EDC founder, Holly Madison to divorce
ONE of Las Vegas’ most prominent power couples is splitting up. Pasquale Rotella has filed for divorce from Holly Madison, posting a message about the decision on his Instagram account Tuesday.
“It is with love in our hearts and a deep respect for one another that Holly and I have amicably made the decision to separate,” Rotella, founder of Insomniac Events and the Electric Daisy Carnival, said in his post.
“First and foremost, we are forever partners and parents to two beautiful children, and are fully committed to raising them in an environment filled with love and positivity.
“Holly is a talented woman and a beautiful soul. We remain the best of friends while co-parenting and continuing to support one another in our respective passions in life. Though it was not a decision we made hastily or take lightly, Holly and I welcome this next chapter in our relationship, and have every confidence that the future will bring only the best for us and our kids. We will always be family.”
Madison reposted the message on her Instagram account. Neither Madison nor Rotella has returned text messages or emails seeking comment.
Media reports indicate that Madison was served with divorce papers Sept. 19; Rotella filed for divorce Aug. 31 in Las Vegas. The couple married Sept. 10, 2013, at Disneyland. The family — including Rainbow, 5, and Forest ,2 — has a home in the historic Rancho Circle community of Las Vegas.
Madison moved to Las Vegas in 2009 after appearing on the E! reality series “The Girls Next Door” as Hugh Hefner’s No. 1 girlfriend. She starred in “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood Resort through 2012 and had her own E! reality series, “Holly’s World.”
J-LO lands it
Jennifer Lopez is finishing her “All of Me” run at the Zappos Theater with a flourish. The show closes this weekend, and she has sold out her final 13 shows, with last Saturday’s performance and this weekend’s all open to the balcony (which means the show was beyond a sellout).
I anticipate J-LO will be back on the Strip next year or in 2020 at the Park Theater. An educated deduction, that.
Swing set at UNLV
The esteemed Dave Loeb plays keyboards on Seth Macfarlane’s long-running animated Fox series “Family Guy.” But put that aside for now. Loeb gets really excited about the student musicians at UNLV, who have a new album out, “Fascinating Rhythm/latin Journey IV.”
The UNLV artists are celebrating with a concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ham
Hall. (Tickets are $10, a mere pittance, and available on the UNLV Fine Arts website or by calling 702-895-2787.)
“This is where we find the professional musicians of tomorrow,” Loeb says. “The level of talent, and hard work, that you will see onstage is really incredible.”
Dubbed the UNLV Division of Jazz and Commercial Music CD release party, the performance will feature the school’s Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Uli Geissendoerfer; and Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Loeb and Nathan Tanouye.
Keyboardist Geissendoerfer is a fantastic (and largely underappreciated) talent in Las Vegas who hosts regular jazz performances at the Dispensary Lounge at Tropicana and Eastern avenues.
Tanouye, a top-level trombonist, performs with Celine Dion’s orchestra at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and on the road. (He also writes the horn charts for that show.) Tanouye also remains a mainstay with Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns.
Awards have poured in for the program — since 2010 the UNLV Jazz Ensemble I has received 17 Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards, considered one of the most prestigious jazz education awards in the U.S. — including six honors this past year. They were also finalists in this year’s Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival and tied for first in 2017. In short, support, as we say.
Beckford’s back
Model/actor/crunch king Tyson Beckford is back with “Chippendales” at the Rio for five weeks beginning Saturday. Beckford has set off a boomlet since his last appearance with the adult revue, taking after Kim Kardashian West with a snappy comment on an unflattering Instagram photo of the reality show icon. Something about her derriere looking unbalanced.
But you might have noticed the dearth of comment from Beckford about this incident. He’s simply not talking about any of it.
Cool hang alert
Blanket CHA call-out to the aforementioned Dispensary Lounge. Blues/r&b vocalists Toscha Comeaux performs at 10 p.m. Friday, and Lisa Gay hosts at 10 p.m. Saturday. It’s old-school Vegasville action with singer-actor Michael Delano (he was in “Rhoda” ages ago) and keyboard vet Joe Darro at 6 p.m. Sunday. The groove happens on the tight stage next to the water wheel. There is no cover. Try the cheeseburger special.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Assembly candidate refuses handcuffs in
Las Vegas court
A candidate for the Nevada Assembly faces a charge of resisting an officer after he refused to be handcuffed during a court hearing Tuesday.
2. No second chances at Las Vegas Raiders stadium, expert says
When the Las Vegas stadium becomes a venue for a major music concert, it better be a sellout show. 3. Holly Madison and Pasquale Rotella announce separation
Pasquale Rotella has filed for divorce from Holly Madison, posting a message about the decision on his Instagram account Tuesday. 4. Jury weighs gun charge after man acquitted in
Las Vegas killings
Maurice Sims faced the death penalty for five years in connection with a double homicide, and after a jury’s verdict this week he could walk free.
5. ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ Wayne Newton searching for his next venue
Wayne Newton will celebrate his 60th anniversary of performing in Las Vegas in May. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday:
1. Southern Nevada Sporting Events Committee meets
Chairman Paul Anderson summarizes Monday’s board meeting discussion on bringing major concert events to Las Vegas.
2. Las Vegas rental prices
Rental prices for Las Vegas houses are climbing at the second-fastest rate in the U.S. 3. Raiders stadium construction timeline
Animation shows the construction timeline for the Raiders stadium in Las Vegas.