Columnist John Katsilometes: A New Orleans treasure not reaching the masses

Monday, Oct. 24, 2005 | 7:55 a.m.

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las V' 12-9812, or by e-mail at kats@lasvegassun.com.

The young man at the booth in the Lady Luck parking garage Friday night wanted to know if I was staying at the hotel. "No," I said. "I live here." It is was not the first time I've told a stranger working in a booth downtown that I live in Las Vegas.

Anticipating the next question, which I expected to be, "Then why are you parking here?" I continued: "I am going across the street to Celebrity to see the Dukes of Dixieland."

The kid frowned and said, "The garage is for hotel guests only -- but I'll let you in. Just get your ticket validated at the cashier's cage."

Thanks!

Now I enjoy a visit to downtown as much -- probably more, actually -- than the typical Las Vegas resident. But I actually have to psych myself up anytime I get ready to drive downtown to face the explanation at the booth, the fifth-level parking spot and the long trudge to the casino cage. And I just prefer not to valet; one of my personality quirks, I guess.

But the Dukes are a special act, polished from many years spent onstage aboard the steamboat Natchez in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina whipped through the city, the Dukes needed a place to play, and the Celebrity -- which opened just a couple of months ago on the corner of North Third Street and Ogden Avenue -- provided a gig. The Dukes are there until Saturday (call 384-2582 for information).

About 60 fans took in Friday's show in the spacious club. They were enthusiastic and, in one case, surprised to find the Dukes at this locale -- one guy walked in and asked me if these were the actual Dukes of Dixieland or a tribute act.

Compare this collection of music aficionados to the several hundred just a block away, at the Fremont Street Experience, grooving to a cover band hacking away at Jimmy Buffett, Santana, Van Morrison and other staples of classic rock. It seemed the throng, happy to sip cheap beer through long straws sticking out of plastic footballs, had no idea of the quality music being offered down the street.

I like downtown, but sometimes ... I just scratch my head.

NoteMart

Empire strikes back: The Empire Ballroom could close today and still have made its mark on the Strip. Saturday's official grand opening party of the new club, whose creative director is Sal Jenco (former co-owner of the Viper Club in L.A.), featured a show by Camp Freddy -- made up of Billy Morrison (formerly of Doheny and the Cult), Donovan Leitch (son of '60s icon Donovan, Dave Navarro ( Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction), Matt Sorum ( Guns 'N Roses, Velvet Revolver), Chris Chaney ( Jane's Addiction) and Billy Duffy ( Cult.

That troupe of ne'er-do-wells were joined by actress/singer Gina Gershon, Pink, Scott Weiland, former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, vocalist Jani Lane (Warrant), vocalist A. Jay Popoff ( Lit), and drummer Ronnie Vannucci of the Killers.

One post-mortem from the ear-splitting performance: If you have not experienced Pink clutching a lyric sheet and shrieking Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," then you have not lived, my friend ...

Worm's turn: Ex-NBA star and noted cross-dresser Dennis Rodman has found time to pay a rare visit to Vegas. He'll be at the Palms from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday to sign his new book, "I Should Be Dead By Now" ...

Our fair ladies: The Hooters Casino Hotel, scheduled to open in February, has announced it will conduct a job fair at the new property (which today is the San Remo) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 8-9. Auditions for Hooters Girl positions are Nov. 8, and a news release says the hotel is seeking "vivacious, friendly and fit women" to fill those positions ...

Dang, just an 'S' away: Spotted a woman driving a Saturn Ion on Interstate 215 on Sunday morning with vanity plates reading "KAT LVR" ...