This could be it for local dancer
Danielle Rueda-Watts, a former "Zumanity" dancer, has landed one of the 12 coveted spots on the dance troupe for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" comeback.
The past two years, Rueda-Watts has won the Pole-A-Palooza, a cabaret-style acrobatic pole dance competition at The Bank at Bellagio.
She might be a popular subject with the British tabloids. After winning Pole-A-Palooza 2009, she listed her occupation as a dancer at The Penthouse Club.
A former resident of Somerville, Mass., Rueda-Watts took dance at The Boston Conservatory and studied aerial acrobatics in Canada before moving to Las Vegas to join "Zumanity."
Jackson chose his 12 dancers from more than 5,000 applications. Eight of the 12 live in the United States. Besides Rueda-Watts, there's Charles Klapow, Ricardo Reid, Tyne Stecklein, Misha Hamilton, Mekia Cox, Nicholas Base and Christopher Grant.
Klapow, a Grammy-winning choreographer for "High School Musical," formerly danced in Celine Dion shows. Stecklein, of Colorado, has performed in Las Vegas, and Cox had a role in CBS' short-lived musical dramedy "Viva Laughlin."
The cast of Cirque du Soleil's "KA" (MGM Grand) has high hopes that castmate Noriko Takahashi, former world champion baton twirlist, might be hearing from Jackson or his reps.
When he lived in Las Vegas, Jackson had raves for Takahashi during his numerous visits and backstage chats.
"He was infatuated with her," a spy told me, and he even inquired about flying her to Los Angeles.
Jackson launches his comeback at London's O2 Arena on July 8.
VIVA LA SAHARA
Sahara management took issue with my perception in last Friday's column that the Sahara "you once knew" is on its last legs.
Bill Tremper, vice president of sales and marketing, said the rumors are "false."
The Sahara, he wrote in an e-mail, "is not now, and nor in the near future planning a property closure. In fact with our recent updates to the Nascar Café and full list of casino events and promotions including multiple cruise giveaways, and a sold out slot tournaments, the Sahara is as alive and active as ever.
"Just as in all hotels, some outlets have received brief scheduled down time when regularly planned maintenance and updates are performed to prepare for upcoming busy periods.
"While investments are continually being made to keep a full list of exciting events lined up for the Sahara, including participating as an official sponsor hotel for Bikefest 2009, the hotel is proud to have the full support of its senior management and has experienced relatively no turnover."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Kiefer Sutherland, the star of the hit show "24," is rumored to be the front-runner to emcee the 2009 NHL Awards at the Palms' concert venue, The Pearl. ...
Happy birthday to Cher, who will mark No. 63 tonight at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Sixty three years ago, the revival of Kern & Hammerstein's "Showboat" had Broadway abuzz, and in Memphis, Tenn., a young blues singer named B.B. King was starting his career. Also born on May 20: first lady Dolley Madison, 1768; French novelist Honoré de Balzac, 1799; actor Jimmy Stewart, 1908; Israeli war hero Moshe Dayan, 1915; singer Joe Cocker, 1944, and NASCAR star Tony Stewart, 1971. ...
An "American Idol" viewing party hosted by "Peepshow" singer Josh Strickland, an "Idol" alum from Season 2, will be held at 8 p.m. today at the Extra! Lounge at Planet Hollywood. He will be accompanied by several "Peepshow" Girls for the season finale.
SIGHTINGS
Six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Layne Flack and fellow poker ace Gavin Smith, celebrating Layne's 40th birthday at Sapphire on Monday night.
THE PUNCH LINE
"There was an earthquake in Los Angeles last night. It only did minor damage -- Lindsay Lohan was knocked back into lesbianism." -- 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.
