Luxe Life Blog
Strip Scribbles: Toni Basil to receive 2009 Living Legends of Hip Hop Award
Toni Basil.
Photo: Leila Navidi
Our Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler’s multiple-award-winning choreographer, director, producer and performer Toni Basil will receive the 2009 Living Legends of Hip Hop Award at the 8th Annual World Hip Hop Dance Championship here at The Orleans Arena on Aug. 2. Toni has choreographed and directed commercials, TV shows, movies, music videos and world tours for such icons as David Byrne, David Bowie and Tina Turner.
She has served as dance director and choreographer for Bette for more than two decades, including her current hit The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace and returned here yesterday for Bette’s new run of shows. Her recording and energetic music video for “Mickey” in a Las Vegas High School cheerleading outfit (her alma mater) have left an indelible mark on pop culture and is placed in the collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
At the World Hip Hop Dance Championship, Toni will become the first woman in the event’s history to receive the Living Legends of Hip Hop Award, taking her place alongside such past recipients as MC Hammer, Boogaloo Sam and Don “Campbellock” Campbell.
Jersey Boys cast members Travis Cloer, Jeff Leibow, Deven May and Mike Backes flank baseball legend Pete Rose.
*They say opposites attract, and that’s the unique concept of a new series of cabaret concerts organized by cast members and musicians of Best Musical on the Strip winners Jersey Boys at The Palazzo to benefit the Liberace Foundation. They debuted last night with the first VS Rock cabaret show, and Jersey Boys cast members Erich Bergen and Kristofer McNeeley recruited Melanie Taylor from Barry Manilow’s show and Bobby Black of the Las Vegas Tenors.
Every month now, the “versus” concerts will have different themes and performers. Last night it was “Hello vs. Goodbye,” and the singers had to contrast the two categories using well-known songs from composers, shows and other singers. The revues will be held at the Liberace Museum and benefit the Liberace Foundation. Meantime, former MLB player and manager Pete Rose stopped in to meet the cast and congratulated them on a great performance.
Soulja Boy Tell 'Em takes the mic at Jet.
*Rapper Soulja Boy Tell ’Em gave a special performance of “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” among his other hits, to a packed house at Jet in The Mirage, and a number of NFL players caught the set, including Wes Walker of the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers Stephen Cooper and Shaun Phillips. Members of Panic at the Disco also enjoyed the party, including lead guitarist Ryan Ross, drummer Spencer Smith and bassist Jon Walker.
*Don’t miss out on the Tuff-N-Uff open invitational at The Orleans Arena on Saturday night when 100 fighters from 14 states will slug it out in two adjoining rings simultaneously in an afternoon of nonstop mixed martial arts. There will be a break before the “Future Stars of MMA: USA vs. Mexico” starts in the evening.
Jermaine Dupri and Nelly at E's Daily 10 Smashtime Saturdays at Body English.
From second from left, pro poker players Huck Seed, Antonio Esfandiari and Jeff Madsen with a friend.
Star surveillance
In advance of the NHL Awards next month at the Palms, Philadelphia Flyers Mike Richards skated in for an advance look. He is tipped to win the Selke Award as top defensive forward in the league. He hit Iron Chef Kerry Simon’s restaurant in Palms Place for lunch and then had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse next door in the Palms with a party of four. After the meal, he took a VIP table upstairs at Moon with nine friends and ordered up Fiji water, Red Bull and Ketel One. It was the same drink order for rapper and actor Nelly, who hid under a Gucci hat at another VIP table with eight friends. Other celebrity guests at Moon included San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips and seven friends; Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs with five friends; DJ Chris Cox with his entourage of about 30 people; DJ Tiesto joined by 12 friends; rapper Too Short; and MMA fighter Chuck Liddell, who partied with 20 others. … World Series of Poker main event and NBC Heads Up champion Huck Seed celebrated with a night out at Blush in the Wynn with fellow pro poker players Layne Flack, Joe Hachem, Tom Dwan, Antonio Esfandiari and Jeff Madsen.
Pauly Shore and Bill Maher in da club.
Tonight’s tips
The sultan of sharp satire and socio-political commentary returns for a three-night run at The Orleans. Bill Maher has pushed all the envelopes for 15 years on television with his swipes at politicos and religious leaders. … The second annual catfight dance contest takes place at Cathouse in the Luxor with a showcase of the best and most glamorous Las Vegas dancers performing seductive routines.
Heather Graham.
Tomorrow’s teases
Another star-studded weekend is in store, and Vegas DeLuxe has all the parties, sporting events and shows. We’ll also celebrate the sixth anniversary of our Vegas magazine with actress Heather Graham from the new comedy Hangover and the Spring Bling charity music concert and jewelry fashion party with two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and members of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians family at the Palazzo pools. Plus a photo gallery of the zany Down Under comics who make up the offbeat Flight of the Concords.
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.
E-mail
del.icio.us
digg
Facebook
