Suzanne Somers sizzles; ‘Alice’ at Vinyl in benefit; Michael Grimm also turning up at HRH

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Adam Taylor / ABC

Suzanne Somers and Tony Dovolani during Week 5 of Season 20 of “Dancing With the Stars” on Monday, April 13, 2015, on ABC.

Tue, May 19, 2015 (11:30 p.m.)

Suzanne Somers at Westgate Las Vegas

Suzanne Somers officially announces her new show “Suzanne Sizzles” on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Westgate Las Vegas. Launch slideshow »

The Kats Report Bureau is ensconced in a favorite haunt, Fortuna coffee and wine bar at Westgate Las Vegas. This weekend at the hotel, Suzanne Somers begins her run in “Suzanne Sizzles” at the renamed Westgate Cabaret.

The name of this theater has been changed, but not for Somers’ show, as was expected. The old name, Shimmer Cabaret, was a great name and is now open for pilfering for anyone looking to slap a name onto something.

Somers’ show opens Saturday night (and that night is sold out), with prices set at $79 general admission, $99 for VIP and a $350 “ultra VIP package,” which includes a meet-and-greet with the star after the show.

Across the casino, the production “Elvis: The Experience” starring Martin Fontaine as the King, ends May 27. There are plans for additional, limited-run productions in a venue also recently renamed, the Elvis Presley Theater at Westgate, but nothing has been confirmed or announced.

That leaves it to us commoners to rock it out:

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Through the looking glass: The BBR gang is headed to the Hard Rock.

• Wednesday’s latest performance of “Alice: A Steampunk Rock Concert Fantasy” at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel is a benefit for “Vegas! The Show” dancer Lauren Clark (where she is Hershey-riffic in the “Candy Man” scene). The 29-year-old Clark, a favorite in the city’s entertainment scene, is fighting breast cancer, and proceeds from the show will help her pay medical bills (the show is at 11 p.m., and tickets are $30, $10 for locals with a valid Nevada ID). Donations also can be made to Clark at GoFundMe.com/ForLauren.

The “Alice” production is forever evolving, and Wednesday’s show will feature for the first time a Red Queen in Lora Kelsey of “Zombie Burlesque” at V Theater and a Red King in Curtis Goodman of “50 Shades! The Parody” at Bally’s. “Alice” founder Anne Martinez is determined to find a permanent home for this production, and Vinyl seems not that venue. Two shows remain at the Hard Rock venue, June 17 and July 15. Meantime, suitors with suitable rooms are checking out “Alice” with great interest.

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Las Vegas singer-songwriter Michael Grimm performs on Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015.

• On the topic of Vinyl, Michael Grimm’s CD release party for “Grimm,” his latest effort, is 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hard Rock. The champion of Season 4 of “America’s Got Talent” is embarking on a series of shows at Vinyl running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 29 through the end of August. This stretch marks Grimm’s most significant residency since he defeated Jackie Evancho for the “AGT” title.

Coming up Thursday in Las Vegas Weekly is my latest chat with Grimm, who talks of the challenges he has faced and overcome since winning that show’s top prize.

• Frankie Scinta has closed at The D Las Vegas, the final show performed Saturday night. The act once and long known as The Scintas has a July 25 appearance booked at the M Pavilion at M Resort. The act drew a capacity crowd of about 2,000 at the M a couple of years ago. Tickets are $19.99, $24.99 and $29.99 and available through the hotel website and Ticketmaster.com.

• Leave it to Lon Bronson to outlast the hotel that launched his band on the Strip. The Riviera, where The Lon Bronson All-Star Band debuted in 1990, is no more. But Bronson powers on and appears once more Friday night at Cabaret Jazz in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Bronson is featuring his usual lineup of fabulous vocalists in Lisa Mayer, Tony Davich, Lannie Counts and Eric Sean. A tribute to the late B.B. King is planned.

Tickets are $30 VIP, $15 for MIP (Moderately Important People) and worth every scent. Er, cent.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

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