Wynn Las Vegas hits Grand Slam

Andre Agassi got an offer he couldn't refuse. The result is a net gain for Agassi's Grand Slam for Children, for years one of the city's premier fundraisers.

Agassi's office on Tuesday confirmed that the event, after 12 years at the MGM Grand Garden, is moving to Wynn Las Vegas. It will be held Oct. 11 in the Lafitte ballroom.

Rob Powers, communications director for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, said the foundation was thrilled with the move to the Wynn.

"The MGM was a wonderful partner for many years. Moving to Wynn Las Vegas, however, allows us to keep the event fresh and exciting. At the end of the day, the Grand Slam is about raising the most money we can to benefit at-risk youth in the Las Vegas area, and providing the best evening of entertainment possible for our supporters."

Alan Feldman, senior vice president for MGM Mirage, said the company recently instituted a policy to discount events for charities equally.

"We're trying to support as many as we can," he said, but when the relationship began in 1995 Agassi's "was singular."

MGM Mirage's charity events now include the Rock for the Cure, the Alzheimer's event, the Epicurean and others, Feldman said. "As a corporation, we treat people equally. There was no way to support every charity's event at the level we were supporting Agassi's. I understand whatever their needs were, they feel the Wynn offer suits their needs better."

Feldman said the MGM Mirage's $1 million commitment to Agassi's foundation begun in 1995 "continues because it is such a critically important part of this community."

The event raised more than $70 million at the MGM Grand Garden, with more than 7,000 attending each year.

The move to the smaller venue brings a host of questions, starting with ticket prices and whether fewer seats means the event will be affordable only to the richest corporate players.

BLOODY GOOD SHOW

A little old nosebleed wasn't about to stop Tom Jones from performing on his 40th anniversary in Las Vegas.

Four or five songs into his show Saturday at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, he got a bloody nose.

Jones told the crowd he didn't remember that ever happening before. After a stagehand provided a towel and then cotton for his right nostril, Jones continued with his performance, with the Welsh superstar joking that the cotton "helped his singing voice." To the delight of the women in the audience, he added, "but I don't look as sexy."

He raised the roof when he continued through his classic "What's New Pussycat," gesturing to his "pussycat nose."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A civil lawsuit that alleged excessive force by doormen at Rumjungle nightclub at Mandalay Bay was settled Monday out of court. San Francisco firefighter Joshua Parks sued the club and two bouncers in 2004 after his femur was broken during an altercation. The 5-foot-6 Parks alleged he was beaten after refusing to pay bribes to the doormen when he left the club for a cigarette. Details of the settlement were not divulged. ... Francesco's Italian restaurant, a fixture at Treasure Island since Steve Wynn opened the property, closed Tuesday. The space will undergo renovations for a new concept. Wynn named the restaurant after Frank Sinatra. ... Elton John has canceled tonight's show at Caesars Palace. No word on why.

SIGHTINGS

All 51 Miss USA contestants took in "Stomp Out Loud" and joined the cast for a photo opportunity on Monday at Planet Hollywood Resort. ... Comedian Wanda Sykes, enjoying a mojito Sunday on the patio at Trader Vic's (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Hugh Hefner's "Girls Next Door" invited Donovan Lewis and Marty Amiott of Thunder From Down Under to a bachelorette party in a Palms suite over the weekend.

THE PUNCH LINE

"I like that John McCain. He looks like the guy who can't remember if he took his pill." -- 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.