Las Vegas Weekly

July 11, 2008 · 2:47 PM

Strip Scribbles: Celebs’ late nights, Friday night rundown

By Robin Leach

*It was a very late night -- in fact, 2 a.m. -- for both Bette Midler and her fans. The superstar decided to hold a surprise "meet and greet" with her audience after a The Showgirl Must Go On spectacular at the The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. During the performance she told the audience she would meet any of them who bought her book, "The Adventures of Baby Divine," or her new greatest hits CD, Jackpot. At 10 p.m., some 400 enthusiastic fans began lining up, and by the time she'd signed everybody’s purchase, posed for photos and said "hello," it was four hours later! Bette is here with us until July 20 with five shows per night, then she takes a hiatus before returning Oct. 9.

Photo: Pure Management Group

Naughty By Nature gets the crowd pumped during a performance at LAX.

*The Summer Surprise Series has got off to a great start at the Pure and LAX nightclubs. At the debut concert in LAX, Grammy award-winning hip-hop group Naughty by Nature performed some of its biggest hits. The group held court on the stage with former UNVL standout Marcus Banks of the Miami Heat, former Houston Rocket Bonzi Wells and Jermaine O’Neal of the Indiana Pacers. Also in attendance were NFL star Marshall Faulk, Los Angeles Angels player Kelvin Escobar and Computer from MTV's Adventures in Hollyhood show. For the second surprise concert at Pure in Caesars Palace, multitalented Ray J wowed the crowd. Just after midnight he stepped into the spotlight, asking "where are all my sexy ladies at?" The actor and singer-songwriter sang a medley, including his chart-topping hits "Sexy Can I," "Wait a Minute" and "One Wish." Once again, Hollyhood's Computer was there to visit, along with sports stars Kevin Scott from the Detroit Lions, Willie McGinest of the Cleveland Browns and Colorado Avalanche hockey ace Peter Forsberg. Also at Pure this week were UFC fighter Josh Thompson, Toronto Raptors star Jermaine O’Neal, and co-stars from That 70's Show Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama, who persuaded their friend, singer-songwriter Blue Cantrell, to sing two of her smash hit singles, "Breathe" and "Hit 'Em Up Style."

Photo: Jet

Alison Waite and Trishelle Cannatella get wild on Vegas.

*It's been a busy few days for celebrity sightings at the Jet nightclub in the Mirage: new UFC champion Forrest Griffin has been on a week-long celebration of his victory by unanimous judges' decision over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and the former reality TV star from Ultimate Fighter had a luscious load of ladies by his side now that he's the real-life champion. The Wild On TV casting call was hosted by former Real World star Trishelle Cannatella, as well as Alison Waite, and afterward Trishelle, who used to live in Vegas before heading to Hollywood for a TV career, hung out in the VIP section with professional Alpine skater Bode Miller. Two San Diego Charger teammates, Shaun Phillips and Stephen Cooper, who have had a weeklong nightlife party at every club in town, finally made it to Jet's VIP section!

*Former Dancing with the Stars contestant and Rio headliner Penn Jillette was in the audience for Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace. After the show, he went backstage to say "hi" to the Divine Miss M and invited her to "come see his show."

*For the next 10 days we'll have 21 basketball teams in town for the NBA Summer League -- so expect to see all your favorite league superstars at restaurants and clubs all over the Valley. It all tips off at 1 p.m. this afternoon, when the 76ers go up against the Warriors, continues at 3 p.m. with the Hornets vs. the Grizzlies, keeps going at 5 p.m. with the Lakers in combat against the Pistons and wraps at 7 p.m. with the Dallas Mavericks playing opposite the L.A. Clippers. The NBA party to celebrate this July Jamboree is at the Rain nightclub in the Palms starting at 10 p.m. tonight. The matchups roar through until Sunday of next weekend -- and every day at Luxe Life we’ll have the matchups for you. Tomorrow at 1 p.m. is Raptors vs. Kings: at 3 p.m. is Bobcats vs. Clippers; 5 p.m. is 76ers vs Nuggets and 7 p.m. is Grizzlies vs Bucks. On Sunday at 1 p.m. it's Bobcats vs. Hornets, 3 p.m. is Mavericks vs. Warriors; 5 p.m. is Grizzlies vs. Lakers and 7 p.m. is Pistons vs. Clippers. All games are being played at the Thomas and Mack Center and there is very reasonable pricing for individual games, all games in one day or each one of the 53 games. My two favorites, the Knicks, which start play Monday, and the Kings, which begin Tuesday, will have the Maloof owner-brothers at courtside.

Now it's time for us to blow the whistle, jump for the tip-off, bounce the ball, make the play and score the three-pointers for all the other weekend highlights around town in the Royal Robin Rundown:

Friday, July 11:

*Be they the hits of yesteryear or right up to today, Kenny Loggins, who is appearing for one night at the Hilton, has always spanned the generation gap.

*As current today as he was way back then, ace guitarist Peter Frampton thrills with an intimate concert at the Sandbar up at the Red Rock resort.

*Commuting comedian Jay Leno says he's happier sleeping back in his own Hollywood home rather than staying over for his two nights of topical headline current events comedy at the Mirage.

*Even though he's into his eighth TV season of According to Jim, movie star Jim Belushi is still playing with The Sacred Hearts -- the group he first joined for jam sessions when they were just the House of Blues houseband. It's where he learned to play harmonica and sing the blues -- and they are set to jam at the Orleans tonight and Saturday. Jim "trained" with them after the death of his brother, John, back in 1982 after Saturday Night Live star Dan Akyroyd implored him to continue their Blues Brothers legacy.

*For a glimpse of a unique bond of love and comedy, check out Say Goodnight Gracie, the one-man Tony-nominated "best play" for the life, laughter and love between George Burns and Gracie Allen up at the Suncoast through Sunday night.

*It's a polyrhythmic multicultural rock and soul band, and the Rusted Root sextet from Pittsburgh combine African, Latin, Native American and Middle Eastern influences to create their unique sound poolside at the Hard Rock, while Ky-Mani Marley is reggae specific at the Sunset Station and Jim Breuer is solo at Ovation in the Green Valley Ranch.

*Provocative porn princess Tera Patrick will be in the flesh with her best assets on show at a Prive party in the Planet Hollywood casino resort ... hip-hop star Missy Elliott celebrates her birthday at Tao nightclub in The Venetian and musical artist Robin S, best known for her "Show Me Love" hit, will host her party at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio.

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