaf-shifters headline the Barge, and that run starts Thursday. More on Viva Shaf Vegas in an upcoming column.
Random Elvis factoid
Not of Presley or Costello, but Vegas musician Elvis Lederer (of Zowie Bowie and Überschall): He lives in a Paradise Palms home once owned by Johnny Carson.
Flame on
Hearing the term “aggressive fire” in reference to the new “Jump” show planned to replace Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak Live” at Luxor. This would be planned fire, where the acrobats perform in a new style of fire suits. A concept at this point, from what I understand.
Cool hang alert
Sometimes we must belabor the obvious, but the above-mentioned Zowie Bowie makes the scene swing Thursday and Saturday nights at the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience and Fridays at Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort. Frontman Chris Phillips is closing in on 52 years old and still performs a David Lee Roth-inspired leg kick, straight from the ’80s. We’re about the same age, and he is a man after my own heart, if not hamstring.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Monday:
1. Parents arrested after Las Vegas police find body of missing child
Homicide Lt. Ray Spencer said 3-year-old Daniel Theriot was found dead early Monday morning in a remote area near Lake Mead after his mother reported him missing about 8:45 a.m. Sunday at Sunset Park.
2. Bruno Mars performs at Fertittas’ ‘royal wedding’ in Las Vegas
Ostentatious even by the standards of Las Vegas, or of nuptial celebrations anywhere, the ceremony starred Mr. Mars — who performed an hourlong set at the event’s after-party — Seal and the star DJ Marshmello. All appeared Saturday night at the hotel. 3. Burning Man goes up in flames in Northern Nevada
Spectators were encouraged to stay seated for the Burning Man 2018 finale, with watchful rangers and medical staff ready to tackle anyone making a run for the flaming pyre in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. 4. Labor Day backup on I-15 from Las Vegas to Southern California easing
The Regional Transportation Commission reported at 6:15 p.m. that the backup stretched for 7 miles, down from 21 miles earlier in the day.
5. Las Vegas police search for missing 3-year-old at Sunset Park
An hourslong search for a missing 3-year-old boy at a large southeast Las Vegas Valley park was underway Sunday.