DAO – The Asian Celebration

I think it would be considered more of a kids show, so i would recommend it if you have kids. It was nice being on the front row and seeing everything up close. The performances were neat, and we enjoyed it.

I really hate reviewing any shows in this town badly, but this one just didn’t do it for me. In fact, my husband’s initial reaction to this show after we left the Riviera was «that was pretty lame.»
I suppose I expected something more awesome like Matsuri, but this was more martial arts with just a sprinkle of dancing and acrobatics. There was so much repetitive kicking and karate chopping nothing in particular that it was just so repetitive.
It’s not to say that these people aren’t talented, they just need to learn how to put on a nice, better paced show that leaves us going «wow, that was awesome.» I kind of felt similar to how I felt about Frank Caliendro, another talented person whose show is kind of crappy.
If this show sticks around for another year I’ll go see it again to see if there is some improvement.

The Riviera is as janky as a casino gets on the Strip. Fortunately this show wasn’t as bad as the casino downstairs. The performers were all talented and there was even a funny guy who did really idiotic things to throw in some humor.
The problem for me was the performances themselves, especially the girls who spin round mats on their feet and hands. It was so unexciting to watch. I was rooting for one of them to drop something to at least get a gasp from the audience.
The worst part was the blatant memorabilia pitch at the end. Those Asian kids really tried a hard sale. It was annoying and we practically had to push our way past them on the way out.

Interesting that this show opened on May 12 and no one had added it to Unilocal before now. Oh I know why. Because it’s at the Riviera — a casino that always seems like a ghost town.
My friend had free tickets through one of the many seat filler type sites that keep popping up left and right. So with the caveat that I saw it for free, I must say that I rather enjoyed it. I think something can be said for these small shows that have an intimate theater setting. Being so close to the stage and with such a small audience size, you just feel more connected to the performers.
Make no mistake. There is nothing new here. You’ve seen all of these types of acts somewhere before. But that doesn’t take away from their entertainment value. It’s only a small on-​stage cast of about nine people. By the end of the show, I really felt an appreciation for what they just put on display. At barely over one hour, I think it’s just the right length too.
Oh I have to mention this. I swear that one of the male performers reminds me of like an Asian David Bowie. I’m thinking it’s the makeup.