Celebrity Impressionist Bethany Owen Opens "One Voice" at the Kings Room at Rio Hotel

Celebrity impressionist Bethany Owen “The Woman of 1,001 Voices and Faces” opens her one-woman show “One Voice” in The King’s Room at The Rio.

Bethany Owen has won two consecutive awards for “Best Female Voice Impressionist” from the IGCTA (International Guild of Celebrity Tribute Artists). She recently completed a 20-month run at the Horizon Casino in Lake Tahoe.

On her career as a Celebrity Impressionist Bethany states, “I would try and make my living in other ways, but audiences liked it and ultimately I would get booked into places because I had this piece in my act where I would do these imitations. This is something that not everybody can do and people like it. So I’m going to give them what they like!”

One Voice” is a 90-minute show doing 50 characters and is directed and produced by Jim Whirlow, Bethany's husband. The King’s Room is located behind the Crown Theater at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The show will run in the afternoons at 2:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

Russian-Born Pop Sensation Grace Valerie Debuts in Las Vegas at The Mirage February 19

Russian-born pop singer & artist Grace Valerie makes her Las Vegas debut on Sunday, February 19 inside the Revolution Lounge at the Mirage Hotel.

Grace Valerie, age 21, recently signed with Dream Merchant 21, music-industry veteran and American Idol judge Randy Jackson's record label. Grace Valerie and Jackson collaborated on her first single, "When the Lights Go Down." The song's video quickly reached more than 1.5 million YouTube hits and topped out at No. 17 on Billboard's club chart.

"I am thrilled to be doing my first show in Las Vegas, a city known for its glitter and glamour," Grace Valerie says. "Some of the biggest names in show business have performed there, and I feel very grateful to be part of that. The audience will be treated to the choreography and my amazing dancers doing their thing."

Grace Valerie was born in Moscow, Russia in 1990, and was graduated from the Russian University of Economics with honors. Grace Valerie moved to Los Angeles in October 2010 and soon after met Randy Jackson.

Photo: GraceValerie.com

Legendary Las Vegas Show Producer Dies at 86

Bill Moore in his office at the Las Vegas Hilton

Legendary show Producer Bill Moore died at the age of 86 on Thursday, January 19 in Las Vegas. The famed producer created many Las Vegas shows and most of the Las Vegas ice skating shows, such as Rhythm On Ice, Follies On Ice, Playgirls On Ice, Spice On Ice and the renowned “Nudes on Ice”. In this 1985 photo, Moore is shown in his office at the Las Vegas Hilton (now The LVH Hotel) during his run of Bal du Moulin Rouge.

Moore and his partner George Arnold produced showgirl and variety shows for almost four decades in Nevada including Razzle Dazzle, and City Lights, which ran at the Flamingo Hilton for over a decade. They included celebrity headliners are part of their productions including Charo and Suzanne Somers.

"Such an interesting and amazing person. Always a happy spirit till his last moments," says Cees DeKok of Aerial Adage, one of the many variety performers who worked with Moore. "I am sure he is already producing some wonderful show in the sky right now and bringing joy on the other side. We will miss him."

George Arnold passed away in 1997.

(Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau Archives)

TV Stars Team Up, Opening New Magic Show @phvegas beginning Feb 16

Illusionist Michael Turco from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” together with ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars’” Lacey Schwimmer, will bring Michael Turco’s MAGIC AND MAYHEM beginning February 16.

MAGIC AND MAYHEM is a fusion of illusions and audience interaction combined with the edgy stylings of one of America’s most famous choreographers. The show will take the stage inside Saxe Theater at Miracle Mile Shops - Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

A New Jersey native, Turco has headlined casinos in Atlantic City and recently achieved nationwide fame in last season’s “America’s Got Talent.” Turco and industry ally, Lacey Schwimmer, created this show concept they say will “stimulate the senses.”

“The time was right for me to make the leap to Las Vegas and Saxe Theater is the perfect fit. I am living my dream and couldn’t be happier to bring my show to the Entertainment Capital of the World,” said Turco.

Lacey Schwimmer, professional dancer turned TV star says she’s proud to add Las Vegas show choreographer to her list of accomplishments. “I’m excited to be working with Michael Turco. I’m thrilled to be part of it!”

Michael Turco’s MAGIC AND MAYHEM will run 4pm daily.

Empire Comedy Club opens at Paris Las Vegas

Paris Welcomes Empire Comedy

Producer of the award-winning Playboy Comedy series, Cort McCown (pictured left), has moved his comedy show lineup, now titled Empire Comedy, to Napoleon’s Lounge located inside Paris Las Vegas.

For more than eight years, McCown has produced countless successful extended weekend runs with some of the top names in comedy during his tenure at the helm of Playboy Comedy and boasts a rolodex that reads like a who’s who of the comedic world of standup, film and television.

“Paris Las Vegas strives to provide unparalleled entertainment options for its guests, and Empire Comedy is no exception,” said David Hoenemeyer, regional president of Paris Las Vegas. “We look forward to welcoming to our property some of today’s most hilarious and well-known comedians.”

“I’m ecstatic to bring the show to the Las Vegas Strip and at such an amazing property like Paris,” said McCown.  Napoleon’s Lounge, nestled inside Paris Las Vegas, will be the home to this new comedy production on the Las Vegas Strip. With its large windows overlooking the ‘streets’ of Paris, this venue will allow guests to feel relaxed as they enjoy a night of the funniest comedians to hit the Strip.

February's lineup includes Harland Williams (Feb 9-11), Chris Franjola (Feb 16-18), and Robert Kelly (Feb 23-25).

Cheyenne Marketing Dissolves Business Partnership with Dream Vision Studios Las Vegas

Shawn Lane, Founder and CEO of Cheyenne Marketing publicly announced today (January 9) that she has severed all business relationships with Phyllis Carreon-Taie and Dream Vision Studios Las Vegas.

On November 4, 2011, Shawn Lane, Founder and CEO of Cheyenne Marketing concluded the 11 month business partnership with Phyllis Carreon-Taie, Phyllis Caesar, Phyllis Caesar-Taie, Dream Vision Studios Las Vegas, LLC. and any other related entities that Phyllis has been operating under.

Lane states, "All services I have provided for my clients during the partnership with Dream Vision Studios, will continue under the DBA Cheyenne Marketing. I look forward to our continued sucesss and I am very grateful for all the support during this transitional period."

Lane and Cheyenne Marketing have been serving the Las Vegas community for more than 15 years in the entertainment and film industry.

Beginning Jan 17, the Palms Lounge welcomes singer Rick Faugno

Singer Rick Faugno heads to the Palms

The Palms Hotel and Casino announce that singer Rick Faugno will bring his one-man show to the Lounge at the Palms Casino weekly beginning Tuesday, January 17.

In Faugno’s new self-titled one-man show, audiences will experience a combination of the upbeat New Classic Vegas styles of Blues, Jazz, Soul, Pop, Rock, and Latin genre. His journey of self-expression includes music by innovative performers such as James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson, and Frank Sinatra, as well as original tracks Faugno wrote himself.

Rick Faugno has been performing professionally since the age of 12 when he played Will Rogers, Jr. in "Will Rogers Follies" on Broadway. In 2010, Faugno showcased a standards-influenced songbook in "Songs My Idols Sang (and Danced)" and is currently the star of his own new classic Vegas one-man show.

The show will play every Tuesday at 9pm in the Lounge.

Musical Group Human Nature at Imperial Palace to Offer Free Downloads of Music to Ticketed Guests

"Smokey Robinson Presents Australia's Human Nature – The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound” at Imperial Palace Las Vegas will be presenting a one-of-a-kind downloadable offer to all ticketed guests. Beginning Saturday, January 7, guests who purchase tickets will receive two free song downloads from the group’s website, www.humannaturelive.com, providing fans the opportunity to take the show’s music home with them.

"We're making history by including two free downloadable songs with every paid ticket, as this has never been done before in Las Vegas,” said Adam Steck, CEO of SPI Entertainment. “We are excited to be able to give guests the gift of Human Nature's Motown music. My prediction is that other musical headliners on the Strip will take our lead and start doing this as well."

The group has preselected 11 of their greatest and fan favorite Motown hits to be included in the free song selection. Classics include “Dancing In The Street” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and Motown favorites “My Girl” and “Just My Imagination.”

"It means a lot that people choose to spend the night with us when there are so many great entertainment options in this town,” said Andrew Tierney, a member of Human Nature. “We want to give these free downloads to the audience as our way to say thank you - it also helps keep this amazing Motown music alive and playing in people's homes and lives."

Named “Best Singers” by editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the vocal quartet’s contract was extended for two years through May 2012 after only a year at Imperial Palace. Additionally, the 653-seat showroom in which the group performs was renamed the Human Nature Theater. In November 2011 the group premiered their very own PBS special “Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson” in Nov. 2011.

Gold Coast Debuts "Vegas Magic" Theater

Ben Stone performs at Vegas Magic Theatre in Vegas.

Variety producer Paul Stone brings yet another unique concept to Las Vegas with the debut of the intimate "Vegas Magic" Theatre to the Gold Coast Casino.  Hosted by singer & magician Ben Stone, the show uses a variety-show format to keep audiences entertained by offering different styles of magic throughout the evening.

Each week a new line-up of close-up magicians, comedy magicians, illusionists, and other variety acts will take the stage -- making return visits to the show a great option for locals.  Stone presented a varied cast for media night including Adam Flowers, Jeff Corn, Ben Stone, Mike Douglas, juggler Michael Goudeau, and closing out the show -- illusionist Murray Sawchuck.

Magicians Siegfried and Lance Burton pose with guests before enjoying the show

Prior to the mainstage production, guests enjoy pre-show close-up magic performed by sleight-of-had artists in a unique lounge/club type atmosphere.  The renovated dance hall inside the Gold Coast is tastefully decorated to create a vintage, cabaret-style showroom offering a two-teared seating arrangement with unobstructed views from every seat.

Currently the cast performs five shows per week (Thursday, Friday, & Sunday at 7pm; Saturday at 5pm & 7:30pm).  Tickets are $14.95 making this one of the most inexpensive magic shows in the city.

Special guests in attendance at the opening included Magician Siegfried of Siegfried & Roy, master magician Lance Burton, TV host Robin Leach, producer Alex Schechter, cast members from Thunder from Down Under, and casino owners Bill & Judy Boyd of Boyd Gaming (owners of the Gold Coast Casino).

The Insurgo Nutcracker Lands Onstage in Downtown Las Vegas

Now in its third year, Insurgo Theater’s original tragicomic clown Nutcracker takes the stage at The Plaza Hotel and Casino for a limited engagement. Inspired by the Christmas classic, the 40-minute production is crafted by Insurgo’s actors, clowns, dancers and designers into a dreamlike narrative that explores the landscapes of hope and loss, beauty and need.

This years production, with all-new characters, features dancer-actress Michelle Meyer, actress and vocalist Melanie Ash and actor Brandon Oliver Jones as the Nutcracker. It is directed by John Beane and assistant-directed by Daneal Doerr.

The show is scheduled for twelve performances only, twice that of last year's amount, with the remaining shows on:

Friday December 30th at 730PM
Wednesday January 4th at 730PM
Thursday January 5th at 730PM
Friday January 6th at 730PM
Saturday January 7th at 730PM

Tickets are $15 plus tax and fees and reservations can be made in advance at insurgotheater.org or by emailing insurgoboxoffice@gmail.com. The Insurgo Theater is located on the 3rd floor of the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas.