This weekend, the U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team jumped into the party pool, metaphorically speaking, with Taste Flav.
The watch-wearing hip-hop legend led the team members Maggie Steffens, Rachel Fattal, Jordan Raney, Ashleigh Johnson And Emily Ausmus to Zouk Nightclub on Saturday night.
While a cocktail waiter proudly waved the Stars and Stripes, the team was greeted with blasts of cold steam from the club’s CO2 cannons, confetti raining from the ceiling, an illuminated “TEAM USA” sign inspired by the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, illuminated party sticks and the majesty of Flav himself.
English DJ and producer Duke Dumont played “Ocean Drive” and other club classics. Flav wore a blue Team USA tracksuit and an officially branded cap. His famous necklace watch featured a patriotic red, white and blue rhinestone trim.
Before heading to the club, Team Flav dined at the Asian fusion restaurant Fuhu. Team members were hosted at the Conrad Las Vegas. Flav sponsored the team’s silver medal run in Paris. He posed with a photo of the players and wrote, “I’m so proud of these girls and the movement in women’s sports that we are driving.”
Twenty-one, not finished yet
You may or may not remember celebrating your 21st birthday. You probably didn’t walk onto the stage of a strip club and shower the crowds with fake money and your face.
How it works The boy Laroi celebrated his 21st birthday at XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Australian rapper and songwriter downed tequila shots with Aperol Spritz on the side and handed out photos of himself as a baby as party favors.
Resident Headlining DJ of Wynn Nightlife Gripping played “Stay” and “Girls” and, by a happy coincidence, a new song called “Aperol Spritz.” Laroi was delivered a custom three-tier cake with his album covers and a silver number 21. He and his entourage of 10 friends set off around 10 a.m.
In the afternoon, Laroi celebrated at the Encore Beach Club with The Chain SmokersThe electronic duo of Alex Pall And Drew Taggart performed the Laroi hit “Nights Like This”. Late Friday night/early Saturday morning, shortly after his 21st birthday, Laroi Marshmallow‘s plays at XS. Of course he got on stage back then too, because in Vegas you only reach 21 once.
Flood of openings
A flood—flood, I tell you!—of headliner announcements flooded our inbox on Monday morning:
— Hitmaker of the 80s Tears of fearstill a great live act, plays at the BleauLive Theater in Fontainebleau on October 30 and November 1-2. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time at tearsforfears.com.
I caught the duo Roland Orzabal And Curt Smith in July 2017, when they opened for Hall & Oates at the T-Mobile Arena. I was amazed by the special guests.
— An example of our “What Works in Vegas” feature, Maz Jobrani is booked for December 21 and 22 at the Venetian Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at ticketmaster.com, venetianlasvegas.com or at any box office at the Venetian.
Jobrani has made the Venetian his Vegas home, but before performing at the fancy theater, he was a popular crowd-pleaser at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana. The Tehran native has a large Persian fan base and sold out three nights at the now-closed venue in September 2021.
– Mr. Las Vegas is Mr. Laughlin for one night in December. Wayne Newton plays at Edge Pavilion in Edgewater on December 7. Expect top-notch music, world-class charisma, and a touch of Paco Rabanne during the holiday season. We’re expecting temperatures in Laughlin to be in the 90s by then… but Newton will still be wearing a tuxedo.
Dare to dive…
Sometimes you just have to hold on to a moment because it blows you away. Saturday night was such a moment at the celebrated Las Vegas institution “The Dive Bar” at 4110 S Maryland Pkwy.
Anais Thomassian of the musically talented ensemble Fish Circus took over the club around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. A version of the ensemble party band has performed at LA venues such as the Troubadour, the Viper Room and Spaceland.
They don’t play Vegas often enough. Thomassian, the creator of the character Penny Pibbets in “Absinthe,” showed up in a Marie Antoinette-style ball gown adorned with LEDs. She deconstructed it into a tasteful, mostly underwear ensemble while playing the accordion believably (seemed believable; I’m no expert) and singing with great resonance.
When the trombonist stripped down to her leopard-print bikini bottoms and gave the guy who claimed to be a recovering alcoholic a lap dance, it was clear that the party was in full swing.
The next sensible step for Fish Circus is a guest appearance at the Colosseum. Or another appearance at the Dive Bar. We will be there, by chance or not.
Your VegasVille moment
The Killers Recreate the Starburst sign design from the old Stardust hotel-casino in the background of “Andy, You’re a Star” at the Colosseum. A fabulous Las Vegas touch.
Cool Hang Alarm
The architect of Cool Hang, Travis Cloeris headlining at the Aliante Showroom in North Las Vegas on Saturday at 8 p.m. (if you cross the Utah-Nevada border, you’ve gone too far). Seriously, it’s a beautiful room and Cloer is great throughout. He has the kind of voice that gives you goosebumps. This show features a seven-piece band with Cloer performing a complete version of the Frankie Valli Songbook. For more information visit aliante.boydgaming.com.
John Katsilometes’ column appears daily in Section A. His podcast, “PodKats!”, can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
