Thursday, June 1, 2006 | 7:23 a.m.
First it was a faux Elvis performing martial arts kicks.
Today it's professional combatants performing martial arts kicks.
Never one to sit idly, John Stuart is moving into a more true-to-life form of entertainment than his "Legends in Concerts" productions, which he founded in 1983. Stuart, whose star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars was placed in front of New York-New York on Wednesday afternoon, is a partner in World Extreme Fighting, the mixed martial arts organization that stages its second fight card at the Orleans Arena on June 10.
A variety show teeming with performers impersonating the likes of Liberace and Garth Brooks would seem to have little in common with a sporting event matching two guys trying to cave in each other's skulls. But Stuart sees a connection (so to speak) between the two.
"It's entertainment. The (WEF) brings drama and theatrics, and each time we do this it's on pay-per-view, and we believe it's a big, big deal," Stuart said Wednesday prior to his Walk of Stars ceremony. "It's a different type of entertainment, and it needs to be staged in a certain way, and that's where I come in."
Stuart also is putting together a production show based on "American Bandstand," which he said he hopes to debut within six months. He's looking to launch a variety show in Las Vegas and, possibly, a musical based on Broadway. And in September he is opening the "Blues Brothers Revival" at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
NoteMart
Still life: Unveiled Wednesday were the Beatles wax figures at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at the Venetian. The band Fab Four Mania, which headlines at the V Theatre at the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin, performed as part of a special VIP event. The Beatles figures are the fourth set of such inanimate, yet unnervingly lifelike, wax statues to be placed on public display. They were delivered from Madame Tussauds in London and will remain on exhibit in Las Vegas as part of the "On Stage" attraction at least through July 4. The figures wear the famous collarless jackets of 1963 and are pretty close to exact (although the John Lennon figure is topped with a too-blond wig and looks a bit like Owen Wilson with a straight nose).
Madame Tussauds and the Beatles have a shared history: The montage gracing the cover of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" includes the four original Madame Tussauds Beatles figures, along with the wax figures of boxer Sonny Liston and British blond bombshell Diana Dors.
The unveiling of the Beatles statues coincides with the debut of "Love" at the Mirage (previews start Friday), Paul McCartney's 64th birthday on June 18, and an appearance by Ringo Starr at the Beach at Mandalay Bay on July 1.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas General Manager Adrian Jones said the surviving Beatles have not been formally invited to see the new figures (the band took part in the unveiling of the originals in London in 1964), but, "We'd certainly love for them to come here."
We caught the Katie: New CBS anchor Katie Couric is swiftly leaving NBC and the "Today" show behind. A day after departing "Today" after 15 years, Couric is scheduled to address a CBS affiliates convention today at the Bellagio, where she will talk about her new role as anchor of the "CBS Evening News." She takes over the CBS news desk in September.
Ming Dynasty: There is a difference between a "vase" (rhymes with base) and "vase" (rhymes with gauze). The former can be purchased at Target. The latter can cost $10 million. Steve Wynn purchased a Ming vase (gauze) Tuesday for that amount - a record price for a Ming Dynasty ceramic - during a Christie's auction in Hong Kong. The copper-red piece was once used as a lamp stand. Wynn reportedly will add it to his collection at Wynn Macau (which opens in September), although the Wynn Las Vegas public relations department could not confirm that report Wednesday
Wing dynasty: The guest today on "State of Nevada," Dave Berns' interview show on KNPR 88.9-FM, is one-time Wings member (and Moody Blues founder) Denny Laine. The show airs at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; expect Laine to wax nostalgic about his decadelong run with the McCartneys in Wings
Deal us in: A casting call for the hot (hot! we tell you) NBC game show "Deal or No Deal" has been announced for Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton (a resort that, incidentally, is really dang busy these days). Auditions are set to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; organizers are expecting at least 5,000 and possibly 10,000 people to show up. Go to www.nbc.com for information
Can you use it in a sentence? A reader actually asked Wednesday if there is a Vegas betting line posted for the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals, set for today (ABC is carrying the action, tape-delayed, at 8 p.m., sports fans). I said, "No!" Then I e-mailed Wynn Las Vegas sports book Director Johnny Avello to make sure. He responded: "Although I have much fun making odds on various attractions, I do try to stay away from doing them on events that involve younger folk."
However, PinnacleSports.com does offer odds on the bee. And I need to sit down for a spell
La ConchaMania: For a glimpse at how the La Concha lobby will appear when it is eventually moved to the Neon Museum, check it out this evening. It's all lit up! ...
Leggo my ego: A reader spotted this ode to audacity on a vintage 1987 BMW convertible: EGOTRIP.
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