Las Vegas performers are finding innovative ways to remind tourists of their talents, keeping sharp for the day when showrooms are open again.
Until he returns to the Linq, magician Mat Franco promises to perform Wednesdays on his Facebook page. Tribute artist Pete Vallee has also taken his "Big Elvis" lounge act at Harrah's to Facebook.
Carrot Top (Luxor), Criss Angel (Planet Hollywood) and Jabbawockeez (MGM Grand) are among other longtime Las Vegas performers who have been posting frequently on Instagram since the Covid-19 crisis began.
Other online entertainment for those who miss Las Vegas:
Vegas at Home. Greenspun Media Group's Las Vegas Magazine created a YouTube series, "Vegas at Home," featuring Strip personalities performing from their homes. They range from less than a minute to 10 minutes long.
"Las Vegas is a unique, worldwide destination that thrives on both the world-class talent and the incredible locals and visitors that light up the town all year long," Las Vegas Magazine publisher Jamal Parker said. "We wanted to maintain the city's connection with its biggest supporters. With Vegas at Home, we hope to bring Las Vegas culture into the homes of thousands until we open our city's stage again."
Participating so far: Westgate magician Jen Kramer; Australian quartet Human Nature from the Venetian Las Vegas; ventriloquist Romeo Le Formidable and hand-balancing act X-Treme Brothers from "Extravaganza: The Vegas Spectacular" at Bally's; Ryan Worley of "Chippendales the Show" at the Rio; drag icon Frank Marino; and Vegas adult revue producer Jennifer Romas, creator of "Sexxy: The Show" at the Westgate Las Vegas, who offers an exercise-oriented video.
Chef Rick Moonen (RM Seafood and Rx Boiler Room at Mandalay Bay), a former contestant on "Top Chef Masters," assembles a paella with his wife, Roni, in his home kitchen. The installment is one of Las Vegas Magazine editor Ken Miller's favorites. "I love cooking videos in general, and he did a great job on his," Miller said.
Miller said the goal behind the series was to remind the magazine's out-of-town audience what they have to look forward to when they return. "We have been thrilled so far with the response to this series," Miller said. "It just continues to be a reminder that we really are all in this together and that Las Vegas will survive this and be stronger than ever. Our community should be proud."
Cirque du Soleil. The company launched a digital content hub, CirqueConnect, so fans can enjoy a front-row seat from their living rooms.
A 60-minute special of thrilling moments from "KuriosCabinet of Curiosities," "O" and "Luzia" features never-before-seen angles. Virtual reality experiences on the Cirque du Soleil VR app put viewers onstage.
Also featured: Tutorials in which audiences can exercise like a Cirque artist and learn makeup techniques from professionals. A variety of music videos and soundtracks encourage viewers to sing along or get up and dance.
Cirque family programming includes the animated Netflix series "Luna Petunia," set in the fantastical land of Amazia, and "Big Top Academy," an original live-action kids series with young acrobats who dream of becoming circus artists, available on Hulu.
"We at Cirque du Soleil have a role to play in providing high-quality entertainment to our fans that are staying in their homes as this crisis unfolds," said Sheila Morin, chief marketing officer of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. "Now more than ever, our fans need the distraction that spectacle brings, a break from the chaos. We want to do our part to spread joy, even from afar, directly to them."
All of Cirque's Las Vegas resident shows were suspended on March 15. (Reuters reported on March 26 that the company is exploring debt-restructuring options that include a potential bankruptcy filing.)
The Strip remains the home of "Mystere "(TI), "O" (Bellagio), "Zumanity" (New York-New York), "Ka" (MGM Grand), "The Beatles LOVE," (The Mirage),"Michael Jackson One"(Mandalay Bay) and "Blue Man Group" (Luxor).
Wednesday Spin. Park MGM and the On the Record speakeasy and club are bringing their Industry Night dance party into homes every week. The Wednesday Spin, beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Park MGM's Instagram account, features three hours of entertainment by a weekly rotation of turntable talents from Park MGM venues. Anyone can join in the party's conversation by using the hashtag #VegasFromHome.
"While we continue to maintain social distancing practices, we can still come together to enjoy the irresistible energy of Las Vegas nightlife every Wednesday," said Bryan Bass, MGM Resorts vice president of marketing events and nightlife. "We are excited by this new take on Las Vegas nightlife and the opportunity to bring it into people's homes."
The online action is not confined to performers. At least two museums and a resort have taken action to bring Las Vegas into homes:
Neon Museum. The museum features a free web-based app, YouTube channel, social media platform, blog and e-newsletter. Those who miss the museum in downtown Las Vegas can go to its app and type the password "Neon" for a series of short audios with information about the most famous restored signs. The museum's You Tube channel has features on "Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum" and "Strings of Neon," a documentary about the restoration of the Hard Rock Cafe guitar.
Mob Museum. History buffs can see the museum's interactive exhibits through the organization's mobile app, available for download on iOS and Android platforms. Exclusive new content, including virtual tours and educational outreach presentations for students, are available through the museum's social media platforms.
Wynn Las Vegas. At 2:30 p.m. Pacific time each weekday on Twitter, guests are invited "Inside Wynn," a series of streaming videos about the resort's art program. Pieces behind the resort's registration desk, paintings at SW Steakhouse and sculptures in the North Porte-Cochere and Baccarat Salon have been featured.