Celine Dion returns to Vegas in 2011. But America's fave singer/musician? Ugh.
If it brings in customers, I'm happy that Las Vegas will have a big star back in their fold next winter. Word came today that Celine Dion will be back at Caesars Palace in Vegas starting next March; the start of a three-year residency (their word, not mine) at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
The brand-new show will feature 31 musicians, consisting of a full orchestra and band.
"The show's concept will be one-of-a-kind, centred on capturing the romance of classic Hollywood movies as well as Celine's biggest hits, performed with a stunning visual presentation," officials said.
That's all well and good, but at the end of the day it's still...Celine Dion. And I just don't get it.
I honestly can't think of a single tune of hers that I would listen to. Not that I've heard that many. Personally, I think she's to blame for all the idiotic national anthem singers who bend and twist every note of a simple song in some vain attempt to "make it their own." Dion has earned enough to do that, I guess, but I can't stand that style of music.
The amazing thing to me isn't that Dion is going back to Vegas but that she placed FIRST in a Harris Poll of America's favourite singer/musician. FIRST? Geez, people!
In second place was U2. A fine band. Not my personal choice for number two spot, but they're an awesome band with incredible staying power, remarkable commitment to their craft and some absolutely stunning songs, including "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"; my personal fave.
Then came Elvis (too high a spot for me) tied with the Beatles (any sensible person's first choice, although I can understand critics who feel they've heard just a million times too much of them in the last 40 years). Tim McGraw was fifth, and I don't get that, either. Then came Lady Gaga (give me a HUGE break), George Strait and Rascal Flatts, with Alan Jackson TYING FRANK SINATRA for ninth spot. Alan Jackson in the same breath as Ol' Blue Eyes? Geez, how soon the public forgets. And I understand this is an American poll, but what on earth are Rascal Flatts and Lady Gaga doing up there with the Beatles and Frank Sinatra?
It's not that I don't like country music. I quite like Dwight Yoakam, and I'm a big fan of the Martina McBride remake album of a couple years back ("Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" is sheer dynamite). I love the country flavour of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the 1970's Linda Ronstadt country stuff (she does by far the best version ever of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You") and I've been to at least 20 Blue Rodeo concerts here in Canada, and those guys can do a pedal steel guitar as good as anyone.
Anyway, I guess that's why they have menu's in restaurants - because everybody's different. If you like Celine Dion, God bless you, and please travel to Vegas and enjoy the show. They could use the business!
New York State officials today said they became the first state tourism account to reach 20,000 Twitter followers. They sent out a press release today to say their twitter "handle" of @I_LOVE_NY is the first state tourism account in the U.S. and Canada to reach that mark.
Uh, guys, there ARE NO STATES in Canada. But we'll cut them slack and assume they meant provinces.
When I checked today, New York's site was up to 23,089 "followers" on Twitter. Which is, to quote Darth Vader, "Impressive, most impressive."
Nothing is quite like New York, of course. I wrote in this space the other day that they're adding a whopping 6,700 hotel rooms in Manhattan this year, which is a lot even for New York City. Apparently it's a boost of 8 to 10 per cent, and that's pretty remarkable.
When I looked, what I think is the official California tourism site - @CATourism - had just 4,262 followers. Come on, guys, that's all you can do? You're the home of Silicon Valley and the Golden Gate Bridge and Gay Pride and all that, not to mention Disneyland and Santa Monica beach and Hollywood and all that. And New York has FIVE TIMES the twitter followers?
Maybe things are different on a city basis. I would hope so. But I still wonder if anyone can find out how all the states AND PROVINCES, of course, would rank.
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THE POOR BRITSVolcano Ash. Government turmoil. And now talk of a bunch more strikes against British Airways. It's a tough time for our brothers across the pond, folks.
But in the good news department for travellers, BMI (British Midland International) today said it will add more seats and services during any BA strikes. They'll also give BA Executive club members double miles on all bmi travel until the end of June, they said, and that seems rather clever.
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