Leila Navidi

George Wallace performs his stand-up comedy show at the Flamingo Showroom inside the Flamingo Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2009.

By John Katsilometes

Published Friday, June 26, 2009 | 7:53 p.m.

Updated Saturday, June 27, 2009 | 5:35 p.m.

Leila Navidi

Human Nature performs during "Smokey Robinson Presents Australia's Human Nature -- the Ultimate Celebration of Motown," at the Imperial Palace Wednesday, June 17, 2009.

Tiffany Brown

"Mistress of Sensuality" Edie (Christopher Kenney) tries to keep a secret from audiences at Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" until the end of the show.

Golden Rainbow’s “Ribbon of Life” show has reached the age where it’s older than even some of its contributing performers. At least, I’d expect there are a few Cirque performers scheduled to perform who are under age 23, which is the “Ribbon of Life’s” age as it sets up for Sunday’s annual variety show at the Las Vegas Hilton Theater.

The show is presented as a three-act performance: Rock 'n' Roll, Supper Club and Motown. The overarching theme is Classic Las Vegas, but that could be the theme every year for “Ribbon of Life.” This production, which is to benefit the locally based HIV/AIDS charity Golden Rainbow, is one of the city’s more entertaining annual productions -- sort of our own big barn dance. I was sold on it three years ago when the casts of two shows that were about to close -- “Dragapella” at the Hilton’s Shimmer Theater and the long-running “Forever Plaid” at Gold Coast -- both put on terrific a cappella performances. It was as if they were in competition with each other, as the Drag crew let it fly (of course) with a raunchy set while donning their customary oversized wigs and garish sequined gowns. Not to be outdone or even undone, the usually straight-laced Plaid crew dropped trou at the end of their set to reveal heart-adorned boxers. This year, I’m most interested in the competing stylings of the guys from Human Nature, the new Motown tribute show at Imperial Palace, and the stars of “Jersey Boys” at the Palazzo. Perversely, I’m kind of hoping for a rumble between these casts. Take bets, stage it in the alley leading to the I.P. parking garage, which actually would be the first meaningful purpose of the I.P. garage.

Anyway …

The “Ribbon of Life” show’s at 1 p.m., and also on the bill are Flamingo comic George Wallace (who might give more of his time to charity than any performer in Las Vegas, a cappella group Mosaic (these guys really deserve their own room in Vegas), Earl Turner & Lani Misalucha from “Voices,” at Shimmer Cabaret, performers from Chapquist Entertainment, “Fantasy,” “Jubilee!,” “Ka,” “Crazy Horse Revue,” “Love,” “O,” “Phantom – Las Vegas Spectacular,” “Rich & Famous,” “Searcy Entertainment,” “Sin City Bad Girls,” “Voci Vegas” and (pause to breathe) “Zumanity.”

Over the years, “Ribbon of Life” has been staged in showrooms at various hotels around town, including Mandalay Bay Theater, Luxor’s Atrium Theater, Tropicana’s Tiffany Theatre and Bally’s Jubilee Theater. Typically, it’s a two-day production, but because the L.V. Hilton venue is so large -- 1,700 seats -- one day is enough to approach last year’s $250,000 take.

For more details, go to GoldenRainbow.org or bust out the rotary and call 384-2899.

Saddle up

Also set for Sunday is a six-hour marathon of country music at Sunset Station’s Club Madrid. The show titled “Cowboys for Cancer” (and tag the word “research” to that title, and you’ll get that this event is to combat cancer, not support it) begins at 4 p.m. and is scheduled to run through 10 p.m. Proceeds go to The Caring Place and Vance Davenport, who performed with and later served as music director for “Country Tonight” at the Aladdin, and has since moved to Nashville and has worked with some of country music’s biggest stars (among them Mark Chestnutt, Sara Evans, George Jones, Lone Star and Toby Keith). He recently survived a battle with renal cell carcinoma, which is an often deadly form of kidney cancer. Davenport’s brother J.R., guitarist and vocalist for Las Vegas country outfit (that means, band, not suit) Wolf Creek, founded this benefit to benefit and assist his brother and others similarly stricken.

Joining Wolf Creek on the bill are Scotty Alexander, The Randy Anderson Band, Desert Outlaws, John Encino, Lefty Lucy Band, Tony Marques, Pam Matterson, Mark O’Toole and Third Town. Also involved in staging the event is Dawn Prendes, widow of murdered Metro officer Henry Prendes. Dawn has become something of a buddy in recent months. She’s terrific and does a lot of good work. Tickets to the show are just $20. Go to SunsetStation.com or call 547.7777 for info.

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Holly Madison, Josh Strickland and Shoshana Bean at the Peepshow cast party in Planet Hollywood.

Holly’s debut

I’ve seen Holly Madison three times now in her Bo Peep-ish role in “Peepshow,” once in rehearsals and twice onstage this week. She was better in Monday’s opening than in rehearsals, and better in Thursday’s media night than she was Monday. Sense a pattern? She’s still not where she’s going to be as a Strip performer, but one characteristic of Madison: She’s hard-wired to succeed. Polishing off a few dance steps is hardly an unattainable goal. The casting of Shoshana Bean (a true Broadway talent who starred in “Wicked” on Broadway) was a shrewd move. Hardly anyone can follow Mel B’s powerfully sexy lead role in the original version of the show, but Bean is effective because she has keen sense of humor and comic timing. She keeps the show moving, keeps it fun and relaxed. However, the final line of the show, which was formerly shouted by Mel B, “Go out and get laid!” is now Madison’s, who calls out more ambiguously, “Go out and find some love!” It’s obvious who is the star of the new “Peepshow.”

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Bette Midler celebrates her 100th performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace on June 7.

Bette chimes in

Official comment from The Colosseum at Caesars headliner Bette Midler, on the death of Michael Jackson: “I loved Michael Jackson from the first moment I laid eyes on him as a young performer and over all the years of his career. I never wavered for a moment in my belief in his talent and creativity. He was head and shoulders above every performer of his generation. I personally intend to only remember the best of him, his kindness, his charm, his superb musicianship, his magical dancing and his beautiful voice. He was a showman without equal. May he finally rest in peace.”

Also, from Motown legend Smokey Robinson, who is presenting Human Nature at I.P., who last night told Larry King on CNN:

“… I couldn't believe it. It was unbelievable to me. I -- I've gone through this many times with the Motown artists and the Motown family of artists. And this was just devastating. … I thought about the fact that last year we started to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, and when we were starting out with the record company, he was being born. And the 50 years seems like that they have gone by overnight, instantly. So that's how his life was. But, however, he has left such a legacy. He -- he was remarkable. He revolutionized the presentation of a song, and he revolutionized the making of videos and like that. He's got so many young artists imitating him, today, or mimicking him or trying to. He was just a remarkable artist.”

Speaking of such, a huge Jacko fan is “Jersey Boys” star Erich Bergen, who plays Bob Gaudio in the Four Seasons biographical production at the Palazzo. During his frequent cabaret benefit appearances at the Liberace Museum, Bergen plays a priceless audio clip of himself at age 4 (I think), singing “Man in the Mirror” into a tape recorder. Young Bergen even does the “whooo!” part, too. Last week I told Bergen that I’d also grown up with Jackson, though my era more dates to the Jackson 5 and “Off the Wall.” Say this for Jackson’s work, it does have a wide generational appeal. What a dreadful outcome, though, just a full-scale tragedy.

Something from Felix

Luxor President Felix Rappaport walks a lot, and a lot of that walking is across casino floors. So I took notice Wednesday night before Carrot Top’s show (where Rappaport would announce the Topper’s contract extension through 2015) that Rappaport was having his shoes shined. I asked what he wears. “Ecco,” he said. They’re the most comfortable shoes he’s worn. He doesn’t wear the leather soles.

Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Andrew Ragone (Raoul), Anthony Crivello (The Phantom) and Kristi Holden (Christine Daae) celebrate Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular's third anniversary at The Venetian.

Family of the Phantom

Anthony Crivello, the last Phantom standing at The Venetian’s “Phantom – Las Vegas Spectacular,” and his wife, Dori, are expecting a second child, a girl, in late July. The couple have a son, Enzo. Crivello has been the lone Phantom in the production for a year now, and the show last week celebrated its third anniversary on the Strip. The next time I have 90 minutes to spare, I’m going to ask Tony about the Packers’ chances this season. ...