Magic and comedy
Veteran performer Murray Sawchuck, perhaps better known as Murray the Magician from his many appearances on America’s Got Talent (where he seemingly made a train disappear), Pawn Stars (where he serves as the magical device historian), Masters of Illusion and from his viral video YouTube channel, is back at the Las Vegas Strip venue where he feels most at home.
After a four-year run at Planet Hollywood Resort, Murray’s onstage again at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana, always a fitting spot since the L.A. version of the comedy club is where he first began to expand his act by adding lots of laughs to his astounding array of tricks.
Catch Murray’s ever-changing act at 5 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday.
All The Vegas: Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
“In the beginning I thought, ‘Wow, professional television, I better write out music charts.’ I remember writing out James Brown’s ‘Sex Machine’ for everybody. Well, his music is just vamps, a two-bar vamp repeated forever and then the bridge. So I’m writing out this chart, then I write, ‘James will take it to the bridge.’ Then I said, ‘Wait a minute, James will take it to the bridge! I can’t believe it!’ I was nervous. And then I got over the nervousness. Five shows a week will do that for you.”
Paul Shaffer is back at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace through Dec. 1. Listen to more tales from his long run as music director with David Letterman’s late-night shows at allthevegas.com.
Around the Strip
The grand opening gala for NoMad Las Vegas, which offered the first real look inside the dramatic dining room of the NoMad Restaurant from the team of Will Guidara and chef Daniel Humm, captured the coolest crowd on Nov. 10. Local singer Nieve Malandra and The Roots’ Questlove provided the entertainment as a who’s who of Vegas players mixed and mingled. In just a few minutes, I chatted with chef Roy Choi, who’s opening his own Park MGM restaurant, Best Friend, next month; MGM Resorts nightlife guru Sean Christie; restaurateur extraordinaire Elizabeth Blau; and Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti.
Imagine Dragons performed a secret concert at the Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan recently to celebrate the release of new album Origins, packing the theater with fans from around the world who entered a contest to win a trip to Las Vegas to meet the band. The band will be back at the Chelsea for another concert on New Year’s Eve.
Kendall Jenner
Models, celebs and fashion figures of all forms flocked to the Palms for the Revolve Awards, celebrating famous folks, influencers and beauty gurus. Kendall Jenner was awarded Icon of the Year, Emily Ratajkowski won Woman of the Year and Teyana Taylor was named Muse of the Year. In attendance, and fresh from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, were models Elsa Hosk, Romee Strijd, Kelly Gale and Lorena Rae, as well as Shay Mitchell, Olivia Culpo, Chanel Iman, Mimi Cuttrell and more.
Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000, and interviews key movers and shakers on his All The Vegas podcast, available at allthevegas.com
