Columnist Kate Maddox: Rigid scrutiny awaits C2K

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000 | 9:10 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

A hot rumor hit the mill over the weekend when insiders spread word that Club C2K would reopen under new management by the end of the month. The likelihood is that it won't happen quite that quickly, but sources indicate there will be some new action in the space by the end of October. That is, if the hotel can find someone willing to touch the tainted nightspot.

H & H of Nevada, which operates the lease for C2K, is apparently searching frantically for new renters, but most club promoters and operators are wary of the stigma now attached to C2K as a result of recent headline-making drug and scandal stories.

Also, this time around operators are no doubt worried that the Venetian, which endured quite a thrashing in last month's club upheaval, will be breathing down their necks to ensure that the same illegalities plaguing the first C2K attempt will no longer be an issue.

One promoter, who has extensive, firsthand knowledge of the Vegas night-life scene, says he was approached with a generous offer from H & H, but like others in the business has yet to decide whether a C2K Part II would be worth the effort.

"If you are the next promoter going into that place," according to the source, "you better not look or sneeze in the wrong direction.'

Insiders are also saying that H & H is instructing potential tenants as to what they cannot do if they take over the club -- and it's a long list.

"Basically, they're looking for tighter corporate hold this time," said the source. "The hotel will have total veto power over who H & H brings in and what they do with the space. It's not up to H & H anymore."

All of these issues are deterring respected club operators from jumping into what should be a lucrative deal with C2K. Apparently, the stigma is just too much and no one wants to deal with a "zero tolerance" policy.

When asked whether the club would open anytime soon, a spokesperson for H & H would only say that C2K was "not reopening this week."

One of the many standouts from Saturday night's benefit to honor Sun publisher Barbara Greenspun for her support of the Public Education Foundation was Strip impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon.

Gagnon, who performs his regular gig at the Showroom at the Venetian, wowed the black-tie crowd at the Four Seasons and garnered an amazing three standing ovations. But the humble performer refused to take the spotlight away from the evening's honorees: "When you are given the opportunity to honor such a great family, and at the same time raise money for our children ... I was the one that felt honored."

Well, it looks like those rumors of a Sheena Easton -David Cassidy split over at the Rio could very well turn out to be true.

Easton's longtime manager out of L.A., Harriet Wasserman, uttered a curt "no comment" when asked whether Easton was considering moving on when her contract is up on Jan. 18. Sources in Las Vegas maintain she'll split.

In addition to escaping the frosty feelings off-stage in "At the Copa," Easton is also said to be looking for a more financially fair agreement. She currently makes just one fifth of the hefty weekly salary her co-star pockets.