Las Vegas Weekly

March 23, 2009 · 11:57 AM

Strip Scribbles: Toni Braxton celebrates sister Tamar’s birthday at XS

By Robin Leach

Toni Braxton.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Grammy-winning music star Toni Braxton entertained a large group of friends and family at Victor Drai’s XS inside the Encore for her sister Tamar’s 29th birthday. Toni had the deejay play one of their family’s favorite songs, Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face!”

Turns out that Tamar’s husband is veteran Interscope Records executive Vincent Herbert, and Lady Gaga is one of Interscope’s stars! The Braxton sisters partied until 1:30 a.m. before departing in Toni’s SUV. Former NBA star Kenny Smith was in the party, and seated nearby were former NFL star running backs Marcus Allen, Marshall Faulk and Eric Dickerson, who all raised a glass to congratulate Tamar!

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

Terry Fator and Ace Young.

*American Idol Season 5 semifinalist Ace Young was called up onstage by singing ventriloquist Terry Fator at his show in The Mirage. Ace had such a great time that he decided to stay and perform the rest of the week. Ace sang “Father Figure” and “Dream On,” and Terry, who duplicated Ace’s voice after a couple of nights, insisted that Ace join him after each show for autograph and photo sessions with the audience. This week, Terry’s musical guest might be Mickey Thomas of Starship.

Photo: Miss America Organization

Miss America Katie Stam attends a Children's Miracle Network event.

*Our hometown heroine Julianne Hough took time out of her Dancing With the Stars rehearsals with country singer boyfriend Chuck Wicks so she could entertain the annual Children’s Miracle Network celebration in Orlando. Julianne, a former Las Vegas Academy student, was joined by 2009 Miss America Katie Stam for the fundraising kickoff to assist children fighting life-threatening illnesses. Julianne and Katie performed “What a Wonderful World” and “Hero” at the Miracle Awards and Miracles in Media dinners. While Julianne flew back to Hollywood for tonight’s DWTS broadcast, Katie flew to Washington, D.C., where today, President Obama will welcome her and the children to The White House. Katie was crowned Miss America here at Planet Hollywood in January.

Photo: Candi Cazou

Husband-and-wife team Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell.

*It’s difficult to believe that comedy star Marty Allen is closing in on his 90th birthday! The longtime Vegas headliner is still going strong and celebrates his 87th birthday today. Congratulations to Marty and wife Karon Kate Blackwell, who head off to entertain on several cruise excursions through April before returning home, where they will headline at the South Point in mid-June.

*Two unique items on the calendar for today. Fans and workers will pick up shovels to turn a pile of 200 cubic yards of earth into the Extreme Thing BMX course at our Desert Breeze Skate Park in advance of the 6th Annual Pro Dirt Jump Competitions this Saturday. Course designer Ricardo Laguna will oversee the five days of unique construction. … Late this afternoon, Papillion Helicopters, Grand Canyon Airlines and Scenic Air unveil their $9 million Aerocenter in Boulder City. The ultra-modern 30,000 square-foot terminal, which took less than a year to construct, will house all operations under one roof and make it oh-so-easy for tourists who want to use the sightseeing services. A Hualapai tribal blessing will kick off the festivities with a simultaneous helicopter flyover!

Photo: Ron Dante

Ron Dante and Barry Manilow at the Las Vegas Hilton.

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

DJ AM.

Star surveillance

At the opening night of Monster Circus at the Hilton, Barry Manilow, Steve Harwell of Smashmouth, Paul Crook of Meatloaf and Patti Russo were among those who turned out to watch and listen to rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. Dee returns as guest star this Thursday through Saturday for the second run of the bizarre big top! … Better Than Ezra band mates relaxed after their concert with Grey Goose shots and partied into the early morning hours at LAX in the Luxor. … At sister nightspot Pure, wheels wizard and turntable titan DJ AM spun amid reliable rumors from our nightlife queen Xania Woodman that he’s moving over to the nightclubs at the Palms. Arizona Cardinals star Donovan Raiola and pals had a VIP table on the open-air balcony overlooking the Strip, missing AM’s nonstop set inside the nightclub. … Saturday Night Live star Kristen Wiig ordered many Mexican specialties at Dos Caminos inside the Palazzo before the server could even go through the menu. Saying she was “really hungry,” Kristen and her friend tucked into guacamole, queso fundido, plantain empanadas, chopped salad, Dos enchiladas, cumin fries, corn on the cob and a lot of Mexican beer! … TNT’s NBA sports commentator Kenny Smith munched on mac ’n’ cheese bites and flatbreads while watching the NCAA March Madness games during lunch at Society Cafe in Steve Wynn’s Encore. As he left, in walked Dr. Drew Pinsky with his family, and their meal began with mac ’n’ cheese bites, too! … NFL wide receiver and free agent Eddie Kennison enjoyed steak, corn and lobster mashed potatoes at N9NE steakhouse in the Palms for dinner and finished off with a liquid dessert of espresso shots. … Deep Dish’s Sharam put on a multimedia show to go with his guest DJ duties at Rain inside the Palms to launch his new album Get Wild, which drops April 7.

Tonight’s tips

Time to cut the red ribbon and swing back the red rope for the VIP grand opening of the made-over Rockhouse Bar and Nightclub in front of the Imperial Palace. Our friends at sister publications Las Vegas Weekly, Las Vegas magazine and Vegas magazine host the shindig, which is more than a year overdue. … Grammy Award-winning artist Eve plays hostess at the weekly “We Rock Hip Hop” party at Prive in Planet Hollywood. … The Monday night party at Jet in The Mirage is dubbed “Babe Watch” to celebrate the start of summer pool season, so bikinis and swimming trunks will be de rigueur!

Photo: ABC TV

Lacey Schwimmer and Steve-O.

Tomorrow’s teases

We’ll have our story on the Basketball Hall of Fame coming to town complete with some of the greatest stars of the game, plus we’ll have the overnight photos from Dancing With the Stars and try to guess what will happen with the viewer voting to our Vegas favorites Holly, Julianne, Steve-O and Denise after the judges’ scores. Vegas Deluxe will post a special spoiler-alert story before 8 p.m. today. We’ll also have an advance look at Andrew Dice Clay’s new run of savage comedy shows that starts at Sushi Samba’s SugarCane Lounge in the Palazzo on Wednesday; Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil celebrates his birthday all over again at the Palms; and Wayne Newton takes on a teaching assignment for children wanting to become filmmakers and screen stars!

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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