CLARIFICATION ON 09/13/06 -- It was misstated in Norm Clarke’s “Vegas Confidential” column on Monday that Liza Minnelli appeared at the inaugural Human Rights Campaign dinner on Saturday at the MGM Grand. She was scheduled to be the keynote speaker and recipient of the group’s National Equality Award, but she was a no-show.
Liza Minnelli is honored with award.
Dennis Rodman spreads his wealth.
Prince may be a Vegas headliner.
Click image for enlargement.
Big changes are coming from Harrah's, a name that may soon be all but disappearing.
Spies close to the weekend meetings of Harrah's brand managers and governmental relations brass at the Flamingo say it's highly likely that:
Advertisement
• Harrah's corporate name will switch to Caesars, because of the international strength of Caesars' brand.
• Bally's will be rebranded as Horseshoe.
• There's a good chance a center Strip pedestrian retail, restaurant and entertainment environment will be created from the corner of Flamingo Road to the south end of The Venetian.
On Harrah's entertainment side, don't be surprised to see headliner deals announced soon, with Prince and Chris Tucker.
LOCAL FLAVOR
Bravo's second season of "Top Chef" will again rely on a significant Las Vegas flavor when it premieres Oct. 18.
Four Las Vegans will be among the 15 competing in the reality show.
Marcel Vigneron, who says he tends to be bossy in the kitchen, is a master cook at Joel Robuchon at The Mansion (MGM Grand).
The bio of Emily Sprissler of Nob Hill (MGM Grand) says her skills include imitating any foreign accent.
Otto Borsich, who attended the Las Vegas Culinary Institute, unsuccessfully tried out for the first season. He claims to be a pirate at heart and once served as a cook onboard a nuclear submarine.
Elia Aboumrad, who has earned 34 culinary degrees, trained in Robuchon's kitchen in Paris. She's a whiz with chocolate.
MEDIA NOTES
Local talk-show host Jon-David Wells returns to the air today, in the 3-6 p.m. time slot Monday to Friday, on KDOX-AM, 1280. His guests today: Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beers, to talk about the Nevada Supreme Court's decisions in the TASC and PISTOL voters' initiatives, and local New York Times best-selling author Richard Steinberg, to discuss 9-11 on the five-year anniversary. ...
KDWN-AM, 720 has a new talk-show voice: John Paul Shaffer starts Thursday as the morning co-host and co-anchor. Shaffer, 41, has been on WNNK-FM, 104 in Harrisburg, Pa., for more than a decade.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Bootlegger Bistro's Ron Mancuso e-mailed to say that he's in talks with Ruth Brown's management to book her on alternate Thursdays and Fridays. "We love Miss B and will continue to book her regularly as long as she is able." Meanwhile, Louisiana blues and R & B artist Moody Scott is performing on Thursdays.
SIGHTINGS
At OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars): Kevin Federline's daddy, Michael Federline, in a group partying with K-Fed's first wife, actress Shar Jackson. K-Fed's dad, an auto mechanic, stood out in the crowd with his mullet haircut and truck hat. He was seen rapping out on OPM's Orchid Room VIP stage to 50 Cent's new song, "Ghetto Superstar." Also in the house: former UNLV basketball star Marcus Banks and pals. ... Dennis Rodman, back at Club Paradise with a garbage bag full of paper currency, which he tossed to the dancers. At another table: Natalie Golda, the U.S. Olympic water polo star. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: Enrique Iglesias, hitting it off with a bevy of Hawaiian Tropic models who joined the bachelor party he was with. They all left about the same time (3:30 a.m). At another table: Kathy and Rick Hilton, who dined earlier at Tao (The Venetian). ... Liza Minnelli, delivering the keynote speech and being presented the National Equality Award at the inaugural Human Rights Campaign gala dinner Saturday at the MGM Grand.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Paris Hilton was arrested for DUI. She was taken away in handcuffs -- and not the pink fuzzy ones she's used to.'' -- Jay Leno
