Virus halts Human Nature’s Aussie tour
EVEN in their homeland of Australia, Human Nature can’t escape the COVID crisis. Toby Allen, among the four original members of the vocal ensemble, has been forced into quarantine during the band’s tour Down Under. Allen was on a Virgin Airlines flight from Sydney to Brisbane on Wednesday, separate from the band’s traveling schedule, when health officials notified passengers of a “possible exposure” from a female passenger.
All travelers on that flight (Virgin 925) have been ordered to self-isolate for two weeks. A statement from the band informs Allen is “under the supervision of Queensland health authorities until further notice.”
Human Nature canceled its show scheduled for Friday night in Brisbane, Saturday in Broadbeach and Monday and Tuesday in Canberra.
The group is next scheduled to appear Jan. 2 in the Sydney Coliseum Theatre. They also are set for performances Jan. 8 in Adelaide, and Jan. 9 at The Bowl in Melbourne.
Members of the group are permitted to enter their original home country as they hold Australian citizenship and passports. The country has otherwise closed its borders to international visitors unless they are citizens, residents, have immediate family members in the country, or travelers who have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days.
An 11-year headlining act on the Strip, Human Nature ended its residency on the Strip during the COVID shutdown. The group’s last show here was March 13, ending a seven-year run.
That night happened to fall on co-founder Phil Burton’s birthday. He has since moved back to Australia, but producer Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment says he wants to return the show to the Strip in 2021, even with just three full-time members (Allen and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney).
Meantime, all four members of Human Nature have eight dates in Australia scheduled from Aug. 31-Sept. 18.
X-clusive crowd
“X Burlesque” is promoting a private, pandemic-protocol permitting production at the Flamingo.
The popular topless revue launches “X Burlesque, Private Edition” on Jan. 7. Producers Matt and Angela Stabile say the revue will play to an “X-clusive” crowd of 30 ticketholders per show. That means 15 two-section pods (or, tables) in the venue.
Two performances are set at 7 and 10 p.m. from Thursdays through Saturdays. Tickets are $199 per couple (fees included). The Stabiles say they will stage this format until larger public gatherings are permitted. Gov.
Steve Sisolak has ordered the current protocols at least through Jan. 15.
Theatergoers at X Burlesque Showroom (Bugsy’s Cabaret) receive one bottle of champagne per table, a signed “X Burlesque” poster, and a Q&A with the cast. There is one question per table, and don’t burn the question by asking, “Can I ask another question?”
“X Burlesque” opened at Flamingo in 2007. The show’s original version opened at the old Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood) in 2002. The Stabiles also produce “X Country” at Harrah’s Cabaret, which holds the distinction of being the first ticketed show to return to a Strip hotel-casino after the COVID shutdown was lifted. The show was back onstage on Oct. 22, and continues to run through pandemic capacity restrictions.
Shrunken Pawn
The original stars of “Pawn Stars” are being honored with their own shrunken heads at The Golden Tiki nightspot in Chinatown. The lineup includes the late Richard “Old Man” Harrison.
The socially distant event took place Friday morning and is to air on “Pawn Stars” next year.
Rick Harrison, Austin “Chumlee” Russell and Cory Harrison fill out the lineup. All four of those heads are to be displayed at Golden Tiki. Club managing partner Branden Powers ordered a second set, to be displayed at Gold & Silver Pawn. Tony Felicetta ,a regular performer at the club with The Sharps and also as DJ Tone Def, presided over Friday’s festivities.
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.