Friday, March 17, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.
Daren Libonati remembers when it occurred to him that it would be a good idea to check not only fans walking into the Thomas & Mack Center, but the dancers, musicians, roadies and unemployed third cousins who make up an artist's entourage.
That was 14 years ago.
The artist in question was MC Hammer. In the days before a 1992 concert at the Thomas & Mack, a skirmish broke out during a Hammer appearance at Reno's Lawlor Events Center that reportedly involved gunplay between a pair of security guards. That was unwelcome news for Libonati, whose duties were to book acts (preferably acts that don't provoke firefights) at UNLV venues.
So for the first time, Libonati required that anyone entering the Thomas & Mack - including those performing - walk through a security checkpoint.
"We checked everyone," said Libonati, who today is the executive director of the Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium and Cox Pavilion. "MC Hammer himself was checked."
Thus, dealing with dicey acts is nothing new for Libonati, who began his career at UNLV in 1988 (he did spend five years away from the UNLV campus at MGM Grand and at Star of the Desert in Primm). And this week, as the university system regents address (or attempt to address) violence-tinged entertainment at its higher-ed venues, Libonati can provide an educated perspective.
"I have been talking with Sheriff (Bill) Young about this for 16 months, since we booked Eminem and 50 Cent," Libonati said during a phone interview Thursday. He was referring to the rappers' appearance with the "Anger Management Tour" at the Thomas & Mack in July. "It is not a new issue for him and I, but it's new for the public."
Libonati made a few interesting points about bringing acts to UNLV:
"(Young) really does understand the goals of our business and respects what we do. He just wants to be more careful in protecting what's around these businesses," Libonati said. "We can control what's in our building."
The issue gives the 40-year-old Libonati a sense of deja vu.
"In 1992 we had this same conversation, about MC Hammer," he said. "And now that looks like dance, hip-hop. It's pretty soft by comparison."
NoteMart
Flay mignon: Star Chef Bobby Flay has joined the judging panel for Food Network's "The Next Food Network Star," which premieres its second season at 9 p.m. Sunday. Flay's empire includes Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace; he makes it to Vegas every three weeks or so ...
On her toes: On Tuesday, Nevada Ballet Theatre announced Beth Barbre has been appointed the organization's new executive director. Barbre is the former managing director of the Oregon Ballet Theatre and is credited with improving that company's finances. She will work alongside NBT Artistic Director Bruce Steivel ...
Link ink: Radio talk-show host and Las Vegas Hilton executive Ira David Sternberg celebrated the birthday of Jerry Lewis (who turned 80 on Thursday) by clipping on a pair of cuff links bearing Lewis' famous mug; he bought the accessories at a Neonopolis gift store. Sternberg has had several pair of customized cuff links made, including those showing rubber chickens, slot machines, roulette wheels, Scrabble tiles and a microphone.
A practitioner of all things comedy, Sternberg is again teaching his comedy writing class through UNLV's Division of Educational Outreach. Call 895-3394 to register; 895-0517 for information ...
Son sets: During a meet-the-press performance at Palace Station on Wednesday, perspiring vocalist Earl Turner introduced his 17-year-old son, Aaron, to the audience and joked, "When he grows up, he will be leaving the house. He says he wants to go to UNLV - good! They have dorms there! Because, you will be a visitor at my address." ...
Today's vanity plate, passed along by accomplished plate spotter Ruthe Beard, is ALMITY1, on a silver Nissan 220 SX at the Tuscany Suites.
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