By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic - Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
www.theflickchicks.com
Recently, our community lost two people who made an indelible mark on the Las Vegas scene.
Legendary casino owner/builder Bob Stupak, who developed Vegas World and the Stratosphere, died Sept. 25 at Deserts Springs Hospital after a struggle with leukemia. He was 67 years old. Stupak is survived by children Nevada, Nicole and Summer; sisters, Linda Phillips and Nancy O’Conner.
Bob Stupak
I was also saddened to hear about the death of former Las Vegas restaurant critic Elliot Krane, 80, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20th, following a 10-year battle against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. On a personal note, I have fond memories of Mr. Krane, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I first moved to Las Vegas in 1981. I found him to be a very kind man who offered me valuable advice regarding my career.
My sincere condolences go out to Krane’s beloved wife, Charlette, and other members of his family as well as those Bob Stupak left behind.
Paris Las Vegas Hosts Red Carpet Advance Screening Of “Fame”
On Thursday night, September 24 the entrance into the Theatre de Arts at the Paris Las Vegas was the setting for the Red Carpet preview screening of the updated film version of the Oscar winning hit FAME. Crowds of fans joined members of the press and photographers who waited patiently for arriving celebrities to make a grand entrance.
Those who walked the walk, stopping briefly for a few Q and A’s and to pose for the flashing cameras included the film’s director, Kevin Tanchereon, cast members Kristy Flores (Rosie), Asher Brook (Marco) Paul McGill (Kevin), Paul Iacono (Neil) Kay Panabaker (Jenny), Kerington Payne (Alice), and star of the original film, Emmy and Golden Globe winner/dancer/choreographer Debbie Allen, who has a small part in this remake as the school’s principal, Ms. Simms. Also in attendance were local Las Vegas headline entertainers: insult comic/celebrity roaster, Vinnie Favorito, Motown singing quartet Human Nature, female impersonator Frank Marino, comedy hypnotist Anthony Cools, and comedy magician Nathan Burton.
Debbie Allen
Director Kevin Tanchereon
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Asher Book and Kay Panabaker
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Walter Perez and Kherington Payne
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Paul Iacono
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Paul McGill
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Kristy Flores
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Cast of 'Fame' with Director Kevin Tanchereon (with mic)
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Comedian Vinnie Favorito
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Hypnotist Anthony Cools
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Magician Nathan Burton
Female Impersonator Frank Marino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
FAME was released in theatres the following day, Friday, September 25.
Stars Turn Out For Grand Opening Party Of Chef Emeril Lagasse’s “Lagasse's Stadium” At The Palazzo
On Friday night, September 16, professional athletes and stars helped Chef Emeril Lagasse celebrate the grand opening of Lagasse’s Stadium – a sports bar, entertainment venue and restaurant located in the 24,000 square foot space formerly occupied by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z's 40/40 Club, at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino. The celebrities joined Chef on the “green carpet” before making their way to the “Ultimate Tailgate Party” to kick off the season at Lagasse’s Stadium with other specially invited sports fans and guests. In keeping with the venues sports stadium theme, guests were greeted by vivacious models dressed as cheerleaders with pom poms cheering them on as they entered the venue.
Among the celebrities who came out to support Emeril and their love of great food and sports were Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon, Rex Lee, Melissa Rycroft and fiancé Tye Strickland, Bruce Jenner, Laker’s player Derek Fisher, female race car driver Danica Patrick, Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner, Lakers coach Brian Shaw, football star Warren Sapp, retired basketball player Gary Payton, baseball player Greg Maddux, Howard Stern’s wife and model Beth Ostrosky, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Carson Kressley, actor Dan Cortese, and actor Chazz Palminteri.
Emeril Lagasse with Danika Patrick
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Entourage Boys Kevin Dillon, Rex Lee and Jeremy Piven
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Bruce Jenner
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Lagasse's Stadium Cheerleaders
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Carson Kressley
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Gary Payton
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Chazz Palminteri
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Elisabeth Rohm
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Dan Cortese
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Danika Patrick
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Warren Sapp and Emeril Lagasse
Photo credit: IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM ISPhotography
Lagasse’s Stadium is inspired by two of Chef Emeril’s lifelong passions – cooking and sports – and marks a new dining standard for a sports and entertainment venue. Custom sports viewing walls consisting of nearly 100 high definition screens provide unprecedented access to nearly every major college and professional sporting event, including must-see bowl games, track races, tournaments, and championship match-ups.
“As a long-time season ticket holder, on big game days you’ll find me tailgating with friends and supporting my favorite teams,” says Emeril Lagasse. “I’m happy to team up again with our friends at The Palazzo to create the ultimate sports establishment. At Stadium, we’ll be serving serious food for serious fans. “There's something for everybody here. It's fun, it's casual, but with great food. We wanted to keep it simple, we wanted to keep it fresh, not processed, with as many wholesome ingredients as we can, as homemade as we can.”
Stadium’s culinary offerings are a combination of traditional stadium-style food and the sort of Southern fare Lagasse is known for. The varied menu is a mix of both popular and upscale items, meaning patrons are offered dining options to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.
During the grand opening night’s reception, guests were treated to mouth watering cuisine including jumbo shrimp, crab cakes, tuna tartare, fried chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, spicy shrimp sandwiches, strombolli, and a variety of salads. To satisfy the sweet tooth, there were also tables filled with sinfully delicious desserts such as mini cheesecakes, double chocolate cupcakes and kentucky pies.
The restaurant and bar is open Monday-Friday from 11:00 am-10:00 pm, Saturdays from 7:30 am-10:00 pm Saturday, and Sundays from 8:30 am-10:00 pm. The sportsbook is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30am-10:00pm, Fridays from 9:30am-11:30pm, Saturdays from 8:00am-11:30pm, and Sundays from 8:00am-10:00pm.
Minus 5 Ice Lounge Celebrates “Coolest” One Year Anniversary Ever
The first Minus 5 Ice Lounge in the country, located inside the Mandalay Place adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, celebrated its one year anniversary on Friday, September 25 by crowning Peep Show star Holly Madison and prop comedian Carrot Top as its first “Ice King and Queen”.
Carrot Top and Holly Madison
Madison and Carrot Top were bundled up in faux fur coats to accept the new titles during a special coronation ceremony in which they received Ice Crowns.
Minus 5 is a 2,000 square foot ice lounge, where guests are able to experience in an icy wonderland filled with intricately handcrafted ice sculptures architecture kept at a constant -5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Farhenheit.
Laker Derek Fisher’s Book Signing at The Palazzo.
On Friday, September 25 sports enthusiasts and fans of LA Lakers point guard Derek Fisher came out to meet the basketball star during his book signing event in Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Derek Fisher
Fisher’s fans lined up outside Lagasse’s Stadium anxiously awaiting his arrival and were excited to meet the “The Fish that Saved LA”. The four-time NBA championship star smiled for photos and greeted the fans and sports enthusiasts as he signed his book which was available for purchase at the venue the day of the event.
British Singing Sensation Matt Goss Brings His Show to The Palms
London based singing sensation, Matt Goss who is known internationally as “The Voice”, recently opened his new high energy production show, “Matt Goss Live from Las Vegas” in the Gossy Room, at The Palms Resort & Casino. Though he has not yet reached the heights as a huge pop star on this side of the Atlantic, Goss has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide in his career as the lead singer of ’80s pop group Bros.
“Matt Goss Live from Las Vegas” is produced by Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin so it is not surprising that some steamy female performers share the stage with the handsome singer, whose appearance and style is reminiscent of Justin Timberlake with a pinch of Robin Thicke.
Matt Goss
In his act that includes the spiffy Goss in a wardrobe change from white suit and black fedora to black jacket, jeans and fedora the appealing singer is accompanied by a 7 piece band, two female singers in sexy flight attendant uniforms, along with seductive, scantily clad dancers in black leather bustiers, thigh high stockings and garter straps, known as The Dirty Virgins.
Goss’ musical talents are showcased through a mix of his career hits, contemporary songs, and his rendition of classics that range from Luck Be a Lady to the Eagles’ Hotel California, as well as some original material.
Matt Goss and dancers perform on opening night
For more information about Matt Goss, visit www.mattgoss.biz.
Matt Goss performs every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 plus any fees or taxes. For more information, call 702- 942-6888.
Other recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Wednesday, September 23, three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire gave New York food critics an exclusive sneak peak of his award-winning cuisine that will soon be revealed at his first US restaurant, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire opening this December at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. The private luncheon, which took place at Mandarin Oriental, New York, was attended by Rajesh Jhingon, general manger of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and more than 40 food focused media members salivating for the chance to experience a sample of his innovative French menu.
After a remodel, longtime producer, host and entertainer Tony Sacca plans to open the Las Vegas Rocks Café, a Las Vegas history-themed restaurant at Neonopolis downtown in the space once occupied by Jillian’s. The new eatery will offer themed-style foods and an atmosphere filled with a historical perspective on Las Vegas. Sacca partnered with food manufacturer, bakery owner and internationally known Chef Josette Leblond, who has opened and sold a variety of restaurants from France to the United States, and is also the creator and owner of Normandie Pate in Las Vegas. “We’re aiming to have a soft opening in early December and be ready ‘to rock’ for New Year’s Eve”, claims Sacca.
Tony Sacca
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
CineVegas Festival President Robin Greenspun and Artistic Director Trevor Groth has announced that the CineVegas Film Festival will not be held in 2010. “Given the current economic climate and the pressures it has created, we made the difficult decision to put CineVegas on hiatus for the coming year.
CineVegas has become such a well respected film festival, and rather than allow the economy to affect its level of quality we have opted to put the event on hold,” said Robin Greenspun, Festival President. CineVegas will continue to have a presence in Las Vegas with one off screenings and special events.
“X” Burlesque, the sexiest topless show on the Las Vegas Strip that opened in February 2007 will extend their contract at Flamingo Las Vegas for three years into August 2012.
CineVegas Presents at the Brenden will continue with screenings of THE BURNING PLAIN, beginning Friday, October 2 and COCO BEFORE CHANEL, opening Friday, November 6. The series of independent and art house films are being shown at the Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Resort Casino, and might not have otherwise played in town.
Charlie Wilson, an R&B icon and former lead singer of the funkadelic brotherly trio, the GAP Band, will perform at 7 p.m. on October 4 appear at the Las Vegas Hilton’s legendary Hilton Theatre. Tickets are $55 - $79.
For the first time since April 2002 Michael Jackson has been added to the lineup of tribute artists the Las Vegas production of “LEGENDS IN CONCERT” at the Imperial Palace. The King of Pop tribute act, performed by long-time entertainer Damian Brantley, showcases a medley of Jackson’s hits including Jam, Black or White, Thriller and Billie Jean. Brantley is scheduled to perform as Jackson through May 2010.
YMCA of Southern Nevada and Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center are excited to announce their 1st Annual Family Fest, a fun-filled and educational event free to all families. The event will take place on Saturday, October 3rd from 1P to 5P at Centennial Hills Park, located behind the Centennial Hills YMCA, at 6601 N. Buffalo Drive in the Northwest.There will be healthy fun for the entire family.Participants can rock out to the music of Love Shack and groove to reggae beats of One Pin Short. Activities include FREE- face painting, balloon artists’ creations and jumping in a bounce house for the kids; informative Health & wellness booths for the whole family; $15 flue shots for Adults 18 & older, from Centennial Hills Hospital (does not cover H1N) and free screenings for blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. Everyone will have a chance to receive free giveaways and meet some of the physicians on staff at Centennial Hills Hospital
Families can also sign up for a 1.5 mile Fun Walk and Stroller Roll. The walk starts at 1pm. Register online at www.lasvegasymca.org or register at the Family Fest at 11am. Walk Fees: $10 Individual/$25 Family. Proceeds will benefit the YMCA.
Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri will bring his critically acclaimed one-man show A BRONX TALE to The Venetian Showroom at The Venetian Las Vegas for a limited engagement October 7-18 (dark 13 & 14). After a successful run on Broadway, Palminteri has been touring A BRONX TALE across the country to rave reviews and this will be the first time he’s débuted the show to a Las Vegas audience. Tickets are priced at $46, $66 and $86 inclusive of tax and handling fees. The show runs approximately 85 minutes and will begin at 8 p.m. nightly.
The world’s top AMA Supercross and AMA Supercross Lites riders will once again compete in one class for one overall title when the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open, the world’s richest motorcycle race, rides into the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, Oct. 9 – Sunday, Oct. 11. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. The gates for the Sunday, Oct. 11 performance, the National Amateur Championship, will open at 8 a.m. with racing throughout the day. Times are subject to change.
Tickets for the professional championship priced at $100 and $60, not including applicable service charges
Wayne Newton – Mr. Las Vegas – will celebrate his 50th year of entertaining audiences on The Strip with an all-new, limited engagement production, Once Before I Go, at Tropicana Las Vegas beginning October 14. Once Before I Go is an intimate journey through Newton’s life spent on stage told by the man who is living it and will feature the performer with an exhilarating full orchestra, photos and video, the latest in theater technology and lots of surprises. Tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime production are now on sale.
LPGA golfer, business woman and philanthropist Natalie Gulbis, Rock and roll icon and avid golfer Alice Cooper, professional poker player Daniel Negreanu, and world-renown saxophonist Kenny G will participate in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Championship Pro-Am in Las Vegas Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 at the TPC Summerlin. Prior to playing in the Pro-Am, Gulbis will serve as a guest speaker at the Women’s Day Seminar also held on Wednesday of tournament week.
Justin Timberlake has announced that Rap music icon, Snoop Dogg, and breakout-platinum-single-selling, Pop/R&B talent, Jay Sean has been added to the list of performers for his Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 PM. The concert also features previously announced performances by singer/songwriter and producer Timberlake, 12-time Grammy Award-winner R&B and Pop sensation Alicia Keys, Country and Pop superstar Taylor Swift, R&B star Ciara, and 5-time Grammy Award-winning R&B-Pop group, TLC.
Nevada Ballet Theatre presents its season opener, Timeless Innovation featuring George Balanchine’s jazzy and upbeat Rubies, from his full-length ballet Jewels and two Las Vegas premieres by James Canfield including Coco, homage to the life of fashion empress Coco Chanel and the nationally renowned Jungle, set to the music of electronic super group, Future Sound of London. This exciting program will be presented on Saturday, October 17 at 8 pm and Sunday, October 18 at 2 pm at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Single. Tickets are on sale now with specially priced $10 & $20 Balcony Seats available. Call the UNLV Box Office at (702) 895-ARTS (2787) for more information.
Multiple Grammy-nominated artist Engelbert Humperdinck returns to The Orleans Showroom October 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are priced from $54.95, plus tax.
Sexy sassy feminist Diane Ford who was voted Comedienne of the Year by the American Comedy Awards 11 years in a row will HEADLINE the RIVIERA COMEDY CLUB OCTOBER 12 – 18. Matt Markman and fellow comic Ben Creed will round out the week’s comedic trio. Show times for the Riviera Comedy Club are 8:30 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $24.99 plus tax and fee.
Bob Dylan and His Band will be performing at the Joint in The hard Rock Hotel on Sunday, October 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50 plus any service fees.
In celebration of Jackie Gaughan’s 89th birthday, the El Cortez will be serving birthday cake and champagne on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Players can also sign a giant birthday card, and showgirls and an Elvis impersonator will be helping Jackie celebrate. All Diamond and Ruby players will have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Gaughan between Oct. 12 and Oct. 23. See Club Cortez for details.
Celebrity sightings:
Wednesday night, September 23 Peep Show star Holly Madison was spotted dining at TAO Asian Bistro with a friend.
Thursday night, September 24…
Spotted dining at TAO Asian Bistro were Vanessa Minnillo and Warren Sapp, who joined TAO Group partner Jason Strauss before heading upstairs for Worship Thursday in the nightclub.
Also seen at TAO was Chazz Palminteri and a friend. Palminteri was later spotted in the nightclub at LAVO.
Earlier in the evening TAO played host to a dinner benefitting VegasTennis.com’s Marty Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation. Tony Bennett performed and Ali Landry, Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes and Mosaic were all part of the celebration.
The cast of JERSEY BOYS attended ‘Tony for Tennis - A Gala Evening with Tony Bennett’ at TAO at The Venetian. All proceeds of this annual event stay in Southern Nevada and are used to involve more students in the sport and to defray expenses for tournament play and competition.
Friday night, September 25…
Singer Macy Gray was spotted dining on LAVO’s expansive Strip front terrace with her kids, who were thrilled by the pirate show taking place across the street. Gray is in town to perform at Andre Agassi’s charity event.
Also on the terrace, LA Clipper Craig Smith was seen dining on Margherita Pizza, Salads and Filet.
LAVO regular Chazz Palminteri dined with friends.
Mrs. Howard Stern, Beth Ostrosky dined with Carson Kressley of Queer Eye fame and a group of friends.
Upstairs in the club LA Laker Derek Fisher was with his wife and friends.
Dan Cortez of MTV Sports fame was spotted at a table near LAVO’s marble bar. Warren Sapp and MMA fighter Urijah Faber were also seen in the club.
Actor and retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and his girlfriend Jennifer got tattoos on at Huntington Ink inside the Palms Casino Resort. Hulk’s girlfriend got “Terry”(Hulk’s real name) on the inside of her right wrist. Hulk got "I AM THAT, I AM" on the outside of his right forearm.
Hulk Hogan at Huntington and Hart
At N9NE Steakhouse Hogan was joined by his son Nick Hogan (appeared in the VH1 reality shows Hogan Knows Best and Brooke Knows Best) along with three additional guests for dinner. They also spent some time in the kitchen chatting with Executive Chef Barry Dakake.
Dining at a separate table was retired NHL player Jeremy Roenick. He was joined by six friends for dinner in the main dining room.
At Moon Nightclub, NBA free agent Wally Szczerbiak was spotted at a table with a group of friends.
Danica Patrick had dinner with 30 of her closet friends and family at Simon at Palms Place.
Mario Andretti also was seen dining at Simon.
Hip-hop royalty Naughty by Nature rocked the stage with a blowout performance at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops. Rapper Coolio was in the audience and joined the group on stage for several songs.
Photo credit: J. Ludwig/ Night Vissions
Coolio
Photo credit: J. Ludwig/ Night Vissions
Saturday September 26…
Holly Madison stopped by the Sugar Factory store at the Mirage.
In the evening, Hulk Hogan and his girlfriend Jennifer were spotted inside the Brendan Theatres at the Palms. They were there to see the movie Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis.
Saturday night the dining room at TAO Asian Bistro was packed with celebs.
Melissa Rycroft of The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars fame dined with fiancé Tye Strickland.
Singer Macy Gray, who was the first female star to be sent home on this season’s edition of Dancing with the Stars, dined with a large group.
LA Laker Derek Fisher was also seen dining in the restaurant.
At LAVO, Rex Lee from Entourage dined at the Italian eatery.
Actress Elisabeth Rohm and friends was spotted having dinner at LAVO as well.
Actor Thomas Felton, best known for his role in the Harry Potter film series, spotted enjoying dinner inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Retired race car driver, Michael Andretti and son and professional race car driver in the Indie Racing League, Marco Andretti partied at Playboy Club inside Palms Casino Resort. Accompanied by a large group of 50 guests, they hung out in the Fireplace Lounge and later in the evening made their way upstairs to Moon Nightclub.
Over at Rain Nightclub, actor Robert Gossett was spotted enjoying the scene with four friends.
Sunday, September 27…
hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia was spotted staying in the new Paradise Tower at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Later that night they performed before the crowd at Body English.
Photo credit: Scott Berry / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Three 6 Mafia
Photo credit: Scott Berry / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Also at Body English was baseball player Dontrelle Willis partying with friends.
July 2008 Playboy Playmate Laura Croft named Jessa Hinton Miss Playboy Club September 2009 at Playboy Club inside Palms Casino Resort. Hinton currently works as a Cocktail Bunny at the Playboy Club.
Laura Croft and Jessa Hinton Miss Playboy Club September 2009
Photo credit: Shane O’Neal/N9NE Group
Sunday night at LAVO, Vanessa Minnillo dined at LAVO with friends.
Upstairs in the nightclub LA Laker Derek Fisher was with his wife.
Gustavo Kuerten, the retired former world #1 tennis player was also spotted in the nightclub.
Actor Josh Henderson was in the nightclub as well.
Playboy Playmate July 2008 Laura Croft stopped by Sin City Brewing Co. inside Miracle Mile Shops to hang out and serve up some cold beers over the weekend.
Laura Croft
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ erikkabik.com
I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.