[ WEEKEND ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Elvis made an appearance at the "Piranha Room" on a late Saturday night in September.
‘Piranha Room’
parties sizzle
Regularly scheduled events have become standard fare on the local nightclub and restaurant scene these days. Every nightclub worth mentioning has at least one or two on the calendar, and many restaurants are now boosting their financial bottom line by reinventing themselves as sites for late-night events and theme parties. A couple of them have survived long enough to establish themselves as more than fly-by-night events.
None of them have surpassed Russell Tanoue's "Piranha Room" parties at the Ocean Club.
'The Piranha Room'
Where: Ocean Club, Restaurant RowWhen: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. every last Saturday of the month
Admission: $5 before 9 p.m., $10 afterwards. 23 years of age and older, with a men's dress code of no jeans and shirts without collars.
Call: 531-8444
People are willing to wait sometimes an hour, sometimes longer, to get into the Restaurant Row club on the last Saturday of every month. Even more remarkable is the fact that there are three lines -- one for the general public, another for people with club VIP cards and a third for those on Tanoue's personal VIP list but who arrive after the club is packed to capacity.
So what's made "The Piranha Room" such a success? Female patrons say that the guys there "know how to behave" and don't grab at them or "act ignorant," and that the door staff looks after them. (It still doesn't keep the men from enjoying all the "eye candy" in the club.)
Tanoue also makes it a multi-medium event. His original "Electric Piranha Room" concept often emphasized performance art-type entertainment provided by troupes of dancers or specialty acts such as the Earth Circus of San Francisco. Next came the "Vice City" parties that featured local actors such as Scott Moura and R. Kevin Doyle who mingled with the crowd in their roles as policemen, porn stars and directors, drug dealers -- and a minister.
In September, Tanoue launched a new series of six theme parties that salute some of the top clubs in Las Vegas. Tanoue dubbed it "Sin City."
" 'The Piranha Room' is not just another club event, it's a production," he said. "It's the energy we create, not just a feast for one's eyes, that keeps everyone smiling."
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@ STARBULLETIN. COM
Celebrity fashion photog and Piranha Room host Russell Tanoue captured in the middle of a conversation with some of his guests in the VIP section.
"Sin City" kicked off to a capacity crowd in September with DJs Frankie and Joey representing the MGM Grand Hotel's Studio 54. Then DJ Eddie flew in from Bellagio's Light nightclub last month. DJ R.O.B. (Right On Beat), musical director and resident DJ of The Palms' Ghost Bar, will be Tanoue's featured guest tomorrow. After that, it'll be the "Rum Jungle," "Tabu" and "Ra" over the next three months through February.
"What you can expect for the next four months ... is the vibe from the top clubs in Las Vegas as we feature their DJ, along with special treats, fashion shows and Las Vegas trip giveaways. It's my once-a-month playground where my elite guests from the modeling, entertainment (and) recording industry come to play," Tanoue said.
He added that he doesn't consider himself to be a promoter per se for "The Piranha Room."
"You won't catch me out in the public passing out fliers. I'm more like the host. If the event turns out to a dreadful one, it would reflect on me, and if it's successful, I look good. So far, I'm looking damn good, thanks to the Ocean Club and our fabulous team."
TANOUE WAS originally approached to create a high-profile special event at the club after he celebrated his birthday with a theme party there in the summer of 2000. He spent several months familiarizing himself with the staff and observing the way the club operated before entering into an agreement with general manager Beau Mohr.
Mohr came up with the name and a slogan, "The night that has bite!" He and Tanoue finally debuted the concept on December 29, 2001.
"I'm always there for the longevity, and we're now in our third successful year," Tanoue said.`
"Each year, we raise it to the next level. When you work with a team that is upfront and honest, anything is possible. I like to celebrate life, and seeing that every guest is right in the moment is what feels good." Because of its success, Tanoue has turned down offers and invitations from other night spots to present similar "Piranha Room" themed events.
"I have to believe it's all about being real, indulging in the right energy and having faith (that) everything will fall into place. I have (people) that e-mail me from all over the world, and it's these people that reassure me that I'm doing a good thing."
Tanoue also maintains a strict "no drugs" policy and makes it clear that his regular and VIP guests are expected to behave themselves. He's also been known to encourage partygoers to call a cab if they're feeling a bit impaired.
He admits that he has to be careful that he doesn't spread himself too thin. First, there's his high-profile career as a fashion photographer, and Tanoue is also in demand as a makeup artist, hair stylist and pageant coach. He's also the founder of Project Shine, a non-profit program where he uses his professional skills to lift the spirits of women who are battling cancer or other potentially terminal illnesses.
"My intent is always to make a difference in one's life through my talents. (Project Shine) is all about lifting the spirits of the less fortunate through make-over photo shoots, and it's very dear to me. I think you're given a talent to share, inspire, and create magical moments. I was so touched when one of my Project Shine recipients said in an interview, 'Russell changed my whole life,' because you don't realize the impact you're making."
Click for online
calendars and events.
