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Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com
Super Bowl XLVI Media Day with Madonna in Indianapolis on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012.
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012 | 9:45 a.m.
Madonna -- what havoc can she wreak in the world’s wildest city? No matter where the singer, actress and producer goes, controversy follows. She’s been touring the world expressing herself and created headlines from Turkey, Russia, Israel and the Arab world. Now she’s here for the weekend with two shows, and in our crazy Entertainment Capital of the World, it seems difficult to believe that she somehow won’t kick up a desert storm.
Is it more than coincidence that the sexually suggestive singer of “Like a Virgin” and “Girl Gone Wild” arrives just as a new show inspired by the bondage and domination bestselling book “Fifty Shades of Grey” debuts directly across from her concerts at MGM Grand Garden Arena?
British producer David King launches his sinfully sexual “Shades of Temptation” about forbidden excitement, at New York-New York. He promises “a new definition to sexuality as it transports audiences to a world of pleasure. The erotic and glamorous show will unleash the wildest of passionate desires while encouraging guests to free their inhibitions.”
Just 24 hours ago in L.A., it was the expected drama with Madonna’s mysterious crooning priests, a hotel gunfight and a murder with blood spattered on the video screen. She screamed about the Russian imprisonment of the band Pussy Riot. She stripped down to her bra and dropped her pants to show her backside. That undressing is to “Human Nature,” her song and not the four Aussie headliners at Imperial Palace!
Little wonder Madonna is here as the blood, sex and weirdness of the PollyGrind film festival kicks off with more than 30 world premieres of arthouse movies that cover horror, sci-fi and vampires summed up best by the main opening night film, “Road to Hell.” If Madonna goes to the edge every time, is it any wonder we’ll have 70 thrill-seekers atop Planet Hollywood on Saturday to rappel 300 feet down its west face. Please support the daredevils because it benefits Special Olympics of Nevada.
The wax figure of Madonna is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in the Venetian on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
Madonna vs. Kris Jenner? The matriarch of the Kardashian family is another headline maker, and she’s already created controversy with her new memoir “Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian.”. She’ll be at the Mirage to promote its juicy tales. Sex sells; just ask Madonna, whose new wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds at the Venetian on Thursday.
Could it get any more combustible? Well, we even have political incendiary, comic bomb thrower and Fox News analyst Dennis Miller doing battle against fellow comedians Jay Leno, Chris Tucker, Tim Allen and the homecoming of my good friend David Brenner at Suncoast (he moved to Manhattan this past summer).
It’s a laugh-a-minute, thrill-a-minute, screaming-headline-a-minute kind of weekend, and we’ve got it all ready to explode with our Royal Robin Rundown:
FRIDAY, OCT. 12
MUSIC
Makes the people come together! Trumpet titan and original “Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinsen & the San Miguel Five are at Smith Center for the Performing Arts for two nights; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly is at LVH for two nights; and Winter Dance Party: a Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper is at South Point all weekend.
Dessy Di Lauro and her band takes a break from playing with Madonna to perform at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay; the Shpongle Masquerade with Phutureprimitive also is at HOB; Tea Leaf Green & Howlin Rain are at Vinyl in the Hard Rock Hotel; and Nashville Unplugged featuring Arlo Smith and Trent Tomlinson is at Red Rock Resort.
Jason Bonham presents his “Led Zeppelin Experience” at Aliante Station, and cover band Red Eye Radio with the Novelty Act’s Bryan Todd and Big Friendly’s drummer Michael McDonald are at the Lounge at the Palms.
COMEDY
Jay Leno is at the Mirage for two nights; Dennis Miller is at Orleans Showroom for two nights (when he ran the “Saturday Night Live” news desk, he introduced the first impression of yours truly by Dana Carvey); Heath Hyche, Erin Foley and Ahmed Bharoocha are at the Improv at Harrah’s all weekend; and Derek Richards and Jason Harris are at Big Al’s Comedy Club all weekend at the Orleans.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Las Vegas is at MGM Grand all weekend; “Shades of Temptation” opens at New York-New York; tickets go on sale for Trey Songz’s “Chapter V World Tour” Nov. 21 stop at Orleans Arena; a Budweiser Clydesdale and King, the official Budweiser Dalmatian, will enjoy a special hand of blackjack with Michael Gaughan, owner of South Point, in the casino’s pit; and the Pure Aloha Festival at the Rio all weekend features more than 100 island craft booths, amusement rides and vendors. Ono! That’s Hawaiian for delicious food.
“Over the Edge,” a fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Nevada, kicks off with Marshall Sylver, the “Greatest Hypnotist of All Time,” Jeff Civillico of “Comedy in Action” and Matt Migliore, a Special Olympics champion, rappelling down the side of Planet Hollywood (the plunge continues Saturday); the Hard Rock Hotel presents a Horrific Haunted Experience: Bloody English at Body English through Halloween; and its PollyGrind’s warm-up weekend at Theatre7 in downtown’s Arts District.
PARTY PATROL
Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas is at Rain in the Palms; Dash Berlin is at Tao in the Venetian; Calvin Harris is at XS in Steve Wynn’s Encore; and Norman Doray’s at Surrender in the Encore.
SATURDAY, OCT. 13
MUSIC
Madonna with guest Marvin Solveig has two sold-out concerts at MGM Grand Garden Area; Poison frontman Bret Michaels celebrates the grand opening of D Las Vegas with a free concert at Fremont Street Experience; the Spinners are at M Resort; and the Guess Who are at Eastside Cannery.
Las Vegas crooner Mark OToole is at Vinyl in the afternoon (check out Editor at Large John Katsilometes’ interview with the cancer survivor); Speed is at Vinyl at night; and Barry Black is at the Lounge at the Palms.
COMEDY
Chris Tucker is at the Pearl at the Palms, and David Brenner returns to Suncoast Showroom for two nights.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
George Balanchine’s “Jewels” is performed by Nevada Ballet Theater at Smith Center for two nights; tickets go on sale for Theresa Caputo Live! -- the star of TLC’s “Long Island Medium” is at Planet Hollywood on Nov. 10; Kris Jenner hosts a meet-and-greet at Kardashian Khaos in the Mirage; and Project Dinner Table with chef Kim Canteenwalla (Society Cafe at Encore) and chef Mark LoRusso (Botero at Encore), prep a six-course extravaganza served outdoors at one long 150-person dinner table in NW Las Vegas.
“Rediscover Downtown Day” with Mayor Carolyn Goodman aims to support downtown businesses and help residents rediscover the heart of the city; Lavo Champagne Brunch’s Season 2 kicks off at the Palazzo; the “Forever Home Family Picnic” with guest “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood star Holly Madison to benefit the Animal Foundation is at Gary Reese Freedom Park; and the Second Annual One Drunk Puppy event benefiting Noah’s Animal House is at Silverton Casino Lodge.
There’s a Dom Perignon Special Launch at the Bank in the Bellagio; the “Fall Flavors Cooking Class” is at chef Geno Bernardo’s Nove Italiano in the Palms; and “Lion Fight 7: Schilling vs. Walker” is at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.
PARTY PATROL
Foster the People has a guest DJ set at 1 OAK in the Mirage; Akon is at Tryst in the Wynn; Sasha Gradiva is at Share Nightclub; Ginuwine celebrates his birthday at LAX in the Luxor; Sofi is at Rain; Icona Pop is at Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood; Arno Cost is at Liquid Pool Lounge in Aria; and Mat Zo is at Surrender.
SUNDAY, OCT. 14
Savoy Brown is at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.
Have a great weekend, stay out of the rain, watch for Madonna headlines when Senior Editor Don Chareunsy ducks for cover at MGM Grand on Saturday night, and check back for our reports and photo galleries.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
Catering to the young and modern crowd, Planet Hollywood is a one-stop shop for entertainment with its massive shopping mall, slew of restaurants, spacious casino and clubs.
The ambiance of the casino is retro-chic meets high-tech with black granite floors throughout and colorful LED lights throughout the space. The theme carries into the 100,000 square-foot casino with 250 flat screens topping off slot machines. The casino is also home to 87 tables, a sports book and a poker room.
There's also the Miracle Mile Shops, one Vegas' largest malls, with 140 stores including BCBG Max Azaria, bebe, Urban Outfitters and The Discovery Channel Store.
Following an afternoon of shopping, guests can satisfy their appetites at one of the gourmet restaurants in Planet Hollywood, like the non-traditional approach to steakhouses at Strip House or check out the exotic Far East motif at KOI restaurant and lounge. And if guests are still looking for more, they can spend the after hours at Privé, Triq or Krave nightclubs.
Perhaps one of the resorts biggest attractions came in March with the addition of "Peepshow." The naughty twist on the story of Little Bo Peep is modern-day spin on the run-of-the-mill Vegas topless review. The "Peepshow" stage has seen visiting celebs like Scary Spice Mel B, "Dancing with the Stars" Kelly Monaco and Playboy's Holly Madison.
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