Dion’s delay having Vegas ripple effect
“HERE we go again …” That is Celine Dion talking as she levels the news that she is again postponing her world tour. Dion’s health issues persist, prompting her to move her road dates from February through October 2023. She was to resume touring in May.
The schedule shift is causing a ripple effect in Dion’s plans for Las Vegas. Her announcement makes it increasingly clear that her return to live performance will be at the Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas. Dion had been positioned to open the venue in November. Health issues intervened, and Carrie Underwood stepped in to christen the 5,000-seat theater.
If Dion’s health cooperates, she can now move into a series in October and November, dates open on both the Resorts World calendar and her own. Dion has not performed in Las Vegas since closing out at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in July 2019.
But for the moment, the superstar is focused on returning to top form.
“I’m so sorry we have to change our tour plans for Europe one more time; first we had to move the shows because of the pandemic, now it’s my health issues causing us to postpone the shows,” Dion said in a statement on her website and social media pages.
“I am doing a little bit better … but I’m still experiencing some spasms. I need to be in top shape when I’m on stage. I honestly can’t wait, but I’m just not there yet … I’m doing my very best to get back to the level that I need to be so that I can give 100% at my shows because that’s what you deserve.”
Gronk Vegas?
Celine Dion performs “My Heart Will Go On” from the film “Titanic” at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-mobile Arena.
The Gronk Hotel & Casino? The Gronk Bar & Grille? Gronk Sandbar Beach Club? The Viva Gronk Vegas Saloon, where you can get ’86ed by No. 87?
Not likely.
Rob Gronkowski has no plans to expand his Gronk appeal beyond what we experienced at Encore Beach Club on Friday. The Gronk Beach Las Vegas party, headlined by Wynn Nightlife EDM stars The Chainsmokers, drew about 5,000 to the Wynn Las Vegas aquatic fortress.
“Not at all, really. This is just all about the Gronk Beach party; I haven’t talked to anybody about having a Gronk resort, or a Gronk Bar, or anything like that,” the fabled (and kinda retired) tight end said just before hitting the stage. “But this could maybe lead to something in the future. If it’s a success, which I’m pretty sure it is going to be because we have The Chainsmokers playing for a sold-out crowd, maybe we can look into bigger things in Vegas.”
As promised, Gronk came with loose lips and swiveling hips in is first Gronk Beach party in Vegas. He’s so clearly at home here, especially at the
DJ turntables and somewhere near the water.
Though he’s apparently been hitting the gym (if not the bar) routinely, Gronkowski was not interested in an announcement about his playing career. “You think I’ve thought about football one single time this week? Heeeck no! No chance!” he told TMZ prior to the event.
Gronkowski, who swaps “Roberto” with his wellknown Gronk moniker, was excited to see the draft visit Vegas. He appreciates the league’s embrace of the city.
“I’m glad they are here. They have the Raiders. It’s great for the NFL to be in Vegas. (It’s) an excuse to visit Vegas,” Gronkowski said. “Having the draft here has brought some electricity to the Strip.”
We’ve broached the subject of staging the draft annually in Vegas. Gronkowski stopped short of broaching it himself.
“I like how they do it, in different cities, give love to different cities,” Gronkowski said. “You give love to different fans, different fan bases. It’s only fair. … It’s really cool how they’ve been switching it up every year. It gives a different perspective.
“That said, Vegas should definitely be in rotation for the draft. When you’ve had the
Pro Bowl and you’re going to have the Super Bowl — you can’t beat this town for hosting events.”
Airing it out
The stunt that Criss Angel performed Friday at the NFL Draft Theater was the act the Planet Hollywood Resort headliner performed at Allegiant Stadium in October. Angel worked free from a straitjacket while spinning from a harness high above the crowd.
Twitter nod to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, who posted, “There are previous Browns regimes who would have taken Criss Angel in the third.” And from draft analyst Jacob Infante of The Draft Wire, “I don’t wanna see Criss Angel risk his life in a magic trick. I wanna see an old man read a name off a card.” There is a large community of NFL fans who would have paid to see commissioner Roger Goodell try the act himself.
Vegasville doubleheader
Musician Otto Ehling of David Perrico and the Raiders House Band has been playing at the Draft Theater, then crossing the Strip to take his spot at “O” at the Bellagio, where he’s the show’s keyboardist (and, we expect, keytarist). Ehling posted Thursday, “Ran thru 100K people to get here but I’m ready!”
Cool Hang Alert
Vegas singer-songwriter Shawn Eiferman hosts weekly open-mic shows at 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Shag Room at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Eiferman was a COVID Shutdown Hall of Famer with “That Vegas Show,” the virtual shows from the master bathroom of his Vegas home.
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.