Luxe Life Blog
Strip Scribbles: Lance Burton may have a special guest at show tonight
Lance Burton.
Photo: Wayne Bernath
Tonight marks the return of master magician Lance Burton to his theater at the Monte Carlo after a brief vacation, and no less than big fight winner Floyd Mayweather Jr. might drop by. Turns out Floyd is quite a fan and says that he always takes his out-of-town friends to see the show.
“I’ve been to see Lance about 12 times now,” Floyd said. “I’ve been obsessed with magic since I was a little kid. I love magic but don’t know why.” Floyd, who admits to being able to do a couple of card tricks, has never met Lance and hasn’t gone backstage to say hello. Apparently he’s always slipped in and out quietly. That will change the next time because Floyd now has an invitation to meet Lance backstage the next time he shows up!
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Incidentally, don't miss The Travel Channel’s Extreme coverage of the World Magic Seminar tomorrow. The event held here featured our hometown masked manipulator Jeff McBride and many of his local magic friends.
*Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day celebrated her debut preview in Peepshow last night with a group of friends and family who traveled here from L.A. TV cameras from her new VH1 reality TV project filmed the group partying after the show. Confirming my exclusive real-time tweet, Aubrey doesn’t hesitate to go topless and nearly nude in the sexy, erotic teddy bear number hereinafter to be known as “Teddy Bare!” Her premiere is set for Thursday, and it’s already a sell-out for her official opening night.
Aubrey O'Day with family and friends after her first performance in Peepshow.
Aubrey O'Day debuts as Peep Diva in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood.
“It felt great,” Aubrey told me last night. “I had a ball. I was happy to show my body. I love Peepshow. It’s great, and I’m having a blast.” The audience agreed, giving Aubrey and co-star Holly Madison a standing ovation when both appeared topless in the closing number. The night before, San Antonio Spurs star and four-time NBA champion Tim Duncan attended Peepshow and gave it two thumbs up.
*It was confirmed this morning that sexy, topless X Burlesque at the Flamingo has won a three-year contract extension through August 2012. The official announcement confirms a story we ran two weeks ago. The show opened in February 2007 and has been running nightly with the seductive, sexy dancers.
“Earlier this year, we incorporated new costumes and a few set changes, and now with our extension, we plan to evolve the show even further,” producer Angela Stabile said. “We’re thrilled with this news and proud to be part of the Flamingo family.” X Burlesque was featured as one of “Las Vegas’ Sexiest Jobs” on E! Entertainment and regularly attracts celebrities.
X Burlesque dancers at the premiere of Smokey Robinson Presents: Human Nature at the Imperial Palace.
*Mystery surrounds the sudden exit of singer-actor Erich Bergen from Jersey Boys at the Palazzo. He blogged to say he was off on a vacation, but backstage word is that he won’t be returning to the show. Theater blogs and insiders are abuzz with rumors about the abrupt departure. I’m trying to get the inside word but for now remember him as an always charming guy and an amazing composer who wrote beautiful music with his co-star Travis Cloer. Erich gave back to the community with his great support of The Liberace Museum. Click HERE for the blog buzz coast to coast. Remember: This is not our Vegas DeLuxe commentary, nor is it edited to our standards! And click HERE for Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ story.
Erich Bergen and Bob Gaudio. Erich portrays Bob in Jersey Boys.
*Mark Nov. 12 on your calendar for the annual Rock for the Cure benefit at The Mirage for the Nevada Cancer Institute. Jay Leno and Terry Fator will make special appearances, with CNN talk titan Larry King as emcee. Chefs for the event include Julian Serrano of Picasso, Brian Massie of The Light Group restaurants (Fix, Stack and Brand) and David Robins and Eric Klein of Wolfgang Puck’s Fine Dining Group.
*The secret is out! During Phantom Fans Week, actor Anthony Crivello, who plays The Phantom, revealed that he’s not the one hanging from the chandelier near the end of the show. “I simply can’t be in two places at once,” Anthony said. The Venetian theater doesn’t have a ceiling catwalk, so another actor does that duty!
Anthony Crivello.
*This year’s San Gennaro Feast was another tremendous success, with more than 70,000 attending over the six nights. Our local entertainer and TV host Tony Sacca organized the nightly entertainment with appearances by Zowie Bowie, Rick Faugno of Jersey Boys, ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and the feast’s grand lady Lana Prima. The event has become so large, it’s now held twice a year to accommodate crowds. Watch for news shortly from Tony about his Vegas Rocks project.
Rick Faugno of Jersey Boys with Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie at the San Gennaro Festival.
*Voices at the Hilton has undergone a makeover, and Lani Misalucha is now able to show a vast array of musical styles from R&B to opera in the revamped production. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on hand for the new show, where enthusiastic crowds gave her and her dancers a standing ovation. As one of Asia’s most popular vocalists, she’s been dubbed by MTV as “Asia’s Nightingale.” Lani also amazed with her comedic flair and impersonations of Britney Spears, Tina Turner, Celine Dion and Diana Ross.
Star surveillance
Before they headed home to Hollywood, reunited lovebirds Vanessa Minnillo and Nick Lachey were spotted at Matt Goss Live From the Palms and at the Palazzo’s First Food & Bar, where they watched the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game last night while noshing on cheese steak dumplings.
Las Vegas resident Mary Wilson, an original member of The Supremes, was a guest star with Human Nature to celebrate their 100th performance at the Imperial Palace, while over at The Mirage, comedian Jon Lovitz watched Terry Fator’s show and popped backstage afterward to give his congratulations.
It was a reunion of cast members from previous seasons of CBS’s Big Brother at The Playboy Club in the Palms. The group included Alex Coladonato, Howie Gordon, Eric Stein, Michele Noonan, Parker Somerville, Russell Kairouz, Libra Thompson, Jennifer “Nakomis” Dedmon, Krista Stegall and James Rhine. … The Shys, dressed in all black, were at Lavo in the Palazzo drinking our recipe of Patron and Pineapple. … Nearby was Bronx Tale actor Chazz Palminteri, who appears to have become a regular at the hotspot. … Scott Ian of Anthrax and adult entertainment star Tera Patrick had dinner together at Rare 120 in the Hard Rock Hotel before his show in Carey Hart’s Wasted Space. … Incidentally, more than 1,000 patrons crowded Wasted Space for a glimpse of Kid Rock after his private Joint corporate show when he partied with Too Short, Vinnie Paul of Pantera and Five Finger Death Punch. Five Finger frontman Ivan Moody entertained the crowd as he jumped on stage to perform several Pantera covers. … DJ Samantha Ronson was in a corner booth at Strip House in Planet Hollywood alongside California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrating his son’s 16th birthday. … Joe Elliott of Def Leppard attended Cheap Trick’s Sgt. Pepper Live at the Hilton and joined the band onstage for “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and the finale “All You Need Is Love.” … Actor comedian D.L. Hughley dined at Brand Steakhouse in the Monte Carlo after his show and so enjoyed the hearty offerings, he returned the following night with an even larger entourage who feasted way past the midnight hour! … Retired NBA all-star Charles Barkley was at Fix in the Bellagio for a low-key dinner with family and friends. … Comedy star David Spade was joined by friends Nick Swardson and Pete Giovine of Reno 911 at Jet in The Mirage, and the trio wound up dancing and hanging out with fans. Jeremy Dawson of Shiny Toy Guns tag teamed back and forth with DJ Karma for hours at the Bank in the Bellagio. It was the first time Jeremy went behind the turntables of a Vegas nightclub, and next month he starts the second U.S. and U.K. tour with the band. … Watching the action at the Bank were Ty Law of the New England Patriots and Greg Wesley and Patrick Surtain of the Kansas City Chiefs. … Damon Jones of the Milwaukee Bucks was at Yellowtail in the Bellagio for sushi and sashimi snacks with NBA notables Antoine Walker and Tyrone Lu.
David Spade with Nick Swardson and Pete Giovine, of Reno 911, at Jet in The Mirage.
*Vegas residents appearing on tonight’s Wheel of Fortune with Pat Sajak and Vanna White recorded this summer at the Palazzo and The Venetian are salesman Steve Wiseman and security specialist Tiffany Coleman.
Tonight’s tips
Billy Squier is every woman’s “Kinda Lover,” and he’ll rock all night long with his greatest hits at the Henderson Pavilion. … Tickets go on sale today for the featherweight title fight between Mike Brown and Jose Aldo in World Extreme Cagefighting at the Palms on Nov. 18. … Music fans will love the triple header at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay featuring Psychedelic Furs, Happy Mondays and Amusement Parks on Fire.
Hugh Hefner, Shoshana Bean and Holly Madison.
Tomorrow’s teases
Holly Madison reveals all the secrets of her new reality TV series Planet Holly, which starts shooting here as of Oct. 12, the day after the two-night premiere of this season’s The Girls Next Door, which will feature Playboy king Hugh Hefner and his new three-pack at Peepshow. We also prepare for the Dancing With the Stars results show starring our Lion King cast from Mandalay Bay and the ouster of two celebrities, while Rio headline magicians Penn & Teller conjure up some death-defying tricks for the Top Chef: Vegas contestants.
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 HERE.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.
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