Beauty bubbles over at ‘Absinthe’
Angel Porrino, the sexy Bubble Girl act in "Absinthe" (Caesars Palace), asked for a volunteer from the audience Thursday.
Stepping on stage was 2012 Miss West Virginia USA Andrea Rogers, who stripped down to a bikini (it was a setup).
After being coated with baby oil, Rogers squeezed through the mouth of the large translucent weather balloon and made her Las Vegas showbiz debut. She received a big ovation from the crowd, which included the other 50 Miss USA contestants.
After the special tamed-down performance for the Miss USA delegation, Rogers told Porrino, "You have the best job ever."
Porrino, who also works at "Peepshow" as Holly Madison's backup in the lead Bo Peep role, didn't mention to Rogers the potential for a scandalous wardrobe malfunction.
"I've lost pasties twice and my bikini bottom fell all the way to my knees one night," Porrino said. "Felt like I should have charged extra for that."
CARTOONISTS INVADE VEGAS
You'll find a lot of characters with sketchy backgrounds at Green Valley Ranch this weekend.
The National Cartoonists Society, which includes top artists from around the world, is holding its annual convention here.
Attendees include some of the legendary artists who parodied pop culture in "Mad" comics (and later the magazine).
One of the convention regulars is old friend and longtime Cincinnati Enquirer sports cartoonist Jerry Dowling, known for his edgy caricatures that skewered the likes of Pete Rose during his gambling scandal.
One of Dowling's cartoons so enraged Norm Charlton, a member of the 1990 world champion Cincinnati Reds "Nasty Boys" bullpen, that he stormed into the press box - in full uniform.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Frank Mir celebrated his 33rd birthday at the Hofbrahaus on Friday with a party of 50 after his weigh-in for UFC 146 tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The popular Las Vegas fighter is facing heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. A crowd of 400 sang happy birthday to Mir, whose birthday was Thursday . At his recent keg-tapping of Maibach brew (spring beer), he attracted the second largest crowd for a celebrity in the Hofbrahaus' eight-year history. The previous largest crowd was for UFC president Dana White. ...
Punk rocker Tom Gabel, who revealed in April that he was undergoing a sex change to become a woman, makes a first appearance as Laura Jane Grace at the M Resort tonight. The Against Me! lead singer plans to remain married to her wife Heather. ...
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is among a large number of pro athletes in town for Memorial Day Weekend. He's appearing at Field of Dreams, inside the Forum Shops at Caesars, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today .
SIGHTINGS
NFL rookie standouts Von Miller (Denver Broncos), Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) and Aldon Smith (San Francisco 49ers), making it rain to the tune of $12,000 in dollar bills at Sapphire strip club on Thursday. Miller and Smith finished 1-2 in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. ... Playboy's current playmate of the year, Claire Sinclair, taking in Frankie Moreno's Stratosphere show. She turns 21 this weekend. ... TV personality Jerry Springer, backstage with the cast of "Viva Elvis" (Aria) on Thursday. He's in town as host of "The Price is Right" at Bally's. ... At Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian) on Thursday: UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and, at another table, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White. ... Former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, with fellow NFL players Shaun Phillips, Nic Harris and Kasim Osgood at Encore Beach Club on Friday At Tao nightclub: Joey Fatone of "Dancing With the Stars: Live in Las Vegas."
THE PUNCH LINE
"Happy birthday to Bob Dylan, who turned 71 years old (Thursday). When he made his wish, God was like, 'No clue what he just said.' " -- Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
