Miss Universe contestants hit the Strip
TKats! Bureau is Sash Central, specifically the new Cafe Hollywood at the Planet Hollywood Resort, which hosts the Miss Universe pageant Nov. 26 at the Axis Theater.
The first official photo op with the 92 contestants took place earlier, on the hotel-casino’s Strip-facing staircase. Reigning Miss Universe
Iris Mittenaere of France grabbed the mic from event emcee Chet Buchanan to ask the throng of tourists, “Who is your favorite!?”
One shouted back: “I wanna collude with Miss Russia!” Smarmy, yes, but also topical …
Cafe Hollywood is located in the old Planet Dailies space, the restaurant that was underwater (for real) in July after a busted fire pipe flooded the casino floor.
Thus, plans to overhaul and re-brand Planet Dailies were accelerated, with Planet Hollywood International founder and restaurant owner Robert Earl cutting a commemorative ribbon opening the new eatery Monday evening.
The cafe has been spruced up with about 500 photos of celebs who have appeared at Planet Hollywood’s restaurants and the hotel since its 1991 opening. Planet Dailies opened a decade ago, when the turnover from Aladdin to Planet Hollywood was complete.
“I think 10 years, even with a fabulous run, is always the best time to refresh,” Earl said. “People have wanted to see a stronger identity of the history of Planet Hollywood when they were experiencing a Planet Hollywood stay.”
Those shirts
All 92 contestants wore Vegas Strong T-shirts for the photo op, referencing the Oct. 1 shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival.
“We wanted to show unity,” Mittenaere said. “We are from everywhere, all around the world, and I think that it’s important to show our hearts are here with Las Vegas.”
Ross is boss
The demand is said to be overwhelming, so Diana Ross has announced her return to the Encore Theater for nine dates in February.
Ross’ most recent run was highlighted by a visit (in the theater and onstage) by Chris Woods, who portrays Ross in “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” at The Linq Hotel. Ross has apparently toyed with the idea of returning a full horn section to her Encore shows (she used Vegas musicians for previous appearances at The Venetian). Speaking for fans of live music everywhere, especially here, I vote yes.
Orange is the new Brown
As reported a few weeks back, Gordie Brown is moving from Sin City Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort to the Night Owl Showroom at the Hooters Hotel — a move formally announced Wednesday. He opens 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 29 and will perform five nights a week (dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Eager to sign a production that has box-office potential, the Hooters is Brown’s best chance, and maybe only chance, to serve as a resort brand. He’s been slaloming around town since 2004, and there is no better impressionist. Whether that is a quality that can fill a showroom just off the Strip five nights a week is the great unknown.
Civillico’s return
Unicycling and juggling sensation Jeff Civillico is back onstage after spending more than a year away from ticketed shows in Las Vegas. His opened his 7 p.m. Wednesday show at the Anthony Cools Theater at Paris Las Vegas last week. Civillico closed at Bugsy’s Cabaret at the Flamingo on Halloween 2016 and spent the last year working corporate events and building his Win Win Charity. He also underwent a pair of left-leaning surgeries: To his left knee and left shoulder.
Civillico is also hosting the annual tree lighting at the Linq Promenade at 6 p.m. Saturday. The promenade will host holiday performances, along with a nightly dusting of faux snow at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Dec. 1- 30.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
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