Las Vegas Weekly

April 28, 2009 · 12:26 PM

Strip Scribbles: The mayor and his 20-gallon Opportunitini martini

By Robin Leach

Mayor Oscar Goodman stands next to the newest addition of Madame Tussauds in The Venetian. The life-size wax figure of the mayor was introduced as the museum opens its newest exhibit, "Viva Las Vegas."

Photo: Justin M. Bowen

It’s certainly going to be the largest martini ever concocted and served in Las Vegas, and it might even win bragging rights for the entire city. Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman will top off the 20-gallon Opportunitini at the Hard Rock Cafe today at 6 p.m. It’s a fundraiser for our beloved Opportunity Village, and Oscar promises to bring his showgirls along, but unlike them, you can drink as many of the martinis as you wish for just a $5 donation! The special drink will go on the Hard Rock’s menu for the entire summer, with all the proceeds being donated to the charity.

*Have two of the Pussycat Dolls found romance on their Circus Tour with Britney Spears? Ashley Roberts and Melody Thornton were all wrapped up in the arms of two of Britney’s backup dancers when they had a night off on the town here in Sin City. The ladies and their hunks unwound at Pole-A-Palooza at the Bank in the Bellagio watching lovely limber ladies from across the globe dancing for the $5,000 prize. Daniella, an exotic dancer from our local Penthouse Club, won the contest. Melody and Ashley then took off with lovers in tow to party at the Cathouse in the Luxor. Melody has made headlines recently after complaining that she should be featured more in the PCD show!

*Congratulations to Victoria Moore for winning the Miss Playboy Club April title at the Palms. Alison Waite, May 2006 Playboy Playmate, made the official announcement. Kasey Unroe, who won Miss Playboy Club March, was there, and the trio celebrated with champagne!

*It’s a staggering statistic: 30,000 music fans showed up for five jam-packed concerts this past weekend here in Las Vegas. And just one promoter presented them all: Congratulations to AEG Live/Concerts West for the coup! They presented the Circus Tour with Britney Spears at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Cher’s return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and the Kenny Chesney and Bon Jovi shows at the new Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. Cher had two back-to-back sell-outs Saturday and Sunday, proving that you can’t slow a legend down, even if she is 62!

*Boxing champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton is days away from his rumble in the ring against Manny Pacquiao, and he loaded up on carbs with an Italian feast prepared by Nove executive chef Geno Bernardo in the Palms. The Hitman shared family-styled appetizers with his party of six and then for the main course feasted on New York strip steak, chicken parmesan, veal Nove and Bolognese. Ricky went into the kitchen at the end of the meal to sign the chef’s door. Meantime, downstairs former boxing champ Floyd Mayweather feasted himself at N9NE Steakhouse, ordering a mini shellfish platter, signature rock shrimp, steak fries and chicken nuggets made specially for his visit by executive chef Barry Dakake. He topped that all off with apple pie for dessert!

*Miss America Organization Chairman Sam Haskell III has become a welcome regular here in Las Vegas with the affairs of his annual January pageant. Today he launches his new book Promises I Made my Mother with an early morning appearance on NBC’s Today, followed by CBS’ Early Show tomorrow and Fox and Friends on Thursday. He’s set for Larry King Live next Monday. Ray Romano has written the foreword, and Lily Tomlin, Kathie Lee Gifford and Doris Roberts wrote the jacket recommendations along with CBS head honcho Les Moonves.

*A spectacular series of weeklong events kicks off tonight at Krave in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile to mark Las Vegas Gay Pride Week. It’s Round 1 of Katwalk tonight, followed tomorrow by the sexy fire-breathing rock ’n’ roll dance stunt show presented by the Fuel Girls. Then the world’s first supermodel Janice Dickinson will wrap up other events through Saturday and judge the Katwalk finals to find the best new face of Krave amongst the 12 finalists for $10,000 in prizes.

Coming attractions

The band America, made up of both English and American musicians, had a big hit with “A Horse With No Name’ back in the 1970s, and they are still going strong and are set for a concert at the Cannery on May 16. … Sharp political satirist Bill Maher of Politically Incorrect returns to The Orleans for three nights of back-to-back cutting-edge comedy beginning May 29. … Shock comedian and Howard Stern regular Arte Lange has been booked at The Joint with his live show June 27. … Duran Duran, with Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes and John and Roger Taylor, will play The Pearl in the Palms on July 10. Tickets for all of these shows go on sale Saturday.

Star surveillance

British mogul and American Idol creator Nigel Lythgoe entertained choreographers and dancers Debbie Allen and Mia Michaels of So You Think You Can Dance to dinner in a private dining room at Strip House in Planet Hollywood. … One Tree Hill actor Antwon Taylor danced with friends at LAX in the Luxor after holding court on the VIP stage sipping on Belvedere cocktails. … Actor Robbie Amell, who just finished filming Scooby-Doo: The Beginning playing the lead role of Fred in the TV movie, celebrated his 21st birthday at Jet in The Mirage. With him was girlfriend actress Italia Ricci, who worked with Robbie in the 2007 film American Pie Presents Beta House. The group, which included Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett, toasted Robbie with Cape Cod cocktails and danced until 1 a.m., when Robbie was presented with a Nickelodeon-themed birthday creation from Jaimee Cakes. Robbie currently stars on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP as Jimmy, the love interest of the main character True played by Keke Palmer. … That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson, aka DJ Mom Jeans, rocked the turntables at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel. Danny was joined by his brother, Malcolm in the Middle actor Christopher Masterson. …. Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry went backstage after seeing Terry Fator’s show at The Mirage. Marc not only congratulated the amazing ventriloquist on his singing impressions, but also asked to take a photo with him to show his cast on Wisteria Lane!

Tonight’s tips

Grammy nominated Chris Cox begins his new DJ residency at Pure in Caesars Palace on the outdoor terrace every other Tuesday. … The Latest Rumor, which has nothing to do with my line of work, plays Wasted Space with guests Zerofingers and S.F.T. … Comedian Dat Phan, Season 1 winner of Last Comic Standing, returns to the Improv at Harrah’s for six nights with Mike Dugan and Adam London opening. … Can you believe we’re halfway to Halloween? Blush celebrates with a costume party and $2,500 to the best dressed.

Tomorrow’s teases

Get ready for the X-Men Origins: Wolverine invasion, plus the man who would be Elvis. Trent Carlini premieres his Elvis Presley tribute show, and his look-alike and sound-alike resemblance is uncanny. We meet the star chefs at the 19th Epicurean Affair, and enjoy our photo gallery as DJ AM starts his Palms residency.

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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