Las Vegas Weekly

September 20, 2010 · 4:43 PM

Strip Scribbles: CSI’s first anniversary; Justin Bieber on CSI

By Robin Leach

Justin Bieber performs at the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 24, 2009.

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

There’s no question that the hit CSI TV franchise created by Las Vegas’ own Anthony E. Zuiker has become a worldwide phenomenon with all of its spinoffs. It also produced CSI: The Experience at MGM Grand, and this week, the 12,000-square-foot exhibit with props, special effects, crime scene re-creations, two crime labs and multi-sensory participation for visitors celebrates its first anniversary.

One dollar from every ticket sold through Sunday will go to the Nevada Victims of Crime Program, and MGM Resorts International is matching the donation. CSI: The Experience combines the entertainment of the hit CBS show with real-life science and investigative techniques, including DNA and fingerprint analysis.

“It’s exceeded our expectations and continues to be one of the must-see attractions on The Strip,” MGM Executive Vice President John Shigley said in a statement.

Justin Bieber fans take note that the young Canadian heartthrob makes his acting debut on CSI’s premiere Thursday.

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

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

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Nightlife insiders are all abuzz today that hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and Coldplay will perform at the Cosmopolitan on New Year’s Eve as part of the opening celebrations that include The Tao Group’s new mega-nightclub. It’s also being buzzed about that DJ Tiesto will be the resident DJ there, so not the original rumor that he’s going to the Hard Rock Hotel! … Amazing but true that there’s a special free airline ticket opportunity for guests at two side-by-side hotels at Center Strip. Book two nights there and get a flight up to $350! Has to be the deal of the year but also points out the difficulty of filling rooms now through the holidays. … One of the world’s most important royal families is headed here in an entourage of 15 this weekend.

Gorgeous Miss October Playboy beauty Claire Sinclair is at MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris today and tomorrow for wardrobe fittings for those barely there costumes and dance rehearsals for her weeklong appearance with three new topless dance routines beginning Oct. 21. Claire is the youngest ever celebrity guest performer. … Recovering from illness, Frank Marino celebrates his 25th anniversary on The Strip with a champagne and cake celebration after his Thursday show at Imperial Palace, and his comedy roast still has to be rescheduled. … Wayne Newton will answer neighbors’ concerns and rampant speculation tonight about a Las Vegas-themed amusement park at his ranch home Shenandoah here, and he’s promised us official statements for Vegas DeLuxe in the morning.

Photo: Hew Burney

Hellyeah at Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel on Sept. 19, 2010.

*Last night, Carey Hart’s Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel closed, and it went out in a blaze of glory. Alien Ant Farm headlined the final blowout for a packed house, but heavy metal super group Hellyeah upstage everyone by flying here right after performing in Phoenix. Other bands in the lineup included Deuce, Kinda Major and eEnik. Hew Burney was there with his camera to capture the final moments.

*Even The Amazing Kreskin couldn’t predict this one. No sooner does he start an extended Las Vegas run at the Sahara than a week later, because of overwhelming demand, he had to move to the larger theater at the neighboring Riviera. We first reported the planned move last week, but now it’s locked into place through December. He’ll continue his nightly “check test” where spectators will hide Kreskin’s fee in the auditorium for Kreskin to find it. If he’s unable to locate his check, he forfeits the fee.

“My audiences at the Sahara were extremely enthusiastic, and I am looking forward to expanding my show at the Riviera to accommodate them. These performances are truly special to me, as Las Vegas is one of my favorite cities in which to perform,” Kreskin said in a statement. We’ll have his new start date once it’s finalized.

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

Angel Porrino, Vince Neil and Holly Madison at Robin Leach and Michael Boychuck's birthday party at Blush in the Wynn on Sept. 10, 2010.

*Holly Madison returns to Peepshow tonight after her weeklong break in Alabama and Florida, during which her Holly’s World sidekick Angel Porrino filling in for her in the Planet Hollywood adult revue. My colleague Vegas Editor Leslie Frisbee watched Angel on my behalf and reported: “Angel was great -- the crowd loved her. She seemed completely comfortable onstage. Holly certainly has a lot of stage presence, but Angel came through with rhythm and certainly didn’t look out of place in her dance numbers. The best bodies on The Strip are in Peepshow. ... Angel was fabulous, and, oh yeah, in my next life, I want to come back with Cheaza’s body!”

*With just one week left for his Play Dead pre-off-Broadway showcase at The Rio, magician Teller tells me that the marquee for its New York City run has just been popped into place at a haunted theater on McDougal Street in Greenwich Village. Teller re-created the N.Y theater at The Rio to ensure ambient accuracy.

Photo: David Becker/WireImage

Andrew Ragone, Chelsie Hightower, Michael Bolton, Kristi Holden and Anthony Crivello at Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

It was a celebrity traffic jam at The Venetian over the weekend. Singer Michael Bolton and his Dancing With the Stars partner Chelsie Hightower, who we’ll see for the first time on tonight’s ABC premiere, watched Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular during his weekend visit here for a concert and dance rehearsals. The couple, who’ve already sparked romance rumors, went backstage, met the cast and raved about the production. Singer Carrie Underwood joked around with David Spade backstage before his sold-out show, and Joey Fatone, who is in town to host the live The Price Is Right at Bally’s, watched Blue Man Group last night and posed for a photograph backstage.

Simon Rex, aka Dirty Nasty, and Beardo hosted Tao’s Worship Thursday after dinner, where Vanessa Hudgens and Brittany Snow enjoyed a late meal. Jareb Dauplaise from MTV’s The Hard Times of R.J. Berger arrived at midnight and joined Dirt Nasty’s VIP table. Also at Tao: Joseph Brobeck, bassist for The Cab; Panic at the Disco’s Ian Smith; and Big Brother stars including Laura Crosby, Ronnie Talbot, James Rhine, Michelle Noonan and Russell Kairouz.

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

Criss Angel at Robin Leach and Michael Boychuck's birthday party at Blush in the Wynn on Sept. 10, 2010.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Mindfreak magician Criss Angel serves as the ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation when pint-sized hero Jack becomes Spider-Man complete with his own movie premiere and Oscar at the Las Vegas Hilton, and then the Believe headliner heads to The Bank in the Bellagio for the launch party of his Magic Kit for 40,000 stores across North America on Nov. 1. Richie Minervini is at Riviera’s Comedy Club with Dave Russo and Erik Mackenroth through Sunday. Nightlife guru and friend Jack Colton celebrates the fifth anniversary of his Web site JackColton.com, which celebrates a re-launch at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage. As part of the monthly artist showcase series, the Mandarin Oriental hotel hosts wilderness photographer Rodney Lough and his exhibition of extraordinary landscape “purist” photography.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

A recap and photo gallery of the Season 11 premiere of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars tonight. Plus, contributing photographer Tom Donoghue’s gallery of the new fall garden display at the Bellagio, and Wayne Newton's meeting with his neighbors to discuss proposed changes to his ranch home.

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.

Share This