Is there life after Prince?
The recent closure of 3121 Jazz Cuisine suggests that The Rio is about find out
BY BEN STEPHENS

First, Prince was supposed to wrap up his stint at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in March. Then it was April. That moving target has kept entertainment columnists busy attempting to pin down the pop icon's pending departure.

But is the closure last month of 3121 Jazz Cuisine, the scene of his late-night jam sessions, the latest sign Prince's six-month reign is coming to a close? Perhaps; only the Grammy award-winning artist knows for sure.

The restaurant announced earlier this month it closed for regular business, although Prince's jam sessions will continue there after his two-hour-long shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Performances will last until at least the end of this month, according to Celena Haas, the Rio's director of public relations.

"That place will probably remain dark until we have a new concept," Haas said, rejecting speculation about the return of the steak house to the space to be vacated by 3121 Jazz Cuisine. "It's not going to reopen as Fiore's," she said.

Club 3121 has had a short run in the former home of Club Rio. But no one should be surprised at the show's life span: Haas says that it was by design.

The original contract with Prince was to last only through March, so Haas calls his staying through April a bonus. "We didn't know he was staying for April until the end of March." And there's nothing to stop Prince from extending it another month, should he choose, she adds.

Club 3121 declined an interview request but released an anonymous statement through the public relations firm contracted to represent the show. "3121 and 3121 Jazz Cuisine were multi-month, limited engagements and were always set to conclude in the Spring," the e-mail reads. "The restaurant closed at the end of March, but the 3121 engagement was extended through April due to a very successful run of Prince's sold out Friday and Saturday night performances."

Although Haas could not release figures, she says Prince's show has been profitable. Every performance's 900 tickets ($125 general admission) sold out. Revenue was further bolstered by VIP tables and bottle-service sales, she says. "Prince has been amazing -- an asset to our property," Haas added.

What will life be like after Prince? That's anyone's guess, too.

What will take the show's spot remains unknown. The 30,000-square-foot theater/club has also been home to the Chippendales, The Scintas (whose post-Rio run at the Sahara Hotel & Casino ends May 12) and ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, who recently opened at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. "We're entertaining some different concepts right now," Haas reported, "but nothing's been solidified."

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I didn't see this anywhere, so I thought I'd post it.

Thank u... Nice 2 read and know that 3121 was a success and Prince extended it out another month. Could this 3121 small club style atmosphere be something Prince does as a tour? Can’t wait 4 him 2 come here 2 Cali.

Damn, I really REALLY should have made time to see one of these Vegas shows

CalhounSq said:

Hell if he's going to Cali next, isn't that closer to you?

Ifsixwuz9 said:

Well yea, that's IF I make it down to LA which I'll try to do.

CalhounSq said:

Two words...

FUCKING AWESOME!!!!

I'm sooo glad I went! I was hoping to go again before the run ran out, but... just too much $$$ for me right now.

June7 said:

Okay, now I feel twice as pouty

CalhounSq said:

I am so happy that I shelled out the $$$ to go to 3121! It was truly the BEST Prince experience I have ever had, and I've been a fan for more than two decades and have seen him live about 14 or 15 times. The concerts and especially the after shows were UN-FOR-GET-ABLE!!!

I am also very happy that it was a success. So many people are so quick to knock Prince's biz moves or talk crap about the choices he makes. It always makes me happy to see him do well. He's still charting his own path and I admire that. Prince!