Las Vegas Weekly

November 19, 2008 · 1:20 PM

Strip Scribbles: Criss Angel ‘honored and proud’ to welcome David Copperfield to Believe

By Robin Leach

Terry Fator and his puppet pals.

Photo: Kagan PR

*Just as Vegas Deluxe reported yesterday evening, illusionist David Copperfield did attend the late show of Believe, starring Criss Angel for Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor. David and his guests dined beforehand at Iron Chef Kerry Simon’s nearby Cathouse restaurant. At the end of the show, Criss acknowledged his rival: “I am very honored and proud to have David Copperfield in the audience tonight."

*Tickets go on sale today for America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator as he plans his Feb. 14 move into The Mirage theater with a new $100 million, five-year contract. He takes over for Danny Gans, who will have his last show there this weekend before he opens at Steve Wynn’s new Encore, also in February. Terry wraps his three-day monthly runs at the Hilton in December. “It took me 25 years to become an overnight sensation. Ever since that life-changing night on America’s Got Talent, I feel like I am truly living the American dream,” he said. “The incredible opportunity to perform at The Mirage in my own theater is something I could never have imagined.” By year’s end, he will release his first book Who’s the Dummy Now, which chronicles his incredible journey from struggling performer to sold-out Strip entertainer.

Photo: Yourmagic.com

Jeff McBride

*Hometown cutting-edge magician Jeff McBride will perform and receive an award on the World Magic Awards TV special airing on the MyTV network next Wednesday! Other stars appearing include Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton, Vegas-based magician Franz Harary and former Planet Hollywood headliner Hans Klok, who is appearing with Ellen DeGeneres on her Caesars Palace variety show tomorrow night. The classic magic special hosted by Neil Patrick Harris will feature many of the world's greatest magicians and illusionists.

*Sexy Nip/Tuck star Kelly Carlson had a whirl of a Vegas visit when she flew into town to shoot the cover for an upcoming In Style magazine. She took over a Siena suite at the Palazzo and dined at Sushi Samba and Restaurant Charlie for two consecutive lunches, with dinner at Lavo. At Sushi Samba, she tucked into signature samba rolls at the sushi bar and at Restaurant Charlie took over the “chef’s table in the sky,” which looks down on the kitchen crew at work. She also went on a shopping spree, hitting Ralph Lauren, Chloe, Jimmy Choo and Van Cleef & Arpels -- all at the Palazzo. No wonder she topped that all off with massage treatments at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

*Congratulations and good-luck wishes to 16-year-old Dakota Root, daughter of Vegas PR executive and political candidate Wayne Root. After taking part in last weekend’s Miss Teen Nevada beauty pageant, she heads off today to represent America in the World Cup Championship fencing events in Germany and Austria.

Photo: Al Powers

Dave Navarro and Jenn Jowett at Tao.

*Star surveillance: Comedian Marlon Wayans drove in with friends from Los Angeles and, even before checking into their hotel, they went straight to the new Lavo restaurant at the Palazzo for dinner, and then stayed on dancing in the upstairs boutique nightclub. Also there were hip-hop star Rick Ross and Philadelphia Phillies fielder Geoff Jenkins celebrating his World Series win. … At sister restaurant nightclub Tao in the adjoining Venetian, rock star Dave Navarro helped celebrate the third anniversary of the weekly “Worship” weekly party. Dave stuck to water all night long and literally had to fend off the amorous ladies piling up on him! … Singer Kevin Rudolf performed his hit single “Let It Rock” featuring rapper Lil’ Wayne when he hit Prive inside Planet Hollywood. He grabbed his guitar, jumped up on the DJ booth at 1:30 a.m., and afterwards several lusty ladies joined him at a VIP banquet booth.

Photo: Prive

Kevin Rudolph gives Prive a once-over.

Tonight’s tip

The first-ever “Fight Club” charity boxing event gets underway at the Hard Rock Hotel as our brightest and best nightlife personalities lace up the gloves to duke it out for a good cause -- and the bragging rights of being the best! Fighters representing Wasted Space, Tao, Lavo, Body English, Blush, Pure, Rain, Moon and Playboy will do battle starting at 6 p.m. Win or lose, bruised or broken, the fighters will party afterwards at both Body English and Wasted Space in the Hard Rock. … Who’s Bad has been hailed as the best Michael Jackson tribute band in the world, and the six-man group works it at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Tomorrow’s tease

We’ll have the first photo report of Dancing With the Stars finalist Lance Bass as he toasts the new Beaujolais and flips the switch to bathe the Eiffel Tower replica in red lights at Paris Las Vegas. Talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres kicks off the Comedy Festival with her “Even Bigger Really Big Show,” and famed chef Charlie Trotter lets us get up close in his kitchen to glimpse his innovative and unique 70-course tasting menu!

— From Vegas Deluxe

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