Sunday, February 13, 2011

Steve Darci and the Las Vegas Hilton

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Friday that Steve Darci, the magician who had a show at the Las Vegas Hilton, passed away Friday after a battle with colon cancer. His website, and the Las Vegas Hilton's website, do not mention anything about his death.

I send my sympathy to his family and fans. I respect and admire his optimism to the end and wish that he could have won his fight against the disease.

I don't know what the protocol is for things like this, and I don't know how long you have to wait to respond, but I wish the Hilton would release a statement or put something in their news ticker or somewhere on their site out of respect for Steve Darci. I know this is a tricky and difficult issue for the Hilton, especially considering that the hotel is in a competitive entertainment industry. They are supposed to only report happy news and promote fun and excitement, not death. Take into consideration that the unwritten rule that "no one dies in a casino." Death is never an easy topic for a hotel/casino.

However, I remember when Roy Horn was attacked by a white tiger during his famous show with Sigfried in October 2003. The giant marque at the Mirage displayed well-wishes and prayers for the entertainer for 6 months after the incident.

The Hilton is undergoing changes. For a while now, they have been trying to update their style from a mature Barry Manilow to a hip new upscale joint, catering more to a younger crowd. I wish them well - I've stayed there in the past and may visit them again soon. It's a good place for gambling and hanging out.

They could take a moment, however, to pause and reflect on the life of one of the performers that worked hard to entertain its guests.

Viva,
Mike

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