Thursday, July 21, 1:30 a.m. The artist is bending intently over the shapely rump of her seemingly nude subject, and by doing so, very much thrusting her own posterior in my face. The small pack of men that has gathered by Studio 54's Voyeur Bar earlier in the evening to gawk and sip Bud Lights has swelled to a salivating herd. The collective din is now punctuated by the squeals of women who wish to be stripped down and inked up. And, since Dollhouse Thursdays are all about the ladies, they will get their wish.
Thursdays being my new obsession, and thanks to a persistent PR firm, I've come to 54 to experience Dollhouse. Much has changed since the event kicked off. Gone is the massive dollhouse construction where guests were encouraged to venture inside and exercise fashion domination by picking out ensembles for subservient model "dolls." All chauvinism aside, it was a sexy concept but somewhat intimidating for the crowd.
In keeping with the theme, 54 may have ditched the actual house but has kept the costumes. Female artists apply shimmering body paint upstairs and down to curvaceous models who wear just G-strings and pasties. As the evening passes, the paint eventually encompasses their whole body, with dragon scales, checked patterns, floral designs and abstract images that are fluid on the very 3-D canvas of a beautiful woman's body.
Before I know it, it's my turn and I'm searching around for my inspiration. Right then, a gent in a cringingly loud paisley shirt cruises by, sparking my imagination. I offer one tan calf in the hopes of providing a nice canvas on which to play. As she applies the first stroke, it is cold and wet, like getting a mud facial. I begin to wonder if she thought I said "daisy," but then the massive, violent, purple-and-black petal becomes a sexy curlicue with all the embellishments. For good measure, she spreads on toxic green glitter and I'm suddenly a work of art. There is a sudden onset of euphoria that I can only imagine is similar to getting something pierced. The end result is genius: I don't want to go home. I want to stay out, walk around, party, and show off my new tat' to everyone I meet.
I take a guided backstage tour with Mike Milner, executive director of nightclubs, and Natalia Badzjo, VIP operations manager. They show me the secret entrance, the secret bathroom and the secret handshake. OK, there's no secret handshake but there is a secret bathroom and I'm invited to frequent it frequently. Milner is eager to show me plans for the new Studio 54 whose renovations will include cozier booths, a larger VIP section, an entirely new entrance experience and an updated color scheme. Moreover, plans are in the works for a Studio 54 in Berlin. Perhaps I'll get an invite to the grand opening of Dollhaus.
I also somehow get my hands on Studio 54's answer to the Am-Ex black card. It's a subtle, silver version of the blue VIP card I've had for ages. "Tiger Woods has one of those," he says. Well, if it's good enough for Tiger .... I sign it and tuck it away like contraband. He then tells me he's tried every aerial act personally, including hanging from the star and moon, wall-walking, and even the bouncing bungee. "You really gotta have great abs for that one." No, he has not tried the body-painting.
To further drive home the Dollhouse theme and pump up the girl-power, locals' favorite, DJ Miss Joy, has been brought on as Thursday resident, joining long-time Studio DJ Lisa Pittman. The effect is immediate and from my vantage point on stage with the ladies, I see a packed dance floor full of both women and men, and the men are actually dancing. Some even rather well. Performer-dancer Tara dangles from a crescent moon while below, a completed work of art go-gos between two columns. Her artist is still touching her up, though probably more for the effect. My paint is now dry and I'm trailing glitter wherever I go. At 3 a.m., when it's time to head out, I am sure to walk out backwards, putting my best foot forward.
Xania Woodman thinks globally and parties locally. And frequently. E-mail her at
[email protected].
Xania's Hot Spots for July 28-August 3
Thursday, July 28
Studio 54: Dollhouse with DJ Frenchy Le Freak from San Francisco's Ruby Skye
Plush Lounge: the House Society presents Soundbar with DJ Dizzy
Voodoo Lounge: Voodoo Risin' with DJ Ivano Bellini
Friday, July 29
Beauty Bar: the Riot Room with DJ Michael Toast
Ice: DJ Richard Humpty Vission
Saturday, July 30
Ice: live laptop symphony by DJ-artist BT and the Digital Assassins
Sunday, July 31
Body English: Red Carpet Sundays
Rain: Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains and Wes Scantlin of Puddle of Mudd unplugged
Monday, August 1
Forty Deuce: AM after-hours
Tuesday, August 2
Studio 54: EDEN
Wednesday, August 3
Vivid: Flow Wednesdays
For more Hot Spots and weekly parties visit
www.TheCircuitLV.com and sign up for Xania's free weekly newsletter.