This weekend, the U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team jumped into the party pool, figuratively speaking, with Flavor Flav.
The watch-toting hip-hop legend led team members Maggie Steffens, Rachel Fattal, Jordan Rainey, Ashley Johnson and Emily Ausmus to Zouk nightclub on Saturday night.
As cocktail servers proudly waved the American flag, the team was welcomed with blasts of cool steam from the club’s CO2 cannons, confetti raining down from the ceiling, a glowing “TEAM USA” sign inspired by the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, glittering party wands, and the majesty of Flav himself.
British DJ and producer Duke Dumont played “Ocean Drive” and other club favorites. Flav wore a blue Team USA sweatsuit and official branded hat. His famous necklace clock had a patriotic red, white and blue rhinestone-embellished design.
Before heading to the club, Team Flav dined at Asian fusion restaurant Fufu. Team members were treated to a night at the Conrad Las Vegas. Flav sponsored the team’s silver medal win in Paris. He posed with a photo of the athletes and wrote, “I’m so proud of these girls and the movement we’re promoting in women’s sports.”
21. It’s not over yet
You may or may not remember your 21st birthday celebration. It probably didn’t involve jumping onstage at a nightclub on the Strip and raining down counterfeit bills with your face on them on the crowd.
This is how The Kid LAROI frolicked at his 21st birthday party at XS Nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Australian rapper and songwriter sipped Aperol Spritz and sipped tequila, and baby photos of him were handed out as party favors.
Wynn Nightlife regular headliner DJ Griffin performed “Stay” and “Girls,” as well as a new song by a happy coincidence called “Aperol Spritz.” Laroi was presented with a custom three-tiered cake featuring the album cover and a silver number 21 on top. He and 10 others left around 10am.
In the afternoon, Laroi partied with The Chainsmokers at Encore Beach Club, where the electronic duo of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart performed Laroi’s smash hit, “Nights Like This.” Late Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday morning, Laroi, who had just turned 21, enjoyed Marshmello’s set at XS, where he took the stage, of course, because in Las Vegas you only turn 21 once.
A surge in job openings
On Monday morning, our inboxes were inundated with headliner announcements. Inundated!
— Tears For Fears, the ’80s hitmakers who remain a formidable live act, will perform at BleauLive Theatre in Fontainebleau on October 30 and November 1 and 2. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. PST at tearsforfears.com .
I saw the duo Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith open for Hall & Oates at the T-Mobile Arena in July 2017. I left the venue blown away by the special guest’s performance.
— As an example of our “What Works in Vegas” feature, Maz Jobrani will perform at the Venetian Theatre on December 21 and 22. Tickets will be on sale Friday at 10 a.m. PST at ticketmaster.com, venetianlasvegas.com or at the Venetian box office.
Jobrani calls the Venetian his Las Vegas home base, but before his starring role at the luxury venue, he rose to fame at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana. The Tehran native has a dedicated Persian fanbase, and in September 2021 he played a sold-out three-night run at the now-closed venue.
— One December night, Mr. Las Vegas becomes Mr. Laughlin. Wayne Newton will be performing at Edge Pavilion in Edgewater on Dec. 7. Expect gold-standard tunes, world-class charisma and Paco Rabanne vibes for the holiday season. Temperatures in Laughlin are expected to be near 90 degrees Fahrenheit by then, but Newton will be showing up in a tuxedo.
Let’s dive in…
Sometimes you just need to capture a moment because it just blows your mind, and that was exactly what happened Saturday night at renowned Las Vegas institution, The Dive Bar (4110 S Maryland Pkwy).
Anaïs Thomassian of the musically agile ensemble Fish Circus took the club by storm around 11:30pm on Saturday, the ensemble’s version of the party band having played Los Angeles clubs such as the Troubadour, the Viper Room and Spaceland.
They don’t play Las Vegas enough. Thomasian, the creator of the role of Penny Pivets in Absinthe, appeared in an LED-trimmed Marie Antoinette-style ball gown. She changed into a posh, almost underwear-only ensemble while playing a real accordion (it seemed real; I’m no expert) and singing with great resonance.
The party reached its climax when the trombonist stripped down to leopard print bikini briefs and gave a lap dance to a recovering alcoholic.
The next realistic step for Fish Circus would be a permanent show at the Colosseum. Or maybe another gig at The Dive Bar. Coincidentally or not, we’ll be there.
A moment in Vegasville
The Killers brought back the starburst sign design from the old Stardust Hotel Casino as the backdrop for “Andy, You’re a Star” at the Coliseum – a great Vegas vibe.
Cool Hang Alert
Cool Hang architect Travis Cloer headlines the Aliante Showroom in North Las Vegas (just over the Utah-Nevada border is too far) on Saturday at 8pm. It’s a truly beautiful room and Cloer is consistently amazing; his voice gives you goosebumps. The show will feature a seven-piece band and Cloer will perform the entire Frankie Valli collection. Visit aliante.boydgaming.com for more information.
John Katsilometes’ column appears daily in Section A. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow us! Johnny Katz @JohnnyKats1 on X and @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.