Las Vegas Weekly

October 9, 2009 · 1:24 PM

Strip Scribbles: News of Garth Brooks residency set for Thursday

By Robin Leach

Garth Brooks.

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

It now looks definite after weeks of rumors and speculation that country superstar Garth Brooks is coming out of retirement to become a resident headliner at the Wynn. He’ll play in the theater that was to have been the longtime permanent home of the late Danny Gans.

Garth has performed only charity concerts since announcing his decision to quit recording and performing in 2001. Since his debut album in 1989, Garth has sold more than 114 million albums and is hailed as the biggest-selling solo country artist of the 20th century.

The official announcement about Garth is set for Thursday at the Encore/Wynn theater, with owner Steve Wynn handling the official duties. It will be carried live on Garth’s official Web site GarthBrooks.com.

Garth is married to country singer and longtime collaborator Trisha Yearwood. He donates the majority of his earnings today to his Teammates for Kids Foundation, which has held various fundraising events here in Las Vegas. Garth has 24 Billboard Music Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards and two Grammy Awards!

Photo: Wayne Bernath

2004 Miss America Ericka Dunlap and magician Lance Burton.

*Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, who attends every pageant here in Las Vegas and will be back again for the 2010 gala in January, is still in competition with husband Brian Kleinschmidt on CBS’ The Amazing Race. Having successfully won in Tokyo, the team moved on to the hectic pace of Vietnam. You can watch Ericka and Brian on the fourth episode on Sunday night. Click HERE to watch their trials and torment in last week’s program. Incidentally, syndicated radio conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been named this morning to be one of the judges for our 2010 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood on Jan. 30. I will emcee the “Evening of Dreams” for all 53 contestants with reigning Miss America Katie Stam the night before the pageant.

Photo: SFE PR

Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Carrot Top, Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot.

*Zany comic Carrot Top welcomed rockers Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot to his Luxor show, and the fab four posed for our backstage photo after the performance. Last night at Planet Hollywood, chieftain Robert Earl revealed that he’s been invited to be an opening comic for an upcoming Carrot Top show. Robert, who keeps 500 jokes on his cell phone from British buddies, says he’ll read the best of them from his text messages when his debut date is set.

Photo: N9NE Group

Beth Ostrosky, Nove Italiano chef Geno Bernardo, Howard Stern and a friend.

Star surveillance

Satellite radio superstar Howard Stern continued his first wedding anniversary celebrations at Nobu in the Hard Rock Hotel with his wife Beth Ostrosky, who tomorrow night wraps four weeks of filming ABC’s Face of Vegas here. … Former boxing champion Mike Tyson and wife Lakiha Spicer attended The Platters, Coasters and Marvelettes show inside the Congo Room at the Sahara, and Mike sang along to the music. … The Lettermen wanted to share in the journey of another pop group of that time and watched Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. The guys are performing at South Point tonight through Sunday.

Photo: Barrett-Jackson

Bruce Willis' 1967 Chevrolet Corvette.

*The fabulous Barrett-Jackson car auction and auto memorabilia exhibits continue today and wind up tomorrow at Mandalay Bay. Tonight, Don Johnson’s SUV should go across the auction block at 7, and tomorrow around the same hour, Bruce Willis’ vehicles will go under the hammer, followed by Jay Leno selling his prized Yamaha motorcycle, with all the proceeds going to charity.

Which reminds me, as the gavel falls, it’s time to shift into top gear and roar out of here in high speed with all the other weekend highlights of what’s getting the bidding going in a package we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Mariah Carey at The Pearl in the Palms.

Friday, Oct. 9

*Superstar singer Mariah Carey returns to The Pearl in the Palms for two concerts directed by choreographer Debbie Allen. Click HERE for our coverage of Mariah’s shows here last month.

Photo: Crazy Horse Paris

Carmen Electra.

*Gorgeous, curvy sex symbol Carmen Electra continues the art of striptease, going topless with her solos and the Crazy Horse Paris dancers’ finale, at MGM this weekend and next week. I’m joining Carmen tonight after the Epicurean Foundation fundraising star chefs dinner at The M Resort gets underway.

*And speaking of Barenaked Ladies, the band presumably performs with its clothes on at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

*Oscar and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx’s Blame It Tour has a stop in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

C'mon, Carlos. That's not appropriate desert attire.

*It’s all about comedy this weekend: Dennis Miller starts a three-night run at The Orleans; Ray Romano and Brad Garrett team up for two nights at The Mirage; Carlos Mencia wraps his comedy gig at Treasure Island; and actor and comedian Dane Cook kicks off two nights at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

*The Used performs at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay with Drive A and Almost.

*The U.S. Open Motocross sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drinks revs up at MGM Grand Garden Arena through Sunday.

*Tickets go on sale today for Robin Williams at MGM Grand on Dec. 5 now that he’s resumed touring after heart surgery.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Courtney Mazza and Mario Lopez attend the grand opening of the Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo.

Party patrol

Mario Lopez will celebrate his 36th birthday, while it’s Nick Cannon’s 29th birthday celebration the following night, at the Bank in the Bellagio. That means you can expect Nick’s wife Mariah Carey onsite for a champagne toast during the festivities. … Hip-hop mogul, producer and performer Jermaine Dupri returns to Prive to hold it down hosting We Rock Hip Hop. Carmen Electra’s better half Rob Patterson, formerly of Korn and Otep, will handle deejay duties at Prive on Monday.

Saturday, Oct. 10

*Do you know the way to the Cannery? If so, that’s where you’ll find singer Dionne Warwick in her inimitable style, so toss away the map to San Jose.

*Motorhead, with guests Reverend Horton Heat and Chelsea Girls, performs at House of Blues, as The Four Preps perform the soundtrack of our lives for two nights at the Suncoast, while the Rippingtons, featuring Russ Freeman, produce the sounds of smooth jazz and celebrate 15 albums and 20 years at Boulder Station.

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

Carey Hart at the grand opening of the John Varvatos store at the Hard Rock Hotel.

*Carey Hart presents Ray Manzarek and Robby Kreiger with Brett Scallions for two nights at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel.

*The M Resort hosts its first Mixed Martial Arts Xplosion Pro/Am with five professional and six amateur fights. The main fight is the matchup of John “Quick Guns” Gunderson against Steve “Razor” Sharp. Many local fighters are taking part.

*Tickets go on sale for comedienne Chelsea Handler’s Nov. 14 show at The Colosseum. She’s taking a break from E!’s Chelsea Lately to bring in her nonstop laughter. Also on sale today, tickets for the Swords Tour at The Joint on Dec. 4 starring Morrissey and Doll & the Kicks.

Party patrol

Supercross legend and reigning U.S. Open champion James Stewart will host a U.S. Open After Party at Studio 54 in MGM, and the Down and Derby roller-skating disco race party is set for Beauty Bar downtown.

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

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel rally for Obama.

Sunday, Oct. 11

*Superstar Justin Timberlake is joined by golf pro Butch Harmon to host a Youth Clinic at 2 p.m. at the TPC in Summerlin to kick off J.T.’s weeklong fundraising festivities for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

*Country superstar and music legend Kenny Rogers keeps touring and turning out hits, and he takes the stage at Star of the Desert Arena.

*Creedence Clearwater Revisited heats up the outdoor chill with a poolside concert at Silverton Casino Lodge.

Party patrol

The hip, hot hair salons of Las Vegas do battle in Hair Wars 5 at Moon in the Palms. This time, the stylists have to create A Vampire’s Seduction with their hair’s crowning glory.

Photo: TVT

Holly Madison and Laura Croft.

Monday’s teases

Holly Madison starts the first day of filming her new reality TV series Planet Holly, and I’m becoming a regular guest popping up from time to time. Cameras film us next week and also guest star Mayor Oscar Goodman as Holly seeks to take over the city! We’ll also have the titillating and tempting sneak photo preview of the all-new Fantasy at the Luxor and the wrap of the stars’ cars at the Barrett-Jackson auction.

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.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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