Las Vegas Weekly

September 10, 2010 · 4:23 PM

Strip Scribbles: DWTS is filming in Las Vegas all month long

By Robin Leach

Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower rehearse for Season 11 of ABC's Dancing With the Stars.

Photo: Greg Zabilski/ABC TV

Dancing With the Stars cameras from ABC’s top-rated show will be in and out of Las Vegas all month long to document Season 11 cast members’ appearances here. They’ll film The Hills star Audrina Patridge on Sept. 25 for the Street Skateboard Championships at the Thomas & Mack Center with Rob Dyrdek. Jersey Shore heartthrob Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is in focus on Sept. 26 when he hosts as guest DJ at Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Then it’s twice with singer Michael Bolton when he plays Sunset Station on Sept. 18 and again when he guest stars with David Foster and Friends at Mandalay Bay on Oct. 15. The 2-hour Season 11 premiere of DWTS is Sept. 20 and is followed by a 2-hour performance show Sept. 21, with the first results show Sept. 22, where Bristol Palin is tipped to get the first axing.

It’s still a mystery, though, as to why there still haven’t been any photos yet of The Situation, and we watch for those every day!

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Comedian and magic maestro Kevin Burke and his audience were speechless at his Fitzgerald’s show when a man stood up, screamed Kevin’s name and dropped his pants a la The Full Monty before exiting very quickly right after the opening. … Nightlife shakeups still roil the industry with informed spies advising me that there’s changes afoot at Pure Management Group, and an internal executive email was reportedly sent at the Hard Rock Hotel announcing that Cory McCormick’s position as head of the nightlife department was “eliminated” but that he would remain an owner. … Celebrity chefs and restaurant owners at one of The Strip’s prestigious casino hotels are upset over plans for the property to change its partner status into one of solely being a landlord, which means rent increases. … MTV is filming the 25th anniversary season of The Real World at the Hard Rock Hotel because of the resort’s ability for a fast turnaround in converting suite space into the cast's home. Expect the official announcement next month. … October 2010 Playboy Playmate Claire Sinclair will go nearly nude when she performs three acts in MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris from Oct. 21-28. She’s already designing special choreography and burlesque costumes as she follows in the high heels of Dita Von Teese, Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra as a guest star in the sensual revue.

*Las Vegas has taken a taste of the Entertainment Capital of the World to the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend in designing several intimate cast dinners for films featuring Megan Fox, Mickey Rourke and other A-list celebrities. Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon from Palms Place is preparing two special evening experiences for the stars at Las Vegas-themed “pop-up” restaurants during the festival week.

*Congratulations to David Saxe and his cast and crew of V Ultimate Variety Show in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile on Sunday’s eighth anniversary. More than 2 million people have watched the show since it debuted in 2002 and moved from The Venetian in 2004. David has donated more than $500,000 to local charities and nonprofit groups from its ticket sales.

*Desert racing’s brightest stars led by NASCAR’s Robbie Gordon are driving in this weekend’s 15th Annual SCORE Las Vegas Terrible’s 300 Race -- Round 4 of the five-race 2010 SCORE Desert Series -- at the 68.6-mile loop course behind Buffalo Bill’s Resort in Primm. Also driving is father and son team Bobby Baldwin, head honcho at MGM CityCenter, and his son B.J. Baldwin. B.J. goes into the race in 7th place with 195 points, not too far behind frontrunner Andy McMillin with 249 points. The final season race is the Baja 1000 in November.

*So sad to report that after 31 years of operation, The Liberace Museum will close its doors Oct. 17 to focus its monetary contributions on The Liberace Foundation. Due to the economic downturn and the decline in the number of visitors, the museum is forced to close the space and focus primarily on its dedication to the foundation and the donation of scholarships. Senior Editor John Katsilometes posted the full story in his The Kats Report on Las Vegas Sun this morning.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Funnyman Brad Garrett had lunch at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo. Dave Chappelle dined at Nobu in the Hard Rock Hotel. Heartthrob actor Chad Michael Murray of One Tree Hill dined at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace with actress girlfriend Kenzie Dalton. System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan partied at Moon in the Palms. Guiding Light and One Life to Live star Crystal Hunt dined at Tao and then partied at Tao Thursdays. Elton Brand of the Philadelphia 76ers also was in the nightspot. Jermaine O’Neal of the Boston Celtics dined at new Henderson hotspot Republic Kitchen & Bar.

*Cast members of Cirque du Soleil’s Love at The Mirage will perform in the season finale of America’s Got Talent this Wednesday. More than 20 dancers, acrobats and characters will perform to a music mix by producer Giles Martin, the son of The Beatles’ producer Sir George Martin, and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, aka NappyTabs. Top fan-voted performers from this season begin a first-ever nationwide tour, with a stop at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace on Oct. 8 hosted by Jerry Springer.

Now it’s time for us to showcase our talent as we juggle myriad weekend activities and never drop the ball as we shout out and go live with what we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10

*Comedy is king this weekend with Brad Garrett headlining at his comedy club in the Tropicana for two shows. King of Queens star Kevin James joins comedian Ray Romano of Everybody Loves Raymond for two nights in Terry Fator’s theater at The Mirage. And smart-aleck funnyman David Spade returns to The Venetian for two nights.

*Music fans aren’t left out because glam and dance rockers Scissor Sisters are at The Pearl in the Palms. Country star Gretchen Wilson proves she’s a “Redneck Woman” at Silverton Casino Lodge. Recycled Percussion has its first energetic, all-weekend performances with the audience banging along on their pots and pans at Studio 54 in MGM Grand. And K.C. & The Sunshine Band are at Eastside Cannery, and guests are invited to dress for a disco and 1980s costume contest.

*HellzaPoppin at the new Queen Victoria Pub showroom stage in the Riviera with circus sideshow acts. Frank “Fire God” Hartman is the emcee. with Cha Cha Velour handling the burlesque troupe, Bram Charles’ magic tricks and Camdon Scott and his band providing the musical entertainment complete with a 76-foot armored alien warrior known as The Interloper.

*Please support the two days of the battle of the bands contest Project Rock Warrior at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel. Proceeds benefit Wounded Warrior, Police Memorial Fund, Police Athletic League and Oath Keepers.

PARTY PATROL

My pal hair guru to the stars Michael Boychuck’s birthday festivities break loose at Blush in the Wynn, and my late birthday celebration is combined into the merriment. Lovely ladies Tara and Ericka from VH1’s hit Ochocinco: Ultimate Catch host at Jet in The Mirage. Don’t forget tonight’s and this weekend’s Fashion’s Night Out festivities that we posted today.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

Please take a moment to remember those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, in the terror war on the World Trade Center in New York City and near the Nation’s Capital that awful day. Fly the American flag tall and proud to let the world know that freedom reigns here -- and always will. We salute our troops in harm’s way who fight to protect us here at home.

*Three-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow rocks The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel with singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile on her 100 Miles From Memphis Tour. Smash Mouth performs at Henderson Pavilion, and tickets are only $10. American music legend and country king Willie Nelson is back on the road again at the Cannery.

*Soul singer Patti LaBelle, one of my all-time favorites, is at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm. Toad the Wet Sprocket lights up the night at Red Rock Resort. Collective Soul makes the music poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel. And Credence Clearwater Revival founding members Stu Cook and Doug Clifford bring their Creedence Clearwater Revisited to The Orleans for two nights to end their six-month 2010 North American tour.

*Three of Las Vegas’ finest comedians star in The Dirty Joke Show at Hooters Casino. Geechy Guy created and stars in this hilarious play about three comics hanging out between shows in the alley behind a comedy club. It’s a new theatrical concept of stand-up -- only sitting down. The show also stars Todd Paul, who performs in Fear and Laughing in Las Vegas, his own solo show at Hooters, and Mickey Joseph, who stars as Joey Bishop in The Rat Pack Is Back at The Plaza. The show is nightly except Fridays.

*Tickets go on sale today for the Third Annual World Mixed Martial Arts Awards presented by Fighters Only magazine Dec. 1 at The Pearl and hosted by UFC legend Randy Couture. Meantime, at The Pearl, it’s the world featherweight championship fight between Orlando Salido and Yuriokis Gamboa. Notre Dame champion Mike Lee also is on the card.

PARTY PATROL

Congratulations to actor and TV host Mario Lopez as he gets ready for his wedding. Accordingly, he hosts his final days of being a bachelor with a party at The Bank in the Bellagio, and VH1 cameras will record the action. Beautiful Chanel from MTV’s Fantasy Factory hosts the afternoon at Venus Pool Club in Caesars Palace. Nevada Congresswoman Shelley Berkley will be roasted at The Mirage all in the name of fun and fundraising for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. And a dizzying array of top chefs from MGM Grand will serve a six-course farm-to-table dinner for Project Dinner Table downtown at the 5th Street School (on 4th Street!) with 125 guests seated at one long table.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

It’s the debut of Play Dead, a theatrical thrill ride to hell and back presented by Todd Robbins with naked demons and bizarre illusions written and directed by magic maestro Teller, the silent one of Penn & Teller. The production is staged under cover of darkness in the Calypso Room at The Rio. We posted an interview with Teller today in which he talks about the audience’s plunge into physical and psychological shocks.

MONDAY’S TEASES

Peepshow gets a new headliner as Holly Madison takes her vacation, and her Holly’s World castmate Angel Porrino steps into her high-heeled shoes and talks about her nerves in the hours before curtain up. Plus. we’ll have a full photo wrap up of the stars at play from the weekend and Sheryl Crow’s concert photos. Check back here at Vegas DeLuxe over the weekend for amazing aerial photos from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim shot by contributing photographer Tom Donoghue.

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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