Sirens of TI

{{Short description|Stage show in Las Vegas (2003–2013)}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2007}} {{italic title}} {{ Infobox stage production | image = 250px | alt = An audience watches balls of flame appear above an empty stage decorated as a pirate ship. | caption = Pyrotechnics at a 2012 Sirens of TI show | type = Casino show | location = Treasure Island Hotel and Casino | premiere = {{start date|2003|10|26}} | finalshow = {{end date|2013|10|19}} | creatortitle1 = Director | creatorname1 = Kenny Ortega | creatortitle2 = Score | creatorname2 = Emilio Estefan | creatortitle3 = Choreography | creatorname3 = Travis Payne | creatortitle4 = Notable performers | creatorname4 = Amanda Avila, Tiffany Coyne, AnnaLynne McCord | otherlabel1 = Address | otherdata1 = 3300 South Las Vegas Boulevard | otherlabel2 = Cost | otherdata2 = Free }}

'''''The Sirens of TI''''' was a free nightly show provided by the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The show entailed a group of sensual and tempting sirens engaging with a band of renegade pirates led by the infamous Blackbeard. The show closed in 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/jun/15/avengers-station-superhero-train-treasure-island/?history/| title=Want to be a superhero? Now you can 'train' to be one at Treasure Island| date=15 June 2016| newspaper=Las Vegas Sun}}</ref>

== Story == The show opens with Siren leader "Sin" Cinnamon narrating a warning about their power over the sea. Soon afterwards, the adventuring pirate Eros boards the Siren ship ''The Song'', after which he is discovered and overwhelmed by its crew. Eros is bound to the mast and demands his release, threatening the Sirens with the wrath of Captain Mack.

Mack and the pirate crew from ''The Bull'' sail into Sirens' Cove to rescue Eros. The Sirens exchange greetings with the "salty crew" of ''The Bull'' and Eros asks his crewmates to leave, as he is happy with his new arrangement. The pirates first fire a warning shot across the bow of ''The Song'', and then fire on the warehouse behind the Sirens' ship, which holds their closet. In retaliation, the Sirens use their power over the ocean to summon a storm to engulf ''The Bull'' and sink it to the bottom of the sea.

As ''The Bull'' sinks, Captain Mack orders his crew to abandon ship and vows vengeance. The Sirens force Eros to walk the plank, but he and the rest of the pirates soon climb aboard ''The Song'', where a second battle ensues. As the pirates finally realize they're no match for the Sirens, they decide to surrender and the deck of ''The Song'' turns into a 21st-century party.

== History == thumb|left|Aerial view from The Venetian, July 2011. ''The Song'' (Sirens' ship) is on the left and ''The Bull'' (pirate ship) is on the right, separated by a plank pier/walkway In October 2003, ''The Sirens of TI'' replaced ''The Battle of Buccaneer Bay'', which was geared towards a younger audience<ref>"Sirens of TI: 5 years of pirates and pyrotechnics," 24/7 Magazine (Las Vegas), October 2008, p. 34.</ref> and had been playing 16,334 shows<ref name=Sun-03 /> since Treasure Island opened on October 27, 1993.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/treasure-island-closes-strip-side-sirens-of-ti-show/ |title=Treasure Island closes Strip-side 'Sirens of TI' show |author=Clarke, Norm |date=22 November 2013 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> Director and choreographer Kenny Ortega created ''The Sirens of TI'' show,<ref name=5th-PR>{{cite press release |url=https://www.marketwired.com/press-release/sexy-sirens-ti-celebrate-five-years-swashbuckling-sin-seduction-las-vegas-913076.htm |title=Sexy Sirens of TI Celebrate Five Years of Swashbuckling, Sin and Seduction in Las Vegas |date=23 October 2008 |publisher=Marketwire |location=Las Vegas, Nevada |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> inspired by Homer's ''Odyssey''.<ref name=Leach-08 /> Songwriter Emilio Estefan prepared the score<ref name=Prosser-08 /> and Travis Payne handled show choreography.<ref name=5th-PR />

The show commemorated its fifth anniversary on October 21, 2008, when the street leading into the hotel/casino property was renamed from "Buccaneer Boulevard" to "Sirens Cove Boulevard."<ref name=Leach-08 /><ref>"Treasure Island Unveils New Street Sign," ''Las Vegas Tribune'', October 29, 2008, page D-1.</ref> At that time, the show was presented four times daily, at 7, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 p.m. Beginning November 3, 2008, the show was presented at 5:30, 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m. daily.<ref>"LasVegas2Go" magazine, October 26, 2008, p. 18.</ref>

thumb|right|Siren Cove is drained but the boats remain in June 2014 On October 20, 2013, the show was halted for what was intended to be a temporary closure until December 26, for the construction of retail space nearby. However, in late November 2013, Treasure Island announced that the closure was permanent, and that some of the space would be used for new shops,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2013/nov/25/sirens-ti-pirate-show/ |title=Treasure Island pirate show canceled; shops in works |author=Rindels, Michelle |agency=Associated Press |date=25 November 2013 |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/24064856/sirens-sunk-vegas-strip-show-permanently-cancelled |title='Sirens' sunk: Vegas Strip show permanently canceled |agency=AP |date=25 November 2013 |work=Fox5 Las Vegas |publisher=KVVU |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="sirensclosed">{{cite web | url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/norm-clarke/sirens-cast-stunned-upset-shows-closure | title='Sirens' cast stunned, upset by show's closure | publisher=Las Vegas Review Journal | date=November 24, 2013 | access-date=December 24, 2013 | author=Clarke, Norm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125214005/http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/norm-clarke/sirens-cast-stunned-upset-shows-closure |archive-date=25 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> surprising several cast members. The new shopping mall reduced the size of Sirens Cove by approximately one-third, and while the ships still exist, the ''Bull'' no longer moves (''The Song'' never moved). The cove now features several water fountains, and no show replaced the ''Sirens of TI''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vitalvegas.com/sirens-cove-back-ti-sans-sirens-new-industrial-park-flair/ |title=Siren's Cove is Back at TI, Sans Sirens, But With Some New Industrial Park Flair |author=Roeben, Scott |date=16 September 2014 |website=Vital Vegas [blog] |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref>

===Statistics=== The show featured a cast of 16 sirens and 14 pirates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/dancers-answer-siren-song/ |title=Dancers answer 'Siren' song |author=Padgett, Sonya |date=22 September 2013 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> When it started, the cast consisted of 13 sirens and 11 pirates.<ref name=Sun-03 /> It was estimated to cost $5 million per year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/treasure-island-to-house-attractions-based-on-the-avengers-transformers/ |title=Treasure Island to house attractions based on the Avengers, Transformers |author=Stutz, Howard |date=17 November 2015 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref>

More than 80 individual pieces of pyrotechnics were shot per show. Flame effects consumed {{convert|7|gal|L}} of liquid propane per show. The sound system had more than 40,000 watts of power. The lagoon contained approximately {{convert|1500000|gal|L}} of reverse-osmosis filtered and reclaimed water, which was {{convert|10|ft}} deep at many points, extending to depths of {{convert|25|and|45|ft}} at two pits.<ref name=Prosser-08>Jennifer Prosser, "Siren Songs: The Sexy Female Pirates Celebrate Five Years of Working Their Wiles at Treasure Island," 'Where Las Vegas Magazine,' October 2008, pp. 88-89.</ref><ref name=Leach-08>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2008/oct/24/emsirensem-blare-pirate-shows-fifth-anniversary/ |title=''Sirens'' blare for pirate show's fifth anniversary |author=Leach, Robin |author-link=Robin Leach |date=24 October 2008 |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> By 2011, over the course of 7,440 shows, 630,000 pieces of pyrotechnics had been detonated, {{convert|52000|gal|L}} of propane had been fired, and ''The Bull'' had traveled {{convert|480|mi}} (''The Song'' never moved).<ref name=LVRJ-11 />

thumb|left|Sirens flank their leader, "Sin" (Jan 2009) The original runtime for the show was 28 minutes. Dialogue and choreography tweaks shortened it to 18 minutes<ref name=LVW-08>{{cite web |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/nocturnal-admissions/2008/oct/24/five-years-watery-war-sirens-ti/ |title=Five years of watery war for Sirens of TI |author=Feldberg, Sarah |date=24 October 2008 |website=Nocturnal Admissions [blog] |publisher=Las Vegas Weekly |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> by 2005 to better match the patience of the standing crowd.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/nov/13/entertainment/ca-vegas13/2 |title=Geeks flee, but Vegas may get the last laugh |author=Abowitz, Richard |date=13 November 2005 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=5 July 2018}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The attendance for the premiere showing at 6 p.m. on October 26, 2003, was estimated at 5,000, double the standing capacity of 2,500; during the premiere, the crowd spilled from the sidewalk onto Las Vegas Boulevard, forcing the closure of several lanes.<ref name=Sun-03>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/oct/27/adult-themed-sirens-of-ti-takes-a-stand-on-the-str/ |title=Adult-themed 'Sirens of TI' takes a stand on the Strip |author=Fink, Jerry |date=27 October 2013 |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> It had been viewed by more than 10 million over 4,749 performances by 2008,<ref name=LVW-08 /> and nearly 17 million over 7,440 performances by 2011.<ref name=LVRJ-11>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/sirens-of-ti-cast-enjoys-camaraderie/ |title='Sirens of TI' cast enjoys camaraderie |author=Padgett, Sonya |date=16 April 2011 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref>

==Reception== Soon after its premiere, Martin Stein wrote "Sirens is foundering and taking on water" in his review for the ''Las Vegas Weekly'', adding "the choreography is boring [and] all the action is far too small for a show in which the audience will often be across six lanes of traffic."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2003/oct/30/feedback/ |title=The Sirens of TI (1 star)—6, 8, 10 P.M., nightly |author=Stein, Martin |date=30 October 2003 |newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> Readers of the ''Las Vegas Review-Journal'' voted it the worst local attraction in 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/the-5-worst-attractions-in-las-vegas-history/ |title=The 5 worst attractions in Las Vegas history |author=Grimes, Stephanie |date=5 September 2014 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' advised readers to avoid the show, calling it "dumb and a major pain to watch."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-lasvegas20mar20-story.html |title=Some of it should stay in Vegas |author=Friess, Steve |date=20 March 2005 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> Despite the negative feedback, the ''Las Vegas Weekly'' later collectively named "Sirens" and its pirate show predecessor "Buccaneer Cove" the 8th-greatest attraction in Las Vegas history in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2017/nov/09/the-20-greatest-attractions-in-las-vegas-history/ |title=The 20 greatest attractions in Las Vegas history |author= |date=9 November 2017 |newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> It was also named a "must-see" by Michelin.<ref name=Michelin>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZbOXBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT102 |title=Michelin Must Sees: Las Vegas |date=2011 |isbn=9782067182769 |publisher=Michelin Travel & Lifestyle |accessdate=5 July 2018 |page=102}}</ref>

==Notable performers== *Amanda Avila, ''American Idol'' contestant (season 4)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/2009/mar/13/strip-scribbles-paris-hilton-switches-hotels-last-/ |title=Strip scribbles: Paris Hilton switches hotels last-minute for ''My New BFF'' |author=Leach, Robin |author-link=Robin Leach |date=13 March 2009 |newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref> *Tiffany Coyne, model<ref name=Wright>{{cite web | url =http://www.hersutah.com/story/tiffany-coyne-real-deal | title =Tiffany Coyne the real deal |last=Wright |first=Becky | website =Hers | publisher =Standard-Examiner | location =Utah | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120114152537/http://www.hersutah.com/story/tiffany-coyne-real-deal | archive-date =2012-01-14 | url-status =dead | access-date =16 October 2013 }}</ref> *AnnaLynne McCord, actress<ref name=5th-PR /><ref>{{Citation|last=RawVegasDotTV|title=Annalynne McCord Hosts The Sirens 5 Year Anniversary Party at TI - Raw Red Carpet|date=2008-11-21|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0357h_jh5s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/R0357h_jh5s |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|accessdate=2017-10-31}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/2008/oct/27/em90210sem-mccord-zips-vegas-takes-shot-emsirens-t/ |title=''90210''′s McCord zips to Vegas, takes a shot with ''Sirens of TI'' |author=Leach, Robin |author-link=Robin Leach |date=27 October 2008 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |accessdate=5 July 2018}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode=packed-hover> File:Sirens of TI (Rojer, June 2007) TI Siren's Ship (536950599).jpg|Figurehead of ''The Song'' (June 2007) File:Sirens of TI (3520453456).jpg|Eros battles a siren after boarding ''The Song'' (May 2009) File:Turn around bright eyes (2200594307).jpg|Eros is captured by Sin (Jan 2008) File:The Pirate's Ship (4830354416).jpg|''The Bull'' approaches Sirens Cove (July 2010) File:Sirens of TI (June 2007) IMG 3850 (1131863622).jpg|The pirates strike the sirens' closet (June 2007) File:Oh no, we're exploding (4829751525).jpg|The stricken ''Bull'' explodes (July 2010) File:Sirens of TI (Rojer, June 2007) Treasure Island Justice (536835116).jpg|Eros walks the plank (June 2007) File:Sirens of TI (June 2007) IMG 3976 (1131035829) (cropped).jpg|Sin and siren (June 2007) File:Sirens & Pirates (4829802049).jpg|One last battle (July 2010) File:Sirens of TI -oct 5- (4071258504).jpg|Victorious sirens (Oct 2009) File:Sirens of TI (June 2007) IMG 4000 (1131875556).jpg|Performers acknowledge the audience (June 2007) </gallery>

==See also== * Jubilee! * Absinthe * Peepshow * Moulin Rouge * Le Lido * Folies Bergère * Casino de Paris * Paradis Latin * Cabaret Red Light * Tropicana Club

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20131103184114/http://treasureisland.com/shows/5/sirens-of-ti Sirens of TI at Treasure Island, Las Vegas](archive) * {{youTube|id=dgNEF0mx_vw|Sirens of Treasure Island Show Las Vegas}} (Summarized, 7:46 runtime) * {{youTube|id=3zGbi7zcsGo|Sirens of Treasure Island - Entire Show in HD}} (nearly complete, 18:48) * {{discogs release|id=10493487|type=soundtrack}} * {{cite news |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/dec/27/10-things-discovered-bottom-sirens-cove-ti/ |title=9 things discovered at the bottom of Siren's Cove at TI |author=Sylvester, Ron |date=27 December 2012 |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |accessdate=5 July 2018}}

Category:Las Vegas Strip Category:Fiction about piracy Category:Production shows in the Las Vegas Valley Category:2003 establishments in Nevada Category:2013 disestablishments in Nevada