Originally Posted By gadzuux I'm going to be heading out to vegas next month, and I see that Prince has an open-ended run at the Rio. But from what I can find out on the internet and a call to the hotel, it's not a Prince "concert" but rather a Prince "nightclub", called "3121". And the $125 ticket price isn't a show ticket, but just a cover charge to gain admission to this nightclub - standing room only - where Prince will perform - at some point. Information about what time and for how long is deliberately avoided. And reservations for even next month have not yet been made available at this time - call back in a week or two. So what's the deal? Has anybody been or have you heard or read reviews? I'd be willing to pony up the $125 if I felt like it was for a "concert". I'm less enthusiastic if I'm expected to stand around in an uber-chic nightclub til all hours, drinking expensive drinks, waiting for his purpleness to decide to entertain the crowd - for thirty or forty minutes. My 'suspicious-meter' is sounding loud and clear on this one. If anyone has details or links to reviews, please advise. Thanks.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Hey gadzuux... Here's some local news on the club. Looks like the ticket price includes dinner and a show. I haven't talked with anyone who's been, sorry... <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-12-Sun-2006/news/10778069.html" target="_blank">http://www.reviewjournal.com/l vrj_home/2006/Nov-12-Sun-2006/news/10778069.html</a> <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-03-Fri-2006/news/10609958.html" target="_blank">http://www.reviewjournal.com/l vrj_home/2006/Nov-03-Fri-2006/news/10609958.html</a> <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Oct-24-Tue-2006/news/10404439.html" target="_blank">http://www.reviewjournal.com/l vrj_home/2006/Oct-24-Tue-2006/news/10404439.html</a>
Originally Posted By LVCajun From people I have talked to, it's everything you fear except for the show. I've heard he puts on a really good show. The $125 price is just the show standing room only and he comes on when he comes on. So far I have only heard positive about it.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder FWIW, I've read somewhere (sorry, no link) that even on Fridays and Saturdays he doesn't show even when he's known to be in town. You get some substitute band instead. I did find this link: <a href="http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2006/11/prince_at_3121.html" target="_blank">http://vegasblog.latimes.com/v egas/2006/11/prince_at_3121.html</a>
Originally Posted By gadzuux Thanks for those links - when I went to that site yesterday, they wanted me to register before I could get access to the archives. Your links blow right past that step. I'm still not sure how much I want to pursue this. I've seen prince twice before - on tour - and they were both amazing shows, but they were fully choreographed and slickly produced 'production' shows. This sounds like he gets up on stage and knocks out a set of music, without the whole "fully landscaped" show with costumes and dancers and 'schtik'. For $125 a ticket, we've got a helluvalotta choices in vegas - full-blown spectacles. We're seeing "Love" at the mirage - yet another of those cirqe extravaganzas. I didn't pick this one, but I'm certainly happy to see it, as I'm something of a beatles fan. But we're in town for three nights, and I'm looking around for other choices. I don't think we would want to see a second 'cirqe' show, and currently there are seven of them playing concurrently - it's nuts. If Gladys Knight were in town, that would be my favorite choice. Instead, Gladys is touring and Taylor Dane is taking her place. That's a strong possibility for one of the two remaining nights - although I don't really know much about her. I also saw a listing for a show at the LVHilton, called "Hitz" that's a motown review, but it's a smaller 'caberet' show, and thus more sensibly priced. I also checked 'hard rock' but so far there's no band scheduled while we're there. HOB has a christian rock band - I'll skip it. One other possibility I'm considering, though I'm not proud of it - The Price Is Right. It's a showroom production at bally's, and it's $40 a ticket. It has an advantage in that it's a 'daytime' show, so it fits easily into the schedules of people looking for something to do besides drink and gamble all afternoon. But $40 - yikes. My plan so far is to wait til I get to town and look for gimmicks and come-ons. Maybe they've got a two-fer or a discount or something - I don't like paying retail for low-end shows. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them. And oh by the way, I'm happy with the package price I was able to get online for the trip - two adults, 3 nights (th/fr/sa) Imperial Palace, 'deluxe' room w/balcony and sliding door (this is exceedingly rare in casino hotels - usually you can't even open a window), and R/T airfare from oakland - $900 total - $450 per per. I could've done better with other hotels or by avoiding the weekend, but I like the location of imperial palace - center strip with direct monorail access, and actual honest oxygen in the room.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I've seen Prince 4 times on his "tours" and twice in small clubs (SF & LA). He has never been anything but spectacular. I really enjoyed his improv jam in SF I saw without all the glitz and chicks. LOL! However, $125 sounds a bit pricey for an "IF" he shows type of thing. If it was guaranteed $125 would be a deal for Prince. I've seen Glady's in Vegas twice now too. She was awesome both times - dang that is to bad. I don't think I'd pay $60 plus dollars to see Taylor Dane. She didn't sound to hot on one of those reality shows recently. What about Danny Gans? I haven't seen his show but I've heard it's excellent?
Originally Posted By gadzuux I've read about danny gans - and he was just on the news last night - he's playing at the crosby tourney this weekend. I'm just not sure that he'd be my kind of show. He's in the same mold as wayne newton - singing, dancing, a few impressions, a little magic trick - all very sensible for the matrons in the audience. Also, he's playing at the mirage, where we're already spending our first evening in town for dinner and the cirque show. The thing about the taylor dane show is that it looks "dreamgirls-like" - a buncha leggy black women shimmying around in spangly gowns and belting out songs. I don't know that this is entirely accurate, but I did look at a publicity photo online - my own imagination filled in the rest.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Another possibility is Earl Turner at the palace station. I read a blurb on him, and apparently he was a vegas 'headliner' back in the nineties, until a new orleans casino built him his own 'earl turner' room to lure him back to louisiana. He was a hit there for years until 'katrina' and now - voila! - he's back in vegas. I don't really know who he is, but he seems to have a long track record of popularity.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 LOL on the Taylor Dane visual. Well I see in March Eric Clapton and Robert Cray are at MGM, Earth Wind and Fire is in town in March, as is George Lopez, Sinbad and well there's always Carrot Top. ;> I just read about Earl Turner - yeah that would be my kind of show, I say go see him!!
Originally Posted By nevadarebel If you are looking for a good show, Lance Burton is great. I too have only heard really good things about the 3121 so far.
Originally Posted By LVCajun <However, $125 sounds a bit pricey for an "IF" he shows type of thing. If it was guaranteed $125 would be a deal for Prince.> He shows on $125 dollar nights. On the weekends it costs $31.21 for admission and other band play. Which is actually right on par for club admissions in Vegas on the weekends. It's not so much "if" she shows but "when" he shows. He doesn't have a set show time. <George Lopez, Sinbad and well there's...> Also in March Lewis Black is playing at the MGM (already got my tickets). <Maybe they've got a two-fer or a discount or something - I don't like paying retail for low-end shows.> Theres a place next to Coca-Cola world that offers 2fer tickets. Most the shows they get though are obscure shows nobody would even go to or full price.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<Thanks for those links - when I went to that site yesterday, they wanted me to register before I could get access to the archives. Your links blow right past that step. >> You're VERY welcome! I learned the trick while attempting to do research at work. When I Google, I put in - for example - "lvrj prince 3121." By adding LVRJ (for Las Vegas Review-Journal), it pulls it up by the direct link - bypassing the on-site archive search function ;-) You'll love "LOVE"... It's truly wonderful.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice From yesterday's RJ... A lovely item that may help explain the seemingly exorbitant expense for entrance to 3121 on a 'Prince night'... <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-11-Sun-2007/news/12528551.html" target="_blank">http://www.reviewjournal.com/l vrj_home/2007/Feb-11-Sun-2007/news/12528551.html</a> <<Elton John, joining Prince onstage Friday for The Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road" at Prince's 3121 club (Rio). ... Donald Trump, playing golf with Garry Goett at Southern Highlands Golf Club on Saturday.>> FUN!!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Oops... The Trump thing wasn't supposed to be included there... ;-)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think it would be well worth the $125 to see the Purple One in a small venue like that. If I get to Vegas again while he is at the Rio I will certainly spend the $$ to see him. If you are looking for a CHEAP show, there is always those Crazy Girls at the Riv. At the half-price ticket shops you only have to spend about $18 to see what you really came to Vegas for anyway! Even if you are gay (I've forgotten whether you are or not... it is so hard to keep up) the show is well worth the money just for the campiness of it all. ;-)
