Las Vegas Weekly

April 9, 2009 · 1:17 PM

Strip Scribbles: Terry Fator adds America’s Got Talent finalist to show

By Robin Leach

Eli Mattson.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Singer and pianist Eli Mattson beat out 200,000 hopefuls on his America’s Got Talent run, but he lost to opera singer Neal Boyd by just half a percent in the finals. However, previous Talent winner Terry Fator reached out and called Eli for a week’s run on his new show at The Mirage.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Eli Mattson.

Eli’s the guest performer all week long, and our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue had a private photo shoot with him. Wisconsin native Eli started playing the piano at age 5, and he made his mark with his rendition of “Walking in Memphis” on the show. He told Tom that he accepted Terry’s invitation without hesitation and that he starts a string of concert dates and recording a CD soon.

Photo: TVT

Mac King and Nathan Burton.

*Some 26 magicians from around the world will be performing at the World Championships of Magic 2009 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, and Harrah’s headlining comedy magician Mac King is the only Strip illusionist tapped to perform. Mac will be there July 26-31.

Photo: Cashman Photography

Joey Kern and Ginnifer Goodwin with the cast of O at the Bellagio.

*Actress Ginnifer Goodwin of HBO’sBig Love was cozied up to actor Joey Kern during a performance of O at the Bellagio, but they kept themselves at arms length when they went backstage to meet the Cirque du Soleil performers afterward.

Photo: Courtesy

Kelly Carrington.

Photo: Courtesy

Kelly Carrington.

*Meet the gorgeous Kelly Carrington, October 2008 Playboy cover girl who has been seen in town with Palms owner George Maloof. She was his date for the Hugh Hefner birthday weekend at the Palms last weekend. Kelly asked hair color king Michael Boychuck to make his magic at Amp Salon there, and they all went off to watch Zowie Bowie in their new lounge at the Palms. Kelly told everybody, “I love my hair!” -- and sent Michael some photos for him to use on his Web site!

Photo: TVT

George Maloof is interviewed by television crews.

*Congratulations to TV celebrity chef and former Las Vegas resident Guy Fieri and Palms owner George Maloof! The hotel administration students at UNLV have selected them as the extraordinary alumni to receive the Dom Perignon Award of Excellence at this year’s 35th Anniversary UNLVino, the three-day extravaganza that kicks off next week. On Thursday, it’s the Bubblelicious champagne tasting at the Palms Pool; on Friday, it’s the Aussie-some salute to new world wines from Down Under at The District in Green Valley Ranch; and then the Grand Tasting to raise scholarship funds is Saturday at the Paris.

*There’s no question that it’s extreme entertainment. Cutting-edge hypnotist Anthony Cools created Freaks to showcase the most out-of-this world human behavior. He walked the opening night blood red carpet at O’Sheas with Strip comedy magicians the Amazing Johnathan, Mac King, Nathan Burton and Joseph Gabriel, along with Flamingo headliner George Wallace. The Freaks consist of alternative show people who eat glass, throw and catch knives, swallow swords and pierce themselves with long thin needles. Audience members laughed, cried, squirmed, cringed, gasped and applauded. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was at the premiere to record the infamy for our photo gallery!

*At last weekend’s Three Square food bank fundraiser at Springs Preserve, three charitable foundations contributed nearly $14 million in grants to complete the construction of the new 70,000 square-foot building to serve hungry, needy and housebound valley residents. The generous donors were the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and the Lincy Foundation. Now that’s generosity at its finest!

Photo: VLVRW

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend moves to The Orleans this year.

*After 11 years, the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend moves from the Gold Coast to new larger quarters at sister hotel The Orleans for its 12th outing. The four-day event and party, which is the largest event of its kind in the world, won’t stop until Monday morning! It features 1950s music, classic cars, burlesque performers, contests and more than 120 vendors. This year, there will be 50 bands and 15 deejays performing almost ’round the clock from 1 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. For everything vintage -- from clothing, records, car accessories, bags and shoes to hair pomade -- Rockabilly is the place to be. The classic cars will roll out Saturday, and more than 20,000 people are expected for that alone.

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.

Photo: VLVRW

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.

Tonight’s tip

Swing is the thing thanks to two free shows by Louis Prima Jr. and chanteuse Jennifer Keith and her High Society Boys at The Lounge in the Palms.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

The Killers.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s just six days now before The Killers move into the new Joint concert venue at the Hard Rock Hotel for their rehearsals before next Friday’s gala opening. I walked it with the Frenchman with the world’s best ears who has installed the world’s best audio system from Germany. He’s spent six weeks standing in every inch of the theater using white and pink noise to ensure that the sound is the best in America -- if not the world! … With new photos in hand, we’ll run our behind-the-scenes feature on Peepshow, the new burlesque production at Planet Hollywood. … Plus, my reporter’s notebook of quick chats with the movie stars and the moguls in the know about this summer’s film business. … Finally, so you can plan your weekend to its best advantage in Sin City, we’ve got the full Royal Robin Rundown of all the hot happenings in town.

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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