Topless revue to try covering up
Now here's a switch in a city founded on the principle of more is better.
Beginning today Bally's long-running topless revue "Jubilee!" is going to test the waters for a not-topless performance every Saturday.
The 7:30 p.m. show will be covered "to see what the demand is," said Michael Weaver, vice president of marketing for Bally's.
"We've kicked around the idea for a couple years," said Weaver, because some ticket buyers balked when they heard the show was topless.
"We decided to test a covered show to see how large an audience is out there for a covered. If the numbers go up we'll keep it," Weaver said.
The move allows people age 13 and up to see the show. Showgoers will have to be 18 to see the topless version.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Las Vegas now has five AAA Five Diamond restaurants, second only to Chicago's seven. First-time honoree Guy Savoy restaurant at Caesars Palace is the latest addition. The other four: Picasso (Bellagio), which received its eighth award; Le Cirque (Bellagio), sixth; Alex (Wynn Las Vegas), fourth; and Joël Robuchon (MGM Grand), third. Four Seasons Las Vegas repeated for the 10th time among resort properties. Also repeating: Bellagio, Skylofts at MGM Grand, Wynn Las Vegas and The Venetian. ...
The Miss America Pageant is returning to Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort for the fourth year in a row. Preliminary competitions begin Jan. 20, with the finals Jan. 24, on TLC network.
HOT SPOTS, COOL STUFF
Drag icon RuPaul performs tonight at Krave's fourth anniversary, with "La Cage" star Frank Marino adding to the evening's fabulosity. ... Kelly Clinton takes her one-woman show to Summerlin's Starbright Theatre tonight. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 for Sun City residents and $23 for nonresidents. Call 702-240-1301. ... Santa Fe Station fixture Purple Reign, the premier Prince tribute band in Las Vegas, will be performing on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday. They are kicking off Tribute Shows Week. Prince impersonator Jason Tenner said he's not sure how they came to the attention of Letterman's staff but he got the impression someone from CBS saw Purple Reign at the House of Blues. "This is probably the coolest thing since actually meeting Prince," he said. The group performs at Santa Fe Station every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. Check them out at www.purplereign.net. ... Thunder From Down Under, Excalibur's Aussie beefcake troupe, taped a segment Thursday with Ellen DeGeneres in Los Angeles for Monday's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
SIGHTINGS
Tom Ridge, former secretary of Homeland Security, checking a map as he walked through the Shoppes at The Palazzo on Friday. ... Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, with a big party Thursday at The Country Club (Wynn). ... Shane Victorino, post-season sensation for the Philadelphia Phillies, dining at Wolfgang Puck's CUT on Thursday...Former All-Star catcher Mike Piazza and his agent Danny Lozano, having lunch at Simon at Palms Place on Friday. ... Sexy in her stiletto heels, Kelly Carlson of "Nip Tuck," ordering a Passion Fruit Sambatini while snacking on sushi with a friend on Friday. ... At Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars) this week: Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, Reed Johnson of the Chicago Cubs, Eric Trump and photography icon Neil Leifer. ... UFC commentator Joe Rogan, having a bite at the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (MGM Grand). ... Improv legend Budd Friedman, on stage playing poker with pros Jennifer Harmon and Daniel Negreanu during "The Real Deal" show at The Venetian on Thursday. ... UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste, celebrating her 23rd birthday Wednesday at Tryst (Wynn).
THE PUNCH LINE
"Sarah Palin says she wants to be bipartisan; she would like to help Barack Obama. And I thought, hasn't she helped him already?" -- David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
