Las Vegas Weekly

April 22, 2009 · 11:46 AM

Photo Gallery: Mayor gets out the vote, but ‘Boom Boom’ delivers knockout

By Robin Leach

Dana Delgado and Oscar Goodman.

Photo: TVT

Despite the pain, our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman turned in an impressive performance dancing the tango with his partner Dana Delgado. He dressed as an old-time gangster with striped suit, black shirt and even an appropriate hat. Oscar used a martini glass prop to either assist his maneuvers or dull the pain!

Our mayor was one of six local celebrities taking part in the first “Las Vegas Dancing With the Stars” fundraiser held at Rain in the Palms and emceed by Monte Carlo headliner magician Lance Burton. Singer actress Tina Walsh of Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular and singer actor Travis Cloer of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo provided the entertainment.

Tony Delgado of Delgado Dance Studios in Summerlin organized the cancer charity fundraiser and says it was such a success that it will become an annual event. His wife, Dana, teamed with the mayor as his professional partner and teacher.

Tony also was one of the celebrity judges alongside yours truly, Excalibur comedy headliner Louie Anderson, Frank Marino of La Cage fame and local weathercaster Bryan Scofield. We served up humorous critiques rather than scores and gave the mayor a big thumbs up, saying he could even run for president with his fancy footwork. But it was boxing legend Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini who received the majority of the fan votes.

More than $35,000 in votes at $1 a ballot was raised, plus $25,000 in sponsored prize money from Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada. The results: First place, Ray for The Caring Place; second, radio DJ Chet Buchanan for Susan G. Komen for the Cure; third, Brent Barrett of Phantom for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; fourth, radio DJ Steph MacKenzie for Speedway Children’s Charities; fifth, Zowie Bowie’s Chris Phillips for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation; and last place, Oscar for the American Cancer Society.

Our city leader managed only three brief rehearsals, two in his City Hall office and one at Delgado Studios, but he suffered a pulled rib and a Charlie horse from his right foot up to his shoulder. In between the celebrity dance-offs, Tony’s team of professionals and students put on exhibition dances to the enthusiastic fans who packed the nightclub.

One of those was my friend, model and dancer Tara Palsha, who just five days ago was still in the lineup of the adult cabaret Fantasy Girls at the Luxor. Then she was suddenly plucked to play the role of Little Red Riding Hood in the $25 million Peepshow, which premiered at Planet Hollywood with a star-studded turnout over the weekend (click HERE for that story and photo gallery).

Photo: TVT

Tony Delgado and Tara Palsha take part in "Las Vegas Dancing With the Stars."

Tara was clad from top to toe in red tear-away cloak and costumes. She told me: “I had 96 hours to learn four choreographed routines for the show. Now you know why I’ve got scraped elbows and knees, but it is a fantastic show and worth every one of the bumps and bruises. I made this promise to dance with Tony as his partner today, long before I knew I’d be rehearsing ’round the clock and practicing my moves at home, in my bed and in my car for the Peepshow premiere.

“I was so happy all the Fantasy dancers came to cheer me on. Tony also gave me plenty of dance studio time to help me get all the new moves down, too. I had great support from everybody to pull it off with such short notice. It was thrilling to get all the shout-outs, whistles and applause on my real first night with the show on its first night! “

Tara, 31, has been in Las Vegas for six years, with three years at Fantasy and three years in Jubilee! at Bally’s. Her proud Polish-born mom was at the Peepshow opening and also at the cancer benefit to root her on!

She added: “Peepshow is a great show for men and women. They will both find excitement and glamour. Some of our costumes cost $15,000 apiece and are dripping in rhinestones. You don’t even think you are dancing nearly nude when you’re wearing them. It’s amazing. We go topless, but it’s really classy and nothing to be ashamed of. We all agree with our co-star Kelly Monaco that it’s incredibly empowering.

“The Peepshow stars and cast gave me a warm, genuine welcome -- and helped me because I had so little time to get ready for the opening night. We have the best team you could ever ask for on a Vegas stage.”

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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