bedsitter23

I figured I would at least take two seconds to share this story.

I would say we live in an age of money, and so all your big cities are on fairly equal footing.  Where Vegas succeeds is the reputation.

So where every large town has Haunted Houses and I am sure many quite good.  In Vegas, you are able to bring in George Romero.

Fright Dome is listed as one of the five scariest attractions in the nation.  I'm sure if it was located anywhere else, it would be good; but being in Vegas gives it a certain oneupmanship.

At the same time of this news, Eli Roth (of Hostel fame) had opened a year-round horror attraction Goretorium.

The reason I was bringing this up was because I was watching this on the local morning news.  Obviously, something like this would be a lead story in any city- Romero comes to town, Roth opens park- however, since it is local news- the emphasis quickly shifted to how many jobs it had created.  So a three minute story spent thirty seconds on meat grinders, blood and body parts and the rest of the time on wages, competition, and benefits.

I've lived in a tourist town, but it's been years, so maybe I've forgotten what it's like, and I thought it was a bit funny to watch a scare-you-out-of-your-pants story, and have it end up focusing on job growth and financial opportunities in the community; and that's the take-away. 

Where else can you see the Chamber of Commerce coming out and saying "We are really excited about the Goretorium".

No mention of Fremont Street is the light and sound show overhead.

There is a four block long canopy with neon lights and streaming video.

12.5 million LED bulbs and a 550,000 watt stereo surround system puts everything you ever seen to shame.

This to me made me feel like I had walked into the future I grew up with. Every futuristic movie from Blade Runner to the Hunger Games love to display a world where information is always streaming. This is that world we always picture as 'the future' in real time.

Pics are mine.





Ads and music videos run through the video wall at heart-pumping volume.

The best moment of The Fremont Street Experience was 11:00 (We had a long day, so didn't stay until midnight).

It felt like New Year's Eve as everyone stopped and watched as Queen played "We will rock you" and "We are the Champions" (virtually) overhead.

Although, it was a manufactured moment, it was a moment that I will never forget.  Big video screens are the norm, but there isn't anything quite like this.

It's also a tribute to Freddie Mercury that he could command such attention even posthumously.  In a world filled with Elvis impersonators, slot machines on every corner, larger-than-life characters (costumed and original) and neon lights everywhere, he could still stop everything.

Other musicians graced the screen at other times of the night like Bon Jovi, but even their arena rock, seemed to pale to the majesty that was Queen.  Which is a shame, I suppose, because I doubt we will see anyone like them again (I am a longtime Muse fan, but the closer they try to emulate their idols, the sillier it comes out).

You could also zipline overhead, and although that normally isn't my thing  looked like it would be the most awesome feeling ever.

I suspect every hotel in Vegas worth its salt has its own shows.

If you are big time, you have Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, Penn & Teller, Rod Stewart, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, Criss Angel, David Copperfield, Rich Little, and other top level celebrities.

The Stratosphere didn't have anyone at that level, though they did promise some Vegas-level talent.

The early show was Dr Havock's Sideshow of Curiosities. I have to admit Dr Havock looked promising, though the Stratosphere seemed to be pushing their other shows more. Perhaps, this one isn't going to appeal for everyone, but I am glad that the Stratosphere is giving a chance. I suspect the steampunk fans who make the trip to Vegas would eat this up. Caesars Palace's show Absinthe did seem like it was a draw, so maybe there's a crowd for this. I love some of these ideas, but without seeing the show, I can't give it an honest review. Still, there are people here who might want to note it for future reference.

Instead, the emphasis on late show entertainment was a show called Bite. Bite, I suppose is the show you want to see when you come to Vegas, and you add 2012 shock and awe. Yes, it is a topless, vampire dance show set to heavy metal music.

I don't know how I can review this. Even if it was the Citizen Kane of topless, heavy metal vampire dance shows, I doubt I could convince others of that.

Still, I know little of dance, and can only compare to what I am familiar with (which may not be fair) theater, and to that count, it was a good premise, which was weak in delivery. Still, I am told that isn't what dance is about.

It generally worked fine, though for what it was. Tune after headbanging tune came while the vampires danced, with supplemental magic and singing. truly, the kind of spectacle one hopes to see if they see a Vegas show (and you have to see a show in Vegas). I just wish I had the idea first. The mixture of professional dance with young topless women means that both sexes went home satisfied. Though, not worth a trip to see it in itself, at a htotle 2-for-1 ticket rate, I was glad we went.

Still, where the Stratosphere seemed to want to succeed the most was with Frankie Moreno. I was not familiar with Frankie, though he seemed to have won a lot of Vegas acclaim. (I have since learned, he must have been the lead in Jersey Boys, and is really just now trying to break out on his own).

The show started with a small film that captured his exploits and highlights (Fans include Sting, Simon Cowell, and Paul Mccartney). It was a bit much- the prodigy turned worldwide superstar. Still, there was some hope- Vinnie Paul from Pantera likes the guy.

I was impressed though. Moreno was really good. His show mixed both traditional Vegas Sinatra/Bobby Darrin numbers with original material. It sounds like a scary proposition, but his originals were as well received as the covers.

Personally, I really liked the traditional standards. With a backing band of 9, he reminded me of Brian Setzer's recent tours, and truly was on par with Setzer as a front man.

The original songs weren't my thing, but I could certainly respect the man. It's to Moreno's disadvantage that there really isn't any room in pop radio for crooners (There's Michael Buble, and that's the end of the list). It's a shame because Moreno could really take over. He has an amazing voice. He certainly would go over with the crowds of people who like soft rock bands like Matchbox 20 and Train, but his voice is such a powerhouse. He would also do well in the land of modern country, where slick production rules the day.

Again, any complaints I have is that it just isn't my genre. I would still concede that Moreno is a top-notch show. He was an amazing showman who commanded the stage. He was funny, interactive, and could sing a tune. Truly, worthy of being an heir to Bobby Darrin. the band was top notch, and the guitarist could wail, making sounds come out of his instrument worthy of Brian May, Adrian Belew or Alex Lifeson. (Surprisingly, that guitarist came from all places, playing with Air Supply).

The show ended with Jerry Lee Lewis heroics, an "Eleanor Rigby" finale, and a meet-the-star photo op at the end.





Moreno is on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday.

The food at the Stratosphere was good too.  A reasonably priced buffet, a great Italian place, and a 50s style diner.  the 50s style diner was cool, because once an hour, one of the servers would grab a mic and belt out a 50s standard.  Fun stuff.

At the Gold Nugget Casino, you can withdraw Gold out of the ATM.




This is what Glenn Beck sees in his dreams when he goes to sleep at night.