Las Vegas Weekly

May 19, 2010 · 4:36 PM

Strip Scribbles: Toni Braxton’s CD inspired by L.V. hospital stay

By Robin Leach

Toni Braxton at E's Daily 10 Smashtime Saturdays at Body English.

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

Singer Toni Braxton, who headlined at the Flamingo until heart problems ended her two-year run, was inspired while in the hospital here for cardiac treatment to create her newest album. She says she named it Pulse to honor a “vivacious elderly woman” who was with her in rehab.

Toni, now also recovering from a divorce, was hospitalized here in early 2008 with heart complications, which brought about inadequate blood flow through her cardiac vessels. The Las Vegas resident was put in cardiac rehab after surgery in Henderson and met her new friend while on side-by-side treadmills.

Said Toni: “She must have been 80, but she was wonderful and said she was only 50. She actually wore high heels while working out. She said she’d got a 40-year-old boyfriend and had just returned from Cabo San Lucas. But she’d had four heart attacks and was on me for being there in the first place. She said, ‘What are you doing here? You’re too young.’ She told me, ‘You can’t be afraid to live,’ and that helped me so much. It got me through all the difficulties, and it inspired me to do the new Pulse album.”

*The 125-year-old Manhattan institution P.J. Clarke’s is opening an outlet this fall at The Forum Shops in Caesars Palace. It has a colorful history of the famous and infamous dining at the saloon, which was a regular of mine in New York City. It’ll come complete with its permanently broken cigarette machine and pay phone! Six boutiques are expanding their space, indicating a small economic rebound. Plus, seven stores are being added, including UGG and True Religion.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Which Strip entertainer thought he’d found nirvana jumping from one property to a more centrally located hotel? Apparently, he wished he’d never moved in the first place because not only has he been paying for promotion out of his own pocket, but also he called the president of the original hotel and asked to return. That’s a no-go so far, but if he chooses the correct producer, it might happen -- but a lot of resistance to that because of past experiences. … Hearing deliciously decadent rumblings about a new nightclub, Black Door, opening this weekend opposite Thomas & Mack Center on the Fruit Loop. … Now that Monte Rock III has become a reverend in time for his birthday at Badda Bing Club next Wednesday, is he going to perform a wedding as part of the rituals?

*It was 50 years ago that the Moulin Rouge Agreement began the end of discriminatory practices in denying access and accommodations to blacks and other minorities here. City dignitaries gathered at the Dr. William Pearson Community Center to commemorate the anniversary. In this Las Vegas News Bureau photo by Glenn Pinkerton, Sheriff Doug Gillespie (left, seated) and Mayor Oscar Goodman (seated, center) try to identify people in the photo taken during the formation of the agreement. Seated to the right is Las Vegas Councilman Stavros S. Anthony, and pointing out people in the photo is Stanton Wilkerson (far left), event coordinator of the Moulin Rouge Museum and Cultural Center.

*Chippendales hunks Juan DeAngelo and Jace Crispin from The Rio male revue helped out at Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build in starting on a new home for the foundation. They presented the ladies with a pink tool kit and belt and stayed to help lay bricks, pound nails and raise walls.

*A who’s who of arts organizations in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada met at the historic Fifth Street School to listen to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts President Michael Kaiser discuss Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts hosted him here as part of his 50-state tour of 11,000 participants to discuss the crisis facing the arts community. Mayor Oscar Goodman and Elaine Wynn were among the attendees. Members from Agassi Prep, Cockroach Theater, Nevada Ballet, Nevada Pops, City of Henderson Cultural Arts Department and more sought advice from Michael, who provided strategic guidance.

*A limited number of reduced tickets are on sale now for Viva Elvis’ June 5 performances, will proceeds benefiting Nevada Public Radio.

*Looking for brilliant singing, incredible entertainment and a true big band sound for Strip excitement this Friday? Then look no further than the sensational Louis Prima Jr. as he makes a rare return to the Hard Rock Cafe. Las Vegas veterans remember his legendary dad Louis Prima, who would have been 100 years old this year. Whenever he played the Strip, hotel executives, stars and faithful fans turned out in awe -- and his son does it even better these days! Don’t miss this one-night rarity until he returns to town for a full-time gig instead of headlining L.A. and East Coast tour shows.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Mindfreak magician Criss Angel will be presented with the Make-A-Wish Foundation Award at Bali Hai Golf Club House before racing back to his two Believe performances at the Luxor. … Rapper Xzibit is set for an intimate, up-close performance at LAX in the Luxor. … And the U2 tribute band Joshua Tree takes the stage at the Las Vegas Hilton to Bring Back the Music.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

We’ll have photos of Criss’s Make-A-Wish Foundation award ceremony with the A&E Biography cameras and preview the two Fox News specials being shot at The Venetian with Terry Fator and Rita Rudner as guests of the host, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

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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