"D'jew waaan the Chreeesmas lights?" The guy never broke stride, walking down Rainbow Blvd., offering me a beach ball-sized wad of entangled twinkle lights. It was chilly out so I grabbed my copy of the Weekly from the hopper and jumped back in my toasty car. Good luck with untangling those, buddy.

Jeez, it's only one day after Thanksgiving and already we're onto Christmas and the rest of the Holiday Season?! And Chanukah's even sooner! Just moments before, I was braving the Black Friday shopping crowds for the first time in a decade. It wasn't so much the crowds as the oppressive heat inside the stores that nearly stifled me. That, coupled with the sickly sweet smell of candles, perfumes, and the holiday spirit-inducing incense someone is always burning in the hopes that my brain will be tricked into thinking I'm in a snow-covered pine forest, instead of the Desert Passage shops at the Aladdin.

I bought gifts for my parents to go along with their perennial gift of the Wine of The Month Club (Best. Gift. Ever!). And you know what? I think I'm done! It's gonna be a stripped-down Holiday, Charlie Brown! And not stripped-down in the Vegas "naked good" sense…

Happy “Chrismukkah” shopping, kids!

This weekend, The Circuit likes The Get Back at Beauty Bar on Friday, and the Drop Dead Gorgeous Beauty Pageant at Celebrity on Saturday.

Straight From The Source's Mouth | Give it up

People Are Saying...

11.28.06

A Circuit Exclusive: Pacha, seeking new Vegas digs... A representative of New York’s Pacha Nightclub confirms that the co-owners of the Pacha family of 26 nightclubs (they also own a hotel, magazine, radio station, record label, island resort, and clothing line), Eddie Dean and DJ Erick Morillo, visited Las Vegas this past October to scope out potential locations for a Las Vegas edition of their behemoth, Mediterranean-inspired clubs. “Pacha is a global brand that has distinguished itself from other nightlife venues and has limitless possibilities. They effortlessly put VIPs and celebrities in the same room as clubbers, which we have also achieved in New York,” says Morillo. Pacha New York rep Betty Kang adds, “Pacha is boldly irreverent, unerringly glamorous and eternally chic touched with Mediterranean charm. These are just a few of the elements they’re looking to bring to Las Vegas.” Pacha New York—a five-story monument to nightlife—was named one of the 10 Hottest Megaclubs in Maxim Magazine's December 2006 issue. Three venerable Las Vegas nightclubs were also honored, with Rain (Palms), Tao (Venetian) and Body English (Hard Rock) making the cut. The other winners include Space Miami, Club La Vela in Panama City, Sutra in Costa Mesa, LAX in LA, MJQ Concourse in Atlanta and Crobar Chicago.

A Drai's Update... Saved from the wrecking ball! Francophiles and nightcrawlers will be delighted to hear that Drai's Restaurant and Afterhours, as well as the Barbary Coast that houses it, will continue to stand for two more years, according to representatives there. Many assumed that as soon as Harrah's assumed control of the property in the first quarter of 2007, the aging hotel and casino would immediately be imploded. But, says Martine Jordan, director of operations at Drai’s, there are some issues that must first be addressed before anyone takes a whack at that lovely red room. Power lines that currently run along Flamingo between the Flamingo and Barbary Coast must be relocated underground. She adds intriguingly, “There are so many casinos involved along the strip where Harrah’s wants to expand that others will be imploded before the Barbary Coast.” And while it is rumored that a private company is making offers to purchase Harrah’s, no one is booking the crane and wrecking ball just yet as it could take up to two years for any new owners to obtain the necessary gaming licenses. So, says Victor Drai, "Do not look for Drai's to be going any where soon and the future is endless with opportunity for future restaurants and nightlife venues."

Extend your Influence... This September, Studio 54 welcomed the newest player on its team. GM Anthony Olheiser – a Las Vegas resident via Napa Valley, Calif. – sharpened his customer service skills at Tao Nightclub, Mix Restaurant and Lounge and Fusia Restaurant before making his move to the MGM Grand. Courtesy of Olheiser, Studio 54—which just celebrated a rare eighth year—will kick off 2007 with a new Tuesday night affair, aimed directly at the local nightclub industry as well as the restaurant industry, with sights to directly address Olheiser’s twin goals of promoting customer service and bringing the party back to 54. Influence, as the new night will be called, hopes to lure the party people back to Studio 54 on Tuesday nights for the first time since the beloved E.D.E.N. night promotion (Erotically Delicious Entertainers Night) concluded on August 15 and Play Wednesdays stepped into the spotlight the following week. “It’s a big word but I think its something we can back up.” Recognizing the importance the restaurant industry plays in the success of Vegas’ nightclubs, Studio 54 plans to serve up top local DJs and lots of Jewel of Russia Vodka with a side of celebrity action. At Influence’s grand opening on Jan. 9, model Candice Michelle (Dodgeball, WWE Raw) will host, with other big parties to follow monthly. VIP tables will be generously doled out to local nightclubs and restaurants as a "thank you" for their influence on the party’s vibe. “We want to compete, we want to be known as one of the top clubs in town,” says Olheiser. “Studio 54 is a household name and we just want to bring it back to the forefront.”

Purely the best... Congratulate everyone you know at Pure! The megaclub took home the award last week for "Best Nightclub" as determined by CityLife Magazine. The folks at CityLife made sure to first poke a fair amount of fun at Pure's PR firm Kirvin-Doak and Pure Management Group for trying to seal the deal on their own, but admits the club won fair and square, and on it's own wildly successful merit. Also taking home honors are House of Blues for Best Live Music Venue, Rehab for Best Nightclub Event, Drai's for Best Afterhours, and as we mentioned in the last issue, Krave took home a whopping five awards!

Another new arrival... No, not another new club on its way (though there are plenty of those, aren't there?!) Major congratulations to DJ Skribble and his wife Dana who are expecting their second child just before Memorial Day of next year! But you can tell him yourself at Cherry, where he spins every other Saturday night.

Simon says, party!... Rehydration Sundays have gone the way of Rehab (meaning on hiatus till the temperatures hit at least 90 again...). In their place you already know about Flavour Fridays. Now, kindly welcome Saturday Night Gold, every Saturday night at Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock, starting at 8 p.m. Featuring a four-hour, live DJ set from DJ Buckley, starting with a super-set of your favorite ‘80s and disco with house music later on. Check him out at www.buckleymusic.com or www.myspace.com/buckleymusiccom.

Score at Scores during NFR... The National Finals of Rodeo is coming to Vegas Nov. 30 to Dec. 9! And Coors, Corral West Dancewear and Crown Royal have teamed up to create a week of non-stop rodeo-friendly entertainment at Scores Las Vegas Nightclub & Cabaret. Drink specials and complimentary food will be served from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. On Dec. 7, 8 and 9, entertainers and amateurs alike will compete for the "Sexiest Cowgirl" at 11 p.m. The winner will receive $5,000 cash! On Dec. 9, Maxim pinup and four-time barrel racing champion Fallon Taylor will host as the final winner of the Boots & Bikini's contest is crowned.

Tryst shares the joy... Share the Joy with some deserving children this holiday season by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to Tryst on Thursday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21 and in return get the gift of complimentary admission. Your generous gift benefits students at Las Vegas' Wynn and Rex Bell Elementary Schools. Locals, for guest list privileges, RSVP by 5 p.m. Thursday but you best still bring a toy, ya hear?

Ain't it just Grand?... The Historic Grand Prix will kick off its season at the Vegas Grand Prix this April, says the all-knowing, all-seeing automotivated Wingman, code-named "Sparky.” Made up of 50+ active owner-drivers of Formula One cars that date from 1966 to 1983, the race pits some of these races against each other in a 30-minute open wheel duel before the Champ race on the streets of downtown Vegas. That's right--downtown Las Vegas! Scheduled so far are Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan and Al Unser Jr. The Historic Grand Prix cars will also be on display for the race weekend, arranged in chronological order and accompanied by storyboards.

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Xania Woodman has never met a martini she didn't like.



Email her at: xania@thecircuitlv.com