ELVIS is back in the building at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

It's a legendary hotel that hosted many legendary performers - and none had more of an impact on Las Vegas entertainment or the city than Elvis Presley. “Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience” is now open at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the same hotel where Elvis performed more than 600 record-breaking, sold-out shows between 1969 and 1976 when it was the International Hotel, then Las Vegas Hilton, and most recently the LVH. On the 59th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first Las Vegas performance, Graceland has opened the doors to a multi-faceted, authentic Elvis experience that showcases the man, the performer and the music that revolutionized popular culture around the world.

A formal “blue suede” ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted by Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley to unveil their personal treasures from the family archives, from rarely seen artifacts including Elvis’ personal television remote from his Graceland bedroom to Lisa Marie’s baby shoes. In addition to the Elvis Presley’s Graceland Wedding Chapel, the hotel also debuted the “Elvis Experience” - a limited-engagement musical production that embodies the spirit of the king himself.

“Just think, it was 59 years ago today that Elvis performed his first show in Las Vegas,” said Priscilla Presley. “Elvis loved Las Vegas and he loved his fans – he would be the first to welcome you to this great exhibition of his life. Lisa and I are so happy to share these wonderful artifacts from our family with you and are thrilled to bring the authentic Elvis back to Las Vegas for the first time in 40 years.”

"The Elvis Experience" production at the Elvis Presley Theater at the International Showroom. Photo Courtesy: Elvis Presley's Graceland 

"The Elvis Experience" production at the Elvis Presley Theater at the International Showroom. Photo Courtesy: Elvis Presley's Graceland 

"The Elvis Experience" production at the Elvis Presley Theatre at the International Showroom. Photo Courtesy: Steve Spatafore, Las Vegas News Bureau

The newly renamed and renovated Elvis Presley Theater at the International Showroom is now featuring the critically acclaimed “Elvis Experience,” produced by LCQ Productions, on the very stage where Elvis performed for millions of guests during his record-breaking, seven-year stint from 1969 through 1976. The theater has been restored to have the same look and feel it had when Elvis performed in this historic showroom.

Elvis Experience is a large-scale production replicating one of Elvis’ legendary Las Vegas shows, starring actor Martin Fontaine and featuring 24 musicians and eight choir members portraying the original musicians and artists on stage with Elvis. Following this limited engagement that will end May 30, the property will feature other limited-run, Graceland-produced live shows in The Elvis Presley Theater.

Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, LLC, stated, “In a country without royalty, there has truly only been, and continues to be, one king – Elvis Presley. And now in Las Vegas, there is only one place to see the real thing, at the Westgate Resort & Casino.” He continued, “I can promise each and every visitor to our Elvis exhibition, live shows and chapel, an experience that will make them want to come back time and time again, as well as take a trip to Memphis to visit the one and only Graceland.”

David Siegel, from left, CEO of Westgate Resorts, Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)

Priscilla Presley, left, and Lisa Marie Presley prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)  

David Siegel, from left, CEO of Westgate Resorts, Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015.  Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, is at rear. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)

David Siegel, from left, CEO of Westgate Resorts, Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley and  Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, react after cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)  

A visitor takes photos during the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Among the memorabilia on display is the tan jacket, in the case at left, worn by Elvis Presley in the 1964 film "Viva Las Vegas." The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)

Visitors check out Elvis Presley movie posters at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau) 

Visitors take photos with Elvis Presley memorabilia at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau)  

David Siegel, from left, CEO of Westgate Resorts, Priscilla Presley and Joel Weinshanker, Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, prepare to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau) 

David Siegel, CEO of Westgate Resorts, greets the crowd as he arrives for the grand opening of "Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition - The Show - The Experience" at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The opening of the permanent exhibition, theater showroom and wedding chapel takes place on the 59th anniversary of Elvis' very first performance in Las Vegas in 1956. (Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau) 

Riviera Hotel IMPLODES with Comedians at the Riviera ComedyClub

It's definitely not a laughing matter that the Riviera Hotel & Casino, currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, is closing up shop on May 4. But that didn't stop the main event on April 20th when dozens of comedians gathered for one last performance during the "Riviera Comedy Implosion" at the Riviera Comedy Club.

The show was a tribute to one of Las Vegas' most renowned comedy clubs. There were surprise performances by those who cut their comedy teeth inside the historic walls of the Riviera Hotel & Casino.

Some of the comedians during the evening show included:

Carla Rea Bob Zany Stanley Ullman Paul Bond

Kathleen Dunbar Jimmie Walker George Wallace Mike Saccone

Willie Farrell John Caponera Vince Morris Sheila Kay

Check out some of the photos from the event, courtesy Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas News Bureau.

Carla Rea

Bob Zany

Stanley Ullman

Paul Bond

Kathleen Dunbar

Jimmy Walker

George Wallace

Mike Saccone

Willie Farrell

John Caponera

Vince Morris

Sheila Kay

The legendary Riviera Hotel turns 60 years old... TODAY, April 20, 2015!

The Riviera Hotel as seen today, Monday. April 20, 2015-- exactly 60 years to the day it opened, we reflect on the great history of the Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas The hotel will close in two weeks on May 4. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has purchased the hotel in order to expand the footprint of the convention center site.  A Global Business District will allow for more than one million more square feet of meeting and convention space around the current convention center location.

Welcome back! > @celinedion will return to @ColosseumatCP at @Caesarspalace Aug 27 #vegas

Celine Dion will return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on August 27, 2015 to resume her Las Vegas show, Celine. The residency, which is presented jointly by AEG Live and Caesars Entertainment, has been on hiatus since August 2014 when Celine put her show business activities on hold to focus on her husband Rene, their family, and associated health issues.

“I am excited to finally tell my fans I am coming back to Caesars Palace, “says Celine. “It was Rene's wish that I come back. While my family will always be my priority, my fans are just as important to me. I look forward to performing again for all of you starting August 27, and more importantly having Rene there with me. Thank you for giving me this time I needed to spend with my family.”

Celine opened The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on March 25, 2003, 12–years ago to the day. Since then, Celine has performed 927 shows in The Colosseum.

ONE DROP Raises More Than $6 Million At 3rd Annual Benefit Featuring John Legend In #Vegas

The third annual, one-night-only benefit One Night for ONE DROP produced by Cirque du Soleil featuring Academy Award-winning recording artist John Legend was held on Friday, March 20. The show sponsored by MGM Resorts International raised more than $6 million for ONE DROP, the non-profit organization created by Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy Laliberte, with all proceeds supporting water access initiatives across the globe.

The event brought fantasy to life as more than 100 Cirque du Soleil performers came together for a performance directed by Mukhtar O.S. Mukhtar inside The Beatles(TM) LOVE(TM) Theatre. Legend provided a special rendition of his smash hit "All of Me," and closed the show with a standing ovation as he performed "Dreams."

This year marks a major milestone for ONE DROP as it receives special recognition from the United Nations with the closing of the International Decade for Action on Water (2000-2015). Honored with the 'Water for Life' Best Practices Award, ONE DROP is celebrated specifically for its artistic approach to change behaviors in how people deal with water.

John Legend and guest on the 'blue' carpet.

Ventriloquist @TerryFator introduces newest cast member Rusty The Robot @TheMirageLV

It's official—ventriloquist Terry Fator introduced his audience to the newest cast member of the show, Rusty The Robot, the Mirage’s new prototype robot designed to do the jobs of all employees. Rusty will sing virtually any song in any voice—from the Tin Man and Elvis to Bruno Mars and Garth Brooks.

Rusty joins the cast of characters including Winston the Impersonating Turtle, Vikki “The Cougar,” country legend Walter T. Airdale, Duggie Scott Walker, Julius, Emma Taylor, the world’s greatest Elvis impersonator Maynard Tompkins and Wrex the Crash Test Dummy.

Terry Fator recently celebrated his 6th year at the Mirage Resort with his show Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment.

Photos courtesy Puppet Boy Entertainment

> @MJLiveVegas Tribute Show to Relocate to @LVStratosphere Hotel March 30 #MJ #Vegas

MJ LIVE, the Michael Jackson tribute show co-produced by Dick Feeney, Darin Feinstein and Carlos Reynoso, will open at its new home in the Stratosphere Theater inside the Stratosphere Hotel on March 30.

“We’re excited about adding this fun new production show to our entertainment line-up,” said Matt Mascali, Stratosphere’s Vice President of Entertainment and F&B. “MJ LIVE will complement our current nightlife offerings, and provide an early evening option for guests of all ages.”

“This will be an exciting new chapter for MJ LIVE to move to the Stratosphere on the north end of the iconic Las Vegas Strip,” said Feeney, a 40-year veteran of the entertainment industry.  “We’ve had a fantastic, near three-year run with this critically-acclaimed tribute show to date, and our multi-talented cast will enthusiastically continue to entertain thousands of visitors from all over the world.”

MJ LIVE showcases the energy, excitement and spectacle of this legendary superstar and his music. The theatrical stage production includes a team of dancers and live band on stage backing the rotating Michael Jackson tribute artist’s—including Justin Dean, Jalles Franca and Tony Kouns.

MJ Live is leaving the off-strip RIO Hotel, making room for Duck Commander Musical to fill the room.

Vegas Filmmaker Jeremy Settles World Premier @madeinjapandoc @sxsw March 17 #Vegas

Las Vegas filmmaker Jeremy Settles will be holding the world premiere of his feature documentary called "Made in Japan" at the 2015 South By South West Film Festival in Austin next week. Settles is executive producer along with actor/producer Elijah Wood and documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.

The 90–minute film is the story of Tomi Fujiyama, the world's first Japanese country music superstar. It is a funny yet poignant multicultural journey through music, marriage and the impact of the corporate world on the dreams of one woman.

Settles is owner of the full-servce production company Got Films which produces feature films, commercials, television shows, documentaries, corporate videos and more.  Got Films recently secured a spot in the top 25 of Movie Maker magazine's "Indie Friendly Business List, 2014.”

The world premiere is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m.

Watch the film's trailer below.

Hello Dere! > Legendary Comedian Marty Allen Celebrates b-day at @DowntownGrandLV with special shows #downtownvegas #vegascomedy

Photo by Thom Gilbert

Downtown Grand will present a special engagement with legendary comedian Marty Allen, performing March 22 and 23 inside The Grand Parlor. The two special shows are limited to just 100 guests per performance.

Fans will also have a chance to win dinner with Marty at Downtown Grand’s award-winning Triple George Grill. Downtown Grand will draw winners* on March 22 and 23 at the Casino Stage one hour after the show. Five winners will be chosen each night. 
 
Following the show, guests can meet and greet with Marty Allen in the casino, where he will be conducting an autograph signing to promote his new book, “Hello Dere”, an autobiography about his remarkable 70-year career in showbiz.

ABOUT MARTY ALLENDuring the 1950s, Marty worked as an opening act for stars such as Sarah Vaughan, Eydie Gorme and Nat King Cole. It was at this time he became part of the comedy team of Allen & Rossi. The duo comedy team produced a string of hit comedy albums, made 40 appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and starred in the film The Last of the Secret Agents. Allen & Rossi appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” the same night as The Beatles.

Throughout the 1970s and into the 80s, Marty made hundreds of television appearances, becoming a regular on “Hollywood Squares”. He also appeared on “Circus of the Stars”, on games shows such as “Password” and in ten made-for-television movies. 

*Visit/contact Player Services in the casino for contest eligibility.  

FLASHBACK > Liberace cuts ribbon at @RivieraLasVegas opening becoming #Vegas highest-paid performer #RivFacts

With its doors closing to the public at noon on Monday, May 4, 2015, the historic Riviera Hotel & Casino is counting down the final nine weeks with a look back at some of the highlights, fun facts, celebrity sightings and rarely-seen photos that have helped build the iconic stature of the Las Vegas Strip’s first high-rise hotel and casino. And with entertainment playing such a historic role at the Riviera, what better place to start.

Week one celebrates legendary singer Liberace, who cut the ribbon at the property’s grand opening and became the Las Vegas Strip’s highest-paid entertainer, at $50,000 per week.

Follow all the upcoming facts from the Riviera at #RivFacts.