Columnist Kate Maddox: VIPs struggle to see Light

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 | 8:37 a.m.

Getting from one end of Light to the other on Saturday night was like playing a game of Twister -- only in snappier clothes and while carrying cocktails.

Rope after red velvet rope blocked this table and that VIP area -- one party-goer said the place was a jumble of "keep off, reserved and don't even think about it" table and booth restrictions.

"Moving around was a nightmare, unless you like being corralled onto a dance floor like cattle," the guest said. "They kept a lot of important people standing because the tables were blocked off for celebrities."

The high-rolling nightclub, owned by Hollywood father-and-son team Keith and Chris Barish and partner Andrew Sasson, ended up looking like a sardine can packed with stars from Sting to David Spade to Daryl Hannah.

If nothing else, the overcrowded mishmash of pampered Los Angelenos appears to have helped Bellagio -- another guest, who got fed up with the pushing and shoving, said the real scene was going on outside the club. Dozens of deep-pocketed invitees were spotted taking their chances at the casino rather than at Light's table lottery.

Never a big fan of the camera, Leonardo DiCaprio avoided Light's red carpet. Instead he and close pal Tobey McGuire snuck in the back way, snubbing photographers.

Former model and Rod Stewart-ex Rachel Hunter was also shy in front of the flashbulbs. Spies at the party said the former cover girl has put on some pounds since her catwalk days and was happy to sit out the Vegas spotlight on Saturday.

Another celeb (who red carpeters remarked should have sat out the spotlight) was Tara Reid. One witness who spent time with the "American Pie" starlet said Reid looked like she'd "obviously done some serious partying" before she decided to attempt her wobbly entrance.

Celine Dion is expecting one big present from Caesars Palace next year. Dion is intent on unwrapping the brand-new Colosseum by March 30, 2003, her 35th birthday. Sources say the singer won't be pleased should the $65 million, 4,000-seat showroom be a belated gift. Dion and Park Place are banking on her multimillion dollar comeback -- which consists of 200 nights a year for three years.

The Showroom at the Venetian will likely lose its hottest headliner in coming months. Those who work closely with Melinda, First Lady of Magic say the sexy illusionist is fed up with contract hitches and backstage foibles that, according to her management team, are constantly overlooked by Showroom bosses.

Melinda and Co. claim, among other things, that the heavy stage curtain has malfunctioned on more than one occasion, resulting in near misses for the star and her dancers. These incidents -- and some say the new addition of Jack Gordon as her manager -- have reportedly prompted Melinda to start looking for a new home.

Hats off to local entertainment watcher Tony Sacca. On Wednesday Sacca receives the key to Las Vegas from Mayor Oscar Goodman. Sacca, whom you would probably recognize from his hosting duties on the late-night show "Entertainment Las Vegas Style," has been covering the Strip headliner scene for more than 16 years.