Club takes swing at ‘bad element’ that likes rap or hip-hop

There are all kinds of ways to market a new club in Las Vegas, but I'm not sure this is the way I would have chosen.

Did entertainer Anthony Cools really say what I think he said?

When the Review-Journal's Tim O'Reilley recently reported on Cools' new Swingers Club inside the Plaza downtown, the story noted the nightspot's alternative approach that includes a disco, golf amenities, and dueling pianos. It sounds like a good time and something different from the usual club scene.

But then Cools added, "That is not the clientele we are going after. We are not going to be playing hip-hop or rap or R&B, with the kind of clientele that can cause problems. The bad element does not go to listen to dueling pianos."

The "bad element" that enjoys hip-hop, rap, and R&B?

Do you suppose he was talking about the 95 percent of American music listeners under 30? That's who listen to rap and hip-hop and R&B -- almost everyone.

Or do you think he meant African-American people?

It's not exactly a news flash, but I suppose it must be said: Most buyers and listeners of hip-hop, rap, and R&B aren't members or associates of the "bad element," but actually are lawful citizens. And an awful lot of them are white.

GILBERT APPEAL: Former College of Southern Nevada building official Bob Gilbert refuses to go quietly following his conviction on theft charges.

The state Supreme Court this week granted Gilbert bail pending his appeal in a case that resulted in his conviction on 11 counts related to what prosecutors called the theft of college construction materials. Some of the material was found on Gilbert's property in lower Kyle Canyon.

Gilbert claimed he had permission to store the material on his property. Former CSN presidents Ron Remington and Richard Carpenter confirmed Gilbert's story, but a jury in District Judge Donald Mosley's courtroom saw things differently.

Although Gilbert was sentenced to just 12-to-48 months and began serving his sentence in February, he appears determined to clear his name.

The appeal in his case was filed by local attorneys Brent Bryson and John Momot.

The Supreme Court ruled on the bail matter without a hearing.

HOOP STAR: The annals of UNLV basketball history are filled with big-name stars. With Larry Johnson, Stacy Augmon, Sidney Green, Shawn Marion, and the late Armon Gilliam on the hall of fame roster, some fans can be forgiven for not remembering Curtis Watson.

Gilliam's death at 47 of an apparent heart attack made sports headlines nationally. The former NBA veteran made friends at every stop during his professional career.

Watson, who died earlier this week at age 64 after battling pancreatic cancer, was one of UNLV's breakthrough players in the pre-Tarkanian era. Watson was a standout from 1967 to 1969 and averaged as many as 21 points a game.

After leaving UNLV, Watson didn't go on to sports-page stardom. Nor did he crash and burn like so many ex-Rebel basketball players.

Watson settled down, raised a family, and became a State Farm insurance agent. If that doesn't define "settled," nothing does.

The life of Curtis Watson reminds us that often it's the old ballplayers who don't make the headlines who most deserve the community's respect.

Have an item for Bard of the Boulevard? Email comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Smith