Las Vegas Weekly

April 8, 2009 · 12:41 PM

Strip Scribbles: Matthew McConaughey’s two consecutive nights at Cirque

By Robin Leach

Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves with cast members of Mystere at Treasure Island.

Photo: Danielle Rodenkirchen

It’s difficult to believe, but actor Matthew McConaughey and stunning girlfriend Camila Alves went unrecognized when they purchased margaritas at Cirque du Soleil’s showroom bar at Treasure Island. They took the drinks to their seats to watch Mystere, and afterward went backstage to meet the cast and pose for an official photo. It was the second consecutive night of Cirque shows for the romantic twosome, who saw O at the Bellagio the previous evening.

*Hard Rock Hotel executives will be showing off their new Joint concert facility this afternoon, and I’ll get my first look early evening. Paul Davis, the Hard Rock’s VP of entertainment, and John Nelson, VP of AEG Live, will host my visit, and I’ll be sure to get them talking about Carlos Santana’s upcoming residency and the grand debut weekend with The Killers on April 17 and Paul McCartney on April 19.

*Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, the Indiana native who won the title at Planet Hollywood in January, is in 49th place as a finalist for Time magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People List. The rundown asks the public to rate each candidate on his or her influence on the world. Those recognized fall in one of five categories: Leaders & Revolutionaries, Builders & Titans, Artists & Entertainers, Scientists & Thinkers and Heroes & Icons. Within each category, the 20 most influential people are selected, for a grand total of 100. Vote as many times as you want for Katie until the last day of balloting April 28.

Star surveillance

Peepshow star Mel B dined at Lavo in the Palazzo. Joined by husband Stefan Belafonte, the duo sipped cabernet sauvignon while dining on items from the new Italian menu, including crispy calamari, sea bass, Crudo and meatballs. … Five X Burlesque dancers put on a performance at Blush in the Wynn, and Oz star Chuck Zito was among the revelers leading the applause. … Meantime, over at Hooters casino, the Men of X have opened their hard body revue. The sexy six-pack strut their stuff as studly soldiers, desirable doctors and fiery firefighters to fulfill various fantasies involving uniforms! The tease-and-please show is performed seven nights a week. … Lovely actress Ginnifer Goodwin wore an eye-catching tie-dyed dress when she hosted the wrap party for her HBO hit Big Love at Prive in Planet Hollywood. … Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden took over the turntables at Prive, leaving an expectant Nicole Ritchie at home in Hollywood. As a good dad, Joel stuck to sugar-free Red Bull all night, even when Friday Nights Lights star Jesse Plemons celebrated his 21st birthday with co-star Scott Porter. The entourage of nearly 20 enjoyed Patron and Grey Goose.

*This morning, those good-guy magicians Penn & Teller at The Rio presented hundreds of men’s and women’s business suits to Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Harrah’s Entertainment employees collected and donated them in advance of tomorrow’s daylong resource fair Giving Back to the Community.

Tonight’s tips

It’s the grand opening of Nicole Durr’s new Latin-inspired nightclub Fuego at The Rio. … Two of my nightlife pals, writer Jack Colton and Bare/Jet manager Kalika Moquin, give up their day jobs to play bus boy and promoter, respectively, at the “Back to Basics” party at the Beatles Revolution lounge, where the staff gets the night off and are replaced by Vegas hospitality professionals!

Tomorrow’s teases

Which Strip magician is headed to Beijing this summer to entertain a world gathering of incredible illusionists and princes of prestidigitation? … National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman chats candidly about his plans for the first of a three-year series of awards show here, as the prestigious Stanley Cup takes to the Strip like royalty! … Plus our behind-the-scenes exclusive interview with Peepshow producer Scott Zeiger, who pulls back the thinly veiled fabric on some revealing secrets! … We also have photos from the opening night of the Strip’s sickest show Freaks and all the behind-the-scenes photos from R&B artist Teairra Mari’s making of her music video with Flo Rida at Rain.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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