Las Vegas Weekly

March 25, 2010 · 4:53 PM

Strip Scribbles: Dennis Hopper is dying of prostate cancer, lawyer says

By Robin Leach

Dennis Hopper receives a key to The Playboy Club at the Palms during the 2007 CineVegas Film Festival.

Photo: The N9NE Group

Our thoughts and prayers are with actor friend Dennis Hopper, who chaired the CineVegas Film Festival here every summer. His lawyer told a court in Los Angeles that Dennis is dying of prostate cancer and was unable to attend a divorce hearing.

It’s so sad because Dennis is always a vibrant personality and the consummate gentleman when we meet here in Las Vegas. Here’s a happier moment when he was presented with a key to The Playboy Club at the Palms during the 2007 CineVegas Film Festival.

*If you are a Dancing With the Stars fanatic and were only able to follow our live tweets and follow-up photo coverage here at Vegas DeLuxe, I’m happy to tell you that ABC has now posted video of the entire premiere show. The next broadcast is Monday, with the first celebrity dance duo elimination Tuesday.

*The upcoming off-Broadway production Girl’s Night: The Musical will now make its Las Vegas debut at MGM’s Hollywood Theater from May 6-26. Originally set to play for one week, the run has been extended already for 14 performances before the end of May. The British hit follows five friends as they gather for a night of karaoke. Audience members tag along with the women to celebrate friendship, life, love and laughter. The comedy includes hits such as “Lady Marmalade,” “It’s Raining Men,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “I Will Survive.”

WICKED WHISPERS & RAMPANT RUMORS

What major hotel restaurant has shut its doors for dinner in an effort to control costs in the flagging economy because of guests going elsewhere at nighttime? The move has some experts worrying about the overall state of the property, with guests preferring surrounding attractions. … Are the bean counters at one major hotel group putting pressure on one of their partner properties to improve financial results by demanding lower room rates to get improved guest counts but ignoring sales lure of high quality? … Does the dispute between a resort hotel operator and its builder revolve around $491 million in unpaid construction bills? … Which resort hotel here just had its worst financial statement in six years and spent $800 million on expansions only to find revenue dropped more than 10 percent? … The Chinese government has Las Vegas hotel operators shaken up with news that it will reclaim some of the Macau land, earmarked for Las Vegas expansion plans, to provide low-income housing projects alongside the glitzy casinos there.

Photo: Michael Morales/Cashman Photography

Randy Couture at Cirque du Soleil's Ka at MGM Grand on March 23, 2010.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Two legends in their respective careers -- composer Michel Legrand and five-time UFC champion Randy Couture attended the early and late shows, respectively, of Cirque du Soleil’s Ka at MGM Grand. Three-time Oscar and five-time Grammy winner Michel performs a tribute to his 50 years of music and movies at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday with stars including Melissa Manchester, George Benson, Andy Williams, Dionne Warwick and possibly Barbra Streisand! Michel left with a souvenir program and CD soundtrack. “I really enjoy the martial arts focus of Ka,” Randy said as he signed autographs in the lobby. … Actor Windell Middlebrooks partied with 10 friends at Ghostbar in the Palms last night. … Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Shaun White celebrated his Rolling Stone cover at Lavo in the Palazzo. He took over a dance floor VIP table for the Label Junkie party and was mobbed by female fans.

Photo: Brett Okamoto

Billy Packer, left, is joined by Bobby Knight, George Raveling and Jerry Tarkanian at the Wynn for filming of Packer's March Madness sports show Billy Packer's Survive and Advance in March 2009.

*March Madness shifts back into high gear again this weekend, and legendary basketball coach Bobby Knight and CBS Sports college basketball analyst Billy Packer will be at Emeril Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo for pre- and post-game commentary. Their College Experience takes place twice daily starting tonight through Sunday and again the following Sunday (April 3).

Photo: Al Powers

Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 at Tao in The Venetian on New Year's Eve 2009.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

My favorite hip-hop and wild reality TV star Flavor Flav celebrates his birthday at The Beatles Revolution Lounge in The Mirage. … Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley celebrates his birthday at Tao in The Venetian. Who’ll be with him now that Avril Lavigne and he have split? … The Bravery performs at Haze at MGM CityCenter’s Aria. … Singers Jeffrey Allen and Michael John open a limited run of their Sir Elton John & Billy Joel Ultimate Tribute at the Embassy Theater in the downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. … Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar at Town Square hosts a benefit for AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada). Doors open at 6 p.m., the show stars at 7, and admission is $10. ... Stars from the new movie Cash, including Sean Bean, walk the red carpet at the premiere screening in Brenden Theaters at the Palms. …. Comedian Harland Williams headlines the next three nights at The Playboy Comedy Lounge in the Palms with Cort McCown and Paul Hughes as hosts. … DJs Scooter & LaVelle are at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel, while Carey Hart’s Wasted Space nearby presents a Rock Raw and Paw adopt-a-pet charity with guests Bonafide, Magna-Fi and Ashley Red.

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

Jay-Z in concert at The Pearl in the Palms.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

It’s a clash of superstar headliners as legendary Lionel Ritchie goes head-to-head for Strip domination against hip-hop hero Jay-Z, singer-songwriter John Mayer and country king Garth Brooks. As if that’s not enough music for one weekend, rumors abound that Barbra Streisand will make a rare appearance and sing at the 50th anniversary salute to Michel Legrand. Jennifer O’Neill and Jon Voight are hosts for the special being taped for PBS. We plan extensive coverage throughout the two days of rehearsals at MGM Grand Garden Arena and the gala itself, so keep checking back to Vegas DeLuxe.

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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