Columnist John Katsilometes: Gearing up for the monthly downtown confab, First Friday

Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 | 8:05 a.m.

Fabulous Las Vegas runs Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach John Katsilometes at kats@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-2327 or (702) 812-9812.

A quick glance at my new George W. Bushisms calendar shows it is time again for First Friday, the monthly downtown hobnob and walk-around at 18b (formerly known as the Arts District). Catch a free trolley from the Clark County Government Center from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to get there from here.

Tonight, look for the work of Las Vegas artist Angela Kallus, whose "vivid new works on panel orbit the tasteful splendor of an ice cream counter and the audio bliss of spinning vinyl," according to organizers (couldn't have said it better myself). The exhibit, titled "rock-et pop," runs through Feb. 17 at Dust Gallery (1221 S. Main St.).

Also on tap are the zany finals of the monthslong karaoke contest held by Dino's Lounge at 1516 Las Vegas Blvd. South and the opening of the new store Fusion (featuring assorted art, ceramics and beaded jewelry) at 1001 S. Main St.

Worth a look-see, too, is Anne Kellogg's shop, Las Vegas Paper Doll, at Holsum Lofts. It's teeming with great stationery and gifts and is also a spot for local writers and artists to show their work. (Warning: My last look-see at Paper Doll cost me $87.)

NoteMart

Hannibal Turnblad? It has long been reported that Anthony Hopkins was actually considered by John Waters for the role of Edna Turnblad in the film version of "Hairspray." During downtime at Wednesday's rehearsals for the musical at the dance studio at UNLV's Alta Ham Fine Arts Building, Jack O'Brien, producing the version of the musical opening Feb. 6 at the Luxor, pondered that possibility.

"I had not heard that one, but it would have been great -- outrageous," O'Brien said. "(Hopkins) is the wrong age, though, too old for the role in the movie. I'd heard many different people were considered -- Jack Nicholson, which would have been insane, too -- but you need someone younger for the film. It's not such an issue onstage; Harvey (Fierstein) and Dick (Latessa) would be too old for the movie, but not for the stage."

No close-ups onstage, is the reason.

To keep score: Divine played Edna in the 1988 movie and was 42 at the time (he died shortly after filming). Hopkins was 50 at the time; Nicholson 51. For the Vegas production, Fierstein (playing Edna) is 51; Latessa (playing Wilbur Turnblad) is 75 ...

Get Sirius: Is he still King of All Media? Howard Stern, who was formerly heard in Las Vegas on KXTE 107.5-FM, moves to Sirius Satellite Radio on Monday morning. The satellite radio industry is indeed fast-growing; Sirius recently reported that its number of subscribers surpassed 3 million and satellite rival XM counts 6 million.

But there are still 141 million listeners to free radio across the country, and Stern's audience was estimated at 20 million before he announced his move to Sirius ...

Picking up cabbie: Ace singer/guitarist, local businessman and (as of this week) high-rise condominium developer Thomas Greenough -- aka Tommy Rocker -- is lending his business on Dean Martin Drive just south of Flamingo Road to a benefit for cabdriver Wayne Sowers.

Sowers was badly injured in September when his Lucky Cab was slammed by a stolen Yellow Cab at the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Paradise Road. Sowers suffered a broken back, neck, ribs and clavicle. He also sustained a concussion.

A benefit for the Professional Drivers Association, which assisted Sowers in his recovery (he was back at work by November), is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday; the $15 cost includes a buffet, entertainment (in the form of Rocker), a raffle and a silent auction. Call PDA President Greg Bambic at 497-1550 for more info.