Strip club offers gigs to performers from The Act

A Las Vegas strip club is offering a home for the sometimes-scandalous performers who lost their jobs when the controversial nightclub The Act shut down a week ago under threats of legal pressure.

Sam Cecola, managing director of Club Paradise, emailed the offer to the Review-Journal, saying “as a fully licensed adult club, we would not have the problems they had with their landlord or gaming authorities when performing even the most provocative of their shows on our stage. As you know, we have a long history of exhibiting choreographed shows featuring male and female performers including dancers, acrobats and aerialists. These shows have been absent from our stage for far too long.”

“Rock of Ages” lead singer Mark Shunock, who had planned fundraisers for charities at The Act on Monday, said, “It’s not a fit for ‘Monday’s Dark.’ I can’t speak for the (performers) from The Act.”

Shunock said an announcement is likely to come Monday on the future venue for the 10 fundraisers, starting Nov. 18 for Opportunity Village.

Last month, Clark County District Court Judge Susan Scann ordered the year-old club to tame down 13 of 30 skits that included simulated sex acts.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

A high roller from India raised the bar Saturday when it comes to wedding grand entrances.

He rode an elaborately decorated elephant up the driveway to the front doors of Bellagio before meeting his bride at poolside for a traditional Indian ceremony.

A rep for MGM Resorts International said the couple chose Bellagio because they love the romance of the resort.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Michael Richards, best known for his portrayal of “Seinfeld” wackadoodle Cosmo Kramer, has moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. He has been spotted in the Summerlin area. He has been retired for the most part since his 2006 racially charged meltdown during a performance at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. ...

Diane J. Findlay, one of the original principals of the cast of “Hallelujah Hollywood” at the original MGM Grand, is back in Las Vegas. She plays Sister Mary Lazarus in “Sister Act,” which wraps up today with 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall. After being named female performer of the year for her role in “Hallelujah Hollywood,” Findlay went on to Broadway and films. She has a role in the Coen brothers’ upcoming “Inside Llewyn Davis,” which stars Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. ...

Sammy Shore, still firing bets at age 86, was in a contest at the Suncoast last weekend and picked a perfect 14-of-14 before missing on the overall score on “Monday Night Football.” He was one of 28 who had a shot at $10,000 but settled for $535.72. ...

An Oct. 10 tweet on the feed operated by The Act featured a photo of three scantily clad women groping what appeared to be someone wearing a hoodie bearing the words: “Keep calm The Act is still open.” Two days later it wasn’t.

SIGHTINGS

“Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, called onstage by Caesars Palace headliner Shania Twain during the campfire scene. Roberts, who famously survived a battle with breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndromes, sang several songs with Twain. Also in the audience was Luxor headliner Carrot Top and Shunock. All three joined Twain backstage. ... Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, dining at Sage (Aria) before walking the red carpet for the “Last Las Vegas” premiere at Haze. ... Douglas, having lunch Thursday and Friday at Julian Serrano Restaurant (Aria). ... Former Miss USA and current Miss Nevada USA organizer Shanna Moakler and Miss Nevada USA 2012 Jade Kelsall, touring the haunted attractions at the Fright Dome on Friday. Moakler and Kelsall later at the adult men’s club, Crazy Horse III, where Joanna Krupa of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Miami” was hosting the club’s four-year anniversary. ... UFC star Frankie Edgar, one of the featured fighters in season 19 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” with two friends at filming of “The Tough 19” at Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria &Bar in Summerlin on Thursday. ... Sheryl Underwood, one of the hosts on CBS’ “The Talk,” backstage after the “Donny &Marie” show at the Flamingo on Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

“The last time I was on a dais like this was at the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and I certainly hope you will give me the same respectful silence I received that night.” — Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert, keynote speaker at a dinner Thursday in New York.

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.