Hustler Club celebration to honor Larry Flynt postponed

Too soon? Yes, as it turns out.

Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club has postponed Friday night’s celebration of life planned to honor the late publishing magnate. Club operator Jason Mohney said the decision was made out of respect for Flynt’s family.

“We have decided to postpone Larry Flynt’s celebration of life out of respect for a grieving widow,” Mohney said in a statement issued Wednesday night, referring to Elizabeth Berrios, Flynt’s wife since 1998. “We, too, are saddened by the loss of our partner and dear friend, and stand by his immediate family during this difficult time.”

Officials say the event will be planned at a later date, on a larger scale, as the city’s pandemic restrictions are lifted. The club had generated international media attention for honoring Flynt in such a splashy way. The First Amendment pioneer and porn-industry icon died Feb. 10 at age 78.

Friday’s party was to highlight Jennifer Romas’ “Sexxy” revue. The club’s residency show is performing on in a limited engagement until it can return to Westgate Cabaret. Romas and her cast had been planning to perform after dinner, at 9 p.m. As late as midday Wednesday, Romas had been prepping her show from the stage.

The club also had announced plans for an onstage memorial, a rooftop balloon release, the vodka Flynt Goldfinger vodka cocktail as the signature drink, and a Larry Flynt Remembrance Package “for those who wish to enjoy a VIP experience mirroring Flynt’s lavish lifestyle.”

Rush show

We had a moment, years ago with Rush Limbaugh, the influential, long-running conservative radio host who died of cancer Wednesday at age 70.

In a move that sparked debate across the media landscape, Limbaugh was selected as a judge at the 2010 Miss America Pageant, held at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts (now known as Zappos Theater).

Limbaugh shared judging duties with sax great Dave Koz; actress/producer Vivica A. Fox; the 2002 pageant winner, Katie Harman; Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson; comic-actor Paul Rodriguez; and pop artist Brooke White.

During a press conference the week of the show, Limbaugh explained he was not judging based on political affiliation or cultural predisposition.

“I’m not trying to find Miss Conservative,” Limbaugh told the assembled press reps. “I’ve already found her.”

I called out, “Which state?” The radio host responded, “I feel comfortable judging people,” which got a laugh. For the record, Caressa Cameron of the great state of Virginia won that year’s event.

‘Fantasy’ indeed

Magic Murray Sawchuck is again pulling double duty on the Strip. He continues to headline at Laugh Factory at the Tropicana, and fill the middle section of “Fantasy” at Luxor Theater as the show returns Friday night.

Sawchuck’s partner in life and onstage, “Crazy Girls” cast member Dani Elizabeth, is also back as his stage assistant in “Fantasy.”

Sawchuck continues to impress, and even confound, in keeping so busy throughout the pandemic. He’s started a side hustle, Dirt 2 Dreams Landscaping, during the shutdown. How does Sawchuck manage? As he says, “Hair and hustle.” We agree.

Your Vegas Moment

Leaving Area15 after a tour of Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart installation, a guy in a cherry-red cowboy outfit, replete with a bedazzled mask and hat, cruised by on a razor scooter. This guy was costumed, top to bottom. But I recognized him. “Chris!” I shouted.

The guy stopped, turned around and said, “Kats?”

He was a person we’ve known, but bald and in a different color: Chris Wink of the Blue Man Group. Today he operates Wink World at Area15. “How in the world did you recognize me?” he asked. “I’m totally costumed.”

“I have no idea,” I said. “Must be the mannerisms.” We go way back.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.