Celine Dion - Are you watching me now?
February 24, 2016blog,Celine Dion,Celine (2011-19)
Celine Dion returned to the stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace just one month after husband Rene Angelil passed away. In what was set to be a highly emotional night, Celine invited fans from around the globe to watch a live stream of the opening of her show.
Like so many other fans in different parts of the world, I set my alarm for 3.15am UK time so that I could be there in spirit to support Celine's return to the stage. A group of fans named Les Red Heads suggested starting a Twitter trend with the hashtag #CelineReneLV which set social media buzzing.
As 7.30pm Las Vegas time arrived (3.30am GMT) I logged on to Celine's website to watch a live stream directly from The Colosseum.
I did rehearse this song in my closet and it went way better than that.
Through my life I only had eyes for my husband who sat out here night after night. People thought that I was looking at him actually, but I didn’t need to, because every time I closed my eyes I felt Rene on stage with me. Whether he was seated in his seat right there, on the balcony, backstage or at home with the kids. He’s always been on stage with me and nothing will ever change that.
You know Rene always surround me with the very best people possible, I trusted him so much, that I never really had the change to worry about anything. No I guess it is only a natural impulse to constantly question myself. Would he let the kids play with these toys? And, is this song too fast? Is this song too slow? Don’t talk too much? It is pretty amazing that since he’s not physically no longer with me, he is even more present.
Rene was my very best critic. He never told me what I wanted to hear, he told me what I needed to hear. You know, night after night on our way back home from the show, when he was so silent, I could sense that he was trying to know how to approach me without hurting my artistic feelings. But there were things that he had to tell me for my own growth.
Rene is the only man that I have known all my life. He always made me feel that we were on our first date, isn’t that amazing? Yeah. Never talking bluntly, and always impressing himself in a soft and gentle way. We were one and nothing has changed. We will always be one.
You know, I might not hear his voice yet, but I talk to him, I think of him all the time. I feel and I know he hears me. One way or another I know he will give me a sign for his approval or not. And now, I can feel that he’s telling me to zip it and start singing.
Thank you so much, thank you so very much for being here tonight.
After the show, many people had shared Celine's performance of "All My Myself", she was unable to sing the last part of the song. The meaning and lyrics of this song all too poignant.
Sending cosmic hugs and lots of love,
CLV xx
Céline returns to the stage in 7 days
February 16, 2016blog,Celine Dion,Celine (2011-19)
Céline returns to the stage in 7 days in what is set to be an emotional evening. She will perform for the first time since the devastating loss of her beloved husband, René Angélil, just over one month ago.
Céline is a very strong women, those that watched René's state funeral would undoubtedly agree with me. That said, my thoughts will be with Céline on the night of February 23rd as she returns to The Colosseum for a run of shows until March 12th.
Imminent show dates are unsurprisingly sold out. There are still a number of re-sale tickets available from ticket brokers, please click here to buy tickets.
If you aren't able to see the show, you can watch René's “Celebration of Life” online at any time. Share your experience and thoughts on social media with hash-tag #CelineLasVegas.
Love and light,
CLV x
MGM Resorts start charging for parking
Big changes are coming to Las Vegas. If MGM resorts start charging for parking, you can bet your bottom dollar that the other casinos follow suit. News reports say that the charge will be $10 or less for overnight self-parking. This will be at Mandalay Bay, Delano, Luxor, Excalibur, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Vdara, Aria, Bellagio, The Mirage and MGM Grand.
Parking fees will generate millions in revenue for the casinos, which no longer seem to make their money through gaming as they did in the past. This will hit the locals the hardest, tourists mainly taxis to get around the city. Locals are angry with these changes and many say that they simply won't park at or go to those casinos any more.
Las Vegas Sun reader Alex hit the nail on the head with his comments "Why don't these silly hotels just put everything in their nightly Hotel rate and let it be done? Why tack on hidden fees afterwards just so you can say oh look I have low hotel rates!, and then tack on $30 for the resort fee and $10 for parking bringing in the price up to exorbitant..."
I know I'll think twice about renting a car next time I visit... Are the resorts just being greedy? What's next? Charging for cocktails? What are your thoughts? Join in the conversation here or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram #CelineLasVegas
UPDATED 8th May 2016:
MGM haven't yet rolled out parking fees across all resorts. Currently they only charge at NYNY and Monte Carlo on event days at T-Mobile Arena.
René Angélil has died, aged 73
January 15, 2016blog,Celine Dion,Celine (2011-19)
Yesterday Celine Dion's fan club announced that her husband René Angélil has died, aged 73 "at her residence in Las Vegas after a long and courageous fight against cancer". Although his death was expected, the news still came as a shock. Immediately fans and friends around the world were sending heartfelt messages of condolences to Celine and her family.
My personal Facebook timeline was flooded with René's image and friends recalling stories about moments they had together. They describe René as a caring and loving man, and remember him most affectionately for the fairytale love story that he and Celine shared. I did have the honor to meet him very briefly over 9 years ago, it was just a handshake but I remember the warmth and sincerity in his eyes.
Yesterday Caesars Palace made a fitting tribute to René's life, they displayed his image with the words "We will miss you friend. From your Caesars Palace family", on the screen directly below Celine's show billboard, by the Colosseum where she performs. Please note that Celine's current run of shows have understandably been cancelled.
If you want to read more about René, I recommend an article by Las Vegas reporter Robin Leach. Robin has met René on a number of occasions and has done job of writing about his life, for René's is certainly a life worth celebrating and being thankful for. My deepest sympathy goes out to Celine and her 3 boys. May René Angélil's spirit rest in peace.
Photo credit Las Vegas New Bureau and People Magazine.
Top 3 Sci-Fi Movies filmed in Las Vegas
You'll never have guessed what movie is number 1 on the Top 3 Sci-Fi Movies filmed in Las Vegas list! The city of Las Vegas and it's surrounding areas feature in sci-fi movies more often than you think. Take a look around the Valley of Fire, Death Valley or the Grand Canyon, some of the scenery is so barren and unlike any other place on earth. A bit of CGI magic and hey presto, you have all the ingredients for the latest block buster.
3 - 2012 (2009)
A disaster movie not that dissimilar to "The Day After Tomorrow". This is far from being a brilliant movie, but still it can't be ignored because of amazing special effects. Las Vegas only features at the beginning of the movie, but it's worth a look just to see the city completely annihilated. (God forbid!)
Starring: John Cusack, Thandie Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Running time: 158 min
Rating: 12A / PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
2 - Back to the Future Part II (1989)
The sequel to the best time travel movie of all time. This film doesn't have the most obvious link to Las Vegas, but if you pay close attention to when Marty returns to the alternate version of 1985 you will notice that Biff's casino bears a striking similarity to downtown's The Plaza.
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson
Running time: 108 min
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
1. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Really? Yes, there is a Vegas connection! Remember when C3PO and R2D2 have an unfortunate encounter with the Jawas? And a little further on when they search for Obi-Wan Kenobi? These eerie landscape featured in these scenes were shot at the magnificent Death Valley. What you saw in the movie still remains exactly the same as it was to this day. And, it's only a 2 and half hour drive away from Las Vegas!
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Running time: 121 min
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy