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Magic, Music, and Laughs. OH MY!!!!

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Magic, Music, and Laughs. OH MY!!!!

Conventions, industry gatherings, and new/returning shows amp up the late-summer entertainment schedule...

Entertainment conventions have been pretty steady the past few weeks. Creation Entertainment's annual Star Trek Convention just wrapped three days at Rio Las Vegas. While no longer a sanctioned event due to licensing issues, the Las Vegas gathering is unofficial in name only. Original cast members like William Shatner joined actors from the current STRANGE NEW WORLDS and everything in between. Thousands came, dressed up, and conquered the stars. The event has been running for more than forty years.

Orleans Casino welcomes a global influx of magicians and illusionists this week for MAGIC LIVE. The three-day gathering runs August 4-7 and is sold out. That doesn't mean you can't hang around the casino and hope to catch a glimpse of your favorites. LATE NIGHT MAGIC gave a special performance on Sunday, August 4th, to welcome attendees.

The rest of this month and September will be filled with a cornucopia of special gatherings and performances. One of the first is another addition to the new line-up at the OYO Hotel Casino on Tropicana Avenue. We've already seen the relaunch of THE HILARIOUS 7 and an expansion of AUSSIE HEAT, which moved to OYO's showroom this past weekend.

Coming up is a premiere of the K-Tel All-Stars Totally 70s Show, which we told you about here. And a hush-hush family-friendly production is on the horizon. We'll fill you in on that one when information is formally released.

OYO Showroom isn't the only venue making waves this month. The dynamic duo of Dino Coleman and Sophia Song brings MJ The Evolution back to the main showroom of Orleans Casino this month. The large-scale production, which chronicles Jackson's career from beginning to end, survived the abrupt closure of Mosaic Theater and is now breaking down international barriers:

"SPR & Promotions and MJ The Evolution are the first Las Vegas production company to be invited to the People's Republic of China for the first culture entertainment exchange post-COVID."

Before heading overseas, MJ The Evolution will return to the 850-seat Orleans Showroom. The performance takes place on what would have been the star's 66th birthday, August 29th at 8 pm. Tickets go on sale August 6th at 10 am PDT. You can get them by following this link.

The phrase "Elvis is in the building" has gotten a real workout this summer. Alexis Park Resort presented the VEGAS ELVIS FEST in June and is the permanent home to ALL SHOOK UP. Westgate Las Vegas is riding high with its new tribute show THE KING COMES HOME, which we reviewed here. And you can retrace Presley's steps from the Green Room to the stage with MY BROTHER ELVIS, a unique monthly series. AMERICAN TRILOGY is the next big Elvis event coming to Las Vegas. It arrives at the Westgate on August 23rd. Get ready for three concerts across two days. Here is the official description:

Westgate International Theater will once again pay tribute to Elvis Presley. The event known as “American Trilogy” will consist of three headline concerts starring some of the world’s top Elvis tribute artists paying tribute to Elvis in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Dwight Icenhower, Jay Dupuis, and Ben Thompson will be performing on the iconic stage where Elvis made Las Vegas history. Joining them will be award-winning Elvis Tribute Artist Jordan Poole, the fabulous EAS Band who will be backing all three shows, and several other performers.

Get tickets and showtimes for AMERICAN TRILOGY by heading here. Another Presley highlight is the addition of a free exhibit in Westgate's lobby. It debuted on July 31st, and VEGAS 411 was there alongside Joy Schaefer, who helped to create the fascinating display:

The exhibit features memorabilia curated from the private collection of Westgate Resorts CEO Jim Gissy. A few of the collectibles included are Elvis’ army watch, the shoes he wore during his last performance at the International Theater, an original vinyl debut single “That’s All Right” recorded and released in July 1954, and even a lock of his hair.

Our final entry is another three-day festival, and this one has an unforgettable name. SKANFEST: Vegas Attacks! isn't a gathering of hookers, but a massive comedy marathon. Comics with names big and small pack into and around NOTORIETY LIVE on Fremont Street.

SKANKFEST 2022 (pic by Ken Henders0n)

Skankfest’s shows take place at one venue with multiple stages & bars. You get the chance to see some of the best comedians from all over the country, watch incredible stand-up, live podcasts, premiere screenings, Roasts & Toasts, contests, giveaways, tattoos, music, strong drinks, great food, and so much more!

What makes Skankfest Vegas so special? You aren’t just watching the best comedians in the country perform but you are interacting and partying with them for the entire weekend!

Nick Simmons

NOTORIETY manager Chris Racine told VEGAS 411 that SKANFEST is their biggest event of the year, and it just keeps growing. Over one hundred comedians, including this writer's favorite Nick Simmons, will fill multiple theaters. The full list of guest performers is available here. Three-day passes are sold out, but you can get single-day admissions by following this link. The event runs September 27th through the 29th.

SKANKFEST 2022 (pic by Ken Henders0n)

SamNovak
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Sam Novak serves as the Deputy Editor and columnist for Vegas411.com. With a career spanning several years, Sam has established himself as a candid and insightful voice in the city’s entertainment scene. His column, “Vegas Unfiltered,” is renowned for its unvarnished critiques and in-depth analyses of Las Vegas shows, celebrities, restaurants, hotels, and emerging trends. Sam’s commitment to providing readers with genuine insights has solidified his reputation as a trusted authority.