Luxe Life Blog

Strip Scribbles: Nightclub & Bar trade show is in full swing

Posted March 9, 2010 • 4:39 p.m.

Dan Aykroyd cautiously stares at a bottle of his Crystal Head Vodka.

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

The four days of partying for the 25th Annual Nightclub & Bar Awards is at the midpoint today. It began Sunday at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel and continued last night at Haze in Aria. Today at high noon, the following awards were presented to the owners, operators and managers of the winning sweep by our Las Vegas pleasure palaces and playgrounds:

Steve Wynn & Victor Drai’s XS at the Encore for Mega Club of the Year and New Club of the Year; Tao at The Venetian for Nightclub of the Year; Rehab at the Hard Rock for Ongoing Promotion of the Year; Paul Oakenfold as Resident DJ at Rain in the Palms; Midsummer Night’s Dream for Single Promotion of the Year at the Palms; and Blush in the Wynn for Ultra-Lounge of the Year.

Our coverage yesterday included thoughts from nightlife expert Jack Colton, and we posted the winners last month. Tonight, the Top 100 Party is at XS, and the GLBT Nightclub event will be hosted at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand by Million Dollar Listing star Madison Hildebrand. Tomorrow, it wraps with actor Dan Aykroyd delivering the keynote address -- and obviously putting in a big plug for his skull-shaped vodka drink -- and a sports bar networking party at celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo .Then I’ll join my fellow judges for the awards reception with all the winners at Lavo in the Palazzo, followed the DJ Spin off battle at Tao.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

The gossip mill is abuzz that the cooled romance between Holly Madison and Benji Madden has heated up again. However, don’t believe the story that she’s packing up and leaving Las Vegas to be closer to him in L.A. Holly texted me today: “No, not true I am leaving Las Vegas. I like to visit L.A., but I plan on making a permanent home in Las Vegas.” Her publicist called the rumors “utter nonsense.” But the story of Benji inviting the platinum Peepshow star to appear in an IT Boys video may have some truth to it! … Former Flamingo President Don Marrandino, who now runs Harrah’s casinos on the East Coast, appealed to the Atlantic City Gaming commissioners to let the X Girls go topless when they open there this month with a second troupe. However, the stuffy suits turned down the request and decreed the topless beauties must be partially covered for their bounce on the Boardwalk. … Although TLC decided not to renew another three-year contract with the Miss America Organization for the pageants at Planet Hollywood, I’m told that negotiations are continuing with not just one major network but also others, and executives hope to have something official to report in six weeks. … It looks like four of the original Dean Martin Golddiggers from the crooner’s old NBC show will appear at Tony Sacca’s new downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. Six of the ladies -- Sheila Allen, Suzy Cadham, Jackie Chidsey, Susie Ewing, Rosie Gitlin and Nancy Sinclair -- performed at the recent Walk of Stars ceremony honoring Dino. Now Tony wants to feature Susie, Sheila, Suzy and Rosie at his restaurant theater. The Golddiggers hosted Dean Martin’s summer replacement series for three years and wound up with their own weekly program.

UPCOMING EVENTS

There will be three days of festivities saluting superhero comics creator Stan Lee when he is feted here at the Palms with the premiere of Iron Man 2 on May 6. The launch party will take at Moon, and the following day, he’ll receive a Brenden celebrity star, while Walt Disney folks plan a reception, dinner and auction to benefit our Las Vegas Stars Among the Angels charity supporting literacy for foster and at-risk children here. Stan wants to see Cirque du Soleil’s Love at The Mirage while he’s here and also will take part in a Q&A at the premiere.

*Hoops Central is one of the largest monthlong hoops fests in America now through April 5 at Fremont Street Experience downtown. Two sexy new stage shows with the Dream Team Divas and the Hardwood Hotties provide the entertainment while visitors can test their skills at the 30-foot basketball hoop in the interactive area.

*At today’s press conference for Earth Hour, Mayor Oscar Goodman, his showgirls and officials from the World Wildlife Fund announced that the Strip will go dark for one hour March 27 at 8:30 p.m. Las Vegas is one of the showcase cities participating in the global event calling for action on climate change.

*UNLV has set the dates for its 36th Annual Sip for a Scholarship wine tasting events. It kicks off April 8 poolside at Caesars Palace with the Bubblelicious champagne tasting, continues April 9 with a 150 sake tasting poolside at the Palms and wraps April 10 with the Grand Tasting at Bally’s with more than 400 vintners. The three personalities being recognized this year with the Dom Perignon Awards of Excellence are award-winning chef Francois Payard, Aria chief Bill McBeath and Golden Gaming CEO Blake Sartini.

*Congratulations to Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show at the Sahara in celebrating 50 years of the legendary Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop partnership. Sandy’s show will continue nightly at the Sahara, but he’s getting a second group together for a 50th Anniversary Rat Pack Tour across America. Off-Broadway Booking is taking the production to historic theaters and intimate venues across the country.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Guitarist Joe Satriani, who took part in the Jimi Hendrix Experience concert in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday, took time for an in-store appearance at Sam Ash Music, and our contributing photographer Scott Harrison snapped him signing guitars. … Comedy star Kevin James watched Jason Alexander’s The Donny Clay Experience at Planet Hollywood and gave it two thumbs up. … Monte Carlo magician Lance Burton was the Variety Club’s guest of honor when the children’s charity sponsored the official Las Vegas Oscar Night. Lance walked the red carpet at The M casino resort with girlfriend Gabriela Versace. This month, Lance has offered complimentary tickets to his show to cab, limousine and shuttle bus drivers, and so far about 100 of them are showing up nightly with a guest. Lance said, “They help to make a difference in these tough economic times. They are the front-line folks who deal with millions of Las Vegas visitors on an annual basis.”….. Actor Rob Schneider enjoyed drinks in the lounge at Strip House in Planet Hollywood and mingled and took photos with fans. … Former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian dined at N9NE Steakhouse, and executive chef Barry Dakake personally served him the Dover sole. Former NFL star Jay Fiedler also dined at N9NE in a party of 10. Upstairs in Moon, Brad Jones of the Green Bay Packers partied with five friends, and rapper and actor Ed Lover (real name James Roberts) relaxed poolside as the Palms Pool & Bungalows opened for the season. … Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was at Blush drinking at a dance floor table as The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer hung out at a neighboring table. … Actor Don Cheadle had lunch at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Caesars Palace’s Forum Shops.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

The Girls Next Door Playboy Playmate Bridget Marquardt hosts at Moon, and don’t be surprised if girlfriend Holly Madison stops by. … Illusionist David Copperfield has two nights remaining in his current run at MGM’s Hollywood Theater. … Grammy-winning saxophonist Gary Anderson plays Jazz Night at the Marquee Room in the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. The jam session includes some of Las Vegas’ best, including Woody Woods on keyboard, Steve Flora on jazz trumpet, drummer John Plows and Michael Ray Tyler on trumpet. … Singer Kevin Rudolf says “Let It Rock” in a performance at Blush in the Wynn. (Don’t expect Birdman or the now jailed Lil Wayne to sing along.) … Political satirist Will Durst is at Harrah’s Improv with Maranzio Vance and Jim McCue through Monday.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

We welcome award-winning comedienne Lily Tomlin back to the Strip, and she gives us a fun-filled interview as she gets ready for a second run of shows at the Hollywood Theater. Another extraordinary Tom Donoghue photo gallery, this time with the Pawn Stars cast from The History Channel who have a line of tourists waiting outside their store every day.

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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