5/14/03 Swinging Stars
Big names bring their game to Boulder City for the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf event
Plus:
• Poker Books & World Series Looks • Long Live Liberace • I.P. Cuts G.I.'s a Deal • Rampart Casino Issues Anniversary Chip • UNLV Student Wears Miss Hawaiian Tropic Sash • Good News/Bad News in the Culture Corner
Wow! Lots going on in our town, which is no surprise, but I'm hoping I can get it all in. I know, this is a Web site and there aren't the space restrictions that you find in a newspaper, but when my column runs over 1,200 words, Erin and Janet, the two very competent people who post it, start getting a little cross-eyed. Especially when they're trying to correct my mistakes. Yes, Virginia, I do make mistakes.
Well, now that I've wasted even more space, I better get on with it. Some big names will be in town this weekend for the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf event at Cascata, the Park Place golf course in Boulder City. The public is invited, with ticket prices being a very reasonable $25 for adults and $18 for children under 8. You can get your tickets by calling 1-800-634-6661 or (702) 731-7110. (Or, enter to win tickets from reviewjournal.com.)
The 9-hole scramble begins this Sunday at 10 a.m. with a hole-in-one shootout. If you're a star watcher, how's this for a lineup? Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, Tea Leoni, Bernie Mac, Joe Pesci, Andy Garcia, Haley Joel Osment, Matthew McConaughey and others. All proceeds go to the Motion Picture & Television Fund charity. Should be a great day, and the weather's supposed to be perfect, so no excuses not to go.
Play Poker Like the Pros
The Greatest Poker Player in the World Today Reveals His Million-Dollar-Winning Strategies to the Most Popular Tournament, Home and Online Games Phil Hellmuth Jr.
Positively Fifth Street
Murderers, Cheetahs, and Binion's World Series of Poker James McManus
POKER BOOKS & WORLD SERIES LOOKS
It's also poker time in Las Vegas as the World Series of Poker grinds on at Binion's Horseshoe downtown. If you're into poker, you might want to be at Binion's this Sunday, May 18, between 3 and 5 p.m. Gambler's Book Shop is sponsoring a book-signing by three of the top players/authors.
Amarillo Slim will be on hand to sign his newly released "Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People"; Phil Hellmuth will be scrawling his signature on his book, "Play Poker Like The Pros"; and James McManus will sign his best-selling "Positively Fifth Street". McManus' book had the No. 7 position on the New York Times bestseller list at last look, and Howard Schwartz, owner of the Gamblers Book Shop, told me it's "the hottest selling poker book in history."
And speaking of the WSOP, for the first time you'll be able to watch the World Series of Poker championship match "live" over the Internet on May 23. The pay-per-view Internet broadcast will show the entire six- to 10-hour match with no commercials. The winner will pocket more than $2 million in cash. You can log on to the secure World Series of Poker site at www.binions.com and order the broadcast for $29.95 with a major credit card. Pretty cool, doncha think?
LONG LIVE LIBERACE
This is a busy weekend, but as usual, a fun one, as it always is here. The Liberace Museum is celebrating the late entertainer's 84th birthday in its new, expanded facility this Friday and Saturday. They've got some good stuff lined up, like a Liberace Play-A-Like Piano Competition (what other kind would it be, right?). Amateurs compete between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and then the pros take over at 1:30. There will also be entertainment by Liberace protégé David Lomascola and Las Vegas Liberace tribute artist, pianist and showman Will Collins. Call (702) 798-5595 for more info.
I always liked Lee. We used to get together for dinner every so often and talk about all kinds of things. He had a great sense of humor and was a very real person. In fact, unlike his stage image of the flamboyant entertainer in spectacular outfits, he preferred wearing jeans and T-shirts off-stage.
He also used to do his own shopping, telling me that when he went grocery shopping, he would hear women saying, "Look, that's Liberace." And another answering, "It can't be. I'm sure Liberace would be in a supermarket, and anyway, look at the way he's dressed." It was then that he would approach them, introduce himself, and have a little chat with some very surprised and gushing shoppers.
I.P. CUTS G.I.'s A DEAL
Here's a nice gesture by the Imperial Palace. Beginning on Armed Forces Day -- that's this Saturday -- thru July 4, the resort will offer a 20 percent discount on standard room rates to active members of the military and their families. Family members consist of dependents and spouses, and proper military identification is required upon check-in. "It's Imperial Palace's way of saying thanks and giving back to the men and women whose selfless sacrifice has allowed us to enjoy our way of life and the benefits that freedom brings us," a hotel spokesperson said. For more information, call (800) 634-6441.
RAMPART CASINO ISSUES ANNIVERSARY CHIP
For all you chip collectors, the Rampart Casino at the JW Marriott resort has issued a $5 chip to commemorate its first anniversary. The chip can be purchased at the main cage. For more information, call (702) 507-5700 or visit the main pit area.
UNLV STUDENT WEARS MISS HAWAIIAN TROPIC SASH
Hats off to Laurie Cutlip of Las Vegas, who was named Miss Hawaiian Tropic Laughlin. The 24-year-old model won the $1,500 cash prize. In addition to her new title as Miss Hawaiian Tropic Laughlin, Laurie also holds the title of Miss University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A full-time student at UNLV, she is employed by modeling and talent agencies and volunteers at many local foster care homes in Las Vegas. She describes herself as a "hard worker and determined" who "loves being around people." Her goal is to "take over Vanna White's job". You go, girl.
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS IN THE CULTURE CORNER
Now for my Culture Corner, with some good and bad news. First the bad, so that I can end the column on a high note. The Venetian has announced that it will close the Guggenheim Las Vegas. The museum, which opened in 2001, had only one exhibit, The Art of the Motorcycle, in its brief existence. It will now be converted into a theater, at a cost of about $25 million, the same price of the original construction. Very disappointing. I, for one, thought it would be a success. I guess craps is more appealing than culture.
Okay, on to the good news. Hotel/casino exec and art lover Steve Wynn, whose Le Reve is now under construction on the Strip, went shopping last week at Christie's and Sotheby's auction houses, spending around $41 million for two paintings -- a Cézanne and a Renoir. You'll be able to see these two works of art in the Wynn Collection at the former Desert Inn.
And this Saturday and Sunday, check out the works of Andy Warhol assistant Steve Kaufman at the Centaur Art Galleries, Fashion Show mall, from 1 to 4 p.m. I've seen his work and it's very good. He's got some great paintings of movies ("The Godfather", etc.), sports, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and lots of other goodies. If you're looking for some unique art for your walls, take a look.
Here's the perfect ballet for kids and the kid in you. Nevada Ballet Theatre brings Tinkerbell and friends to life in an encore production of "Peter Pan" on May 16-18 at the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV.
Based on the classic fairy tale by J.M. Barrie, artistic director Bruce Steivel has created an original masterpiece capturing the heart of this enchanting story. "Peter Pan" showcases the artistry and versatility of the Nevada Ballet Theatre dancers as well as the talent of students from the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre.
Performances are Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18, at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $60, $40 and $25 and are available through the UNLV box office at (702) 895-2787.
The theatre also teams with chef Gustav Mauler to host Dinner and Ballet on opening night. Tickets are $140; for reservations, call (702) 243-2623, ext. 230.
Okay, I'm kind of busy today and though I'd like to stay and chat, I really have to get going, so have a good week.
Good luck, and I'll see you on the Strip!
• • •
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share
with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@lvcm.com. Please include your full
name and the city or town where you live.
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