Living the impossible

Since most consider David Copperfield the first name in magic, it’s only natural to assume his show at MGM Grand will feel familiar. But whether or not you’ve already seen him onstage in Las Vegas, you will be absolutely astounded.

Copperfield’s performance is constantly changing and evolving, he’s always adding new illusions large and small to the show, and the most grand elements of the production are simply without equal.

You may know him, but that won’t stop you from leaving his theater in disbelief. Meeting his friends Blu the alien and Frank the T. Rex is something I never expected. “It’s all about changing the way people think about magic,” Copperfield told me after the show. He performs twice nightly and three times on Saturday.

Red Rock reggae

The nightclub space at Summerlin’s swanky Red Rock Resort has been mostly dormant lately, reserved only for special events, but Crimson is coming alive this week with a live performance from rising reggae star Conkarah on July 21. The Kingston, Jamaica-born artist also known as Nicholas Murray boasts more than 70 million views on his YouTube channel as many consumers have discovered his unique sound thanks to covers of high-profile pop hits like Adele’s “Hello,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and Sam Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbyes.” That approach proved to be so successful, he recently released a full album of covers that also includes memorable tunes like Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

Quick hits

Magician Mat Franco is full-steam ahead in his eponymous theater at the Linq Hotel and Casino. Earlier this month the America’s Got Talent champion celebrated the 1,000th performance of Mat Franco: Magic Reinvented Nightly, which opened in 2015. Franco is constantly updating his act to add even more audience participation and connectivity, one of the magical elements that keeps fans coming back again and again.

The longest-running show on the Las Vegas Strip is making changes to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Legends in Concert at the Flamingo has launched a fresh set of acts to rule the stage through Sept. 9. Tribute artists will portray Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jon Bon Jovi and Bob Marley.

Former Las Vegas resident Ne-Yo celebrated the release of his new album Good Man with a party at the Palms’ Apex Social Club. Guests got a special performance from the R&B crooner, who unleashed hits “Closer” and “Miss Independent.”

Celine Dion won’t be back at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace until late October, but she’s not taking a summer vacation. She recently launched a 22-city tour across the Asian Pacific region with a sold-out performance at the Tokyo Dome, and a group of Caesars executives were in the house to cheer and support their star. The global entertainment and hospitality company is planning to build a resort in Japan in Osaka or Tomakomai.

Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000, and interviews key movers and shakers on his All The Vegas podcast, available at allthevegas.com.