“Amystika” did not open for previews as planned at the Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood over the weekend. The all-new show created by Angel and Franco Dragone is currently scheduled to debut on April 2, which had been previously advertised as the production’s proper opening. The Sun did not receive any official statement about the change in plans, but very early on March 12, Angel posted on social media that he was recovering from an old injury that was exacerbated during his performance in “Mindfreak” on March 11, which clearly would have influenced his weekend activities. “Amystika” is set to run at 10 p.m. after “Mindfreak” at 7 p.m. in the same space, a demanding schedule to say the least. “Mindfreak” is back onstage tonight, March 16, and continuing its regular Wednesday-Sunday schedule this week.
“America’s Got Talent” executive producer and creator Simon Cowell and longtime judge Howie Mandel visited Las Vegas on March 12 to check in on “America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live” at Luxor, meeting with Clark County and MGM Resorts officials before showtime to receive the Keys to the Strip and hanging with the entire Vegas show team. “The ‘AGT’ experience at Luxor has been amazing,” Cowell said. “Thank you to the cast and crew … your amazing talent and artistry are the definition of what this show is. I am so thrilled to have a permanent home for the ‘AGT’ brand at the Luxor.” Originally opened in November at the Luxor Theater, the production continues Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m.
We’re sure you didn’t miss this week’s lineup announcement for this year’s Life Is Beautiful festival in downtown Las Vegas, but did you catch the iHeartRadio Music Festival news? It’ll be the weekend after LIB this year, on September 23-24 at T-Mobile Arena, with the Daytime Stage returning to Area15 for the second year on September 24. Among the performers slated for the Daytime Stage are Avril Lavigne, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lauv, Chlöe, Willow, Chase Rice, Latto, Carly Pearce, Gayle and Lauren Spencer-Smith. The acts and ticket availability for the T-Mobile portion of the fest are expected to be announced soon, but Daytime Stage tickets are available now at axs.com.
Pearl Jam is finally coming back to Las Vegas, announcing its first concert here in 16 years this week. The band lands at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20 and tickets will be available through the Ticketmaster Verified Fan Registration program, open now through March 27. Other entertainment announcements this week include: The one and only Anita Baker returns to the Strip for a five-night limited engagement at the Venetian Theatre May 28-June 4; Reggae in the Desert returns to the Clark County Amphitheatre on June 11 with headliners Ky-Mani Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Don Carlos, Mr. Vegas, The Wailing Souls and more; Lyle Lovett and Chris Isaak team up for a co-headlining tour stop at the Theater at Virgin on June 18; Vegas country fave Gary Allan plays the pool at the M Resort on July 9; Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin bring the Kingdom Tour to Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on July 29; Duran Duran will play a two-night engagement at Encore Theater at Wynn on September 1 and 3; and Latin stars Wisin & Yandel bring their La Ultima Mision tour to MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 18.
“Magic Mike Live Las Vegas” at the Sahara welcomes six new cast members from its international productions this week, starting tonight, March 16. The Berlin show’s Kalon Badenhorst, Edson Juarez and Burim Jusufi, as well as Australian touring production performers Jake Paul Green, Nick Phillips and Blake Varga will be seen on the Vegas stage through May. The show started right here at the former Hard Rock Hotel before relocating and reopening in a customized theater at Sahara in August, and multiple resident and touring productions popped up around the world in the wake of its success. It performs on the Strip Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Flamingo headliner Piff the Magic Dragon has partnered with the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix in northwest Las Vegas for a full year of promotions, events, specials and surprises as the kid-friendly race track celebrates 30 years in business. The park’s Dragon Coaster ride has been renamed as the Piff the Magic Dragon Coaster and Piff made a special appearance on March 12 for the inaugural ride on his namesake attraction. The event was also a fundraiser for Win-Win Entertainment, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that arranges in-person and virtual entertainment for children in hospitals.