Carrie Underwood, Usher, Raiders band top Vegas awards in 2021

For the Vegas amusement scene, the twelvemonth 2021 was a small similar a combo wrapper of 2019 and 2020. For a little burst successful the summer, beingness blossomed backmost to normal. But arsenic the twelvemonth closes, it’s backmost to tracking COVID surge statistics, masking, vaxing, adjacent avoiding crowds, feeling a batch similar 2020.

We are astatine erstwhile entering the chartless and acquainted arsenic 2022 arrives. The Go-Go’s conscionable canceled their New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day shows, moving to Feb. 11-12. “Magic Mike Live” astatine Sahara conscionable ended a little intermission Sunday due to the fact that of a COVID outbreak successful its show. The Chippendales amusement astatine the Rio is owed backmost Wednesday aft abruptly going acheronian past week. This, too, was a COVID-enforced pause.

But 2021 does adjacent with astir of the city’s engaged amusement docket returning, afloat force. We return, then, to the Kats! Awards, shelved successful 2020, backmost now. Some of the highlights arsenic we remainder up, disguise up and rev up for the caller year:

Best New Aquatic Effect

To Carrie Underwood, who arrived astatine the Theatre astatine Resorts World with precocious expectations and elevated hype. She was the archetypal headliner to unfastened the venue aft Celine Dion stepped distant to woody with wellness concerns. The closing number, wherever Underwood winds up soaked arsenic she sings, “There Must Be Something successful the Water,” was an instant classic. So was the show.

Best Use of Las Vegas Talent by a Strip Headliner

We can’t springiness capable recognition to Usher for his “Backstory Pass” pre-show astatine the Colosseum astatine Caesars Palace. His squad parked it successful its originative concern with Majestic Repertory Theater and Table 8 Immersive founder Troy Heard, who enlisted specified Vegas favorites arsenic Skye Dee Miles and Eric Jordan Young. We adjacent person ex-Olympic way jock and longtime Caesars Palace trader Martha Watson arsenic the Den Mother, counting up the wealth arsenic she extols beingness lessons.

The result: An astonishing portion of recruiting to lucifer a imaginativeness built wrong a unsocial venue themed for a superstar headliner’s beingness story. If that each makes sense. Usher’s conception definite does.

Best Use of Las Vegas Talent by a Professional Sports Franchise

The Raiders amusement squad dug in, deed the country and installed David Perrico’s Pop Strings as its location set astatine Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders play has been star-crossed, to enactment it mildly, but the Perrico telephone has been connected the money. We get chills seeing those fiery Vegas instrumentalist rocking The Death Star.

Instrument of the Year

Sting’s battle-scarred, 1957 Fender Precision Bass, successful afloat flourish astatine the Colosseum astatine Caesars Palace.

Best Show to Contemplate

I spent much thought clip connected “An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert” than immoderate amusement successful 2021. Aside from the evident pronoun situation (is the computer-generated fig a she, oregon an it? We spell with “she”), the Houston hologram accumulation is simply a funny crisscross of experiences. She can’t perceive you cheer and clap, but nods backmost to the set and audience. Fans outcry to her “Go, girl! arsenic if truly interacting with the precocious superstar.

The fig is pushed backmost connected the stage, excessively acold from the assemblage to admit visually and excessively distant for immoderate existent affectional transportation (this is interest is being addressed successful the show’s down time, and the amusement is being re-choreographed). But the euphony is superb, the unrecorded set and dancers bring real-life energy. It’s just, wherever bash we halt with these holograms? Will we spot a hologram magician, hologram Cirque-style show, holograms of departed comedians? A hologram show of “Legends successful Concert?” Will idiosyncratic beryllium sued if they develop, say, a hologram Motown amusement starring the Temptations?

As I said, extended contemplation astir this show. But hey, the amusement is unique, nary doubt, and fans emotion hologram Houston, including those dancing successful the aisles of some shows I’ve seen.

Best Shots-N-Shades Show

To the ageless Sammy Hagar. He rocked successful the 1970s. He’s rocking successful his 70s. The “Sammy Hagar & Friends” amusement was specified a enactment that adjacent Grateful Dead fable Bob Weir needed to amusement up. Hagar’s amusement is an inspiration. Plug it successful crook it escaped astatine The Strat Theater successful ‘22.

Best Place to Have Your Mind Blown

Area15. Pick yer portal, including The Portal and besides OmegaMart, Wink World, Museum Fiasco. The caller burlesque show, “Rated Red” was a Friday nighttime unit opening successful the autumn earlier braking this month. It should beryllium backmost successful 2022. The vibe is instilled by specified large originative forces arsenic Winston Fisher, Michael Beneville, Kimberly Beneville and Chris Wink, each of whom get Vegas. Wonderful nutrient from our friend, the prima cook Todd English astatine The Beast, too, and we really took successful “Rated Red” the aforesaid nighttime English and his entourage saw it for the archetypal time. This means, of course, it’s a Cool Hang, too.

Sighting of the Year

Mayor Carolyn Goodman, ex-Mayor (and caller ZZ Top fan) Oscar Goodman, and Plaza CEO Jonathan Jossel astatine ZZ Top’s amusement at The Venetian Theater successful October. The Goodmans met Gibbons astatine Oscar Goodman’s meal speech astatine Oscar’s Steakhouse successful June. Only where? In Vegas, is where.

The Din Award

For uncommonly large response, to Trisha Yearwood, arsenic she was introduced by Garth Brooks astatine Brooks’ performance astatine Allegiant Stadium.

Luminous New Nightclub Effect Award

To the Mothership floating airy strategy astatine Zouk Nightclub astatine Resorts World Las Vegas. This happening is intolerable not to watch. It holds a benignant of quality quality. I envision a idiosyncratic hiding wrong that aerial effect, aiming lasers astatine groovers astir the club. This has replaced CO2 enactment cannons arsenic my favourite nightlife enactment effect.

Reopening Property & Venue Hype Award

To the Palms, and its Pearl Concert Theater. The hotel, and signature amusement venue, person been acheronian for truthful agelong we’ve astir forgotten their corporate appeal. Nothing that a coagulated Styx show, oregon sojourn to Scotch 80s, couldn’t remedy. We person religion successful file fave and incoming GM Cynthia Kiser Murphey to instill a caller buzz, adjacent if it means a head-shaving lawsuit (an wrong notation there).

Most Magical New Tome

David Copperfield’s “History of Magic” unveils the legendary illusionist’s astir inspirational magic figures (hint, Mandrake ain’t successful it). The 272-page hardbound publication besides reveals his International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. My favourite amusive information astir the 40,000-square-foot erstwhile warehouse is it was erstwhile location to the Nevada Nuts and Bolts factory, which really housed the nuts and bolts utilized for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Copperfield purchased the parcel successful 1991. Eight years earlier, helium made the statue vanish connected nationalist TV.

Indestructible Icon Award

Michael Jackson remains a hit, successful spite of each accidental for the nationalist to cull his legacy. Cirque’s “Michael Jackson One” returned to Mandalay Bay successful August, “MJ Live” is moving from The Strat to Tropicana Theater, and is inactive a beardown draw. And, “M.J. The Evolution” has conscionable this week surpassed 130 shows astatine Mosaic On the Strip.

All-Time Anthem Honors

Guitar fable and Journey co-founder Neal Schon’s virtuosity brought the chills during his national-anthem rendition astatine Allegiant Stadium earlier the Bears-Raiders crippled Oct. 10. And Nazim Chambi, who plays Jimi Hendrix successful the large “27” amusement astatine 24 Oxford astatine Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, summoned Hendrix’s Woodstock show astatine the Aviators’ season-ending location crippled against the Oklahoma City Dodgers connected Sept. 27.

Guitar Pick Flick of the Year

Vegas rocker Frankie Sidoris, who sent his prime astir 50 yards arsenic helium was introduced by Wolfgang Van Halen during the Mammoth WVH acceptable successful July astatine Allegiant Stadium. The set opened for Guns N’ Roses, and was frankincense the archetypal stone set to ever play the stadium.

As @WolfVanHalen introduces intro the hometown boy. Great infinitesimal for @franksidoris (requisite @GoldenKnights merch action). @MammothWVH #RJnow @reviewjournal #Vegas pic.twitter.com/OKkMCBQtD8

— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) August 28, 2021

Most Deserved New Building Wrap

To Penn & Teller, who volition look caller erstwhile much connected the broadside of the Rio successful astir a month. The dingy representation of the guys is being peeled off. The duo has been depicted connected the Masquerade Tower since 2008. You get that grant erstwhile you transportation a resort. And related, P&T’s residency astatine the edifice turns 21 connected Jan. 5.

This antheral a fable https://t.co/0LNCnj2YcX pic.twitter.com/ysfWjNlpBC

— Steve Aoki (@steveaoki) December 14, 2021

Entertainment Phenomenon of the Year

Drag. It’s each implicit the map, and besides the bingo card, from the Flamingo deed “Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live!” to Edie Entertainer’s “Faaabulous” revue astatine Notoriety Live (the lone all-live singing resistance amusement successful Vegas), to Drag Queen Charity Bingo Night connected Wednesdays at Tommy Rocker’s Mojave Beach club.

The Magic Dragone Award

To Franco Dragone, partnering with Criss Angel successful Dragone’s re-entry to the Vegas amusement scene. Their “Amystika” immersive, interactive accumulation astatine Angel’s “Mindfreak” theatre astatine Planet Hollywood has been pushed to March 11 from its archetypal Dec. 27 opening date.“Amystika” promises adventurous, unsocial peculiar effects (an in-house tornado and an existent firestorm) and assertive stunts. The task is acceptable up arsenic a prequel to Angel’s “Mindfreak” production, though it is staged astatine 10 p.m. aft Angel’s 7 p.m. amusement (these are abstracted tickets, with “Amystika” starting astatine $69 and “Mindfreak” astatine $79). We expect Dragone has different tricks up his sleeve, too, having conceived “O,” “Mystere” and Dion’s archetypal “A New Day …” With that corporate lineage, “Amystika” volition will not beryllium a benign experience.

Twin Tappers Hall of Fame

Charter members, Sean and John Scott of “Absinthe.” Wow, conscionable wow, for each time.

Golden Guitar Award

To Carlos Santana, who plays a gold-flaked PRS guitar astatine House of Blues.

Chance Meeting Award

To EDM superstar Steve Aoki and magician superstar Teller, who sat adjacent to each different connected a five-hour formation from Newark to Vegas this period — realizing this lone arsenic they departed. The 2 had ne'er met.

Early ‘Shroom Award

Katy Perry’s “Play” astatine the Theatre astatine Resorts World Las Vegas looks similar a full trip. We person a talking commode, soldiers brandishing oversize combs portion wearing knapsacks filled with elephantine crayons, and walkie-talkies dancing with an alarm clock. The amusement opens, arsenic volition your mind, connected Wednesday night.

Three! And bully usage of oversized combs and crayon abstraction packs … #Vegas #RJNow @reviewjournal https://t.co/qoC2bSjkoy

— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) December 27, 2021

Headlining Power Couple Award

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are not done with VegasVille. She did adjacent her “Just a Girl” residency astatine Zappos Theater successful November. But Shelton has announced plans for his Ole Red Las Vegas country-music haven to instrumentality implicit Grand Bazaar Shops connected the Strip successful 2023. This leads to accidental for 1 oregon some to execute successful immoderate capableness astatine a Caesars Entertainment venue (Colosseum and Zappos Theater), and for Shelton to occasionally play Ole Red. We would endorse each of it.

What Works In Vegas Award

How astir stand-up comedy? We person Aces of Comedy astatine the Mirage, flourishing aft a decennary with specified stars arsenic Ray Romano, David Spade, Wayne Brady, Iliza Shlesinger and George Lopez. The bolstered headliner bid astatine Encore Theater is led successful January by Sebastian Maniscalco, who fills arenas (though he’s pushed backmost his arena touring docket for COVID), and successful 2022 is acceptable to diagnostic Whitney Cummings, Tom Papa, Jim Gaffigan, Trevor Noah and Demetri Martin.

On the nine scene, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club has a groovy caller determination astatine MGM Grand, crossed from Emeril’s Fish House. Laugh Factory astatine the Trop chugs along, headed up by Harry Basil, brings topflight drama led by legendary impressionist Rich Little, recurring headliner Jon Lovitz and indefatigable magician Murray Sawchuck. Plaza has recovered a niche for its showroom with The Comedy Works, with Pauly Palooza starring Pauly Shore connected Thursday, and Doug Stanhope again filling the the spot connected NYE. Noam Dworman’s Comedy Cellar has weathered myriad challenges to stay hopping astatine the Rio. Wiseguys has been humming on successful the Arts District, with scant fanfare. Don Barnhart’s Delirious Comedy Club astatine Downtown Grand and L.A. Comedy Club astatine The Strat were astatine the caput of the archetypal pandemic reopening, dating to 2020.

All we request to truly capable retired the lineup is the instrumentality of Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club astatine Linq Promenade, wherever the reply for astir 2 years has been, “We program to reopen.”

The No Dress Code Award

To “Naked Boys Singing” and “Puppetry of the Penis,” which alternates amusement times astatine Jewel Box Theatre astatine the Erotic Heritage Museum. They are some afloat nude, drama revues (“Naked Boys” from the New York philharmonic of the aforesaid name). And congrats to Robert Ryan, who co-stars successful BOTH shows. He says helium tin grip it.

Illumination Award

“iLuminate” astatine The Strat Theater, which went acheronian (figuratively and successful fact) to rewrite the show. This week and weekend, bash to beardown summons sales, the amusement is adding a 2 p.m. Wednesday and 2 p.m. performances Saturday and Sunday. These are successful summation to the regular 10 p.m. shows Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 8 p.m. shows Saturday and Sunday. There is simply a 3 p.m. matinee connected Jan. 3, too, arsenic the docket becomes much malleable. A motion to Miral Kotb for the flexibility, and for keeping her Las Vegas amusement alight.

Stage Rush of the Year

Comic Jo Koy scrambled to the spotlight during “The After Party” starring Joey Fatone, Wanya Morris, Nick Carter and AJ McLean. Koy was taking selfies astatine the beforehand of the signifier astatine The Venetian’s Summit Showroom erstwhile helium burst into the show. Morris aboriginal said the full happening was unscripted. It looked similar immoderate of the guys — particularly Fatone — was going to perpetrate a roughing-the-comedian penalty. All successful bully fun, of course.

Mighty Off-Strip Production Awards

Some shows you mightiness not cognize overmuch about, but should: “Soul of Motown” R&B revue has built a coagulated pursuing astatine Westgate Cabaret. “Late Night Magic” and “BurlesQ” person tally consistently done COVID astatine Alexis Park. Ace mentalist Vinny Grosso is performing six days a week astatine Notoriety Live. All are worthy a look-see.

Righteous Homage to Vegas Iconography

Brian Newman’s “After Dark” amusement astatine NoMad Library has bridged the disagreement betwixt his location successful Brooklyn (which, I understand, already has a bridge) and the Strip. Newman, a vastly talented trumpet subordinate and singer, brings a Louis Prima vigor on with showgirls and a rotation of impermanent entertainers (Sawchuck and the men of “Magic Mike Live” astir recently). Newman’s his wife, erstwhile Miss Exotic World champion Angie Pontani, performs burlesque numbers, to large response. Newman’s backing set routinely destroys the place. Look for much late-night dates from him, and his assorted performers, successful 2022.

Model Efforts of 2021

Mick Jagger posed successful beforehand of the Neon Museum, on Fremont Street Experience and astatine Red Rock Canyon the time earlier the Rolling Stones played Allegiant Stadium successful November. Incoming Theatre astatine Resorts World headliner Michael Bublé picked the Neon Boneyard arsenic the backdrop for the screen changeable of his upcoming medium (he teased Monday to a Jan. 15 release).

Kats! Bureau of the Year

Tough contest, but Circa Sports Book wins it for the sojourn successful November. I hung with co-owner Derek Stevens; his wife, Nicole; daughter, Whitney (on her birthday); Vegas Golden Knights broadcaster Shane Hnidy; and ex-NHL subordinate Craig Muni, who played from 1982-1998 and won 3 Stanley Cubs with Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers. Great time, and I broke even.

Groovers Awards

The tandems of Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert successful “No Limit” astatine Summit Showroom. And Sarah LeClare and Alejandro Domingo, astir precocious successful “This Is Christmas,” at Palazzo Theater. It’s an impressive, lithe-and-glide acquisition with this group.

Keytar Couple of the Year

Otto Ehling and Chandra Meibalane some play Roland-branded keytars. Ehling breaks his retired with Perrico and the Raiders House Band (he opted for a keytar successful black, alternatively than archetypal red). Meibalane plays hers portion backing Shania Twain astatine Zappos Theater, wherever her superior instrumentality is fiddle. These 2 are engaged, proving erstwhile much the keytar is the necktie that binds.

Mystique Award

Delilah astatine Wynn Las Vegas. Slammed, consistently and for bully reason, with fabulous nutrient and unrecorded amusement headed up by euphony director/bassist Ryan Cross. This bent is similar ambling into a movie acceptable successful 1927. Just terrific. Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Doja Cat, The Kid Laroi and 50 Cent are among the unbilled stars to play the place. Savannah Lynx, Noybel Gorgoy, Christina Amato and Rockie Brown are among the Vegas vocalists to grace the club.

Comeback of the Year (Venue)

The Smith Center. After sitting latent for much than a twelvemonth and a half, Reynolds Hall, Myron’s and adjacent Troesh Studio Theater person been doing pre-COVID levels after Frankie Moreno lit it up the spot successful September.

Comeback of the Year (Entertainer)

Kelly Clinton-Holmes spent 9 months warring disconnected COVID and its after-effects. In July, she took connected “The Sit In,” a Thursday nighttime variety-show residency astatine The Nevada Room astatine Commercial Center. The amusement has sold retired 13 consecutive performances, oregon each show, since her return. Other than that, nary large thing.

Vegas Newcomer Award

Shore. He moved present sometime recently. Either 18 months oregon 18 days ago. But the comic histrion has been everywhere, including Delirious, Notoriety Live, Laugh Factory and Wiseguys. He is drama royalty, an attraction magnet and sometimes manner statement. A assured beforehand man, too, for his Crustys rock-cover band. Catch that enactment astatine the caller Sand Dollar Downtown astatine Plaza successful 2022. At least, we are sending that to the universe.

Cool Hang Alerts

We ran it hard done 2021: The database is arsenic boundless arsenic Zowie Bowie’s vigor astatine Fremont Street Experience, 1 of the galore Cool Hang Alerts of the past year. We property on, honoring Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns connected Mondays astatine the Copa Room astatine Bootlegger Bistro; Bootlegger’s dining-room lineup, each night; Skye Dee Miles connected Fridays and Saturdays astatine the Shag Room astatine Virgin Hotel Las Vegas; Mondays Dark starring Mark Shunock astatine The Space; the Showroom and lounge lineup astatine Italian American Club; The Nevada Room/Vegas Room; up-and-coming bent Star Piano Lounge, with pianist/MD Chris Lash astatine the helm; Piazza Lounge astatine Tuscany Suites’ nightly no-cover entertainment, anchored by Kenny Davidsen connected Fridays; Don’t Tell Mama, nightly astatine Neonopolis; the blossoming lineup astatine Stirling Club astatine Turnberry Place; Motown Extreme astatine Notoriety Live; NPerson astatine Westgate’s International Bar; Cork & Thorn’s lineup of Alli Starr’s ’80s amusement connected Tuesdays, reggae connected Wednesdays, spoken-word connected Fridays, Starr again connected Saturdays, and Sunday 90’s hip-hop brunches; Franky Perez, Bucky Heard with John Wedemeyer, Original Chaos, Michael Grimm, the Lon Bronson Band, Michelle Johnson, Lisa Marie Smith, Anne Martinez, Elisa Fiorillo, The Moonshiners, Kelly Vohnn, Lannie Counts, Jassen Allen, Eric Sean, Christine Shebeck, Chris Jason with Joelle Righetti-Jenson, Sarah Hester Ross, Jennifer Lier, Angelina Alexon, Tyriq Johnson’s Serpentine Fire, Ashley Fuller, Laura Wright, Ruby Lewis, Phoenix, Hannah Brady, Jonathan Karrant, Chadwick Johnson, Lou Gazzara, Mark OToole, John Anthony as Rod Stewart, Christina Shaw, Justin Shandor, Chase Brown, the Windjammers, Brody Dolyniuk’s Symphonic Rock Show with Nina DiGregorio’s Femmes of Rock, Craig Canter, Joey Melotti, … As idiosyncratic erstwhile said, each one’s a winner, baby, (that’s each right). In each instances, click to the Google Lounge for definitive details.

John Katsilometes’ file runs regular successful the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast tin beryllium recovered astatine reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him astatine jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats connected Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 connected Instagram.