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Before he ever ran a circus company, Guy Lalibert\u00e9<\/strong> was an accordion player, fire-eater and stilt-walker. But today, his career is similar to that of a trapeze artist. He\u2019s let go, done a couple of flips, leaving the audience to wonder where he\u2019ll land.<\/p>\n \u201cI am always looking for opportunities, keeping my eyes open,\u201d Cirque du Soleil\u2019s co-founder said Saturday night prior to the One Night for One Drop charity event at Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand. \u201cWe have projects we want to focus on at this moment in time. We are full of creative projects.\u201d<\/p>\n Lalibert\u00e9\u2019s most recent project has been the Frooogs Camp, a roving, whimsically themed RV village and accompanying fairground of art, F&B and theater installations. Lalibert\u00e9 has tabled that idea and has been selling off the frog-inspired rolling community. He\u2019s taking more of a backseat role in his next road trip.<\/p>\n Lalibert\u00e9 also occasionally DJs his own private parties. With his name recognition, he could establish a headlining residency at a Strip nightclub (we thought of this while returning to the Hakkasan and its dazzling surroundings).<\/p>\n Lalibert\u00e9 sold off his majority interest in Cirque in 2015, coming out of the transaction a billionaire. He remains Las Vegas entertainment royalty, with shows he launched on the Strip, \u201cMystere\u201d at Treasure Island, \u201cO\u201d at Bellagio, \u201cKa\u201d at MGM Grand and \u201cMichael Jackson One\u201d at Mandalay Bay still carrying the company brand. \u201cMad Apple\u201d was developed after he sold, replacing \u201cZumanity,\u201d and the company also acquired Blue Man Group in the post-Guy era.<\/p>\n At 66, Lalibert\u00e9 is still creative, exuding a childlike vision for his next project. He teasingly says he will be back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about the right opportunity. You know, I\u2019ve been spoiled and blessed at the beginning of Cirque du Soleil here, so context is very important to me,\u201d Lalibert\u00e9 said. \u201cBut I would love to come back to do something in Las Vegas.\u201d<\/p>\n Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre<\/strong> said the company\u2019s two latest shows \u2014 Alize in Berlin and Ludo in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico \u2014- have \u201cbrought a really different kind of content\u201d to the production company.<\/p>\n The Berlin production is \u201cacro-magic,\u201d the show in Mexico is a 360-degree aquatic spectacle.<\/p>\n The types of shows that have soared in Las Vegas. But the company is not in an aggressive, expansionary frame of mind in Las Vegas at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing that has been affecting us is less visitors from Canada, less visitors from Mexico. Those are the two main things,\u201d said Lamarre, a Cirque exec since January 2001. \u201cBut now it seems that the numbers are catching up, and now we are seeing our occupancy gaining momentum. That\u2019s good for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Lamarre said he\u2019s encouraged by \u201cKa\u2019s\u201d resiliency. Often the subject of shutdown speculation, the production has signed on through 2027 at MGM Grand. Lamarre said he and MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle marveled at the show\u2019s longevity as the partners signed the extension.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems as if people are rediscovering \u2018Ka,\u2019 in the same way they rediscovered \u2018Mystere\u2019 after COVID,\u201d Lamarre said. \u201cIf you last long enough, people will circle back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Carrot Top<\/strong> is developing a documentary about his life and career. It\u2019s in the early, or \u201csizzle reel\u201d stages. But we anticipate great humor and intrigue from Carrot Top, who arrived in Vegas with his orange hair and box of props 30 years ago and is now an entertainment graybeard.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just starting to shop it around, but it goes all the way back to my Florida days,\u201d the comic whose legal name is Scott Thompson<\/strong> said on the One Drop blue carpet. \u201cBut to see all the old props and old interviews just blew me away.\u201d To recount, his first prop was a Neighborhood Watch sign. \u201cWhere did I find this? I stole it,\u201d was the joke, and a career was born.<\/p>\n Famous\/noteworthy\/intriguing guests waded into the event. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi<\/strong> (daughter to Prince Albert II of Monaco and granddaughter to Grace Kelly); reality TV personality Galyna Saltkovska<\/strong> (formerly of Peacock TV\u2019s \u201cMcBee Dynasty\u201d); Lady Gaga\u2019s <\/strong>sister and On Stage Essentials founders Natali Germanotta<\/strong> and Alex Dolan<\/strong>; models and twin sisters TK Quann <\/strong>and Cipriana Quann; <\/strong>the casts of Chippendales at Planet Hollywood and Fantasy at Luxor, with producer Anita <\/strong>Mann<\/strong>; magic couple Murray Sawchuck and Elizabeth<\/strong>; and Brendan Theatres owner Johnny Brenden.<\/strong><\/p>\n The night\u2019s highlight was a one-night-only performance of \u201cRipple\u201d by Live Edge Entertainment, in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality. Cirrus Aviation founder and CEO Greg Woods was honored as One Night for One Drop 2026 honoree, recognizing the company\u2019s water-sustainability efforts.<\/p>\n Cool Hang Alert<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cPictures of Sound: A Sonic Experience Bringing Sound to Life\u201d takes over The Usual Place at 100 Maryland Parkway, Unit 110, at 8 p.m. Friday. This is an as-billed indie musical journey with Lowbroh, Quinn Ayers, MiMi, HKG <\/strong>and Stolen Street Signs<\/strong> (Carrot Top has an alibi). Ages 21-over, free parking with validation (you are awesome!) Go to theusualplace.vegas\/shows 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>\nBig in Berlin, Mexico<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Top doc<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Around the room<\/strong><\/h2>\n