Barry Manilow pillowcases ($30) fly off the shelves of his Las Vegas Hilton retail store. Photo by John Gurzinski.
The Red Piano retail store at Caesars Palace features several offbeat Elton John souvenirs, including a variety of bobble-head dolls ($18). Photo by John Locher.
Fanilows, or Barry Manilow fans, love anything featuring his image, including these handbags ($66) from his Hilton retail store. Photo by John Locher.
Barry Manilow appeals to wine-loving fans through his own wine label ($20). Photo by John Locher.
Celine Dion caters to kids with her line of baby clothes, such as this bib ($14). Photo by John Gurzinski.
Usually, when fans go to a live concert, they mark the occasion by purchasing a T-shirt, a CD or a poster.
But in Las Vegas, where kitsch is king, you don't have to settle for something so mundane. Move over T-shirts and posters. Strip entertainers are stocking their souvenir store shelves with offbeat items, such as bobble-head dolls, fancy jewelry, designer purses, Christmas ornaments, and even chopsticks and lip balm.
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As fans of Elton John, Krista Lowes and her three daughters wanted souvenirs to take back to Michigan, items that would remind them of their visit to Las Vegas and the musician's Red Piano gift shop at Caesars Palace.
While Krista chose a traditional coffee mug ($12), her daughters selected a yo-yo with "Elton John" inscribed on it ($5) and a pink balloon ($1) featuring his likeness.
Krista didn't expect to see anything like that in the gift shop.
"I thought, 'A balloon? How cool,' " she said.
If they were going for unique, they could have settled on the Elton John bobble-head doll ($18) or the Elton Mix-N-Match Magnetic Dress-Up kit ($12.95).
"This kit includes costumes and accessories from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond!" the package announces in bold letters.
Everything in the shop represents John's personality and tastes, said a store associate.
From the looks of the store, John's fans like having a wide choice of merchandise. There are fragrance rocks that work like potpourri ($32), feather boas ($18) and fuzzy dice ($10), along with the traditional T-shirts ($25 to $42), key chains ($8) and postcards (75 cents to $2). A red player piano is available for $54,000 -- and the rock star will even sign it.
Of course, John hasn't cornered the market on offbeat items. Just across the casino, fans can buy a pair of Celine Dion "A New Day" flip-flops marked down to $6. Or a pair of chopsticks shaped like the show's trademark silhouette of Dion ($10).
Truly dedicated fans may like the Swarovski crystal- encrusted business card holder, also featuring the show silhouette ($425) or a Judith Leiber Dion handbag ($3,400).
Even babies can get in on the act with Dion baby bibs ($14) and baby clothing. A powder-blue bathrobe sells for $125. The label reads "Celine Dion, A New Day created by Dragone."
The Las Vegas Hilton can't keep Barry Manilow pillowcases ($30) in stock, said Rebecca Lett, manager of the Manilow gift shop at the Hilton. They feature a photo of him.
The selections in the Manilow gift shop represent the performer's personality and hobbies, Lett said.
Manilow likes wine so he has his own label of whites ($20) and reds ($25). Naturally, fans can purchase Manilow margarita mix, too ($5).
Fans of country singer Toby Keith, who has the I Love This Bar and Grill gift shop in Harrah's Las Vegas, can buy Toby Keith barbecue sauces ($6) or mason jars ($10).
