The celebration "was bigger than New Year's Eve. We wanted fireworks," said Wallace, after Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was declared the winner over Sen. John McCain.

The gathering consisted of a number of old friends of Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, including "Seinfeld" star Michael Richards.

Wallace said a celebratory voice was heard over the party din when Obama and his wife, Michelle, appeared on the runway with their children for his victory speech at Chicago's jam-packed Grant Park.

"Oh, that's my dress!" hollered Cuban-American fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez. The red and black ensemble from Rodriguez's Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection featured a criss-cross black satin detail, one of Rodriguez's signature looks.

Another surprise came at the end of Obama's speech.

"Jerry went 'that's my music,'" Wallace said.

It was the theme song from "The Bee Movie," which was co-created by Seinfeld, who starred in the animated comedy about a bee who rebels against being forced to make honey and files a class action lawsuit against humans.

"This is big," said Wallace. "It's big for the world. Did you see how the world reacted? People rejoicing in Kenya, Australia, Hong Kong. To me, it had nothing to do with race. More non-African-Americans put him in office.

"It teaches everybody what an education can do," said Wallace. "He got to Harvard because of his education. He became a senator through education."

Wallace said he wouldn't miss the inauguration for anything.

"Oh yes, I'm going," he said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

CBS is airing a one-hour "48 hours" special Saturday on the Craig Titus-Kelly Ryan case. Elite bodybuilders, Titus and his wife, Kelly Ryan, were charged and convicted in the death of their personal assistant, Melissa James, 28. Their attorneys -- Michael Cristalli (Titus) and Marc Saggese (Ryan) are in the special. ...

Clint Holmes is the featured guest artist tonight at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He'll be performing with his pianist and conductor Vincent Falcone of Las Vegas and the New York Pops orchestra. Holmes, a Las Vegas headliner for almost a decade, will perform 10 songs in "New York Songs: A Love Letter to the City." Holmes has his fans in the New York area. He had his own television variety show and interview series on Channel 9 in New York and was Atlantic City's "Entertainer of the Year" three times.

MAY I RECOMMEND...

The Vegas Valley Book Festival, the area's largest literary event, continues today and Saturday, with most sessions and book signings taking place in the historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth. For more information go to the city Web site at www.artslasvegas.org/vvbf.

DANCING WITH THE STARS

The fourth edition of the "Dancing with the Stars" tour stops Dec. 29 at the Orleans.

The lineup will include Lance Bass, Toni Braxton and Maurice Greene from Season 7, as well as Marlee Matlin from Season 6, joining other professional dancers. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday and can be purchased at www.DancingWithThe StarsOnTour.com as well as www.orleansarena.com.

SIGHTINGS

At Rain (Palms) on Wednesday: Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick, with friends. At another table, Gene Simmons of KISS. Patrick was in town for the league's awards bash at The Pearl. Also attending: Helio Castroneves, Arie Luyendyk, Scott Dixon, Paul Tracy, Graham Rahal, and Victor Mira. ... Former NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace, checking out Aliante Station and dining at MRKT Sea & Land on Wednesday night. Aliante opens to the public next week. ... Holly Madison and Criss Angel, at Pure Tuesday and at Keith Barry's hypnomagician show at Planet Hollywood on Wednesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"If not for the first ever African-American president, be happy for the first vice president with hair plugs." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.