Las Vegas Weekly

February 25, 2010 · 2:28 PM

Strip Scribbles: Keep Memory Alive a celebrity-laden affair

By Robin Leach

Siegfried & Roy with Larry Ruvo at the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute gala in February.

Photo: TVT

Star chefs Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse, tennis champions Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, legendary CBS golf guru Peter Kostis and hair care king Paul Mitchell are among the notables participating in Saturday’s Keep Memory Alive gala and auction at the Bellagio.

The event also includes a private luncheon consultation with architect Frank Gehry and the introduction of the Mercedes SLS gull-winged speed machine, the rarest car in the U.S. Only 200 will be manufactured, with three consigned here. There’s already a waiting list 10 times longer, so expect the bidding to start at $225,000 and rapidly rise as fast as the car itself -- 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds! The auction booklet is available for preview and is posted online in the events section at KeepMemoryAlive.org.

Tomorrow and Saturday, there will be tours of the Frank Gehry-designed Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, where supporters can see the research work and treatment care for patients battling ALS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. To kick off the weekend, a Dr. Loosen and Holdredge five-course dinner is tonight at Morels in the Palazzo, with proceeds going to the charity.

*Entertainer Frank Marino unveils his new drag spectacular Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas tonight at Imperial Palace. As part of the celebration, Frank will receive a second star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, the first entertainer to receive such honors on the boulevard outside the Riviera and now Imperial Palace. Frank performs as Joan Rivers in the 75-minute show and has 17 costume changes, each one designed by the legendary Bob Mackie.

Photo: Frank Marino

Frank Marino in his famed Joan Rivers impression.

Photo: Frank Marino

Frank Marino with his Las Vegas Walk of Fame star.

Seven performers, depicting 13 divas, and male dancers support him. The depicted divas include Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli and Cher. Tonight, Frank shows off a new set, choreography and musical lineup, including music by Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls.

*Congratulations to my friend Myron Martin, president of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, because this afternoon is the topping out ceremony as it reaches its highest point of 170 feet. Guests will sign the final steel beam before it’s hoisted into place. Myron tells me it will now take about a year to complete interiors of the entertainment complex. We’ll have photos with Mayor Oscar Goodman tomorrow here at VDLX.

*Starting today, 400 professional and amateur bike riders from as far away as Australia will race at Callville Bay Marina on Lake Mead over the next four days. Racers, mechanics and family and friends stay on 40 houseboats docked at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Callville Bay Classic is part of the SoCal Cup run by the Southern California Nevada Cycling Association.

*Congratulations to Mandalay Bay head honcho Bill Hornbuckle, who will be presented with the Legacy Award at tonight’s Las Vegas Hospitality 2010 Distinction Awards at the Convention Center.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Strip headliner singer Marie Osmond gives the keynote speech today at the United Way Women’s Leadership luncheon at the Paris, as last night marked the 300th Donny & Marie Show at the Flamingo. … The star dedication ceremony of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin that took place Monday at the Flamingo airs today on The Bonnie Hunt Show. Deana Martin spoke on behalf of her father, and The Golddiggers performed. Guest speakers were Rich Little, Steve Rossi, Vinnie Falcone, Cindy Doumani, Dennis Farina, Willie Rizzo, Charlie Callas, Dennis Bono, Lena Prima and Tony Sacca. … UFC President Dana White dined with three friends at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. … Tito Ortiz was at Lavo in the Palazzo for industry night with friends and drank raspberry vodka and 7-Up with raspberry garnish while listening to DJ Five …VH1 star Jim Florentine watched X Burlesque at the Flamingo.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

David Spade at the SWAGG VIP Kid Rock concert at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel on Jan. 7, 2010.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Comedian David Spade starts a three-night run at the Wayne Brady theater in The Venetian. … Hip-hop hit-maker Sean Kingston performs at Haze in Aria. … Blue-collar comic Bill Engvall starts a two-night run for NASCAR fans at Treasure Island. … Seinfeld star Jason Alexander resumes his run of The Donny Clay Experience at Planet Hollywood. … And the 2010 World House Music Tour pulls into Gold Lounge opposite the Elvis Presley Theater in Aria with DJ Hanik and DJ Jason N.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan celebrates her 23rd birthday at MGM's Wet Republic.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

Our annual Keep Memory Alive gala is the biggest event of the year on our social calendar as we set an ambitious $15 million fundraising goal in one night. Entertainer Barry Manilow is not only playing his hits but also giving a sneak preview of his new show Romantic Love premiering at the Paris next weekend. He’ll entertain a sell-out 1,000-strong crowd at the Bellagio, with stars including Holly Madison, Leeza Gibbons, Siegfried & Roy, Danny DeVito, Brad Garrett, Steve Schirripa, David Brenner, Buzz Aldrin, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf on the red carpet. … Along with all the NASCAR fireworks this weekend, Lindsay Lohan and Jersey Shore’s JWoww are here for nightclub parties. We’ll give you the advance rundown on all the action.

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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