October '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 10-25-08

	Norm took the day off

Sunday 10-26-08

Wynn sells rare Dutch painting

Resort developer Steve Wynn has sold the Johannes Vermeer painting he purchased four years ago for $30 million, sources have confirmed.

The identity of the buyer is not known.

Wynn's acquisition of "Young Woman Seated at the Virginals," the first Vermeer to appear at an auction since 1921, had the art world abuzz because Sotheby's in London would not identify the buyer, who paid more than five times its pre-sale estimate.

The painting, barely the size of a book at 9 7/8 inches by 7 7/8 inches, was on display in the since-closed Wynn Las Vegas gallery before Wynn had it moved to his office.

Vermeer, considered one of the great Dutch masters and foremost colorists, painted the scene in 1670, five years before his death at age 43.

Only 35 of his paintings have survived.

Wynn has been a voracious collector over the years. His collection includes Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and, more recently, J.M.W. Turner, considered by some as the greatest British artist.

In 2006, Wynn purchased Turner's "Giudecca, La Donna della Salute and San Giorgio," at Christie's in New York for $35.8 million.

The Scene And Heard

Gay rights groups are asking Jerry Lewis to apologize for the second time in a year for an anti-gay slur. Asked for his opinion last week on the sport of cricket, Lewis told an Australian television station it was "a fag game." He added a visual: he pretended that he was holding an imaginary bat and made an effeminate gesture, according to The Associated Press. Lewis, 82, apologized for using the same word during his annual telethon a year ago. ... Cirque du Soleil spokeswoman Anita Nelving has confirmed Criss Angel's claim here last week that the Luxor's new show, "Believe," is the No. 1 best-selling Cirque show. Angel's comment caused an uproar among doubters after a storm of negative reports and responses. Nelving told me Saturday that the four weeks of previews were sold out and grossed $5 million. She told local freelance writer and podcaster Steve Friess of VegasHappensHere.com that "In terms of daily sales, currently 'Believe' is averaging higher or equal to our other top-selling productions in Las Vegas." The magic production launches Friday. ... Caesars Palace headliner Cher is a guest on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Nov. 3 (3 p.m., Channel 8, KLAS-TV). Maybe Ellen can squeeze more information out of Cher on her health issues that caused her to cancel six shows this fall and another four earlier this year. ... What happened to Paul Rodriguez? He was to host "The Real Deal!," the new poker-themed stage show at The Venetian. Vinnie Favorito has the role.

Sightings

Hilton headliner Barry Manilow, in the crowd at Barack Obama's speech Saturday at Bonanza High School. ... At "Believe" on Saturday: Michelle Pfeiffer and family. ... Kim Kardashian, celebrating her 28th birthday at LAX (Luxor) with her boyfriend, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, sisters Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, socialite/model Brittny Gastineau, actress/model Caroline D'Amore and Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin. ... Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, mingling with family and friends at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. ... At Tao (The Venetian) on Friday: actor Johnathon Schaech, hosting the "Quarantine" movie release party. His girlfriend, actress Jana Kramer, flew in after filming an episode of the new "90210" show. ... A TV camera crew, shooting Oktoberfest footage at the Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas on Friday for RTL, the German powerhouse TV broadcasting company. Oktoberfest ends next weekend.


Monday 10-27-08

E-mail about duo's return creates stir An e-mail announcing the possibility that Siegfried & Roy would be returning to the stage "on a regular basis" is raising eyebrows. The announcement, received by several local reporters about 7 p.m. Saturday, appeared to have come from public relations for the new "Raw Talent Live" show at the Sahara. Eighteen hours later, another e-mail from the same e-mail address suggested the announcement was a hoax perpetrated by a hacker. Sunday's statement from the public relations department for Viashow Inc. read: "Someone obtain the password to the Viashow PR account. "The previous communication is completely unfounded and not true, please disregard ... problem has been corrected." Viashow, operated by Nicole "ND" Durr, is producing "Raw Talent Live" and ND's Space, an entertainment venue that is going into The Palazzo. The initial e-mail I received included an invitation to interview Siegfried & Roy after they attended Sunday's "Raw Talent Live." "The trio is have begun discussing the possibility of joining forces on a project completely separate from the one you reported on in January earlier this year that they're working on with Bernie Yuman and Ken Sunshine at the Palazzo. "And yes, this project proposal could involve the icons returning to the stage with ND on a regular basis with their legendary magical act which captivated so many for years at The Mirage." Siegfried & Roy reportedly have an exclusive deal to perform a one-time show for Larry Ruvo's "Keep Memory Alive" Alzheimer's gala at Bellagio in February. The deal includes a TV commitment. The illusionists provided financial backing for Durr's "Havana Nights," which had a brief engagement at the Stardust in 2004. An e-mail sent to Durr on Sunday was not answered by deadline. COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF Heavenly cheesecake can melt the heart of even the toughest food critics. During a live auction at Saturday's James Beard Foundation Taste America gala at The Palazzo, globe-trotting gourmet Alan Richman, known for his hard-to-please palate, paused the bidding for a Rao's package to single out Carla Pellegrino, Rao's Las Vegas executive chef. "Carla's ricotta cheesecake is the best I've had," swooned Richman. One of Richman's classic lines came during a 2007 review of fabled Il Mulino's, an Italian mecca in New York's Greenwich Village, when he described the primary flavors as "oily, salty, garlicky and buttery." On a night when it was clear the economy is taking a toll, Santa Barbara winemaker Jim Clendenon paid $7,000 for dinner for four in Rao's New York and Las Vegas restaurants. The Scene And Heard "CSI: Las Vegas" actor Robert David Hall told the morning show at KKLZ-FM 96.3 last week that he wanted to put some rumors to rest about ex-"CSI" actor Gary Dourdan, whose character was killed off in the season premiere. He wasn't fired for erratic behavior that made headlines, Hall told Mike O'Brian, Jim Tofte and Charly Kayle. "He had wanted to move on and do other things for quite some time and we wish him well," Hall said. Eventually William Petersen plans to leave to do more stage work, Hall said. "Matrix" star Lawrence Fishburne is taking over the lead investigator role. ... After reading here that New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was at Luxor nightclub LAX on Friday, several readers noted that the Saints were playing the San Diego Chargers in London on Sunday. Bush, who was here for the 28th birthday of his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, stayed in the States to rehab his knee, which he injured recently. Sightings Actor Charlie Sheen, leaving Privé nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort) about 1 a.m. Sunday. Sheen cut short his hosting duties to catch a plane and join his wife, Brooke, who is expecting twins. Her pregnancy was complicated by an emergency gall bladder surgery last month. Sheen was joined at Privé by his "Spin City" co-star Michael Boatman, who was celebrating his birthday. ... Efren Ramirez of "Napolean Dynamite" and his twin brother, Carlos, celebrated their 35th birthdays Saturday at Jet (Mirage).

Tuesday 10-28-08

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 10-29-08

Elvis' girlfriend in 1956 still mystery

The identity of a former Las Vegas showgirl is at the center of an Elvis Presley-related mystery.

The Chicago Tribune on Tuesday published an article about the iconic "Million Dollar Quartet" photograph of the jam session in 1956. Gathered around a piano at the Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn., were legendary singers Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Johnny Cash and a young woman.

Over the years, the woman was cropped out of the photo. Historians believe her name is Marilyn Evans, then a 19-year-old former showgirl at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino. Elvis had made his Las Vegas debut, which was considered a flop, at the hotel in April 1956, a little more than four months before his groundbreaking appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The mystery has flared up again because the play, "Million Dollar Quartet," recently opened in the Apollo Theatre in Chicago.

It is based on the quartet's jam session captured for posterity when Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips flipped on his recorder.

One of the play's co-writers, Colin Escott, told the Tribune the mystery woman is "one of the few Elvis girlfriends to completely vanish into the ozone."

The woman may have dated Elvis only for a few weeks, according to Peter Guralnick, who authored a two-volume Elvis biography. She never appeared in any article, fanzine or made-for-TV movie, added Guralnick.

A female voice can be heard suggesting a song title to the singers. Her photograph can be seen here:

www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ chi-102908-elvis-mystery-story,0,2687347.story.

Her name is "Dyanne" in the play, for legal reasons. A fictitious name prevents the producers from being sued if the woman is alive.

"The name just doesn't ring a bell," Betty Bunch, a former dancer at the Sahara, told the Tribune.

If you can cast any light on the mystery, call or e-mail me.

CRAZY FOR LEE LIBERACE

Jay Mohr is no closet Liberace fan. He's an out-and-out unabashed fan of the fur-draped, bejeweled Las Vegas icon whose rhinestone-covered piano went to the Smithsonian museum.

Mohr recently told talk-show host Jay Leno that he went on a shopping spree at the Liberace Museum over a year ago.

His purchases included 14 Liberace mugs, a calendar, a Liberace snow globe, a backpack and the cookbook "Joy of Liberace -- Retro Recipes from America's Kitschiest Kitchen!"

When Mohr returned recently to perform at the Orleans, R. Darin Hollingsworth, president of the Liberace Foundation for the Performing & Creative Arts, was invited backstage to make a presentation to Mohr and his wife, Nikki Cox, formerly of NBC's "Las Vegas."

Hollingsworth's gifts included "Liberace: Your Personal Fashion Consultant" by Michael & Karan Feder, a Liberace "Hot Pants" beach towel and a gift certificate for the museum's Liberace sneakers that features piano keys.

"They squealed when they saw all of it," Hollingsworth said.

The Scene And Heard

Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren hosts his 13th annual Nevada Day open house from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. He's highlighting his Howard Hughes and Bugsy Siegel exhibits. Admission is a $5 donation to the Living Grace Home. ...

Venetian headliner Wayne Brady has a CD signing for his debut album from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at ZIA Records, 4503 W. Sahara Ave. He'll sing two songs from the album, titled "A Long Time Coming."

Sightings

Hugh Hefner's ex, Holly Madison, trying life in the fast lane on Tuesday when she tested her racing skills at Pole Position Raceway. She was with Maxim magazine model/former Playboy Club Bunny Jessica Burciaga and a photographer. Madison is in town to co-host Tuesday's Trick-em and Treat-em Halloween bash at the Palms with Bridget Marquardt, her sidekick on "Girls Next Door." Burciaga is scheduled to be Playboy's Miss February

Thursday 10-30-08

Celine Dion wants to give birth again

Celine Dion hopes to become pregnant after her world tour ends in February.

Dion, who has hinted about returning to Caesars Palace, told Oprah Winfrey on Tuesday that she has a "small window of hope" that she can have another child.

The plan is to "give it a try after my tour," said Dion, 40, who became pregnant in 2000 through fertility treatments after six years of trying.

"So, hopefully, we are parents again. If not, that's fine," she said. "We have our miracle baby."

She was referring to her son, Rene Charles, who was born Jan. 25, 2001.

She was on "Oprah" to promote her first greatest hits album since 1999. "Celine Dion My Love Ultimate Essential Collection" features favorites and a few new tracks.

The photography was done by Las Vegas photographer Denise Truscello in a studio in Los Angeles late last year. Truscello shot the images for "Celine Dion My Love Essential Collection" and "Celine Dion My Love Ultimate Essential Collection," a two CD set.

"Out of all the people I've worked with, she's the absolute best," said Truscello, who opened the Wire Image photo office here and covers the celebrity scene. "I've worked with her for six years, and she's always kind to everybody. Super, super kind."

Dion postponed today's tour stop in Minneapolis because of a respiratory issue. Her doctor insisted she take time off to recover. The concert was rescheduled for Feb. 5.

KILLERS CANCELED

The Las Vegas rockers The Killers had an appearance on England's most popular radio station cancelled after getting caught in the crossfire of a blowup.

They were to appear on the show with hosts Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross, but the BBC suspended the DJs. Brand later resigned.

The shock jocks sent actor Andrew Sachs a series of sexually explicit messages, including one by Brand claiming he had sex with Sachs' granddaughter.

Brand drew fire in the United States when he referred to President Bush as "retarded" while co-host of MTV's Video Music Awards in September.

The Killers are performing during the European Music Awards on Nov. 6 in Liverpool and the World Music Awards on Nov. 9 in Monaco.

The Scene And Heard

Mayor Oscar Goodman's love of gin came up again during an interview that appeared in the latest Sunset Magazine. Goodman was among prominent locals sharing their favorite spots in Sin City.

The mayor was photographed at Vintner Grill with his wife, Carolyn, and two showgirls. In the article, he said, "Las Vegas is successful because we provide an escape, a fantasy, a mystique. There's a local place we go, Vintner Grill; service is great, and there are lots of young people. I like being around young people. I like the barbecued lamb ribs. And the Bombay Sapphire martini. No vermouth: It takes up too much room."

Sightings

At Blush Boutique Nightclub's Trampoleen Party on Tuesday: retired NFL star Junior Seau and poker stars Daniel Negreanu, Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Tuesday: Verdine White of Earth Wind and Fire, Negreanu and Seau, with his wife and friends. ... Joining Criss Angel on the black carpet of Friday's premier of "Believe" at the Luxor will be Cirque du Soleil creator Guy Laliberté; "Believe" director Serge Denoncourt; Evangeline Lilly and Dominic Monaghan of "Lost;" Christina Hendricks of "Mad Men;" Justin Long; Marie Osmond; Neil Patrick Harris; Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt of "Girls Next Door;" Keir O'Donnell of "Wedding Crashers;" Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe; Wilmer Valderrama; Tanya Roberts of "Charlie's Angels;" Mike Tyson; Michael Strahan, former All-Pro with the New York Giants; Adam Shankman of "So You Think You Can Dance;" A.J. Buckley of "C.S.I.: NY;" Jonathan Togo of "C.S.I.: Miami;" Jeremy Jackson of "Baywatch;" members of the group Hinder; Deborah Gibson; Sully Erna of Godsmack; Michael Johns of "American Idol" fame; reality star Tila Tequila; adult star Tera Patrick; Evan Seinfeld; the cast of Fantasy Girls; and Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried Fischbacher, Carrot Top, Penn & Teller and Louie Anderson.

Friday 10-31-08

No fuss, no muss, no Monti Rock

Criss Angel is holding a rare media event today, hours before the opening night of his magic show collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, and there's at least one question he doesn't have to worry about.

That would be: Why was disco-era gay icon Monti Rock III dis-invited from the opening of "Believe"?

The charge surfaced Wednesday in a blog by an overwrought local food and beverage publisher, who wrote: "Why in Gods name would anyone want to put a 70 year old man through this?"

According to Michael Politz, publisher of the Las Vegas Food and Beverage magazine, Rock -- longtime entertainment columnist for Gaming Today -- was dis-invited to the opening and the gala because they had "over invited people."

"This," added Politz, who partnered with Rock earlier this year, "on the day that Rock had received standing ovations in his new Atlantic City show, Disco Ball."

The e-mail, Politz said, came from Dave Kirvin, whose public relations firm is handling much of the opening-week media challenges.

Not true, said Kirvin, who said he not only hasn't e-mailed Rock in years but had no conversation with him about the event.

"Monti was absolutely invited to media night (Thursday)," said Kirvin, who called Rock on Thursday to clear up the matter.

Rock couldn't have been dis-invited because he wasn't invited to opening night, Kirvin said. "He was invited to media night and couldn't attend. He wasn't invited to opening night. Very, very few media are invited to opening night. Opening night is the night for friends and guests of Cirque du Soleil, MGM Mirage and the Luxor."

Rock's reaction? "He didn't know why there was any fuss," said Kirvin, who, along with others in the local PR and the media community, have been regular targets on Politz's blog.

Rock has a standing invitation to attend when he returns, Kirvin said.

On another front, Richard Abowitz, who writes an entertainment blog for the Los Angeles Times, announced Thursday that he is protesting the limited access to Angel, specifically the one-on-one interview. Abowitz said he was recently informed in an e-mail from Cirque that "we aren't granting one on one interviews with Criss for the forseeable (sic) future."

When he asked if there was an explanation for this change in policy, Abowitz said the reply was simply "No."

In an e-mail to me, Abowitz explained, "I will not ask him questions at a press conference. If it is not one-on-one, I am not running it ... only presidents get to hold press conferences every time they have something to say."

The Scene And Heard

A reunion of the Jackson family, including Michael and Janet, is in the works for next year, according to Jermaine Jackson. He told the Australian Associated Press this week, "It is just the timing, so what we've been doing is working on the music and all the logistics." The Jackson clan, including Randy, Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine, have not performed together since 1989, when they recorded "2300 Jackson Street." ...

Cher's first series of 2009 shows at Caesars Palace was announced Thursday. Tickets for the 35 performances, starting Feb. 21 and ending May 24, go on sale Nov. 3, the day of her appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." ...

Oktoberfest at the Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas started with Siegfried & Roy dancing to an oompa band and ends Sunday with chicken dances, "Roll Out the Barrel" and bratwurst. The Beatles tribute band the Fab Four has keg-tapping honors tonight and they're performing. Prost!

MAY I RECOMMEND

Las Vegas has few equals when it comes to Halloween. You'll find many of the scary and sexy options -- from Fright Dome to the elaborate casino parties -- on Page 3 of NEON.

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