Las Vegas Spotlight: August 2010

For a summer event that’s out of this world, it’s the Official Star Trek Convention 2010, presented by Creation Entertainment, at The Las Vegas Hilton (August 5-8). Billed as the “world’s largest Star Trek convention,” this year’s event features 70 guests, including Avery Brooks, Sir Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, and Capt. James Tiberius Kirk himself, William Shatner.

For another pop culture jolt from the past, catch Alison Arngrim’s Confessions of a Prairie Bitch at the Onyx Theatre, August 5-14. The writer/performer is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Nellie Oleson on television’s Little House on the Prairie. In her solo show, the actress explores her career, with a concentration on her work on Little House, in addition to musing on child stars and TV icons of the 1970s and 80s.

It’s hot in Las Vegas, although the return of Tom Jones to the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre (August 5-18) isn’t likely to cool things down! The legendary singer will be belting out his greatest hits, old and new, so it’s not unusual for anyone to want to check out this show.

The first lady of pop/electronica, Lady Gaga herself, also comes to the MGM, bringing her Monster Ball tour to the Grand Garden Arena on August 13. With her showmanship and infectious music, Lady Gaga will leave you wanting to “Just Dance.” Speaking of dance, the hip-hop troupe (and inaugural winners of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew) JabbaWockeeZ returns to the MGM, August 19-25. Also at MGM are classic rockers Rush with their appropriately titled Time Machine tour (August 14) and crooner Michael Buble with his Crazy Love tour (August 28).

Other big summer concerts are Billy Idol (August 21) and Norah Jones with special guest Corrine Bailey Rae (August 22), both at the Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms, and music legend Bob Dylan and His Band with John Mellencamp are rolling by The Colosseum At Caesars Palace on August 18.

You might say that the Las Vegas Hilton Theatre has you covered from A to “ZZ” as Al Green performs at the Las Vegas Hilton Theatre on August 13-14, while ZZ Top rocks out there on August 20-21. Over at The Joint at Hard Rock, alternative rockers Primus take the stage on August 14, and you will definitely see “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” when Meat Loaf performs on August 20. The 80s are back this August at Mandalay Bay, starting with Blondie & the B-52s at Mandalay Bay Beach (August 7). But the nostalgia for the music of the decade that brought us the Rubik’s Cube is just beginning – the Lost 80’s Live Summer Tour, featuring Animotion, When in Rome, The Motels, A Flock of Seagulls, Dramarama, Gene Loves Jezebel, The Escape Club, and Real Life arrives at the Mandalay Bay Beach on August 14. Over at House of Blues, Cyndi Lauper is playing on August 21, proving that girls really do just wanna have fun. And if that doesn’t fill your 1980s fix, The Scorpions will “Rock You Like a Hurricane” at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 3.

A couple of decidedly different concert events are hitting Vegas this August. Over at the Orleans Arena on August 27 is the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert, co-hosted by Col. Oliver North. They’ll be joined by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael W. Smith, and The Charlie Daniels Band. If that’s not your cup of tea, check out Hippiefest at the M Resort on August 14, which features performances by Jack Bruce of Cream, War, Mitch Ryder and Rare Earth.

There’s good news for all you comedy fans – some top names in the world of stand-up grace the town of Vegas. Tim Allen, of Home Improvement and Toy Story fame, brings his unabashedly less “family-friendly” routine to The Mirage on August 13. In a similar vein, Bob Saget, best known for his work on Full House, delivers his blue humor at the Orleans Showroom (August 14-15). And David Spade, currently starring on Rules of Engagement, is back at The Venetian Showroom, August 13-14 and August 20-21.

Signature Productions, in conjunction with Super Summer Theatre, presents Damn Yankees at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park (August 4-21). It’s the classic Broadway musical about a time when the New York Yankees dominated baseball (imagine that!) and middle-aged baseball fan Joe Boyd, who sells his soul to the devil to be a great baseball player.