gorgim: Bette Midler

George and I saw Bette Midler’s show “The Showgirl Must Go On” last Saturday evening at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum.

Oh...My...God!

It was one of most incredible performances we’ve seen anywhere. Bette Midler is such an astounding and professional performer on stage. She’s a hilarious comedian. And an amazing singer, an actress and a dancer. All in one. She’s like this bundle of energy, waiting to burst out and filling up the showroom with electricity and ecstasy. She jumps, runs and dances from one end of the huge stage to the other with such vim and vigor that she gives those young so-called “Superstars” of today a run for their money. Even in a wheelchair.

Compared to Bette Midler, even Cher looks almost ridiculous with her over-the-top extravagant show, which is also being held on this very stage. The enormous stage, which was originally built for Celine Dion’s previous show “A New Day,” is being shared by Cher, Elton John’s soon to be closed “The Red Piano,” and Bette Midler and all three are rotating their schedule throughout the year.

And yet, it’s Bette Midler who keeps it real. Even with a surprising large number of very gifted show girls, called the Caesar Salad Girls, and an amazing live band, she’s delivering a perfect show. She never misses an opportunity to make fun of herself, pop culture or current affairs. It’s the right mix of a musical spectacle and comic relief. The kind of show one would expect to find only in Las Vegas. She is after all the “People’s Diva!”

George, who usually is very critical when it comes to performances of any kind and not necessarily the biggest Bette Midler fan, was even blown away. He said he has a newfound admiration and respect for the “Diva for the People.”

If there are two shows one must see when in Las Vegas, make it Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at the Bellagio and this one...Bette Midler’s “The Showgirl Must Go On.” The tickets for both shows are expensive but well worth the price. These two shows are definitely not to be missed.

Before the show George and I had an early dinner at the original Grand Lux Cafe inside the Venetian. He had an excellent Salisbury Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and caramelized vegetables. I had an amazingly prepared Pasta del Sol with chicken and the finest vegetables in a creamy white wine sauce. And their freshly baked loafs of bread are to die for.

Afterwards we walked through the Grand Canal Shoppes inside the Venetian Hotel & Casino and the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. We were checking out the latest fashion at Barney’s New York and various boutiques and trying out some of the newest electronic gadgets at the Sony Style Store. And we did a lot of people watching. Las Vegas is perfect for that. Believe me, you can see quite some characters walking up and down the famed “Strip.”

Then it was time for Bette...and with that we experienced another wonderful weekend in the city of illusions. Below are random photos I took when we were on the Las Vegas “Strip,” before and after the Bette Midler show.