Santana Returns To Las Vegas

Although “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” marked a successful ad campaign for Sin City, it didn’t say anything about switching venues. Just ask Carlos Santana. The most excellent guitarist has inked a two-year deal with House Of Blues at Mandalay Bay, moving his Vegas residency from its home at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

“An Intimate Evening With Santana: Greatest Hits Live – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” lands at the specially re-configured House Of Blues beginning in May.

That means you have plenty of opportunities to experience the legendary guitarist and his band in the city of lost wages with the May-June run beginning May 2 as well as the fall shows beginning in September along with shows in 2013.

Here’s the plan for 2012:

May 2, 4-6, 9, 11-13, 23, 25-27, 30
June 1-3,
Sept. 12-13, 15, 19, 21-23
Oct. 31, Nov. 2-4

“I am deeply honored that our new home in Las Vegas is The House Of Blues at Mandalay Bay,” Carlos Santana said. “I have long admired their love of ‘the blues’ and that is a world-class entertainment venue. We hope to honor and celebrate the diversity and brotherhood of world culture that the House Of Blues promotes.”

Photo: John Davisson

Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, Calif.

The folks at HOB are hyping the venue’s intimate seating arrangement, promising fans will have their choice of several intimate locations putting them up-close-and personal with the man and his music. VIP packages include meet-and-greets, limited edition photos, specialty dining/beverage packages and stage-side specialty dining.

A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Milagro Foundation. Founded by Carlos Santana and his family, the Milagro Foundation helps children by way of the arts, education and health.

Another contribution will benefit The International House Of Blues Foundation’s efforts to support youth music and arts programs.

How do you snag tickets? Lots of different ways as tickets go up next week for spring and fall shows. The Santana fan club presale begins Feb. 27; the Citi cardmember presale begins Feb. 28 and Mlife and HOB.com launch presales beginning Feb. 29. General onsales begin March 3. Click here for more info.