Efforts continue to free performer
A Las Vegas-based celebrity impersonator remains in jail in South America on fraud charges stemming from a live concert that was promoted as the real Toni Braxton.
Trina Johnson-Finn and her husband, Raymond Finn, were taken into custody Feb. 27 by Suriname authorities after concertgoers booed, threw bottles and stormed the stage during the second song, according to Rob Garrett, owner of Las Vegas-based RNRH Entertainment, the booking agent.
Her husband was released after 15 days in a jail in Paramaribo, the capital of the Dutch-speaking republic.
Garrett said he booked Johnson-Finn through a Suriname promoter who told Garrett he was having a private birthday party. The promoter disappeared when the trouble erupted, Garrett said.
"Obviously it was a con job from the start," said Garrett. Looking back on his conversations with the promoter, Garrett said "he was overly interested in someone who looked and sounded like Toni Braxton" after initially asking for Mariah Carey or Madonna impersonators.
Garrett said he has a signed contract stating that Johnson-Finn was not to be promoted as the real Toni Braxton.
Tickets to the event, which was held in a small sports arena, went for $20, $25 and $55.
Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to gain Johnson-Finn's release, Garrett said. She could face a three-year jail term, according to reports.
RUTH BROWN TRIBUTE
A tribute to rhythm and blues legend Ruth Brown will be held April 9 at the Bootlegger Bistro, where she won new fans and entertained longtime admirers during her 70s.
The Tony Award-winning Brown, who also won a Grammy, died at age 78 on Nov. 17, 2006 in Henderson.
Her original Bootlegger band and son Ronnie McPhatter will be among a number of musicians performing at the event, which will include a photo dedication and a celebration of her life and music.
Other performers: local personality Dennis Bono, entertainer Regi Brown, R&B singer-saxophonist Jimmy Castor, Sonny Charles of The Checkmates, Wendy Edmead of The Pointer Sisters, lounge star Earl Turner and Sonny Turner of The Platters.
A $5 donation will be charged. All proceeds will go to The Society of Singers.
VEGAS VISIT
The woman who believes DNA tests prove she is the daughter of comedy legend Jerry Lewis is coming to Las Vegas next month.
Suzan Minoret, 56, who goes by Suzan Lewis, will appear at the Earth Day Indoor Environment Celebration on April 25 at JW Marriott's in Summerlin, organizers of the nonprofit said in a press release.
The event benefits children's indoor health environment education programs in Nevada.
It would be her first visit to Las Vegas, Jerry Lewis' home for decades.
Lewis' son, musician Gary Lewis, recently submitted to DNA tests on the Philadelphia woman's behalf. The DNA results indicated an 88.7 percent probability that the woman is related to Gary Lewis.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
O.J. Simpson guest house tenant Kato Kaelin joins "Tony and Tina's Wedding" (Planet Hollywood Resort) for a two-week guest role, starting Friday. His character will be offering a toast to the bride and groom, whom he's known for 20 years. Kaelin has been touring with "The Weenie Manologues," a spinoff of "The Vagina Monologues." He has no plans to chat with Simpson, who was sent to the High Desert State Prison near Las Vegas. "He's not on my Top 5 friend list," Kaelin said.
SIGHTINGS
At Cher's show (Caesars Palace) Saturday: Bette Midler, fashion designer Michael Kors and actress Vivica Fox, who met with Cher afterward, and David Katzenberg and Nikki Hilton.
THE PUNCH LINE
"You know it's spring in New York City when the street vendors start putting chlorine in the hotdog water." -- David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
