Wednesday, March 23, 12:30 a.m. Like the hair of the dog that bit you, the Foundation Room's Wednesday night offering of The List is a soothing chaser to the hearty party I witnessed at Monday night's Godspeed. One part Girls Gone Wild, one part Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and one part MTV's spring break coverage, Monday night aligned the four essential elements of a great night: hot people, a great view, a sexy venue, and strong drinks. Very feng shui.
Wednesday, promoter Gino Lopinto's List is a calmer, cozier version of Monday with an abbreviated menu: Only the Lounge and half of the enormous balcony are open. We sit on stools normally buried by the crowd, and as I sip my chilled Sambuca, I am actually able to hear my friend's voice amidst the din. Behind us, a circle of spring-breakers grind and break-dance as Foundation Room members look on with lusty approval. There's at least 20 years difference in their ages but tonight, as on Mondays and now Saturdays, no one cares a bit.
Earlier this week, we had somehow scored one of the two most coveted seats in the house: in front of the fireplace and next to the DJ booth. I'm a former Godspeed regular who strayed from the pack in favor of one night of quiet, so priority No. 1 was to say to hell with quiet and get reacquainted. Having brought four out-of-towners, I could see the night through their eyes, which for the most part were glued to the hip, beautiful people and only slightly less often on the spectacular view. The party celebrated the arrival of both spring and Keith Evan as the new resident DJ. Sharing our booth were folks from 944 magazine and two models who I would bet my Sambuca were 19 or younger. (Only slightly more than a quarter of all spring-breakers are over 21. Think about it.)
Godspeed Mondays are the 4-year-old love child of promoter-producer-DJ Michael "The Funkler" Fuller, an LV native who cut his teeth at Utopia and went on to take the Vegas promotions scene by storm. In addition to his Monday night obligations at the Foundation Room, he holds down the fort at Ice as director of marketing and resident DJ. When we talked on Monday, he was just hours away from hopping on a 7 a.m. flight to Miami for the Winter Music Conference where Las Vegas intended to make the big statement, "What Happens In Vegas Happens Because of Us." Right you are, Mr. Fuller.
Running Godspeed under Fuller is a collaboration of top nightlife personalities: Mike Snedegar, lead host at the Foundation Room, replacing the unforgettable Justin Fralik, who died two years ago in an auto accident; Nicole Shaul, VIP manager at Teatro; Brian Klimaski, lead host at Ice; and Christina Trainor, host at Vivid and graduate of the Real World Paris, not to mention Fuller's girlfriend. Each brings their skill and experience, as well as a to-die-for little black book of clientele.
Wednesdays are a different but equally fun animal. Gino Lopinto's The List is the second of the Foundation Room's three public nights, Saturday's Hookah Lounge being the third. Lopinto and his company, Vegas Alliance, have been behind many of this town's late-night staples: Afterhours at the Hop, Spearmint Rhino and now AM at Forty Deuce. Not a morning person, I'm betting. I'm told he even holds breakfast meetings in the evening.
It's a symbiotic relationship: Godspeed, The List and the Hookah Lounge provide the Foundation Room and Mandalay Bay with increased hotel traffic, longer stays, and beautiful crowds. The Foundation Room provides the three with the aura of inaccessibility and exclusivity that draws the crowds in. And it works. Monday night's turnout was incredible, with the line snaking through Mandalay's gaming area. Says Klimaski, "Access. That's what they want."
My hangover cure works and I mellow out, enjoying the spectacle and reminiscing of my spring breaks of yore ("yore" being, like, '97 or '98). If Monday was any indication of what the spring and summer will bring to Vegas, then we can expect long, hot seasons with record numbers of young lovelies and suntanned studs frolicking poolside by day and fireside at the Foundation Room by night.
To get on The List, e-mail Gino Lopinto at [email protected].
Xania Woodman thinks globally and parties locally. And frequently. E-mail her at
[email protected].
Thursday, March 31
Eight-at-Eight, organizer of fun dinners and events for Las Vegas' single professionals, has a rather progressive proposal. Meet them for cocktails at Kennedy in the District, then hop on a shuttle to Lake Las Vegas for dinner at Sunset and Vines. Enjoy a four-course meal paired with wine, then head back to Kennedy for more socializing. Call 228-8088 for information and tickets.
Saturday, April 2
DJ Carl Cox at Ice
Monday, April 4
Godspeed at the Foundation Room
AM After Hours at Forty Deuce
Tuesday, April 5
Pure Tuesdays, with a preview of the Pussy Cat Dolls Lounge
Wednesday, April 6
The List at the Foundation Room
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