An Original Voice
She’s still best known for her Broadway performances in Wicked and Hairspray, but Shoshana Bean’s three independent solo releases have all topped the iTunes R&B and blues charts in the U.S. and U.K., and her new big-band album, Spectrum, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard jazz chart.
“My previous albums have all been very different, from pop to vintage to really stripped away and raw, so this felt like a huge left turn,” she says. “The approach was to do a fresh take on big band music. The goal was how can we preserve this genre and tradition for a younger audience.”
Bean sings in Las Vegas for the first time since 2009 with two shows at The Space on Oct. 25-26. Expect an eclectic evening of music.
Late-Night Hilarity
Dave Attell
Remember Comedy Central’s Insomniac show? Comedian and actor Dave Attell gained a cult following from his rowdy TV adventures in which he explored the after-hours offerings in whichever city his stand-up tours took him, a perfect example of an improvisational genius in his natural element. You can bet he’ll be running around Las Vegas once again after his headlining shows at the Comedy Cellar at the Rio Oct. 22 and 23.
The unpredictable and irreverent Attell has been seen on the small screen recently in Amy Schumer’s flicks Trainwreck and I Feel Pretty and the critically acclaimed HBO series Crashing, and he’ll be back for more in 2019 with Jeff Ross in Netflix’s Bumping Mics.
Around the Strip
It’s never too early to start planning New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Among your options are Bruno Mars at the T-Mobile Arena, Lady Gaga at the Park Theater, Celine Dion at Caesars Palace, Maroon 5 at Mandalay Bay, Gwen Stefani at Planet Hollywood Resort, Tenacious D at the Hard Rock Hotel and Imagine Dragons at The Cosmopolitan.
Speaking of the new year, it will bring a new comedy venue to the Strip from a superstar entertainer who grew up in Las Vegas. Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club is planned for a spring debut at the Linq Promenade, showcasing up-and-coming stand-up stars as well as household names curated by the Emmy-nominated host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Magic Johnson
NBA great Magic Johnson was back in town in October. Last year he predicted major league sports success for Vegas while speaking at the Global Gaming Expo and this month he hit the Strip for a preseason game between the Lakers and Warriors, where he received a Key to the City from Mayor Carolyn Goodman. That’s right, Oct. 10 was Magic Johnson Day in the city of Las Vegas.
Two of Las Vegas’ favorite female revues celebrated significant milestones recently. “X” Rocks marked five years on the Strip with a VIP red carpet reception at Bally’s before another sizzling edition of the show, which was recently extended by Caesars Entertainment for another five years. And Westgate’s Sexxy extravaganza celebrated its 800th show with a little cake and champagne.
