Tag Archives: Las Vegas

SHARE – THE PREMIERE LGBTQ VEGAS HOTSPOT

STEVEN SPILLS © 113

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE

I’m bringing you all the dish, dirt and detail of my recent trip to Sin City. Escape with me if you will to the adult playground Las Vegas. Arriving on Saturday afternoon, the husband and I checked in to our ultra-sleek accommodations at Palms Place. Floor to ceiling windows gave us quite a spectacular view of the Strip from a far. Palms Resort and Casino is up the street away from the Strip which is both good and bad for the Sin City traveler. Good, because you’re not in the chaotic bustle of Strip traffic and can get in and out of the three towers with plenty of self-parking in front of the resort. Bad, because you miss much of the feeling one gets by being in the hustle of the Las Vegas Strip, the energy and power of the neon above you.

At Palms Place, the accommodations are co-op so the condo-style of our hotel room with expansive kitchen was in keeping with the fact that it was a timeshare owned condominium. Unfortunately the balcony doors didn’t open which was such a tease! Explained by our bellman that with the lower than norm room rates found at the Palms and Palms Place becoming more known and possible, younger crowds came in and wreaked havoc by tossing bottles off balconies, etc. He admitted that business had waned slightly once they locked them up.

We wandered over to Palms for dinner at Little Buddha which has fed us before. Sushi and sake, naturally. The concierge got us great reservations! Later in the evening the grand opening of Palm Springs personality Michael Crisp’s newest premiere LGBTQ hotspot, Share Nightclub and Ultra Lounge was happening nearby so we figured Palms Place was a good choice in home for the night. Plus, the city of Las Vegas was giving an official proclamation celebrating Share Weekend so we HAD to be there.

Share Nightclub and Ultra Lounge opened in the finale of last year but their grandest of openings that happened on Saturday evening was, as they say, Spectacular! Spectacular!  The crowds were packed up inside the new LGBTQ destination with scantily clad dancers busting-a-move on platforms and inside private cabanas upstairs. You see, Share Nightclub boasts the fierce fact that they have an adult entertainment license so the go-go and shot boys are able to really go the extra mile to please the clientele. I was ready for some (first and only Showgirls reference) Nomi Malone action, trust. A few of the dancers did make us feel quite welcomed.

There was quite a scroll of celebrities set to appear. During our out-later-than-normal-for-us evening at Share I observed comedian Ross Matthews who was hosting the event and looking svelte and lean. Carson Kressley, who I saw nose buried in his smartphone being led through the Palms Place lobby earlier, now busy being dragged around Share by an entourage of photographers. Adam Bouska and his NOH8 campaign was busy applying logo tattoos on faces and taking portraits for equality awareness. Everyone’s spirits were up and fabulous all night!

Drag superstar and Las Vegas darling Frank Marino and his Divas Las Vegas cast came barreling in and caused quite a stir in the VIP area, bulbs flashing. Luciana was smashing in green glitz and getting ready to perform her smash “I’m Still Hot.” Q Vegas editor Benjamin Lemkie was sexy to the core while a smathering of Palm Springs locals trekked over in support looking for a good time. That’s just to name a few! Michael Crisp really knows what works. When it comes to an elite nightclub experience, Share Nightclub and Ultra Lounge is where you want to be in Sin City! Could a Share Ultra Resort and Casino be next?!

Sunday we moved over to The Cosmopolitan where our amazing Terrace Suite on the 49th floor overlooked the magnificent Bellagio fountains. Impeccable service and class all the way is always found at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. After a delicious dinner at Scapetta, we caught the 9 o’clock show of Vegas: The Show at Planet Hollywood across the street. Offering everything one thinks symbolic of Las Vegas, the fabulous show is chock full of strong vocalists, high on hard choreography done to perfection by sexy male dancers and lead showgirl Tara who shines brightest in the newest must-see production on the Strip. A great finale to an amazing trip.

SEE SHOWGIRL TARA STRUT HER STUFF!

LUV THIS SHOW!
TRUE VEGAS ON STAGE!
 2012 © PULP

WATCH. OUT. VEGAS.

I have been all a Twitter about our upcoming trip to Las Vegas, Sin City, my out-of-town town. Preoccupied would be such an understatement, however, I digress.  One more day of work and then I’m off for three as we two hit it to the Strip. Saturday brings an always welcomed road trip with the man I love to the place I worship. Always have, always will. After checking in at the gorgeous and privately sleek Palms Place, we’ll grab some wonderful dinner at Palms Resort Casino and head to the grand opening of Share Nightclub and Ultra Lounge until the wee hours if we can make out late. I’m ready for some serious Nomi Malone action on my lap from a private dancer. Honesty, please.

THE FIERCE FILM – SHOWGIRLS

Starring Elizabeth Berkley as “Nomi Malone”

The celebrities from the Gay Mafia will be in attendance on the red carpet and I’ll be telling all with vivid detail and delicious dish. Sunday we’re moving over to The Cosmopolitan for our second night. We couldn’t be in Las Vegas and not stay there one night. Heaven. We’ll be seeing Vegas: The Show at Planet Hollywood and then a nightcap somewhere. Hate me. I would. Details soon! ♠♣♥♦

SHARE NIGHTCLUB LAS VEGAS

It always works out that I get busy with travel and happenings around the finale of winter and premiere of spring. 2012 is no exception. Next weekend the Husband and I are heading to – you guessed it – LAS VEGAS! A good (and gorgeous!) friend Michael Crisp has opened yet another premiere nightclub and LGBT lifestyle venture in Sin City and we’re heading over in support and love. On March 3, Share Nightclub celebrates its official grand opening with VIP at 9 p.m. (that’s us!) and general masses at 11. It’s going to be off the blinged-out chain!

Attendees and celebrities scheduled to appear include host Ross Matthews, photographer Mike Ruiz, the NOH8 Campaign, Carson Kressley, sweetheart Ronnie Kroell, Penn and Teller, Luciana, ever-popular Laura Croft and cutie Josh Strickland to mention just a few. Oh, and a cadre international media flying in (again – that’s me!) for the event. Share has an adult entertainment license so they are able to get away, err, provide more service than say other clubs. The website says to ask the Shot Boys for “anything” and you shall receive. I’m living for that! I want the full experience, Ultra Lounge and Private Cabana filled good time. The event benefits not only the NOH8 Campaign but the Golden Rainbow in Southern Nevada, as well, a nonprofit persons living with HIV/AIDS assistance program. I’m thrilled to take part! Details will soon follow! Can’t wait, in fact…! Packing now.

DINAH WEEKEND PALM SPRINGS SHAPES UP

“It’s Ladies Night. Oh, What a Night. Oh, What a Night!”

Here Ye! Hear Me! All Ladies and Vageterians! It’s time to dust off those Chanel shades, bikinis and beach-ready-bodies (or Birkenstocks, Daisy Dukes and sleeveless tees – whatever your style) for Palm Springs #1 lesbian themed event Dinah Shore Weekend including the ever-popular and long-standing events produced by Club Skirts 03/28-04/1. There will be a plethora of female fatales strutting their stuff up and down Palm Canyon to unique parties catered to the girls including performances by Show Me (of the Pussycat Dolls), Chaka Khan and CeCe Peniston among many others. Check out the website for the real Tea or hang in the lobby of host hotel Riviera and find you some!

Quick story about my connection to CeCe. I was choreographing the Mr. Hotlanta pageant back in ’94 and had to do a walk thru with Ms. Penniston who was performing. She arrived and I had just sent all the men contestants back to the Colony Square Hotel and Mid City Fitness to get ready for the evening so it was just us girls. Introductions were made and I mentioned I knew that she had just arrived in Atlanta so lets do this quickly so she could relax. She happily agreed. I immediately started and as I described the scenario it went like this. “OK, so Motion (Atlanta entertainer and dear friend) will come out when Finally starts and start lip-syncing like it’s all planned. You (CeCe) will tip out (strut, walk) the crowd will go up. Motion will look at you and you will say something like “Girl, you need to press.” Motion will walk off and you sing. CeCe just squealed at my use of “press” and I believe stole the phrase from me.

Just a heads up about the difference of this year’s Dinah Weekend, though. Smartly, Girl Bar will not be having their events during the she time. They’ve decided to hit Sin City as their destination 04/27-29 giving Las Vegas some girl-on-girl lesbian love! Check out Fantasy at Luxor! Topless goddess who dance and sing! Plus my own personal Showgirl Amber dances in the show! I know Las Vegas, just ask!

Also it seems that Lucy & Gail “Dinah in Color” celebrating gay women of color that previously celebrated in Palm Springs will be moving to San Francisco in 08/16-19. These changes offer more to the women who attend the events and the cities that have offered to host them. Change is good. Plus, for the hardcore circuit girls this gives ample option of trips to take and places to go.

Of course, with The Dinah Weekend running alongside the very popular Kraft Nabisco LPGA Golf Championship and preceding the White Party from Jeffrey Sanker for the boys, Palm Springs will be one big flurry of LGBT love, life and libations.

STEVEN TAKES SIN CITY

STEVEN SPILLS © 109

ONE NIGHT IN HEAVEN

As we all know by now that what happens in Vegas during one of my fabulous trips is told here with every gruesome detail of debauchery. Quick recap if you’re just joining in… I love Las Vegas! Always have, always will. OK, with that said, let’s dig into the ultimate sin of having your cake and eating it, too! This is how I celebrated my birthday — my way, in Sin City during the New Years’ holiday.

I turned forty-something on 01/01 or as many call it “thirty-nine for another year.” The husband and I aren’t into big parties so we always discuss how to spend our special days respectively and that’s how we do it. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and I have a very nice relationship with one another. The place is sick! I couldn’t think of a better location for our one night getaway. This stunning resort offers everything I need for comfort and joy. Unique surroundings celebrating individuality of the guest delivering immediate results for every person’s whim or desire. And those magnificent open-air balconies are decadent.

The anticipation grew within me as flashy billboards that dress the sides of I-15 heading into Las Vegas increased in volume and intensity. Since laying low on New Year’s Eve and saving our mojo for Sin City, we lived vicariously through the bright marquees that told of The Dutchess Fergie strutting her “Fergaliciousness” at Mirage, Mary J. Blige bringing her diva style to RPM Nightclub at Tropicana and Kim Kardashian collecting her $600,000 paycheck at TAO at The Venetian for ringing in NYE.

Once we checked into The Cosmopolitan, we discovered that our upgraded suite faced the fabulous fountains of Bellagio. I was in heaven. That’s what I personally call The Cosmopolitan, “Heaven,” because it is. I immediately opened the sliding doors and caught the first of many fountain shows we would witness during our stay. We called down for the bags and within a blink they were delivered to our room and unpacked. Soon after, we headed over to Bally’s to pick up our tickets for Jubilee! and run the Strip for a few minutes before dinner.

The energy downstairs in the casino at The Cosmopolitan was still rowdy and right on target for ringing in the New Year from the night before. Wheel of Fortune slot machines shamelessly gobbled up the twenties we fed them as we strutted through. It didn’t ruin our good moods. However, it was when we entered Bally’s that there was some concern. Talk about Hunger Games.

We took the moving walkway up to Bally’s and entered. It was quite surreal being there considering the property was once MGM Grand where I would visit as an impressionable child with my parents. The hotel hasn’t changed much since then. As soon as we entered, this aggressive sales chick basically jumped on us sinking her teeth into us seeming concerned about our travel needs. I immediately replied, “Get to the pitch. We have to go.” She laughed and pushed us off on an anxious sales guy. We declined their offer and continued on to pick up the show tickets.

Downstairs I strolled through memory lane as we walked past shops where I once spent my trip allowance on Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. Although, I don’t recall desperate sales dudes standing at kiosks offering what appeared to be counterfeit Louis Vuitton and Chanel iPhone cases at special deals “because it was a slow night.” The Strip called us back outside and we were off to enjoy a birthday ritual of shameless plunges into sushi and sake oblivion back at The Cosmopolitan.

With a few minutes to spare I slid into the sunken Japanese tub back in the room for a soak and got lost in the burning neon bulbs of the Strip that radiated before me. Ah, bliss. Once arriving downstairs to Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill we ordered a ton of delicious sushi displayed extravagantly on long boards and even had a generous round of sake complements of the resort. Luckily the walk over to Bally’s afterwards for the show would help walk off our amazing cuisine.

Jubilee! celebrates its 30th anniversary and is quite spectacular still today. Topless showgirls in stunning costumes of beads and rhinestones, grand sets that rise and fall throughout, and familiar songbook classics performed with heart and experience is what any theatre addict will find nightly inside the ballroom at Bally’s. It greatly satisfied the repressed showgirl deep inside me. It’s a must-see for any true Vegas junkie. You can bet on it!

2011 © PULP

SIN CITY AND STEVEN MICHAEL

I just returned from a fabulous visit to Las Vegas and as always, we had a fierce time. Sin City and Steven Michael always get along. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which I call pure heaven because it is, treated us very well with an upgraded suite and a round of drinks on the house. It gives me everything I love in a hotel room. Immaculate furnishings, an open air balcony and a spectacular view of my favorite place on earth (yes, strong words!) The Las Vegas Strip. The Husband and I found ourselves in a sushi and sake serenade at Blue Ribbon Sushi and Grill on Sunday for my birthday dinner. Delicious! Oh, yeah! I became another year more experienced on Sunday. More mature?! Better like fine wine? Yes, older. It’s all good. Like I say that my mom now says that my Husband also says, “It is what it is.” Cause it is…

Our balcony view of the Bellagio fountains was spectacular and I honestly could sit watching the twinkling neon bulb wattage of The Strip all day and all night. I’ve seen the view plenty of times but I never grow tired of it. There’s always something to catch my attention, my eye, my homage. After dinner, we caught Jubilee! at Bally’s which is now celebrating their 30th anniversary. It was surreal walking in the place considering it was formally the MGM Grand that I would stay in as a child, rather young tween, with my parents. I tell the story of my father tossing me a few hundred dollars and sending loose on The Strip to shop, cruise and get cruised even though I wasn’t sure what was going on at the time.

Jubilee! is chock full of original showgirls with the glitz and gorgeousness of what Las Vegas is all about with grand sets that amazingly raised and lowered during huge production numbers, topless divas who owned the stage with legs to there and sexy thong-wearing male dancers with bare chests blazing. However, a few who could have left pants on. Just saying. We actually sat in the same cushioned booths that I would sit in as child watching shows with my parents. Things haven’t changed very much on the property except the very aggressive people who work there. This one woman nailed us as soon as we walked in about two nights for $99 and WOW! She was too damn much. I told her to get to the point and give the pitch. She did. We immediately declined, picked up my gracious media tickets, walked quickly around and hit The Strip. But not after having a desperate guy standing downstairs at a kiosk try and “make me a deal because it was slow” by selling me counterfeit Vuitton and Chanel iPhone 4 cases with bling. We were slightly in shock that the resort would allow that to go on.

More details will drop in my “Steven Spills” installment next issue of PULP so that’s all for now… What happens in Vegas, will end up here. Stay tuned.

HERE’S TO TWO-THOUSAND TWELVE

You may know, you may not. If you do, here it is again. If you didn’t, here’s something new and exciting for you to hear and me to say. HAPPY NEW YEAR, you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, me! BEST WISHES, we! Heading into Las Vegas on Sunday and arriving as the town should just be awaking from the extremist night they had prior on New Year’s Eve. My birthday happens to fall on the 1st so celebrating the way I always want to… We’re driving into Sin City for the night. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will be home for the evening. Donn Arden’s “Jubilee!” at Bally’s will be entertainment. Share Nightclub will provide some gay entertainment and queens on the move, afterwards. SUPER XCITED:))

More details to follow… in ’12.

WINNING AT THE WYNN

STEVEN SPILLS © 102

MR. VEGAS STRIKES AGAIN

Many locals departed town from the heat, indeed! However, we’ve had the busiest summer I’ve ever seen at World Gym Palm Springs since I began working there seven glorious years ago! I’d place a ton of exclamation points after that last part if I could but you get the picture. It’s a pure OMG! moment. I’ve seen a lot and know even more than I care to about our fair community so when I finally say “Calgon, take me away!” I really mean it! Escapism with a splash of fantasy, and we’re all good.

Our retreat is Sin City and always has been. After some close contact with Public Relations at Wynn Las Vegas, it was brilliantly done and consumed my thoughts until arrival. We were booked up for two wonderful nights of culinary debauchery and decadent indulgence of the senses. The Wynn Las Vegas and Encore have more Forbes Five Star Awards than any other casino resort in the world, having generously homed us many times before. We’ve always loved staying there and are continually treated impeccably!

After arriving Saturday afternoon, we breezed through check-in as our bags met us in the room. I found a gorgeous chocolate sculpture welcoming us from Michael, their Niche Marketing Manager. The Wynn Las Vegas and Encore proudly offer a dedicated Pride concierge, seemingly the only LGBT concierge at a general resort in the world. Wynn Resorts has also achieved a 100% on the HRC Equality Index since first applying in 2010, securing the same score in 2011. And stands as the first casino-resort company to offer same sex partner benefits. Please find their amazing room packages geared toward the LGBT community at Wynn Pride and know you’re spending your gay dollars wisely!

Jacques and I enjoyed sushi oblivion for dinner at Wazuzu inside Encore later in the evening before finding our VIP seats at the 9:30 showing of Le Rêve. Having seen the show before it always seems magically different and impressively entertaining. With the VIP seating we also enjoyed relaxing in plush seats, bottle service of champagne with chocolate-dipped strawberries and truffles. Small monitors gave a visual taste of what’s happening backstage and below the surface of massive waters, the actual star of the show. Of course, the bald men with muscles pounding through wet skin and gorgeous ladies with synchronized skills wow audiences nightly, too.Le Rêve is undoubtedly the best entertainment on The Strip! It takes our breath away and amazes us every time we see it.

Sunday we found our spot in the Wynn Buffet line and grazed with the rest of the hungry masses. This mega-station buffet offers everything and I mean every thing one can think of wanting to devour. The deserts were killing me from the beginning and caught my eye each time I returned for more food which was a few. Afterwards, we rolled ourselves out to the pool and enjoyed time chatting folks up and experiencing a different scene than norm for us. We had a blast not knowing anyone and meeting total strangers.

That’s the great thing about Las Vegas! Many people existing together without agenda nor attitude having a good time and not judging others for who they are or what they’re doing. We never feel out of place in Vegas. Never. And of course the men are damn fine sexy. Butch buddies doing Bromance dances wearing flip-flops on perfect feet walking with fierce divas strutting in towering stilettos who know they’re looking good. Sin City is all about decadence and letting it all out. That’s why we love feeling the neon energy The Strip provides against our souls. It may sound heavy but it’s really hard to explain how Las Vegas truly makes me feel.

Sunday evening we enjoyed deliciousness at Chef David Walzog’s Lakeside including scrumptious steak grilled to perfection, jumbo shrimp and a ridiculously rich smores dessert.The picturesque Lake of Dreams with its waterfall and whimsical show across the waters provided the wonderful backdrop. Afterwards, a quick trip down to Fremont Street showed how old Vegas was struggling to compete with the newer establishment like Wynn/Encore, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and City Center. We couldn’t help but notice how dated it all looked and where the rowdy heterosexuals seemed anxiously pouring out of honkytonks.

Our car brought us around rather quickly and we pressed it back home to the Wynn for some action in the casino before heading up to a super comfortable bed. Overall, the weekend was stellar and accommodations exceptional. However, I’m still waiting for word about the sixty dollars I lost in their hateful slot machine. Curious about getting that back, if possible.

2011 © PULP

MEMORIES OF MGM GRAND

We are heading off to Las Vegas this weekend and ALL that’s on my mind these days is Sin City. I can’t wait to get on the road with The Husband and getaway from this town for a few days. Our home this stay will be at Wynn Las Vegas where we have stayed before and always love it. We’re  seeing the bald beauties in Le Reve later Saturday night after arrival with a dinner at Lakeside on Sunday evening and trip downtown to Fremont Street afterwards.

I’ve recently become an affiliate with MGM Resorts International and soon will be promoting their iconic brand and image through great hotel deals via my website. More on that very soon but it’s been bringing up some great memories of yesteryear between me and the MGM Grand. As a child I would often come to Las Vegas with my parents and we would very often stay at the MGM but this was when it was down the Strip some where Bally’s is now placed. You would also simply cross that corner through the Strip from the hotel to Caesar’s Palace and get right on the moving sidewalk. There wasn’t any of the over-walks, escalators and cross ways of now. I snagged the picture above from back then and if you know Bally’s then you know things have changed for the property. Of course the picture below is of the current MGM Grand and is quite beautiful, current and full of the charm of the original.

I used to love walking the long hallways of the MGM as a child looking at the Hollywood movie stars portraits that hung perfectly between hotel doors and iconic lion logo in the carpets and on doorhandles. I was often left alone with a few hundred dollars to fend for myself while my dad would hit it to the casino and could sometimes feel the eyes of the pictures follow me as I walked alone to our room. There was a memorabilia shop downstairs that I spent most of my money in buying Marilyn Monroe photos before having ice cream at Swensen’s Grill down the way. I loved the MGM Grand as an impressionable child and playing Keno during breakfast with my parents was always a thrill. I still love finding one of the more established (translation: older) hotels that still have a Keno board and Keno girls walking around taking bets.

These are very good memories for me and the MGM Grand provided the backdrop for them. I wish I had a copy of the photo of me with the “official” MGM lion. The lion laying there and me with winged blond hair and white tube socks pulled to my knees wearing Coke bottle-think lenses as glasses. That was a lot of look but I was having great fun in Las Vegas. More trips down memory lane (and to Vegas!) to come…

THE DREAMCHASERS

I wanted to introduce someone and something new to iamstevenmichael.com. In a premiere category of blogs I’m calling The DreamChasers, Gay singer and cover artist Nick Connell turned me out recently on YouTube with a sultry piano version of Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” where not only does he sing very well, he also plays the  piano while seducing his viewer, singing directly to them. Them, being me. He definitely woke me up this morning. I really enjoyed and hope you do, too! Nick is from Vegas and is working on his first studio album. Not sure if it will be covers like the ones you see on YouTube like Ke$ha’s “The Harold Song” and Miley Cyrus’ “7 Things” but I’m wishing him great luck. Why not chase your dreams?! I have, and have blessedly lived many of them. Nick contacted me through my website and reached out which I thought was an impressive move. A few giving ones gave me hope and direction when I needed it so if this can reach one more person and introduce them to him, my work here is worth it. Check out Nick and let the world know what you think!