Shaq enlists music stars for ‘The Event’ at MGM Grand

Shaq doesn’t bash “small” excessively well, arsenic his upcoming Vegas task reminds.

The 7-feet-1 inch, four-time NBA champion and Las Vegas nonmigratory is hosting “The Event,” the archetypal fundraising gala for The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, astatine MGM Grand GardenThe shindig is acceptable for Oct. 2.

Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson, Vegas rockers Imagine Dragons and Snoop Dogg are the archetypal quartet of performers announced. Additional euphony acts and drama performers are to beryllium announced.

The Shaq Foundation supports under-served youths, partnering with the like-minded Boys & Girls Clubs and Communities successful Schools organizations. General-admission performance tickets are unfastened to the public, ranging from $125-$300 (go to AXS.com/ShaqEvent2021). Table sponsorships for the backstage lawsuit scope from $10,000-$75,000.

Shaq, besides an NBA expert connected TNT, is frankincense reaching retired to individuals and corporations.

“I’m honored to person truthful galore radical successful the Las Vegas assemblage and beyond, articulation our efforts to assistance under-served youth.” O’Neal said successful a statement. “We are arrogant to make an inclusive event, 1 that everyone tin beryllium a portion of, from the much approachable performance summons options to the higher-priced array sponsorships. Together, we tin supply opportunities and resources for the kids who request them the most.”

Honorary seat @shaq w/ @Imaginedragons' @TRFdotORG's #RiseUpGala #pediatriccancer #slaycancerwithdragons pic.twitter.com/blabtwsXfL

— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 7, 2019

According to a quality merchandise announcing “The Event,” the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation focuses connected serving children successful Las Vegas and Atlanta. The enactment precocious announced the opening of the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County, located conscionable extracurricular of Atlanta.

In 2020, the Foundation awarded much than $50,000 successful grants to Las Vegas precocious schools to assistance diversion programs impacted by COVID. The Foundation has partnered with the metropolis of Las Vegas to refurbish outdoor hoops courts astatine Doolittle Community Center.

.@johnnykats talks to @SHAQ astir expanding his @BigChickenShaq edifice and his plans for much DJ Diesel shows successful Las Vegas pic.twitter.com/YRpAD6QH80

— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) October 24, 2018

Proceeds from The Event volition enactment akin projects, successful summation to initiatives with Communities successful Schools, Shaquille’s yearly Shaq-a-Claus vacation program, among different initiatives.

O’Neal has a symbiotic foundation narration with Imagine Dragons. He was astir precocious honorary president of the 2019 Imagine Dragons Tyler Robinson Foundation gala astatine Wynn Las Vegas. That lawsuit raised $3.2 cardinal for pediatric cancer.

Last month, O’Neal bought an property near Wayne Newton’s erstwhile Casa de Shenandoah for adjacent to $2 million. He is simply a spouse successful the Big Chicken restaurant connected Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road, crossed from Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. And, nether the moniker DJ Diesel, Shaq is simply a headlining DJ for Wynn Nightlife astatine Encore Beach Club.

Newman’s post-show show

Brian Newman warmed up for his Thursday nighttime instrumentality of “After Dark” to NoMad Library with a blow-out amusement astatine the Fine and Rare supper nine and jazz bent successful New York connected Thursday night. The gig was acceptable aft Newman played successful the 40-piece orchestra for Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett astatine Radio City Music Hall. It was the 2nd of 2 concerts celebrating Bennett’s 95th birthday.

The shows sold out, quick, astatine 6,000 ticket-holders who were required to amusement impervious of COVID vaccination. The Gaga-Bennett collab soared, drafting (by Vulture’s count) 27 lasting ovations.

Gaga, Jon Batiste (music manager for “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”) and Gaga’s euphony manager Michael Bearden were among those who performed successful the late-night amusement that followed. Newman had his regular set of Alex Smith, Steve Koryka, Nolan Byrd and Daniel Foose played done the night.

That crew, on with vocalist Jaclyn McSpadden and Newman’s burlesque-star wife, Angie Pontani, are prepping for Thursday’s return. Gaga’s guitarist Tim Stewart, who has performed with Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Rihanna is besides successful for the archetypal six shows.

Guest singers appearing passim the tally include Morgan James of Postmodern Jukebox, and Mikalah Gordon (Rose. Rabbit. Lie. astatine Cosmopolitan) and Skye Dee Miles (also of RRL, and presently in Usher’s “Backstory Pass” pre-show and The Shag Room astatine Virgin Hotels Las Vegas).

Also portion of Newman’s Strip revival are keyboard icon Ronnie Foster and his drumming son, Chris Foster; keyboard virtuoso Brockett Parsons; and Vegas showgirls Lara Preister and Britt Dunn, and a big of burlesque performers led by Buttercup.

Maybe we’ll person a unicyclist juggling hubcaps, a stilt creator spraying seltzer, and Jeff Beacher starring a conga enactment to the bar. Who tin predict? The opening dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday; continuing connected to Aug. 19, 20 and 21. Get determination astatine 11 p.m.. The amusement volition commencement minutes later.

Cool Hang Alert

The Moonshiners, the city’s premier Prohibition-pop ensemble, starts its residency bid astatine at the Commonwealth from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday. The venue is connected the rooftop of the nine astatine 525 E. Fremont Street (that’s Fremont East, folks). Led by the wicked-talented Vegas vocalist Savannah Smith backed by Jon Celentano (sax and vocals), Michael Joy (keys) Trey Ordaz (bass) and Earl Campbell (drums).

The Moonshiners blend top-40 hits with a 1920s-to-1940s vibe. They are besides booked Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. General admittance tickets are $10, deed commonwealthlv.com and fto it swing.

John Katsilometes’ file runs regular successful the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast tin beryllium recovered astatine reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him astatine jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats connected Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 connected Instagram.