Shania Twain @ Caesars Colosseum

OK.  This is is the furthest away from the music I would normally listen to, but when work offers a freebie, it is hard to say no.  And this preview of Shania Twain's upcoming Las Vegas residency is just her 2nd live performance in close to 15 years.

Before the show we were invited to dinner at various Forum Shops restaurants.  Amy & I lucked out and got the wonderful Il Mulino.  I don't know why we don't eat here more often.  The food is excellent and the service is impeccable.  I send a ton of guests here all the time, and I'm so glad I do - it is a dining experience everyone should have at least once.  And to top it off, I won a men's Coach bag in a raffle - again, so not me, but who knows?

Our seats are fantastic!  13 rows from the stage and dead center.  Could not have wished for more.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the spectacle.  This is a preview show, so there are things that need fine tuning (like banter with the crowd) but her voice is spot on.  I was actually quite surprised about how many songs I knew.  From You're Still The One to Don't Impress Me Much to Don't Be Stupid to Man! I Feel Like A Woman all these songs had the crowd going.

Again this not an artist I'd normally go and see, but I think Shania Twain will be a success with her Las Vegas residency.  She has obviously worked hard on the show and after a bit more practice it will cater to that Celine, Elton, Rod Stewart crowd that Caesars has captured so well.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 345th concert.
This is my 7th concert at Caesars Colosseum.
This is my 141st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 141st concert in Nevada.
This is my 153rd concert in the USA.
Shania Twain is the 410th band I've seen.

Deftones & Scars On Broadway @ House Of Blues

Even before this show started I knew it would be a good one, as there is no such thing as a bad Deftones show.

Erik & I arrived for the support band - as did everybody else.  A side project from System Of A Down's Daron Malakian bought the hordes out early.  I didn't get into it that much, but more so than Erik, who answered work emails on his Blackberry while the band played.

Scars On Broadway Setlist

This is the smallest venue I'd seen the Deftones in, and the best show.  As always they were intense and a collective ball of energy.  Chino Moreno stalks the stage and I love his variations from whispers to blood curdling screams.  The double Be Quiet & Drive and My Own Summer were favorites for the night.  For such a relatively big band this is a small venue for them to play in, but I'm glad they did - it made a great show a fantastic one.  Already looking forward to the next one

The Crap Facts:

This is my 344th concert.
This is my 44th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 140th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 140th concert in Nevada.
This is my 152nd concert in the USA.
Scar On Broadway are the 409th band I've seen.
This is my 4th Deftones concert.

Zarkana @ Aria

I'll keep this pretty brief.  I went to see my hotel's latest incarnation of Cirque du Soleil - Zarkana.  It was a freebie and after seeing the show, I am going to have to use some creative licence to sell this product.  There was nothing in this Cirque that I haven't seen in other Cirques in Las Vegas.  And there was no spectacular pinnacle anywhere.  

Don't get me wrong - these performers are great at what they do but maybe I'm a little biased towards the underrated Viva Elvis that got canned.  Maybe my opinion would be different if this was my 1st Cirque.

Quote of the night came from Amy.  "Everyone should see a Cirque du Soleil once in their life.  Nobody should see 7!"

Clover, SC to Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas, NV to Clover, SC