Las Vegas Weekly

July 30, 2010 · 2:34 PM

Strip Scribbles: Mob Museum lands $500,000 grant from commission

By Robin Leach

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, left, and former Sen. Richard Bryan (D-Nev.) prepare to open the doors to The Mob Museum during a news conference at the museum site in downtown Las Vegas on Aug. 4, 2009.

Photo: Steve Marcus

The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial approved a $500,000 grant to the Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, aka The Mob Museum, this week. Funds for the commission, a nonprofit organization, are generated through the sale of Centennial license plates, and the historic Federal Courthouse and Post Office under renovation to house The Mob Museum is a legacy project of the commission.

The grant brings the total awarded to The Mob Museum to more than $8.8 million. This grant is earmarked for the continuing abatement of materials within the nearly 70-year-old building, renovation and restoration.

The grants include nearly $1.9 million in Economic Development Initiative grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; more than $500,000 from Save America’s Treasures from the National Trust for Historic Preservation; more than $6.1 million in Centennial Committee Awards from the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial; more than $87,000 from the State Historic Preservation Office; a $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services; and $200,000 from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

*Here’s another reminder that Fashion Show Mall rolls out the Yellow Brick Road for the Be the Next Dorothy talent search competition Monday on the runway. Hopefuls must be ages 16 to 21 and able to sing and act to be cast in the musical Wizard, opening at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center in December. The contest, open to the first 400 contestants, starts with registration from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Then it’s auditions starting at 11 a.m. and callbacks Tuesday. The winner will be announced at South Street Seaport in New York City on Sep. 3.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Ah, the joys of stars having to pay to rent a room for their shows! One Las Vegas entertainer who never filled the big showroom he rented for one night a week now downsizes to a smaller theater under the same roof, but it allows him five times more opportunities each week to try and fill the new one.

STAR SURVEILLANCE:

Former NFL and current UFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper enjoyed a night out at Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso steakhouse and Eve nightclub along with fellow UFL players Ahman Green and Dominic Rhodes last night. The trio dined at Beso before heading upstairs to Eve. The former Detroit Lions player and fellow Las Vegas Locomotives teammates danced and enjoyed Grey Goose cocktails in the VIP section.

Now it’s time for us to enjoy a few end-of-the-week cocktails while you enjoy the weekly weekend entertainment listings that we affectionately refer to around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, JULY 30

*Superstar Lionel Richie is “Dancing on the Ceiling” in concert at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace for two nights of “Easy” listening music. The Commodores co-founder has proved to be a timeless talent in his four decades of award-winning hits.

*It’s the first round of Project Rock Warrior 2 as the battle of the bands at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel benefits Wounded Warrior, The Police Memorial Fund, The Police Athletic League and Oath Keepers.

*My, my, my … once bitten, twice shy, baby! Rockers Great White are at Sunset Station.

*Musician and America’s Got Talent contestant Michael Grimm brings his blend of country, roots and Southern soul to Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon for two nights through tomorrow. The four free one-hour concerts each night are 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. in Bill’s Lounge and open to the public.

PARTY PATROL

Rocker Sammy Hagar returns to The Strip and hosts a pre-concert kickoff at his Cabo Wabo Cantina at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. He’s performing with Aerosmith tomorrow at MGM Grand Garden Arena. … Dirt Nasty, aka Simon Rex, hosts the Tao Beach celebration in The Venetian with Cisco Adler and rapper cousins Shwayze and Chris Young.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

*Country king Toby Keith has always been the cowboy since he started out in 1993, and his lyrics always tell it like it is. He’s at The Pearl in the Palms with Trace Adkins.

*It could be called the rock event of the summer when Aerosmith plays MGM Grand Garden Arena with Sammy and his Cabo Wabo Band. Aerosmith has sold more than 150 million albums and won four Grammy Awards.

*Adam Lambert, the pop cult hero of glam rock, has won legions of fans since his American Idol run, so expect to see his faithful followers in Gothic garb and heavy eyeliner in a sold-out concert at Mandalay Bay Beach with Australian singer-guitarist Orianthi.

*Singer Kenny Loggins brings his unique “This Is It” sound to Sunset Station.

*While the story of his life plays out nightly at the Palazzo, Frankie Valli and his Four Seasons continue touring, and they’re at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

*Better than Ezra is at Silverton Casino Lodge. … Big Head Todd and the Monsters are at Red Rock Resort. … The Marriage Ref star Tom Papa hosts The Orleans summer comedy series with guest Max Jobrani for two nights. … And Neil Diamond tribute artist Jay White is at Suncoast for two nights.

*Expect fireworks at the Mandalay Bay Events Center rematch of boxers Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez and Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, who are regarded as Mexico’s greatest warriors of the ring. … Over at The Joint in the Hard Rock hotel, the MMA Explosion showcases the new next generation of fighters.

PARTY PATROL

Lauren Conrad of The Hills fame hosts at Tao Beach. … The Ambhar Tequila’s Goddess Model Search with the sounds of DJ Reach gets underway at 5 p.m. Saturday at Azure Pool in the Palazzo. Ten women from across the U.S. will take part in a poolside pageant for the title of Ambhar Goddess and a chance to compete in the world finals here next May. A meet-and-greet with the models is scheduled before the contest. … MGM Grand’s Studio 54 welcomes rock icon Steven Tyler as host of the official Aerosmith after-party, with DJ Skribble spinning high-energy dance hits.

SUNDAY, AUG. 1

The Mirage headlining ventriloquist Terry Fator has partnered with MGM Resorts International to pay tribute to The Public Education Foundation with a special performance in his theater. After the show, Terry and MRI will make a special presentation to PEF. Among the celebrities expected to walk the red carpet with Terry: Holly Madison, Josh Strickland, Angel Porrino, Frank Caliendo, New York-New York spokesman Vinny, Frank Marino, Recycled Percussion and Grandma Lee.

*The World Finals of the Hip Hop Championships are at The Orleans Arena.

*Level 42 stays close to the ground at Crown Theater & Nightclub in The Rio.

PARTY PATROL

*The Bank in the Bellagio presents the Midsummer Lingerie Ball with the hottest ladies in Las Vegas. All women in lingerie receive complimentary champagne at Caramel and The Bank, with a champagne-sponsored reception at Caramel from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. The hottest girl in lingerie at The Bank at the end of the night wins $2,500.

Closet Sundays at Revolution in The Mirage welcomes Queer Eye for the Straight Guy cutie Jai Rodriguez as host and singer. Closet Sundays is for boys who like boys, their girlfriends and their male friends who are straight but not narrow!

Check out the weekend celebrity preview posted this morning right here at Vegas DeLuxe for more celebrity news.

MONDAY’S TEASES

We’ll have the full wrap-up of all the weekend headliners and party people as I begin the flight home to Las Vegas from Italy, and the hunks from Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur, Luxor comedian headliner Carrot Top, Harrah’s magician Mac King and Sandy Hackett of Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show are upcoming guest columnists.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy is assisting with Strip Scribbles while Robin Leach is on vacation through Aug. 4.

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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