Las Vegas Weekly

Vegas Prom 2009!

Man, we hope our Vegas prom pics this year are as sweet as this photo.

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Get ready for the vote whoring, it’s Vegas Prom time again. Now in it’s fifth year (guess we didn’t graduate after the senior year party in ’08), Wet Republic is playing host for the first time on October 7.

Gathering the who’s who of Vegas nightlife royalty, each year prom gives us an excuse to go shopping for the finest duds or dig through the closet for something we haven’t been photographed in too many times and can pass off as formal wear. Or bypass the traditional garb and go with a kitschy outfit as Weekly nightlife editor Xania Woodman and I did last year (Xania channeled Lucille Ball, I went as the token goth girl at prom spiking the punch). Since it’s at a pool, why not dress up as undercover cops and hookers in light of recent events? Too much? Hit Savers and look for the most hideous formal wear relics you can find.

Speaking of Xania, the self-proclaimed Susan Lucci of Vegas prom is up for her fifth shot at the crown. Team Hangover’s Jack Colton is also competing for another chance to be king, and I’m up for princess for the second time (third, if you count actually being prom princess in high school. Maybe I’ll bring that tiara along for comfort when I lose again this year).

Nominations were finalized yesterday and it’s going to be a fierce popularity—read: annoy everyone you know for their vote—contest. But an FYI to those desperate souls thinking about stuffing the ballot box: The Vegas prom committee is on to you and voting not only is limited to one vote per e-mail address, but you must fill out your name and where you work, as well.

Looking at the full list, it appears the initial plan to nominate competitors based on their time residing in Vegas has been bypassed. Time in the industry was a factor in nominations, and since celebrities reign supreme, Holly Madison also received a queen nod, even though the Peepshow star and former Playboy model hasn’t even been here a year. Rumor has it she wants this really, really bad. (That’s actually really, really cute.)

Photo: Jeremy Womack

Busted! Team Hangover's Deanna Rilling spikes the punch at Vegas Prom 2008.

But logistics and specifics about voting aside, the real reason to hit up prom is to raise moola for charity. The first four years, Shade Tree was the benefactor, but according to prom committee member Bo Karlen, a portion of the money raised will also help one of our own. “Proceeds are going to Save Tony Verdugo,” says Karlen. One of the staples in Vegas nightlife, Verdugo was stricken with illness in July and has amassed extensive medical costs since he is uninsured (read more here).

See? It isn’t always about the booze for us nightlifers, though we'll keep the party going after prom at Body English and Wasted Space, then likely crash in a Hard Rock Hotel room. But speaking of booze, don’t forget to vote here for members of Team Hangover for prom court: Xania Woodman for queen, Jack Colton for king, and Deanna Rilling for princess. End shameless self-promotion… now.