He’s a throwback to the tradition of classic showmen like P.T. Barnum and Flo Ziegfield, with a dash of Studio 54 legends Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager mixed in. The New York-born Ivan Kane, owner of Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce clubs in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, got his gift for presentation from his father, a men’s clothing designer whose elaborate showroom sets taught him the value of a good fantasy in selling your product, whether it’s a suit or a nightclub. In 2002, he launched Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce, a burlesque striptease show and nightclub. An “Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce” will soon open in London as well as San Diego’s Gas Lamp district and, in a well-publicized partnership with Sting and David Bowie, in Manhattan.

Rob is an aspiring ultramarathoner who has completed five marathons, was a member of the 1992 and 1993 All-Star Ivy League teams which competed in the prestigious Japan Inter-University Ekiden Championships in Osaka, Japan. Rob was a pacer and crew member for Shannon Griefer in the 29th Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon, which began at Badwater, Death Valley. He is also an executive at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Shannon Griefer is the first woman in the world to double the official “Badwater 135″ mile Death Valley race, which marks the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere at 280’ (85m) below sea level ((and she’s a three-time finisher). The race finishes at the Mt. Whitney Portals at 8360′ (2533m). The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent. The Portals are the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

Jerry Schilling was bodyguard, confidant and friend to Elvis Presley. His memoir “Me and a Guy Named Elvis” gives an insight into the human side of the King. Schilling, a member of the “Memphis Mafia,” was 12 years old and in a football huddle on a hot July afternoon in 1954 when he first met Elvis. They became lifelong friends.

AJ Benza is the host of “High Stakes Poker” on GSN. He also hosted PAX’s “Cold Turkey” for two seasons. Prior to that, he was the host of E! Entertainment Television’s successful series “Mysteries & Scandals” and the network’s short-lived yet late-night talk show, “A.J. After Hours.” His movie credits include “Rocky VI, which debuts December 22. Benza recently published his memoirs, “Fame, Ain’t It A Bitch,” a critically-acclaimed, highly-charged account of his rise to power and fall from grace as New York City’s most controversial columnist of the 1990’s.

Brett Butler is best known for her role as quick-witted Grace Kelly on the hit ABC-TV series “Grace Under Fire,” and won a People’s Choice award for her work on that sitcom. She now stars as “Joy’s Mom” on the NBC sitcom, “My Name Is Earl.” Brett has toured the United States with her sidesplitting stand-up performance for more than 20 years and is author of “Knee Deep in Paradise,” her autobiography, which made The New York Times Bestseller list.

Mr. Foy has been a casting director for more than 40 years with Columbia Pictures/Screen Gems, 20th Century Fox, the Disney Channel and Dick Clark Productions. He was director of casting for ABC and vice president of casting for NBC. His credits include “The Donna Reed Show,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Roots I and II,” and “Happy Days. “He has been the talent producer for The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon for more than 35 years.

Dave Tuley is a writer for the Daily Racing Form, the horseplayer’s bible. His beat, for the past six years, has been the race and sports books in Las Vegas. Since football is the number one betting sport in this country, that’s his number one priority for the next six months. He also covers all of the big horse handicapping tournaments in town and was here at the Hilton this past weekend covering the Pick the Ponies tournament.

Wayne Allyn Root, chairman and CEO of GWIN Inc, America’s only publicly-traded sports handicapping company, has become a brand name in American sports handicapping. He also is a best-selling author, TV celebrity and self-made millionaire. He is the Creator, Co-Executive Producer and Co-Host of the new primetime TV series “King of Vegas” on Spike TV. Wayne Allyn Root will receive his STAR from the Las Vegas Walk of Stars on August 15.

Hawaii’s celebrated entertainment troupe, Society of Seven (SOS), with their one-of-a-kind mix of blues, ballads, comedy, and impersonations, has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining and energetic shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Society of Seven is comprised of seven of Hawaii’s finest performers with an eclectic mix of talents. As a group they cover just about every instrument including horns, keyboards, and guitar.

Nichelle Nichols, famed for her role as Uhura on “Star Trek” (1966) was generally considered the first African American actress portrayed in a non-stereotypical role. She was discovered by Duke Ellington in her mid-teens and toured with both him and Lionel Hampton as a lead singer and dancer. During the late 1970s through 1987, Nichols worked for NASA and was in charge of astronaut recruits.

David McKee has been covering the casino industry since 1995 and in Nevada since 1999. During that time, he has held positions at Casino Executive Magazine, Casino Journal and Global Gaming Business. His byline has also appeared in International Gaming & Wagering Business, Casino Enterprise Management, Native American Casino, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas CityLife. A music student in his spare time, McKee has written for the program books of the Minnesota Orchestra, Washington Opera and San Francisco Opera, as well as for the American Record Guide.

Patrick Duffy represents the Neon Museum. Its mission is to collect, preserve, study and exhibit neon signs and other artifacts for educational and cultural enrichment. The Museum’s collection ranges from the 1940’s to today, with some pieces restored as public art and mapped for its walking tour, while others are kept in the “boneyard” and available by appointment only.

Both hail from Sydney Australia, and both perform in “Thunder From Down Under.” David was born in Hong Kong and lived in France for two years. Luke grew up in Sydney and was a businessman before becoming a dancer.

On location at the Hilton Monorail Station with Mayor Oscar Goodman, Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid, Coach Lenny Wilkens, and Clyde “The Clide” Drexler.