WWE and Las Vegas Strip performer performs at Raiders-Steelers game | Cats | Entertainment

A legendary NFL rivalry meets WWE and Michael Jackson tribute shows at Sunday's Raiders-Steelers game.

All during the national anthem.

WWE ring announcer and Vegas singer Samantha Irvin plays the anthem before the duel at Allegiant Stadium. Irvin's participation in the game's entertainment is a way to remind fans of Wrestlemania 41 over two nights April 19-20, also at Allegiant Stadium. (And wasn't it the Raider legend? George Atkinson Who introduced “The Lariat” into athletic competition?)

Irvin is also an experienced stage performer, both in Las Vegas and nationally. The singer whose official name is Samantha Johnson appeared in Cirque's “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay and David Saxes “Vegas! The Show” at the Saxe Theater Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

Irvin was the lead singer of the Jackson tribute production “Thriller” and appeared on “America's Got Talent” and “I Can See Your Voice.” We'll see more of her in her WWE role next spring.

What else is… Irwin's nickname Samantha Die bomband she has a tattoo of the Beatles cover “Abbey Road” on her right bicep.

Ex-Raiders defender Vann McElroy will light the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the game. McElroy was a third-round draft pick in 1982. He played nine seasons, 101 games (88 starts) with 31 interceptions and one touchdown. McElroy was part of the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII victory over Washington.

The torch lighting tradition began on October 18, 2011 when John Madden lit the flame. In Las Vegas, Carol Davisthe widow of Al Davis and First Lady of the Raider Nation, was the first to light the fire on September 21, 2020.

As always, we recommend being at the stadium about an hour before kick-off, i.e. on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

The half-time player is being kept quiet for the time being. The person may or may not be named after a state. David Perrico and the Raiders House Band — which continues its Friday shows at 10 p.m. at the Front Yard on Ellis Island throughout the season — performs throughout. Come see us at Club Kats, which is what I now refer to as the space between Davis Torch and the main stage. As always, piercing is optional.

The Franco moment

The Raiders-Steelers rivalry was intense in the 1970s, but led to long friendships in the decades that followed. Franco Harris and former Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano became tight in the years after retirement. This is despite Harris racing past Villapiano (who looks like he's been caught up in the play) during the “Immaculate Reception.”

The mutual respect was evident at the Raiders party in Canton, Ohio, in August 2022 after Cliff Branch was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Harris arrived in the middle of the party and it was as if the crowd was closing in on him.

Multiple Raiders sizes (Charles Woodson, Tim Brown, Marcus Allen And Raymond Chester including) and even non-Raiders luminaries (ex-Bills Jim Kelly And Bruce Smith and former Oiler Warren Moon) waded over to say hello.

Harris would die in December. This event was one of his last public appearances. One night when Diana Ross When the show ended, Franco dominated the spotlight.

Comes

Speaking of spotlights, here are some shows in VegasVille:

— Motown legend Smokey Robinson returns to the Encore Theater in Wynn on April 2 and April 4-5. This is Robinson's production to celebrate his 50th anniversary, so we're expecting all the hits (Ducats on sale now at TicketMaster.com or VenetianLasVegas.com).

We met Robinson this month at the Dream Awards at Aliante's Access Showroom, where he and Johnny Gill from New edition Prize winners presented Jeffrey Osborne. The performance was iconic – iconic, I tell you! All of these men can still bring it.

– Speaking of which: New Edition is on October 30th and 1st-2nd. Available again from Encore in November. Watch out for my conversation with Bobby Brown before the opening date. To say he lived a life is putting it mildly. But we enjoyed a sandwich and a great conversation a few weeks ago at the place Herb Caen often refers to as El Lay.

— Electronic artist Anyma makes its strip nightclub debut on December 30th at Wynn's XS Nightclub. Anyma is among the famous personalities who have performed at the nightclub, alongside The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia and Elaine Wynn.

Anyma's Wynn debut coincides with his Sphere headlining appearance on Afterlife's The End Of Genesys, also launching on December 30th.

— Promote people plays February 8th at the BleauLive Theater in Fontainebleau. It's the platinum-selling rockers' “Paradise State of Mind” tour; Tickets on sale October 15 at Fontainebleaulasvegas.com. The announcement coincides with the release of “Lost in Space PNAU Remix,” which is available “everywhere,” according to the band.

– The Venetian Theater continues its strong headlining series with the Atlanta troupe Collective soul on January 17th and 18th, followed by the return of tireless classic rockers Styx on February 24, 25, 29, 31 and February 1, 2025. Tickets for all of these shows are available at Ticketmaster.com.

— Top comic/actor Jim Gaffigan is back at the Encore Theater May 28-31 (on sale at TicketMaster.com). Gaffigan usually sells out the store. We will know within a month whether his Tim Waltz The impression is still in play.

Gaffigan debuted in the portrayal during the 50th season premiere of “SNL,” hosted by Jean Smartand returned last weekend, hosted by another Encore Theater headliner Nate Bargatze. Bargatze has nine dates booked at the Encore Theater from January 8th to March 22nd.

May we recommend

The great singing impressionist Bob Anderson returns to the Italian American Club Showroom October 18-19. It's a double homage to Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, with fine voice and full makeup for both legends (see IAC.com for information and tickets).

Anderson is supported by the Joey Singer Sextet, conducted by the great Vegas pianist and bandleader. The shows take place at 8 p.m. For more information, visit iacvegas.com.

Showcasing impressive touring prowess, Anderson's expanded schedule includes performances at Niagara Falls Casino, Los Cerritos Center in California, Fontainebleau in Miami Beach and two shows at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall on December 21st. This is Anderson's second visit to the regal New York City venue, following his debut at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage on December 21.

Tease this…

A few days ago we announced that a country act was coming to Sphere. Several smart readers/followers guessed it Zac Brown Bandafter Brown told the comic/podcast host Theo Von He developed a show for the tuber wonder. But we are hearing from several informed sources Kenny Chesney plans to play Sphere. As they say, we'll stay here and find out.

The retro kick from ZB

Let’s play Cool Hang Alert “Jeopardy!”, shall we?

“Zowie Bowie for $500, Kats.”

“The answer: country, folk, polka.”

“What styles of music hasn’t Zowie Bowie tried yet?”

“That's correct!”

Zowie Bowie founder Chris Phillipswhich was Top 40 in VegasVille for nearly two decades, vintage Vegas big band, some rap and EDM, takes on a new format with “Retrovoxx,” an '80s new wave revival.

The production premieres on Sunday at 8:30 p.m Ken Henderson's Notoriety Live. Phillips and his three-piece band sign up Depeche Mode, Duran Duran and (yes) a little David Bowie, with a modern twist.

“I want a show that makes people feel good without the stress of today's world,” says Phillips, who turns 58 at midnight. “It’s an experience, more than a cover band.”

Cool hang alarm

Singer/songwriter from Nashville Zach Ryan is on Sunday at 6 p.m. and features a country, southern rock, blues and R&B band Noah and the Marshals will take place on Monday at 6 p.m. at Ole Red Las Vegas. Blake Shelton's Strip-facing honkey-tonk fortress delivers solid performances all week long. No cover. For more information, visit OleRed.com.

John Katsilometes' column appears daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” The podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.