Celine Exceeds Expectations With 500th Show

As we reported earlier, it was touch and go there for a while as to whether or not Celine Dion would be able to make her 500th performance show on May 7, due to a medical condition. But show she did, and at the end of the night revealed that she exceeded her original estimate of $1 million to local charities by presenting a check to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman for $1,027,450.

“We do a special show every night, we go on every night, but tonight is more than going on stage, it’s more than doing a show. It’s about making a difference,” said the singer, explaining why there was no way she was going to let her illness keep her from performing that night.

Dion gave to the audience in attendance, as well, giving everyone a commemorative souvenier of the show. Three lucky audience members were also randomly selected in a drawing and awarded special grand prizes that included a Chrysler Crossfire Roadster Limited courtesy of DaimlerChrysler, a two-night VIP stay at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, including dinner with Celine Dion, and two round-trip first class tickets anywhere in the world courtesy of Air Canada.

Other special events of the evening included the unveiling of Dion’s Grevin waxworks figure in The Colosseum lobby, which marks the first time the Grevin Museum of Paris has allowed a statue to be displayed outside of France. Of course, they will have a companion statue on display at the museum, too. The Vegas figure is dressed in the outfit the singer wore when she performed “My Heart Will Go On” (from the movie Titanic) at the 1998 Oscars.

Dion also debuted a new song in the show, “All the Way,” a duet and tribute to Frank Sinatra that includes a larger-than-life appearance by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself on the LED stage backdrop. Fans may remember she used a similar tactic to incorporate the song in her tour a few years ago.

The singer is currently signed to appear at Caesars Palace through New Year’s Eve 2007.