Alternative pop band, 10,000 Maniacs, will be making its South Point Hotel & Resort debut, with a rare appearance Friday, August 3, through Sunday, August 5, in the main showroom. The band is winding down its 30th anniversary with a summer tour throughout the United States.
A staple of college rock in the ‘80s, and the darlings of the MTV era, 10,000 Maniacs have sold more than 10 million records worldwide. Steven Gustafson, bass player, and keyboardist, Dennis Drew, are the only two surviving member of the original group still touring. Co-founder Robert Buck passed way in 2000. Singer Natalie Merchant left the band in 1993, and was replaced by back-up singer, and viola player, Mary Ramsey who remains today.
The 10,000 Maniacs current members are Drew, Gustafson, Ramsey, Jeff Erickson, on guitar, and Jerome Augustyniak, on drums.
The Maniacs just completed recording its first album in 13 years, and 11 years after the death of guitarist, Buck. The yet-to-be-named recording is scheduled to be released in January, 2013, on the bands’ own label, Ruby Wristwatch Records. The album was recorded this year in its hometown of Jamestown, N.Y., where the band originated in 1981.
“The audience can expect to hear a few new song, along with such staples as “Don’t Talk,” “Hey Jack Kerouac,” ”Like The Weather,” “These Are The Day,” and ”What’s The Matter Here?,” which was voted one of the 100 most important releases of the decade by Rolling Stone Magazine in 1987. Many recordings have followed, including in November, 1997, when the band released “Love Among The Ruins,” for Geffen Records, featuring the single, “More Than This,” which went to No. 24 on the Billboard charts. The Chicago Tribune noted in a review, “If the 11 new singles rolled out are any indication of things to come, the new incarnation of 10,000 Maniacs may eclipse the old,” and the Chicago Sun Times simply said, “Natalie who?”
Showtime for The Maniacs will be 7:30 p.m. all three evenings. Tickets range in price from $35, $40 and $45, and may be purchased at the South Point box office.
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David Saxe Productions will open its hottest new stage production,” iCandy Burlesque THE SHOW,” in the Saxe Theater inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Thursday, August 2nd. Starring three nationally-renowned headliners, Jaime Lynch from “X Factor,” Felice Garcia of “The Voice,” and international touring artist, Elisa Furr. “iCandy Burlesque” features Sin City’s most beautiful and talented singers, dancers, and aerialists in a glamorous, high-energy, sultry production that showcases the style, music and dance moves that made burlesque famous. It is produced and choreographed by Nannette Barbera, a Las Vegas showbiz veteran with more than 300 shows to her credit. Barbera created iCandy in 2005, beginning with, “iCandy Country,” then “iCandy Rock & Roll,” and now “iCandy Burlesque.” “The timing is perfect to launch this production,” said Barbera. “There has been an enormous resurgence in the popularity of burlesque in recent years and this show encapsulates every aspect of the beauty and showmanship of that era.”
Barbera keeps the 70-minute show moving with almost 30 burlesque numbers and more than 100 costume changes. Theater owner Saxe attended several rehearsals and says audiences can expect to be blown away by the caliber of performers on stage. “iCandy Burlesque,” is pure fun, from the provocative dance numbers and costumes to three amazing powerhouse singers,” said Saxe. “If you liked ‘Burlesque’ the movie, you will love this show.”
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the cast of the show will escort guests downstairs from the showroom to the “iCandy Burlesque Ultra Lounge” to entertain all night. The ultra-lounge also features a live D.J., dance vignettes every half hour, pole dancing, and go-go dancing.
The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (LVH), formerly Las Vegas Hilton, is proud to announce the return of its annual ultimate pro football handicapping contest, the SuperContest, as well as the inaugural SuperContest Weekend, August 24 – 25, 2012. The SuperContest is the ultimate pro football handicapping contest in the world’s largest race and sports book, the SuperBook®. Contestants can win their share of nearly $800,000, by paying a $1,500 entry fee prior to the start of the regular professional football season, and then picking five games each week against the point spread throughout the season. The prize structure is based on the number of entrants. Early bird entries for the contest end at 4 p.m. on September 3, 2012. Final sign-up deadline is 11 a.m. September 8, 2012. The prize pool is structured so that contestants receive 100% of the prize money paid in. Complete rules are available in the SuperBook® or online at www.thelvh.com/supercontest. New this year is the SuperContest Weekend, August 24 – 25, which will include a handicapping seminar, a golf outing at the Las Vegas Country Club, where two free SuperContest entries will be given away, and a reception where three free SuperContest entries will be given away. . For more information on the SuperContest or SuperContest Weekend, visit the SuperBook® or log onto www.thelvh.com.
Well, gang, that’s about it for this week. I’m outa here.