Psychic medium lands gig at Caesars
THIS medium is living large. Thomas John, the oft-reported, would-be Strip headliner, has found a home with his “Celebrity Psychic Medium” showcase at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. The psychic who says he discovered his other-worldly skills at age 4 opens Jan. 16 (tickets start at $49, not including taxes, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday at caesars.com or at the Caesars Palace box office).
John is to perform Thursdays through Mondays in the venue’s open 6 p.m. slot, before headliners Dionne Warwick and Wayne Newton take the stage. The run is open-ended, and the show’s co-producers are the veteran triumvirate of Base Entertainment, Gfour Productions and Glist Entertainment Inc.
In his stage show at the Barge, John is to interact with select audience members who seek to connect with deceased family and friends. He’ll also answer questions about his presentation, which according to a news release announcing the show, “is guaranteed to be different each night, guests will experience a uniquely memorable evening filled with hope, love and optimism.”
In that release, John says, “Ever since I was a little boy, I knew I had a special gift. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I made it my life mission to bring peace of mind, comfort, joy and sometimes laughter to those who long for contact with a loved one who has passed, because our spirits never die.”
John has appeared on myriad national TV shows, including “Real Housewives of Orange County,” “Dr. Phil” and “Entertainment Tonight.” He says he was able to see and speak with his dead grandfather as a young child, helping lay the groundwork for his career as a medium.
John was originally deep in talks with officials at The Venetian/palazzo to take over the 9 p.m. slot. Human Nature moved their start time at Sands Showroom to 7 p.m. from 7:30, to accommodate John’s production. But a deal was never finalized, as the sides reportedly could not agree on the length of the show’s run, among other details.
John did a Dinner with the Dead showcase at the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay in 2017.
The Vegas show is for ages 16 and older. The buyer should be aware that, as always, readings are not guaranteed.
Shenandoah update
Both sides are lurching toward resolution as Wayne Newton attempts to regain the belongings from his personal collection that were once displayed at the Casa de Shenandoah public museum and ranch tour.
District Court judge Mary Kay Holthus ruled Wednesday
that Newton’s family is to arrange to photograph and index all items he claims he owns (including costumes from his childhood, a microphone from Frank Sinatra and the discarded letter written by Elvis Presley that inspired the hit song, “The Letter”). That work is to be completed by the next hearing on the matter, set for Nov.13.
The issue has pitted Newton, represented by Las Vegas attorney James J. Jimmerson, against Smoketree LLC, represented by Vegas lawyer Jason Wiley. Smoketree is the consortium that bought Casa de Shenandoah for $5.56 million in July.
The group of anonymous investors is seeking proof that Newton actually owns all of the items exhibited at the museum, which closed in April 2018.
Newton, who continues to headline Cleopatra’s Barge, has vowed to fight for those items.
Since the sale was completed, Newton has removed his prized Arabian horses from the property, which is closed to the general public — even Wayne Newton now needs permission to enter Casa de Shenandoah.
Matty’s return
Matty Roberts, the vaping visionary whose Facebook post helped ignite Alienstock and the Storm Area 51 movement, is extending his time in the limelight at least through Halloween. He is set to host the VIP room at the annual Fetish and Fantasy Ball at Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night.
The event coincides with Roberts’ 21st birthday, and his team is working on a documentary centering on Alienstock, with filming running through December.
The brass ring for this project would be a a deal with Netflix, or A&E, or Blumhouse Productions. Roberts’ reps are pitching the project to all of them.
Meet these Boyz
Nathan Morris must be feeling pretty good about the NFL season so far. The 49ers are undefeated, and Morris is a big Niners fan.
This might be a good topic to broach when meeting Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men at The Mirage during the famed vocal group’s new meet-andgreet offers beginning Friday night. The Silver package ($100) gives fans access to a personal photo and sound check. The Gold package ($150) is the Silver package but with a framed photo and VIP T-shirt.
That’s a Boyz II Men T-shirt; pick up your Niners merch elsewhere.
The Review-journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates The Venetian and Palazzo.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. EDITORIAL: California’s bullet train to nowhere continues to misfire
California’s bullet train won’t be carrying passengers anytime soon, but it has one practical use: It’s a tangible illustration of what happens when political folly and empire building meet reality.
2. 44-story Circa in downtown Las Vegas on track for 2020 opening
The skyward progress of downtown’s newest resort is on schedule, but Circa owner Derek Stevens still has a few surprises up his sleeve.
3. Las Vegas police to end federal immigration holds
The Metropolitan Police Department will no longer detain immigrants on federal immigration holds, the agency announced Wednesday.
4. Police believe house fire that left woman, son dead was murder-suicide
Las Vegas homicide and arson investigators believe Renai Palmer intentionally set her 6-year-old son on fire earlier this month, igniting a house fire that would kill them both.
5. UNLV students furious at school’s response to shooting threat
UNLV students confronted administrators Tuesday over the university’s response to a shooting threat discovered in a bathroom stall on campus on Oct. 10.
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Circa Las Vegas Construction Update
The Circa Las Vegas continues to get ready for their opening at the end of next year.
2. Woman fatally shot by Henderson police identified
A woman was fatally shot by Henderson police when they responded to a “violent domestic incident.”
3. Completion of pedestrian bridge delayed on Strip
The latest pedestrian bridge being built over the Strip, between Park MGM and Showcase Mall, has had its completion date pushed to November.