What works in Vegas? JLo at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Maybe not a stunning revelation. But Lopez wiped out sales on Friday and Saturday. She debuted her new single with DJ legend David Guetta, “Save Me Tonight” in her Colosseum return.
Foreigner, too, has jammed the venue Friday and Saturday at The Venetian Theatre with its excellent orchestral residency. All five performances through Saturday are sold out.
In the opening weekend, Lou Gramm joined for the finale, “Hot Blooded,” in his two-show visit. Gramm powered through the classic, and slammed the cow bell with great zeal.
The production has summoned a 20-piece orchestra, with cello master Dave Eggar out front with conductor Chuck Palmer. Foreigner’s new singer, Luis Maldonado, delivered the hits with his powerhouse pipes. The classic rock/symphonic combo is a natural inside was once the “Phantom” theater. We even had a full-length intermission, which even “Phantom” didn’t attempt.
Primed for Primm
Las Vegas headliners seeking a new venue have found one in an obvious spot — the Nevada-California border.
Primm Valley Resorts has rolled out the carpet for Jennifer Romas’s “Sexxy” adult revue, and the rock revival “Icons of Classic Rock.” The shows feature several performers familiar on the Vegas entertainment scene.
Romas’s show runs 8 p.m. March 28, April 9, April 25 and May 9 and May 24 at Primm Valley Event Center. Romas most recently presented the show Jan. 17 at Virgin Hotels’ 24 Oxford and had been working toward a recurring schedule when Cliff Atkinson left as the hotel’s president in December. Atkinson began his tenure at Fremont Street Experience last month.
In what proved to be a one-off at Virgin, “Sexxy” celebrated the 10th anniversary of the show’s opening at Westgate.
Of the new venue and city, Romas says, “Sexxy at Stateline … Some lines are meant to be crossed.” The founder of the topless show has a knack for taxi-top messaging. Romas is expected to be back in the show, her signature “November Rain”/aquatic spectacle/bathtub act.
The show has generated strong support in Las Vegas. The 24 Oxford show was oversold to the point of chaos. Romas is now snaring the I-15, drive-in tourism crowd from SoCal’s Inland Empire.
The “Icons” show is set for April 18 at Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena. The touring, classic-rock exercise stars several veteran singers and musicians connected to iconic bands. In the mix are Paul Shortino and Robin McAuley, who performed in “Raiding the Rock Vault” in its early days in Las Vegas. Fran Cosmo (Boston), Alex Lingerthwood (Santana) and Kevin Chalfant (Journey) are in the “Icons” lineup.
Primm’s spring schedule is filling with acts of all ilk. Popular Latin act Banda Los Recoditos is at Star of the Desert on March 14. Morris Day & The Time headline Star of the Desert on May 23, the most famous name on the bill over the coming months.
At the Event Center, those clamoring for adult hypnosis can catch Thom Kaz’s “Hypnaughty” on March 27, April 10, April 24 and May 8. The Fairchild Blues Tribute, a Blues Brothers tribute without using the famed brand, is April 11.
Primm has long set itself up as an option to higher-priced events on the Strip, and reminds that the drive is about 45-50 minutes from Las Vegas (half as long as Laughlin!). Hit ticketmaster.com and primmvalleyresorts.com for intel.
Cool Hang Alert
Michael Grimm is taking up Dispensary Lounge at 2451 East Tropicana Avenue from 7-10 p.m. Thursday. The 2010 “America’s Got Talent” champ is backed by guitarist Jimmy Tripi and keyboardist Bill Zappia. No cover, two-drink minimum, go thedispensarylounge.com for intel. And as always, try the pizza.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.