[GlazedMountain]

1. Are there a large amount of aspiring entertainers living there and also migrating?

2. Is the Las Vegas Valley region gay friendly?

3. Does Las Vegas have any cheap indoor venues that can be borrowed for live shows?

4. What type of sports and live entertainment appeal the most to the people and tourist of Las Vegas?

5. Is now a good time to start a company that specializes in live entertainment and then find frequent venues, or to try and buy or with the money I wish I had pay to get a venue for mostly my own businesses live entertainment built?

Please also share anything else that you want to about anything about the entertainment industry (especially live entertainment) in Las Vegas. I really appreciate some insight.

[logline]

1. Yes. Some are even on this board.
2. Yes. I've seen more men holding hands in public here than in L.A.... though it's still rare to see. The Libertarian vibe in Las Vegas usually has a "live and let live" attitude... usually.
3. Probably, but don't know specifically.
4. Answers vary widely according to one's own taste, of course, but I'm sure if you're into any specific activity, there's a group doing it here.
5. Don't know. Not my area of expertise.

[yellowsnow]

I can only talk about the music industry. There are many, MANY, professionals who can't find a gig to save their lives and are relying increasingly on the 'day job'. I'm talking about talented people who should be working in their field.

Why? Too many venues/shows are using tracks instead of live musicians. Next they are increasingly shooting themselves in the foot by performing for free or almost free. Musicians love to play and if times are bad enough they will play for free. There are numerous Open Mic nights around town and the host bands are getting a percentage of the bar or sometimes nothing at all.

There's always a lot of competition in music and here it is fierce! And if there aren't enough gigs to go round there are a lot of starving promoters too! There are lots of venues available as long as it doesn't cost them anything. Most of the promoters/agents I know have the 'day job' too.

Gay? No one cares. You will be loved by everyone as long as you have money.

[Raiderman]

I am pretty entrenched in the local music scene, but strictly live rock music. There are a handful of venues around who book live bands. Vamp'd (if you're well-known), LVCS, Backstreet Bar & Billiards, Tommyknockers, Hammers, and The Dive Bar come to mind. I also have friends who play Wicked Vickys, Carnaval Court, Gaudi Bar, Club Madrid, Drop Bar, etc in the casinos.

There are about 4 or 5 promoters who handle the rock scene here. I'm sure there are more, but I don't know them, and just about every band who plays out as their only means of income uses the 4 or 5 I know.

If you're not a rocker/metal guy, disregard the above

[ohhboy]

How much do these big 80s band get per gig? Say Pat Benatar...............$2,000?

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by ohhboy

How much do these big 80s band get per gig? Say Pat Benatar...............$2,000?

All depends on the band and the venue. I don't know exactly what Pat Benatar gets, but I would assume $8K-$10K based on what comparable acts get. It may be more.. She isn't in the "big 80s band" category, though.

[MSchu]

Originally Posted by ohhboy

How much do these big 80s band get per gig? Say Pat Benatar...............$2,000?

every professional performer in the world, including actors and ANY band/singer, have quotes.

that quote is the starting place to negotiate an appearance and performance.

FWI... you'd be surprised at how little you can get someone to come and sing songs at your Bar Mitzvah.

I'd love to see Randy Hansen appear here in the valley someday soon!

[sargentodiaz]

Having lived here for 30+ years and been through here in the '60s and '70s - the music scene in Vegas sucks!

We get some big-name oldies, but the reviews are glutted with Cirque shows or garbage.

The best shows come to town for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. The town is jam-packed and the shows are great.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

Having lived here for 30+ years and been through here in the '60s and '70s - the music scene in Vegas sucks!

We get some big-name oldies, but the reviews are glutted with Cirque shows or garbage.

The best shows come to town for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. The town is jam-packed and the shows are great.

It depends on the genre of music. For my genre, the scene is absolutely BOOMING, with more and more people escaping Hollywood and moving here.

[yellowsnow]

Most of the really good local musicians would be thrilled to get a 2K gig!