Noche con las Diosas Thank goodness for the Tequila Goddess and Tom Jones
Tuesday, November 28th, 11:05 p.m. Wiggle, swish, strut, spank. Such are the sights and sounds as the stilettoed cadre of tall, leggy creatures execute their twice-nightly sex-kitten romp around the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. My jaw is not the only one on the floor. "And I'm feeling ..." Lead Las Vegas Pussycat Doll Jamie Preston draws out the last note of Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good" so long she could wrap it around herself along with her pink feather boa. Then finally, "... good."
During a choreographed chair-dance to the Pink Panther theme song, fringe is a-flying. From the front row—and, really, everywhere is the front row since the main stage is in the middle—I can hear the creaking of vinyl boots and the clickety-clack of heels and see the body glitter that has been liberally applied to the ladies' exposed skin.
Unnervingly attractive, the burlesque bod squad gives us aural satisfaction, singing rock standards like Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," all while fulfilling every lingerie fantasy the drooling audience could hope for. This includes but is not limited to buttons and buckles, bras and diamond panties, military coats, corsets and in the case of the bathtub girl, bubbles.
The show continues for a full 30 minutes, with our Vegas girls putting a slow, funky spin on the LA Pussycat Dolls' hit song "Don't Cha." During Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady," a catfight breaks out, with one guy in the middle, laughing while he separates his dueling dames.
I know I'm not the only woman in the audience to develop a girl-crush on the dancers. Pigtailed Alicia Vela-Bailey throws little winks and kisses out liberally, and I'm not ashamed to admit that full-figured Natasha Bernasek has my full attention. Things get even racier when the girls line up for a Crazy Girls-style paddy wagon spanking. "Whoa!" guffaws one guy over my shoulder. The show concludes as the gossamer curtains are drawn up, revealing a tasty serving of Preston in a giant, slowly rotating champagne glass. Tom Jones sings, "Pussycat, pussycat, I love you." Yeah, it's that hot.
I'm tempted to stick around for the midnight show, but there's even more goddess worship going on at TI's Isla Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar. The name gives little indication that beyond the long bar, the darkened dining room is converted amazingly well on Tuesdays to a boutique nightclub. Noche de la Diosa, or Night of the Goddess, features 96 choices of tequila and one smokin' Latina hostess.
Brazilian model Raphaella Souza is as captivating as her website indicates, made hotter tonight by a tiny skirt held together at the hip with a mere button and a prayer. The sultry brunette makes the rounds, recommending the perfect tequila for each person's palate just as she does earlier in the evening, during Isla's busy dinner hours.
But when the tables are pushed back and DJ Gil Barba of Super Estrella 92.7 FM and DJ Lian (aka Gabe Granados) crank up a pleasing blend of Latin, house and hip-hop, Souza starts doling out the shots. "In Mexico, it's always shots," she says of her preference for straight Anejo tequila, leaving the mixed tequila cocktails to her guests. Her namesake drink, Goddess Nectar, blends pineapple juice with Corralejo tequila and fresh lime. For the adventurous and the spendy, Goddess Elixir is prepared tableside with Herradura Seleccion Suprema tequila, Grand Marnier 100 Year Anniversary, Cointreau and fresh citrus syrup. Cost: $100.
Treasure Island's VP of food and beverage, Adam Odegard, was inspired by the wine angel at Mandalay Bay's Aureole to install a similar idea at his property's upscale Mexican restaurant. Odegard brings in tequila representatives to further Souza's already extensive knowledge; he is even planning to send her to Mexico for on-site training. "[The Latin market] is an emerging market that's really been ignored, and we just want a piece of it."
One young suitor just wants a piece of Souza; he boldly approaches our group to ask her to dance. "It's a party!" she says, heading off to the dance floor to show off her customer-service skills. I would say I wouldn't mind having her job, but there can only be one Tequila Goddess, and tonight she's the belle of the bar.