(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, a multi-level, tropical-themed entertainment venue at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel, is having its grand opening on January 22 that will feature a live outdoor concert by Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band and an outdoor festival complete with tiki bars and barbeques in the Flamingo's tropical pool area.
More than 5,000 Buffett fans are expected to attend the outdoor concert. Tickets to the event are not for sale. Las Vegas residents can listen to KOMP 92.3 or 97.1 The Point for a chance to win tickets to the concert. Parrotheads outside the area can go to www.margaritaville.com.
Margaritaville offers two outdoor patios overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, a tropical-themed restaurant, five bars, live entertainment nightly (both indoors and outdoors) and a 3,000 square-foot retail store. The festival-like atmosphere includes stiltwalkers roaming throughout the establishment creating Parrothead balloon hats for guests. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is open 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Clear Channel Entertainment To Exit Royal Poinciana Playhouse
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Clear Channel Entertainment will no longer be booking the 950-seat Royal Poinciana Playhouse in Palm Beach, FL, when its lease is up next October.
"It's all economics," John Poland, general manager of Clear Channel Entertainment's South Florida division, said in the Sun-Sentinel. "The way tours are designed and priced now, even shows that fit into a small theater can't recoup."
In 2000, Clear Channel hinted about ending its lease at the venue after doing so at Fort Lauderdale's 1,200-seat Parker Playhouse.
For the 2004-2005 season, the Palm Beach Broadway series will be presented at the Kravis Center. In this season's series, only two shows were booked into the Royal Poinciana. — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Edison Field Renamed Angel Stadium Of Anaheim
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – The Edison International Field of Anaheim, the home of the California Angels, has been renamed Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the 2004 season. Known as Edison Field since 1998, Edison International has exercised an option to exit its naming rights agreement for the venue. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Village Vanguard Debuts First Annual Calendar
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – New York City's The Village Vanguard has made available its first annual jazz calendar. The 12 months have 12 jazz greats photographed live in performance at the Village Vanguard by Matthew Surman. The 2004 edition is a special "CD Case" calendar featuring Jackie Mclean, Lou Donaldson, Tommy Flanagan, Bill Frisell, Roy Hargrove, Bobby Hutcherson, Jim Hall, Mark Turner, Etta Jones & Houston Person, Joe Lovano, Clark Terry and Wynton Marsalis. The calendar sells for $15 at the club or on its website www.villagevanguard.com. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Marlins Ball Park Talks Revived
MIAMI (AP) – Negotiations for a new Florida Marlins ball park are back in progress, less than a week after the prospects for a deal had appeared dead, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday.
Talks were revived after the Marlins agreed to consider a new stadium at the site of the city-owned Orange Bowl, Miami city manager Joe Arriola told the paper.
The team also backed off their requirement for a retractable roof – bringing the price tag down to about $200 million US. Previous estimates for a stadium with a roof ranged from $325 million to $450 million.
The talks had ground to a halt when city officials said they couldn't donate land or money for the stadium and a proposed sales tax increase in Miami-Dade County to raise money for the project had little support.
In a reversal of the city's previous position, Arriola said Miami was now willing to consider using bond money for a stadium.
The proposal would seek to demolish the 66-year-old Orange Bowl – scheduled to undergo extensive restoration next year – to make way for a new stadium which the Marlins would share with the University of Miami Hurricanes football team.
"We are talking again," Arriola said. "Now, they are talking my language."
Marlins officials declined to comment on the proposal or to confirm that they were leaning toward the Orange Bowl. University of Miami officials could not be reached late Tuesday.
"I've long said I think the Orange Bowl site is very practical," Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said. "It can be done quicker and for a lot less money."
Cirque du Soleil Celebrates 10 Years In Vegas
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Celebrating 10 years in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil, which now totals three resident productions, has become a mainstay attraction on the strip. The company launched its first resident and cornerstone show, Mystere, in December 1993, which was presented in a custom-built theatre at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. To this day it has been credited with changing the face of entertainment in Las Vegas.
The success of Mystere led to the opening of a second Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas in October 1998– "O(R)", the awe-inspiring aquatic production at Bellagio. This was no small endeavor, as the 15,000 square foot stage can be transformed from a dry platform into a pool filled with 1.5 million gallons of water in a matter of seconds. The 85 performers that make "O" come to life present jaw-dropping acts above, on and in the water.
In September 2003, Zumanity premiered at New York-New York Hotel & Casino, venturing into the uncharted waters of eroticism and sensuality.
In all, Cirque du Soleil has presented more than 7,200 performances in Las Vegas to nearly 10 million spectators. The three resident shows play to sold out audiences 10 times a week and features 210 performers from over 30 countries around the world, not to mention 400 crew and support staff members.
Cirque du Soleil's presence in Las Vegas has been firmly established, and in July 2002, the company relocated its new headquarters there, employing 75 people from finance, human resources, marketing and public relations, information technologies and general management.
A fourth resident show will establish itself at the MGM Grand in 2004. – Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen>
Ari Elberg Leaves B.B. King Blues Club
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Ari Elberg has resigned as talent buyer for the B.B. King Blues Club in New York.
"I am honored to have had the opportunity here over the past three years, and am proud to have succeeded in helping to create the venue as one of the top 10 clubs in the country," said Elberg.
Toffer Christensen has taken over Elberg's bookings and can be reached at toffer@bbkingblues.com.
Elberg can be reached at
To Be Determined Entertainment at tbdentertainment@hotmail.com. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Anaheim Arena Management Takes Over Operations At Arrowhead Pond
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – The management contract for the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim has been finalized. After 10 years, Nederlander Concerts will no longer manage the venue. Anaheim Arena Management LLC (AAM) is taking over the operations of the venue immediately. With the transition of the new management contract, the Pond will now be available to all concert promoters.
"The Arrowhead Pond has enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Nederlander Concerts for the past 10 years, which has brought over 250 concerts to the venue,” said Tim Ryan, the new president of AAM. "We look forward to continuing the relationship with them for many years to come."
"The partnership that Nederlander has cultivated with Tim and his team over the years has garnered such acts as Barbra Streisand, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 and Simon and Garfunkel among others, "said Ken Scher, executive vice president Nederlander Concerts. "We plan to continue bringing top-quality entertainment to the venue and play a key role in the bookings."
Nederlander's bookings for 2004 at the Pond include Bette Midler, Sarah Brightman and Bill Gaither. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
National Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Changes Name To International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Reflecting the Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum's new global positioning, the organization is changing its name to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
"Our members made the unanimous decision to expand internationally and change our name at our 2003 Induction ceremony, where we celebrated the work of artists, entertainers and industry leaders who have demonstrated 25 years or more of service to the world of gospel music and entertainment," said David Gough, founder of the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
"Moving forward, we will begin to induct members from around the globe, from Africa to Japan and Canada to the Caribbean," he added.
In addition, we will begin to hold international meetings and events to celebrate the progression of gospel music and entertainment around the world."
The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum will continue to be headquartered in Detroit, MI, where plans are underway to build a new facility in downtown Detroit. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
