Superfans facing life after Celine
Celine Dion‘s superfans showed up en masse Saturday for her Las Vegas farewell at Caesars Palace.
Among the many faithful making the pilgrimage for Dion’s 717th performance of “A New Day” were Ramona Almirez of San Jose, Calif., who has attended more than 100 performances of “A New Day” in the $225 seats, and a lady who told Celine’s camp that she sold her car to make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas.
Grammy winning composer/producer David Foster, one of the final-show attendees, said Dion helped bring entertainment back in Las Vegas.
“The city had gotten so lackluster for a while. She brought a vibrancy. I think you have to compare her impact to Steve Wynn‘s.”
A light celebrity turnout included Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte; Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey assistant; and illusionist Criss Angel. Oprah had planned to attend, but she reportedly was under the weather.
Dion’s run of 717 shows over four years and nine months ranks among the most successful in Las Vegas history. Elvis Presley is still the king with 837 shows from July 1969 to Dec. 12, 1976.
Dion flew in more than 100 family members and friends from Canada, including her entire Montreal office, to see the finale.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes attended Friday’s performance.
SANTA’S HELPERS
We’ve heard of turkeys and George Foreman grills being handed out as holiday bonuses by the local major hotel-casino properties, but Steve Wynn has apparently one-upped ’em all.
Playing Santa Claus to the hilt, Wynn passed out more than $5 million in Christmas bonuses, or $1,000 after taxes to about 4,200 employees at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday.
“We had a great year, and all the accolades that came in were due to their efforts,” said Elaine Wynn, director of Wynn Resorts.
The bonuses went to “the backbone of our company,” she said, “the people who primarily work behind the scenes, the people who need, people who don’t get the tips or commissions. Single moms and people who struggle to send money home to family members.
“It’s the best $5 million we ever spent,” she added.
A reserve fund for the bonus money was set up in August, a Wynn rep said.
Accompanying the bonus checks was a note that said, “P.S., Santa Claus said to tell you he’s taking care of the taxes.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Wayne Newton‘s ceremonial star on the Walk of Stars is still intact in front of the New Frontier site. It survived the recent implosion and will remain there until the Elad Group, which is building a replica of New York’s Plaza hotel, determines whether to keep it there. If the decision is to have it relocated, it could end up in front of one of Donald Trump‘s towers. Jack Wishna, who brokered the deal that brought Trump and former New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin together, said he would talk to Trump and Ruffin about such a move.
SIGHTINGS
Cruise and Holmes, back at SW Steakhouse (Wynn) for a second week in a row on Friday for their favorite, kobe beef and stone crabs, before heading for Celine’s show with friends.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Lisa Marie married who?” — From David Letterman‘s Top Ten Things Elvis Would Say If He Came Back Today
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
NORM CLARKEMORE COLUMNS
