Get All the Hits
She’s recognized as the Queen of Christmas, and this month she’s played the role of Queen of Hearts with a series of concerts over Valentine’s Day weekend and beyond at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Mariah Carey continues her headlining residency, The Butterfly Returns, with three more shows this week on Feb. 26 and 28-29, an intimate affair molded by Mimi herself.
She communicates with her fans between the hits, sharing personal tidbits about songs such as “Always Be My Baby” and “One Sweet Day.” She can be as flexible with the setlist as she wants to be, even incorporating her own favorite tracks like “Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)” from Rainbow. Carey is at her best at Caesars in a fresh concert experience you shouldn’t miss.
Xavier Mortimer
Must-See: Xavier Mortimer's Magical Dream
The charming French illusionist and musician Xavier Mortimer became the first performer from a Cirque du Soleil show to headline his own Vegas production when he launched his Magical Dream at Planet Hollywood Resort in 2016. Now he’s found the rhythm at a new location, the Magic Attic at Bally’s, where he’s putting on one of the Strip’s top all-ages shows and most unique magic-based presentations. There’s a certain sense of wonder and whimsy embedded in Mortimer’s performance that recalls Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, but his sleight-of-hand skills and enchanting illusions add extra enjoyment.
Around the Strip
Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce, Tyrann Mathieu, LeSean McCoy and others celebrated their Super Bowl victory at Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell, getting cheered on by fans and onlookers at a VIP table branded with the team logo as the group partied all night long. Bottles of Don Julio 1942 and Patrón and magnums of champagne were enjoyed as rapper and Drai’s resident artist French Montana took the stage.
Steve Aoki
DJs gotta brunch, too. Local resident and Las Vegas Strip nightclub staple Steve Aoki took his mom and girlfriend out for a Sunday meal at The Stove in Henderson, enjoying avocado toast . Aoki lives in Anthem when he’s not flying around the world to play at the hottest venues.
Congratulations are in order for friends of this column and Vegas entertainment big-shot Kurt Melien, who served as president of Live Nation Las Vegas since 2015 and helped usher in some of the biggest musical events and residencies in the city’s history. Melien is moving on up as president of New York City Concerts for Live Nation. Sid Greenfeig, previously vice president of booking and development of arenas at MGM Resorts International, will replace him.
Spotted at Absinthe at Caesars Palace: Pop music legend Neil Sedaka prior to his weekend concerts at the Orleans; former star of The Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. and his wife Lauren; and on a Sunday night, members of the Carolina Hurricanes took in the show after stealing a game from the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena the night before.
Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000. Listen to his Sun on the Strip podcast every Wednesday at Apple Podcasts.
