Holly Madison auctions off Laura Croft during the 3rd Annual Smokin' Hot Bachelorette Auction benefiting Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth at Ghostbar in the Palms on April 2, 2010.
Notes off the weekend, much of which was spent tucking firecrackers in decorated eggs for my annual Big-Bang-Boom Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt:
Auction o' babes
We had Holly Madison and her omnipresent "Holly's World" reality film crew, former Playboy fixture Laura "Glowstick" Croft, a former governor and a high concentration of up-for-bid local broadcast media types. Otherwise, it was a typical Friday night in Vegas, at ghostbar at the Palms. At least $9,000 was raised during the 3rd Annual Smokin' Hot Bachelorette Auction to benefit Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. That number is higher when factoring the door take, which might have pushed the figure past the $10,000 mark.
Favorite moments, for me at least, were former Gov. Bob Miller initiating the bidding for Fox 5's Rachel Smith and Stefani Jay, "Just to move the process along," as he explained later. He checked in at $600; the prize package for a date for both went for $1,000. Croft commanded $1,400, and what I learned about her is she does not at all like The Beatles, so we're not speaking now. It was good to see former Miss Nevada America Christina Keegan, tiara at the ready. Her goal is to somehow find a way to spend her life in or around the NHL, as she is a notoriously fervent fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The night's top prize-winner was Collette Wieland of Channel 3, who took a bid of $2,000.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Roy Jones Jr. at Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 3, 2010. Hopkins won the 12-round fight by unanimous decision.
Flavor Flav watches the Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 3, 2010. Hopkins won the 12-round fight by unanimous decision.
Ah, Sugar-Sugar
You know it's not much of a fight when the commentary of the person next to you is more entertaining than the action in the ring. It was not an ordinary fight, sure, this matchup of 40-something rivals Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins on Saturday night at Mandalay Bay Events Center. One rule, personal in nature, is that when one or both fighters is at or above my own age ... maybe fighting, in any context, is a bad idea. But seated next to me on press row was Bert Randolph Sugar, noted author, sports historian and cigar chomper.
This guy is really entertaining, every time I see him. After "B-Hop" (that's Hopkins) took a knee after being clipped by a second rabbit punch from Jones, Sugar said, "I've heard of a glass chin, but I have never heard of a glass back of the head!" And after one of the multitudes of clinches between the two fighters: "If I wanted to experience this much clutching and grabbing, I'd go up to my suite!"
Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard were ringside, Leonard as a commentator. Leonard can't weigh more than 170, still in great condition. Duran? Let's just say he still looms large in the sport. It's hard to believe, observing these guys today, they actually met twice in the same weight class in the ring.
B-Hop won the fight by a decision, case you haven't heard. I honestly hope the next decision for both of these men, who have nothing more to prove in the ring, will be to hang 'em up while they still have their mental faculties. Look at Flava Flav, who somehow wound up in the post-fight news conference, for evidence of what could happen if you don't respect that brain ...
Clint Holmes
Strong reviews for Holmes
The first reviews are trickling in for Clint Holmes' stage show, now titled, "My Own Song," at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina. An online critique of the show at the bluridgenow.com Web site, the site for the Times-News of Henderson, gave Holmes' play a glowing review. I quoth, from Friday night's opening performance: "The audience at Friday night's performance of 'My Own Song' starring Clint Holmes at the Flat Rock Playhouse witnessed something unusual by today's standards — a spontaneous, thunderous standing ovation, complete with cheers and whistles."
Good stuff for Mr. Holmes. The show continues through April 25.
Sammy is back!
Father of Pauly and former Elvis opening act Sammy Shore is returning to the stage for his craggy brand of stand-up. The 82-year-old comic is embarking (ha!) on a new show at Eastside Cannery titled "Sammy Shore's Barking Mad Comedy Jam." The Cirque du Sammy will be staged at Marilyn's Lounge beginning April 24 with guest appearances by two guys who know their way around a story (especially if it is an inordinately long story with a joke at the conclusion), Ron Shock and Pete Barbutti. Shore has dates set for May 22 and June 26. Tickets are $15; call the box office at 856-5470.
Dita Von Teese -- in tattoo form.
Dita Von Teese performs in Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand on March 31, 2010.
Tattoo you
Dita Von Teese has performed her own flavor of art, onstage, for years. But she is now the subject of a different sort of art, on the skin. Prior to Wednesday's opening performance of Von Teese's run in "Crazy Horse Paris" at MGM Grand, a fan was led into the theater lobby, where Von Teese had just sought refuge from the red carpet. He lifted his right pant leg, and there, in full color, was a Dita Von Teese tattoo. Whoa, that is some serious fan commitment. He handed her a Sharpie and both took to the floor so Von Teese could sign the artwork. I tried to take a photo of this singular moment in Las Vegas entertainment history, but was told, "No pictures!" Too bad, as Von Teese looks pretty smashing from any angle. But I did get the one crummy shot of the tat, pre-autograph.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.
Previous Discussion: