Hot Guys – Page 7 – VEGAS UNFILTERED

After The Fall – “Le Reve” Acrobat Ryan Lyons

Chronicling the pain, suffering and risks that Vegas acrobats endure to entertain you.

Last weekend, former Le Reve performer Yann Arnaud suffered a fatal fall while performing in Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA in Tampa. Fellow Le Reve acrobat Ryan Lyons suffered a shockingly similar accident during a live performance at Wynn Las Vegas several years ago.

Since this article was published on another site in August of 2015, Lyons has gotten married and relocated to Australia. He now works, among other things, as an aerial choreographer for singer Pink. What follows is a reprint of how the article originally appeared.

Ryan Lyons is a “generalist” in Le Reve – The Dream. Five nights a week he flips, flies, dances and dives for thousands of people. He has done so ever since the show opened more than ten years ago. While he considers his experience at Wynn Las Vegas to be a dream come true, for a short while it became something much darker.

One evening during the finale, Lyons suffered a traumatic injury that echoes the one that occurred at MGM Grand/Cirque du Soleil’s KA. Performer Sarah Guyard-Guillot, who also fell during the final sequence, died as a result of her injuries. That production was shut down for nearly weeks as safety protocols were re-examined. It reopened with a greatly altered finale (which has since been restored).

Ryan Lyons was much luckier than Guyard-Guillot. After a hospital stay and physical rehabilitation, he returned to Le Reve for another five years. Complications, pain, and the occasional surgery became a way of life, and he still deals with the physical and psychological aftermath of that accident.

Now in his eleventh year with Le Reve, Lyons has reached the “What next?” phase of his career. It’s a question that all performers must face when their bodies are maxed out but the soul still yearns to perform. As he ponders his options, Lyons has begun sharing his journey in a personal blog, which he calls “The Anchors Project”. In it, he hopes to motivate, inspire creativity and ultimately help others to find what their personal anchors are.

Here are a few excerpts from “The Anchors Project”:

“The finale act comes around, and I jump onto my porters to set up my second trick of (the) act. As they are launching me into the air, my left foot slips and everything just crumbles from there. In mid-air, I only hope to have enough rotation that I don’t land head first upside down. I end up landing back on the dry stage, taking all the force to my face and chest…and slide unconscious into the water.

I wake up on a spinal board with several athletic trainers and rescue personnel around me. I learn that I have shattered my nose, fractured some ribs and have multiple contusions to my lungs.”

You might think the life of a Vegas performer is all glitz and glam. It’s not bad by any means. We get paid to do what we love, and it often doesn’t feel like a job. What people don’t realize is how short-lived our career is (I certainly didn’t). They don’t see the ugly side of the job, fighting for contracts, pushing through each show with an ache here and an ache there.

The “show must go on” mentality of the corporate setting, or the fear of losing your next contract. We dance and flip around on stage, but we often struggle to “play the game” as we try to find a balance that will keep our passion alive. It is often truly the passion to perform that keeps us going.

Plagued by injuries, overuse of our bodies and sometimes not feeling valued for the risk we take with each performance, you are challenged to make decisions on what is important to you.

What is important to me now, as I reflect on this journey, is my health and well being. I often joke to my friends and say “I want to be able to walk when I’m 40!”.

I’ve learned that even despite many setbacks, I was still able to live my dream. That my strength and courage helped me move past my injuries and the obstacles that were placed in front of me. That my tenacity to keep going, always gets me to where I want to go. I now find myself motivating others to share their passion and to reach beyond their wildest dreams.

You can read more about Ryan Lyons by visiting his website The Anchors Project.

Photos: Ryan Lyons, Sammasseur

Hot Guys of Vegas: Dads and Sons

Get acquainted with the men who make their children, pets and parents proud…

With spring…and Father’s Day…just around the corner, it’s time to salute the young men of Vegas who inspire their families with talent, good deeds…and fantastic physiques and looks.

Alberto del Campo – athlete/performer/pole instructor

Alberto del Campo

Where you’ve seen him – Le Reve, KA, Las Vegas Pole Expo, The Beatles LOVE

Alberto del Campo (banner photo above) is one of those guys who seems to be unaffected by gravity. With athletic grace, he soars through the air and water, climbs tall objects with ease and is completely comfortable hanging upside down.

This handsome Spiderman/Aquaman hybrid from Barcelona is a real-life superhero to sons Alex (10) and Zack (8). Together the play, train, and have lots of fun outdoors. But when the sun goes down, Alberto joins his boys onstage at Mirage for The Beatles LOVE.

Father and sons, along with beautiful wife Genevieve Garneau, love being a seriously-fit circus family. Genevieve, a native of Quebec, is currently a performer in Le Reve and has previously been an artist for Cirque.

Alex is skilled at joining dad on the pole and young Zack is currently mastering aerial work on the straps. Both boys will no doubt continue to follow in their parents’ footsteps and be stars in their own right.

Alberto’s final evening with the cast of KA…

As for Alberto, his busy schedule is enhanced by a number of ancillary projects. Along with competing, he holds workshops in pole dancing and pole fitness. He’s also been known to choreograph amazing aerial sequences for Cirque du Soleil’s annual “One Night For One Drop” charity events. And if you’re lucky enough, you’ve caught one of his rare comedy performances in the naughty vaudeville act Golden Shower.

Del Campo may be a dad, but he doesn’t have the standard “dad bod” by any stretch of the imagination. This handsome father lives, breathes, works and teaches fitness…and it shows.

If you’d like to learn more about Alberto or attend one of his workshops, contact him through Aerial Athletica at (702) 848-7894.

Noteworthy traits – stunning flexibility, ability to look hot from all angles…

Chris Hodgson – dancer/singer/actor/model

Chris Hodgson

Where you’ve seen him – Jubilee!, Sex Tips For Straight Women, ad campaigns

New daddy Chris Hodgson has been steaming up the stages of Las Vegas ever since he arrived from West Yorkshire. This slim, towering 30-year-old has a voice that can melt ice and cheekbones that could cut diamonds.

Chris is currently starring as the object of everyone’s desire in Paris Casino‘s Sex Tips For Straight Women from a Gay Man. He plays Stefan, a technician who becomes the unwitting prop in a scheme to loosen one woman’s sexual inhibitions. With a body like that, do you really think he fails?

Hodgson studied his craft at U.K.’s Performers College of Corringham, Essex. He cut teeth in show business aboard the Holland America cruise line before settling down in the States. Since then he’s been working steadily in Strip productions like Jubilee! and 50 Shades: The Musical Parody, along with special events and fundraisers.

The performers in Vegas make up a tightly-knit community. They cherish Chris and his willingness to donate his free time for a worthy cause (he’s an ardent supporter of the LGBTQ). He’s frequently out and about with the city’s other artists, sharing jokes, outrageous behavior…and even the occasional spontaneous pole dance.

Last spring, Hodgson and wife Leah Sykes (herself an artist in Cirque‘s Zumanity) became parents to son Parker. Proud Chris is excited to be a new dad and relishes the time he gets to spend with his quickly-growing boy.

With such great genetics from both sides of the family, Parker will surely become a hearthrob in no time at all. Until then, big daddy Chris will be the one in charge of accelerating pulses around Sin City.

Noteworthy traits – gleeming pecs, swoon-worthy British accent

Cameron “Boom” Brown – dancer/athlete/mentor

Cameron Brown

Where you’ve seen him – Chippendales, charity events

Any fan of 80’s movies will remember Flashdance. That pop-culture phenomenon told the unlikely story of a Pittsburgh steel worker who moonlighted as a sexy dancer. With a little bit of tinkering (and a gender reversal). that blockbuster could easily double as a biography for Cameron Brown.

Cam is a Sharon, Pennsylvania native who put his substantial muscles to work in blue-collar gigs for JMC Steel Group and Wheatland Tube (a steel manufacturer). As a student growing up in Steeler country, the rugged young man was a popular football player and even received an offer to join the Pittsburgh Pirates. In other words, a local hero.

However, Cameron felt that there was something else calling to him “out there”. He wanted to see more of the world and expand his horizons (having grown up in the same area, I can testify that the culture in that region can be more than a little confining). He readied himself by studying marketing at West Virginia’s Marshall University, where the slogan is “Be Proud. Be a son or daughter of Marshall”.

Cameron hopes to continue making his father and mother proud…

After graduating, Cam decided he was ready to market himself. Perhaps he caught a late-night showing of Flashdance…and maybe that’s where he got the inspiration to follow Jennifer Beals’ path to becoming a dancer. Before you could say “What A Feeling“, this small-town boy with big dreams was soon strutting his stuff in the world-famous Chippendales male revue.

After becoming a hit onstage at Rio Las Vegas, Brown joined Chippendales for their world tour. His list of destinations included Berlin, Zwolle (Netherlands), Bolzano (Italy) and Korea. Seeing the world and being so far away from home added to his appreciation of his beloved family. The 26-year-old has one sister and several half-brothers/sisters. He’s especially close to his mother Deborah.

Not a day goes by where I don’t think of my Mom. I’m so very thankful to have my Mom in my life. Anybody who knows me knows I’m a huge mama’s boy and I have zero shame in that. She’s my world.

Currently on a break from touring, Cam is back on the Las Vegas stage, performing with his Chippendales brothers in their custom theater. In his free time he coaches children at i9 Sports, a Vegas youth organization. He believes that working with children affords him a peek at what the future has in store.

Cameron and his one of his youth soccer teams…

Working hard to make his friends and family proud will continue to be Cam’s primary goal. One day he sees himself building a strong foundation for a family of his own:

I’m not worried about Jordans, cars, jewelry, none of that. I’m focused on starting a career and building a home…so my future family can lay their heads down without any worries.

Noteworthy traits – massive shoulders, over-sized heart

Tyler Froehlich – dancer/model/physique competitor

Tyler Froehlich

Where you’ve seen him – Men of the Strip, Chippendales, magazine covers

If there was an award for “Happiest Hunk of Sin City”, it would automatically go to Tyler Froehlich. This Cincinnati Ohio native, one of three brothers, moved to Las Vegas last spring and immediately brightened the city with his infectious grin.

Like Cameron Brown, Tyler Froehlich’s story is straight out of a movie. Having just returned from an Army stint in Iraq, the war vet was living in his parents’ basement and ready for a change…but never expected that his life would take a turn of this magnitude.

Arriving in Las Vegas with MOTS owner Mike Foland…

Tyler was discovered via his Instagram account by Glenn Douglas Packard, the famed choreographer for last summer’s Men of the Strip. It must have been a bit of culture shock for the young man to go from small-town obscurity to a marquee on the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Photos from Tyler’s army days…

One thing that didn’t surprise Froehlich was the intense, dry climate of Las Vegas. During his four-year army stint, he spent 2011 in Iraq and 2103 in Afghanistan. His role there was as a Forward Observer, a military artillery spotter responsible for directing mortar fire on a target.

Returning to the States, Froehlich maintained his heroic physique, hoping to develop a career in fitness modeling and physique competition. He competed in three shows and became nationally qualified for the NPC (you can see pics from his competition here). Then the call came to join Men of the Strip…and things haven’t slowed down since.

Parents Carol and Randy have plenty to be proud of. They raised their son to have an infectious sense of adventure (and gave him a wild sense of humor), which might explain how he went from having no dance experience to sharing a stage with the likes of Jeff Timmons.

I had the privilege of meeting Tyler’s mom and dad when they came out from Ohio to see his MOTS debut last July. They’re as warm and kind as Tyler, who has a special bond with brothers Bobby and Pete. The tattoo on his chest reads “Famiglia”, which of course means “family”.

With MOTS on hiatus, the hard-bodied athlete began modeling for corporate events, providing entertainment at lavish parties and appearing in magazines. For the cover of QLife magazine‘s 2017 Halloween issue, Tyler’s sculpted physique provided a perfect canvas for artist Robin Slonina‘s exquisite body painting.

As of this week, the former Army veteran can now be seen creating heat at Chippendales. The latest member of the world’s top male revue can’t be more excited to have a regular gig…and continues to relish the opportunities that Sin City has given him. He approaches each day with excitement, a wacky sense of humor and appreciation for his good fortune.

“Life isn’t about the destination…it’s about how you get there”. Tyler Froehlich

Noteworthy traits – wild mane of hair, military-grade abs

Ron Remke – actor/singer/dancer

Ron Remke

Where you’ve seen him – BAZ – A Musical Mash-up, Jubilee!

Our final Hot Guy for this edition is Ron Remke. Ron’s dashing, suave, multi-talented and has a gorgeous soul. He’s also a stellar father in every sense of the word…the only difference is that his children have paws.

Remke was born in Reading, Pennsylvania (yep, another PA native) and studied musical theater at Penn State University (my alma mater). After graduating, he lent his vocal gifts to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and released a glorious collection called Broadway Classics in 2012 (available on iTunes by clicking here).

As with so many bitten by the showbiz bug, Ron answered the call of Vegas and settled in with wife Alexandra (also a performer), whom he married the day after Christmas in 2014 (awww). The two purchased a house in Henderson the following September and have become the type of romantic couple that songs are written about.

The handsome couple were fortunate enough to share the same stage together in Bally’s legendary production of Jubilee!. Alexandra was the epitome of a gorgeous showgirl…and Ron was the dapper song-and-dance man. Together they entertained thousands until the show took its final bows.

When Palazzo announced the return of BAZ two years ago, Ron came aboard as a swing performer. That meant he had to know numerous roles inside and out, stepping into whatever was required. His stage presence and handsome looks make him the perfect Jay Gatsby…but he also gets to show his comedic flair during a vaudeville-style take on “Like A Virgin”.

All the ladies swoon over Ron…

Ron and Alexandra are active in animal rescue operations and have opened their home to many of the community’s needy pets. After adopting shelter animals Lilly, a 9-year-old poodle, and kitties Oscar and Olly, the Remkes now raise rescued kittens and act as foster parents for the adults.

Ron tells me that at this point they’ve gotten 19 kittens off to a promising start, bringing them to a healthy weight of two and a half pounds. Then they’re able to be neutered before receiving permanent homes through NSPCA Saturday adoption events.

It’s no simple feat to be both a heartthrob and a hero at the same time, but Ron Remke makes it look easy. He’s the ultimate ladies’ man, a total man’s man and a hero to the animals of the world. In other words, he’s the perfect guy.

Noteworthy traits – flawless teeth, slick dance moves, silky voice

Photos by Marco Mendez@lightandpole, Corey Fox Photography, QLife magazine, Sammasseur, Facebook

Hamburger Mary’s Is Ready To Serve Up Some Prime Beef…and Quirky Charm

Category-defying burger spot plans grand return to the Vegas scene…

Vegas is big on burgers. Every major resort has at least one gourmet hamburger restaurant. Even celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay have gotten in on the act. Then there are the bargain places like In-N-Out and Checkers that almost always seem to be busy.

Yet one burger palace that Sin City conspicuously lacks is a Hamburger Mary’s. The freewheeling, no-holds-barred fun spot that celebrates quirky culture in so many progressive cities has been absent from Las Vegas for quite some time (2006 to be exact). But now Mary is set to make a grand return to the valley in a new location.

The former Hamburger Mary’s on Harmon Avenue…

Once situated on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road, the new Hamburger Mary’s is currently under construction on East Flamingo Avenue, not far from UNLV and the Atomic Testing Museum. A planned summer 2017 opening was heavily delayed due to permit and construction issues, but the current target date of early August 2018 now seems likely.

Owner Lou Placencia is excited to bring Mary back to Las Vegas…

The eatery, whose slogan of “an open-air bar and grill for open-minded people” understandably draws a strong LGBTQ clientele. Hamburger Mary’s will occupy a building currently home to Flair Nightclub, a large gay-themed dance club. The two should compliment each other nicely. And since they share the same owner (Lou Placencia) Flair and Mary’s together can offer a complete night out.

This writer has long been a fan of Hamburger Mary’s. When living in Fort Lauderdale, there was one within walking distance on Wilton Drive (the gay mecca of South Florida). It was THE place to see and be seen. Eventually the location decided against renewing their franchise agreement, which resulted in the renaming of the restaurant (it’s now called Rosie’s Bar and Grill), but the food and good times remain generally the same. I visited just a few weeks ago and it was still a blast.

During the same trip to the east coast, I hit up a Hamburger Mary’s in downtown Orlando. It was absolutely freezing on that Saturday night…but inside, the crowd was standing-room-only for an outrageous drag show that entertained gay and straight diners alike. It was nice to see the mixed crowd having such a great time.

Depending on when you visit Mary, you might encounter a Broadway revue, trivia night or even some twisted variation on bingo. Being an adult-skewing establishment with a full bar and occasionally risque entertainment, you aren’t likely to see children here at night (or at least you shouldn’t). But Mary’s “Little Lambs” are gladly welcomed during the daytime hours with their own menu.

It was a special treat to visit Vancouver BC a few years back and discover a Hamburger Mary’s a few blocks from my hotel. Being the first guests upon opening gave the place an entirely different feel…but allowed me to savor the delicious food without the distraction of constant eye candy.

Each location is franchised and the owners are encouraged to develop a character reflective of its home city. So expect larger-than-life sights and sounds when Mary comes to Vegas. You can be sure that the menu, quality of ingredients and service will be superlative. There will be outdoor seating and the restaurant and bar are totally nonsmoking.

The spirit of Hamburger Mary’s extends beyond food and fun. Their dedication to local communities by way of fundraisers, charity functions and sponsorship of the arts and sports leagues is a tradition. More recently, franchisees have made strident efforts to address environmental concerns by moving towards energy and water efficiency, using recycled paper products and starting programs for composting and recycling waste.

One thing that won’t be wasted is the food on your plate. Everything I’ve ever selected through the years has been absolutely wonderful, from fresh salads to towering turkey burgers, sumptuous soups to mouth-watering meatloaf. Each location has a unique menu and daily food and drink specials, so have fun finding your own favorites.

One reason Hamburger Mary’s Las Vegas is already dear to my heart is that they’ve extended an invitation for me to host a certain gathering that I wrote about last month. That celebration for hunky show performers and award recipients was denied by an uptight public relations exec for Cafe 6 at Palms Place in December. Well, their loss is Mary’s gain.

Be sure to look for me…enjoying some grade A beef (and some prime beefcake) when Hamburger Mary’s opens at the end of next month. “Eat, Drink and Be Mary”.

Hamburger Mary’s/Flair Nightclub will be located at 1700 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas. Flair is currently closed due to construction. You can keep tabs on their opening date by clicking here.

Photos: Sammasseur, Hamburger Mary’s Las Vegas/Orlando, CBS Daytime via YouTube

“Aussie Heat” Host Creates a Natural Approach to Fitness Products

Adam Barr launches his Green Barr cannabis-based wellness formulas…

Having covered the Mr. Olympia Fitness Expo for many years in Las Vegas, I’ve seen many outside-the-box health and fitness products. Ones like ManCakes high-protein pancakes. Arctic Zero fit frozen desserts. Ostrim ostrich-based jerky and meat sticks. Now Aussie Heat host Adam Barr has opened up a whole new world of ideas with a cannabis-based line of health and wellness products named Green Barr.

The uses of marijuana go back thousands of years, from ancient anesthesia in China to treatment of cataracts in Egypt. Until just recently, marketing items from this family of plants in contemporary United States would have been illegal…and perceived by many as outlandish. But times are changing and the laws are catching up.

There are those who view cannabis as a type of miracle cure. It’s been used for treatment from conditions as diverse as epilepsy in children to dementia in Alzheimer’s patients. It’s also known to ease the side effects of cancer treatments and has been proven to attack cancer cells.

As the medical community reverses its position on marijuana/cannabis from being a recreational drug to one of serious medical importance, the general public is taking note. And while everyone is playing catch-up with the legalities, forward-thinking individuals are preparing to usher in a new wave of uses.

Adam Barr (center, back row) and the guys have a flex-off with this writer…

Adam Barr is one such individual. You may recognize Barr from my numerous articles on the innovative upstart Aussie Heat male revue Planet Hollywood’s V Theater. Adam is a stand-up kind of guy…literally. When not using his charisma to host the sexy production, he sometimes takes to the stage for his own comedy routines.

Adam Barr is an advocate of all things natural…

But Adam’s venture into the cannabis business is no joke. This lover of nature in all its forms has looked to ancient healing methods to create the Green Barr line. His products use natural medicines to restore healthy living and promote recovery. With them, he intends to take the fitness community by storm.

In a phone interview last week, Adam explained the varieties of marijuana and why various classes are regulated differently. He said that most people associate marijuana with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the mind-altering form that creates a euphoric “high”…and a stimulated appetite. THC is currently listed as a Schedule 1 drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and is regulated as such (a detailed explanation is here).

But then there is CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound that’s mostly derived from hemp. While CBD won’t affect the mind, its positive effects on the body make for an impressive check-list of treatments for common ailments.

The most promising research these days is for the use of CBD to fight cancer. Cannabidiol has been shown to block the spread of cancer cells, slow their growth and encourage the destruction of cancerous cells altogether.

The use of CBD and cannabis derivatives for everyday problems is what Green Barr is all about. By that I mean stress, anxiety, pain, acne, inflammation and depression. Then there are anti-emetic (nausea and vomiting) and anti-oxidant (neuro-regenerative) benefits as well.

Barr had the idea to create a line of micro-dose CBD (Emerald) and cannabis (Green) products that would target athletes, fitness enthusiasts and those looking for a natural alternatives for healing.

Stuntman Simon Farrow’s heroic frame is built on Green Mag Mist…

Adam then teamed up with Simon Farrow, his muscular cast mate from Aussie Heat. Farrow is a sometime movie stuntman (Alien: Covenant) and actor who already had his own Organics4me line of magnesium-centric pre-workout spray. Together they’ve expanded and refined Green Barr‘s presentation to include teas, capsules, tablets, moisturizing creams and spray mist.

While laws continue to change regarding the distribution of CBD and cannabis, Barr is taking a grassroots (pardon the pun) approach to marketing. In order to do that, Adam is starting small…like selling at farmers’ markets in Los Angeles.

Behind that will be conventional retailing through gyms and online. Of course, the goal of any marketing plan is mass distribution. In this case, easy-to-access state-regulated dispensaries are where Adam ultimately wants Green Barr to be sold.

Not having tried marijuana products of any kind in the past, I was hesitant to sample a relaxation formula that Barr gave me. But years of insomnia have haunted me and it is difficult to get through an entire night.

So I tried one micro-dose capsule before bedtime and slept like I hadn’t in years….with zero negative effects the next day. In fact, I woke up feeling refreshed and alert and got that result every time. As you might imagine, it was thrilling.

The cast of Aussie Heat also uses and swears by Green Barr. With those hard-working bodies on display at the intimate V Theater each night, there’s no way to hide the results of their successful regimens.

Simon Ata puts “flex” in “flexible” thanks in part to Green Barr supplements…

Simon Ata aka “Simonster” is one of Green Barr‘s biggest advocates. As a member of StrengthProject.com‘s fitness team, this shredded young athlete performs astounding gymnastics, yet his body is always flexible and healthy-looking.

Performing a physically-demanding show nightly can be taxing on bodies of any age. For the Aussie Heat guys, a typical day requires rehearsal and stretching before hitting the stage at 10:30pm. Then they move over to nearby Blondie’s to greet and hang out with audience members before having dinner after 2 am. Then some of them hit the all-night gym for strength conditioning. If Green Barr products can help performers like these guys to get through a typical work week, imagine what they can do for someone in the conventional 9-to-5 world.

To learn more about the beneficial effects of micro-dose cannabis and CBD, check out Green Barr‘s Instagram page or visit them on Facebook.

Future of health and wellness #greenbarr #greenbarr2020 website greenbarr.com launching in August! Please follow me @greenbarr2020 thanks for the support guys. – Adam Barr

Me (center) flexing with the guys from Aussie Heat…

Note: This is not a compensated endorsement. Green Barr works for me.

Aussie Heat performs Thursday through Sunday at 10:30 pm inside Planet Hollywood’s V Theater.

Photos: Sammasseur, Green Barr, Simon Ata, Adam Barr, Simon Farrow, Aussie Heat

I’m Too Sexy For My…Burger?

Award-winning hunks turned away from Palms poolside cafe…

UPDATE 12/16/17: After sitting down with Cafe 6 management yesterday and numerous emails and back-and-forth phone calls to Stations Casinos marketing, public relations and members of Palms food and beverage dept., my private lunch gathering for Hot Hunks of Vegas has been turned away by the rarely busy Cafe 6 at Palms Place for a second time. This is despite my agreeing to their initial concessions and getting as far as them discussing a final date and time. Make no mistake. Corporations by and large have NO CONCEPT of “Sin City” frivolity whatsoever. The “What Happens In Vegas” slogan is outright bullshit.

Sin City. The name alone suggests wild, outrageous parties, outlandish behavior and sex galore. In most cases, the city delivers on that promise. Mobile billboards offer “Ladies Direct To Your Room”. Puppetry of the Penis is a runaway hit at Erotic Heritage Museum. Porno conventions take over entire resorts. But shirtless guys eating burgers at a poolside cafe? That’s apparently too graphic for one Las Vegas restaurant.

You may be scratching your head and wondering “How could this even be an issue?”. That’s a legitimate question, but don’t get bogged down by the specifics. I’ll elaborate on the details in a moment. Instead, allow yourself to digest this fact: A private luncheon for shirtless Vegas celebs is considered “unacceptable” by Station Casinos…specifically Palms Place.

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’ve written many columns saluting the Hot Guys of Vegas. Performers, bartenders, a popular celebrity publicist…even a well-known lawyer. Respected, hard-working gentlemen, one and all. They are great sports and have had plenty of fun with my columns.

Out of gratitude, I thought it would be a wacky idea…and make another great article…if I gathered a few past and future recipients of that series for lunch. My group included performers from the likes of Absinthe, WOW – World of Wonder, DIVAS, Men of the Strip, Jubilee and Men of Sapphire. The idea was to allow them to network with one another, take some photographs and share an “only in Vegas” experience with you, the readers.

I invited several guys to revel in gratuitous shirtlessness. They’d arrive sans tops and remain that way for a meal, drinks and laughs….a positive social experiment. Every invited guest agreed to join in on the fun and yours truly would pay the bill. The location would be my favorite casual-dining spot in the city: Cafe 6 at Palms Place.

This awesome, secluded burger joint on the sixth floor of the Palms Place tower is serviced by a dedicated elevator (directly from the parking lot to the cafe entrance). It sits next to a lovely pool and hot tub with only walls of glass separating the swimmers and the diners. The effect is that of eating at the pool deck while remaining indoors.

Entrance to rarely-used private dining room…

Private dining room sat empty on the day I requested to use it…

Another reason for choosing Cafe 6 is that they have a private meeting room immediately to the left of the entrance. My guests would be able to arrive discreetly with only an infinitesimal chance of being spotted by patrons in the main dining area. Nobody who could be potentially offended would be affected. Perfect, right?

I then chose a weekday afternoon in the middle of December, historically the slowest week of the year in Vegas. It’s so slow that many shows shut down and restaurants send their staff on vacation. So you’d think that any restaurant would welcome hundreds of dollars of guaranteed business during those days.

“Lunch rush” on 12/15/17, the day after my proposed event…

With a plan in place, I emailed a known contact at Palms Casino Resort who is involved in food and beverage operations there. I described our gathering, the number of people in our party, our willingness to order from the regular menu and other assorted details along with a few possible dates. For the sake of anonymity, I won’t specifically name anyone involved here.

It never crossed my mind that our lunch party would be denied. After all, Palms was until recently home to the “World’s Largest Hooters”. Because, you know, female breasts sell chicken wings…

Anyway, the person I wrote to copied another individual on their team when replying back. They informed me that they would discuss my request, then they passed it on to a third person in their public relations department for final disposition.

It should be noted that in the follow-up correspondence, our group promised to be respectful and behave discreetly. I even suggested the name of a particular server who is very outgoing and enjoys male eye-candy. Nevertheless, our party was refused with a curt denial:

“Hi Sam, thanks for considering us, at this time we are going to politely pass on the opportunity.”

That was it. No questions, no offer of alternate conditions., no mention of potential code violations..and most importantly, no explanation of any kind. While it’s safe to assume that bare chiseled torsos were the deciding issue here, how can we know for sure? And WHY is a sexy guy forbidden to show his abs in a poolside cafe?

View from inside the main dining room of Cafe 6…

As you might imagine, I found this response to be quite ludicrous. Cafe 6, as I mentioned earlier, is my favorite lunch place in town. I gave it a stellar review in a previous column, chose Cafe 6 as my “Best Vegas Bargain of 2016” and even hosted my most recent birthday party there. So what gives? And should I have even bothered to describe our reason for gathering in the first place?

Luckily, Dave Wahlen, General Manager of Flair Nightclub and the soon-to-open Hamburger Mary’s on Flamingo Avenue, caught wind of this absurd situation and welcomed us with open arms…and shirts.

Sam, I’d love to have them…anytime you want! The city gave us the final approved plans a week ago Tuesday. We have been balls to the walls. We have a night and a day crew working on the kitchen. It has taken nearly 8 months to get this done. Come see us as we love these guys at Mary’s. I miss seeing you buddy. I hope you’re doing well!

And that, dear readers, is how you do good business and promote healthy public relations. I understand that Cafe 6 and Palms Place are undergoing a transition of ownership and management. But their response to a simple request has successfully alienated an entire group of Vegas influentials…and one beef-loving blogger.

Thanks for being such a soggy pile of wet blankets, Palms. Let us know when you’ve removed that stick from up your _____. As for me and my guys, it’s “Next stop…Hamburger Mary’s”!

Photos: Sammasseur, CBS Daytime, KTNV.com, Hamburger Mary’s

Get Sweaty for Christmas with 98 Degrees

Steamy pop group’s holiday tour returns for Vegas fans…

UPDATE: 98 Degrees at Christmas will perform at GREEN VALLEY RANCH on November 17th 2018 at 8pm. Tickets available at all STATION CASINOS or by visiting 98Degrees.com.

As popular boy bands of the 90’s segued into nostalgic “pop groups”, most of them have disbanded or faded into obscurity. Not the hotties of 98 Degrees. As part of the primary 90’s 4-pack (along with N’Sync, Backstreet Boys and NKOTB), 98 Degrees built a ravenous and extremely loyal fan base. Of those groups, only 98D continues to record great new albums and fill arenas. They also manage to stay relevant in an ever-changing musical landscape.

While New Kids and Backstreet have shown love to Vegas from time to time, it’s 98 Degrees that shares a special bond with Sin City. For that you can thank group founder Jeff Timmons, who calls Las Vegas home.

A frequent guest at local functions and on Vegas TV talk shows, the ultra-sexy and ridiculously-fit Timmons is also the chesty front man for Men of the Strip. That’s the male revue which took on a vastly-inferior Magic Mike Live and is currently touring the U.S. and Canada.

Timmons delivered Christmas in July with Men of the Strip at Hard Rock…

But before I get more drool on my keyboard, let’s return to the matter at hand….Christmas! Yes, the four-part harmonies and soulful voices of 98 Degrees are back for their second collection of holiday treasures.

Has it really been eighteen years since this album hit the shelves?

The first, This Christmas, was a certified-platinum hit at the peak of their popularity. Brimming with seasonal standards and three new songs, the album was released on the Motown label in 1999. Fans have been clamoring for a follow-up ever since…and for them, Santa came early this year.

Better hair and clothing, same soulful harmonies…

Let It Snow debuted on October 20th and the ~~boys~~ gentlemen have been quite busy supporting their new album. They launched another nationwide tour along with TV appearances and a glorious performance during last week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ever trendy, the guys made sure that Let It Snow will be released on the retro-hip vinyl format (yes, actual freaking VINYL!) on December 1st. Click here to order the LP via Amazon.com. It’ll be great addition to my own collection of treasured holiday records gathered through the years. That postman better be on time….I have plans to get mine autographed.

It’s amazing that 98D‘s four members – Timmons, Justin Jeffre and brothers Nick and Drew Lachey – managed to find time to record a new collection this summer. With Jeff’s Men of the Strip launch in July (read my review here), Nick’s successful stint on Dancing With the Stars, the brothers’ super-popular Lachey’s Sports Bar in Cincinnati and Jeffre’s political activities….well, the logistics must have been staggering.

This isn’t the first time that 98D found themselves riding a new wave of popularity. In 2013 they released 2.0, their first studio album since 2000. They followed that with The Package Tour, a multi-group effort with Boyz II Men and NKOTB.

Now they’re back for phase three and closing out 2017 with a final stop in Las Vegas. 98 Degrees at Christmas will sleigh-ride into the area on Saturday December 23. Star of the Desert Arena in Primm Nevada will host the final performance of the tour. This awesome venue is a short drive south of Las Vegas and a world away from the madness.

The 6,500-seat arena is located at Buffalo Bill’s Hotel Casino in Primm. If you’re concerned about leaving the city limits for an evening, don’t be. Primm Valley Casino Resorts has three hotels serving the venue with hundreds of newly-renovated rooms. Rates start at $59 plus taxes/fees for the night of the event.

So why not venture beyond the Strip for a different kind of fun? Turn up the heat and get sweaty on the eve of Christmas Eve with the guys of 98 Degrees. I hope to see you there.

“98 Degrees at Christmas” performs Saturday December 23rd at 8 pm. Tickets start at $20 plus taxes/fees up to a $149 VIP experience with meet/greet. Click here to order.

Photos: Sammasseur, 98 Degrees via Facebook, Jeff Timmons via Facebook, Amazon.com

Hot Guys of Vegas: Heartbreakers and Dream Makers

Get a little closer with guys who sweep you off your feet, sometimes literally…

Last time in this series I took you to the world of bodybuilders…those superhuman, rock-hard specimens of manliness that gym-bunnies aspire to emulate. This month it’s time to get comfy with the kind of men who make your dreams and fantasies come true. From Prince Charming types to men behind the desk and behind the scenes, these are the Hot Guys of Vegas: Heartbreakers and Dream Makers.

Alexander Stabler – dancer/aerialist/stylist

Alexander Stabler

Where you’ve seen him – Le Reve The Dream at Wynn

Alexander Stabler (banner photo above) is one of those guys who looks like they stepped out of the cover of a romance novel. Strapping frame, carefully-mussed hair, billowing open shirt and a stature that says “hero”, Alexander will sweep you off your feet as the hearththrob of Le Reve – The Dream.

Once part of the troupe of ballroom dancers that glided into and out of the water spectacular, Alexander is now front and center at the core of Wynn‘s signature production. As his role has increased, so has Alexander’s visibility throughout the city. From charity fundraisers to a boat on Lake Mead to hiking the rocky cliffs with his dog Samson, you never know where you’ll find this real-life Prince Charming.

Not content to just lie in the sun, this Newport Beach native has dabbled in many varied projects throughout the city. His Axle Entertainment provided hot visuals for Liaison Nightclub and his studies through Paul Mitchell make him a well-respected stylist. Alex was a principal dancer at Luminario Ballet of Los Angeles and is a former cast member of Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil. No wonder he’s a hot commodity on the stage.

Years of living in Macau and Hong Kong gave Alexander a unique humanitarian view that belies his young age. Although this avid traveler has been around the world, Alexander Stabler is now proud to call Las Vegas his home.

Noteworthy traits – “ballet boo-tay”, heroic man-rack

Eric Roy – attorney

Attorney Eric Roy

Where you’ve seen him – billboards, television, community events

Sometimes a guy is so absurdly handsome that he can stop traffic. When you see advertisements featuring Attorney Eric Roy, you’ll know precisely what I mean. If Eric wasn’t such an all-around good guy, I’d be tempted to accuse this personal-injury attorney of deliberately causing traffic accidents. Have you seen his stunning billboards? But personal injuries aren’t the only cases he handles, so I guess the Twin Falls, Idaho native has a solid alibi.

Some people dislike attorneys in the same way that used-car salesmen get no respect. Eric Roy Esq. has been able to avoid that stigma by becoming a beloved member of the Las Vegas community (not to mention the recipient of numerous awards for achievement in his field). He’s a favorite at speaking engagements and on television segments, offering helpful legal advice to people across the Las Vegas Valley.

Attorney Roy is tireless in his devotion to charities and advocacy for organizations that promote social positivity. From volunteering for Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, which provides shoes and socks for underprivileged youngsters…to sponsoring a girl’s soccer team…to delivering food for income-strapped locals via Hopelink of Southern Nevada, Eric never passes on an opportunity to help out those in need.

Of course, all work and no play would make Eric a very dull boy. So in his free time, this white-collar hunk is an avid traveler who likes to ditch the suit and tie for rugged hiking and mountain biking. Doggies Big Boy and Lil Girl and lady-love Elizabeth keep him grounded…as does some obviously well-spent time in the gym.

Noteworthy traits – matinee-idol looks, action-hero physique

Michael Caprio – publicist/marketing/management/media design

Michael Caprio

Where you’ve seen him – premieres, fundraisers, celebrity functions

The term “mover and shaker” was probably coined after Michael Caprio. Very little happens in Sin City entertainment without his involvement in one form or another. This master of Public Relations is a favorite of high-profile celebrities across the country.

Las Vegas has Michael to thank for the triumphant residency of Olivia Newton-John at Flamingo. It was he who brought Richard Marx to the same hotel for a landmark series of performances this summer. And Michael is the Big Daddy behind the world-famous Chippendales. There’s also Leeza Gibbons, Jon Secada, John Tesh and Melody Sweets of Absinthe in his portfolio, if you don’t mind a little name-dropping.

Recently, the founder of Caprio Media Design has been traveling across the country for promotional appearances with Aussie group Human Nature (be sure to attend their annual holiday show at Venetian). And he’s also been behind the successful launch of the new WOW – World of Wonder at the Rio (see my review here).

Fans of the Sharknado movie franchise have benefited from Michael’s expertise. He represents star Ian Ziering and was responsible for the huge premiere party at Stratosphere last summer for entry #4 in the wildly-successful series. No doubt their collaboration on those films yielded two successful guest-hosting stints of Ziering at Chippendales as well.

Each year, Caprio flies to Australia to join Olivia Newton-John for her annual ONJ Wellness Walk and Research Run. The event is dear to his heart and he crusades to raise funds for the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Center. Olivia’s recent second bout with the disease made the trip even more poignant this year.

Michael is constantly flying from Vegas to Los Angeles to New York City, so it’s rare that he gets to settle down with hubby Randy Slovacek and their adorable dogs for a quiet evening at home. But when they do, Michael’s culinary expertise yields some gloriously beautiful gourmet dishes.

Michael and hubby Randy

Notable traits – infectious grin, mile-long eye lashes, grace under pressure

Adam Barabáš – dancer/acrobat

Adam Barabáš

Where you’ve seen him – Divas, Jubilee!, WOW – World of Wonder

The next dancer on our list is Adam Barabáš. If Adam’s profile photo looks a little (actually a lot) like Aquaman, the resemblance has served him well. This native of Slovakia is currently dancing on water in Rio‘s aquatic spectacular WOW – World of Wonder.

Adam takes flight in WOW – World of Wonder…

Despite being only 27 years old, Adam may have already made some Las Vegas history. He’s the only performer to my knowledge to have ever been in two major re-enactments of the sinking of Titanic.

First he played double-duty in Jubilee!, donning a tuxedo for the ballroom sequence before quick-changing into a shirtless laborer for the engine room scene. Now he gets to do it again, five nights a week, in WOW‘s high-tech variation on the dreaded event. How’s that for a little trivia?

This graduate of The Private Conservatory of Arts in Nitra, Slovakia also appears regularly in Frank Marino’s DIVAS at Linq Hotel. Part of their sexy troupe of dancer boys, Adam provides back-up for the likenesses of Cher, Pink, Madonna and Celine Dion.

Being a cast member in two major productions doesn’t leave much time for leisure, especially when Barabáš has that chiseled body to maintain. He’ll hit one of the various Las Vegas Athletic Clubs around the valley for his workouts. If time is very tight he’ll even go through his fitness routines at the theaters between shows…or use his own home gym.

Spending the day with Chipp at Red Rock Canyon…

When the great outdoors calls, Adam takes his four-footed pal Chipp for a round of fetch. Sometimes it’s hiking at Red Rock Canyon or Mt. Charleston. Growing up in the small village of Dubnica nad Váhom (population 26,000) gave Adam few opportunities for luxuries. Now that he calls Las Vegas his home, he enjoys the comforts of a great meal…and a day at the spa to soothe those amazing, hard-working muscles.

Noteworthy traits – abs of steel, European mystique

Mike Hammer – magician/comedian/emcee

Mike Hammer

Where you’ve seen him – self-titled comedy/magic show at Four Queens

Somewhere in Chicago, a retired school teacher is wondering “What ever happened to that class clown Michael Hammer?”. Well, I’d bet he or she would be surprised to know that little Mikey grew up…and became the biggest and best entertainer in Downtown Las Vegas.

“A boy’s best friend is his mother” – Norman Bates

Mike Hammer can be seen onstage five nights a week at Mike Hammer Comedy Magic, a fast-paced gas that will have you returning time and again. His hyperkinetic energy, lightning-fast improvisations and dazzling illusions make Mike a standout on the entertainment scene.

Offering fashion advice to Robin Leach at a charity event…

Naturally, this quick-witted guy is known for charitable functions (are we seeing a pattern here?). Hammer has hosted numerous events for other organizations when not preparing for his own. Just a few weeks ago, Mike and his famous friends came together for the 3rd Annual Mike Hammer Celebrity Go Kart Race to benefit Wounded Warrior Project. This year, proceeds were shared with Las Vegas Victims’ Fund.

Sharing fitness tips with Chippendales performer Ryan Worley…

The success of Mike’s own show gave him the clout to produce a second one at Four Queens. Spirit of the King, starring Elvis tribute artist Steve Connolly, draws in a line of fans that stretches across the casino floor each evening. Then there are the TV appearances, emceeing MMA matches, corporate events, and his own weekly radio program The Vegas Take with Brian Shapiro.

Keeping such a busy schedule was starting to wear the Hammer down – he was literally forgetting to eat. After getting way too thin, the over-40 sports enthusiast decided to consult a nutritionist for a personalized program, then combined it with intense late-night workouts. He quickly began to fill out his slender frame. “I don’t actually look different in my suit”, he said “but I have more muscle. Getting there!”.

Notable traits – sarcasm, hair of epic proportions, chiseled cheekbones

Photos: Ashley Kacvinsky, Ashley Kemp, Michael Caprio via Facebook, Eric Roy via Facebook, John Ganun, Patrick Rivera, Luis Raphael, Adam Barabáš via Facebook, Mike Hammer via Facebook. Banner photo courtesy of Armando Farfan Jr.

Male Revues from a Gay P.O.V. – Part 2

More info on where to go and what to expect from a gay guy’s perspective…

A few weeks back I explored the various resident male revues, ranking them in terms of their inclusion of audience members who are guys. It was, I think, a pretty thorough guidebook, but not entirely complete. At the end, I promised to contact two long-running stripper clubs that included male revues in their entertainment roster.

Since publishing that original piece, I have reached out several times to the powers that be at Kings of Hustler and Men of Sapphire. Both expressed interest in participating in this article, yet neither provided responses to a series of questions I sent their way. Numerous follow-up attempts yielded nada, so I’m just going to let that go.

I can say, however, that both locations permit attendance by men. Your level of interactivity will vary depending on the individual performers…and perhaps the degree of business they have that night (everyone has bills to pay and lap dances aren’t free). Also, since I was a guest at both places, I’m unable to provide admission prices.

Another unresolved matter was my review of the upstart Black Magic Live. Unseen by me when Part 1 of this series was published, I wish that had remained the case. Black Magic Live is an absolute mess and I cannot recommend it at all. While not a mega-flop on the level of Magic Mike Live, it is indeed a cheap, chaotic disaster unworthy of your time and money.

Because nothing says “Sexy Night in Vegas” like a wedding hall…

Black Magic Live began its run at the Tommy Wind Theater, otherwise known as the place where shows go to die. It quickly moved to Ron Decar Events Center, a banquet hall belonging to Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel.

You may find yourself wanting to look away, too…

BML is now on its third venue for calendar year 2017. As of this month, the show is performing inside the little known Embassy Night Club in a skeevy industrial area past the west side of the Strip. The Latino spot was in the news this past April when three patrons were stabbed in the parking lot. Stay away!

I’ve also revisited both Chippendales and Aussie Heat at V Theater since the last article. The boys at Chipps continue to be the glossiest cast in town, but not much has changed aside from the completion of Tyson Beckford‘s hosting stint (…or is he back? The website still lists him). That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as Chippendales set the bar for all male revues.

Aussie Heat, on the other hand, seems to have ramped up their willingness to entertain guests of both (all?) genders. Along with an infectious silliness and sense of fun, the lesser-known troupe from Oz (not to be confused with the always-coasting Thunder From Down Under) continues to bend over backward for each and every audience member.

And like the stripper clubs, they offer a free party bus to get you there and some of the lowest ticket prices in town. Groupon is currently offering $49 general admission seats for Aussie Heat with no additional fees. Compare that to Magic Mike Live, where the farthest seats of the upper balcony will still run you over $120.00.

You may remember that I chose Aussie Heat as my #1 male revue for inclusion of all audience members. As you can see, the response is overwhelmingly positive:

Check out this clip below for a taste of Aussie Heat, recorded Saturday 10/28/17. Be aware that it is probably NSFW.

So there you have it, my most complete guide to male revue residencies for guys. Whichever one you choose, be sure to cut loose and have some fun.

After all, Sin City can’t do any sinning without you.

Photos: Sammasseur, Black Magic Live, Aussie Heat, Men of Sapphire, Kings of Hustler

Magic Mike Live Is D.O.A.

Poorly-conceived circus collapses under the weight of its own contradictions…

Imagine a bunch of “bros” arriving in Vegas, intent on having a rowdy time. They prop up their feet at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, booze and money in hand, eager to be titillated. But instead of bare breasts and g-strings, the party boys get some low-rent male comedian babbling about his problems…and the ladies stay clothed.

You can believe there would be booing, flying fists and sailing beer bottles within a few minutes if this happened to guys. And yet, that same bait-and-switch is exactly what you’re served at Magic Mike Live…with the genders reversed. It’s a whole lot of pro-female “humor” and blah-blah-blah masquerading as a male revue.

Despite being named after actor Channing Tatum’s pair of male-stripper films, this live show has essentially ZERO to do with them. It starts off promisingly enough, with local favorite Mark Shunock (Rock of Ages) gliding into the audience with a flashy jacket and flashier grin, then quickly plummets down the stairs.

One would assume that Shunock is channeling the first film’s “Dallas” (loosely based on real-life Vegas resident London Steele of Kings of Hustler). That calculating club owner, as portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, would make the perfect campy host for a rowdy night out. Alas, after a few raunchy jokes about desert-dried vaginas and such, Shunock disappears entirely (a cardboard standee of him is brought out during final bows…I’m not kidding).

Next, a troupe of dancers enters the performance space, clad as your typical fantasy-hero types: cowboy, fireman, police officer, etc. A woman is coaxed onstage from the audience. It turns out that she is a plant…and subsequently the REAL emcee of the show. This abrasively-voiced harpy chides these characters for being misogynistic and cliched. But isn’t that what the movies were about?

What attracted audiences to the films were Channing and his hot Hollywood pals gyrating around in various states of undress, not the plot line. Complaints of “too much story” were even addressed in the sequel, wherein dance numbers and skin quotient were amped up.

Tatum and his production company, Iron Horse Entertainment, decided…after reading message boards…fans were demanding “more dancing and less story”. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s a stripper movie,” he says. Hence the extended dance sequences, with catchy tunes and screaming women in the background. The Straits Times, 7/8/15

The cast of Magic Mike Live begs you to buy into their nonsense…

But back to the show….the collection of “Village People rejects” are forced offstage by the actual dancers of MML. You’re told in no uncertain terms that these are the kind of guys that women TRULY fantasize about. Spotlights scan the crowd, searching for “a doctor, a musician, the nice guy with a job, someone who will rub your feet without being asked”…you know, the type of men that sex-crazed women flew all the way to Vegas to drool over.

The hostess then promises multi-cultural offerings in what’s to follow and proves so by lining up four men in deepening shades of brown. She squawks “I’ve always wanted to have a mixed (bi-racial) baby!” in an irritating cackle. Imagine how offensive this scene would be if viewed in the context of a stage production of ROOTS. It’s as ugly and off-putting as it sounds.

Tatum has promised in interviews that Magic Mike Live would not reflect the movies (but has no issue with using the bankable name). Instead, his goal was for this project to focus on “female empowerment.” According to this show, what women want is just someone to impregnate them and pay their bills. It seems to me that women relying on men to get through life is the antithesis of female empowerment, wouldn’t you say?

Nothing says “female empowerment” like fingering yourself onstage…

So if you’re heading to Magic Mike Live to get your guy-porn on, you’ve just learned in no uncertain terms that you are SOL. Fortunately, there are genuine, infinitely superior and far less expensive male revues in Las Vegas for ladies (and gay guys) to spend their entertainment dollars on.

The messages conveyed in MML are so conflicting that they’re delusional. The fun-sucking emcee, portrayed by little-known Chicago comedienne Lyndsay Nicole Hailey (with Vegas local Chelsea Phillips-Reid subbing on Wednesdays), turns what might have been a guilty pleasure into a treatise on man-bashing. Expect divorce rates to soar among ticket-buyers.

At this point, you might be wondering how anything from the Magic Mike films connects to this fiasco. That answer comes in two parts. First, Lyndsay prays to a “mystical unicorn” who rewards her with a bejeweled microphone lowered from the ceiling (a magic mic….seriously?). She uses said mic to lure a handsome waiter onstage to try his hand at a striptease. It turns out that he’s also a plant…an employee supposedly named “Mike”. Oh, brother.

In the film, Mike is a construction worker who persuades a new guy on the crew to moonlight with him at a dance club. In a lame effort to distance the show from the movie, Mike is now the newbie instead. He claims that he can’t dance, so Lyndsay exposes him to a series of sequences designed to fire up his libido and get those hips gyrating.

What follows is a watered-down variation on Absinthe. Sets, props, and characters descend from the ceiling and rise from the floor. Singers, acrobats, aerialist and musicians appear, awkwardly draping audience members across a grand piano and the lap of a drummer.

Songs take center stage with relatively little in the way of actual strip-tease. The dancers are fully clothed for much of the proceedings. When they aren’t, you might find yourself wishing they were.

It’s a bumpy ride both onstage and off at Magic Mike Live….

The emcee struts onstage after each sequence, loudly declaring “how hot that was!”. At one point, that swagger becomes a stagger…her blouse and jacket are torn apart and her hair has fallen loose. “I feel like my vagina was just beaten up!” she exclaims. Is this entertainment or a PSA for battered women? Whatever it is, it’s in poor taste…and not funny in the slightest.

Exactly 54 minutes pass before the first guy ditches his pants. Even then, his church-friendly briefs stay in place. How do I know the length of time so precisely? Because I couldn’t stop staring at my watch, eager for this mess to end.

Before the show limps its painful but welcome finale, Lyndsay can’t resist one final reminder of the inadequacies of men. She urges the ladies in the audience to get to their feet and hold one another. “When’s the last time you slow-danced with someone?”, she asks. Thanks, MML, for that feminist group-therapy session. Can we have some fun now?

If you’ve noticed that I haven’t reviewed the dancers, that’s because they play such an inconsequential part of the production as a whole. None of them are particularly memorable. Not even “Mike”, whose transformation into the titular character is actually quite dull.

The saving grace of the production is the venue itself. LOTS of Tatum-infused cash has been laid out to transform Hard Rock‘s Body English nightclub into an absolutely glorious theater. The corridor leading into it is tastefully appointed (aside from dozens of oddly-empty picture frames). A narrow stairway leads you down to the basement theater, a multi-level beauty.

One oddity worth mentioning is the lack of a gift shop. Where are the t-shirts, calendars, posters and memorabilia? These things are standard at most Vegas shows. With more than a year of preparation since MML was announced, surely a line of souvenirs could have been produced and marketed. Very strange…as if Hard Rock had little faith in an extended run.

Update – since the original publishing of this review, an online store has been established. I’m uncertain if products are available at the showroom, as I’ve not been (and have no intention of going) back.

This audience member’s sign says it all…

Once seated, a massive team of attractive ushers, bartenders and wait staff will make you feel welcome and pampered. A Hard Rock insider told me two months ago that all waiters and bartenders would be shirtless throughout their shifts (sadly, that’s not the case). But even without a show, I’d still stop there just to let them serve me a cocktail…or three.

The true standouts here are indeed the wait staff…a collection of charming, attentive and handsome lads that exude more charisma and sex appeal than anything you’ll see onstage. Imagine, if you will…the first fake-out (Village People vs. Modern Man) gives way to a SECOND fake-out, wherein the studly waiters who’ve been giving you excellent service suddenly set down their trays and take to the stage. Now THAT would have been different…and far superior to anything that MML currently offers.

Superstar Channing Tatum tossed oodles of money onto a vacuous stage….

As it is now, Magic Mike Live is a misandristic mess…an expensive and overblown bomb that’s about as sexy as Menopause – The Musical. It ranks alongside the first phase of Criss Angel BeLIEve as one of the most poorly-conceived Vegas productions of the past decade.

This is one major show desperately in need of a gutting and overhaul. Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough.

MAGIC MIKE LIVE performs Wednesday through Sunday at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Tickets start at $75 (plus taxes/fees) and can be ordered here.

Photos: Sammasseur

Future Superstars: Singer Willie Gomez Emerges From Britney’s Shadow

Spear’s longtime dancer is a vocalist who’s about to explode…

People flocked to Britney Spear‘s residency ever since it opened at Planet Hollywood in 2013. The large-scale production turned out to be a huge hit with her fans across the world. Britney – Piece Of Me was all about the star’s impressive songbook, spectacle, costumes, and dancing.

However, there was secretly a powerhouse singer on that stage along with the pop star. His name is Willie Gomez, and he’s working to make sure his voice is also heard around the world.

Gomez, who grew up in Miami, was inspired to take dance lessons after watching Britney Spears videos in his youth. That inner fire served him well, as he’s been featured in three of Britney’s music videos. A few months after appearing in Womanizer with her in 2008, he was cast as a principal in the pop singer’s Circus tour.

Willie remains a member of Britney’s dance crew and was a part of the Piece of Me residency from the beginning. They embarked on a short-term set of dates across Israel and Asia last summer before returning to Planet Hollywood for a final round of performances that ended on New Year’s Eve 2017.

Even though this writer is not a Britney fan, friends frequently urged me to check out the show. So I did…by way of YouTube. What I discovered was riveting – a small army of very attractive dancers with precision choreography and stage presence. Despite all of them being world class performers, one in particular stood out. His physique, facial gestures and movements were just in another league.

Being an admirer of hard-working performers, I had to know more. It took a bit of research to identify Willie’s name. Fortunately, he has an established fan base who mentioned his name in the video comments. They raved about his dancing…and his singing?

Yes, Willie has his own Youtube Channel with a growing collection of music videos. This is his most recent:

https://youtu.be/3UEqva4_eTE?si=BtSA8Qi1lE1zBg7i

You can also check out his cover songs via Soundcloud by clicking here.

As the fates would have it, Willie is friends with a Hollywood chiropractor that I used to work with a dozen years ago in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Steve Hoorn connected us and Willie agreed to meet for a conversation. A short while later, the two of us were having coffee before one of his performances at Britney: Piece of Me at Planet Hollywood.

It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when you encounter a person with that intangible “something.” There’s an energy they give off…an electric feeling you perceive almost subliminally. Willie has that aura. There’s a fire in his eyes and he crackles with energy, magnetism, and lots of warmth.

As much as Willie loves to dance, he feels he’s ready to share his passion for singing with the world. The videos that he’s released so far have been covers of songs by other artists. His expressive vocals give those familiar compositions a unique flavor. Now he’s preparing a collection of original recordings.

“I’m very involved in song-writing. I know what kind of songs I want to sing and there are some great writers working with me. They understand what I feel and how I want to bring those emotions across. Together we’ve collaborated on pieces that reflect who I am as an artist”.

Willie’s great looks have placed him on the cover of several magazines. Modeling and acting have brought him plenty of attention, but now he’d like to scale that back a little. When asked how important looks and sexuality are for a successful music career, he had this to say:

“I’ve done plenty of magazine shoots…and I’ve shown a lot of my body. It’s been fun, but they always want you to show more…and more. The past few years I’ve been getting away from that. I want my music to speak for itself, without relying on sex or gimmicks to sell it”.

While that philosophy is great for career longevity, there’s no question that Willie’s video performances have been drenched in fluid sexuality. Much of it undoubtedly came from his collaborations with Britney, which overflow with hot bodies of both genders.

After our conversation, Willie had me as his guest for Piece of Me. It was my first time seeing the show, but I learned during our conversation that I’d unknowingly seen him perform a few years back at the Caesars Palace Coliseum.

Willie was an aerialist in Australian pop star Kylie Minogue‘s incredible Aphrodite tour. That stunning, massive production was once rumored to be eyeing a Vegas residency. “I doubt you would have recognized me back then” he joked. “My head was shaved and I was mostly hanging upside down”.

Along with Minogue, Willie has shared the stage with the likes of Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Kesha and many prominent Latino artists. But his loyalty to the pop princess is strong.

“The thing about Britney is that she allows us to be ourselves. Sure, we’re doing the choreo, but she encourages me and the others to make it our own. She’s very supportive, which is why I work with her. Not all artists are like that”.

Eventually, Britney posted a video message on her Instagram page, wishing Gomez luck on his singing career: “Willie is a dancer of mine, and not only is he a great dancer, but he is an amazing singer…and I had no clue. You’re amazing, good luck on your project, and I’m sending all my kisses to you”.

With a few years of preparation behind him, the Dominican Republic native made plans to release a four-song EP, tentatively entitled “My Life”. He began the process by enlisting his favorite writers, producers, and directors. Then came an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign to help finance the project.

The hardest thing, though, was just gathering enough courage to take the first steps:

“From the time I was a little boy I had big dreams, with music running through my veins. But, I had fear in my heart. I was afraid of rejection and sharing who I really was, and what I always wanted to be – a singer”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfFbAkN7mqg

Willie did his first concert appearance in LA not long after the original version of this article appeared on another site. He posted some highlights and was thrilled by the response:

It’s only matter of time before Willie Gomez goes from a backup dancer to a full-fledged marquee name. With so many successes already under his belt, I asked the dancer/singer/actor/model how he’d most like to be remembered years from now:

No matter what I do, I give it my all. Right now I’m focused on my passion for singing. But I don’t want to be categorized for just one thing. I’m a performer.

That’s who I am.

Britney Spears has reportedly signed for an upcoming series of shows at PARK MGM Theater beginning in 2019.

.Photos: Willie Gomez via Instagram/Facebook/Youtube, Sammasseur