Las Vegas dancer joins Jackson show

He was among a dozen dancers in “Love” who chartered a bus to L.A. to audition for Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson “Immortal” World Tour.

They departed from Las Vegas about midnight on a Friday night, arrived in time for breakfast and a three-hour audition and returned in time for Saturday’s two shows at The Mirage.

Soon came word that he had hit the show business lottery: a three-year deal as one of 24 dancers — the only one from Las Vegas — in Cirque’s new Jackson spectacular.

A year ago he and his fiancée, Tina Cannon, were the featured dancers of “Yesterday” in “Love.”

Now he’s on a 50-city North American tour that circles back to Las Vegas for a Dec. 3-27 engagement at Mandalay Bay, future home of Cirque’s 2013 Jackson show.

Las Vegas is home for the 25-year-old Canadian who grew up in an artistic family near Edmonton, Alberta.

Of the five kids in his family, one brother is a principal dancer in the Alberta Ballet, a sister is a ballet teacher and another is an opera singer.

McKinlay will be among a group from the touring show scheduled to perform “Immortal” numbers Tuesday on “Dancing With the Stars.”

FIREARMS, NO FIREWATER

An ultralounge featuring a machine-gun shooting range with 16 lanes? What could possibly go wrong?

Not to worry: no alcohol will be served at Machine Guns Vegas, which opens at 3501 Aldebaran Ave. early next year.

Managing partner Genghis Cohen said firearms enthusiasts will be able to shoot weaponry ranging from World War II to high-tech options including those carried by members of U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six on the Osama bin Laden raid.

The 10,000-square-foot site will have refreshments in the Gun Lounge, with a separate and private experience for VIPs. It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Rod Stewart, being presented a commemorative cake marking the 40th anniversary of his first hit, “Maggie May,” after his show at The Colosseum (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. … Lisa Marie Presley, with her family at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (MGM Grand) on Saturday. … “Lion King” stars Cornelius Jones Jr. (Simba), Samantha Ware (Nala), Zaire Adams (young Simba) and Nia Harris (young Nala), surprising the students at Walter Long Elementary School on Saturday by going into the crowd after a performance in honor of the 1,000th show at Mandalay Bay. The show ends its run Dec. 30. … At Haze (Aria at CityCenter) on Saturday: skateboard star Tony Hawk, apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, and Tony Dovolani of “Dancing With the Stars.” Hawk was in town for his annual skateparks benefit, which was held at Red Rock Resort. … At Gold (Aria) on Saturday: Michael Stagliano of “Bachelor Pad,” VH1’s “Saddle Ranch” star Kameron Safford, Daytime Emmy award-winning actress Heather Toms and Playboy Playmates Jayde Nicole and Izabella St. James. … Dovolani, at Gallery (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday. … Rob Riggle of “The Hangover,” partying at Gallery on Saturday with pals Cort McCown, Jay Davis and Jake Johnson. … Lucy Hale of ABC’s “Pretty Little Liars,” at Chateau (Paris) on Saturday celebrating a girlfriend’s 21st birthday party.

THE PUNCH LINE

“Just passed a ‘Welcome To Newark’ sign.” — From David Letterman’s “Top Ten Signs You’re Not Going To Win The New York City Marathon”

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.