Jeanine Galdorise, Stephanie Gatschet, Jacob Mitchell, and Denise Vasi, at Table 10

As much as I love to travel, I enjoy playing host to my out-of-town peeps, even more.  There are so many sides to Las Vegas, beyond those in the guide books, and I adore showing these off to friends from New York, Los Angeles, Cape Town, London, and Amsterdam (and that’s just who’s been in the past month!)

Last weekend was a terrific example.  As is usually the case, it all started with a phone call.  In this instance, my pal, writer/producer Andrew Le Pera (Happy Musical) called because a gorgeous young ingénue named Denise Vasi was coming to Las Vegas for the Daytime Emmys (she plays ‘Randi Morgan’ on All My Children, which was nominated for an Emmy) and our friend, modern-day haute clothier Maggie Norris (of Maggie Norris Couture) had done her ensemble – a white “Lola” gown with a plunging neckline and red lip-shaped appliqués, inspired by a painting by artist Patti Heid, and a pair of antique drop earrings.  As Denise was travelling to Vegas sans entourage, Andrew and Maggie asked that I look out for their friend. 

AMC's Stephanie Gatschet gets her sip on, at Table 10

Now, I do this sort of thing, all the time; and since I was already a fan of her work (not from AMC, but her recurring role as ‘Cindy’ on USA’s White Collar), I knew she was a stone-cold fox, to boot!  So, we did some back-and-forth texting and when she got to town, met-up for cocktails at Emeril Lagasse’s Palazzo restaurant, Table 10 (where Jacob and I had just finished a spectacular dinner – but more on that in a future post). 

Mugging with All My Children's Denise Vasi, at Table 10

As happens more often than not, in situations like these, we were knee-deep in each others’ Kool-Aid by the time the second round of drinks was served.  Along with Denise’s BFF Jeanine Galdorise and her AMC gal-pal Stephanie Gatschet; we literally closed the place down.  The lights were on, the gates were closed, and the manager was pouring our drinks.  Now, when you can do that in a prominent restaurant in a major Las Vegas casino on a busy Saturday night (the Daytime Emmys were sharing the town, that weekend, with the Miss USA pageant) – well that’s something.  When it’s only the first stop for the night – well, that’s what Vegas is all about, Baby!

Kiwi Claire Dugan comes cheek to cheeks, with her first badonkadonk, at TAO Nightclub

After tons of hugging, photo-taking, Tweeting, number-exchanging, and the like, the ladies headed-off to the Innovation party at Nikki Beach; whilst Jacob and I meandered from the Palazzo, through the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian, to TAO.  There, we met-up with my friend, Drew Elliott, VP of Marketing & Creative Services at PAPER (the first publication in which I was published), who is also the overseer of ExtraExtra, PAPER Publishing’s branding, trend-forecasting and event-production arm.  Drew was in town, for the weekend, with his bestie, fashionista Mack Dugan (formerly of Heatherette, now a contract cutter for the likes of TSE and The Row), and Mack’s little sister, Claire (who was visiting from their native New Zealand).

Claire Dugan and brother, Mack, get up, get, get, get down, at TAO Nightclub

TAO was a mob-scene, and full of all sorts of “looks” that ranged from glam to gawd-awful, and allowed Claire her first ever sighting of a real-life badonkadonk!  After a couple hours at TAO, I decided to take the group on a late-night tour of Vegas – specifically two “after-hours” spots that are all the rage with “the kids” these days: The Artisan and Savile Row.

We arrived at The Artisan, and based on the cooing from the backseat, I knew I’d chosen well.  The closest thing Vegas has to an Ace Hotel, The Artisan was right up their collective alley.  Meanwhile, I was just happy that the valet knew me, so I didn’t have to park on the street!

Drew Elliott gazes from the corner, of the Lounge at The Artisan Hotel

We went inside, and they were in heaven.  We sidled up to the bar, and had some drinks.  Drew even found a little table in the corner – and when I say little, I mean little (table for one, smoking, please...).  After a couple rounds of drinks (just water for me – I was driving...), we were off, once more, but our way out of The Artisan we encountered was a log-jam of people, watching a group of tag-team freestyle dancers, doing their thing.  It was nuts, but it was great. 

Denise Vasi in Maggie Norris Couture, at the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards

But, it was getting late, and by the time we had a round of drinks at our booth, it was after 4am.  So, I took our guests back to their hotel (The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas), and drove Jacob and myself, home.

It had been a long time since I’d pulled-in as the sun was rising.  I was spent, and I hadn’t even been drinking!  I don’t know how the kids do it.  And that’s when I realized, I don’t mind having gotten old – I just wish someone had bothered to tell me!

And PS - Denise looked absolutely radiant, in Maggie's gown.

Get into it!