Las Vegas Weekly

January 15, 2009 · 11:23 AM

Strip Scribbles: It’s official! Ray J invests in Poetry at Caesars Palace

By Robin Leach

Ray J.

Photo: OPM

Exactly as Vegas DeLuxe reported more than a week ago -- click HERE for that story -- hip-hop star Ray J will officially announce tomorrow morning that he’s on board as a financial partner in the 5-year-old Poetry nightclub inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. A press conference is set for 10:30 a.m. at the club when celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck will serve up salmon and egg breakfast pizzas to attendees. “Ray’s involvement is a match made in nightclub heaven. He reflects what Poetry is as a brand: upscale, classy and, most of all, sexy!” one of the partners said.

Ray J’s new show on VH1, For the Love of Ray J, begins airing in February. I’m told Ray hopes to be at Poetry as often as possible, and he promises not only to personally welcome guests but also will be hands on and not hiding behind a velvet rope in a VIP section!

*It’s also official now after we broke the news this week that hit-maker David Foster will present Brian McKnight and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey on May 9 at Mandalay Bay as a follow-up to last year’s PBS special Friends. David says Oprah Winfrey’s amazing protégé Charice Pempengco and Peter Cincotti will perform, plus a surprise superstar performer who will remain top secret until show time. David has won two Emmys and an unprecedented 45 Grammy Award nominations for his chart-topping hits created for Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, among many others. No, that’s not a hint about which superstar might also be showing up to perform!

*It’s not often that we get to see former boxing champion Evander Holyfield in Vegas, and on his latest trip here this week, N9NE steakhouse chef Barry Dakake persuaded the ex-fighter to sign his celebrity-studded kitchen door. Evander was in a group of six friends for his two-hour dinner at the Palms restaurant, where he ordered lobster bisque and shrimp pasta. He drank cranberry juice and a Long Island iced tea to end the night! Chef Barry told us: “He is the only boxer to win the heavyweight title four times. I’ve got over 100 sports star autographs on the kitchen door, but Evander now ranks up there as one of the best!”

*It’s one of the biggest thrills in our lives so far,” said the excited violin-playing triplets Alizma, who live here in Vegas. The beautiful blonde trio was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers as the half-time entertainment at a recent game. They also opened the game playing the national anthem.

*Former graffiti artist David Garibaldi went legitimate and is now known as a world-renowned artist who paints to music. He says it usually takes two songs for him to create a 6-foot portrait of pop icons. You can see his amazing work on display at the “Art of Music” here. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue captured these extraordinary photos when David put on his “Painting With Rhythm “ show. Executives from The Mirage watched his offbeat painting production in amazement and promptly booked him as the entertainment for first-nighters at the gala premiere of Terry Fator’s new show in March. Meantime, Terry’s previews begin on Valentine’s Day.

*American Idol judge Paula Abdul is vacationing right alongside Believe magician Criss Angel and his Girls Next Door girlfriend Holly Madison at a luxury resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. … Meanwhile, back home star choreographer Cris Judd, who has been creating new routines for the topless cabaret Fantasy at Criss’s home in the Luxor, relaxed at Lavo inside the Palazzo after an intense day of rehearsals. He had a group of friends in tow and wound up showing off his own dance moves to the sounds of DJ Five at a floor table. … Luxor Vice President Tom McCartney has departed to assume the responsibilities of new president at Planet Hollywood after the resignation of Mike Mecca, who opened the property six years ago!

*For the first time, the nationwide chain of comedy clubs known as Bonkerz is opening a Vegas outpost. Joe Sanfelipo opened his first club in Milwaukee in 1984 and has spread out to 20 cities. Several comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Sam Kinison and Luxor headliner Carrot Top, got their starts at Bonkerz. Now he’s taken over the Sound Trax showroom at the Palace Station, and tonight it’s Bonkerz’ premiere! The club will feature standup comics every night with five show times offered Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Tonight’s tip

“It’s Not Unusual” when super-sexy singer Tom Jones swivels on stage for the female fans to throw their room keys wrapped in lingerie! Yes, even though he’s knighted by the Queen as Sir Tom and is just two years shy of 70, the ladies still swoon when he asks in that Welsh accent, “What’s New Pussycat?” Tom opens at MGM’s Hollywood Theater tonight for a 14-night run. … Teen heartthrob idols of yesteryear Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell are still going strong and sound as good, if not better, than they did back in the 1950s days of South Philly with all those pop hits such as “Volare” and “Venus.” They are at The Orleans through Sunday night.

Tomorrow’s tease

We’ll have the first photos of this year’s 52 Miss America Pageant contestants as Mayor Oscar Goodman welcomes them to the Strip. Then it’s another star-studded weekend as everybody from Reba McEntire to Vince Neil head into town. We’ve got the full rundown of who is where and when, plus Brody Jenner celebrates the launch of his new MTV series Bromance at the Bank in the Bellagio.

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