Vegas a DJ’s paradise

So many megaclubs opened in the past two years that Vegas has cemented itself as America's DJ capital, featuring club residencies by Tiesto and Sharam at the Hard Rock, Paul Oakenfold at the Palms and other superstars.

"Ibiza is for sure No. 1 for Europeans -- Vegas is No. 1 in the world," says superstar DJ Kaskade, who spins Saturday at club Marquee for his monthly residency.

Last year, Kaskade played the launch of Encore Beach Club, and it looked like an arena show.

"It was nuts: 5,000 or 6,000 people came through that day," Kaskade tells me, "and I know we turned away, like, 10,000 people.

"I have people that e-mail me from all over the world -- like in India -- who say, 'I've always wanted to see you, and I'm going to be vacationing in Vegas. When are you going to be there?' "

Kaskade (Ryan Raddon) skyrocketed into the mainstream with sumptuous hits "Move For Me" in 2008 and "I Remember" in 2009 (co-created with fellow DJ superstar Deadmau5).

Kaskade (a super nice guy, a native of Evanston, Ill., who graduated in communications at the University of Utah, then settled in San Francisco and San Clemente) also feels right at home performing in -- Japan?

He spent two years there as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he's still fluent in Japanese.

"I love getting on the mic and rapping out, and they're always like, 'Why is this white boy speaking to us in our native tongue? What's going on here? Am I dreaming?' " he says and laughs. "They flip out, man."

PRE-SIGHTINGS

It's a "Jersey Shore" weekend. Pauly D is Saturday's DJ at club Moon. Ronnie stars in Chippendales on Saturday. ... Cali Swag District teaches clubbers "How to Dougie" Saturday at Bank. ... Cee Lo sings Saturday at club Haze. ... Holly Madison hosts after midnight Saturday at club Tryst. ... Destin Pfaff and Rachel Federoff from Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" do club Lavo Sunday. ... Kim Kardashian hosts Valentine's Day (Monday) at club Marquee; red carpet gawking is 11:30 p.m. ... If you're in town for the USA Sevens rugby tourney (Saturday and Sunday at Sam Boyd Stadium), kickoff party is free 8-11 p.m. at Tropicana; Saturday's official fan party is at club Rain; the free wrap party is Sunday at Hard Rock. ... See you tonight at comedian Greg Proops' show at the Palms.

Doug Elfman's column appears Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. E-mail him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.