Las Vegas Weekly

August 25, 2010 · 4:31 PM

Strip Scribbles: Criss Angel attempts mass vanishing world record

By Robin Leach

Donald Trump and Criss Angel at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 23, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Mindfreak magician Criss Angel intends to set a new Guinness World Record during tonight’s broadcast of his A&E series’ Season 6. Executives from the prestigious publication have set down rigorous test conditions for the attempt, and they are on hand at the Luxor’s convention area as 100 people are selected at random and shackled together as a crowd of thousands watch. Then, instantaneously, Criss plans to make them all disappear!

After the record attempt is broadcast on the show titled 100 Gone, Criss plans to attend a special party at Liquidity Lounge approaching midnight after his two Believe performances for Cirque du Soleil. If successful with the mass vanishing, Criss will be presented with a certificate validated by Guinness that he’s the new holder of the world’s largest vanish. Fans are invited to join the illusionist for the hoped-for celebration.

*For Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps, his stay in Las Vegas after the weekend Pan Pacific Championships is the last break he’ll get now until after the 2012 Olympics. He wanted a few days of golf, fun and hanging with friends before a nonstop training and practice schedule. During the Pan Pacific, he scored the world’s fastest 100 freestyle time and also won the butterfly.

While here, he dined at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms and partied past midnight at Ghostbar. The world record-holder also hit The Bank in the Bellagio before his trip ended and discovered one of his main opponents, three-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte, at the next VIP table celebrating his birthday. The swimmers partied together, posed for photographs and danced atop banquettes before making a round in the nightclub to talk with fans.

*Looks this morning as if Sierra Boggess, the Las Vegas darling who played Christine at The Venetian in Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular, is staying in London a little longer. The British production of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom sequel Love Never Dies, was headed for Broadway in November, but now Sierra will stay with the London cast for three more months due to ticket demand, and then next year moves back home for the New York premiere and run.

*The curvy cast of Fantasy at the Luxor with new headliner Lorena Peril shoots its annual calendar at the resort tomorrow and Friday. Tomorrow’s shoot includes the sunset, and Friday’s includes the sunrise. I’m reliably told that the 2011 calendar will be a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition-type shoot with all the fabulous Fantasy felines.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

If one blonde beauty knew that another blonde bombshell was spending time with her boyfriend while out of town, you’d probably witness one of the biggest catfights of all time. One of the girls knows about the other -- the other doesn’t -- but apparently doesn’t mind because she believes that she’ll win him over before too much longer. Dare I even mention dancing for dalliances in different rival hotel suites? … Which 2010 Miss Universe Pageant judge walked into a men’s restroom and was stunned to find a stunning transvestite who simply “had to go” and didn’t want to run a risk of casino security finding him in a ladies room, even though he could have fooled anybody in her full hair and makeup, plus a glamorous slit-up-to-here gown! … Celebrity chefs Todd English and Mario Batali are duking it out in New York this week with simultaneous openings of new dining-food halls as the latest rage in restaurants. Mario opens Eataly, a multi-story, multi-restaurant food court, and Todd opens Plaza Food Hall with eight dining bars in the basement of the Plaza Hotel. Both say that if successful in Manhattan, it’s an idea that might well be exported here.

*Miss America Pageant officials have announced that DSW will be the lead sponsor of its Jan. 15 ABC live broadcast at Planet Hollywood. DSW will provide all the footwear for the 53 contestants and the lineup of former winners celebrating the 90th anniversary of the pageant.

*This morning, comedy magician Penn Jillette had 10 inches of his trademark ponytail he’s grown for the past 25 years shaved for a cancer benefit. Penn kicked off today’s daylong Locks of Love at The Rio’s Spa and Salon. He said: “One of our co-workers at The Rio has a little granddaughter who is going through chemo but is expected to be fine. All the longhaired employees of The Rio were asked to donate some hair in her name. I don’t think a 2-year-old would look good in my long curly hair, but I hope someone can use it. … We all wish her the best.”

STAR SURVEILLANCE

British star chef Gordon Ramsay of Hell’s Kitchen dined at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace yesterday with his wife Tana Ramsay and topped off their meal with lavish, oversized desserts, including the Forbidden Broadway Sundae, Strawberry Fields Sundae and deep fried Oreos and ice cream. When Gordon met up with Serendipity 3 chef Michael Wolf, contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on hand to snap the sweet summit … Desperate Housewives star Tuc Watkins dined at co-star Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso at MGM CityCenter’s Crystals with longtime actress friend Brooke Dillman. … Former MLB player and manager Pete Rose, in alligator cowboy boots, dined at N9NE Steakhouse with 11 friends. … And Dr. Hollywood performed his hit “We Run L.A.” from the banquettes at The Bank as eight Miss USA Pageant queens celebrated.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

It’s a year to the day that DJ AM, the much-loved Adam Goldstein, died in New York, and he’ll be remembered with a celebration of his life and music by his mentor DJ Jazzy Jeff and other special guest DJs in a DJ AM Lives concert at Surrender in the Encore. Proceeds go to DJ AM’s memorial fund and Phoenix House to combat drug addiction and assist in treatment. … In addition to the new run of Santana shows at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel that we’ve reported elsewhere, The Oak Ridge Boys start a five-night run at Silverton.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

We’ll have a full photo gallery and report of the Carlos Santana events at Vanity and The Joint, plus an amazing helicopter aerial shoot by contributing photographer Tom Donoghue sanctioned for the first time by the American Indians at the Grand Canyon.

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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