Features
New Vegas Wave Rolls In
Braxton takes
“Toni Braxton: Revealed” will be an elaborate, fully produced show that takes fans to the beginning of her musical career and back to the present.
Flamingo president Don Marrandino said he expected Braxton’s half-year stay to fill the 800-seat theatre and rejuvenate the property, which was built in 1946.
“At the Flamingo we’re really going to focus on hippin’ the place up,” he said. “When the opportunity presented itself that Toni Braxton was looking to do a Vegas date, we put the full-court press on and had to make it happen.”
He said he received a timely phone call from Braxton’s agent that coincided with
Tom Jenkin, president of Harrah’s western division, told the Las Vegas Rewiew-Journal that Braxton’s show is the “first leg of a major transformation” for the property in the next two years, which will include new restaurants and nightspots.
Braxton embarked on her first tour in a decade in March to promote her 2005 album, Libra.
Brooks & Dunn, who are known to play at rodeo week in Vegas, will now frequent Sin City a little more often.
The group announced May 21st a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Hilton for performances in March and July next year along with the rodeo in December 2007.
The announcement comes just a day before the 41st Academy of Country Music awards was scheduled. The group has won 19 ACM trophies, more than any other artist.
Asked if they would change their show for the Vegas crowd, Ronnie Dunn jokingly replied, “We’re reading the Wayne Newton books now,” before saying they would stick to their usual game plan. “Audiences here come from all over the world,” Kix Brooks said. “They’re so hip, you can do your thing here.”
It was not clear what lies ahead for Wayne Newton, who started a limited run at the Flamingo in November that was extended several times.