Las Vegas Weekly

October 20, 2009 · 2:08 PM

Strip Scribbles: Two compete to be New York-New York’s Vinny the Man

By Robin Leach

New York-New York on the Las Vegas Strip.

Photo: Courtesy

Two final candidates for the title of “Vinny the Man” will do battle this afternoon to determine who becomes the spokesman for New York-New York’s new marketing and advertising campaign. The Vinny vs. Vinny competitors will be introduced this afternoon on the Brooklyn Bridge and then will start several weeks of competitions to determine by public vote the ultimate Vinny.

The winning Vinny will have the most New York swagger and be crowned the resort’s new spokesman. The first competition today for Vinny Red and Vinny Blue is a hot dog-eating contest to see who can raise the most money for the Clark County Fire Department’s Muscular Dystrophy Association boot drive.

*Longtime Las Vegas magician Rick Thomas has opened his home and his heart to many animals, including cockatoos, tigers and cats, throughout his career. In his show The Magic & Tigers of Rick Thomas at the Sahara, Rick amazes audiences performing with beautiful birds and regal white Bengal tigers.

Tonight, the illusionist will host a benefit to raise money for the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and No-Kill Animal Sanctuary. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., Nevada SPCA will have a number of cats and dogs groomed and gorgeous, ready to be taken to a loving home. Then there’s a 7 p.m. special performance of Rick’s show, with a portion of ticket sales benefiting Nevada SPCA.

Star surveillance

Actor Anthony Edwards (ER) took a patio table beside the pool while chilling at Victor Drai’s XS at Steve Wynn’s Encore. Also there separately: actor Chazz Palminteri, music star Jermaine Dupri, auto racing star Tony Kanaan and UFC fighter Dan Henderson. … At nearby Blush in the Wynn, Francia Raisa of The Secret Life of the American Teenager and co-star Allen Evangelista hit the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning. … Anthony also watched the Matt Goss show at the Palms after meeting Matt and producer Robin Antin of Pussycat Dolls fame while at the “New Celebrity New Media” panel at the Blog World convention, where they all sat on the same panel.

Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz (Kirk Jones) of Onyx performed at Body English, with Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys partying with the best of the bubby. … Kevin Federline enjoyed a dinner at Strip House in Planet Hollywood. … X Games champion and Australian skateboarder Jake Brown returned to Moon at the Palms for second and third consecutive nights, while November 2009 Playmate of the Month Kelly Thompson stuck to Fiji water while at The Playboy Club in the Palms. … At Rain in the Palms, hip-hop producer Justin Blaze also stuck to Fiji water while at Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Vegas.

R&B star Jay Sean assumed hosting duties at Tao in The Venetian upon arriving after midnight from the Shriners Hospitals for Children’s benefit. That didn’t stop him from hopping onstage to thrill a packed nightclub with his No. 1 hit “Down,” which features Lil’ Wayne. He partied with friends at a dance floor VIP table until 4 a.m.

Tonight’s tips

Beth Shak has been called the world’s sexiest poker player, and she hosts at Lavo in the Palazzo. If she wears any of her amazing poker-themed shoes and dress designs, you’ll be KO’d, too. … Qualifying rounds in the Monopoly World Championships continue until 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace, with the semis and final tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. … Perry Danos, the “new voice of Vegas,” hosts a reception at The Orleans Showroom to mark his debut. … Tonight, I’m getting a preview from Wayne Newton of his new show Once Before I Go at the Tropicana. His grand opening is Oct. 28, and between now and then, he’ll be tweaking and polishing until he’s ready and raring to go! … Comedienne Wendy Liebman, with Marc Price and Jodi Borello, performs twice nightly at Harrah’s Improv through Sunday.

Tomorrow’s teases

Reality shows are running my life! We’ll have the photo follow-up to the Dancing With the Stars results show and then preview Top Chef: Las Vegas along with new odds. It’s our first look at the Miss Nevada USA hopefuls for the next Miss USA Pageant, plus no self-respecting beauty queen would ever attempt it, but can anyone eat their way through the world’s largest burger stack right here at The Mirage? It’s too awesome to think possible.

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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