Las Vegas Weekly

February 16, 2010 · 11:06 AM

Strip Scribbles Exclusives: More Strip show movements are afoot

By Robin Leach

Matt Sorum and his Darling Stilettos.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

From our department of Wicked Whispers & Racy Rumors: All of the following is true and on the heels of our Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls exclusive yesterday morning. Most of the names have been omitted to protect those involved -- and at the same time to provide you with the best guessing game in town!

1) Is a game of magician’s musical chairs in the offing? I’m reliably told that one illusionist has been asked to walk from his Strip showroom before the end of the month and that another conjuror with a similar act at a rival casino has applied to take the short-term vacancy. Doubtful the second trickster would get the first illusionist’s showroom, but if so, then they could simply wind up swapping places.

2) I’m also very reliably hearing that the economy has badly affected another Strip entertainer, so much so that large-scale trims have been made to his production’s cast, props and band members. The carefully disguised moves and the darkened stage are so subtle that the diminishing nightly audiences haven’t noticed.

3) Has an offer landed on the desk of Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum for his girlfriend’s ultra-sexy Darling Stilettos rock act for a residency here? We recently covered their audition shows at the Palms and Las Vegas Hilton.

4) Which Strip showman, fearing the closing of his entertainment offering, is already talking about a radically different theatrically themed night of nostalgic memories to move to another property? The premise and first draft of the show is in the works.

5) Recent revelations by yours truly about a superstar coming to the Strip will be confirmed shortly after the incoming headliner excitement quiets down. Execs don’t want any distractions or ticket sales affected by the competing news.

6) Hopes that one major production undergoing revisions would be ready for a March unveiling have been dashed. Now cast and crew are working hard around the clock to complete it by an early April deadline, but that also looks doubtful and might well slide back until April’s end.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Joe Maloof, George Maloof, Mayor Oscar Goodman, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Gavin Maloof with the mayor's showgirls and The Stanley Cup.

*Has everybody got it wrong? The White House press corps and political writers here keep saying that President Obama’s Thursday visit to Las Vegas kicks off with a $1 million fundraiser -- at $30,000 per head -- at the Southern Highlands home of Palms hotel owner George Maloof. Thing is, George lives near me in Spanish Trail. It’s his brother Gavin, who owns the Sacramento Kings, who lives in Southern Highlands, where the high rollers will pony up the money. And here I was hoping to stroll around the corner and ask for a cup of sugar and score an exclusive, asking the Chief Executive why he keeps bashing our great city. Word this morning is that he will apologize for the slams in a speech at CityCenter’s Aria on Friday.

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

Carlos Santana performs in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Feb. 6, 2010.

*Today’s the day that Carlos Santana releases the deluxe Legacy Edition of Supernatural. Our Hard Rock Hotel resident headliner who plays there through Sunday and returns April 21-May 2 remastered the hit album. The edition includes a second CD of his favorite outtakes, remixes and unreleased songs from the original recording session. Carlos also gave the go-ahead for the never-before-released “Angel Love Come for Me” to be included.

Photo: Preferred PR

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Mac King.

*U.S. astrophysicist and New York’s Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson stopped in to watch Mac King’s afternoon magic show at Harrah’s and interviewed him for an episode of PBS’ NOVA ScienceNOW.

Tonight’s MAGIC parties

With 70,000-plus fashionistas here for the first of the two annual MAGIC Fashion Weeks, it’s natural that there will be parties. Here’s our Royal Robin Rundown for tonight:

Photo: Ash Hopkins

Ryan Eggold of 90210.

*Expect celebrities and designers at the Sovage 1804 Denim launch party for its jeans collection at Blush in the Wynn. 90210 actor Ryan Eggold, The Vampire Diaries star Kayla Ewell and sisters Angel and Rachael McCord are expected on the red carpet.

*The kickoff party for the shoe-within-a-fashion show FN Platform is a fundraiser at The Orleans bowling alley.

*AG Adriano Goldshmied kicks off 2010 Project Las Vegas with a secret superstar performance at Rain in the Palms.

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

Colby O'Donis.

*Hip-hop legend turned fashion mogul Silkk the Shocker hosts the Do Denim collection launch party at Prive in Planet Hollywood. Colby O’Donis will perform.

*TankFarm’s fall collection will be showcased at a DJ Jazzy Jeff party at Moon in the Palms.

*The P.O.S.E. party is at The Rio’s Voodoo Lounge, with F.R.E.S.H. models wearing the latest designs.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Emeril Lagasse.

Tonight’s tips

They’re partying in Rio, so it’s only right that Sushi Samba in the Palazzo marks Carnivale, too. There’ll be samba dancers in headdresses, and a satellite feed from the Brazilian party parade will be projected on screens. Carnivale dishes are being featured to celebrate the festival that this year has attracted Madonna and Paris Hilton way south of the border. There’s Mardi Gras entertainment downtown on Fremont Street Experience, and expect the sexy showgirls at The Rio’s playground in the sky to toss out more New Orleans beads, baubles and bangles than usual. And for New Orleans-headquartered chef Emeril Lagasse, it will be party hearty at his Stadium in the Palazzo. … Legendary rappers 2 Live Crew will perform a mini-concert at Pure in Caesars Palace. … Comedian Willie Barcena headlines at Harrah’s Improv through Sunday with Alan Bursky and Steve Simeone.

Photo: Courtesy

2 Live Crew.

Photo: The Light Group

Tommy Lee at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage.

Tomorrow’s teases

Wild Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee arrives to help celebrate MAGIC, and we have an interview with French fashion kingpin Christian Audigier. It’s also the day that returning Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion’s docu-movie gets its first global screenings, including eight of them here, through month’s end.

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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