A first: Live music residency joins lineup in Cirque theater

If Franky Perez’s tour of Vegas venues continues in this vein, his next gig will be at Old Mormon Fort.

Don’t give him any ideas, really. The Las Vegas native and adventurous residency headliner is breaking ground once more. His band, the All Nighters, opens a weekly residency at 7 p.m. June 25 at Treasure Island Theater. Comic Jules Horowitz opens in this first-of-its-kind billing.

Since 1993, the TI’s primary venue has been the Mystère Theater for the ongoing Cirque du Soleil show, but it will be renamed when Perez & Co. run the room. “Mystère” will continue its usual, nearly sold-out schedule.

The first night is no cover, all ages. Tickets will then start at $25, including fees; go to treasureisland.com for intel.

Perez and the All Nighters represent the first live-music residency ever at the theater. Years ago, the hotel ran a headliner series, in which LeAnn Rimes appeared in a one-off in the fall of 2009. Otherwise, the resort showcased such star comics as Joel McHale, Whoopi Goldberg and Steven Wright prior to the COVID shutdown.

In a rarity, TI owner Phil Ruffin has issued a statement regarding his resort’s entertainment, saying he is “thrilled’ to welcome Perez and the band.

“This show captures the energy and excitement that define Las Vegas entertainment, while also being intentionally priced and designed to be accessible for locals and visitors alike,” Ruffin says. “It’s exactly the kind of programming we want to bring to our stage.”

Perez has issued a killer album, “Dámelo,” in his partnership with Virgin Music Group. He will pick from that album in the new show, while mixing rock, Latin rhythms, soul, theatrical numbers and sing-alongs. Everything in the toolbox, in other words.

The 50-year-old recording artist has been busy this year, with the album release, headlining the first music show ever at Midway at Circus Circus on April 17, appearing five nights later on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and running a 2 1/2-month residency at Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce that ended April 30.

The TI is Perez’s third production on the Strip this year. He’s realizing a dream he had as a kid.

“Growing up in Las Vegas, I remember looking up at the marquees on Las Vegas Boulevard and being inspired by the artists who helped define what entertainment in this city could be,” Perez says. “I dreamed that one day I might have the opportunity to be part of that tradition.”

The show is built as a contemporary incarnation of a classic Las Vegas production. Perez brings a powerhouse band and a dance troupe. The music drives the experience.

“This is a live music show first, but it has the scale, energy and visual excitement people expect from a great night out in Las Vegas,” Perez says. “We have an incredible band, dancers, showgirls and a production built to pull people into the experience from the moment the show begins. It celebrates the spirit of classic Las Vegas entertainment, but it feels fresh, current and alive.”

Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Perez has shared the stage with a host of rock superstars, among them Ringo Starr, Geezer Butler, Slash, Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and Billy Gibbons. But he says that this show carries a special meaning.

Perez has also rocked his share of Las Vegas venues, among them Chateau Nightclub at Paris Las Vegas; the late, great Count’s Vamp’d Bar & Grille on West Sahara; Copa Room at Tuscany Suites; Bare pool at The Mirage (with Velvet Revolver for Slash’s birthday party); Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort (where he continues a Friday night series), and — going back a few — Orleans Arena, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“I’ve been fortunate to perform in incredible places and alongside incredible artists, but this moment feels different,” he explains. “This is home. Las Vegas made me, and to bring this show to the Strip, in such an iconic venue, is something I’ll never take for granted. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and honored to share a stage connected to such an important part of Las Vegas entertainment.”

Stevens has been Idol’s guitar star and right-hand man for more than 40 years. He spoke of Perez during the American Music Awards’ red carpet at the MGM Grand on Memorial Day.

“He’s doing so great, I told him, ‘Franky, you are doing what you are meant to be doing,’” Stevens said. “He’s not trying to fit into some kind of formulaic rock thing. He’s keeping his identity.”

Cool Hang Alert

Keeping with the hotel that was once the sister property of the Mirage …

Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot, Duke Fame in “This is Spinal Tap” and Mitch Perry)plays Breeze Bar from 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Armando Flores takes the room on Thursdays at 7 p.m., with R&B/’80s duo Joe Esposito and Randy Hall of Cool Change on Friday and Saturday; Cynthia Minx and Doug Gemmell on June 19-20; and a pairing of lounge stalwarts with Art Vargas and special guest Mark O’Toole on June 26-27.

This is a fulfilling, live entertainment scene on the Strip with no cover and free parking. And as a bonus, Duke Fame, some Cool Change and a classic-Vegas lounge party. You can’t miss. Go to treasureisland.com for intel.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.