Las Vegas Economy in Tatters

[Richard Kaufman]

In Newsweek:

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/03/13/rich ... vegas.html

This bit about Criss Angel (he's the only magician mentioned):

The illusionist Criss Angel says he knew the recession was bad when he saw hotel guests bringing their own six-packs from the gas station down the street. Late last year, Angel launched a powerfully rebuilt show at the pyramid-shaped Luxor (his prior act debuted to poisonous reviews in 2008) and is on track to pump an estimated $150 million a year into the local economy (thanks to four times as many shows as Celine and Barry). Im the face of the Luxor, says Angel, who spends a fair amount of his time between shows in the Black Roomhis custom-built backstage lounge replete with leather-covered walls and a 26-head marble shower that could accommodate most of Cirque du Soleil.

[Brian Morton]

Well, there's nothing like publicizing leather-covered walls and a 26-head shower in hard times to garner empathy from an audience in hard time.

brian :whistle:

[Richard Hatch]

This article on the Sahara Hotel and Casino closing in May features an old photo of the Marquee featuring Steve Wyrick:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/5141 ... o.html.csp
Any update on his status?

[Jim Riser]

Twice a year we go to a large trade show spread over the Sands and Las Vegas Convention centers. Attendance was way down last August and even moreso for the show a couple weeks ago.

While in Vegas I do other various business related actives around the city. Vegas is a virtual ghost town compared to what it was a few years ago.

Similar attendance problems have been seen in Atlantic City. The economy is a large part of the cause but probably matched by the affect of Indian casinos all over the country. Gamblers now stay local rather than having to travel to Vegas or AC for their fix. None of this bodes well for the large magic shows.
Jim

[Jim Riser]

Steve Wyrick was not the only magic show featured at the Sahara in recent years. See:

http://www.jamesriser.com/Magic/SaharaS ... raWGMS.jpg

I took this picture from the Sahara parking garage in Nov. 2003. Many of you may have seen this show.

I think Rick Thomas may still be there right now. I always enjoy Rick Thomas's show.
Jim

[erdnasephile]

10-4 that, Brian.

I remember during previous recessions, Vegas was always sort of touted as "recession proof".

Nowadays, even a city that has always traded on excess is having to cut back.

I feel bad for the magicians there (except for one apparently).

[John Signa]

In recent years, the Sahara also had The Amazing Johnathan and Wohscigam.

[jason156]

Because of the economy I have decided to boycott Las Vegas completely.

[John Signa]

Boycotting Vegas because of the economy? LV is more of a victim of the economy than a cause, so dont get what you're protesting.
Now if you meant that you are simply avoiding/abstaining to save money, right now LV can be one of the more affordable destination, provided you don't gamble.

[Don Hendrix]

I was in Las Vegas for the WMS recently, and I would not call it "one of the most affordable destinations". I found everything from food to shows to transportation to be very expensive. In Los Angeles, I can ride public transportation all day and night for $1.80. The Las Vegas monorail is $5.00 every time you get on it. Reasonably inexpensive food can be found, but the quality is pretty bad. Except for the wonderful Mac King show, it is difficult to find a good show for less than $100. If the economy is hurting Las Vegas, it does not seem, at least to me, to be resulting in a lot of real bargains. LV was a lot more fun before corporations took over from its previous owners.

[Steve Bryant]

Bargains were there if you looked for them. I watched basketball (high school championships) all day at the Orleans arena for free, found the Orleans senior rate for movies at $6.75 to be better than I can find in Indiana, and had a rental car for a week for $160 including taxes and fees. Some of the younger WMS attendees figured out that drinks at the Orleans were only $1 if you bought them upstairs at the bowling alley. Magicwise, the best deal in town is the Paul Vigil show at the Mirage: a first-rate show by any standard, and free.

Of course, you can also spend money if you wish. I walked by a lounge at the Aria, where appetizers were about $21 and drinks, such as "carrot cake" (booze with brown sugar among its ingredients), ran from $18-$25.

[Don Hendrix]

An eight mile taxi ride cost me $60 round trip. Renting a car would have been less expensive.

[jason156]

I agree the word "boycott" was a poor choice. I should have said I am not attending any magic conventions and avoiding air travel completely.

[Jeff Eline]

Hard times in Vegas and Atlantic City might also be attributed to the fact that gambling is accessible to almost anyone in any state or nearby state.