Break out the go-go boots for showdown at Tao

Don't expect there to be a lack of scantily clad women in bras, fishnets, tiny bottoms and monster boots running around Tao nightclub Thursday.

That's because The Venetian mega-club will be crawling with some of Las Vegas' finest dancers as they compete in the "Tao A-Gogo" showdown, with a $10,000 grand prize going to the winner.

Special guest emcee Pete Giovine, one of the stars of "Beacher's Madhouse," will host the party at Tao. Last year's competition saw Cinammon, probably best known for her time dancing with the Flaunt Foxxes dance troupe at Seamless After Hours, take home the cash as the winner.

Doors open at 10 p.m., with resident DJ Five bringing the music from the turntables.

Tardy Nas performs at Jet -- Rapper Nas made a rare appearance last Friday at Jet, highlighted by his performance -- albeit a late one -- in front of the partygoers.

Nas, out promoting his new album that dropped Tuesday, was reportedly an hour late to The Mirage venue, frustrating patrons and members of the media.

Once there, Nas puffed away on his cigar while throwing back glasses of Cristal champagne before taking the microphone about two hours after he arrived.

Usher highlights weekend at LAX, Pure -- Music star Usher made a double appearance this past weekend, dropping by Pure last Friday before hosting the evening's festivities at sister club LAX on Saturday.

Flashes came from cameras and cell phones as patrons tried to snare photos of Usher, actor Chris Tucker and music mogul Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds on the main VIP stage during the A-list trio's surprise appearance.

Maroon 5 party coming to Moon -- Singer Adam Levine and his band, Maroon 5, will host their after-concert party Saturday at Moon.

The group will perform earlier in the evening at The Pearl at the Palms before heading upstairs to the club to celebrate.

Sexy shindig hits PollyEsthers tonight -- Summer isn't over yet, folks. Well, at least not at one nightclub.

The "Bikini Car Wash" contest heats things up tonight at PollyEsthers inside the Stratosphere, where cash prizes will be awarded to ladies looking the sexiest in their swim gear. There will be drink specials for all women wearing bikinis.

V Bar weekly event continues -- The "Pop Rock" party hits the popular, alternative hot spot Wednesday inside The Venetian.

Pop and rock tunes from the 1980s to present are brought to the party people from host DJ Alpyne. There is no cover charge for the event, which features bottle specials.

Barker takes stage at LAX -- Former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker will perform a special set tonight with resident DJ AM inside the Luxor venue.

DJ Riz coming to Tangerine -- DJ Riz, one of the stars of music's Crooklyn Cran, delivers a performance Sunday at the weekly "Moonshine" party inside Treasure Island.

Sighting of the week -- Legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash made a visit to Las Vegas last Friday, stopping by Poetry nightclub inside the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Jeremy Pond covers the nightclub scene for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Vegas Confidential. His column appears Fridays in Neon and online at reviewjournal.com and www.normclarke.com. He can be reached at 383-0298 or via e-mail at jpond@reviewjournal.com.