Folks must be Barry patient for shows
FANILOWS need to wait until June to swoon. Barry Manilow reset his return to International Theater at Westgate Las Vegas to June 10. The superstar and the hotel made the formal announcement Friday. The new dates follow speculation about whether “The Hits Come Home” would perform in February, March and May.
“I can’t wait to get back onstage at my Las Vegas home at Westgate’s International Theater in 2021 and bring the magic back to my amazing fans,” Manilow said in a statement.
According to the hotel, ticketholders for the postponed shows will be contacted with rescheduling options.
Manilow’s run is set to resume June 10-12. Then he’s back June 17-20, Sept. 16-18, Sept. 23-25, Oct. 14-16 and Oct. 21-23. The recording superstar has logged more than 500 shows overall at International Theater, where he first headlined from 2005 to 2010, when the property was the Las Vegas Hilton. He played two more years at Paris Theater.
At the moment, the live entertainment at Westgate is headed up by the duo
Sean Stewart and Brandon Godfrey of Nperson, playing Fridays and Saturdays at International Bar. The act is an offshoot of R&B revue Soul of Motown, which is waiting for a return, same as George Wallace, Jenn Romas and “Sexxy” and magician Jen Kramer.
Allen’s town
COVID-19 has confounded Jassen Allen.
“I am more wanted now than I’ve ever been,” said Allen, a fabulous talent making his debut ambiently at the Italian American Club on Sunday night. “Before, when it was normal, it was like, ‘Eh?
We’ll call you.’ Now, I’ve been very fortunate, very blessed to have a lot of work.”
Allen is singing in the spaced-out IAC dining room, formerly its main showroom, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and his performance at 8 p.m. Tickets for the night are $65 apiece. Hit the IAC website for details.
Allen is also the new entertainment director at the Vegas Room, a Saturday night ambient singer at Prosecco Fresh Italian Kitchen in Henderson and the Wednesday singer at Bellagio’s Mayfair Supper Club. This is all added to his long-running gig as producer of Mondays Dark, which relaunches Jan. 18, with Mark Shunock out front.
Sunday’s show is all about one thing.
“The whole concept is feeling good, keeping high hopes in 2021 regardless of what is going on,” Allen said.
“I’m singing songs that make people feel love.”
He’s picking Bruno Mars, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and (yep) Reba Mcentire.
“There is a whole story about why we’re using Reba,” Allen said.
He’ll disclose more Sunday. Column fave Skye Dee Miles is dropping in for three songs, too.
“I’m doing things to make the heart beat and show folks in our entertainment community that we can perform safely and still find work,” Allen said. “You can do it right and do it safe.”
A tome for the time
Cameron Hughes, the man we (unintentionally) nicknamed “the igniter” in Las Vegas, released his memoir, “King Of Cheer.” Find it on Amazon and Google Books, among other online platforms.
Back in the city’s mass-gathering era, Hughes lit up Vegas Golden Knights crowds at T-mobile Arena. The man has a gift, an inherent passion, for riling up human beings. He reminds me most of one of his heroes, and a figure from my favorite times at the Oakland Coliseum, “Crazy” George Henderson.
In the world of “igniting,” there is no higher praise.
Cool hang alert
Gang, an earnest endorsement here of Cork and Thorn wine bar at 70 W. Imperial Avenue in the Arts District. This is a bona fide hideaway, having recently relocated from its spot at Tivoli Village, with great food and some top ambient talent. The space boasts “a floral experience unlike all others,” pairing the ambience of floral arrangements with a variety of wines and Champagnes.
We’ve ducked into this haunt three times to see Miles with her burning backing band and a few of her great guest stars. Melody Rosa is often in the room. The brie and fig jam on toasted baguette is so good I’ve ordered it like 17 times. My wine friends like the selections. Four claps, in rhythm, to proprietor Randi Garrett for designing a delicious scene.
Move the chains
In sports betting, ATS means “against the spread.” It also means “a topless sensation” in Opportunity Village’s Picks for OV NFL handicapping contest.
The above-mentioned Romas won the annual competition. She made it look easy, compiling a head-spinning 50-32-3 record ATS (a 58.8 winning percentage), holding the No. 1 slot for 10 consecutive weeks.