This past weekend, Kathy Griffin was Britney Spears’ special guest during the number “Freakshow” at Britney’s PIECE OF ME at Planet Hollywood.
Looks like Kathy was more than willing to wear the collar and leash.
Although, doesn’t Britney look like she’s walking through the number? Such a shame since her dancers are fantastic and kill themselves putting on a show…
The famous twosome traded tweets later…
.@kathygriffin Great having you at the show. I'm sure that happens to you a lot Kathy.— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) November 3, 2014
Via Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist and commentator David Horsey
After the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found Nevada’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, gay and lesbian couples have been legally allowed to marry in the state.
But according to a recent news investigation, some Las Vegas wedding chapels are refusing to perform the nuptials based on religious beliefs.
After making calls to about 15 wedding chapels, 8 News NOW found that several of them refused to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The Elvis Wedding Chapel, which welcomes traditional and Elvis-themed weddings, said they wouldn’t marry same-sex couples. However, when the 8 News Now cameras were rolling as we tried to get their stance on camera, they refused to open the door.
“I’m not going to tell you,” David with the Elvis Wedding Chapel said, “It just — there is no story here.”
Dolly Deleon, the owner of the Vegas Wed Chapel, said she’s a born-again believer in Jesus.
“My faith won’t allow me,” Deleon said.
She did not know that a couple who is turned away based on race, sex, or sexual orientation could file charges against her. That could then lead to a misdemeanor arrest.
“I would be a hypocrite if I said I’m a Bible-believing person and yet I would perform marriage that believe is solely against God’s law,” Deleon said.
Because nothing says “sanctity of marriage” like being married by an Elvis impersonator, right?
The problem for businesses like Vegas Wed Chapel is that in 2011, sexual orientation was added to the state’s public accommodation law making it a misdemeanor offense for businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
“The difference between a church and a place of worship and a wedding chapel, is that a wedding chapel is a business so that is covered under the Public Accommodations Law of Nevada,” said Tod Story, ACLU.
“Any Las Vegas wedding chapel that operates as a business is covered under Nevada’s public accommodations law and is not allowed to discriminate against same-sex couples seeking a wedding ceremony, or any other couple for that matter,” says Tod Story, executive director for the ACLU of Nevada. “Currently, the way the law is written, it’s a misdemeanor crime. Any couple refused service has to file a complaint with the state. … [Vegas Wed] has turned away couples. I don’t know if [those couples] even knew there was a law that protected them.”
The news isn’t all bad though. Gay partners Jamie Richards and Ron DeCar own and operate the Viva Las Vegas chapel in Las Vegas, and have in the business of same-sex ceremony packages since 1999, even though they were not legally binding.
“From Day One we were doing commitment ceremonies,” Richards told the Daily Beast. “I worked at the MGM (Grand) years ago when you literally went to board meetings and stuff, and nobody could know you were gay. And now all the hotels embrace the gay population, and they embrace the gay dollar. It’s got to help the economy.”
Wow! Talk about an great experience for young actors!
The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts is currently presenting the Broadway hit [title of show]. You can see the production this weekend, October 16-18 at 7pm in the Academy Theatre Black Box at 10th Street and Lewis Ave. in Downtown Las Vegas.
[title of show] follows two writers, Hunter and Jeff, who are racing against the clock to write a musical in time to submit it for a festival. The writers, along with their friends, are on a quest a create an original musical that does not conform to the current fads or expectations of what is currently popular on Broadway. [title of show] speaks to the artistic underdog in us all, as the characters struggle to write a musical about writing a musical.
But even better – three original cast members from the Broadway production – Susan Blackwell, Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen – are flying out to work with the students and chat with audience members.
The Broadway actors will teach a master class, take part in a VIP reception before the show Friday the 17th, and stay after the performance for a Q&A “talk back” with the audience.
When is the last time you got to see a show with original cast members (Bowen and Bell also wrote the show), and then ask questions afterwards? Really great experience for the students and the audience.
Tickets are $35 dollars for the whole package (reception, LVA performance and talk back) and the proceeds will be used to create a scholarship for an LVA theatre major.
To purchase tickets for the VIP experience, click here.
Nightclub owner Victor Drai and actress Laverne Cox cut the red ribbon at official opening of Liaison Nightclub
One history making original joined another this past Saturday night, as Emmy nominated actress and LGBT advocate Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black) hosted the official opening of Liaison Nightclub inside Bally’s Las Vegas – the first gay nightclub in a casino. Cox is the first transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy Award.
Arriving at Liaison following her iHeart Radio Festival presentation, Cox effortlessly walked the red carpet in a stunning kelly green Stephen Mikhail dress accentuated by an Edie Parker clutch and lavish silver accessories including a neck piece by Haute Hippie and jewelry by Rue Gembon, Lulu Frost and Miriam Salat.
Other talent attending the evening included “Pin Up” star and Playboy’s former Playmate of the Year Claire Sinclair, “Absinthe” performer and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Butterscotch, cast members of the new Las Vegas burlesque revue show “Limelight,” cast from “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” and cast from “Legends,” to name a few.
Liaison Nightclub, the game-changing LGBT nightlife venue created by Victor Drai and set on the Las Vegas Strip at Bally’s, is a 7,000 square foot nightclub featuring sexy dark finishes of gold and black.
(All photos by Patrick Gray – Kabik Photo Group)
Laverne Cox joined by Liaison performers
Liaison Nightclub gogo dancers
Liaison Nightclub located inside Bally’s Las Vegas
More than 100 Chippendales alumni and current cast pose on stage at the 35th Anniversary Chippendales celebration
Ever wonder what happens when sexy, hunky Chippendales get older?
Now we know – like a fine wine, they just get better and better.
This weekend, the most famous male revue in the world, held a 35th Anniversary celebration at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, which became a reunion of over 100 former and current Chippendales, including three original Chippendales from the Los Angeles Chippendales club from 1979 (Roger Menache, Richard Barash and Dustin Stevens).
Five alumni joined the current cast onstage for the evening’s performance – and it was hard to tell they had ever left the show.
The evening kicked off a year-long celebration of events and projects that will include performances in Europe, Asia, and Australia; as well as a 35-city USA tour (including New York, Chicago, Dallas and San Diego among others) in partnership with LiveNation; and the beginning of production of a Las Vegas based reality show and Alan Ball’s highly anticipated film, “I Am Chippendales,” the true-life, and often scandalous story of how the brand became one of the most famous adult entertainment shows in the world.
I should note that some things DO change through the years at Chippendales. One thing, for instance, is that today men are definitely welcome at any performance. So, whether you want to go along with your best girlfriends for a bachelorette party, divorce party or your own party with your best buds, make your reservations. Chipppendales welcomes all.
Find more info about the world famous Chippendales by hitting up their official website – www.Chippendales.com
All photos by Gabe Ginsberg. Click on a photo to enlarge.
Chippendales alumni on the red carpet (back, L to R), Richard Barash, Dean Mammeles, Roger Menache, Dustin Stevens, Michael Rapp, Dino Manriquez and Tor Kristiansen, (front L to R), Kevin Casper and Terry Lenley
Original cast members from 1979 club in Los Angeles (center, in suits, L to R), Dustin Stevens, Roger Menach and Richard Barash with the current 2014 cast of Chippendales at the 35th Anniversary red carpet at the Rio
Chippendales alumni (L to R) Terry Lenley, Tor Kristiansen, Michael Rapp, Dean Mammeles and Dino Manriquez backstage after the 35th Anniversary performance
Three original 1979 Chippendales cast members (L to R) Richard Barash, Dustin Stevens and Roger Menache backstage after the Chippendales 35th Anniversary performance
Chippendales alumni Tor Kristiansen performs during the 35th anniversary celebration of Chippendales
Chippendales current and youngest cast member, Jon Howes, takes a photo of the decor celebrating past Chippendales in the Flirt Lounge at the Chippendales at the Rio
Chippendales alumni celebrate and reminisce at the 35th Anniversary celebration
Chippendales alumni Tor Kristiansen takes a bow during the 35th Anniversary Chippendales celebration
Photos of past Chippendales performers at the 35th anniversary celebration of Chippendales at the Rio Hotel & Casino
Chippendales 35th Anniversary cake created by Showboy Bakeshop
Chris Martin of Coldplay hits the stage in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is all about the 2014 IHeartRadio Festival taking place last night and tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
As most know, this is one of the biggest music events of the year – in great part because the line up of artists is as diverse as you can get.
Last night saw Taylor Swift open the show with five songs, including her current radio hit “Shake It Off.” Swift was followed by MY favorite band, Coldplay, who rocked the house with five of their best, closing with the current “Sky Full of Stars.”
Then came Nicki Minaj, Motley Crue, Usher and Ariana Grande.
Tonight’s line up will see One Direction, Calvin Harris, 50 Cent and Lorde take the stage.
One of the best things about the Festival, in addition to the diverse line up, is that each act only does a few numbers. So, if you’re ADD like me, just wait a few minutes for the next act if the current music isn’t your thing.
I didn’t attend in person because I wasn’t feeling up to being in a crowd of 20K last night.
BUT – we all can watch LIVE from the comfort of our homes on Yahoo Screen Live, which is where I was last night bouncing to the beat with Coldplay with Bruno the wonder dog.
If you missed last night, take a second to hit the link for Yahoo and enjoy the music.
Check a few pictures from Coldplay’s set last night.
Happy Saturday, kids!
Woofy Will Champion
Guy Berryman
Chris Martin of Coldplay
Drummer Will Champion
Mid-concert selfie with the crowd
Coldplay takes a bow at the 2014 IHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas
Tatum was in Las Vegas for a long weekend, in the company of what appeared to be executives. It was reported here that he was spotted having lunch with a group on Monday at Spago inside the Forum Shops at Caesars.
Then the plot thickened when he showed up Monday at the Hard Rock, with men in suits and, according to a spy, a top Hard Rock executive.
Magic Mike was a huge Hollywood success, with a global gross of $167 million based on an investment of $7 million.
The sequel – Magic Mike XXL – is currently filming under the direction of Gregory Jacobs. Most of the original cast – including Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Alex Pettyfer – are returning.
Magic Mike XXL is scheduled for release Summer 2015.
It was a gorgeous day yesterday for the 2014 Las Vegas Pride Festival – both in terms of the weather and the eye candy.
Love seeing out fashion designer (and 20 year bestie) Andrew Makay of N2N Bodywear come out from LA for Vegas Pride.
Chippendales Jaymes Vaughan and Ryan Stuart (flanking) make Pride hosts Craig Meland and Wayne Meistle honorary Chipps as they hand off hosting the MainStage
Uniquely Vegas LGBT Pride – showgirls and Chippendales drop by to help celebrate
