Nude no more: Manneken Pis masks up
IN terms of masked messaging, Manneken Pis is No. 1. The cherubic, bronze statue at the P Las Vegas — wait, the D Las Vegas — is now wearing a face mask with the hotel’s logo. He is the latest figure to jump into the pool in the statewide “Mask Up for Nevada” campaign. Even Elvis, now a Las Vegas Raiders fan, is rocking a mask at Westgate Las Vegas.
Word of Mr. Pis’ new cover leaked this week, the latest stream-of-consciousness move from hotel co-owner Derek Stevens. He says, “Based on my reading of the regulations, Manneken Pis
L.V. is exempt from wearing a mask.”
Probably because of Manneken’s social distancing. Nonetheless, Stevens adds, “He’s aiming to please.”
A shining, cheeky tribute to the 17th-century statue in Brussels, Manneken Pis was brought to the hotel in 2015. As a release announcing his new mask reminds, the original was created by Hieronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and originally displayed in 1619.
Manneken Pis survived the bombardment of Brussels in 1695 and grew into one of the most widely visited and photographed statues in Belgium. He is also one of the most photographed statues in downtown Las Vegas, causing a ripple while rivaling the buskers along the Fremont Street Experience.
Stevens has taken a shine to the little fella and says he has an extensive wardrobe for any occasion (we have heard of a smoking jacket and zoot suit). Typically, the occasion to nakedly make water, but you’re not totally nude if you’re in a face cover. In this campaign, we say to Manneken Pis: You’re in.
Stefani-shelton single
Not to mean they are single, but Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton will release their new song “Happy Anywhere” on Friday. The song is a followup to “Nobody but You,” the couple’s single released in January. Stefani’s closing “Just a Girl” dates at Zappos Theater are on hold.
Marie’s new partners
Marie Osmond is using the face-swap app Doublicat to put her face over videos of Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. Check out her posts @Marieosmond Instagram posts.
A friend turned Osmond on to the app last week. Like a guitarist with a new whammy bar, she’s having way too much fun with this.
Fator & Funny Bone
Former Mirage headliner and current ventriloquial free agent Terry Fator sold out his five shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Funny Bone comedy club in Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend. He’s looking forward to a return.
“It was so much fun. They want me back,” Fator said. “We are trying to do more comedy clubs, but they keep closing as fast as they open. I’ll do them as long as I can before I start Vegas again.”
Fator is looking for more clubs. “I love being onstage so much. It was a blast,” he says. He’s also among the many headliners still trying to figure out his future in Las Vegas.
They are here
Spiegelworld has renamed its disco show — to “Discoshow.” Company founder Ross Mollison confirmed the change Wednesday, simply saying, “That’s what it is.”
This is the production formerly called “We Are
Here,” being designed by the famous director Steven Hoggett (“Harry Potter and The Cursed Child”), music headed up by producing, songwriting and music great Nile Rodgers of Chic.
A scaled-down version of the production was showcased in Brooklyn in 2016 for a group of possible resort partners (it’s not often one has the opportunity to groove alongside Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner).
Still no home, but the name is new, and the fictional Finnish character Åke Blomqvist (named for the actual dance instructor from Helsinki) remains.
That’s entertainment
Resorts World Las Vegas President Scott Sibella says the resort has extensive entertainment concepts beyond its Theatre at Resorts World. Sibella mentioned a 400-500 seat, expanded lounge planned for the hotel’s “entertainment zone.” Sibella agreed the idea reflects Rhythm & Riffs at Mandalay Bay, Loser’s Bar & Grill at MGM Grand and Parlour at The Mirage “but a lot bigger.”
Full bands, soloists, DJS and even stand-up comics can perform at this club.
“We are serious about bringing the best entertainment,” Sibella said Monday afternoon in a phone chat. “We will have plans for entertainment throughout the property.” More from the resort vet this week.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Wynn Resorts furloughing workers, cutting back midweek operations
After paying its
Las Vegas employees throughout the 78-day Nevada casino shutdown, Wynn Resorts Ltd. is set to place workers on furlough, effective this week.
2. $14M Demon With
Bowl statue AWOL at Palms
The centerpiece of the hotel’s short-lived Kaos nightclub and dayclub has been yanked from its moors. 3. Circus Circus, Tropicana gives workers notice of possible layoffs
Circus Circus plans to permanently lay off 252 employees on Sept. 1.
4. As COVID-19 cases rise, fewer tourists come to
Las Vegas
Foot traffic in Las Vegas casinos is starting to slow as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
5. Las Vegas takes steps on coronavirus amid reported warning from White House
Dr. Deborah Birx cautioned officials during a private phone call, according to a report by the Center for Public Integrity, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit newsroom.
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Casino foot traffic slows as COVID-19 cases rise
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Las Vegas casino foot traffic is starting to slow, according to a J.P. Morgan analyst.
2. Amid the pandemic, Southern Nevadans are falling behind on mortgages
As Nevada’s foreclosure moratorium ends, homeowners must figure out how to pay off any missed mortgage payments.
3. Wynn Resorts Ltd. to place workers on furlough
This comes after paying its Las Vegas employees throughout the 78-day Nevada casino shutdown.