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The Las Vegas Sphere, which has become a true Vegas landmark in its own right, has just announced its lineup all the way to December 31st, where it steps up and goes tech with Electronic Dance Music artist, Anyma. But the lineup also includes an extension of the Eagles' residency as well as other musical acts and celebrities like Barry Manilow and Kevin Hart, who are headlining shows at Westgate's International Theater and Resorts World, promising a fantastic year of shows in Sin City.

The Las Vegas Sphere, renowned for its cutting-edge technology, is set to host its first electronic dance music (otherwise referred to as EDM) performance on New Year's Eve. Anyma, also known as the Italian producer Matteo Milleri and one half of Tale of Us, the dance duo, will be the pioneering EDM artist to take the stage in this revolutionary venue.

The booking is a natural fit for the Sphere, which boasts unparalleled audiovisual technology, and for Las Vegas, a city that has become synonymous with the EDM scene. Thanks to events like the Electric Daisy Carnival along with a year-round lineup of club residencies, Vegas has cemented its reputation as the world's EDM capital.

Anyma made the announcement for his "The End of Genesys" show with a striking 3D video featuring a giant 3D robot jumping out of the LED screen of the Sphere. "I'm honored to be the first electronic artist to play the Sphere," he said. He also added that they are already months into the development of the NYE show and he can't wait to unveil the show to everyone who will watch.

The tickets for this landmark event will be available starting the 23rd of July at 9 am Pacific Time through Livenationentertainment.com, with a presale set for the 22nd of July.

Eagles extend residency with additional shows

In contrast to the high-tech spectacle planned for New Year's Eve, the Sphere continues to host more traditional acts. The Eagles, who initially announced eight shows, have expanded their residency to a total of 20 performances with the addition of four extra dates in January.

The updated schedule for The Eagles at the Sphere is as follows:

September 20-21, September 27-28, October 11-12, October 18-19, November 1-2, November 8-9, December 6-7, December 13-14, January 17-18, and January 24-25.

James Dolan, the owner of the Sphere, humorously remarked at an event last July 4 that the band is welcome to perform as many dates as they wish - until, that is, they fight and break up once again. Tickets for the new dates will go on sale at 9 am PT on Friday, the 26th of July, at Eagles.com.

Kevin Hart's star-studded Labor Day weekend

In the meantime, Kevin Hart is gearing up for a spectacular Labor Day Weekend with "Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Weekend" at Resorts World. The four-day extravaganza will feature comedy shows (of course), music performances, a celebrity poker tournament, and daytime and nighttime parties.

Hart will be joined by musical heavyweights Ludacris and Lil Wayne, who will both headline the afterparties at the Zouk Nightclub on August 31 and September 1. Tickets for these events are currently on sale.

Barry Manilow sets record and continues at Westgate

Last September, Barry Manilow surpassed Elvis Presley's record of 636 performances at the Westgate's International Theater, becoming the new king with over 636 shows under his belt. But Manilow shows no signs of slowing down, having booked himself for another full year of performances.

His new schedule will run from Thursdays to Saturdays from the 13th to 15th of February through the 11th to 13th of December, with a break in July. Tickets for Manilow's shows will go on sale on the 10th of July at 10 am PT through WestgateResorts.com.

It looks like it will be a busy year for Las Vegas with its diverse lineup of shows. But it's all too true: with its blend of high-tech marvels and classic acts, the Las Vegas Sphere continues to solidify its status as a premier destination for unique and unforgettable entertainment experiences.

Ranked as the top player in the 2024 draft class, the Cleveland Guardians wasted not time in adding a crucial piece to their already-competent roster in Travis Bazzana, who is known well for his impressive batting speed and underrated impact in the game, which says a lot about how the club is committed to building through its young core.

The Oregon State product marks as the first second baseman to be drafted with the 1st overall pick. Bazzana is definitely a perfect fit for the team considering how the Guardians need more firepower in batting and at the same time, a promising catcher who can cover a lot of ground when needed, which says a lot about how they are committed to making the most of their chances on the playoff stage now more than ever.

Bazzana is expected to play a huge role in the Guardians’ ploy for a championship. Cleveland remains a promising to look out for as the best team with the best record not just in the American League, but for the whole MLB this season save for the Philadelphia Phillies.

A Fresh Warrior off the Bat

Bazzana is known well for being a promising offensive player despite his small stature. As a junior, he has nailed a total of 28 home runs after just having a combined 17 swings in his first two seasons with the Beavers – just walking twice as often as he struck out in most of his games. Bazzana batted .407 (eighth in the nation) with a 1.479 OPS, 28 home runs, 66 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.

As the team’s all-time leader in hits with 251, Bazzana definitely boasts a promising upside in the game. Despite his injury, it may seem that he can still earn a promising role as a second baseman, which can definitely play a huge role in their pitching order. Of course, his low averages will limit him to that role, but there is a chance that his range may be convincing enough to actually make a strong case for the batting order as well.

Of course, Bazzana will have to make the most out of his run with the Guardians if they are going to make a strong push towards the playoffs, and it cannot be denied that there will be more to expect from their hopes of winning now more than ever. As a rookie, this is an opportunity that must be used well.

A Player Ready for Big Strides

Bazzana was selected well for his bat, which has seen his 2021 season in the West Coast League end up with numbers of .429 average, 1.064 OPS, 18 doubles, and 27 RBI – which led him to be named as MVP for the campaign that time. This makes him a good pick for the Guardians, and it cannot be denied that there will be more to expect from him as soon as he gets his hands on a bat in the current campaign.

The Guardians selected Bazzana with the top pick proved to be a confusing yet promising choice. The Oregon product was the club’s highest selection since they brought in Paul Shuey No. 2 overall in 1992 and is also the second player from Oregon to be selected with the first overall pick since the Baltimore Orioles selected Adley Rutschman in 2019. Now it is time for him to prove that he can answer the call for the team in the coming months.

Despite not being an All-Star nor being selected into any All-NBA teams, Derrick White is slated to make a promising headway in his basketball career as he will suit up for Team USA with the hopes of boosting their chances of winning – just as he helped the Boston Celtics improve their odds of securing the 2024 NBA title last season, and this seems to be the perfect chance for him to improve at the highest level.

A flexible player who can have a two-way role in the squad, White comes off as a promising addition to the team after Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard failed to commit to the team due to his health issues. This prompted Team USA to bring in a new player who can address their needs well as soon as the team made some scrimmages and found out what they need to improve on.

White becomes the third Celtics player to join the roster of Team USA, with Jayson Tatum headlining the squad along with Jrue Holiday, who the Celtics added into the squad in the previous offseason, which marked their huge upgrade towards the championship.

A Rare Chance at the International Stage

Clearly, White was not even a first choice for Team USA to begin with. The Celtics guard was slated to be taking his vacation in Cabo when he was called up by the team to play in the Olympics. In the 2023-24 season, White averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting a staggering 46.1% from the field, including 39.6% from deep, and his impressive role as a support player makes him a key addition to the squad.

White, so far, has been optimistic about their chances and what he can do for the team to improve in any department they need to work out on. So far, White will definitely be a huge addition to a squad that already has a handful of star players from all over the United States.

“I just want to go out there and do what I do, try to fill any holes we might have,” he said. “I’m obviously playing with Jrue (Holiday) and JT again. It will be a lot of fun. Just looking forward to getting out there.”

A Late Bloomer in Basketball

Not all players get the chance they need to rise to the big stage in their careers. For White, he can be seen as a late bloomer in the game as it took him a lot of years before he actually made some big strides in his career. Originally playing for the San Antonio Spurs, White learned a lot from former USA coach Gregg Popovich before he was traded to the Celtics two years ago.

No one ever realized it, but it was this previous season when White’s value became too much to lose for the Celtics as he played a huge role in weaving the Celtics’ championship campaign. And it cannot be denied that White will be seeing a familiar role with the current setup of Team USA.

From being a role player to being a starter with Boston, now White is definitely living the dream as one of the new Olympians that the United States is set to field in the coming Paris Olympics soon.

A nonprofit organization named after the well-known park on Manhattan's West Side, The High Line, has initiated the Protect the High Line campaign to oppose plans by Wynn Resorts and Related Companies to construct a casino hotel in that area of NYC. The nonprofit argues that the gaming company and the real estate developer are seeking to overturn a 2009 agreement with the city, which focused on developing more housing and protecting the Western Rail Yards. Under the agreement, Related Cos. had committed to providing between approximately 3,500 to 5,700 units for the Hudson Yards development.

The current casino hotel proposal from Related and Wynn includes the construction of three towers: two designated for commercial use and one for residential purposes, housing just over 1,500 units. One of these towers, spanning three million in square footage, would prominently feature the Wynn logo.

Related Companies and Wynn Resorts proposal

But to proceed with this new development plan, Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts are seeking approval from the City to modify the original 2009 zoning arrangement. They propose significant changes to the zoning regulations for the Western Rail Yards between West 30th and West 33rd Streets and 11th and 12th Avenues. In addition, the application has two likely scenarios - one with a casino and one without.

A statement from the High Line emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding Related's commitment to development should Wynn fail to secure one of the three casino permits expected to be awarded by New York regulators late next year. Many sites proposed for gaming venues in the New York City area lack appeal without a casino, rendering alternative plans as mere formalities to meet regulatory requirements, which may never be realized.

Concerns over development plans

The High Line group has expressed dissatisfaction with both of Related's scenarios. Even without the casino, the nonprofit fears that Related could deliver fewer housing units than originally promised while increasing the size of the skyscrapers, obstructing park views. On the other hand, should the casino be approved, it would be located at the property's north end as part of a wider $12 billion investment by Related. This gaming venue is projected to cover 2.7 million sq. feet, potentially making it larger than Wynn Las Vegas.

Despite these grand plans, the High Line remains unimpressed. The nonprofit does not oppose development per se but advocates for the Western Rail Yards to be developed in a manner that improves upon the 2009 agreement. The executive director of Friends of the High Line, Alan van Capelle, stated, "We have expressed our concerns directly to Related and feel it is critical to broaden the conversation to include all relevant stakeholders and our community so we can all move forward together with a better plan."

Broader opposition to downstate casinos

The opposition faced by Related and Wynn is not new and certainly not unique. Proposed casinos downstate, whether in Times Square, Nassau County, or Queens, are encountering varying degrees of resistance. Specifically, the High Line's formal opposition follows Manhattan Community Board 4's criticism of the companies' plans, particularly the significant reduction in residential units.

Numerous hurdles remain before the West Side project can proceed, each potentially requiring considerable time to address. The proposed rezoning, for one, must undergo the City's Uniform Land Use Review Process, which involves varying levels of review from the public and approval by the City Council. Additionally, the casino component necessitates the awarding of a casino license through a competitive process overseen by the SGC (State Gaming Commission).

As the debate continues, the High Line nonprofit remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that any development in the Western Rail Yards enhances, rather than diminishes, the community's quality of life.

All’s well that ends well, and Beyonce fans could still potentially see their idol in concert in Las Vegas – just not at the Sphere. Since November of 2023, Beyonce and James Dolan (the Sphere’s owner) have been in talks, but it looks like it's a no go due to Queen Bey's demands.

Negotiations between pop icon Beyoncé and the Las Vegas Sphere, the high-profile Las Vegas venue teased in a February Verizon commercial by Beyonce, have come to an unexpected halt. Despite initial enthusiasm, the discussions, which began in November of 2023, have ultimately fallen through due to irreconcilable differences and expectations.

Beyonce, who was seen astride a metallic, glittering horse on top of a structure resembling the Sphere in a Verizon Wireless commercial, had her representatives in talks with owner of the Sphere James Dolan. But the primary sticking point, as reported by the New York Post, was Beyonce's demand for exclusive use of the 20,000-seat event venue while she underwent two weeks of rehearsals, which would have severely impacted the Sphere's revenue from its regular movie showings.

The financial impact of a Beyonce residency

The financial stakes were high: in 2023, "Postcard from the Edge" by director Darren Aronofsky garnered a substantial $44.5 million from $100 ticket sales between September and November, outpacing the $30.7 million earned by U2's inaugural residency at the Sphere during the same timeframe.

Adding to the demands, Beyonce's team also requested a $10 million advance to cover the production costs for the sophisticated visual effects needed for the spherical stage. This figure matched the amount allocated to U2 for their performances. However, these demands proved too steep for Dolan and his team, leading to the breakdown of negotiations.

A concert elsewhere in Las Vegas?

Despite this setback, Beyonce's camp is not resting idle. According to the New York Post, the star is now in discussions with MGM Resorts for a potential deal that could see her performing 25 shows annually over the next four years. While the exact MGM venue has not been specified, the Dolby Live at Park MGM seems to be the most suitable option.

As of the moment, the Sphere is hosting performances by Dead & Company for the summer, with the Eagles set to begin their residency in the fall, while no music residencies are scheduled for 2025. However, two new films are in the works exclusively for the Sphere, indicating that the venue continues to diversify its offerings.

Prospects for the near future

The breakdown of the talks highlights the high stakes and complex logistics involved in securing top-tier entertainment for Las Vegas' premier venues. Beyonce's "Renaissance" tour, which concluded last September, set high expectations for her next series of performances. The pop superstar's shift towards country music with her album "Cowboy Carter" also adds a unique twist to her performance repertoire, potentially attracting a more diverse audience.

If an agreement is reached with MGM, Beyonce's residency could become a major draw, contributing significantly to the entertainment landscape in Las Vegas. The potential partnership could also enhance MGM's reputation for securing high-caliber performers, further marking its position as a leader in the Vegas entertainment industry.

The Sphere remains a much sought-after venue due to its state-of-the-art facilities and unique design. Its ability to generate substantial revenue through both concerts and movie showings highlights its versatility and appeal. The upcoming exclusive film productions for the Sphere strongly suggest that it will continue to be a major player in Las Vegas entertainment, even without the Beyonce's residency.

As the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas thrives on its ability to adapt and present fresh, captivating acts. Beyonce's ongoing negotiations with MGM Resorts exemplify the dynamic nature of the entertainment sector in Vegas, where high-profile deals can swiftly change, leading to new opportunities and partnerships.

Carlos Alcaraz has become a two-time champion in Wimbledon after pulled off a promising campaign in the grass major’s final by beating his rival Novak Djokovic in a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) game for the second straight year. Alcaraz has now nabbed his fourth major title, adding this current victory to his three (2022 US Open, 2023 Wimbledon, 2024 French Open) Grand Slam career wins.

The Spanish star rode off at an incredible pace after he just won the 2024 French Open, and he did not hold back in his promising game when he came up with a massive run that saw him gear up for a huge rally in the Tour. This just shows how Alcaraz continues to improve at a high level in his game after having a tough and slow start to the 2024 campaign.

Still, Alcaraz has a long way to go to secure the world no. 1 spot, which is currently held by Jannik Sinner. The Spanish star moves to the second spot after this victory, while Djokovic moves down to third after the loss in a match that was highly anticipated by a lot of tennis fans.

Staving off a Djokovic Rally

Alcaraz did not come up with an easy win in this campaign in Wimbledon. After winning the first two sets with ease in both a 6-2 affair, Alcaraz had to keep Djokovic at bay when the latter rallied in the third and final set to make it a 7-6 (4) battle. He had to produce some impressive winners across the whole showdown, but it was the aggressive approach on the serves and volleys that opened up promising opportunities for him to win the game. Alcaraz held onto the final tie-break that would wrap up a promising campaign in the grass courts of Wimbledon.

“It was difficult for me. I tried to stay calm, I tried to stay positive at that situation, going into the tie-break, and I tried to play my best tennis. That’s all I was thinking about. I’m really glad that at the end I could find the solution and I’m happy to be in this situation," said Alcaraz. "Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter and I knew he was going to have his chances again, so I had to stay there. I tried to win the point with the serve, but I couldn’t.”

Thanks to a set of powerful passing shots and 42 winners, Alcaraz foiled a comeback attempt from Djokovic that could’ve made the final even more interesting. The head-to-head series between the two top stars now improves to 3-3, which just says a lot about how composed Alcaraz was heading into this battle.

Chasing History

At the age of 21, Alcaraz became the second player in the Open Era to win his first four Grand Slam finals, with Roger Federer winning his first seven. This win also marks him as the sixth man to win both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year, joining an elite company composed of Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic.

"I think fighting, believing," Alcaraz said. "It is a huge honour for me to be part of those players who have achieved Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. They are huge champions. I don't consider myself as a champion yet, not like them, but I will keep going to build my path, my journey. It is a huge honour for me."

Alcaraz’s victory in London proved to be pivotal in the ATP Rankings as well, with the Spanish star now being behind 250 points from Jannik Sinner, which should set up a promising battle for the year-end world no. 1 ranking.

Growing up as a fan of the Edmonton Oilers has got to be a full-circle moment for Matthew Savoie as he now joins the Canadian team for the 2024-25 season after the Buffalo Sabres traded him in exchange for both Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio. Savoie now gets a chance to play for his favorite team in the next campaign – and possibly a chance at a Stanley Cup final appearance should the Oilers manage to return to the top of the game.

Edmonton seeks to bring in a promising center into the squad with the hopes of enriching their young roster, and Savoie definitely fits the bill as a promising player who has the potential to become an elite scorer if given the chance. At this point, a developing player may not be what they need given the fact that they are already contending for the Stanley Cup, but Edmonton took a gamble on this trade after sending two of their best forwards.

Teams don’t just trade without thinking about it in a day. This just means that Savoie may have a promising potential that fits well with the Oilers in the long run if they are willing to trade some of their best players just to acquire him for the next season.

Savoie’s Promising Development

The Sabres selected Savoie with the 9th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, but a shoulder injury during the team’s rookie camp led him to make a late debut with the squad, which was back in November 2023. That scoreless debut saw the need for him to be sent to Rochester of the American Hockey League, where he finished with five points (two goals, three assists) in six games before the center was sent to the Western Hockey League to play with Wenatchee, which relocated from Winnipeg for the 2023-24 season.

There he had his chances. Savoie finished with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) before being traded to Moose Jaw, where he came up with impressive performances and finishing with 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in 23 regular-season games and 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 19 playoff games, helping Moose Jaw win its first WHL championship and qualify for the 2024 Memorial Cup.

Looking Forward to the Next Stage

Those massive performances in the WHL allowed Savoie to regain some of his lost groove due to injury, and the Oilers kept a close eye on the center before finally making their move during the free agency phase of the league. Edmonton went on to make some interesting moves in the offseason as well, re-signing forwards Connor Brown, Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark and Adam Henrique and added free agents Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner to the group.

“It’s exciting,” Savoie said. “Watching the playoff run they went on and being around the city and the buzz, it’s exciting to come to this team right now. You look at the roster and the additions they made in the summer and they’re going for it at every point this year, so it’s exciting to come to this kind of group and hopefully I’ll get a good opportunity.”

Savoie was slated to be a massive part of Buffalo’s rebuild, but now he gets a bigger chance with the Oilers in the next season. Being a prolific scorer as he is, it does seem that he is in the right place, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to bank in a promising role – with a championship team that also happens to be his favorite one.

Paul Skenes is delivering a promising rookie season for the Pittsburgh Pirates as he continues to play at a high level for the team. Sure, the Pirates are not a playoff team right now, and that’s okay. But seeing Skenes develop bigger strides in his game actually makes a lot of sense as to how he can actually come up with a sure sweep of the National League for the Rookie of the Year Award now more than ever.

One dominant outing after another, Skenes is showing off right now with the way he is playing in the game. He’s not just living up to the hype set before him – he’s already way past it at this point in time. The no. 1 pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates has been quite the phenomenal player, and the top pitching prospect is looking like the star that was promised to save the Pirates from utter destruction.

While it may not live up to fruition today, fans can be sure that the 22-year-old will be the centerpiece for what seems to be the bigger future of the squad. At this point, one can say that Skenes is definitely developing his game, and there’s more to expect from him as he continues to make a massive climb in his game now more than ever.

A Prospect on the Rise

Paul Skenes is well-known for being a promising pitcher in college, and he has been quite the rising star for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rise to prominence isn't unexpected, given how high his potential upside was to begin with. Skenes has been praised for his impressive upside in the game, and it cannot be denied that we are seeing a promising pitcher emerge at the top of the league.

While the Pirates aren't a highly competitive team at this point, it is worth noting that they are not that far behind the .500 mark, a drastic improvement from their 76-86 record, which saw them finish with a .469 winning percentage in the previous season. That's how Skenes' impact is becoming a huge help for the team's hopes of improving into a contender soon enough.

Consistency Matters

Last week, the MLB midseason polls had him gunning for the first place for the NL Rookie of the Year award. He is now one of the best pitchers in the game, and he finished this previous week with a 2.06 ERA through nine MLB starts. He’s been batting at the 100mph mark on the radar gun with off-speed pitches, and his promising strikeouts proved to be quite formidable for a rookie. If you are not impressed, he just struck out eight New York Mets in seven innings of two-run ball – in his 10th major league start.

The unique “splinker” that he delivers is a sight to behold. His consistent triple-digit fastball proved to be quite a promising move that he continues to refine one game after another, which speaks volumes about the high potential that Skenes boasts as a rookie at this point, and it is even safe to say that the Pirates have won the draft with him making massive strides at the star level now more than ever, and no one can deny the fact that he deserves a lot of praise for his success in the game – which should be translated in favor of Pittsburgh soon enough.