Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ inspires Las Vegas light show

The superstar's Swift's "Eras" tour stop is being honored, in living color, at the city's Gateway Aches on the north Strip.

Even before performing in Las Vegas, Taylor Swift is lighting up the city.

The superstar's Swift's "Eras" tour stop is being honored, in living color, at the Gateway Aches on the north Strip.

The LED-infused structure on Las Vegas Boulevard at The Strat will be lit to reflect the colors of Swift's albums. The series begins Wednesday night and runs through Saturday night, after the second of Swift's two concerts at Allegiant Stadium.

The shows mark Swift's first tour in five years and her first performance in Vegas since 2015. She will fill more than 80,000 seats over two nights at the Raiders’ home stadium.

We are enchanted to have @tayorswift13 and all #Swifties in town this weekend. Excited to share my birthday weekend with all the fans in Las Vegas. Have a fabulous time at the shows, and know that Vegas is shining just for you. #VivaLasEras! #TSTheErasTour #VegasTSTheErasTour https://t.co/RXkJlTF9cD

— Carolyn G. Goodman (@mayoroflasvegas) March 22, 2023

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman tweeted Wednesday, "We are enchanted to have @tayorswift13 and all #Swifties in town this weekend. Excited to share my birthday weekend with all the fans in Las Vegas. Have a fabulous time at the shows, and know that Vegas is shining just for you."

"Swifties." Swift's legion of worldwide fans, can access the observation deck on Las Vegas Boulevard to record pics and videos of the unique tribute.

City of Las Vegas spokesman Jace Radke says to watch for another surprise, which will be announced on Twitter on the #VivaLasEras hashtag.

Constructed in 2020, the Gateway Arches serve as a kind of complementary photo-op to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign to the south. The attraction is designed to welcome those heading south to the Strip, and those heading north to downtown Las Vegas. Not to be confused with the golden arches, at the fast-food place near the corner of the Strip and Sahara.

Moreno and electricity

Frankie Moreno's "Live & Electric" series is back at Kaos at the Palms on Thursday and Friday. Moreno's devoted FM Army has sent 81 singles and 17 albums into the iTunes Top 10 over the past seven years. The vaunted showman's live show remains a wildly entertaining experience. He's back April 20-21, May 18-19, and June 15-16.

Style points to the Palms team for defining Moreno's run as a"limited residency." This is where "limited engagement" meets "open-ended residency" to account for BOTH possibilities. Whatever, get there now, and thank me later.

Tribute to the late Gloria Dea, from AnnaRose Einarsen, who found Gloria about 3 years ago and made it all possible. @Copperfield befriended Gloria and inducted her into @UNLVFineArts Hall of Fame. #RJNow @reviewjournal pic.twitter.com/7i2PhOpXmh

— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) March 22, 2023

Her next act

Vegas hypnotist AnnaRose Einarsen pulled the legend outta the hat by tracking down Gloria Dea about three years ago. Dea, of course was the first person to ever perform magic on what would be the Las Vegas Strip, at El Rancho Vegas in May 1941.

Einarsen discovered Dea's identity while shopping for antique clothing downtown, and stumbling on a dress Dea wore decades earlier.

Dea, who died Saturday at age 100, was honored Tuesday night at the 19th UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame dinner at the school's Student Union Ballroom. David Copperfield inducted Dea in a small ceremony prior to the main dinner.

Einarsen accepted the award. It was appropriate. Dea left her set and stage props to the young entertainer, including her vintage billiard-balls routine and floating-card trick. Those acts were taught to Dea by her by her father.

Einarsen is learning those acts. The idea is to develop a one-woman show that pays tribute to Dea, while also telling her own unique story of how she and Dea crossed paths.

"Her favorite magic was billiard-ball manipulation, and that is not the easiest act to learn," Einarsen said just after accepting the Hall of Fame honor. "I spent the past year and a half as a talking act, and people are wondering why I am learning billiard-ball manipulation. But this story is so close to me, I’m spending hours a day, in my bathroom, learning sleight-of-hand to present this story."

Einarsen is still establishing the defining moments in the show, and has not arrived at a format or even title. But it is coming.

"I need to put it all together, but it is something that will come together naturally," she said. "It doesn't have a name, but it has an essence."

For guidance, she could turn to Copperfield, a legendary storyteller. He who knows this one, chapter and verse.

Tease this …

A new arts museum is in the planning stages in Las Vegas. This is a real facility, with a Wynn Las Vegas affiliation.

And this …

The timeline for the new title of a famous Vegas venue will come into sharper focus by the end of the week.

Soul of Swift

The Swift craze has reached the SoulCycle annex at the Wynn. The Taylor Takeover classes are set for Friday. This is a rolling (though the bikes are stationary) offer in every city on the "Eras" tour. Vegas is the first to offer it, as once more the city is an entertainment trendsetter.

The cost is $38. Bring workout attire, towel and water (though socks and water are sold at the business). Purple glow sticks, optional.

Cool Hang Alert

The inspired pairing of Joe Cocker and Tom Jones is center stage at Italian American Club Showroom on at 8 p.m. Friday (dinner from 6:30 p.m.-7 p.m.). Veteran Cocker impressionist Alan Kaye, and longtime "Legends" performer Steve McCoy returns with his great interpretation of Jones. Go to iacvegas.com for further illumination.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His "PodKats!" podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.