Surprise, surprise, I go out a lot. Whether on official Digital business or just out goofing off, it's rare to find me home after midnight any night of the week. Not to say I eat, sleep and poop going out. I'm wrapped up in all sorts of crazy, non-party-related schemes that keep me busy from time to time. This last week, I was writing away on a non-column project and totally spaced leaving the house for four days. I was in such a groove I hadn't even realized Thursday had arrived.
Here's the great thing about this town. It's Thursday night and I'm starting to stress out because I had nothing planned for the weekend, therefore nothing for my column. (Riiight, like I ever run out of stuff to talk about.) Thank the gods for DJ Irene, touted as America's top-selling female DJ.
Thursday's main event, DJ Irene at the Palm's Rain in the Desert, is a guaranteed good time. I remember my first encounter with Irene a few years back. It was a long weekend and Irene was scheduled to play an after-hours gig at SRO. There was some kind or promotions snafu, the show was all screwed up and by the time Irene appeared, there was only 20 people in the club. Irene went on and played as if the place were packed with thousands. I was instantly impressed, and that admiration has lasted to this day.
Irene's set Thursday was as impressive as the SRO set years ago. It also was great to hear that sound in a large venue like Rain. Let's face it, you just don't hear those crazy beats as much anymore. It's a bit of a shame because the frantic energy of Irene's set really set the crowd afire. Keep an eye out for her next Vegas gig; she won't disappoint.
Thursday's Drenched at Rain is probably the best night to check the uber-club, regardless of who's booked. The crowds aren't as big as on Friday or Saturday, and you'll get all sorts of guest DJs alongside residents ROB and Hollywood.
I also popped over to Tabu at MGM for the premiere of Clique Entertainment's La Doce Vita. No longer just something I slept through in film school, La Doce Vita should be a fashionable addition to the Vegas Thursday lineup. The crowd was certainly funkier than the usual Tabu mix. While not as fascinating as Janet Jackson's freedom-loving breasts, I'm sure La Doce Vita will draw me back.
Clique also has been doing some interesting things over at Paris' Risque with Friday and Saturday nights. Most notable are the various celebrity-hosted parties. Recent events included a few porn chicks, endless Playboy bunnies, Andy Dick, Jason Mewes (Jay from Jay and Silent Bob—snoogans!), and even that KISS knucklehead, Gene Simmons.
Speaking of Risque and Thursdays, longtime West Coast promoter Spundae has popped up again: Spundae's Thursday Nights at Risque. If you're hankering for more old skool rave/underground/trancey-type stuff, this will be right up your glow stick.
Antonio Llapur walks softly and carries a big club. E-mail him at [email protected].