Fans to pay tribute at Gans memorial

Speakers for Danny Gans' memorial today will run the gamut from Steve and Elaine Wynn to Mayor Oscar Goodman to entertainers Donny and Marie Osmond.

The 3 p.m. service will be held in the 1,600-seat Encore Theater, Gans' former showroom.

The celebrity vocal impressionist will be remembered for his grit that lifted him from a career-ending baseball injury to a 13-year headliner run as one of the top acts in Las Vegas.

He died at his home of unknown causes on May 1. He was 52.

The Clark County coroner has not released an official cause of death and said it could be weeks before toxicology reports are made public.

Originally announced as an invitation-only gathering, the memorial will include some fans, firefighters and police who were offered complimentary tickets this week.

The Web site Showtickets4locals.com, co-owned by Gans and his manager Chip Lightman and other partners, offered the tickets several days this week via e-mail.

DUKING IT OUT

Annie Duke has recruited 20 Joan Rivers impersonators to go head-to-head with poker players in a charity event next week at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Before beating Duke in Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" earlier this month, the trash-talking Rivers raised the hackles of the poker nation by referring to poker players as "white trash"and "mafia."

The event, which will feature Duke and longtime Rivers impersonator Frank Marino together on the red carpet, will benefit Duke's pet project, Refugees International.

Rivers sued Marino, the lead of "An Evening at La Cage" for 20-plus years, for $5 million in 1986 for impersonating her.

The case was settled out of court. "The only thing she was able to copyright was 'Can we talk?" said Marino.

The red carpet begins at 5 p.m. with a lineup of top poker pros.

The public can participate in the $200 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold 'em tourney.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A very public, high-profile spat in the casino at Wynn Las Vegas has the staff on edge this week. It happened Monday night, in front of shocked employees. ... Michael Jackson's comeback readiness came into question Wednesday when it was announced that a number of his opening-week concerts in London have been postponed until next year.

Producers are saying Jackson's health is not an issue; they say it's a case of needing more time to put the show together.

SIGHTINGS

Sports broadcaster Bob Costas, at George Wallace's show (Flamingo) on Wednesday. They're old friends from their New York City years. ... Holly Madison, in the crowd at the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and her partner Mark Ballas won the competition. ... Disney's "Cheetah Girls" Kiely Williams and Sabrina Bryan, at the 7 p.m. performance Wednesday of "Criss Angel Believe" at Luxor.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Scientists say they have found the missing link. The link between man and monkey. It's a little monkey. It lived on mostly twigs and berries -- which makes it the direct ancestor of today's supermodel." -- late-night TV host Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.