Las Vegas Weekly

November 19, 2009 · 3:44 PM

Strip Scribbles: Lance Burton headlines magic awards special on TV

By Robin Leach

Lance Burton.

Photo: Wayne Bernath

Our beloved Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton is the star guest on tonight’s two-hour World Magic Awards hosted by Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on MyNetworkTV. It will feature 14 magic acts from around the world and includes Las Vegas magicians Joseph Gabriel and Franz Harary, plus our Ed Alonzo, who toured with Britney Spears and created the illusions in her Circus Tour this year.

All next week, thanks to Las Vegas magic headliner Rick Thomas, late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson will present Magic Week for the third time. Each night, actor Neil Patrick Harris will introduce a magician. Craig first became fascinated and impressed with magic after his son took him to see Rick perform here in 2007.

Our Harrah’s headliner comedy-magician Mac King will honor Spread the Word Nevada Kids to Kids with a magic show and storybook reading on Dec. 11. The organization was recently selected by Barnes & Noble to be the recipient of its annual holiday giving program.

*Congratulations to hometown hero and tennis champion Andre Agassi, who is back at No. 1 again with the news that his new book Open: An Autobiography has landed at the top of The New York Times bestseller list. Click HERE for our coverage of Andre’s launch and candid interview at Steve Wynn’s Encore theater with ESPN’s Rick Reilly. Today, Andre is promoting the book in L.A. with radio and TV appearances, topped off with Jay Leno’s show. Here’s the newest YouTube interview with Andre from ITN Sports:

*Congratulations to longtime Sahara guest Ann Yerton from upstate New York, who won the 2009 Harley Cross-Bones motorcycle -- valued at $21,270 -- at the end of the Las Vegas BikeFest. The meet attracted some 30,000 motorcyclists who rode the desert for the ninth annual rally, now the largest late-season West Coast gathering.

Photo: Darrin Bush/Las Vegas News Bureau

Chris Noth with IGT's new slot machine bearing Sex and the City's name at the G2E Global Gaming Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Nov. 17, 2009.

Photo: TVT

Chuck Liddell and Johnny Brenden.

Star surveillance

Sex and the City actor Chris Noth enjoyed dinner at Robert De Niro’s Ago in the Hard Rock Hotel and then jumped over to Blush in the Wynn dancing to the music of DJ Mighty Mi and welcoming locals who donated more than 100 toys for our valley’s kids. … Actress Allison Janney celebrates her 50th birthday today and came to town early. She dined at Lavo in the Palazzo sipping wine and enjoying ravioli, a rib eye steak and mashed potatoes before heading upstairs to the nightclub. Next morning, she was up bright and early for breakfast with Iron Chef Kerry Simon at his Palms Place restaurant. … Later, UFC fighter and Dancing With the Stars contestant Chuck Liddell stopped in for lunch with Kerry and said he’ll be back on next week’s ABC finals show in Hollywood.

Photo: Courtesy

David Copperfield.

Tonight’s tips

Illusionist David Copperfield begins a new run of shows at MGM’s Hollywood Theater through Dec. 2. … Cher starts a run from Nov. 19 through Dec. 20 at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace promising new Bob Mackie gowns and dance routines. … Congratulations to Mike Penrod, owner of the Nikki Beach Clubs and hotel chain who celebrates his 40th birthday along with Nikki Beach’s first-ever Las Vegas event at MGM. … Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile hosts a contest in search of a MMA ring girl for the Tuff-N-Uff fights at The Orleans on Nov. 27, with a $500 prize. … Cafe Tacuba celebrates its 20th anniversary tour with a stop at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. … Seven wineries will present 28 wines from around the world at the Vineyards of Style event at the Shoppes in the Palazzo. The Toast to Prevent Hunger is a fundraiser that benefits our local Three Square food bank that serves 250 agencies across Southern Nevada. Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10 and Dos Caminos are serving taste treats.

Photo: TVT

Peter Max.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s another busy, star-packed weekend with UFC 106 to top it off as we wrap up our five-part series on MGM’s new CityCenter. We meet the eight architects who brought the incredible dream to life and look at what’s still to come. Artist Peter Max heads to town next week, and we have an exclusive interview, plus Opportunity Village opens up its Magical Christmas playground.

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 Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

— From Vegas Deluxe

Link Share This