D-Money’s legendary Players Ball, one of the biggest events on the porn social calendar since 1999, will offer fans triple the opportunities to see, be seen, and rub shoulders with the elite in 2007.
Scheduled for Jan. 12, 15, and 16 at Empire Ballroom (formerly Club Utopia), the star-studded evenings will commence at 9:45 p.m. PT and continue until 2 a.m. or until everyone has collapsed, whichever is later, according to D-Money.
Following the PB’s tradition of big-name acts (Snoop Dogg headlined in 2001), headliners include Too Short and Ice Cube. Special guest artists include a new project from MoneyB and several members of perennial favorite Digital Underground, up-and-coming rapper Stacee Adamz (who will open for Ice Cube), a tribe of “at least 20 of Vegas’ best go-go dancers” (provided by CECash), and a small herd of about 30 strippers from one of the city’s most popular gentlemen’s clubs. In addition, special appearances are expected by professional roller skater Reggie Harris (of “Gong Show” fame), and Mr. Porn himself, Ron Jeremy.
“We finally decided to put Ron on the payroll. That seemed to be a better idea than paying him not to get on the stage,” D-Money joked of Jeremy’s “surprise” appearance at every PB since the beginning. He added Jeremy is a “great guy who loves the ball.”
Also on the agenda is the annual Big Woody Awards ceremony, which since 2000 has rewarded adult industry standouts with notoriety and an especially graphic trophy.
“The Big Woody Awards already has been spoofed on TV at least twice,” D-Money noted, saying the animated comedy series “Family Guy” and the drama “Vegas” both have aluded to the awards.
Although D-Money has tried other themes in the past, “pimps and hos” seems to be the most popular, so that has been designated the dress code for January’s events.
“The guys get excited about dressing up as pimps, and the girls get a chance to wear basically nothing,” he said, laughing. “It always works.”
Nearly naked women are a theme in themselves for the Players Ball.
“I don’t get banners and crazy lighting,” D-Money revealed. “When I dress an event, it’s with beautiful women” (who are barely dressed).
Because one never knows exactly how many or which mainstream celebrities will join the fun, ball tickets—all of which are free of charge—are expected to be among the hottest commodities in a town that thrives on adult entertainment. As always, they’re limited in number and available only by advance reservation, special invitation, or from sponsors (including primary sponsors SexSearch and PussyCash).
It can cost as much as $100,000 to book one act for the ball, but D-Money said sponsors are generous and share his commitment to offering a good time to be had by all.
“I don’t do it to make a profit,” he said. “I’m happy if I break even. I really do it because I enjoy doing it, and it’s my way of giving back to the community that has given me so much.”
