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Master musician Sting continues his My Songs residency

Caesars Palace

8 p.m. June 8, 10-11, 15 & 1718, starting at $59 plus tax and fee. ticketmaster.com

By Matt Kelemen

IF THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE

in Sting’s career that pointed the way towards a post-Police future, it was his appearance at 1981 Amnesty International benefit The Secret Policemen’s Other Ball. Sting’s appearance at the charity event organized by members of sketch comedy troupe Monty Python was the musical highlight during which he performed acoustic versions of “Roxanne” and “Message in a Bottle.” Shorn of the reggae-punk sound with which they were originally recorded, the songs revealed an introspective, vulnerable musician whose jazz leanings would emerge in his subsequent solo career.

Those songs have been in Sting’s setlist for his current My Songs tour coming to Caesars Palace, where he returns after a triumphant debut Colosseum residency last fall. For his second extended engagement The Englishman in Las Vegas offers a career retrospective that begins with “Bottle” and concludes with the title song from his latest album The Bridge.

That album is the latest example of Sting following his muse, inspiration that just happens to coincide with his musical taste. The first example was his 1985 debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Sting had recruited the cream of the crop of then-upcoming jazz musicians including saxophonist Branford Marsalis, drummer Omar Hakim, bassist Darryl Jones and keyboardist Kenny Kirkland. The recording just happened to drop when smooth jazz was burgeoning as a radio format and crossed over to become a rock and contemporary hits radio success.

Blue Turtles contained “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” an answer song to the Police’s biggest hit, “Every Breath You Take,” and a Sting setlist mainstay. One song that hasn’t been part of recent concert content but is most likely to be added is “Russians,” which has taken on new meaning since the invasion of Ukraine. Sting released a new version this year to benefit Help Ukraine Center, and stated in an Instagram post that, “I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written because I never thought it would be relevant again. But, in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is once again a plea for our common humanity.”

Sting has never been short on humanity, having supported a plethora of causes with his better half Trudie Styler. Ever the renaissance man, he played a supporting role in 2021 French film Kaamelott: The First Chapter. Now the focus is on playing live, and the quantity of Police hits played will satisfy any ’80s music aficionado, while the deep dive into solo material likely will include several songs with “Love” in the title, brand new tracks from The Bridge such as “Rushing Water” and deep cuts like “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.”

At 70, Sting’s energy seems inhuman. With all the years of running and yoga he’s fashioned a physical self that could enable him to perform and record for years to come. Consider him an alien, a legal alien in Las Vegas creating a temporary Magic Stingdom in the Colosseum.

By Matt Kelemen

Shin Lim thrills with his spectacular close-up feats

The Mirage

ticketmaster.com BE PREPARED for an audience participation trick right out of the gate when attending Limitless, Shin Lim’s close-up magic showcase inside The Mirage Theatre. Spoiler alert: It involves cards. Although Lim resists his act being referred to as “magic,” as in supernatural defiance of physics, he can’t argue that it’s not magical. He draws too many “oohs” and “aahs” from fans who were introduced to his spectacular brand of sleight-of-hand on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Once they are seated and see the plastic-wrapped rectangles in front of them, they are fully drawn into Lim’s universe.

That universe was created when Lim exchanged a future playing 88 piano keys for one that orbited around decks of 52 playing cards. Lim was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome while preparing for a career in music, a plot point in his life that is woven into the biographical thread running through the show. The stage set-up is simple: piano, table, crystal-clear jumbo screen above the stage, mentalist Colin Cloud, and Lim’s graceful hands.

Scottish-born Cloud, himself an AGT alumni, transcends mentalist tropes with a rapid-fire delivery and razor-sharp timing. He keeps the show moving quickly with segments that contrast with Lim’s ethereal flow and graceful delivery. One might think carpal tunnel would have hampered Lim’s ability to pull off amazing feats of dexterity, but if he’s feeling any pain, he hides it well.

The ability to manage pain became crucial once the emotive pianist was bitten by the sleight-of-hand bug. Witnessing one trick, the slip force, got him hooked. A medical sabbatical from music study before he embarked on a sustained period of 20 hours a week of practice gave him a chance to refine his approach to close-up magic and develop his own tricks as well as garner a YouTube following. Increasing momentum led to his first International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) convention in 2012. He came in sixth at the world championship held at the triannual convention, then won first place in 2015.

Television audiences were introduced to Lim that year when he appeared on Fool Us, clearly earning the respect of Penn Jillette and Teller. Like Teller, Lim creates mystique by opting to use few words, if any. The approach works great for international audiences but had to change once Lim’s path directed toward Vegas. He worked on his banter while competing on AGT during the show’s 13th season. By the time he arrived at The Mirage in October 2019, he was a polished pro who had audiences practically eating out of his hands.

Lim draws some of the most enthusiastic audiences on the Strip, creating an atmosphere that causes the proceedings at Limitless to climax in standing ovations. It’s like being part of a big club, with Lim demonstrating his skill to the music of Sting or making cards disappear, only to re-emerge from his mouth with a puff of smoke. He might just be the No. 1 close-up magic performer in the world, a virtuoso demonstrating the art of illusion in contemporary style like no one else can.

Shania Twain delivers hit after hit in ‘Let’s Go!’

By Nina King

If you’ve ever wanted to see a legend, then you’re in luck, because Shania Twain starts the latest round in her Las Vegas residency, Let’s Go!, this week.

Although it seems hard to believe, the Canadian superstar has been in the music industry for more than three decades, with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide. And in her Vegas show, she delivers all her hits, thrilling the fans who fill Zappos Theater.

Although Twain has changed up her setlist throughout the Let’s Go! residency, which started in 2019, her latest one starts off with “Rock This Country!” a constant in her tours and residencies. And it has its intended effect: Once it starts, every member of the audience is on their feet dancing, as Twain brings an energetic presence to the stage. “Life’s About to Get Good,” “Up!” “Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)” and “Come On Over” keep fans up, while enormous graphics blossom over and around the stage. Twain speaks to the crowd, introducing this song, then that one, and dashing off for costume changes throughout. (Yes, you’ll see that famous midriff, and her duster is sure to make an appearance.) What else might you see? A great band, of course, one that does justice to “You’re Still the One” and “You Win My Love.”

Those popular songs just keep on coming, and midway through the concert the stage transforms into the Twain Town Saloon, where she performs some of her biggest hits, bringing up crowd members to hang out in the process. “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “Any Man of Mine”

Planet Hollywood Resort

June 11, 15, 17-18, 22 & 24-25, starting at $69 plus tax and fee; VIP packages available. ticketmaster.com

and “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” make a perfect match for the Western motif.

It’s not all high energy, though. “Party For Two,” “Fix You” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” show off her slower side and let her stretch herself with a couple of covers.

She closes out the show with “(If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here!” “From This Moment On” and fan favorite “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” And you might find that she changes out a song or two, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Twain has had two residencies here, and actually started this one in 2019, but was rudely interrupted by the pandemic. She’s more than made up for that by extending the run, with the last shows in the residency scheduled for September.

Dive deeper into history at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition By Em Jurbala

A feat of opulence and engineering, the Titanic epitomizes the power of human ingenuity. The steam-powered craft took the work of approximately 14,000 people to construct and 900 crew members to run. Yet her unfortunate sinking testifies to the powerful nature of the ocean and its unexpected obstacles.

Whether you’re a fan of the 1997 Leonardo DiCaprio-Kate Winslet flick or you’re curious about the 1912 catastrophe, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor offers an understanding of what it was like during that fateful journey.

Stroll from room to room where you’ll find more than 250 items that have been recovered from the sunken vessel. The collection continuously evolves, too. Recently added items include paper money, which miraculously remained intact after being submerged 12,000 feet underwater for more than a hundred years; a pen recovered in its original wrapper and box; and a wooden brush, among other personal items.

On the surface, it may feel like you’re looking at a bunch of random bits and bobs, and that’s because you are, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The items in this collection act almost as a time capsule, revealing everyday habits, class disparities and technological advances—and shortcomings—of the time period.

Throughout the exhibit, you’ll read about the many people who were aboard; what brought them to the ship; what they hoped to do upon arrival in America; and what family

Courtesy photos

they brought along or left behind. Each detail adds another drop of knowledge, powering your imagination with the steam it needs to feel connected to the passengers and crew of the Titanic.

On the Titanic, no expense was spared for first-class passengers. As you enter the Grand Staircase replica, the grandeur of the elegant metalwork, artistic glasswork and glamorous crystal chandeliers is apparent. Don’t forget to have your picture taken here.

Notably, the exhibit also houses a full-scale replica of the promenade deck, which transports you to the evening of April 14, 1912, with its chilled, quiet atmosphere and low visibility for the watch crew.

The greatest marvel here is the Big Piece, which, as implied, stands as the largest recovered part of the wreckage to date. Occupying its own room, this piece of the hull accounts for a small fraction of the enormous ship and effectively puts into perspective just how large the ocean liner was.

The information doesn’t stop at history. Let your mind run wild with the many scientific discoveries displayed here. From the way wood cabinetry deteriorated to the extensive process it takes to stabilize, conserve and preserve the steel of the Big Piece, there is no shortage of learning to be had.

Upon entry, you receive a boarding pass with information about one passenger who may or may not have survived. You won’t know until the end of the exhibit, but their class may clue you in to their likelihood of survival. Remember to browse the memorial wall at the end of the experience to find your passenger’s name and discover if they were lucky enough to have a spot on a lifeboat.

Luxor 702.262.4400

By Brock Radke

Dustin Tavella connects with audiences at America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live

If you’ve seen a clip of his performances on TV’s America’s Got Talent, you know Dustin Tavella is a different breed of magician, one who incorporates his personal story into his illusions and presentation onstage. In Las Vegas, you can catch Tavella doing his thing at the Luxor Theater in the thrilling live version of the hit competition show, America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live, where he shares the stage with other talented entertainers from different disciplines. It’s an opportunity he truly relishes and another exciting chapter in his own story.

The craziest thing is my life was already in a place where so much was changing, and it just kept getting crazy after my audition. We got a phone call asking if we wanted our adopted son’s older brother, and that was in the midst of doing AGT. Looking back to just six months ago versus now, I’m living a different life. And I went from being super broke and wondering what’s next in a pandemic to adopting two boys, moving and having a fulltime job doing two shows every night, five nights a week. People outside of Vegas don’t realize what living in Vegas is like. For it was kind of scary because we were moving across the country, and we were unsure about Vegas. But we could not be happier. Our neighborhood is amazing, the boys love it, there’s always other kids out playing basketball and riding scooters, and we’ve become close with our neighbors. We’ve been pleasantly surprised, and we love life in Vegas.

I think both my wife and I have been through a lot of crazy stuff in our lives; we both had a run in the entertainment industry, and I got to a place where I decided if I was going to work hard for anything, I wanted to be able to bring hope to people and share some of those things we’ve gone through and struggled to overcome. Our culture is fueled with so much stuff that’s just kind of empty, and I want to be proud of what I’m doing, whether this is my last year, or I spend the rest of my life doing this on this platform. Everyone who’s a part of this show has some kind of crazy story how their life was changed, and you get to watch these danger acts, dancing, singing, aerialists, all this stuff, so it’s fun for me to end the show with this message that people can go out and live out the things they feel they are called to. People can come and watch and be entertained and leave feeling empowered.

That would be absolutely incredible, and I have been working on some things that I’m hoping could make it possible to do something like that. But life has been such a whirlwind and we’re taking it one day at a time. I would want it to be something different from what we are seeing, especially within the magic genre. There are a lot of magicians in Vegas, and I want to try to find that thing that makes it special.

Luxor 702.262.4400