Monday, Jan. 29, 2007 | 7:26 a.m.
In a collision of pop culture and high culture Saturday night at Wynn Las Vegas, it didn't matter that Paula Abdul could not remember, or was unable to readily recite, the name of the organization honoring her as Woman of the Year.
"I was here last year and I thought, what a lovely event, and what a poignant, uh, honor to be able to have the Nevada City Ballet ... a company that expresses and celebrates the art of women's dance ... I thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice if I were honored (gasp!)? You put it out there and it happens," Abdul said during a dizzying news conference prior to the "Black and White Ball," the annual fundraiser for Nevada Ballet Theatre. Twice more the fluttering Abdul misstated the name of the 35-year-old dance troupe during interviews with syndicated entertainment programs, again calling it "Nevada City Ballet."
But even with the verbal gaffes, the NBT says it is pleased that Abdul lent her undeniable star power to the gala (even as some guests, remembering Abdul's daffy behavior in recent TV interviews, were worried that she might not even show up). Taking part in a sort of show of force were Abdul's "American Idol" sidekicks Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell (who for the black-tie affair was clad in a gray long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans). Crews representing "Insider," "ET," "Inside Edition," "Access Hollywood," "60 Minutes" (tailing Cowell), and Bravo (for the "Hey Paula!" reality show) were on hand to track Abdul and friends.
"We're really thrilled, really happy about how the whole event yet," NBT spokeswoman Jennifer Kratochwill said. "There was a lot more entertainment than in the past. It was a fuller program." Like, five hours of fullness, thanks in large part to performances by former "Idol" contestants Anthony Federov, Chris Daughtry, Mandisa Hundley, Melissa McGhee, Lisa Tucker, Jimmy Verraros and Paris Bennett. NBT members Rebecca Brimhall, Cathy Colbert, Jennifer Fesler, Maggie Hoy, Shay Lucey, Racheal Hummel-Nole, Zeb Nole and Yoomi Lee also performed three pieces from the NBT's upcoming season opening program, "Tchaikovsky To Gershwin," which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Artemus Ham Hall.
There are no other NBT functions planned for Abdul, who has never attended a program by Southern Nevada's only professional ballet company. As is the case for all Women of the Year, Abdul was chosen in part for her contributions to the art of dance (she is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, which was noted in the event program, and is also a former Laker Girl, which was not). She is also friends with Silverton executive Craig Cavileer and his wife, Charlene, who have been members of the NBT Board of Directors for five years and were the honorary chairs for Saturday's gala. Abdul has a consulting role with the entertainment venues at the Silverton, a position handy to have once the "Idol" phenomenon plays out - if it ever does.
NoteMart
Gem Staters: Steve and Elaine Wynn were not at Saturday's gala; they were reportedly visiting Sun Valley, Idaho, celebrating birthday No. 65 (his). It was just about a year ago when Steve Wynn tore up his right knee while slaloming down the slopes in Sun Valley. ...
That sound! Former Gov./Sen. Richard Bryan, spotted near a silent auction table at the NBT gala, recalls stepping out of politics in 2000. "There is a sound you hear when you step out of the public eye," he said. "It's the sound of people tearing your name out of their Rolodexes." ...
When is a smoking ban not a smoking ban? At the two Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe & Hookah Lounges, at Flamingo Road and Maryland Parkway and on West Sahara Avenue. As Ben Arimoto, manager of Paymon's at Tiffany Square Shopping Center on Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road recently explained, the ordinance specifically pertains to "tobacco"; the Paymon's hookah lounges offer herb- and sugar cane-based substances. ...
A gold Plymouth Voyager with the plate GO PERU, reported by a trusted (and distracted) fellow motorist.
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