Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Nightclub opening benefits Boys and Girls Clubs

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

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

Seven, a new restaurant and club featuring New World cuisine and nightlife into the wee hours, rocked during opening festivities Sunday night. A benefit occasion for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, the party sizzled from start to finish.

Seven, in the vastly transformed building that once housed the Country Star restaurant, at Harmon Avenue and the Strip, is sleek and spacious with a decidedly contemporary feel in the lounge, dining room and creatively-lit sushi area. Society by Design did the dramatic interiors, while Chef Stephen Romeo was given free reign to plan the intriguing menu. Stephen Strickland has been named director of operations, while Linda Garza serves as general manager.

Gathered for the launching party were Lynn and Tom Wiesner, George McCabe, Brenda Miller with Christie Moeller, Denise Mara Meyer with John-David Wells, John Bonds and both Donny Richman and Billy Salvador from rumjungle at Mandalay Bay. Tempted by the seemingly endless array of appetizers and the dinner that followed were happy guests, among them Nancy Katz and Tom McGrath, Scott Weikel, Toni Reiser, Assemblywoman Merle Berman, Valentina Columbo, Kevin Martinez with Grant Kwon and Andrew Hagopain, Bellagio's vice president of retail, with wife Carolyn.

Present as well was attorney J.T. Moran III and wife Jody, who attended with his parents, Marilyn and John Moran Jr. J.T. was the attorney of record for Seven, working closely with Zohar Robin, managing partner of 12345, Inc., the company that owns Seven, as well as Andrei Briley and Wayne Jeffries, who will operate the club.

Villa tour

Stepping into the mansion-sized Sky Villas atop the Las Vegas Hilton is similar to stepping through the looking glass into a fantasy world. Reached by private elevator and assiduously guarded for the utmost privacy, these 30th-floor retreats embody the essence of Las Vegas-style luxury and glamour. Sized from 12,600-15,400 square feet, the windows embrace the spectacular views from lavishly decorated rooms filled with plush furnishings, state-of-the-art technology and art coupled with every possible luxury and amenity.

Last week as guests of the Las Vegas Hilton and newly appointed assistant hotel manager Cami Christiansen, selected members of the tourist and hospitality industry were hosted to a tour and cocktail reception in the villas. Guests included in the early evening tour and party were Stephanie Tirrall, Karen Gordon, Jackie Brett, Grace McCullough, Sunny Barclay, Christine Markham, Chuck Blandes, Barbara Banta and Mark Winters, as well as Brian Ayres of Always Entertaining.

The trio of Sky Villas, and sister suites of slightly smaller dimension, are the crown jewels of the hotel. Designed to host high-rollers and other honored guests, these accommodations are also perfect for corporate seminars, wedding receptions, unique events, even family reunions as they are designed with multiple bedrooms and baths, enviable media rooms, grand dining rooms and private swimming pools with surrounding terraces.

Tea time

Ladies Societea, a newly formed organization for those who enjoy the ceremony of tea and gracious decorum, recently hosted a High Tea at Antique Cafe and Tea Room inside the Sampler Shoppes on West Tropicana Avenue at Jones Boulevard. Faith Taylor, founder, and Carla Massone, co-founder, presided over the feminine gathering where guests enjoyed the full ambiance of fine antiques, sweetly done flower arrangements and the artistry of tea presentation by the staff.

Tea room owner Caroline Guagliano, formerly of the British Isles, gave a lighthearted speech about the proper way to prepare and enjoy scones at teatime. Listening with rapt attention were charter members Valerie Weber, Natalia Hinojon, Cathy Sarno and Carol Foselli. Ladies also at the tea at the Sampler Shoppes included Kim Ungar, Marilene Nevins, Judy Robinson, Marsha Hamilton and Carolyn Muse Grant.

The program also included an announcement of the Vintage Fashion Show and Tea Extravaganza planned for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Stallion Mountain Golf Course. Attendees will each receive a copy of "To Clothe Nevada Women: 1860-1920," published in 1990 by the Nevada State Museum to commemorate our state's 125th anniversary. Tickets and details for the event are available by calling Taylor at 682-2626.

Community theater

A note from Finley Bolton, actress-comedienne, who recently appeared as Lucy in the production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, has alerted us to a new community venture. The Usual Suspects, a local improv-comedy group, has formed a partnership with the Performing Arts Center at Community College Southern Nevada. Together the groups are offering a quality theater experience at community-theater prices, in addition to providing free workshops and mentorships with area high school drama students.

The groups' inaugural show, "Murder at the Howard Johnsons," by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick, opens Friday and runs through Sept. 9, with all performances in the Little Theatre at CCSN. Student training and the formation of a student improv-comedy troupe will begin in mid-September and embrace participants from area high schools. Twenty students who demonstrate enthusiasm, drive and commitment will be chosen to spend the year in both training and performance with the Usual Suspects, who include Rick Ginn, Bolton and Jeff Granstrom.

As with any community outreach program, this partnership between students and professionals seeks financial support and donations from public, as well as private sources. Business sponsors already contributing include Southwest Airlines, Quality Liquidators and Howard Johnsons. Contact Bolton at 364-5631 for details.The CCSN box office (651-LIVE) is handling tickets for "Murder at the Howard Johnson."