Saturday, September 10, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Roy's 'Avenue Q' stroll causes buzz

Roy Horn rises to the "Avenue Q" occasion. Jay-Z caught up in a brawl. Louie Anderson eyes Excalibur.

Attendees at the "Avenue Q" VIP premiere Thursday at Wynn Las Vegas came away buzzing about Roy Horn's latest giant step as well as a mini-mystery involving Steve Wynn's face.

Horn, almost two years past his near-fatal tiger incident, drew cheers as he walked through the casino at Wynn's side on their way to "Q" theater, where he received a loud ovation. He was overheard telling Elaine Wynn, "It's only the beginning."

Meanwhile, witnesses said a thin medical plastic tubing appeared to be attached below the left side of Wynn's mouth, extending down toward his chin. Freelance photographs indicated the same.

The official explanation: "He injured his face. It's a Band-Aid. It's a nonstory," said Denise Randazzo, vice president of advertising and public relations at Wynn Las Vegas.

Rap rumble

Music moguls Jay-Z and Russell Simmons were involved in a chair-throwing brawl during a MAGIC convention party at a Palms restaurant late last month.

According to a woman who filed a police report, the violence erupted Aug. 30 after several men approached a table at Little Buddha. Seated at the table were Jay-Z, the Grammy-winning rapper, and Simmons, godfather of hip-hop and host of the Phat Farm clothing line party.

Barbara Joyner, a wedding chapel greeter at Wynn Las Vegas who was a party invitee seated with the group, said in her police report that she received a concussion and bruises in the melee.

After contacting a Phat Farm representative the next day, Joyner said she was told that Jay-Z "dismissed the (party) in a belittlement kind of way. They felt disrespected, and that's how it broke out."

Shelly Galloway, Little Buddha general manager, said the disturbance ended "in 45 seconds. One or two chairs were thrown, we shut down the party, and everyone was escorted out by security."

No one came to management to report an injury, Galloway said.

It was the latest in a series of violent incidents in the rap world. Two days earlier, at an MTV Awards party in Miami, Marion "Suge" Knight, another rap icon, was shot in the upper leg at a star-studded party hosted by Kanye West.

The Scene and Heard

A second "Avenue Q" performance has been added at 8 p.m. Sunday. ...

I hear comedian Louie Anderson is talking with the Excalibur about a nightly engagement. ...

Tony Sacca celebrates the 20th anniversary of his syndicated Las Vegas entertainment show at a 2 p.m. taping Sunday at the Greek Isles. "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" started in 1985 as "Live From Las Vegas" with Sacca and twin brother Robert. To mark the 20 years, Sacca is unveiling a song, "Las Vegas Rocks," on Sunday with a 20-piece orchestra led by Grammy winner Gary Anderson. The show airs Sept. 25. ...

VIP hosts Marko Greisen of the Palms and Zarnaz "Z" Zandi of Ice nightclub were crowned king and queen of the inaugural Vegas Prom on Monday. The service industry event was at Green Valley Ranch's Whiskey Beach.

Sightings

"Stars Wars" star Mark Hamill, poolside Thursday at Wynn Las Vegas, baby-sitting for "Avenue Q" co-creator Bobby Lopez and his wife, Kristen. Hamill, who met Bobby and Kristen while he was headlining on Broadway in "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" about two years ago, looked after 5-month-old Katie while her parents went for a swim. ... Frank Sinatra Jr. and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, having dinner in a private dining room with friends at Tremezzo restaurant (Aladdin) on Thursday night. ... Comedian Robert Schimmel, at the Oncology On Canvas art event Friday at Fashion Show mall.

The Punch Line

"Big announcement today from FEMA: They say they now have reason to believe a hurricane may have hit New Orleans." -- Jay Leno, during Thursday's "Tonight Show" monologue.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.