Latin star Maluma coming this summer
MALUMA is the first announced performer to crack open Michelob Ultra Arena. The Latin recording star’s “Papi Juancho 2021 Tour” is booked for 9 p.m. Sept. 4, with tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
MGM Resorts International two weeks ago renamed the Mandalay Bay Events Center in a partnership with Anheuser-busch.
“I couldn’t be more excited to announce my return to the concert stage,” Maluma, legal name of Juan Luis Londoño Arias, said Monday in a statement. “It’s what I have been dreaming about for months and we are going to celebrate together like never before. It’s going to be a celebration!”
The Colombia-born star is performing new music from “Papi Juancho,” issued in 2020, and “7DJ,” released in January.
Maluma also has collaborated with Madonna ontwo singles from her album “Madame X.” The two performed one of those songs, “Medellín,” named for Maluma’s hometown, at the Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden in May 2019. His collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, “Pa’ Ti,” was released last year.
His U.S. tour launches in Sacramento, California, on Sept. 2 and continues on through Chicago on Oct. 24.
Aerosmith tour delayed
A superstar Strip headlining band is postponing its 2021 tour plans.
Aerosmith has announced plans to move its upcoming concert series to next year, and of course, COVID-19 is the reason.
The band posted on Twitter, “Due to current conditions and for the safety of our fans, the 2021 European Tour has been rescheduled to 2022. Please stay tuned for more information regarding the new dates or contact your point of purchase. All tickets will be valid for new dates.”
The tour now opens May 29, 2022, in Moscow, closing July 13 in Krakow, Poland.
Aerosmith is among the resident headliners at Park Theater at Park MGM. It is not yet known how the adjusted tour plans will affect the band’s plans to return to the Strip.
MGM Resorts International President of Entertainment and Sports George Kliavkoff has said the venue’s headlining lineup would eventually be back onstage.
Aerosmith joins Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Cher in that collection, with announcements of new performers expected this year.
Pack ’em in
“The Rat Pack Is Back” is still playing Fridays, Saturday and Sundays at the “new” Copa Room at the Tuscany Suites. That’s the hotel’s second-floor ballroom. Producer Dick Feeney went into the original Copa Room last week to check how far back 25 feet would measure.
“It took me to all the way to the bar,” Feeney said Sunday. “We can get 10 people in there.”
But the old Vegas tribute show has been full capacity at 50 folks, and at 100 when it expanded Friday night. Feeney has also doubled the ticket price, but people keep paying it.
As he says, “I can live with this.”
Oh? Kaye!
On the topic of the Tuscany, that was indeed Martin Kaye,
living it up and throwing it down, at Piazza Lounge on Friday night. Sporting a bald look and wearing his trademark oddly matched socks, the former “Million Dollar Quartet” co-star was guest host of Kenny Davidsen’s
weekly show.
Kaye, who portrayed Jerry Lee Lewis in the Harrah’s Showroom musical, resides in his native England. But he has interest in bringing an Elton John tribute show to Las Vegas. Kaye relished his time in town and at the Tuscany, welcoming a flurry of guests, including Enoch Augustus Scott, Anne Martinez, Christina Shaw, Sandy Knights
and (a great talent I’d not seen before) Steph Payne.
John Wedemeyer sat in on guitar, Kaye sat on mi amigo Jerry Jones’ lap for a time … it was an ambient music festival. David Terry of “Magic Mike Live” is up next this Friday.
Order of Italian
On the topic of Harrah’s Showroom performers,
Bucky Heard and Wedemeyer premiered at the Italian American Club on Wednesday night. A righteous set from Heard, Bill Medley’s partner in the Righteous Brothers, and Wedemeyer, a member of the duo’s backing band. “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis shared a setlist with the Beatles’ “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da.” Heard also pulled off “Unchained Melody,” a required classic that Medley actually sings at Harrah’s.
The Bronx Wanderers played IAC on Thursday to a filled-to-pandemic-capacity dinner audience. The full band was onstage to celebrate
Vinny “Vin A.” Adinolfi’s 33rd birthday. The show was also the Vegas finale for guitarist
Dave Braun, who is leaving town for Seattle to be closer to his parents.
The highlight was the singalong for “Sweet Caroline,” as it was the first time I’d heard that song performed live since Neil Diamond sang it at the 2020 Power of Love Gala.
Coming up Wednesday is country artist Chase Brown, followed Thursday by the Sally Olson and Ned Mills Carpenters tribute. Frankie Scinta’s sold-out show is Friday, and Saturday it’s Craig Canter with Kelly Vohnn and Carmen Romano.
Dinner is at 6:30 and the show is at 8 p.m. at IAC, which is keeping the groove alive.