Signs trumpeting coronavirus-safety protocol line the MGM Grand’s 12th-floor hallways: “You may not leave the bubble!” is one.
Kats
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily on Page 3A. Email jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow him at @johnnykats on Twitter and @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram. Listen to the latest episodes of his PodKats! podcast here.
MGM Resorts International notified a large majority of its entertainment and sports division employees Monday that they will be laid off effective Aug. 31.
A Madame Tussauds spokeswoman says, “These are figures you can get close to and not have to worry.”
In a move that would have been unheard of even a year ago, Cirque du Soleil, the Las Vegas Strip’s preeminent production company for more than two decades, has filed for bankruptcy.
It was a hot, sunny morning in VegasVille on Thursday. We know this because a tuxedoed, masked Phantom of the Opera sought shade under a palm tree near the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Producer Hanoch Rosenn says of “Wow” reopening, “We are treating this as a message to our colleagues and friends around the world, who ask me, ‘How is it going?’ ”
The positive test at Mayfair was from a single staffer. The club’s cast and crew are tested weekly.
Mr. Las Vegas headlined in Las Vegas for 61 years, but until Saturday never rode a bike on the Strip.
Roy Horn, of the groundbreaking Las Vegas entertainment team Siegfried & Roy, has died at 75 from complications related to COVID-19.
Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage reportedly is being cast to portray Joe Exotic of “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.”
“Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer says, “Rather than freaking out about the pandemic, I’ve just been focused on, ‘What do our businesses look like when we’re open?’ ”
George Maloof said of “Uncle” Phil Maloof: “He was a great man who loved his dogs and his collection of classic cars, art, and theater pipe organs.”
New York-New York executive Cynthia Kiser Murphey says, “We put the heart up there simply as a message to tell people how much we care about them, in a real simple and authentic way.”
Strip hotels unified for a visually powerful message of unity, illuminating guest rooms so the buildings lit up with hearts and spell the word HOPE.
Acting legend Michael Caine once told me Little Church of the West was one of his favorite Vegas landmarks — he and his wife, Shakira, were married there in 1973.