As proof that Las Vegas really has a unique place in the American landscape, the city and a few of its most famous stage legends popped up in a story about artist Thomas Kinkaide, who apparently likes to have a few belts, disparage stage magicians and “mark his territory.” From the LA Times:
Dandois, who left the company to become chief executive of a group of galleries owned by Kinkade’s brother, Patrick, recounted that about six years ago the artist was so intoxicated during a performance by Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas that people seated nearby moved away from him.
“I think it was Roy or Siegfried or whatever had a codpiece in his leotards,” Dandois testified. “And so when the show started, Thom just started yelling, ‘Codpiece, codpiece,’ and had to be quieted by his mother and Nanette.”
…
In a deposition, the artist alluded to his practice of urinating outdoors, saying he “grew up in the country” where it was common. When pressed about allegedly relieving himself in a hotel elevator in Las Vegas, Kinkade said it might have happened.
“There may have been some ritual territory marking going on, but I don’t recall it,” he said.
Dark Portrait of a ‘Painter of Light’ – Los Angeles Times
Kinkaide didn’t just target Las Vegas elevators–he reportedly also whizzed on Winnie the Pooh, of all things, while in Orange County (check the article for all the steamy details.
But there is some good news to come out of all of this. The article’s last paragraph has a few words of wisdom from Kinkaide:
“Book of Ecclesiastes says enjoy yourself, have a glass of wine, for this is God’s will for you,” he said. “It’s never consistent with God’s will that we behave in a sinful way; however, God also loves us and accepts us and understands that at times we have our failings.”
So it is entirely possible to enjoy yourself a little too much but still bill yourself as a “morally upright” person. So if you get caught doing something you shouldn’t vaguely cite the Book of Ecclesiastes and hope for the best.