Pitbull doggedly pursues long-term stay in Vegas
Pitbull basked in his surroundings on Sunday, encircled by well-wishers on a warm night at Sugar Factory at Fashion Show mall, and said, “This is a good place to be, right?”
Mr. Worldwide does love Las Vegas, and has extended his ongoing residency at Axis theater at Planet Hollywood with eight shows from July 21-Aug. 5. Pitbull dropped into town to help celebrate the opening of the new Strip outpost of Sugar Factory, and also announce the partnership between the confectionery and his Voli 305 vodka.
Pitbull’s octet of dates at Axis are a component of a long-term strategy to perform on the Strip.
“This is our third set (of shows) at Planet Hollywood, and to me, it’s short steps, but a long vision,” said the man whose legal name is Armando Christian Perez. “Little by little, I’ll be moving in. I would say within the next two or three years, we’re going to be talking about a very long residency in Las Vegas. But for now, you’ll be seeing a lot more of us in the next couple of years.”
Pitbull has committed to the Vegas area with his SLAM Academy, the Southern Nevada expansion of the Sports Leadership and Management school. are “Fantasy” producer Anita Mann (Lifetime Achievement Award), Cirque du Soleil “Mystere” artist Jimmy Slonina (Career Achievement as a Live Stage Actor) and Planet Hollywood magician Murray Sawchuck (Career Achievement in Magical Arts award). ‘ONE’ FOR CELINE
Celine Dion checked into “MJ One” at Mandalay Bay, on Sunday night, celebrating the 89th birthday of her mother, Therese. Also at the show were Dion’s son, ReneCharles, and her 10 (yep, all 10) brothers and sisters. Dion is connected to the Cirque show through artists Tammy To and Addie Yungmee, who have performed with her on tour. WHO WAS WHERE
Former ’NSYNC member Lance Bass and his husband, Michael Turchin, Saturday at the Backstreet Boys’ performance at Axis theater. Similar to the treatment the band gave to Joey Fatone of ’NSYNC, the band sang “Shape of My Heart” onstage to the nonplussed Bass. John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him atjkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.