Las Vegas Weekly

May 7, 2009 · 12:42 PM

Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Moksha, Holly Madison and Charlie Trotter

By Robin Leach

Holly Madison and Kevin Rudolf.

Photo: Denise Truscello

The Girls Next Door blonde beauty Holly Madison now appears to spend more time in Las Vegas than back home in Los Angeles as she preps her new reality TV show. Last night, Holly was dining again at Strip House next to the Peepshow theater, where she was recently interviewed for a possible guest star headliner role when Kelly Monaco ends her three-month contract run. Holly also attended Hugh Hefner’s unveiling of Ida Ljungqvist as the 2009 PlayboyPlaymate of the Year at the Palms last weekend.

*You probably aren’t familiar with the rock, jazz, funk and jam fusion band Moksha, but our contributing photographer Erik Kabik believes that’s all about to change. When Moksha performed here downtown at the Sinister Rock Bar, Erik said the room came alive with fans for their music and the light show -- and even models had their bodies painted. Said Erik: “Moksha is a rare breed and offers world-class improvisational music as a spicy and colorful heightened musical alternative. They will cause a stir on the national music scene, and the vocals by Angela Kerfoot will make you think Janis Joplin meets Blondie!” Moksha is Angela Kerfoot, vocals; John Heishman, bass and co-vocals; Patrick Gray, drums; Jeremy Parks, guitar; Brian Triola, keyboard and vocals; Mike Evans, trombone; and Julian Tanaka, saxophone.

Photo: The Venetian

Life in the fast lane: Charlie Trotter, Mario Andretti and Robin Leach.

*Multiple James Beard Award-winning chef Charlie Trotter hosted a book launch at his Restaurant Charlie in the Palazzo. Charlie discussed his new book Lessons in Wine Service alongside Conrad Reddick, his beverage director of six years. Charlie, hailed by food critics as one of the finest chefs in the world, has been instrumental in establishing new standards for cuisine. His Vegas Chef de Cuisine, Michael Rotundo, explained his nightly experiences at the restaurant with its unique cuisine. They set up various wine stations in Bar Charlie and Restaurant C to educate the specifics of wine pairings, service and selection with complementary tasty tidbits! Despite an extensive lineup, Charlie signed copies of his book for all guests.

Tiffany Brown

Chef Wolfgang Puck and his wife, Gelila, on the red carpet on the way into the 13th Annual Power of Love Gala at the Bellagio in Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.

*Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has redesigned and relaunched his Web site that services his restaurants here at Caesars Palace, MGM Grand and The Venetian -- in addition to all his other restaurants from California to New Jersey. Now when you go to www.wolfgangpuck.com, he’s there to bring you all his latest news and products. “On our new Web site, you will find everything from cooking tips, recipes, great restaurants, appliances, cookware and prepared food … you will find it all here, and it’s very viewer-interactive friendly,” said Wolf, who blazed the Vegas trail as the original celebrity chef in 1991 with the first Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

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

Bobby Slayton.

Star surveillance

Self-titled Pit-Bull Comic Bobby Slayton had a full house for his opening in his new Tropicana cabaret room, and hypnotist Anthony Cools was there rooting for him on the first night. … Boxer Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik was at The Playboy Club and Moon in the Palms. … Comedy actress Molly Shannon’s Wedding Weekend was released on DVD yesterday, but instead of hearing Frank Sinatra singing “I’ve Got the World on a String,” Mad TV producer Bruce Leddy, who directed the film, used our Las Vegas singer-pianist Brian Evans’ version of the classic. … The Travel Channel’s popular series Man v. Food will film a segment at Hash House A Go Go tomorrow, and customers are invited to witness host Adam Richman as he discovers the true meaning of “twisted farm food.” Man v. Food follows Adam as he travels America in search of restaurants that serve the biggest and best local meals. The show airs every Wednesday. … Supercross star Chad Reed partied at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space when Good Charlotte frontman Benji Madden served as guest DJ.

Photo: Nathan's Famous

Joey Chestnut, hot dog eating champion.

Today’s tip: Will the record 66 hot dogs be eclipsed?

For the 12th consecutive year, some of the West’s finest competitive eaters will chow down at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship this afternoon at New York- New York. Employees will tackle a Heroes competition for charity starting at 1 p.m. Then at 3 p.m., the big names start stuffing their faces. Two-time defending champion Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., who devoured 59 hot dogs last year in the 12-minute time clock, will likely return to the July 4 Coney Island finals and probably compete against former champion Takeru Kobayashi, who won several times between 2000 and 2006. Our qualifying contest is one of 14 cities providing winners for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International competition. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik will be there to record hot dog history, and we’ll have his photos here tomorrow. Send in the Pepto Bismol!

Photo: Paul Anka

Paul Anka.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s a Mother’s Day weekend edition of Vegas DeLuxe as legendary entertainer Paul Anka returns to town to sing the sweet songs of love, Hannah Montana dad Billy Ray Cyrus shows his country metal and Tonight Show comedian John Melendez arrives for laughs. We’ve got the full wrap-up of star highlights up and down the Strip, plus photos of hard rockers Black Label Society and Static X and standup comic Dat Phan.

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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