Las Vegas Weekly

March 24, 2011 · 5:12 PM

Strip Scribbles: Zak Bagans at Madame Tussauds, lands new series

By Robin Leach

Zak Bagans at Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Hew Burney/HewBurney.com

The nightlong infra-ray TV shoot that ghost hunter and paranormal private eye Zak Bagans filmed at Madame Tussauds at the Venetian premieres April 8 to kick off the all-new episodes of his top-rated Travel Channel series Ghost Adventures. Here’s a look via YouTube at his tour of Preston Castle, now an infirmary, in nearby Ione, Calif.:

Additionally, our hometown expert on the extraordinary has landed a second program, Paranormal Challenge, premiering June 17 on the Travel Channel. Zak created the show and serves as host as three judges critique two teams of investigators exploring America’s most haunted locations. Zak told me: “The portals are open. Let the challenges begin!”

*We’ve got the first look at Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show cohorts from their show at the Riviera on their YouTube video salute to the classic hit “Mack the Knife.” They unveiled the great production filmed in Las Vegas after last night’s show.

*Congratulations to Cirque du Soleil’s Ka, which celebrated its 3,000th performance last night. Upcoming: Love’s fifth anniversary this summer and Mystere’s 18th(!) in December. Congratulations to Rockhouse at Imperial Palace, which celebrates the second anniversary of its late opening two years ago (so it’s 4 years old). Drinks are free for rowdy revelers tonight for an hour at 9.30 p.m., while ladies continue till midnight.

*Congratulations to Flamingo headliner magician Nathan Burton, who because of high ticket demand adds a second show at 2 p.m. daily to his regular 4 p.m. slot starting Tuesday. To celebrate the new shows, Nathan is hosting a charity drive at Whitney Elementary School to benefit the homeless.

*Tonight is the last chance before the finals to compete in the MGM Grand Knockout Girls contest at Studio 54. Each week, four winners will have been picked, and next week it comes down to the final 12 ring girls. Here’s a photo gallery from last week’s competition. Thankfully, these pictures are definitely worth a thousand words.

*Monte Carlo headliners Jabbawockeez have been hired by Ford Motor Co. for its new social marketing campaign promoting the 2011 V6 Explorer. Check out the just-released J-Ford dance-off via YouTube:

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/HarrisonPhotos.com

Brooke Burke.

Photo: Courtesy

Anthony Padilla, Seth Grabel, Louie Anderson, Marty Allen, Ahmos Assan, Margaret Sanfellipo, Pam Matteson, Cliff Lawrence, Joe Sanfellipo and Judy Alberti.

Star surveillance

Dancing With the Stars champion and co-host Brooke Burke flew into Las Vegas this morning to be the lunchtime guest speaker at the annual women’s philanthropy charity at Aria, and contributing photographer Scott Harrison was on hand for the fashion show, auction and shopping spree to benefit the Jewish Foundation. Yesterday, we reported that Bachelor Brad Womack was spotted shopping at Volcom in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood. Our spywitness goofed! It was Brad’s twin brother Chad Womack and his wife, not Emily, who won his proposal on ABC two weeks ago.

Palace Station comedian headliner Louie Anderson enjoyed a birthday celebration during his show last night, as friends and family, including Marty Allen, Pam Matteson, Cliff Lawrence, Seth Grabel, Joe Sanfelippo and Ahmos Assan, surprised him onstage with a cake. Singer Deborah Gibson dined at Strip House at Planet Hollywood last night. Rye Rye performed her hit “Sunshine” a Lavo at the Palazzo last night. Receptionist, model and Maloof Records music artist Chelsea Chanel Dudley performed two songs and partied at Moon at the Palms last night during the Ghetto Fabulous edition of Hair Wars, which Tonic Salon won.

Photo: Aaron Garcia/9 Group

Chelsea Chanel Dudley.

Photo: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

Rye Rye at Lavo at the Palazzo on March 23, 2011.

Tonight’s tips

The third-annual, four-day Spring Wine and Jazz Festival with more than 250 wines kicks off tonight at the Golden Nugget. Winemakers and owners Gary Ochwat and Ricardo Cajulis of Garric Cellars host a five-course winemakers dinner at Marche Bacchus. Iranian-born comic Max Jobrani starts a three-night run at The Playboy Comedy Lounge at the Palms.

Tomorrow’s teases

Will the lights go out on the Strip with the simultaneous, high-voltage, superstar trio invasion of Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Fergie? We’ve got the full rundown of this weekend’s ultimate stargazing. Plus, we get ready with a preview of the huge week ahead with the biggest names in sports, movies, music and winemaking, as Michael Jordan tees off with his celebrity tournament; George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ryan Reynolds and Cameron Diaz lead the movie parade for CinemaCon; the 37th Annual UNLVino Sip for a Scholarship celebrates with three days of champagne, sake and wine; and the ACM Awards return to MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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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