<\/p>\n
Bret Ernst<\/strong>, cast in the reboot of \u201cCobra Kai,\u201d is first out for the new Laugh Factory at Horseshoe. Ernst headlines Thursday through Saturday night, with Carlos Rodriguez<\/strong> and Paul Scally<\/strong> also on the bill.<\/p>\n GM Harry Basil\u2019s<\/strong> club is ensconced \u2014 ensconced, I tell you! \u2014 on the second floor, in the former Imagine Showroom. Friday through Feb. 1 is presented as the venue\u2019s \u201cpreview\u201d opening. Concrete<\/strong>, a hit at the former Laugh Factory at the Trop, hosts the \u201cgrand opening\u201d from Feb. 12 to 15.<\/p>\n Jack Assadourian Jr.<\/strong>, aka Jack Jr.<\/strong>, headlines Feb. 2-8; as reported previously, Bob Zany<\/strong> with Kathleen Dunbar <\/strong>and Jimmie \u201cJ.J.\u201d Walker<\/strong> are up Feb. 9-11; Jamie Kennedy<\/strong> (with Walker hosting) Feb. 12-5; and busy stand-up Trixx<\/strong> from Feb. 16-22.<\/p>\n Murray Sawchuck <\/strong>is expected to perform one-offs at the new club. The comic-magician was in the 4 p.m. slot at the Trop. Impressionist Rich Little<\/strong> is also likely to perform at the Horseshoe venue. \u201cParanormal,\u201d a hit for a dozen years starring Frederic Da <\/strong>Silva<\/strong>, is the lone holdover from Imagine Showroom, in the 4 p.m. slot.<\/p>\n The future of \u201cPotted Potter\u201d is still to be formalized. The manic recitation of all seven \u201cPotter\u201d books opened in 2018, closing Dec. 30. The latest intel is the show is moving into a new room at Horseshoe, likely in the spring. Until then, there will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class.<\/p>\n Blaine is back<\/strong><\/p>\n David Blaine<\/strong> dazzled the crowd, in a disquieting sort of way, in his return to Encore Theater over the weekend. We caught the stunt performer\/magician Saturday night, impressed again by his craftsmanship, wit, and gift for building suspense.<\/p>\n Some showmen are allergic to the gaps in the show you need to create tension. Not this guy. He was in no hurry to deliver the scoring blows as he stitched up his lift, regurgitated a frog (is this a union frog, by the way?) and pulled a wedding band from his stomach with a wire hangar.<\/p>\n The 52-year-old headliner had said he\u2019s stepping back from some of his more dangerous stunts, as he\u2019s reached the age of Houdini when the legendary magician died. The underwater breath-hold is out, an act we miss, but we get it. And as a souvenir, we have a 2 of spades to remind us of a mesmerizing night.<\/p>\n On the topic of Wynn\/Encore \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Add Marshmello<\/strong> to the list of XS Nightclub\/Encore Beach Club resident headliners this year. He\u2019s held forth with Wynn Nightlife, off and on, for a decade.<\/p>\n The bucket-headed sensation is back Saturday night. Calvin Harris, a club pioneer, resumes his production Feb. 13 and Feb. 21.<\/p>\n Moreno\u2019s February two-fer<\/strong><\/p>\n Frankie Moreno<\/strong> is back from a tour of Denmark, his longest overseas tour ever, for a Tuesday night throw-down at Myron\u2019s. This is Moreno\u2019s first performance on the club\u2019s remodeled stage.<\/p>\n On Feb. 26, Moreno and his wife, dancing star Lacey<\/strong> Schwimmer<\/strong>, premiere their new Las Vegas-centric show at Westgate\u2019s International Theater. \u201cFrankie Moreno Live: An Unforgettable Night of Showmanship & Chart-Topping Hits\u201d is a title too long, and too specific, for just one show.<\/p>\n Street wise<\/strong><\/p>\n A rarity in VegasVille on Saturday, post-Blaine at Delilah, Ms. Monet leading a medley \u201cCan You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?\u201d with Prince\u2019s \u201cLet\u2019s Go Crazy.\u201d Afterward I suggested to Monet, a powerhouse vocalist, she should add \u201cMah N\u00e0 Mah N\u00e0\u201d to the set let. She grinned, \u201cDon\u2019t give me any ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n The hot corner<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday and Saturday nights offered the following shows at Sphere, The Venetian and Palazzo: Eagles at Sphere, Styx at The Venetian Theatre, Wanda Sykes at Palazzo Theatre and Ashlee Simpson at Voltaire. A strong weekend lineup in some cities. Status quo here.<\/p>\n Might we recommend \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBang Out,\u201d which starts at midnight (well, 11:53 p.m.) Saturdays at Atomic Saloon Show. The show premiered in October and (we anticipate) will continue, based on this weekend\u2019s turnout. The famous folk included David Copperfield;<\/strong> and Emily Jillette<\/strong>, with buddies Neil Patrick Harris <\/strong>and Zach Zucker<\/strong> of the independent comedy company Stamptown.<\/p>\n That label\u2019s team hosted Saturday\u2019s show. Zucker\u2019s first Netflix special is taping May 8-9 during Netflix is a Joke in L.A.<\/p>\n \u201cBang Out\u201d is set up as a late-night, no-frills, clown-acrobat party. Characteristic Spiegelworld fare, in other words. Also, no-cover. Follow spiegelworld.com\/shows\/atomic-saloon-show\/bang-out\/ for how to plug in.<\/p>\n Tease this \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n A Strip superstar headliner is announcing an extension by the end of the week. This person underestimated their affection for a Vegas residency last year. Not this year.<\/p>\n And this \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n A recurring, off-Strip festival is announcing its return by the end of this week. Locals will smile at this restart.<\/p>\n Cool Hang Alert<\/strong><\/p>\n Edie,<\/strong> the drag queen-emcee late of \u201cZumanity\u201d at New York-New York, asks, \u201cAre You Smarter Than a Drag Queen?\u2019 at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Composers Room at Historic Commercial Center.<\/p>\n A live interactive game show, where the diva demands, \u201cDo you have what it takes?\u201d Apparently this is a reference to trivia knowledge. Go to thecomposersroom.com for intel.<\/p>\n John Katsilometes\u2019 column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com<\/a>. Follow @johnnykats<\/a> on X, @JohnnyKats1<\/a> on Instagram.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n