Las Vegas Weekly

June 18, 2010 · 4:07 PM

Strip Scribbles: Elijah Johnson sings, ‘Let Me Do My Thang’

By Robin Leach

Elijah Johnson during "Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson" at The Pearl in the Palms.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Pint-sized super talent Elijah Johnson, aka Lil Elijah and who wowed Las Vegas audiences in The Lion King at Mandalay Bay and with his Michael Jackson dance moves at a Palms tribute show, has released his debut single “Let Me Do My Thang.”

The video is on YouTube, and within two days of being posted, it had more than 16,000 views, then jumped to nearly 40,000 this morning. The single is available on iTunes and can be downloaded from Amazon on Demand. The song showcases his great talent and positive energy with feel-good music.

*Hometown hero and Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil is good friends with Poison frontman Bret Michaels, and they’ve been talking about touring together next year to celebrate Motley Crue’s 30th anniversary and Bret’s 25th.

Bret recently fought medical problems after an appendicitis operation when he had a mild stroke and brain hemorrhage. He’ll undergo surgery to repair a hole in his heart and complete his next round of reality TV shows before a tour. Meantime, Vince’s band mate Tommy Lee joins the cast of Season 4 of Californication playing a bar singer who has an eye for the ladies.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Florida native Andrew Ragone (Raoul), Miss Florida Sierra Minott, Miss Wisconsin Briana Lipor, Wisconsin native Anthony Crivello (The Phantom), Miss Colorado Jamie Dukehart-Conti and Colorado native Kristi Holden (Christine).

*If you’re a fan of The Phantom of the Opera, you can help make theatrical history Thursday as the Las Vegas Spectacular celebrates its fourth anniversary at The Venetian. At the conclusion of the performance, audience members will be given a Phantom mask and as angels of music pose for a photo with the cast. For one record-breaking moment, the theater will be home to more than 1,800 Phantoms in the largest gathering of Phantoms ever. Tony Award-winning Phantom Anthony Crivello will guide the event, which will be recorded and posted on Phantom’s Web site and Facebook pages.

*Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss hosted a World Cup viewing party in Caesars Palace this morning, and the British crooner’s team played to a 0-0 stalemate against Algeria, eliciting boos from fans.

Photo: Darrin Bush/Las Vegas News Bureau

Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss, second from left, hosts a World Cup viewing party in Caesars Palace on June 18, 2010.

*The 20th anniversary of Tournament of Kings is officially celebrated tonight at Excalibur, and Luxor and Excalibur President and COO Felix Rappaport will be in King Arthur’s Court to present a cake to the cast and crew and make a celebratory announcement.

*Emmy-winning actor and comedian Brad Garrett visited the offices of Vegas.com, the largest city destination travel Web site in the world yesterday, and Brad took photos with the staff and even played a hand of blackjack with employees in the Control Center. Prospective Las Vegas visitors who called the center were treated to a special surprise as Brad fielded calls and attempted to answer questions with the help of an agent. Brad opens his comedy club at Tropicana on June 28 and told callers to come to the show.

Photo: Vegas.com

Brad Garrett deals jokes and blackjack in the Vegas.com Contact Center as employee Ryan Brunty watches the comedian and actor.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Steve Wynn’s execs confirmed our report that shortened hours have gone into effect at Encore Beach Club and Surrender, with emphasis now on the high attendance at weekend fun and not the smaller crowds midweek …… Star chef Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico’s Steakhouse at The Venetian is undergoing construction and is temporarily closed. … The former David Burke restaurant space next door has been changed over to a modern-styled tavern with showcase kitchen and burger collection. Daniel Marquez is the new executive chef at Timpano tavern owned by the folks who run the adjoining Aquaknox. …. “Stop the Show -- I Want to Get Married.” That’s now OK at Tony Sacca’s Vegas the Show at his downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. One segment of the show focuses on Las Vegas’ reputation as The Wedding Capital, and an ordained minister will now be on hand to incorporate a real wedding ceremony into the show. The first one is being performed today. … Louis Prima Jr. is ecstatic with yesterday’s news that after many years, his late dad will finally get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony honoring the longtime Strip headliner and Las Vegas resident is July 25.

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

Shannon Elizabeth.

*This weekend marks the official opening of Crown Theater and Nightclub at The Rio, and guests include Shannon Elizabeth, Brittny Gastineau, Jack Osbourne, Kid Cudi, Aaron Paul, Clark Duke and Jacob Zachar. They’ll be dancing to Devo as the theater opens for its first headliner show. Crown is run by entertainment veteran Darin Feinstein of The Viper Room in Hollywood.

Now it’s time for us to “Whip It” and celebrate the opening of a package containing other weekend attractions our cult following affectionately refers to around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

*Sting performs his hits with a classical touch at MGM Grand Garden Arena backed by London’s Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Sting, even without The Police has won 16 Grammys in a career spanning nearly 40 years.

*The Hard Rock Hotel has a double helping of music tonight with the reggae songs of Bob Marley re-created by the original Wailers poolside, plus The Offspring with Terrible Things at The Joint.

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

Jay Leno at the 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction at Mandalay Bay.

*Talk show host and comedian Jay Leno has a two-night run at Terry Fator’s theater in The Mirage.

*The mellow jazz sounds of trumpet ace Rick Braun and sax sensation Richard Elliott are smooth as silk and “In the Groove” at Access Showroom in Aliante.

*Country star Clint Black is “Killing Time” at Silverton Casino Lodge for two nights, and Paul Williams is at South Point.

*Singer-songwriters Brian McComas and Aaron Benward celebrate Nashville Unplugged’s first anniversary this weekend at Ovation in Green Valley Ranch. They’ll welcome Toby Keith’s songwriter Bobby Pinson and Jason Aldean’s songwriter Danny Myrick.

PARTY PATROL

Poker pro Tiffany Michelle celebrates her 26th birthday with a bash at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve in MGM’s CityCenter. Tiffany was the last woman standing in the 2008 World Series of Poker and took part in Season 15 of CBS’ The Amazing Race. … MTV star Chanel from Fantasy Factory hosts at Pure in Caesars Palace and then hosts tomorrow at Venus Pool Club in the Garden of the Gods swim complex at Caesars. … Kimberly Cole performs at the Bank in the Bellagio.

SATURDAY, JUNE 19

*Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian are at Encore Beach Club and Surrender to celebrate the 7th anniversary of our colleague Vegas magazine. The trio of beauties is feted on this month’s cover. Congratulations to Editor Kate Bennett and her team.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian at MGM Grand's Wet Republic on April 24, 2010.

*Grammy winner Rick Springfield performs at Mandalay Bay Beach, so cool off in the water while he heats up the stage with “Jessie’s Girl” and “Love Somebody.” Rick is planning a tell-all memoir as his 60th birthday nears.

*British rock guitarist Dave Mason, formerly with Traffic and Fleetwood Mac, brings his unique “Alone Together” sounds to the pool at Red Rock Resort.

*JuneFest with Steppenwolf, The Family Stone and Berlin break the walls down at South Point, and Alicia Villarreal is at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

*Entertainer Lena Prima “Jump Jives” and sings the “Old Black Magic” songs her dad Louis Prima made famous at Suncoast for two nights. Lena attended Clark High School and UNLV before going on tour with The Checkmates and Spiral Staircase.

*Shhh! The Whispers and Stephanie Mills team up at Las Vegas Hilton.

Photo: Magnetic Public Relations

UFC fighters Kenny Florian and Keith Jardine at Lavo inside the Palazzo.

*It’s a light heavyweight battle between Matt Hamill and Keith Jardine in The Ultimate Fighter finale between Team Chuck Liddell and Team Tito Ortiz at The Pearl in the Palms.

*After two months of good behavior, the restraining order has been lifted and Steel Panther is welcomed back to Ovation.

*Tickets go on sale today for Garth Brooks’ concerts in September, October and November at Encore Theater in Wynn, Camp Freddy’s debauchery in the desert at the Palms on July 10 and Band of Horses at The Joint on Sept. 27.

PARTY PATROL

Extra host Mario Lopez signs his new book Knockout Fitness when he hosts at Liquid Pool Lounge in Aria. … Michael Bolton sings in a poolside concert in Garden of the Gods. … Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon will be joined by former NBA star Robert Horry and NFL greats Michael Irvin, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Charles Haley, Tony Gonzalez, Eddie George and Warrick Dunn for a sports legends autograph signing at Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo. … Actress-singer Juliette Lewis celebrates her birthday at Pure. … It’s the 21st birthday of Chris Mintz-Plasse, who played McLovin’ in Superbad, at Tao in The Venetian. … And The Hills blonde bombshell Kristin Cavallari celebrates Season 6’s at Wet Republic in MGM Grand.

Photo: Isaac Brekken

Mario Lopez at Wet Republic.

SUNDAY, JUNE 20

*Carey Hart has booked The Like and Seven Leaf Green at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel.

PARTY PATROL

It’s Fathers Day, so the girls can find their own sugar daddy at the annual blast at The Bank in the Bellagio.

MONDAY’S TEASES

We’ll have photo reports from the Frank Sinatra dinner with Steve Wynn, the Vegas magazine party with the Kardashians, the Tournament of Kings anniversary, plus an extraordinary rare and just-unearthed 108-year-old movie clip -- one of the first ever mounted cameras shows that rush hour traffic was as crazy back then as it is today. It’s from 1902 when motorists still drove vehicles with right-side steering wheels and before traffic lights were invented.

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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