‘Hangover Heaven’ gets Internet buzz
Interest in the "Hangover Heaven" buses got off to a cork-popping start Sunday.
The Las Vegas anesthesiologist who came up with the concept had plenty to celebrate after the story that appeared here on Sunday was picked up by the Drudge Report, an Internet news site that gets 30 million visits a day.
Jason Burke said that he was contacted by prospective business partners in Amsterdam and Los Angeles and that he has been approached by three production companies interested in doing a reality show.
Burke's company, HangoverHeaven.com, is based on sending IV-equipped buses to the Strip to pick up revelers with the promise of a quick recovery from incapacitating hangovers.
The test run was done Saturday, with the official start next Sunday.
Burke completed his residency at Duke University before moving to Reno to open a private practice. He has worked in Las Vegas since 2005.
Burke said he got the hangover treatment idea when "it clicked that a lot of symptoms of hangovers are the same symptoms we see in the recovery room. We're using extremely safe medications."
A Las Vegas visitor sent Burke an email on Sunday that read: "Great idea. Wish it was available last month when I was there."
ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL
Of the hundreds of conventions held here annually, few can match the spectacle of Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, a flashback of '50s fashions and stylish flair.
If you love a show, this might be the ultimate people-watching experience. Right up there with the annual parade of porn stars during their awards show week.
I checked out the Rockabilly scene late Saturday at The Orleans and was amazed at how many international fans make the trek.
Among them were German visitors Ilona Vostrowsux and Eva Gerdenitsch, who were carrying souvenir drink containers shaped like bowling pins.
"It's the most famous Rockabilly festival in the world," Vostrowsux said. For her, it started with the music, "then I got into the style."
Gerdenitsch got into Rockabilly through a boyfriend.
"I left him, but I missed something." It wasn't him, she said.
"It was the music."
Check out the R-J's video coverage and slide show at www.normclarke.com.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Raise a toast to Joe and Mary Leo, who celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary at D.O.C.G restaurant (Cosmopolitan) on March 30. Accompanying them was their son, longtime Las Vegas drummer Phil Leo, who played with many of our city's biggest headliners. Joe turned 90 in January.
SIGHTINGS
Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough, dining at Simon Restaurant & Lounge (Palms Place) on Saturday. ... "The Price is Right" host Drew Carey, joining Lon Bronson on stage Saturday at Ovation (Green Valley Ranch) to sing backup vocals of the Monkees' classic "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone."
THE PUNCH LINE
"For an Easter bunny, he sure has a lot of stories about being in prison." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You've Hired a Bad Easter Bunny
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.
