Las Vegas Weekly

February 4, 2009 · 9:34 AM

Strip Scribbles: Tickets to go on sale for Elton John’s final Red Piano dates

By Robin Leach

Sir Elton John.

Photo: Harrah's

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for Sir Elton John’s final stand at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. Elton’s Red Piano was booked on Valentine’s Day 2004 for just 75 shows over three years, but he sped up the performances -- in just 18 months, the commitment was completed! Caesars extended his contract with another 166 dates; when Elton calls it quits April 22, the total run will be 241 performances. The Piano Man began his performances yesterday and runs through Feb. 15. Then he’ll return April 7 through April 22 before riding off into the Las Vegas sunset.

During his 40-year career, Elton has become one of the world’s most successful touring artists and one of the top selling solo artists of all time. He’s amassed 50 Top 40 hits, of which 29 were consecutive, 35 gold and 25 platinum albums and sold more than 250 million records worldwide.

Gary Selesner, president of Caesars, commented: “We’ve been honored to host Elton for the past five years. We are grateful to him and his talented band for bringing so many memorable performances to Caesars Palace. We have a long history of memorable entertainment, and Elton John is an icon in the music industry with international stature as a performer and gifted songwriter.”

Elton, known then by his birth name of Reginald Dwight, grew up outside London in Pinner, the neighboring town to Harrow, where I grew up. We attended the local schools at the same time, and while I sold shoes there for weekend pocket money, he played piano in a local pub on weekends. Thankfully, he didn’t follow his father’s desire for Elton to give up music to become a banker!

Bette Midler and Cher will be the alternating headline stars at The Colosseum until Celine Dion returns into the revolving schedule on a date yet TBA.

Photo: Andrew Dice Clay

Andrew Dice Clay.

*I’m hearing solid rumblings that the ultra-lounge business is facing major changes due to the ever-tightening economy and that one may be transformed into an intimate cabaret lounge for close-up comedy with such stars as Andrew Dice Clay and Roseanne Barr. Expect the announcement in the next 10 days!

*More than 700 construction workers will get a three-hour catered BBQ party to celebrate the topping off of the Hard Rock Hotel’s second tower Friday morning. The ceremony will include an American flag and an evergreen tree being hoisted to the rooftop. It’s another milestone in the $750 million expansion underway for the all-suite South tower, which will be ready for New Year’s Eve occupancy and the opening of a nightclub to replace Body English. The 15-story building will feature 374 suites and eight luxurious spa villas on the main level with direct walkway access to the Hard Rock’s Beach Club. Crowning the tower are seven penthouses all tailored with different themes.

Photo: Kagan PR

Terry Fator and his puppet pals.

*Singing ventriloquist Terry Fator unveiled his new Mirage show for the first time last night to MGM employees. His in-house previews lead up to the Valentine’s Day debut of his show. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with the $100 million man and America’s Got Talent winner here next week when we find out exactly what happened 34 years ago on Feb. 14.

Photo: TVT

Vegas DeLuxe's Robin Leach and Iron Chef Bobby Flay.

*Tickets are available for the 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d epicurean extravaganza May 7-10. This year, celebrated chefs Daniel Boulud, Todd English, Bobby Flay and Tom Colicchio will be featured stars. Other highlights include a poolside Grand Tasting with 75 celebrated chefs and vintners; a high-stakes culinary competition; Masters Series dinners with acclaimed chefs such as Guy Savoy; an exclusive culinary experience fused with the performing arts with Chef Joel Robuchon and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Ka; an all-star luncheon with first-hand instruction from such star chefs as Paul Bartolotta; and a gala celebration featuring a cavalcade of chefs led by Michael Mina. The event, presented by Bon Appetit, is regarded as one of the premier dining events on America’s culinary calendar! The adventures will be anchored at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, the Wynn and the Encore. Vegas Uncork’d is co-sponsored by our Convention & Visitors Authority, our Greenspun Media Group and Larry Ruvo’s Southern Wine & Spirits.

“Over the years, Las Vegas has transformed itself into a destination where the most celebrated chefs choose to open restaurants and showcase the very best in fine dining. Along with our spectacular resorts and world-renowned entertainment, dining has grown into one of Las Vegas’ most important amenities,” said Terry Jicinsky, senior VP of marketing for LVCVA. “We believe this year’s event will continue to build on our previous successes and solidify our place as an exemplary food and wine destination.”

“Vegas Uncork’d is a spectacular gathering of who’s who in the food world, and Bon Appetit is delighted to once again have a hand in bringing it all together,” Editor in Chief Barbara Fairchild said. “Las Vegas is one of today’s hottest culinary destinations, and this event creates a truly one-of-a-kind experience for visitors who want to mix it up with the city’s world-class chefs and some of the finest sommeliers in the country.”

Photo: N9NE Group

Rapper Too Short.

Star surveillance

Retired Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens star Steve “Air” McNair was at the Sierra Gold ultra-tavern for two consecutive days over Super Bowl weekend. He discovered the locals bar after a tip from his hotel concierge. He was so impressed with the signature wings and fries with his Patron tequila and Bud Light that he returned the next day with several friends who all hung out watching sports on the TVs in the VIP lounge. … NFL wide receiver and former Green Bay Packer Carlyle Holiday was at Lavo in the Palazzo with friends enjoying Grey Goose and Red Bull cocktails while talking to the Lakers Girls and enjoying the sounds of DJ Vice. … Frank Thomas, former designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox, ordered a magnum of Veuve Clicquot champagne for his girlfriend and their group at Lavo. … Rapper Too $hort and friends were at an adjoining Lavo table, and he dazzled the crowd, which included Playboy Playmate actress-model Summer Altice, with his sparkling white shirt while drinking another magnum of Veuve champagne! … Newly acquired New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia was with friends at Victor Drai’s mega-club XS at Steve Wynn’s the Encore with poker star David Williams at an adjoining VIP dance floor booth.

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

General Hospital actor Tyler Christopher is flanked by Jersey Boys cast members Kristopher McNeeley, Rick Faugno, Jeff Leibow and Erich Bergen at the Palazzo.

*Soap star Tyler Christopher (Nikolas Cassadine on ABC’s General Hospital) made Jersey Boys a must-see at the Palazzo. Tyler stopped backstage after the show to meet the talented cast and congratulate them on their spectacular performance.

*The Skylofts private duplex suites at the MGM Grand and Signature condo hotel in the back of the “Big Green” building earn congratulations for scoring high rankings in the Conde Nast Traveler Awards and Trip Advisors Top 10 rankings. In the Top 10 for romance, Signature placed seventh and the Skylofts 10. In Top 10 best luxury for the U.S., Skylofts placed fifth and 60th worldwide. The only other Vegas hotel included in the awards was the Four Seasons Hotel at Mandalay Bay, which ranked 12th in Best in the Top 25 worldwide, 45th in Top 100 Best Luxury worldwide and fourth for Top 10 Best Luxury in the U.S.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Jesse Csincsak.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Jesse Csincsak.

*How could we resist? Our contributing photographer Denise Truscello was shooting portrait shots of The Bachelorette hunk Jesse Csincsak at her home when her dog Luca wandered onto the set. Jesse made an instant friend and learned that Denise had named her home Casa Luca after her canine. The photos looked so good, we had to run them here!

Photo: Blush

Tanner Hall at Blush.

Photo: Blush

Tanner Hall at Blush.

*When Red Bull sponsors a SIA Tradeshow party, what else could possibly be served to drink? Well seven-time X Games gold medalist Tanner Hall managed to find Grey Goose vodka to go with his! Tanner hit Society Cafe in the Encore for mac-and-cheese bites before heading to Blush in the Wynn, where he hopped up on the bar and welcomed everybody to the party by throwing out Red Bull merchandise to the crowd.

Photo: www.mylasvegasscene.com

HardNox at Rok Vegas.

Photo: www.mylasvegasscene.com

HardNox at Rok Vegas.

*Rockers HardNox performed and partied when they hit Rok Vegas in New York-New York, and they knew exactly when our camera was trained right on them!

Tonight’s tip

The Hard Rock Hotel is party central with Starkillers, Austin Leeds and Scotty Boy at Body English, while Carey Hart throws a “Sexy Server Contest” for the hospitality industry at Wasted Space. Oh, and it’s open bar from 6 to 9 p.m.!

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

Ne-Yo at home with the mic at Pure.

Tomorrow’s tease

It’s a busy showbiz night in Vegas as hometown hero and R&B superstar Ne-Yo plays a special Palms concert in advance of Sunday’s Grammy Awards, where he’s nominated for Album of the Year and five other awards. … Comedy impressionist Gordie Brown returns from his Celine Dion tour dates to open a long run at the Golden Nugget downtown. … Hair king Michael Boychuck is the only Vegas resident to rank as one of America’s Top 50 stylists, and the very tattooed Kat Von D of TLC’s L.A. Ink displays her head-to-toe artwork! … And don’t forget our exclusive one-on-one with Danny Gans at week’s end as he kicks off his residency at the Encore.

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