Dirk Arthur’s Wild Illusions at Riviera Hotel & Casino

Dirk Arthur and his Cats
Dirk Arthur and his Cats

Dedicated to thrilling audiences with spectacular illusions while increasing awareness for preserving wildlife and the environment, Dirk Arthur has announced his return to the Las Vegas Strip with a new show, “Dirk Arthur’s Wild Illusions!” In this fast-paced show, breathtaking big cat magic is interwoven with comedy, beautiful dancers, and large-scale effects. “Dirk Arthur’s Wild Illusions!” is set to open at the Starlite Theatre inside the Riviera Hotel & Casino on Monday, Dec. 1.

“I’m so excited to bring big cats back to Las Vegas and especially the famed Las Vegas Strip where majestic white tigers truly first gained worldwide attention. Debuting ‘Wild Illusions’ at the Riviera Hotel & Casino is an amazing highlight in my career,” Arthur commented. “I know the Riviera is a pet friendly hotel so I’m thrilled that includes cats of all breeds and sizes.”

Arthur is a leading advocate of preserving endangered species and for the humane and proper care of all animals of the world. During his show, audiences can instantly see his love for his animals as they are treated with the utmost respect and gentleness. To that end, 100 percent of the proceeds from merchandise sales at his show will be donated to various animal care and conservation programs, animal sanctuaries and developing educational programs in schools to create awareness for endangered animal preservation.

“Magic has been a mainstay in our entertainment family for quite some time. The combination of Dirk’s magnificent illusions featuring big cats, and the Riviera’s rich entertainment history will create a stellar, one-of-a-kind experience for our guests,” Alex Rangel, Riviera Hotel & Casino’s Vice President of Marketing and Entertainment, said. “We’re honored to bring this degree of entertainment to the north end of the Strip.”

Dirk Arthur’s Wild Illusions! will run Saturday through Thursday at 7 p.m. (dark Fridays).  Tickets go on sale Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. and are priced at $80 (VIP), $55 (Preferred) and $40 (GA). All prices include taxes and fees and are available for purchase at the Riviera Box Office, by phone at 800-634-3420 or 702-794-9525, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Children ages five and over are welcome, and children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Arthur has been performing around the world delighting audiences of all ages for 25 years. His original illusions included a floating car, and he is recognized as the first magician in history to make a helicopter appear. This helicopter illusion has since been widely copied and has become a staple of many other magicians, although none can perform it quite as well as Arthur. He has even taken the illusion a step further now by causing it to vanish and reappear, hovering over the audience. His natural affinity for animals immediately came into effect in his act as he worked with rabbits, doves, large birds such as emus and ostriches, and eventually, large exotic cats. His family of big cats currently holds no equal in the performing world and includes white, orange and snow white tigers; African and snow leopards; ligers and a bobcat. His national television appearances include NBC’s “World Greatest Magic,”The Late Show with David Letterman” and his own widely acclaimed primetime special, “Big Cat Magic” on Animal Planet. For more information on Dirk Arthur, visit www.dirkarthur.com.

 

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:

John Mulrooney
John Mulrooney

The Laugh Factory, located inside the New Tropicana Hotel, is definitely where the stars go when they want to just relax and have a good time. Last week it was Caesars Palace star, Shania Twain. Who knows who it will be this week as three very strong comedian open up with the funny stuff? Headlining this week (Oct 13-19) is John Mulrooney, with Kevin Downey in the middle slot and Las Vegas resident, Kathleen Dunbar hosting.

 

 

Mulrooney began his career on the Comedy Tonight variety show in the 1970s, where he wrote comedy for The Tonight Show, and also performed stand-up for the studio audience as the warm-up act for more than 165 episodes. John competed on Star Search and lost, but it helped his early career, since he was hired to work for the program, as a writer and again doing audience warm up. After relocating to Los Angeles, Mulrooney auditioned at the world famous Improv Comedy Club, where he met and befriended owner Budd Friedman. Friedman hired him on the spot to perform at all of his clubs.

After Joan Rivers left as host of The Late Show on the Fox Network in 1987, Mulrooney was asked to replace her. After a few months the show was cancelled due to low ratings and competition with The Tonight Show and Johnny Carson. He hosted “Comic Strip: Live,” first for a year as a local show on KTTV in Los Angeles in 1988, continuing when Fox TV programming executives expanded the show to Fox-owned stations, then network-wide on Saturday nights, for an additional year. He appeared on other TV shows such as An Evening at the Improve, Hollywood Squares, and others, as well as appearances on Showtime, HBO and filled in as guest host for Pat Sajak on The Pat Sajak Show. Mulrooney wrote and starred for two seasons in a sitcom called “Midtown North,” which aired on Comedy Central. In 2007, Mulrooney toured Israel on the Crossroads Comedy Tour, a series of benefit concerts for the Crossroads Center in Jerusalem. In 2010, Mulrooney travelled to the Middle East to entertain troops as part of the “Locked, Loaded and Laughing Out Loud – Incoming Comedy tour.” He can be heard daily on iHeartRADIO at, “Mulrooney in the Morning,” which he will be taping live from Las Vegas this week.

 

Kevin Downey Jr.
Kevin Downey Jr.

Fresh off the 2013 season of “America’s Got Talent,” Kevin Downey Jr. has been described as “refreshingly bizarre” by Howie Mandel and Howard Stern. A New York native, Downey Jr. enjoys a massive cult following when he tours comedy clubs and casino venues around the country. When he takes the stage in his wild retro clothes and giant hairdo, get ready to enter a strange new universe of funny where everyone who leaves his show will be belting out the word “SIIIIP!” Downey Jr. has appeared in comedy specials on Comedy Central, VH1 and MTV. “Edgy,” “honest,” and “hilarious” are words audiences use to describe Las Vegas resident, Kathleen Dunbar. Her comedy tackles a variety of topics such as motherhood, aging, family and today’s youth with razor-sharp sarcasm and quick, precise timing. Dunbar was named 2003 Female Comedian of the Year by the Entertainment Consumers Exchange, and since then, she’s been honored with numerous awards. She is currently headlining at clubs and casinos across the country.

The Laugh Factory is located on the mezzanine level of the Tropicana, with show times scheduled for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. nightly. Ticket priced at $34.95 and $44.95 are available by calling 702-739-2411 or 800-829-9034.

 

Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart

The Rape Crisis Center (RCC) is hosting “Signs of Hope,” is holding a Fundraising dinner to commemorate the nonprofit’s 40th Anniversary serving victims of sexual assault in Southern Nevada, the eve of  Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 at 6 p.m. inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV. The evenings keynote speaker is Elizabeth Smart, the high profile 2002 kidnapping victim who was taken from her home when she was 14 years of age, and spent nine months in captivity enduring significant physical, sexual and emotional abuse.  She will share a message of inspiration and hope that reclaiming life after sexual assault is possible.

 

Dina Titus
Dina Titus

Special honorees include US Congresswoman Dina Titus, Marcy Humm and Nina Radetich.  Senator Richard Bryan will present the Legislative Hero award to Congresswoman Titus; Carolyn McClure, daughter of RCC founder Florence McClure will present the Commitment to Success award to Marcy Humm; and Pat Thacker, longtime RCC board member and supporter, will present the Commitment to Sustainability Award to Nina Radetich.  Honorary dinner committee members include Amy Ayoub, who will also serve as mistress of ceremonies, Kelly Petersen, Patty Romeo, Mariana Johnson, Renee Rivera-Shaffer, Stefanie Jay, Marie Mortera and Mercedes Martinez.  Sponsors include the Las Vegas Review- Journal, Beasley Broadcast Group, Clear Channel Outdoor, Reagan Outdoor, United Healthcare, Tao Group and Dignity Health.  Tables of 10 are $1,800; individual tickets:  $200 each. For further information contact RCC of Las Vegas or call 702.385.2153 to purchase TICKETS.

 

Well gang, that’s about it for this week.

I’m outa here!

Leave a Reply