Bette Midler takes up residency in Vegas

Bette Midler is packing her bags and moving to Sin City. Starting in February 2008, the Divine Miss M. will replace Celine Dion as the resident performer at Las Vegas' Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

"Get ready Vegas 'cause here I come!" Midler said in a statement. "Caesars Palace will never be the same and to all those critics who have accused me of being 'tacky,' 'too much' and 'over the top,' I say, you ain't seen nuthin' yet!"

Midler has signed on to perform approximately 100 concerts a year at the 4,100-seat Colosseum as part of a minimum two-year deal. Her show, which is scheduled to premiere Feb. 20, 2008, will be presented five nights a week. Tickets are already on sale for the first couple of weeks, with prices ranging from $95 to $250.

The 90-minute show will be "the biggest, most imaginative production Bette Midler has ever done," according to the singer/movie star's website. It will come with "plenty of girls, gags and guffaws, [Midler's] incomparable humor, the best song catalog in American music and her fabulous 'Kiss My Brass' section."

The $95 million Colosseum at Caesars Palace was built in 2003 for Dion's "A New Day" spectacular. The singer has virtually sold out 160 shows per year at the Vegas venue over what will be a nearly five-year run, according to the Associated Press news service.

With Midler's 100 shows and Elton John continuing to put in 50 performances a year at the Colosseum, there will be room for a third performer, according to John Meglen, president of promotions firm Concerts West.

"We will probably have one additional artist, which we'll announce later," Meglen told the AP. He reportedly would not comment on speculation that Cher would be the third performer.

Meglen said the Colosseum will go dark between Dion's grand finale Dec. 15 and Midler's first show.

Over her 40-year career, The Divine Miss M.--known for her bawdy humor, revealing costumes and distinctive voice--has earned four Grammys, four Golden Globes, three Emmys and a Tony. Her most recent album releases include 2005's "Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook" and 2003's "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook."

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
February 2008
20, 22-24, 26, 27, 29 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

March 2008
1, 2, 4, 5, 7-9 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

 tour dates and tickets
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