Looking back at 2013: Bieber, Britney and Brad Pitt
A look back at a year that Justin Bieber would rather forget, a wedding of elephantine proportions and the arrival of Britney Spears:
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt provided the sighting of the year — showing up at Bonanza Gifts with their kids for a shopping spree.
Austin “Chumlee” Russell of “Pawn Stars” gave us the best quote — something about “motorboating” — and it has nothing to do with a body of water.
Ceelo Green’s homage to Liberace was less than fabulous and the Biebs’ career appears to be in a freefall, which won’t come as a surprise to the folks over at Vegas Indoor Skydiving.
Can Britney live up to her claim that “this is my town now.” The answer starts tonight.
She’s one of a dozen newsmakers and major events in our year-ender. See the full rundown at normclarke.com.
SANTANA GETS KENNEDY HONORS
House of Blues headliner Carlos Santana was among five artists who recently received Kennedy Center honors.
The celebration, taped in Washington earlier this month, will be broadcast from 9 to 11 p.m. Sunday on CBS affiliate KLAS-TV, Channel 8. Also honored: opera star Martina Arroyo; pianist, keyboardist and composer Herbie Hancock; pianist, singer and songwriter Billy Joel and actress Shirley MacLaine.
Born in a remote village near Jalisco, Mexico, Santana’s family moved to Tijuana, where he found his passion in his guitar.
His breakout came at Woodstock in 1969. He is a 10-time Grammy winner and one of two musical acts — along with the Rolling Stones — with at least one Top 10 album in each decade since the 1960s, according to Billboard.
CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS
Frank Marino, after nearly 25 years of spending Christmas at Disney World in Florida, opted for Disneyland in California. He stayed closer to home to recover from major plastic surgery before returning to “Frank Marino’s Divas” at The Quad. …
Boxing legend Mike Tyson and his wife, Kiki, are Muslims, but their daughter Milan, 5, and Mike’s late mother, Lorna, were born on Christmas so it’s a special occasion each year with family and friends.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Miley Cyrus will have company tonight at the opening of “Beacher’s Madhouse” at the MGM Grand. Joining her onstage will be the show’s mini-Miley for the “Wrecking Ball” number. …
The New Year’s high-roller crowd will find one of the city’s most expensive cocktails at the newly opened Fizz Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. It goes for $2,500 and includes Grand Marnier Quintessence, Hennessy Richard Cognac and Dom Perignon Rose champagne. The final touch: a rose petal dusted with real 24-carat gold flakes. Fizz features 50 pieces of artwork from David Furnish and Elton John’s private collection. Furnish is creative director of the club, which is co-owned by nightlife veterans Michael Greco and Steve Kennedy.
THE PUNCH LINE
“A new study in a British medical journal reports that having a successful sports team in your town increases the birth rate in that town. Especially if it’s an NBA team. Then it goes way up.” — Jay Leno
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
