Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Holmes’ show at Harrah’s unveiled with splashy party

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 9:42 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net.

Harrah's celebrated the arrival of its new star, Clint Holmes, with sparkling opening-night festivities. Invited guests enjoyed Holmes' "Takin' It Uptown" show in Harrah's main showroom, an evening filled with Holmes' masterful voice and the 12 talented singer-musicians who appear on stage throughout the show.

Holmes has a special gift for creating a sense of intimacy in performance, a skill particularly evident in the tribute to singers and songwriters, as well as his signature song, "For the First Time."

Responding well to the magic of the evening were Jan Laverty Jones, entertainer Marva Scott, Bob Forbuss, Sue and David Cassidy, Kitty Rodman, Monty Rock, Kathy and Alan Hopper, and Robert and Angela Nelson.

A post-performance reception was hosted by Harrah's in its elegant Range Steakhouse, a spectacular room that gives the illusion of suspension above the Strip.

Welcoming guests was Harrah's own Claudine Williams with Jennifer Satre and Madeleine Weekly, who were seen with theatrical producer Bill Moore, Judy and Tony Shanks, Dr. Frank and Betty Roqueni, Larry Kifer, Staci Fike and Bud Friedman, owner of the Improv Comedy Club.

Among the guests was producer Breck Wall with Johnny Gato, in addition to Tony Tillman, who appeared as Sammy Davis, Jr. in "The Rat Pack Is Back," his wife, Debi Tillman, and publicist Laura Herlovich, who spoke of the "Notre Dame de Paris" show, which is opening later this week at Paris Las Vegas.

NIAF scholarshps

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) recently awarded scholarships to Las Vegas residents Christina Faccinto and Cara Anne Minardi-Petterson. Faccinto, a student at UNR, received the NIAF/Giargiari Fellowship while Minardi-Petterson was awarded the NIAF/Southwest Regional Scholarship and attends UNLV.

Established 23 years ago, NIAF has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships over the past two years, granting scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 each in the humanities, medicine, engineering, business, music, Italian language and other specialized fields.

Scholarships are based on financial need, academic merit and community service with 63 percent of awardees attaining a grade-point average of 3.5 and above.

Students wishing to apply for a 2000-2001 NIAF scholarship should visit their website at www.niaf.org and note that the application deadline is April 15.

Williams impresses

A multitalented man, actor-artist Billy Dee Williams has managed to combine a busy theatrical career with a lifelong love of painting and fine art. Recently Markman Gallery and the Resort at Summerlin hosted an elegant reception to celebrate an exhibition of Williams' art.

Guests of all ages gathered to view the exhibited paintings, as well as enjoy excerpts of his films, including "Return of the Jedi" and "Batman," which were projected on oversized screens in the Resort at Summerlin's Pasco de Vida corridors, just outside the Markman Gallery.

Michael and Michele Berk assisted as emcees for the brief program, which included a presentation by gallery director Bruce Johnstone of Williams' "Portrait of a Journey" painting to Lilliam McMorris, president of the Professional Black Women's Alliance.

Included in the exhibition was a special six-piece series of Tuskegee airmen, which honors the airmen of the all-black Army Air Corps of World War II.

Black moves up

Best wishes to Randy Black, Sr., longtime Las Vegas home builder, real estate executive and entrepreneur, who will be installed as president of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association.

Black's formal installation will be held during a banquet at the Mirage on Saturday.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a luxury silent auction and draw a crowd of 500 top executives in the housing industry. Gov. Kenny Guinn will be the guest speaker.

Monica Caruso (794-0117) is handling the necessary reservations.

Also scheduled for this week is the fourth annual Alzheimer's Benefit, a spectacular evening, which also celebrates the opening of Postrio, the newest restaurant from partners Wolfgang Puck, Barbara Lazaroff, Tom Kaplan and David Robins.

Postrio, an award-winning restaurant from San Francisco, makes its Las Vegas debut in the Grand Canal Shoppes on the St. Marks Square at the Venetian.

And as in the past, this very special evening will be jointly sponsored by Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada.

Offered during the benefit, by both live and silent auctions, will be treasures including a luxurious trip to Rome arranged by Bulgari, breakfast at Tiffany's for 16, the use of a Mercedes Cabriolet for one year and other delights. Contact Postrio (796-1110) for further details and reservations.

Sunrise benefit

A community-wide event that embraced the new business with gusto, the opening party for Buca di Beppos restaurant was also a generous benefit evening for Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation.

A trial run before the public opening, the festivities were enlivened by ribbon-cutting ceremonies that were delightfully transformed into a pizza-cutting frolic.

Presiding was Joseph P. Micatrotto, chairman/president/CEO of Buca di Beppo with wife, Connie, new Summerlin residents who have happily settled into life in Southern Nevada.

Guests were treated to most generous family-style dinners selected from the Southern Italian menu while all proceeds (and a goodly number of direct donations) from liquid libations were given to the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation.

In the crowd of happy supporters were Ozzie Mirkhah, Bob Fash, Jeff Donahue and David Washington, as well as Las Vegas Councilman Larry Brown, Kay McCain, Ron Futrell, Judy Robinson and John and Rene O'Reilly.

Giving a special welcome to guests Irene and Herb Kaufman, Vic Salerno, Candy and Gary Krauseman and Virginia Stiles, was Steve Peate, the restaurant's "Paisano Partner," who is part-owner and general manager.

Others sprinkled in the crowd included Dee and Ken Ladd of the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation, Ann Lynch, Pat and Tony Nations, Christian and Laura Kolberg, Erin Rice, Debbie and Bill Ladd, Jeff Silver and Allison Koepening.