Whine & Cheese

The Showgirl Must Go On

Ok, time to wrap up the Vegas trip posts (though who knows it might make a guest appearance in future post... never say never). We always try to see a show while we are in Vegas and Caesars Palace is pretty much ground zero of late.  Right now, the rotation is pretty much the gay trinity: Elton John (though his last engagement is in a few weeks), Cher, and Bette Midler.  We had already seen Elton in Vegas, so it was down to the gay Sophie's Choice decision of choosing between Cher and Bette - both who were in the house around the time we were planning on heading to Sin City.  Since Cher has an extra year on her contract, we decided to on Bette (though either would have been a "no lose" scenario).

This was our 3rd time seeing the Divine Miss M.  We saw her in the last week of 1999 and she was prepping her big Vegas arena millennium show and a few years back for the "Kiss My Brass" tour.  We figured that was probably last time since she was (or was nearing) age 60 and given the rigors of touring, but Vegas provides a wonderful opportunity for a legend to stay put and have folks come to her (or him). 

That said, this show (despite a much shallower stage the more "mature" post-Celine headliners are using) is certainly not anything less rigorous than what Bette did on the road.  She is constantly scurrying back and forth on the stage... and comically falls down once and crying out "Celine, come back all is forgiven. Elton!  Cher! Help!".... ending with perhaps my favorite line of the night "Donny and Marie cross the f&cking street!" (the Osmonds siblings headline a show at the Flamingo, which is right across the street from Caesars). 

As the show title, "The Showgirl Must Go On," suggests she really turns the show into an old-school Vegas spectacular with a gaggle of showgirls she dubs the Caesar Salad Girls.  I always forget how much humor Bette brings to her shows.  I also think this may be the biggest surprised for some audience member who just think of her as that nice woman who sings ballads like "From A Distance," "The Rose,"  and "Wind Beneath My Wings."   Bette joked that 30 years ago her audience was on drugs, now they're on medication... and for the Wednesday night performance that we attended, I don't think that was that much of a joke.  For 40-somethings, we certainly felt like whipper-snappers, particularly with the folks on either side of us (maybe they're the only ones that could afford non-comped/high roller Orchestra ticket prices!).  But Bette certainly isn't shy about dropping f-bombs or railing against right wingers like Palin and Limbaugh.  And you can tell she keeps the act current/fresh as we had material on Madoff and the Octo-Mom. 

Bette even goofed up twice.  I am still not sure if it was "part of the act" but her reactions both times seemed pretty genuine.  Once was during her Soph routine, where she muffed the start mixing up whether it was from her boyfriend Ernie or her girlfriend Clementine... and another time, when she said she messed up her "best/big note" on a song and went back and did it again.  Very funny and self-effacing both times!

So anyhow, I would highly recommend the show.  Bette is such a crowd pleaser!

Ok, now for the extra special, extra fun part!  We met Kamilah, one of Bette's Staggering Harlettes! 

It's really an instance of never knowing where life will take you or who knows who.  Funny enough, we had already seen Kamilah as she was Harlette-ing for Bette during her "Kiss My Brass" tour a few years back.  So how did this all come about?  Well, my friend Jen (who I "met" via this very blog) is friends with Kamilah.  I can't exactly remember how I found that out, but I am sure, at some point, Jen knew I would go bonkers having this kinda sorta "six degrees of separation" going with Bette Midler.  And truthfully that was good/fun enough for me!

Anyhow, fast-forward a bit... Kamilah said she would come out and say hello to us after the show!  We pretty quickly spotted each other in the throngs of folks in the casino as Kamilah joked it shouldn't be that difficult to spot a black woman looking for a pair of gay guys (though I think that latter is a tad more challenging at a Bette concert).

Kamilah (to Bette's left in that above picture - gorgeous, huh?!!) could not have been nicer, it was like meeting up with a friend and not this admittedly pretty odd online friend of a friend thing... honestly I am not sure I would have done the same if I were in her shoes.  We had a nice chat about the show and totally unprompted (!!) she had very nice things to say about her boss, which I was glad to hear... always hate to have one's fantasies of a celeb must be like in-person shattered to pieces.  

Knowing we were going to meet up, I did pay special attention to the Harlettes during the show and I have to say I didn't realize how hard they worked... not only back-up singers, but dancing (and in this show, heading dance routines w/ the showgirls while Bette rested/costume-changed) and providing a foil for Bette.  And I'm guessing Kamilah & Co. made hopping around in a mermaid tail a lot easier than it looked.  Kamilah mentioned at some points in the show they are off-stage changing costumes while providing back-up vocals!

It was a big thrill for us to meet Kamilah (check out her FB fanpage here), no surprise that folks in the performing arts have my utmost respect (envy! awe! and I hadn't even mentioned Kamilah has been in "Hairspray," "Rent," and "The Lion King"!?!) and we look forward to her upcoming "funkabilly" album... and another big shout-out/thanks for Jen for setting it all up!

(Note:  The fuzzy-ish show poster first picture is mine, the 2nd one - with Bette & Kamilah - is "borrowed" from the 'net... no cameras allowed inside the Colosseum)

And We're Back

Well, we survived another trip to Las Vegas.  As always, we had a great time at the country's adult Disney World and even did a few new things ... hard to believe that is possible after probably close to two dozen trips to Sin City!

With my renewed interest in photography, I took my camera along and played "tourist" a bit more than we have done in several years.  We checked out the Bellagio fountains and the newly upgraded Mirage volcano, which is truly bigger and better as advertised.  We also made first-time visits to a couple of new places that have opened since our last trip - Encore and the Palazzo, which honestly are not all that different from the hotel/casino siblings Wynn and The Venetian.  And we also checked out the monstrosity that is the MGM Mirage $8.6 billion (funny how that no longer seems like a lot of money!) City Center project ... that is currently having some financial woes due to the economic downturn.  Construction at Caesars and Venetian has also been halted as well due to the recession.

But oddly enough, we didn't feel one bit that there is a recession going on or that Vegas is having the same financial problems that much of corporate America is experiencing.   Traffic was insane as we have ever seen it... and we were definitely wrong in thinking a mid-week trip would mean less crowds... there was tons of folks that were seemingly throwing money into gambling, food and booze like it was any other time we were there.  When I asked the hotel check-in guy at Caesars about it, he said business has been good of late and we were experiencing a mix of folks on spring break, NCAA March Madness, and even some convention business... which is the area I suspected Vegas would be taking the biggest hit... though it seems like the throngs of "normal" folk would make up for it... but who knows anymore!

I won't go much into my gambling... it ended up being the worst-case scenario.  Had a good, stay-even day but that was destroyed by a none to pleasant start and finish to our gambling adventures.  I tend to start out a bit too enthusiatically and without a good win under my belt there tends to be more desperation as our time draws to a close.  But, again if you go in expecting to win... you're already in deep trouble. 

The highlight of this trip was seeing Bette Midler's show at Caesars "The Showgirl Must Go Own"... if you follow my Twitters or Facebook you already know what made it extra special... but that deserves a post of its own, so look for the soon... and I'll make that a vague 'soon' ... as I am still trying to get back into the swing of things here and thankfully there is some "real" work to sort through here.

In the interim, I have started posting pix from the trip.  Not a crazy amount of photos (my intention to look a Vegas through a new photographic "eye" didn't quite gel), but I am pleased with what I am posting so far... particularly our half-day trip out of town to the Valley of Fire State Park, which is about an hour's drive northwest of Vegas... but worlds and worlds away!   I have half of the VoF pix up right now, more will be coming in the next day or so... and I should wrap up all the trip pix hopefully by the end of the week.

If you are looking at this late March/early April 2009 I'll lead you to this link to my main Flickr page.... if you are looking at this at some point beyond that, here is a like to the Vegas Set.

Viva Las Vegas

As this posts (I'll admit to writing it beforehand), we should be on our way (or nearly on our way) to Las Vegas for the week.  It's kind of funny since it seems as if I am always saying we're going to Las Vegas... and while we do go there a lot, we haven't been there since October-ish 2007... so over 16 months!   So probably one of our longest "breaks" from there in a long time (or possibly ever!).   It is also our first trip out of town since our Beijing trip in August... so we definitely are over-due for some getaway time!  I was tempted to say R&R, but no better that in Vegas either rest or relaxation are likely not to be on the plate.

That said, we are planning to do things a little differently this time around.  As I may have mentioned when I announced the trip, it is kind of weird place to be going in these tough economic times.  Granted that has allowed us to get 3 comp'd nights at Caesars Palace (our first stay at that monstrosity of a hotel/casino - and I mean monstrosity in the nicest, most Vegas-y way!), which made it difficult for other travel destinations to compete with right out of the gate. 

Now, Caears is getting much of that room money back since Todd treated with Bette Midler tickets (no economic disaster discount there!) on Wednesday night ... and then there's the gambling... which one always need to remind themselves that the town wasn't built on folks winning... so I am sure everyone will do alright... there'll certainly be some economic stimulus going on, but hopefully not emptying my pockets too badly... though I am pretty sure I am due for a win, but got to keep it real.

Famous last words, but I do intend to increase the amount of non-gambling activities.  For the past several year, we have stayed slightly off the Strip at the Rio... so at Ceasers it will be nice to be dead-center strip and be able to walk everything without driving and/or shuttles.  In our year+ absence, there have been a few new casinos open up on the Strip... the Palazzo, the sister of the Venetian... and Steve Wynn has also doubled up on his properties with Encore... so we'll check those out for the first time (tho likely keep my gambling money saved for the many Harrahs owned properties that get me these comps)... and also check out the progress of the massive City Center complex. 

I haven't done it in a while, but plan on doing some photography while I am there (think Todd just passed out, this may be one instance he would prefer my video poker compulsion!)... hopefully some good/different stuff... having been to Vegas so often, it'll be nice to try to find some way to photographing it in an interesting way (though it has to be one of the most over-photographed places in the country... or world). 

We are also planning on a day trip out of town (again, a first!) to the Valley of Fire State Park (which I now can't seem to not refer to as "Ring of Fire").  It's supposed to be beautiful red-rock country about an hour out of town.  So again, hope to get some good pics... and also enjoy some nature, in a town that is anything but natural!!

Finally... and quite coincidentally... we'll be there for part of the annual MINI Cooper event/gathering.  The event starts late Wednesday and goes through the weekend... so while we miss the weekend events (we won't be officially participating anyhow since I didn't register and/or that we'll be too close to the host hotel).. but I am sure we'll see many, many more Coopers about town than normal (think they are expecting 300+).

Anyhow, this post ended up being much longer than expected (what a surprise!)... I have nothing else planned or pre-posted for while we are away.  So you won't see anything here in the main section of the W&C until next week... but keep on eye on the sidebar for Twitter updates... if we are able to get Intenet access (not sure if WiFi is available and/or free at Caesars), I'll likely pop in every now and then!

Express Lane: Issue 62

Avenue Q Creators Decide to Keep Bush Reference in "For Now" Finale - After testing out 4 other lines, it appears Dubya (now shifted into the past tense) received the strongest response. (3/4/09)

Portraits from the Congo - The Big Picture - Amazing (I know I always say that!) and heartbreaking faces from the increasingly violent African nation. (2/27/08)

Carnival - The Big Picture - If you want vibrant colors and a few eye-popping, or should say eye-poking out, costumes this photo set should make you happy! (2/23/09)

Danny Gokey Preached, "Lead Praise and Worship" at Megachurch for Idol Cameras - I *try* to keep an open mind about this kind of stuff, and while I am in the very early stages of Gokey backlash (re: his widower status) this might move things along in that department at a much quicker pace. (2/23/09)

At Work - The Big Picture - Not a tightly themed picture collection this time around, but still some very cool shots of people (wait for it)... at work. (2/20/09)

Q&A: Cher Says She's Living `Like a Nun' In Vegas - Fun little piece about Cher as she readies for another month in Vegas... besides the 'nun' comment, we also love she loves Target (the store, that is). (2/17/09)

Bright Light City

We've been itching to get out of town for awhile now, but I am sure we had some of the same conversations that have been going on in many household around the country (and the world for that matter)... what can we afford and/or how much do we feel comfortable laying out for a getaway? 

First off, I will say that we are very fortunate that the conversation is not *if* we will go away... and likewise, at the present we are in good shape to be able to afford to do something nice... but there is that nagging thought of how long all this will last?  Are we willing to take a fancy vacation now when it could possibly be needed (god forbid!) for a month or two of living expenses a few years down the road?

Having really just got out into the world just year, I was eager to keep it going... so I am a bit frustrated that that is on hold for the foreseeable future.  But again, it's this kind of conservative (one of the few times that word about me!) financial thinking of saving and staying out of debt that has allowed us to be in the position to ride things for a while.  And while we've both taken double-digit % pay cuts - mine just a straight pay cut, Todd with "unpaid" "vacation" (and yes, both of them deserve quotes around them) - we know it could be worse (a lot worse)... and like I said, thankfully, we are prepared for it... though I'll admit, it wasn't something *I* did consciously, but more of a result/effect of getting out of heavy debt about a decade ago (though news stories I hear, $25K of debt doesn't sound like a lot anymore).

Anyhow, we decided to go to Las Vegas for a few days.  Ha!  Now I know on the surface that doesn't seem to make any sense!   Here I am just talking about being conservative with the financial end of my life and worried about the economic future... and here I am going to the gambling mecca of the world, a city where excess is the norm.

But when weighing our options, even factoring in some gambling... other locales just could not compete on cost.  For starters, we are getting 3 free nights at Caesars Palace.  This is largely thanks to my Harrahs player's card (the Harrahs Corp pretty much owns 40% of the Strip these days)... and we've been getting offers out that wazoo for a few months now.  Basically, it seems like Vegas is desperate for warm bodies.  For the first time EVER, I received offers for free rooms over New Year's and Super Bowl weekend... in the past, even with my comp rate a hotel would cost $200/$300 for New Year's.  

Now this is where I have to also explain that I am not a compulsive gambler.  I am honestly surprised I am still getting these offers.  I'll admit a few years back, I was going to the local Indian casino (where I get most of my Vegas offers, again thanks to the Harrahs connection) a lot more... and even going to Vegas at least once a year.  These days, I am basically going to the Indian casino 2-3x a year (you have to go every 6 months to retain your comp balance) and we haven't been to Vegas since October 2007!  So again, I am a bit surprised that I still get offers... let alone these quite good ones!

Granted these 3 free nights are mid-week, but this will be our first time at Caesars... a hotel that was always more difficult to get this "free" comp rate in the past.  So not having to pay for a hotel is something that other places weren't exactly offering... and even though gas prices have spiked a bit in the last few weeks, it's still cheaper than flying.  Also, I have coupons for 2-for-1 buffets and I have that comp credit to easily get a few more free meals... so again... oddly enough, Vegas made made financial sense.

All that said, we are allowing ourselves one big indulgence.  The Caesars Palace Colosseum is pretty ground zero of divas... Celine is long gone, Elton is leaving in a couple of weeks... but Cher and Bette Midler are still holding court.  Looking at the March performance schedule, we were on the cusp of Cher finishing and Bette starting their latest runs (each play about a month at a time)... so it was pretty much a gay man's Sophie's Choice: Cher or Bette?  Looking at it another way, it really was a "no lose" proposition, which is pretty rare in Vegas!   Since later in the month worked out better for us... the decision was... (like you haven't already seen the picture on the left)... Bette!   We (well, Todd!) got us some good seats last night (again, mid-week definitely helps!).

This will be our 3rd go-around with the Divine Miss M, but we have enjoyed her each and every time, so we knew we had to see her big Vegas show, The Showgirl Must Go On, at some point.  And choosing Bette over Cher made a bit more strategic sense as Bette's Caesars contract ends a year before Cher's... so hopefully we still have time to catch Cher before she retires... again!

We are also contemplating a day trip out to Valley of Fire State Park (I comically told Todd it was "Ring of Fire")... "located only 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The rough floor and jagged walls of the park contain brilliant formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes more than 150 million years old"... so something different (and non-gambling!) from our previous dozen+ visits to Sin City!   Definitely looking forward to getting away!

Express Lane: Issue 54

'Idol' Singer Paris Gives Birth To Egypt - The squeaky speaking voiced Bennett (and still only 20 years old) gave birth to daughter Egypt yesterday.  Guess geographical names are a family tradition. (10/7/08)

MOJO HD gets canceled, should vanish by year's end - Granted I didn't watch all that much on it, but hopefully Zane Lamprey and 'Three Sheets' will find a new home (and in HD please). (10/2/08)

Race driver Castroneves charged in US tax case - I'm guessing the DWTS champ's smile will be a bit dimmer thanks to failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004. (10/2/08)

Disney's 'The Lion King' Will Reign Over Las Vegas in 2009 - Despite a so-so success record of Great White Way success on the Vegas Strip, Disney will roll the dice for the first time at Mandalay Bay next year. (10/1/08)

Congratulations, Clay Aiken! - The "news" was greeted with a lot of snickering (incl. yours truly), but this Slezak EW piece strikes all the right chords of the struggle to "come out" in our own time and on our own terms. (9/24/08)

Bravo orders fifth season of 'My Life on the D-List' - Though Kathy & Co. might have to consider an upgrade to the C-List since the show just took home its 2nd Emmy last week. (9/22/08)

We'll Have A Gay 'Ole Time...

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas has hit the homo jackpot... the queer trifecta... as it is now the home to the Gay Trinity.

Elton John's The Red Piano show continues on... Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On starts later this month... and now, official confirmation that Cher Plans 'Visually Unbelievable' Las Vegas Gig spread out over 3 years (and for a rumored $60 million).

Pretty much enough to make a gay boy squeal! 

Now, keep in mind, this was not necessarily my reaction!  Squeal!

Pretty much at the news of Celine Dion's departure, there were rumors of a third act into the rotation.  Celine did a lot of weeks and it seemed pretty unlikely that Caesars would land a big name that would be willing to make that big of a commitment. 

The Colosseum diva-rific schedule looks something like this:  Bette (Feb-Mar), Elton (Mar-Apr), Bette (Apr), Cher (May), Elton (June), Bette (July), Cher (Aug).

I've been lucky enough to see the Elton John show (as well as Celine) at the Colosseum... and while certainly no stranger to Bette (twice) and Cher (3 times, 2 of which were "farewell" tours), I am very much looking forward to seeing what they come up with at this amazing venue.

However, my glee was a tad tempered after reading (or researching) their ages... Elton is 60, Cher is 61, and Bette is 62!! 

Yikes!  When did I and my gay-cons get this old?!

Express Lane: Issue 41

Osmonds Headed to Sin City? / Midler Names Show - Donny and Marie rumored to replace Toni Braxton in a multi-yr headliner gig at the Flamingo... while the Divine Miss M dubs her Caesars production "Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On."  (12/6/07)

Will 'Color Purple' Return to the Screen as a Musical? - Oprah confirms that she's thinking about it, and I think it's a pretty good idea...  of course, would love to see Fantasia get the lead. (12/6/07)

Whatever happened to Melinda Doolittle? - Sadly one of the 'Idol' standouts from last season, Mindy Doo, still does not have a record contract... unlike... ummm... Phil Stacey?  Tragic. (12/4/07)

CBS Sets 'Jericho,' 'Big Brother' Returns - I guess CBS doesn't see an end in sight for the writers' strike.  A lot of new show news and  BBro, the summer's guiltiest pleasure, getting an extra edition and a Feb 12th premiere! (12/3/07)

Ballas injured during DWTS finale; Maks says he's "moving on" - Mark rushed to the hospital with a severe shoulder injury (torn labrum?) and Maks sulks that it may be time to pick up his toys and go home. (11/28/07)

DWTS Champ Calls Off Engagement - Helio may have won the mirror ball trophy, but the wedding is off... and I am quite sure the rumors have just begun! (11/28/07)

Maks says unlike Marie, DwtS cast did not "burden people with our personal issues" - Mel B's partner Maks is never one to mince words.  The truth or just sour grapes?  I'll go with a little bit of both. (11/26/07)

Vegas Recap 2007

Not sure how coherent (but is it ever?) this is going to be... still dragging my feet from our long weekend in Las Vegas... but I will do my best.  The gambling part was pretty horrific, so don't have much to say about that... upon arrival got myself into a quick hole and just managed to dig myself deeper in, but at a slower pace.  I had some nice hits here and there, but never enough to make any good progress back to even... granted  it was what gambler's anonymous calls "money you can afford to lose"... but still it is never fun to lose!

But alas there are plenty of other things to do in Vegas and those all proved to be a whole lot better.  My birthday dinner was a Samba, a Brazilian steakhouse at The Mirage.  We did the traditional "radizio" ... which translates to a meat gorge-fest!   8 different kinds of meat brought to your table in random (and sometimes repeated) order.  Of course, they are not full portion sizes of each meat... and believe me a sample size is more than enough... especially after you get to those later meats!   Also, it came with salad and sides of beans and rice, creamed spinach, glazed carrots, and fried plaintains.  We also opted for a small pitcher of sangria to go along with dinner.   While we agreed it wasn't the best meats (steak, chicken, ribs, etc!) we've ever tasted... it was still quite good and the sheer quantity of it made it a memorable dinner.

After dinner, we stayed at The Mirage for the latest Cirque du Soleil show, Love featuring the music of The Beatles.  If you've ever been to a Cirque show and liked it, it is always a safe bet that you'll probably like what they've cooked up for another show.  This one seemed a bit more dance-oriented and bit less "circus act" than the other shows I have seen... but still plenty of people flying through the air and doing amazing things.  The opening was an incredible and indescribable visual explosion... we both agreed we couldn't believe our eyes... it all seemed very tame opener and then... boom!  Now it's all still a bit WTF? and artsy-fartsy... but the recognizable music of The Beatles made it a bit more accessible than the new age-y stuff from other Cirque shows.

Saturday night it was over to the LV Hilton to see the legendary Barry Manilow.  I expected the crowd to be a bit heavy on middle-age (I guess I better watch who and how I use that term!) women... but there were plenty of husbands and boyfriends dragged along from all kinds of age groups (though definitely skewed to older) and even a smattering of male couples.  The 90 minutes show was a whole lot of fun with Barry running through his greatest hits and also doing cover versions from his more recent recordings featuring the "greatest songs" of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.  It was a bit worrisome that Barry sounded pretty hoarse whenever he spoke the audience, blaming it on a cold and the unfriendly dry (and polluted!) Vegas air that is pretty unfriendly to vocalists... but amazingly his singing voice was just fine when he sang and very clear and smooth high/long notes.   Now it was a bit of a cheese-fest... the audience was given glo-sticks to wave, there was the over-choreographed back-up singers and finally, even some ass-shaking and at least one crotch-grab...  but that made it even more fun!

Okay, I guess that is enough for now and certainly the "highlights" of the weekend... I am sure there is still some more stuff to tell... but can fill you in on that later... oh, before we left Vegas there was a bit of drama with the Cooper... again!   I will save that for another post... not too too bad, but still slightly traumatic and VERY, very annoying. 

Fanilow Anonymous

It's Friday and we're on a first full day of my 40th birthday weekend extravaganza spectacular!   Hopefully, we made it to Vegas and to the Mirage to see Cirque du Soleil's Love last night.

I'm guessing the title of this post pretty much gives away where we are headed tonight...

No, not the Copa... but the next best thing...

Manilow: Music and Passion at the Las Vegas Hilton!

I don't know what reaction this is going to get.  I expect it's 1 part "cool," 2 parts groans and eye rolls.

Whatever your thoughts, I am genuinely looking forward to it.  Given my advanced age, I pretty much grew up on Barry... in my youth, he sang American Bandstand theme song... I remember hearing "Ready To Take A Chance Again" as it opened the Chevy Chase/Goldie Hawn movie Foul Play... and much more recently when we got a new female cat with those long "showgirl" legs what other name could she have then Lola (from "Copacabana").

On the other hand, I hope Todd doesn't get sick.  His "Barry story" involves being deathly ill as a child and the only tape he had for his new  8-track player (yes, I said 8-track player... you young folk might need to check out its Wikipedia entry)... was, you guessed it... Barry Manilow.  So he doesn't have quite the fond memories...

Personally, I think Barry has become pretty cool again.  I think it all started thanks to that Will & Grace episode that brought the term "Fanilow" into the mainstream.   More recently, Barry has been a pretty impressive guest mentor on American Idol... and he even tried his best to help out Nemesis Rising, the LOGO reality series ex-Jehovah Witness gay twins musical duo... he (in)famously beat out Stephen Colbert for an Emmy in 2006... and already two years into a multi-year, sold-out headlining gig at a Vegas hotel ain't too bad either!