STRIP SCRIBBLES
…Basketball star Kenny Thomas of the Sacramento Kings gets a different kind of pickup game going on his Vegas visits. He’s discovered the Lucky Strikes lanes inside the Rio, and when he’s got the jukebox belting out classic rock tunes, he’s best at scoring strikes.
…Gorgeous former Miss USA Shanna Moakler, who has made more headlines recently with her on-and-off again romance with tattooed drummer husband Travis Barker, played hostess for a Nikki Beach party up at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort - and the reality TV star made such a pretty picture, how could we resist?
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…My good friend, record producer Ron Dante is one busy man these days. Wrapping up his work in the studio behind all the dials and the switches for Barry Manilow’s new album, Ron now goes on stage in his own right.
He’s performing in his own solo act, co-headlining with former Philippine Presidential daughter, Imelda Papin at the Orleans.
Now how would I know something like that? Well, good pal Ron asked me to introduce the two of them via a special recording. Then come Labor Day weekend, he’s organized a Bubblegum Bonanza bash at the Cannery with his own group, The Archies, plus the 1910 Fruitgum Company, the Ohio Express and a special guest appearance by Trini Lopez. It all starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday September 1.
Ron, who was the real-life voice behind the fictional band, The Archies and their gold no. 1 hit, “Sugar Sugar,” has also produced Cher and Pat Benatar.
Tickets go on sale at 10am tomorrow (SAT) for the October 26 concert of husband and wife superstars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Its the first tour for J-Lo and the first tour of them together. The couple will perform separate sets of their own material and also perform together. Each set will include songs in both English and Spanish. J-Lo has sold more than 17-million records worldwide and husband, Marc is the top-selling salsa artist of all time with more than 10-million albums sold worldwide. Wristband distribution will begin at 6am tomorrow (SAT) and end at 9am when a random number will be drawn - and a new lineup will start in sequential order from the random number selected. Its being predicted that the concert will be sold out in an all-time record of under 2 hours!!!!
But now for everything that’s happening this weekend, let’s go to what we refer to around here affectionately as the
ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
FRI AUG 10
…It’s a battle of comedy champions this weekend as tall drink of water Brad Garrett entertains for two nights at the Mirage, while politically astute comedian Bill Maher sends his zingers flying from the Joint at the Hard Rock. Both men are totally irreverent, but Bill has the slight edge when it comes to not pulling punches at controversy! Meantime, there’s three nights of comedy up at the Suncoast with Jerry Van Dyke, Steve Landesberg and the Unknown Comic (behind the brown bag on his head we know him as Murray Langston).
…The music weekend kicks off with REO Speedwagon at the Pearl in the Palms.
…For smooth sounds of jazz to soothe the soul, Chuck Mangione plays for his supper through Sunday night at the South Point.
…For a completely different sound, Steel Pulse from England plays its reggae-styled lyrical messages poolside at the Hard Rock, and Floetry’s remixed tour with Emily King pulls into the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.
…It’s the first of this month’s theme nights at Coyote Ugly in NYNY, and tonight on Naughty Schoolgirl Night the Coyotes will dress like the hot classmates you wish had sat in front of you. If only school had been this much fun. Leather, lace, cowgirls and bikinis are all up coming during August!
SAT AUG 11
The unique sounds of ZZ Top kick off an incredible three act concert at the Orleans Arena with the Pretenders and the Stray Cats, and with those musical ranges - you’ve got the best of all worlds.
…I haven’t seen his name on the Vegas entertainment listings for a long time, so don’t miss Ted Nugent at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay with Alex Winston.
…Moody Don Henley picks up his guitar for a concert down at the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bills in the Primm Valley resorts, which is just a 25-minute ride south of the Strip.
…Turn back the hands of time a little and head for the 80’s for Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner at the Silverton, while Colin Hay from Men at Work joins The Motels featuring Martha Davis at the Cannery’s Club. You’ll recognize a lot of Colin’s music from such TV shows as “Scrubs,” giving it a whole new life of its own. For memories of Elvis Presley, Dennis Wise plays “King for a Night” when you punch your ticket at The Railhead in Boulder Station.
SUNDAY AUGUST 12
…Former Ms. Nevada beauty queen Katie Rees
has bounced right back from her problems that saw her crown and title stripped from her after saucy sexy internet photos were published. Not only has she landed a debut real movie out in Hollywood but all day Sunday she’ll celebrate her 23rd birthday in style at the appropriately titled BARE topless optional pool at the Mirage. Expect the Vegas hometown blonde bombshell at JET or LIGHT later in the evening- but the big question is which beau will she have on her arm? She’s been enjoying a happy- but secretive- romance with a major Vegas big-name honcho!
MONDAY’S TEASE:
It’s the final of “Hells Kitchen” at Green Valley Ranch. Cranky celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, with his harsh British accent, will reveal the winner of the grand prize of a year’s residency at the new Terra Verde Italian restaurant there. Plus, the Osmond family rallies for a once in a lifetime two day 50th anniversary reunion here in Vegas. LUXE LIFE has all the details on both, plus the second coming here of the culinary genius hailed as America’s most extraordinary chef.
When visiting Vegas, be sure to see Las Vegas Magazine in your hotel suite featuring a print edition of AOL Vegas Luxe Life, and an incredible directory of attractions, shows and restaurants.
VEGAS- THE ONLY PLACE TO PLAY!