Post-gaga and predawn, it’s ‘After Dark’
Ashow that ignores the clock is marking a big date on the calendar. ”Brian Newman: After Dark” relaunches for nine shows at Nomad Library at Park Theater from June 19-20, 26-27, and July 3, 5-6. Tickets are on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
Newman is again running in concert (or, after concert) with Lady Gaga’s “Jazz + Piano” show earlier in the night at Dolby Live.
“After Dark” does not enjoy the “LG” (as she’s known within the show) lead-in on June 26.
Newman, a trumpet player, arranger and singer of great acclaim, is celebrating his fifth anniversary as a Vegas resident performer (he opened “After Dark” in May 2019). A prominent member of Gagas’s “Jazz + Piano” orchestra, Newman is returning with his variety pack of musicians, singers, burlesque performers, showgirls and side acts.
The shows start at 11:30 … “ish.” Or, whenever Newman can swap out his stage tux for a late-night suit. The performances have rolled until 2 a.m. or 2:30. Scenesters should get a nap to be prepped for this one.
Newman’s wife, burlesque star Angie Pontani, returns for all nine shows. The two have mastered their stage patter (with Pontani correcting her husband on the pronunciation of “TREN-TIN,” her hometown in New Jersey).
It’s a kind of burlesque-colored, Steve-and-eydie vibe. Newman’s backing band is intact, with Daniel Foose on bass, Alex Smith on keys, Steve Kortyka on bass and Nolan Byrd on drums. Aside from Byrd, all play the “J+P” show earlier in the night. Expect Skye Dee Miles asa regular guest singer, Vegas burlesque performer Buttercup as “stage kitten” and showgirls Britt Dunn and Lara Preister escorting Newman to the frivolity.
Gaga herself has turned up at “After Dark,” especially in the PRE-COVID days. Newman’s artistic involvement in the Gaga show, and their long personal friendship, has helped fuel the “After Dark” experience.
But Newman’s long-term goal is to create a show that can stand without the Gaga lead-in, while also commanding a ticket price that starts at $49 (not including fees). The show has blazed when Gaga’s audience has filed into “After Dark.” Those crowds have already been partying at Park MGM, seizing the possibility they’ll catch Gaga’s unbilled spin through “Call Me Irresponsible.”
But as Newman emphasizes, “After Dark” at Duane Park in New York City in 2005. That’s about five years before he signed on with Gaga.
And Newman has buttressed his Strip connection, installed as music director at The Pinky Ring at Bellagio. He’s been working for months with Bruno Mars and his backing band, The Hooligans, to make that club a must-see, late-night, live-music hang. Similar to his “After Night” experience at Nomad Library.
“I’ve been a bandleader all these years, putting my own bands together, making music and making entertainment. That is what I’m about,” Newman says. “The Pinky Ring is such a fun thing, it’s great to work with someone like Mr. Mars, who just knows exactly what he wants.”
Newman is throwing a line out to Vegas entertainers, superstars and otherwise, to jump into “After Dark” performances. He’s ready for anything.
“I’ve got a banjo and fiddle ready for Wayne Newton,” he says excitedly. “And I’m still holding out for Santana. Any of the cats in Vegas who want to come in, we’re ready. I’m just lucky to be in this orbit, whether I’m singing, I have the horn in my mouth or just watching this cool thing happen.”
Wonderland of the boogie
The band that started as the Salty Peppers is again spicing the Strip.
Earth, Wind & Fire returns to The Venetian Theatre for seven shows running Oct. 9-19. Tickets start at $59.95, fees not included, on sale 10 a.m. Friday at Venetianlasvegas.com, Ticketmaster.com or at The Venetian box office.
The legendary soul-funkr&b band was formed by the late Maurice White in 1969. The band has since score eight No. 1 hits and has sold more than 100 million albums internationally. They have been honored with a Grammy Award Lifetime Achievement honor and have been recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2000, EWF was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Led by longtime members vocalist Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White and vocalist/ percussionist/keyboardist Ralph Johnson, Earth, Wind & Fire has consistently sold out The Venetian Theatre in previous performances, cutting loose with such chart-toppers as “Let’s Groove,” “September,” “Reasons,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “Fantasy.”
Tease this …
Among the headliners rumored to play a prominent Las Vegas Strip venue is someone said to be “retired.”
Cool Hang Alert
A band that kicks it up while throwing it down and getting the joint jumping, Latin Breeze is back at Amp’d at M Resort from 8 p.m.-midnight Friday. The nine-piece outfit enforces the grooves with salsa, merengue, cumbias, mambos and boleros, among other stylings. No cover, multicultural, 21-over.