John Katsilometes on how the Las Vegas Philharmonic plans to orchestrate its annual gala while appeasing UNLV hoops fans

Thursday, March 22, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.

Similar to a wedding ceremony that falls on Super Bowl Sunday, the Saks Fifth Avenue and Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Evening of Elegance and Style" finds itself in a bit of a scheduling conundrum on Friday night.

The Phil's largest annual fundraiser, which this year honors Las Vegas developers and philanthropists Mark and Gloria Fine, runs up against another evening of elegance and style (albeit in Nikes and baggy shorts) as the UNLV basketball team plays Oregon in the NCAA Tournament. The gala begins with a reception and silent auction scheduled for 6 p.m. The game tips off about 6:40 p.m. , and you might be surprised (or maybe not) by the large crossover fan base shared by the respective organizations.

Lest the Rebels' first Sweet 16 appearance since 1991 sour the turnout for the Phil fete, organizers have reached a compromise. Two big-screen TVs will be delivered to the Venetian Ballroom and placed on either side of the silent auction and reception area. Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Weidner (whose wife, Lynn, co-chairs the event with Wendy Plaster), has taken charge and arranged for the TVs to be moved to the reception.

The dinner and live auction begins at 7:30 p.m. in the main ballroom, so Rebel fans probably will be able to catch only the first half of the game before ducking into the gala. But the big screens will remain on until the game's end in case, ahem, you need to steal away for a breath of fresh air ...

The program ends after an Akris fashion show at 9 p.m., and a post-gala cigar bar will be open to all partygoers. The second half of the game will be replayed then.

All the special planning prompted Bill Marion of Purdue Marion & Associates, who is producing the event, to say, "If Mozart were alive, he would be a Rebel fan."

Dress for the event is cocktail attire, face paint optional.

NoteMart

The Canyon Club at Four Queens has shuffled its bookings and opening date. The new tentative opening date is April 28, with the Tubes as the announced opening band. Joe Bonamassa is scheduled for May 18 and 19, Los Lobos for June 10 and Johnny Winter for June 20 ...

Meat and greet: Stations Casinos is opening a second Salt Lick Bar B-Q restaurant, at Santa Fe Station, on April 2. Red Rock is the home of the city's first Salt Lick, which was founded in 1969 in Austin, Texas ...

As a nod to locals, the Scintas are offering $25 tickets to those with valid Nevada IDs. The deal runs from April 2 through the family act's final performance at the Sahara on May 12. Then the crew is off for an engagement at Harrah's in Atlantic City, N.J., from May 15 to 27 ...

Caesars Palace is offering a "Lucky 7" wedding package on July 7. According to a news release, the hotel is offering a minister, a pair of tickets to any Harrah's show, a $100 dining gift card, the services (musical) of a violinist, a bouquet of roses and matching boutonniere, a release of doves, a Caesars Palace wedding certificate holder, a champagne flute, a video of the ceremony and an actual spouse (not really). The cost is $1,777.77 ...

In a somewhat related development, Golden Gaming Vice President of Operations Steve Arcana recently purchased a 5,769-square-foot, $1.9 million home on 777 Tozzetti Lane in Las Vegas ...

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And on that topic: Centennial commemorative plate spotted on a silver convertible BMW 325 CI, TPLSS.