Sunday, September 19, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Smoke machine sidelines Celine
Nicole Kidman was among those in attendance at Saturday night's Oscar De La Hoya-Bernard Hopkins fight at the MGM Grand.
Photo by John Locher.
|
Celine Dion's five-show cancellation was caused by a chemical reaction to a smoke machine during her appearance at the World Music Awards.
"There was something in the smoke. She had a reaction," Mark Juliano, president of Caesars Palace, told me during the VIP unveiling of Bobby Flay's new restaurant, Mesa Grill at Caesars.
Dion performed "Love Can Move A Mountain" during Wednesday's World Music Awards at the Thomas & Mack Center while being honored as the top-selling female artist of all time.
It was announced on Thursday that she would be sidelined until Wednesday with a sore throat. That canceled a question-and-answer session with the national media that Dion had planned after her Thursday show.
Instead, her husband, Rene Angelil, delivered the news: that she has signed a one-year extension with Caesars.
The Scene and Heard
Las Vegas favorite Ann-Margret will be honored as Nevada Ballet Theatre's "Woman of the Year" at the Jan. 22 Black & White Ball at Caesars Palace. ...
Rumor of the week (but this one's true): We hear the other paper's gossip columnist is moving on but hasn't let management know yet. He's moving back east to join a national magazine, the same publication he's been freelancing for -- and promoting -- while bashing the "ethics" of that magazine's competitor. Apparently, he missed the J-school classes on full disclosure. Reached by telephone on Saturday, Matt Hufman, metro editor of the Las Vegas Sun, said he is not aware that Timothy McDarrah is leaving the paper. McDarrah did not return messages by deadline. ...
Flay made a great first impression Friday at Mesa Grill, and not just with the VIP throng that sampled his stunning Southwestern cuisine. Flay's bash lasted an unheard-of six hours, instead of the usual two or three, so the chef community and entertainers could make it. Nice touch.
Sightings
Newly crowned U.S. Open champion Roger Federer of Switzerland, dining at Picasso (Bellagio) on Friday with his wife. ... At the Oscar De La Hoya-Bernard Hopkins fight at the MGM Grand on Saturday: Billy Crystal, Nicole Kidman, Sylvester Stallone, Cuba Gooding Jr., Phil Jackson, Michael J. Fox, Chris Tucker, Mike Tyson, Larry King, Chauncey Billups, Sen. John McCain, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran. ... Volleyball icon Gabriella Reese, tending to her fussin' baby during dinner at Roy's on Flamingo Road on Friday night. ... Mike Modano of the NHL's Dallas Stars, catching a late dinner Friday at Bradley Ogden's restaurant (Caesars Palace). ... Gene Simmons of KISS, dining at N9NE Steak House (Palms) and spotted at Treasure Island. ... At Studio 54 (MGM Grand): David Copperfield, in a VIP booth with pals; Christopher Judge of "Stargate"; and boxing stars Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon. ... At Light (Bellagio) on Friday: Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, Cliff Robinson, Robert Horry and Tim Hardaway. Also: The Strokes and Nick Stahl from "Terminator 3." ... Luke, Owen and Andrew Wilson, celebrating Luke's birthday (he's 33 on Tuesday) at a prefight dinner at Fix (Bellagio) sponsored by Corzo tequila.
The Punch Line
"All the good music has already been written by people with wigs and stuff." -- Frank Zappa
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
