The rumored arrival of Prince as a nightclub operator at the Rio is raising questions: How far he will take his spirituality in free-wheeling Las Vegas?
As a Jehovah's Witness convert, would he continue his door-to-door conversion efforts in Sin City?
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There are rumblings that he intends to charge $31.21 for admission on most nights. Is that a coincidence or, as some suggest, a biblical reference? His most recent album, released in March, was titled "3121."
The four-time Grammy winner reportedly has finalized a deal to open a nightclub in the Rio's former Club Rio space.
When he's not performing at the club, still-unnamed, Prince reportedly plans to use the club to showcase artists he has signed to a label.
The only information on his new Web site, 3121.com is a graphic showing the silhouette of the Rio.
The irony is not lost on producer Greg Thompson, whose topless revue "Erocktica," was given two-days notice Friday. The show closed Sunday.
"I find it kind of interesting that Jehovah has come to Las Vegas to cleanse Sin City of sex, sweat and rock 'n' roll," he said, a reference to a line used in ads to market "Erocktika."
CBS reportedly has signed Prince to perform at the 2007 Super Bowl in Miami.
'LOVE' HEATING UP
Mirage chief Scott Sebella is predicting big things for the CD of the "Love" soundtrack.
The music was created by co-producers George and Giles Martin for the Cirque du Soleil show from the Apple Records archives.
The show is such a hit that it's sold out for the next four months, Sebella told me.
The album goes on sale next month at the "Love" gift shop before worldwide release.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
It's a double whammy week for Thompson. He closed his "Bareback" topless revue at the Sahara on Sunday night after the hotel asked him to take over marketing the show. He was going to continue, but there was a question about advertising art copyright. "Until that question is resolved, the show can no longer continue," he said.
SIGHTINGS
Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, dining Sunday at N9ne Steakhouse in the Palms. ... At "Love" in The Mirage over the weekend: Broadway icon Tommy Tune and NBA great Scottie Pippen. ... At Moon, the new open-air nightclub at the Palms' Fantasy Tower on Sunday: Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens, in a VIP booth. ... Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia and New York Yankees outfielder Craig Wilson, watching the World Series opener Saturday at ESPN Zone in New York-New York. ... Mike Love of the Beach Boys, with his family Saturday night at Sushi Roku in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace after the group's performance at the Luxor. ... Flamingo headliner Toni Braxton, at the Original Pancake House at Green Valley Ranch on Sunday. ... Paris Hilton, couch dancing Sunday at Caramel in Bellagio with a gal pal. ... Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson's former manager, having dinner at the Capital Grille in the Fashion Show mall with singer Gerina Di Marco after her performance Saturday night at the ArtAbout street festival. Di Marco, a Las Vegas resident and former lead singer for the local group Paragon, wrote "Cerca de Ti" for pop star Thalia. The song soared to No. 1 on the Latin charts in 2004.
PUNCH LINE
"And in Las Vegas, a 32-year-old mother told police that Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons, who is running for governor in Nevada, got drunk, put his hand on her thigh, complained about his marriage and then tried to have sex with her in the parking garage. A congressman trying to have sex with an adult woman ... this is the best news Republicans have had in years!" -- Jay Leno
