Las Vegas Weekly

August 11, 2009 · 10:13 AM

Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Bill Clinton’s dual purpose in Las Vegas

By Robin Leach

Former President Bill Clinton at the National Clean Air Energy Summit 2.0 at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Former President Bill Clinton was in town yesterday as one of the headline speakers at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0: Jobs and the New Economy presented by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. The event drew an impressive turnout, from former Vice President Al Gore to oil magnate T. Boone Pickens. Our contributing photographers Scott Harrison and Erik Kabik covered the summit through photos (check back later today for their images).

But it became clear that something else was going on when some of Bill’s friends were seen on the Strip. Turns out our former commander in chief elected to celebrate his 63rd birthday with a pricey dinner at Craftsteak in MGM Grand. How pricey? The 8-ounce Waygu New York strip steak goes for $240. (Potatoes and other sides are extra!)

On the guest list: Terry McAuliffe, the former leader of the Democratic National Committee who is Bill’s longtime friend and golfing buddy; Paul Begala, a senior adviser from his 1992 presidential campaign; John D. Podesta, a former White House chief of staff under him; Haim Saban, a friend, Hollywood executive and significant financial contributor; Jay Carson, a former communications director for Bill; and Steve Bing, a Hollywood media mogul who has become one of his best friends and regularly lends him his private jet. (Most recently, Bill used the jet for his trip to North Korea, where he helped negotiate the release of two American journalists.)

As of yesterday afternoon, it was unclear whether Al would attend the dinner, while Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in The Congo. No need to worry, though, as William Jefferson Clinton’s actual birthday is Aug. 19.

Sarah Feldberg

So You Think You Can Dance judges Mia Michaels, Lil C, Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen and Nigel Lythgoe.

*An upcoming fall show of So You Think You Can Dance is being filmed at Planet Hollywood this week. Choreographer Debbie Allen was seen at the Strip hotel with Jermaine Jackson and Nigel Lythgoe, which had hotel guests abuzz that they are all appearing on the Las Vegas-themed episode and that perhaps Peepshow star Holly Madison also will make an appearance.

Kelly Clarkson.

Photo: Don Chareunsy/Vegas DeLuxe

The Veronicas.

*Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Clarkson, who recently celebrated two No. 1s -- the album All I Ever Wanted and hit single “My Life Would Suck Without You” -- will be in concert with The Veronicas and Parachute at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Nov. 6. The Australian duo The Veronicas had a recent hit with “Untouched,” which they performed during the Miss USA 2009 Pageant here at Planet Hollywood in April, while Parachute is climbing the charts with “She Is Love.” Tickets go on sale Friday.

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, Jason Martinez, Rick Faugno, Ali Landry, Erich Bergen and Deven May.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Ex-Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, the brother of late heavy metal guitarist Dimebag Darrell, points to a tattoo of his brother on the arm of Pop Evil guitarist Tony Greve backstage at the Thomas & Mack Center on Aug. 8. Pop Evil was the opening act for Judas Priest.

Star surveillance

Model, actress and former Miss USA Ali Landry and husband Alejandro Gomez Monteverde attended Jersey Boys in the Palazzo and afterward congratulated the cast on a great performance and posed for a group photo. The loving couple also dined at Tao in The Venetian while in town. … Jillian Harris and Ed Swiderski, the newly engaged couple from ABC’s The Bachelorette, dined on Lavo’s Strip-view terrace at the Palazzo. The duo kept close and looked happy and in love while enjoying a bottle of wine along with scallops, sea bass and pasta. The twosome left around 1 a.m. Also dining at Lavo was actress Natasha Henstridge and fiance Darius Danesh with friends, as well as actress Francia Raisa, who sipped on Sicilian Sun specialty cocktails and enjoying lobster and the Kobe meatball with friends before heading upstairs to the nightclub. … And ex-Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, the brother of late heavy metal guitarist Dimebag Darrell, was backstage at the Judas Priest concert over the weekend at Thomas & Mack Center with Pop Evil guitarist Tony Greve. Pop Evil was the opening act for Judas Priest.

Tonight’s tips

Check out the Pole Position Raceway segment on ESPN’s E:60. Sixteen-year-old baseball phenom Bryce Harper of Las Vegas filmed the segment last month at the racetrack opposite Palms Place with reporter Rachel Nichols. … Rocky LaPorte takes the stage through Sunday with supporting acts Kenny Bob Davis and Debbie Praver at the Improv in Harrah’s. The former Chicago truck driver and dockworker was named Best Male Club Comedian of the Year at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. … It’s Industry Night at Via Brasil. … And Elevation launches at The Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Nathan Burton and a friend at the 70th birthday celebration for Mayor Oscar Goodman at the Golden Nugget on July 31.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s magic, folks! Our celebrity guest columnist is Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton, who was on the red carpet for Vegas magazine and Usher’s party at The Playboy Club in the Palms last Friday.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy compiled Strip Scribbles for Robin Leach, who is on vacation.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

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