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Steve Wynn, Victor Drai, XS, HRH and The Light Group in nightlife shakeups
Paris Hilton and boyfriend Cy Waits arrested after club celebration
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Weekend review: Paris Hilton arrest overshadows other celebrity events
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Labor Day Weekend: Myriad options in Las Vegas packed into four days
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Photos: New Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign melts in your mouth
Photos: DWTS’ Season 11 contestants begin rehearsals
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The Amazing Kreskin issues a $1 million challenge in Sahara debuts
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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for October 2008
Strip Scribbles: Christmas shopping suggestions courtesy of Cher
*I can’t “Believe” there are just 54 shopping days until Christmas and Caesars Palace singing headline star Cher has come up with an early suggestion for gift-giving! Her boutique alongside the Colosseum there features several unforgettable items for the Cher-ry season! How about the Loree Rodkin bondage ring that Cher often wears herself? It’s a gothic, 2.4-carat black diamond at just $18,500! Seeking cheaper in these economic hard times? How about handmade chrome angel (you just can’t escape his name ... Read more...
World’s best bull riders are ready for their 8 seconds
Sin City becomes Cowboy Country this weekend, all next week and the following weekend, but don’t be confused — the jeans, boots and Stetsons are not Halloween costumes. For the fans of the 2008 Professional Bull Riders World Finals, the outfits are the real thing and perfect to wear for the next 10 days at the Thomas & Mack Center. With five season victories this year, 26-year-old Guilherme Marchi of Brazil is leading, with 65 successful rides from 87 bulls ... Read more...
Hollywood stars and porn princesses host exotic and erotic Halloween bashes
In addition to the magic, there’ll be mayhem and madness as Halloween kicks off a wild, wicked, wanton weekend. Ghouls, goblins, skeletons and spooks will be out in full fright-night force and, at every event of our only-in-Vegas Halloween hell-ebration, there will be outrageous outfits and crazy costumes. Hollywood stars will be going head-to-head against XXX-adult-rated actresses. Only in Vegas, folks! The Blush nightclub at Wynn kicked it all off with the annual Tramp-oleen party, and poker stars Daniel Negreanu, ... Read more...
Believe, Cirque and Criss Angel’s $100 million show, premieres tonight
A 15-year dream finally comes true for Mindfreak magician Criss Angel tonight. This is it! After two years of pre-production and 30 days of preview rehearsals, the curtain goes up on the world premiere of his $100 million Believe show with Cirque du Soleil. It also marks the 82nd anniversary of the Halloween death of his hero, Hungarian-born Harry Houdini. Criss built the very first concept models of his show from “gaffer” tape and cardboard back in 1993 when he ... Read more...
Michael kills Jermaine’s promise of a Jacksons reunion
The pop-music world was abuzz late yesterday (Thursday) with promises of a long-awaited Jackson family reunion next year. This morning (Friday) Michael Jackson shot it down. Said Michael, currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of his monster hit album Thriller hit: “While I support my family in many endeavors, there will not be a reunion tour or series of concert dates.” The near yearlong reunion rumors seemed to have been confirmed yesterday, when Jermaine Jackson was interviewed for a story sent ... Read more...
Caesars shares Cher dates for 2009; tickets on sale Monday
Caesars Palace officials confirmed moments ago that tickets will go on sale this coming Monday (Nov. 3) for Cher’s return to The Colosseum. The superstar singer bowed out of several shows earlier this month due to a chronic bronchial throat problem -– and any hopes for further dates this year were scrapped. Also on Monday, Cher will appear on the daytime Ellen DeGeneres talks how and talk about her recovery and her resumed headliner deal on the Strip. She has ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Jonas Brothers ‘Scream,’ Paris Hilton’s video and tonight’s tips
* Pop idols the Jonas Brothers were on the Strip last night – but ran for their lives. No, the screaming wasn’t from rabid teenage fans who spotted them! It was because Joe and Nick went through the Screamers haunted house on the bridge outside the New York New York hotel casino, and were scared and shaken up by the bloody chainsaws used at the end of the ‘show’ maze! “They ran for their own lives,” one spywitness told me ... Read more...
15th annual PBR World Finals buck out today as McBride guns for $1 million prize
Week in and week out, for the past eight months the world’s best bull riders have been competing on the elite 2008 Built Ford Tough Series — all riding to qualify for the World Finals presented by Wrangler. This year, the PBR World Finals celebrates its 15th Anniversary in Vegas and the two-weekend event at the Thomas & Mack Center jump-starts tonight (Thursday) at the Fremont Street Experience with the kick-off party. Competing riders for the coveted $1 million title ... Read more...
Wall Street follows up on MGM analysis as Venetian/Palazzo sets major announcement
Following the third-quarter earnings conference call to Wall Street by our MGM Mirage officials here, the investment bankers revealed that the “roaring lion” has permanently cut out $225 million in operating costs! Respected analyst Joseph Greff made three key predictions when he noted, “MGM is navigating as well as any casino operator can in a difficult economic environment with limited visibility on casino traffic and spend.” He said: “We believe that MGM will ultimately succeed in raising new debt capital ... Read more...
A sneak preview of Amazing Johnathan’s frightful Halloween party – expect some ‘missing persons’
More than 1,500 morbid fans of the macabre will show up tonight (Thursday) at Amazing Johnathan’s annual Halloween horror-fest. This year he’s dubbed the devil’s decadent display with a “Missing Persons” theme because, as he says: “Some people will simply get lost in it — and never get out. I’ve got the body bags lined up already!” Expect to see his fellow magicians David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and Penn & Teller, along with such other Strip famous faces as Carrot ... Read more...
Security ramped up as celeb-laden Believe premiere approaches
Thousands of Criss Angel “Loyals” and fans are expected to jam-pack the Luxor tomorrow (Friday) as the world’s media gathers with showbiz stars from Vegas and across the country for the glittering gala premiere of his new Cirque du Soleil show Believe. Additional police and security will be on hand to control the anticipated crowds — many of them dressed in bizarre and magical Halloween costumes. I’m reliably told that more than $1 million is being spent on the mind-blowing ... Read more...
Innovative Nevadans honored by Cartier at exclusive Wynn party
Life in our valley isn’t always about fun and frivolity. We are an extraordinarily generous community of folks who give and support so magnanimously to a multitude of causes. Our favorite Alzheimers charity for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, under construction downtown, launched its new campaign “New Thinking about Thinking” with a Cartier jewelry, sponsored party on the Sunset Terrace at Wynn and hosted by Steve and Elaine Wynn. The pioneering, talented and innovative women were picked for the indelible ... Read more...
Famed footwear fashionista explains why stilettos make women sexier
Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti has reigned supreme in the fashion footwear business for the past 20-years — and he turned up at his Caesars Palace salon to introduce his 2008-2009 fall and winter collections kindly donating 20 percent of the sales to our Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. His stylish stiletto shoes and beautiful boots have been the luxurious red-carpet choice of Hollywood celebrities for ages – and our Vegas valley lovely ladies Glynda Rhodes and Linda Karosas hosted the ... Read more...
Screams of fear, fright emanate from Saw 5
It is blood-curdling, it is horrific and some are saying its the ultimate fright flick. Saw V is certainly scary-ing up some phenomenal numbers in its No. 2 slot at the box office –- so the cast had double reason to celebrate when they showed up for its premiere at Planet Hollywood. It was the fourth movie premiere this year at the property -– and more are on the way! Hotel tycoon Robert Earl introduced the cast, director, writer and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Mariah Carey’s new music video goes to the Bank
*Superstar singer Mariah Carey has completed the music video that she filmed at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio for her husband, Nick Cannon, who directed it. You can now see “I Can Stay in Love” for yourself by clicking this link. *It’s a head-to-head rivalry just 48 hours before “Mindfreak” magician Criss Angel unveils his new $100-million Cirque du Soleil production at the Luxor. Irish hypno-magician Keith Barry has a budget in the hundreds and not the millions when ... Read more...
Temptress Tila Tequila adds another T – topless – to repertoire at new restaurant
Tiny Tila Tequila is a petite powerhouse -– and the MTV reality star didn’t shy away from showing her admiration for a 25-foot-tall temptress! The self-confessed, bisexual starlet was at the gala opening of the Luxor’s new T&T restaurant when she met tequila servers, Bridget Peters and Carly Dunlap. The silver sombrero-covered Tacos & Tequila eatery is decorated with 12 painted photo-panels stretched out over 65 feet, showing a giant topless sexy bullfighter draped in revealing red fabrics to bait ... Read more...
Photos of Holly and Bridget bash at Moon
Here are the first photos from this morning’s pre-dawn Girls Next Door fun-fest at the rooftop Moon nightclub at the Palms. Former Palms bunny dealer Jessica Burciaga met up with Holly and Bridget as the Vegas beauty will be baring all her assets in the upcoming February 2009 issue of Playboy magazine. Mindfreak magician Criss Angel brought the cast from his new Believe show, including director Serge Denoncourt to join the party and he posed also for the cameras. N9NE ... Read more...
Julianne recovers as Cloris finally bids adieu on DWTS
Following double surgery, country singer and professional dancer Julianne Hough, who used to be a student here at the Las Vegas Academy, was awake and alert enough to watch last night’s Dancing with the Stars -– as Luxe Life reported yesterday evening. (CLICK HERE) Incredibly, she vowed to return in time for next week’s follow-up round with her dance partner, Cody Linley, from the Hannah Montana series, the youngest contestant to-date on the hit ABC-TV show. However, not even Cody ... Read more...
MGM puts casino developments on hold
MGM executives have just confirmed they have put both their casino developments on the Strip and in Atlantic City ”on hold” with no advisement as to when they will be reactivated! They have just told Wall Street analysts the Atlantis water-themed resort casino joint-venture development - with Sol Kerzner for the land between its Circus Circus property and Sahara Avenue - has been indefinitely postponed. In addition, MGM reported earnings per share for the third quarter fell to just 22 ... Read more...
Mystery surrounds Angel & Holly as Believe premiere approaches
The match-up between Girls Next Door reality star Holly Madison and Mindfreak idol Criss Angel was wrapped in its own magical mystery last night and this morning. She turned up with his mother and aunt to watch the last of the preview shows at the Luxor before Friday’s world premiere. Holly and Criss also wound-up together, ducking into a 4 a.m. breakfast this morning in the Luxor cafe with a friend. They went unrecognized, except for some pre-dawn blackjack players ... Read more...
Wall Street bracing for resorts reports
Executives at both MGM Mirage and the Las Vegas Sands -– parent of the Venetian and Palazzo resort casino hotels — will report to Wall Street investors and stockholders at 1 p.m. Pacific Time today (Wednesday) when the market closes. Stocks at both properties –- along with other gaming entities including Wynn and Boyd Gaming –- have been decimated in recent days with prices tumbling in free-fall below $10 a share. Some traded, just months ago, way above the $100 ... Read more...
DWTS’s Hough ‘resting and recuperating’
Dance champion Julianne Hough was operated on successfully this morning — and according to herDancing with the Stars partner, Cody Linley, doctors said it was a total success.” CLICK HERE for our earlier story today. Cody told TV viewers on the live satellite feed back to the East Coast from Hollywood moments ago that she is “comfortable, back home, resting and recuperating— and watching the show!” Doctors will not let her return to the show next week as she’d hoped ... Read more...
Madison hits Vegas at hair-raising RPM
It has been a busy afternoon in Vegas for Girls Next Door beauty Holly Madison. The 28-year-old reality-TV star arrived this morning (Tuesday) for tonight’s Halloween party she’s hosting at the Palms with her co-star Bridget Marquardt. Holly walked around the corner from her Palms Place luxury condominium to the Pole Position Raceway and zoomed around the course. “I love that,” she told staffers there before leaving for her hair-session with color king Michael Boychuck at his AMP Salon back ... Read more...
A Halloween match: Obama and Vegas
It’s the wildest night of the year in Vegas -– with crazy costumes, outrageous outfits and the sexiest of scandalous soirees. Everywhere you move, there’s the bizarre and the unabashed. It’s the one dress-up or undress night — all the barely clad lingerie lovelies want to be naughty nurses or stripper sluts. Right into the middle of the delicious decadence called Halloween comes the Democratic nominee for president, Sen. Barack Obama! It’s unknown whether he’ll attend the Criss Angel/Cirque du ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celine Dion’s new collection and tonight’s tips
* Former Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion – who more than likely will return there next year - releases a 26-song compilation CD today. Titled “My Love - The Ultimate Essential Collection,” it was put together while she was on her current yearlong world tour. Celine was here in Vegas on a brief break from her global travels while manager husband Rene Angelil met with Caesars executives about new dates back at the Colosseum. Celine took 8-year-old son Rene Charles ... Read more...
Culinary revolutionary Puck re-opens Postrio at The Venetian
Single-handedly, since opening Spago in Caesars Palace back in 1991, superstar celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has revolutionized the Vegas fine- dining scene. As the first starchef to arrive in town, he led the invasion of other big-name culinary kings who followed him slowly to Sin City. He opened follow-up restaurants all over the Strip, including Chinois, also at Caesars Palace; his bar and grill at MGM Grand; Lupo at Mandalay Bay; the Puck Café at Springs Preserve; and the newest, ... Read more...
Poker players join TV and movie stars for birthday and comedy fun
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps continued on with his nightclub spree when he showed up in a group of 12 friends that included pro-poker prince Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari at the Tao nightclub. Michael posed with fans for photos as the group ordered champagne and Patron tequila shots. Alongside were poker pros Phil Hellmuth and David Williams and CBS “Late Late Show” host, Scottish-born comedian Craig Ferguson. Also there after dining in the Tao restaurant below on chicken pad thai ... Read more...
Phelps and clubs getting along swimmingly as he hits Palms Place for Skeletal Metal party
Ever since he took home his record haul of nine gold medals from the Beijing Olympics, super-swimmer Michael Phelps has become a Vegas regular. He’s popped up at parties, poker parlors and nightclubs. He’s even become a new guest DJ! All with such regularity it would be safe to say Vegas has become his second home — if not his new HQs! He was the star attraction at a Skeletal Metal launch party poolside at George Maloof’s new Palms Place ... Read more...
Julianne exits for surgery; we’re sticking with prediction for jitterbugging Brooke on DWTS
It’s getting tougher and tougher now as the seven remaining contestants dwindle down to a precious few on Dancing with the Stars. I’m still holding to my original prediction that, despite a strained tendon from last week’s jitterbug, Brooke Burke will sweep the field now that our former Las Vegas Academy dance and music student, Julianne Hough, has been temporarily KO’d from the series. However, Lance Bass turned in the surprise high score of the night! Julianne revealed that she ... Read more...
Good golly, Miss Holly back in town as Believe countdown reaches Day 3
Gorgeous blond beauty Holly Madison is back in town today! The 28-year-old, sexy siren, who was 82-year-old Hugh Hefner’s former live-in love has arrived with her Girls Next Door co-star Bridget Marquardt in tow. Tonight (Tuesday), the two temptresses will host the “Trick ‘em and Treat ‘em” Halloween happening for N9NE nightclub czar J-Roc at the Playboy Club and the rooftop Moon nightclub above in the Palms Fantasy Tower. The glamour girls will be dressed up in their scandalous short ... Read more...
Stern sidekicks open groundbreaking Rick’s Cabaret
Will the day ever come when a men’s adult cabaret club, complete with topless dancers, winds up as part of our Strip casino hotel’s entertainment offerings? Eric Langan is the CEO and president of the NASDAQ publicly-traded Rick’s Cabaret -– and he’s convinced the answer is YES! When he opened his new super-sized club at the weekend with shock jock Howard Stern’s sidekicks Eric also revealed he’s one step nearer to making that happen. He told me he’s wrapping up ... Read more...
DWTS’s Hough suffering from ovarian cyst
The reason for Julianne Hough’s hospitalization last week after her appearance on Dancing With the Stars has been specified: The former Las Vegas Academy student is suffering from an ovarian cyst, though it is not yet known if the cyst is malignant or if it will knock her out of competition tonight. Luxe Life will continue to track this story. Read more...
Internet hackers send out unauthorized Siegfried & Roy news release
An unauthorized press release announcing Siegfried & Roy’s pending involvement with producer Nicole Durr’s new Sahara show Raw Talent Live was sent out at the weekend — as the result of an illegal internet hacking. Nicole’s PR folks revealed that somebody gained the password to access their mailing lists and sent out a “totally untrue and unfounded” news story announcing the illusionist’s involvement with ND’s next show. The report rumored that the “Masters of the Impossible” were returning to a ... Read more...
Luxor President Rappaport takes $100 million bet on Believe
Bankrolling a major Strip spectacular is a major financial undertaking -– not just in these uncertain economic times but any time! Meet Luxor President Felix Rappaport, who made the ultimate $100 million bet on Cirque du Soleil and Mindfreak magician Criss Angel to underwrite their new partnership — and his 15-year-dream to bring Believe to fruition. Now, just four days away from the glittering and glamorous first night gala, the MGM corporate executive is cool and calm about the mega-million ... Read more...
Dancing With the Stars: Intensity, cloaked in sequins
Professional dancer and country singer Julianne Hough promises to be back, after last week’s hospital scare, for tonight’s Dancing with the Stars on ABC. Our former Las Vegas Academy dance, drama and musical student collapsed with stomach pains last week and was rushed to hospital after our hometown headliner, singer Toni Braxton was eliminated. Luxe Life has also been monitoring the progress of Vegas regular Lance Bass -– now nicknamed Sir Dance-A-Lot. He’ll be partnered with Lacey Schwimmer tonight, and ... Read more...
90210’s McCord zips to Vegas, takes a shot with Sirens of TI
Scantily clad in a beaded silver Sirens of TI next-to-nothing costume sexy 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord took a break from her bad girl character Naomi Clark — and headed to Vegas to celebrate the Strip spectacle’s five-year anniversary. She took on the equally fierce role of “Sin,” the outdoor show’s fearsome lead seductress. AnnaLynne kicked off the night with an electrifying red-carpet appearance at the Christian Audigier nightclub, where she tousled her famously wild hair, channeled her inner Siren and ... Read more...
Soon-to-be daddy Sheen hits the scene at Planet Hollywood
Actor Charlie Sheen will soon be the proud poppa of twins with his new wife, Brooke. But he explained that her pregnancy kept her home back in Hollywood when he made a rare Vegas nightclub hosting appearance at Prive in the Planet Hollywood this weekend. Charlie showed up solo for his red carpet photos wearing a white fedora and after mugging for the cameras he asked if fellow actor Michael Boatman could join him. Turns out, Michael was celebrating his ... Read more...
STRIP SCRIBBLES: Biden’s family picks pasta and parmignon
*Tattooed chef and DJ Steve Martorano played host to Sen. Joe Biden’s family when they visited Café Martorano at the Rio for the best Italian food from Philadelphia. I was enjoying the new menu and tackling the eggplant, mozzarella, tomato tower stacks when the Democratic vice president nominee’s son Hunter along with the senator’s younger brother, Frank, popped in for pasta, pepperoni and parmignon -– and everybody was so KO’d with the fabulous food they even posed for this exclusive ... Read more...
Injured Saint Bush gets a leg up on Kim Kardashian’s birthday
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her New Orleans Saints running back beau, Reggie Bush, should have been in London this week celebrating her 28th birthday. Instead – as Luxe Life revealed here last week — they spent it in doctor’s examining rooms and a Georgia hospital bed. The curvy, long-tressed Dancing with the Stars beauty had to dump her party frock and don a dowdy hospital gown to help him recover from a serious knee injury sustained 10 days ... Read more...
It’s official: Donny & Marie on the Strip through 2010
It’s official this morning that America’s favorite brother-sister duo, Donny & Marie, will extend their contract as the resort’s headliners for two years, through October 2010. The news from Flamingo President Don Marrandino confirms two previous exclusive Luxe Life stories. The contract has an option clause in it for an additional two-years for a total of four years that Luxe Life first reported after an interview with Donny at the recent Andre Agassi Grand Slam event at the Wynn. He ... Read more...
The kiss, the cake and the Kardashians — photos for your perusal
Sexy reality TV star Kim Kardashian dragged her injured NFL star boyfriend Reggie Bush from a hospital bed to Vegas to celebrate her 28th birthday — and her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe, came along for the fun at LAX in the Luxor, too! She was presented with a giant cake and an even larger piece of extraordinary bling! Check back for the Luxe Life story of her kiss, her cake, those carats — and how she got hobbled Reggie back ... Read more...
A real political party McGowan hosts ‘Get Out the Vote’ event at Bank
Actress Rose McGowan hosted a ‘ Get Out and Vote” party at the Bank nightclub in the Bellagio - and it was still roaring along early this morning (Sunday). Rose posed for celebrity photographer Denise Truscello for a patriotic bi-partisan photo - and with McGowan’s galpal, Samantha Mathis. Remember the election is just days away now — and its your duty and right to vote! Read more...
Taking Fright: Circus Circus attraction still a popular haunt
For the third consecutive year, the Fright Dome at Circus Circus has been named one of the top five haunted attractions in America. “Each year we go to the extreme and to make sure we are scarier and more terrifying than the year before,” said Jason Egan, founder and owner of Fright Dome. “Being recognized as one of the top haunted houses in the nation for the third consecutive year is further proof that we feature some of the most ... Read more...
America’s top chefs ‘fire up’ for 48-hour eating and drinking festival
It has been the most amazing week in Vegas history for superchefs and fine dining. It began with the rising future star chefs awards, continued on with the Michelin Guide’s 3-star announcements, and it all wraps up tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) with the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America weekend. Think of it as a special salute to Vegas as America’s most exciting dining destination with the country’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs arriving to pay homage to our own ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Kim & Charlie in nightclub showdown
*Two rival nightclubs will rely on Hollywood star power to grab the spotlight this weekend. Sexy reality star Kim Kardashian, who has been a regular visitor here for several months this year returns to celebrate her birthday at the LAX nightclub in the Luxor. Kim, who has appeared this TV season on Dancing with the Stars and her own Keeping Up with the Kardashians, will blow out the 28 candles on her cake. Kim flies in from an Alabama hospital, ... Read more...
Sirens blare for pirate show’s fifth anniversary
Four times a night and seven times a week, amidst eye-popping pyrotechnics, the sexy Sirens have fought off the pirates- and won! The 18-minute battle has always ended with the beauty outstripping the brawn and sinking their ship! It won’t be any different tomorrow (Saturday), when the outdoor TI show celebrates its fifth anniversary! Except that TV’s 90210 star, AnnaLynne McCord, will guest as a celebrity Siren and perform in the show’s finale dressed in the costume of Sirens’ lead ... Read more...
Inside Angel’s crammed diary as Believe Countdown reaches Day 7
There are just seven days left on our countdown to Criss Angel’s world premiere of his new Cirque du Soleil Believe magical mystery show at the Luxor. Just how much work goes into a $100-million production as it gets ready to be unveiled to the theater-going crowds? Just how fit does the star have to keep himself for the rigorous twice-nightly performances? Well, Luxe Life has all the answers, thanks to an intimate peek inside his daily diary now that ... Read more...
Angel, Carrot Top and Fantasy girls join Tila Tequila at Luxor club opening
Sexy, self-confessed bisexual reality star Tila Tequila stole the spotlight at the red-carpet grand opening of the new T&T mod-Mex restaurant Wednesday night in the Luxor. She even admitted to being tempted by the tequila-temptresses who serve the south of the border drink there! Luxe Life will have the full photo report early next week and a special look at the 65-foot-long, 25-foot-high oil paintings of those temptresses! Meantime enjoy the first night sights and sounds video right here with ... Read more...
NBA approves Palms wagering on games — except Sacramento Kings
Moments ago the the Board of Governors of the National Basketball Association ruled that the Palms casino resort is now permitted to accept wagering on all NBA games - not involving the Sacramento Kings. This will be the first time that the Palms will be allowed to accept wagering on NBA games since it opened in 2001. The ban was in place because the Palms resort is owned by members of the George Maloof family and the Sacramento Kings are ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Jenna Jameson, racy rumors and tonight’s tips
I must update out story from yesterday about Dancing with the Stars professional Julianne Hough being rushed to hospital after the “results show” that saw our local singing songbird Toni Braxton get the axe. Julianne, who is a former Las Vegas music and drama academy student, admits her stomach pain was so intense she had to curl up in a tight ball on the floor backstage – and that was when concerned crew members called for Toni’s standby ambulance. Julianne ... Read more...
‘Bad Boys of Hypnosis’ celebrate 2,000th show
The self-described “bad boys of hypnosis,” Michael Johns and Terry Stokes, celebrate a milestone tonight (Thursday) with their 2,000th show — now the longest continually running hypnosis production in Vegas. And for the first time ever, they will put each other “under!” Since landing here in early 2001, Terry and Michael have bounced around at five different venues — but never skipped a night or a show of their Dirty Hypnosis Unleashed. They began at the Bourbon Street, moved onto ... Read more...
Holly reveals Halloween secret as Angel Believe countdown reaches Day 8
It’s definite — and it’s exclusive news on Day 8 of our Criss Angel countdown! Girls Next Door star Holly Madison will be back for his world premiere Believe show next Friday on Halloween! She’ll walk the red carpet at the Luxor with her Playboy co-star Bridget Marquardt as her “date” — before joining Criss after the show at his celebration party! Holly herself told me the news when I joined her on the outdoor patio at the new LAVO ... Read more...
High-RPM bidding: Top 10 Vegas collector cars net staggering $2.5 million in debut $30 million Barrett-Jackson auction
The bidders came from around the world with wallets bulging. They returned home having spent over $29 million to buy an extraordinary collection of over 500 cars in the first-ever Vegas HQ’d Barrett-Jackson auto auction at Mandalay Bay. One stunning battle between bidders ended when a 1949 MG TC -– the first raced by Carroll Shelby — brought in a record-setting $313,500! If there was a meltdown in the market on Wall Street there certainly was zero economic uncertainty inside ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celebrity sightings and tonight’s top tips
*The behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles LOVE musical at the Mirage had a one-night special screening here and yesterday the All Together Now DVD was released worldwide. Having watched it at the Brendan Theaters in the Palms, I can tell you it is an emotional experience — and very revealing in how Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison fought to ensure their late husband’s works were treated respectfully in the spectacular. The interviews with both Paul ... Read more...
Flush with stars: Real Deal welcomes Hollywood vets, poker aces
It was an all-star Hollywood turnout for the battle against the world’s 10 best poker players. Veteran TV producer Merv Adelson premiered his new Real Deal interactive entertainment poker show at The Venetian last night (Tuesday) and had the ultimate VIP cast from both worlds. On hand for the red-carpet walk into Wayne Brady’s theater were former Miami Vice star Don Johnson, Robert Wagner with his wife, Jill St. John, comedians Bob Newhart and Tim Conway, singer Steve Lawrence and ... Read more...
Following fiery crash, DJ AM returns for first Vegas nightclub gig
Burn victim Adam Goldstein made a triumphant return as DJ AM to PURE at Caesars Palace early this morning — just 30 days after his miracle escape from a private jet crash that killed four people and badly injured his seatmate and good friend, drummer Travis Barker. The world famous mix master was the talk of the Strip last night and this morning as he resumed his residency at the Sin City hot spot. It was shortly after 12.01 a.m. ... Read more...
Pouring over the details: How to serve wine from the largest, rarest bottle of wine in the world
The 27-liter Charles Krug Cabernet on display at Morton’s Steakhouse here is so large they have to build a Rube Goldberg-type invention to lift it, hold it and then pour the 180 glasses all in one serving!! To understand just how large it is, picture 36 regular wine bottles in a row or three cases of 12 bottles apiece stacked atop each other -– and you get the idea just how much booze is in the bottle! In fact, the ... Read more...
McBride makes retirement plans official: PBR world championship will be his last
Former UNLV student Justin McBride will try for a third Professional Bull Riding world championship, then call his 10-year career quits. “It will be tough because I missed so much of the season because of recuperating over six months from double shoulder surgery -– but I could win. I’m not going into it to lose so I will be very focused. I’m still going to compete to win my third title,” he told me moments after announcing his retirement decision ... Read more...
Siegfried & Roy support Metro K-9 units as they ready for Santa Run, Moment of Magic return
Metro’s finest — and their four-legged K-9 friends — were cheered on by the world’s best illusionists at the 18th annual K-9 Trials. Siegfried & Roy had just returned from a European trip to support our competing Metro Police officers at the Orleans Arena. The Vegas officers were up against K-9 units from Utah, Arizona and California. Siegfried told me: “We recognize the vital role of the police dogs in fighting crime — and we give them tremendous support.” More ... Read more...
Criss Countdown – Day 9: Tickets selling as well as Love, new illusion added to finale
Day 9 of our countdown, and we can accurately report that ticket sales for Mindfreak magician Criss Angel’s new Believe show are selling equal to the rival blockbuster Cirque du Soleil/Beatles show, Love spectacle at The Mirage -– and ahead of the competing KA stunner at MGM Grand Grand. Tickets for the show are reportedly selling six months in advance. In addition to the high demand, the one remaining major incredible illusion has now just been worked into the finale ... Read more...
Rick’s Cabaret braces for Stern show arrival with ‘Due Diligence’
The new Rick’s Cabaret Vegas adult topless dance club is a 44 Double-D Delight – so big with more than 250 femme fatales flaunting their flash and flesh that the publicly traded stock exchange company has four days and nights of opening celebration parties. Controversial satellite radio shock-jock and newlywed Howard Stern is even sending in his on-air personalities from New York for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Howard TV will be filming the search for the next Miss Howard ... Read more...
World’s top poker pros hit the tables with Hollywood veterans at Real Deal
Ten of the world’s top poker players clashed last night (Tuesday) with Hollywood veterans at the unique premiere of the new Real Deal interactive poker comedy show. Luxe Life will be back later with the full photo coverage of the red carpet, the unique theater game and all the stars at the exclusive after-party celebration in LAVO at the Palazzo. Real Deal, which is staged twice-nightly in Wayne Brady’s theater at The Venetian, is now hosted by Flamingo headliner, Vinnie ... Read more...
Toni’s axed from DWTS as new medical drama centers on Vegas dancer
Former Las Vegas Academy student Julianne Hough, who is one of the dance professionals on Dancing with the Stars and is partnered with Hannah Montana actor Cody Linley, was rushed to hospital after last night’s (Tuesday’s) broadcast. She had been complaining of stomach pains during the day, and right after she danced she collapsed. Her mother, who was in the audience, rode with her in the ambulance that had been on standby in the event of a medical problem with ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings and tonight’s tip
Almost $30 million raised from debut car collector car auction Moments ago it was officially announced that the debut famed Barrett-Jackson collector car auction exceeded $29 million in winning bids. Luxe Life will have the full details and roundup tomorrow of the three-day Mandalay Bay event that drew auto-afficionados from all across America. The event was televised live in hi-def on the Speed cable network - and owner Craig Barrett says Vegas will now be an annual home of his ... Read more...
Kickboxing routine slows Lance; medics watching Toni as drama spins for DWTS contestants
Dancing with the Stars hopeful Lance Bass wound up in a hospital emergency room over the weekend after sustaining a windpipe injury during a kickboxing routine to warm him up for dance rehearsals. Not only that but he, our hometown headline singing sweetheart Toni Braxton and the other remaining contestants all had to learn new routines this weekend that have never been done before on the show. The introduction of the hustle, the jitterbug, a modernized salsa and a West ... Read more...
Is two-time PBR champ (and UNLV student) McBride ready to call it quits?
Expect a big announcement this afternoon (Tuesday) from former UNLV student Justin McBride, who went on to become two-time Professional Bull Riders World Champion. He will lay out his career plans at the Silverton casino lodge, which will be party headquarters for this year’s upcoming PBR World Finals. Justin’s fellow bull riders Sean Willingham and Brendon Clark will join him to host the PBR events starting Halloween Eve and running through the following Saturday, Nov. 8. Each night there will ... Read more...
Midler draws full house for Obama rally at Krave
No shortage of Barack Obama supporters at the gay and lesbian rally that Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler attended last night (Monday) at the Krave nightclub in the Harmon Theater alongside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. Our celebrity photographers Scott Doctor and Erik Kabik were there to cover the vote campaign event that drew supporters of all lifestyles – including homosexuals, lesbians, transgenders and transsexuals. Riviera La Cage headline entertainer Frank Moreno was in full “Joan Rivers” makeup and ball-gown regalia ... Read more...
Criss & Holly back together, spotted at Cathouse
Magician Criss Angel and Hugh Hefner’s former No. 1 galpal, Holly Madison, were back together again early this morning (Tuesday). It was a late-night pre-dawn reunion at the Cathouse lounge in the Luxor where the Mindfreak star has the world premiere of his new Cirque du Soleil show Believe in 10-days time! CLICK HERE for our daily countdown to the Oct. 31 opening. Criss and Holly were linked two months ago after they were seen together on a string of ... Read more...
Criss Countdown — Day 10: Believe performance features a true hangout for Angel
Our Criss Angel countdown begins today. There are now just 10 days to go before the October 31 world premiere- and every day as our countdown clock ticks closer to Halloween Eve we’ll have one more fascinating story to report. Here’s our first: Twice-nightly during each performance of Believe, the Mindfreak magician faces a highly dangerous unknown. It’s not a trick. It’s not an illusion. It’s a century-old Houdini escape that requires the skill of a superb stuntman! Criss is ... Read more...
Rodriguez interview – were there clues to his departure from Real Deal?
Just 36 hours before the curtain was due to go up tonight (Tuesday) at the premiere of the new interactive Real Deal poker show, the producers announced that comic Paul Rodriguez would not be the host, as they’d previously boasted. CLICK HERE for our Luxe Life exclusive breaking news stories yesterday. Local comic Vinnie Favorito who appears at nightly at the Flamingo’s Bugsy’s Cabaret, takes over tonight (Tuesday) until producers and TV veterans Merv Adelson and Gary Smith bring in ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Upcoming events and tonight’s tips
— The event a lot of people have been waiting for — the 26th annual AVN awards, are all set for Saturday, Jan. 10 at Mandalay Bay with hot-adult actresses Jenna Haze and Belladonna co-hosting the annual porn star invasion. — Singer Rihanna went shopping at the Miracle Mile in the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino before the Justin Timberlake Shriners Childrens Hospital charity concert. She hit several stores including Landau, Ultra Diamonds, Urban Outfitters and finally charged her credit ... Read more...
Celebrity birthday parties reveal Vegas romance blossoming for Jamie Lynn
Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler has a brand-new romance blossoming right here in Vegas -– and she’s now commuting in every weekend to keep it growing. I’ll stay hush on the lucky guy’s identity for now, but suffice to say she was front and center when E! Entertainment star Ben Lyons, who hosts The Daily 10 celebrated his birthday at the Hard Rock Hotel. Ben was joined by his fellow Smashtime hosts Sal Masakela and DJ Clinton Sparks for the birthday ... Read more...
Joel Robuchon earns another 3 stars from Michelin guide, others get 1 or 2 stars
The prestigious Michelin Guide is widely regarded around the world as the ultimate arbiter of fine-dining — and it’s hallowed star system of rankings is revered and respected by travelers across the globe. The 2009 Vegas awards will be announced officially on Wednesday at the Wynn hotel’s Sunset Terrace but Luxe Life has confirmed early this afternoon that MGM chef Joel Robuchon has been awarded the top, three stars, for a second consecutive year as the only Vegas restaurant to ... Read more...
More injuries for Dancing With the Stars cast revealed at celebrity-studded party
Pop-prince Lance Bass should have walked the red-carpet at the Blush boutique nightclub — but instead, the Dancing with the Stars contestant was in a hospital emergency room being treated for a windpipe injury sustained in a kickboxing accident. DWTS co-host Samantha Harris gave me the exclusive news at the first anniversary celebration party of the boutique Wynn nightclub hosted by Dom Perignon champagne and Esquire magazine. A glittering group of stars walked the red carpet, including Mena Suvari, Laura ... Read more...
Close-ups with Mary J. Blige, and Cheech and Chong together again
Hotel tycoon George Maloof booked superstar power to claim a weekend victory in the entertainment sweepstakes. First up was the queen of R’n’B hip hop pop royal Mary J Blige. On the second night it was the first Vegas appearance in 25 years for newly reunited comedy cutups Cheech and Chong. Known for their pot-stunts in the 60s, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong have gotten back together to tour again. Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was up front and center for ... Read more...
Timberlake’s surprise duets with 50 Cent, Richie, Will.i.am highlight his Friends concert
It will possibly be known as the Strip’s “best ever music concert” and even after more than three nonstop hours the stars of the show still wanted to party on! Black Eyed Peas genius Will.i.am even played guest DJ at Justin Timberlake’s after-party for another three amazing hours! It certainly was a magical night that made music history. So unique, we may never see Justin in duets ever again on the same stage on the same night with rapper 50-Cent, ... Read more...
Paul Rodriguez turns over hosting duties on ‘Real Deal’ to rotating celebrity hosts
UPDATED 1:45 p.m. Producers of the new “Real Deal’ interactive poker show have just confirmed our early-morning story today that comedian Paul Rodriguez will not be hosting its premiere at the Venetian tomorrow night. Strip comic Vinny Favorito who hosts an edgy in your face comedy show at the O’Sheas Theater at the Flamingo casino will host the show for now. A series of different celebrity hosts will join the show later on an ongoing basis. The only explanation given ... Read more...
A night at The Improv, starring John Caponera
John Caponera, known from his co-starring role on The Good Life with Drew Carey, headlined at The Improv at Harrah’s over the weekend. He was joined by comics Pam Matteson and Alan Bursky, and celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was front and center to shoot these photos in his ongoing series of photos from the Improv. Read more...
Merry times for Cheech & Chong at Palms
For the first time in a quarter century, funnymen Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong have reunited. And they brought their tour for two sold-out shows to the Pearl at the Palms. Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was front and center Saturday night for this Luxe Life collection. Read more...
J.T. promises four more years during $1 million debut show – exclusive first photos of superstars on the Strip
It was a night — and early morning — of million-dollar magic for the superstars of pop-music. Reigning royal Justin Timberlake thrilled with an extraordinary 3-plus hour concert at Planet Hollywood co-starring the Jonas Brothers, 50 Cent, Lionel Richie, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, and the Black Eyed Peas’ Will. I Am. Justin’s mega-watt, star-power show raised more than $1 million for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and not only did he promise he’ll be back even bigger and better next year ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings and the weekend rundown
*When Bette Midler starts her run of shows in November after a brief break, it looks as if the Caesars Palace run will be a permanent gig! Look at this: November 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; December 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 30, 31; January 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25. Makes you wonder if its because she’s the top selling ticket on the Strip — ... Read more...
TV shows turn the cameras on the Vegas food scene
Respected food critic and guide to the good life, Eating Las Vegas’ connoisseur John Curtas, played judge on the Food Network’s highly rated Iron Chef series. The “secret ingredient” for his debut was one of the ugliest fish in the world: sturgeon. The two competing TV chefs had to produce five different courses with the difficult-to-cook and seafood. John threw a viewing party that I MC’d at the Marche Bacchus restaurant, where owners Rhonda and Jeff Wyatt had their chef ... Read more...
Poker pros show their hand for injured drivers and a princess wins the pot
There was an all-star lineup of poker princes and princesses at the MGM card tables to raise money in a unique tournament. Top-notch players Jamie Gold and Robert Williamson III hosted with SuperCross stars Jimmy Button and Jeff Madsen. Todd Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Karina & Chip Jett and Hoyt Corkins were among those taking part in the fourth-annual Road 2 Recovery charity for its Injured Riders Fund. Almost 70 players competed and the final table came down to Tiffany Michelle, ... Read more...
40 star chefs team up to raise funds for March of Dimes
For the third consecutive year the annual Signature Chefs of Las Vegas event showcases its creative cuisine samplings – and this year host chef Tom Moloney of AquaKnox at the Venetian has rounded up 40 of the finest culinary stars of the Strip. It’s all to raise funds for the March of Dimes research to ensure all babies are born healthy and prevent birth defects. Both the Venetian and Palazzo hotels are sponsors of the giant gourmet feast. The “best ... Read more...
Pop-royal Justin Timberlake goes for the green with Ellen DeGeneres and all-star lineup tonight
It’s been a great golf week for superstar singer Justin Timberlake with his debut celebrity tournament. Ellen DeGeneres, John O’Hurley and Josh Duhamel joined Olympic gold medal swimmer Amanda Beard and other VIPs at the TPC in Summerlin. Said Justin: “I’d play golf at midnight if the course was lit up. I love this sport. Give me a choice between a live concert and a game of golf and I’ll take the clubs, even if it’s more nerve-wracking. I just ... Read more...
Art meets auto: Unique and extraordinary painted car expected to net thou$and$ in auction
More than 1,000 pre-cleared high-roller spenders have arrived in Vegas for the premiere debut year of the prized Barrett-Jackson auto-auction. “That number will swell by another three or four hundred come Saturday” owner Craig Jackson told me last night. “We’ve achieved in Vegas in one year what it took 10 years to build in Scottsdale and Palm Beach.” Barrett-Jackson is known globally for hosting the world’s greatest collector car events – and this year has already sold 1,672 vehicles for ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Timberlake in town; tonight’s tips
*TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres filmed segments for her upcoming Comedy festival show at Caesars Palace in November around town yesterday. She played a ‘lookalike double’ of herself in the “Legends in Concert” show at the Imperial Palace to really confuse the players. She also went golfing with Justin Timberlake at his celebrity tournament up at TPC Summerlin. The videos will be rolled into her live show at Caesars for the TBS broadcast. *Three Hall of Fame Breeders Cup ... Read more...
Al Gore makes surprise stop in Vegas
Former veep Al Gore, out championing the cause of ‘global warming alerts’ paid a brief visit to Vegas — and wound up at the home of my friends Michael and Jenna Morton of the N9NE Group restaurants and clubs at the Palms. Their star chef Barry Dakake was joined by Chef Marcus O’Brien to rustle up the taste treats. Among the Vegas VIPs attending were our County Commissioner Rory Reid, Senator Steven Horsford, gaming analyst Bill Lerner and his wife, ... Read more...
Hardest-working star in town juggles two shows 16 times a week
Caveman star Kevin Burke must be super human! Every afternoon at 5:45 p.m. as a diabetic he has to check his blood sugar levels – so he doesn’t crash down for what lies ahead! He’s literally become the “hardest working star” in Vegas performing 16 shows a week! Kevin races from when the curtain comes down at Defending the Caveman at the Golden Nugget to when the curtain goes up at Fitz of Comedy at the Fitzgerald’s hotel downtown. Both ... Read more...
New Kids on the Block set off fan mayhem
They were one of the hottest boy bands of our time! They were pop sensations and were mobbed by fans everywhere they went as hit chart-makers. Their slow start back in 1986 was a rocky beginning but by 1991 they were at the top of Forbes’ list of richest singers alongside Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna. But The New Kids on the Block broke apart in a sea of frenzied flashbulbs at the height of their then-short career as they ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: DJ AM recovering, tonight’s tip
*LAX nightclub partner Adam Goldstein – DJ AM – is really back on recovery road after his escape from a fiery plane crash. He returns to the stage for the first time tonight after the burn center treatments when he opens for hip-hop mogul Jay-Z’s launch tour at the Hollywood Palladium. Adam will open for Jay-Z at a number of unspecified gigs on the multi-city tour. *Following up on our story yesterday about Janet Jackson’s ‘mystery illness: East Coast gossips ... Read more...
Trashy Charm School debs join other beauties to sparkle on the Strip
Girls girls girls! Our Motley Crue rockers sing the song but it takes a Strip invasion to make it come to life -– and as if we needed an excuse to show you sexy beautiful girls on the Strip — Luxe Life has all the photos. Enjoy! * Sharon Osborne’s new Charm School reality series has brought the “trashy losers” from Rock of Love together to see which one could be turned into a propuh-debutante duchess! Partying across the Strip ... Read more...
Charo does a two-for-one Strip show
The “cuchi-cuchi” charm of Charo turned on the crowds of fans and well-wishers who followed her all over the Strip while she was filming not one, but two simultaneous TV shows. It took the international sexy singing star two 12-hour days of filming for her segments and introductions. The first show was for PBS with local entertainer producer Tony Sacca, who is Charo’s co-host. Over 10 years of his local star TV interviews will be culled to add as a ... Read more...
Miss Nevada joins 2009 Miss America contestants for reality show filming
First comes her Master’s degree in drama -– and then comes her dream of becoming a Broadway performer. Julianna Erdesz is this year’s Miss Nevada, competing against 51 other contestants in the Feb. 3 Miss America pageant at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts, and she will be showcasing her vocal skills in the talent portion of the contest. TLC Miss American Web site The 24-year-old former University of Nevada-Reno student made the Dean’s List while there. Since ... Read more...
Ne-Yo makes surprise appearance as Rocco given to-go order
Vegas hometown hero, R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo was the surprise superstar guest on last night’s Dancing with the Stars elimination show. He performed “Closer” from his new, third album release Year of the Gentlemen. Exactly as Luxe Life predicted, 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman and celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito wound up at the bottom. Our other hometown headliner, singer Toni Braxton, was declared “safe,” along with Sir Dance-a-lot, Lance Bass -– and they go onto the fifth round, where they face four ... Read more...
O celebrates 10th anniversary as Vegas’ favorite dive
Tonight (Wednesday) the cast and crew of the aquatic-acrobatic O show celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary. During the run that hits the 4,768th show tonight, more than 8.5 million amazed audience members have watched the water-ballet, giving them a standing “O” at the end of each show. “O” -– a play on the French word “eau,” for water — is a stunning spectacle of superb swimmers and athletic aerobics. The high-diving makes you hold your breath -– in fear and ... Read more...
Playboy Mansion scandal revealed: Holly admits she didn’t run security check on twin replacement, spills secrets about Mindfreak magician dates
Girls Next Door star Holly Madison wants former boyfriend, Hugh Hefner, to do all the talking about their recent split -– and her decision to leave the Playboy Mansion for her own condo. However, she did confirm that she would still be showing up in the next season of their hit TV reality series. But Holly has spoken for the first time about the rumored romance with our Mindfreak magician, Criss Angel, on her string of consecutive weekend visits here ... Read more...
Justin Timberlake tees off all-star golf and charity events
A slew of celebrities join pop-cult sensation Justin Timberlake today for his debut year as host of the PGA Tour’s Vegas stop. Record crowds are expected this year to line the course and the greens to cheer on the stars and the golf-greats! Today you can expect to see “Spamalot” star John O’Hurley, comedian George Lopez, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard, actor Josh Duhamel, singers Chris Kirkpatrick (formerly with NSYNC) and Josh Kelley among the VIP names. Justin has already been ... Read more...
Andre Agassi confirms split with longtime manager
After weeks of rumors - and written here in Luxe Life as a ‘blind item’ without their names — hometown tennis champion Andre Agassi confirmed moments ago that he and 15-year-long agent-manager Perry Rogers are splitting up effectively immediately. Rogers, who was president of Agassi Enterprises Inc., had served as agent, manager and lawyer to Andre for the past decade-and-a-half overseeing all business and marketing operations of Agassi Enterprises, Inc. The split becomes official just four days after Andre’s 13th ... Read more...
Greene’s night at Wasted Space
Intimacy was the order of the night as singer-songwriter Jackie Greene played Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel, and photog Erik Kabik was hand to shoot these images. Green recently released his fifth album, Giving Up the Ghost, of which Amazon.com said: “It is possible, but hardly common, for a singer-songwriter to sound echoes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Gram Parsons, Elvis Costello and Paul Westerberg, all of which Jackie Greene does on his fifth album. “The hard part, ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings and tonight’s tip
*He might be known as the Freddy Kruger of comedy but magician Amazing Johnathan’s raw, impulsive and abrasive wit has won him a World Magic Award. AJ won Best Comedic Magician over the weekend in California. Hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris, a part-time magician too, the show in its third year was taped for a later TV broadcast. AJ also performed a segment with his assistant, Psychic Tanya. He is previously a two-time winner of the International Magic Award ... Read more...
Comic Rodriguez a true cutup as host of The Real Deal at The Venetian
Veteran comic Paul Rodriguez is going “all in” after 20 years of an incredible comedy career -– and in one of the most unusual and unique new shows to ever hit the Strip, he can’t wait to hand $1 million to an audience winner! Previews start today (Tuesday) in Wayne Brady’s showroom at The Venetian for The Real Deal where the audience actually plays against a “final table”of poker pros for the pot! Its the first-ever interactive poker stage show ... Read more...
Vegas to battle Australia, British teams in bid for Great Santa Run Guinness World Record
The battle lines are drawn! Vegas now has to compete with the Beatles hometown of Liverpool, an Irish county and an Australian city in the Great Santa Run to claim the Guinness World Record! This morning (Tuesday) I’ll host our Opportunity Village press conference and introduce Liverpool’s representative, Alan Rothwell, and Australian race director Steve Martin. My good friends, the singing duo Zowie Bowie, will perform and bring on Santa Claus making his first appearance of the holiday season. We’re ... Read more...
Exclusive photo coverage of Panic At The Disco, Plain White T’s, Dashboard Confessional at Hard Rock Hotel
It was the MTV concert tour Rockband Live that brought a video show to life when Panic At the Disco teamed with our other local Vegas hit makers The Cab, along with Plain White T’s and Dashboard Confessional at a specially constructed outdoor theater in the Hard Rock Hotel. Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was front row and center for an amazing set of top-rock photos and you can CLICK HERE for all of them. Visit Erik’s Web site at www.erikkabikphoto.com. Read more...
Medical team on standby for Braxton’s samba as hearts race on DWTS
An emergency medical team was on standby last night (Monday) while Toni Braxton danced the samba during her appearance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. After minor weekend concerns about her heart muscle condition, doctors earlier yesterday had given their go- ahead to her tackling the high-energy routine. Luxe Life readers will remember that Toni had to quit her Flamingo Strip headliner show earlier this year after she was taken to hospital with a heart problem. She was ordered to ... Read more...
Health concerns cut into Janet Jackson’s U.S. tour; she tells Tyra of Vegas residency
Because of a “mystery ailment” pop queen Janet Jackson has now had to postpone and cancel eight shows on her current Rock Witchu tour. After playing to a sold-out crowd here in Vegas, she headed to Montreal but was then taken to hospital for four days. She then announced the tour would resume but on doctors’ orders at the last minute she canceled again her weekend shows in Connecticut. It’s her first North American tour in seven years, but her ... Read more...
Lakers and Kings continue annual rivalry on, off the court
It was a sign of difficult economic times that a disappointing crowd of only 11,000 fans turned out for the first pre-season game of the Los Angeles Lakers when they played against the young, new Sacramento Kings team coached by former UNLV star Reggie Theus. Even the $10 tickets were nowhere near sold out! The Lakers, led by stars Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, won 94-89. Sitting courtside were Palms owner George Maloof and his brothers, Gavin and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings and tonight’s tip
*Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel rocked out with fans at the Kings of Leon concert (Click here for Erik Kabik’s photo coverage) in the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. They arrived after the first song and sat at their table in the balcony cuddling during the entire show except for when Justin pumped his fists in the air during a couple of the songs. Earlier the romantic couple dined at the resort’s Japanese Nobu restaurant prior to ... Read more...
J-Lo gets married again and Celine Dion grabs a Strip vacation
Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez brought singer husband Marc Anthony to Vegas to celebrate his 40th birthday — and they wound up renewing their marriage vows in a 3:15 a.m. exchange of vows in their penthouse suite at Caesars Palace. Luxe Life broke that story less than five hours after the secret ceremony yesterday — CLICK HERE. They’d partied at the Pure nightclub for three hours while waiting to find a minister to perform the service! J-Lo and Marc’s romantic weekend — ... Read more...
Kings of Leon, Sara Bareilles take the stage at The Joint
The Kings Of Leon performed to a sold-out crowd at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday night. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were in attendance, along with an enthusiastic crowd who packed the house for the highly anticipated show from the band supporting their recent album Only By The Night. Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik captured the band live at The Joint in Las Vegas, and he also captured intimate photos of the band backstage before their performance ... Read more...
Toni & Lance need some fancy fancy footwork tonight on Dancing
Dancing with the Stars resumes its elimination rounds tonight (Monday) when hometown singer Toni Braxton and regular Vegas visitor Lance Bass dance-off for the judges. Last week Olympic gold medal beach volleyball star Misty May-Trainor had to quit the series because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, so the other contestants were safe to dance for one more week. Birthday girl Toni and Lance, now nicknamed The Bassmaster, will compete against celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and veteran 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman. ... Read more...
Stars spill secrets as Agassi serves another winner with Grand Slam for Children show
It may well have been the best lineup of superstar talent that Andre Agassi has served up in his 13 years of running his Grand Slam for Children’s charity. “It was a night full of heart,” the tennis champ agreed at the after-party in the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. Star performers who donated their time to the cause were Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers, Ray Romano, David Spade, Natasha Bedingfield, Lifehouse and Oprah Winfrey’s amazing ... Read more...
Newsbreaks from Agassi Grand Slam for Children: Wynn talks economy; new deal for Donny & Marie
Andre Agassi’s 13th annual Grand Slam for Children fundraiser proved another huge winner last night (Saturday) for our hometown tennis champion. “It’s the most important, thrilling and satisfying work I’ve ever done in my life,” he told me, noting that this year his College Preparatory School will have its first graduating class. Here are the first Luxe Life photos of the red carpet at the Wynn and the concert performances for the 1,900 guests, who paid an average of $10,000 ... Read more...
J-Lo, Anthony renew vows in 3 a.m. ceremony
Superstar singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony decided to renew their wedding vows early today (Sunday) at Caesars Palace. The couple are parents of 8-month-old fraternal twins, Max and Emme — born Feb. 22 this year. They exchanged their vows all over again with the Rev. Steven Smith officiating at the “middle of the night” 3.15 a.m. ceremony! It was witnessed by two close friends of the celebrity singers. J-Lo and Marc were first married on June 5, 2004 in ... Read more...
From hospital bed, Barker reveals he’ll undergo seventh surgery
Badly-burned drummer, Travis Barker has revealed that he can now move his fingers for the first time and that he’ll undergo a 7th surgery tomorrow (Monday) as a result of the injuries he sustained in a fiery plane crash. Travis says he’s looking forward to playing drums again with his son and going on a bicycle ride with his daughter! He and LAX nightclub partner Adam Goldstein — known as DJ AM — were in flames when they jumped from ... Read more...
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel host ‘Last Chance for Change’ rally
Pop-star sweethearts Justin Timberlake and actress Jessica Biel kicked off Timberlake’s weeklong visit to Vegas with a “Last Chance for Change” rally Saturday at our downtown Clark County Amphitheater. Our celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was on hand for the “get out the vote” canvassing effort and was “up close and personal” for this remarkable set of candid photographs. Bearded Justin kicks off his own celebrity studded golf tournament on Wednesday to raise funds for the Shriners Childrens Hospital. Then on ... Read more...
J-Lo and Marc Anthony ‘Believe’
To celebrate his 40th birthday, actress-singer Jennifer Lopez took superstar singer husband Marc Anthony to see the new Criss Angel Cirque du Soleil magic spectacular Believe at the Luxor last night. Then Criss took them to celebrate with Cristal champagne at the neighboring LAX nightclub, also in the Luxor. The superstars relaxed at a VIP main stage table and posed for this one photograph. Later they retired to the exclusive secret hidden Noir bar at the club — before the ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celeb parties and weekend events
*Flamingo headliner, magician Nathan Burton, returns after a three-week absence to resume his appearances there today after being hospitalized for surgery on back disc problems. Nathan tells Luxe Life: “It’s been a painful recovery but I am very happy to be back performing again.” *Multi-talented singer, composer and pianist Barry Manilow celebrated his new Hilton show “Ultimate Manilow: The Hits” with an after-show soiree with his backup singer-dancers Monica Pege, Melanie Taylor and Keely Vasquez. Barry has called the Hilton ... Read more...
Exclusive photos of Rockband Live tour launch at Hard Rock Hotel
The Hard Rock Hotel hosted the opening show in the Rockband Live concert tour. Taking the outoor Paradise Stage in the hotel parking lot were Vegas’-own Panic At The Disco, along with Dashboard Confessional ant Plain White T’s. Another rising Vegas band, The Cab, was a featured guest. Taking in the show, in front of the stage, was ace freelancer Erik Kabik (www.erikkabikphoto.com). See his gallery of photos from the concert here. Read more...
Parties for supermodel Janice Dickinson, comic Chelsea Handler compete on the Strip
She was dubbed the “world’s first supermodel,” and Janice Dickinson has lived it up to the fullest ever since. She’s made headlines around the world with her wild and sexy antics -– and now stars on the Oxygen TV network with her own Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show. At Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood, she was escorted by several male admirers. They all drank vodka with Red Bull while she kept to the Veuve Clicquot champagne. Janice played perfect host ... Read more...
Hef says procreation problems led to breakup with Holly, rebounding with Playboy ‘twin-pack’
Playboy king Hugh Hefner might have saved his now-busted seven-year relationship with Girls Next Door favorite Holly Madison — if she’d become pregnant. In officially confirming his split with the 28-year-old blond beauty, he admitted yesterday (Thursday): “We tried to have a baby earlier this year and it didn’t work out. She became very depressed, because although I planned to spend the rest of my life with her I wasn’t going to get married again.” The 82-year-old mogul finally confirmed ... Read more...
Agassi’s serves Stewart, Killers, Crow, Spade for 13th annual Grand Slam
In the 12 years that our hometown world tennis champion Andre Agassi has organized his annual Grand Slam for Children’s charities benefit in Las Vegas, he has raised a staggering $70 million. Now comes the 13th this weekend, and everybody is hoping, despite the financial downward spiral of global economic markets, it will be yet another lucky winner. To ensure he’s still serving up aces, Andre and his Grammy Award-winning producer, composer and musical director David Foster have lined up ... Read more...
Raw Talent Live really cooks at the Sahara
It maybe the most extraordinary show ever staged in Vegas. Not only is it the single-handed determination and genius of just one woman, but also 43 members of the cast who once escaped Communism in Cuba and sought political asylum here in Sin City. It was Cuba’s largest mass- defection ever. The amazing videos that envelop the stage and audience bathing theatergoers in a kaleidoscope of multicolored landscape surrounds and incredible images took two years alone to assemble! The entire ... Read more...
Happy Hollywood VIPs party hearty on the Strip
Danity Kane singer Aundrea, who was discovered by P. Diddy on his reality TV show Making of the Band 3, hosted a party at Jet nightclub in the Mirage. She had an entourage of 12 pals and took over the VIP section dancing until 3 a.m. in between the Patron silver tequila and the Level 1 Vodka. Former UFC champion Chuck Liddell and his fiancée Erin Wilson turned up late night at the LAX nightclub in the Luxor, where they ... Read more...
Strip takes 7 percent hit, locals market drops 15 percent in August
Figures showing a staggering decline in gaming revenues statewide and on the Strip during August have just been released. Wall Street sources moments ago revealed that the Nevada Gaming Control Board was reporting that statewide revenues were $934.1 million — a drop of 8.1% compared with the summer month a year ago. Strip gaming revenues came in at $494.0 million — a decline of 7.4 percent compared to August 2007. Slot revenues declined 15.0 percent year-over-year to $239 million. The ... Read more...
Hot Off the Grill: Superstar chef invasion underway for Strip
Hot Off the Grill! America’s most expensive restaurant and one of the world’s most expensive Japanese restaurants, where diners get a whopping $450 prix-fixe meal -– before wine, tax and tip — is on its way to the Vegas strip. MGM executives have pacted with Chef Masa Takayama to bring his Masa luxury-restaurant from Manhattan to the new Aria resort casino under construction at City Center. Masa, located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, ... Read more...
Bette Davis, Toby Keith, Nicholas Cage cars on the block next week
Cars with real “star power” will shine at next week’s debut Vegas auction for the prestigious Barrett-Jackson auction company -– and the crashed economy is only sending vintage vehicles up in value! Already a staggering 521 supercars are set to be on the block at Mandalay Bay starting one week today (Thursday, Oct. 16) for the three-day event. Barrett-Jackson Web site Two presidential limousines will be up for bid: a 1962 Lincoln Continental from John F. Kennedy’s collection, and the ... Read more...
Wynn’s daredevil stunt an Encore encore
For the second time in his life, hotel mogul Steve Wynn has taken on the role of daredevil to film a TV commercial. He did it to launch his Wynn hotel three years ago and now he’s done it again to kick off December’s opening alongside for his new Encore resort. He even recruited action-adventure movie-director Brett Ratner to film the low-flying helicopter stunt. Brett has had box office blockbusters with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the Rush Hour ... Read more...
Barker talks for first time about accident, injuries, recovery
A badly burned Travis Barker hopes to be able to go home from a Los Angeles burn treatment center in about two weeks time. He revealed for the first time that he had severe third-degree burns from his feet up to his waist and on both hands and has undergone surgery after surgery. The 32-year-old former Blink-182 drummer escaped a private Learjet crash with celebrity DJ Adam Goldstein, who is a partner here in the LAX nightclub at the Luxor. ... Read more...
Turmoil at Point Break LIVE!: Performances postponed and the production leaves V Theater
Moments ago, producers of the new “Point Break LIVE!” show, starting its second week at the V Theater, decided to quit the V Theater and search for a new venue. The stage adaptation of the 1992 Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze extreme-sports blockbuster, which began performances at the Miracle Mile’s Variety Theater one week ago tonight, has temporarily postponed performances. There will be no show this evening as producers look for more intimate accommodations that “will be more conducive to the full-immersion ... Read more...
Tyra talks Vegas on tomorrow’s talker
Vegas gets “the full monty” tomorrow from TV talk show queen Tyra Banks when her entire hour is devoted to everything she did on her recent Sin City visit. The gorgeous Victoria Secret model filmed behind the scenes of the Janet Jackson concert, and also includes scenes she shot at the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity show in New York-New York, Bette Midler’s show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, playtime at the new Drift Spa at the Palms Place, and ... Read more...
Platinum plethora of parties: Sunset Tan, Dexter casts hit Vegas
Sunset Tan is such a favorite with fans that the cast of the TV show had to celebrate their Season 2 finale with two nights of partying. On Night 1, co-owner Devin Haman flew in from L.A. to party with his cast and the staff of the Palms Vegas salon at the resort’s Moon nightclub and then Night 2 leggy blonde beauty Janelle Perry hosted the viewing party in the Playboy Club. The cast of Dexter all turned up at ... Read more...
Sims launches Chelsea Passage and (surprise) does some shopping
Actress and model Molly Sims combined business with pleasure while on a Vegas shopping spree. The star of the former NBC Las Vegas Series hosted an intimate luncheon from the Canyon Ranch grill to celebrate the arrival of the new home gifts Chelsea Passage area at the tri-store Barney’s New York department store at the Palazzo. She wound up picking out several items from the third-floor display of eclectic furnishings and interior decorating ideas for her own new Los Angeles ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celebrity sightings and tonight’s tips
*Movie actress Heather Graham took time out from filming her scenes in the new The Hangover film to see Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles musical LOVE at the Mirage. The film’s director, Todd Phillips, escorted her to the show and both went backstage afterward to meet the cast and congratulate them. The Hangover is a set-in-Las Vegas comedy “centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-married buddy during their drunken misadventures — then must retrace their steps in order to find ... Read more...
Holly says she’s lonely after splitting from Hef
Hugh Hefner, 82 and his 28-year-old longtime girlfriend, Holly Madison have called it quits — and the blonde bombshell who stars on Girls Next Door confirmed it late yesterday on her My Space blog. Luxe Life had reported early yesterday that she’d first revealed the bust-up on Monday night while being stalked by paparazzi cameramen at a Hollywood restaurant. Now here it is in her own words: My current mood is lonely! Hef and I care about each other immensely ... Read more...
Bergeron says ‘nobody is going home’ on DWTS
Three stars ranked lowest going into last night’s third elimination round of Dancing with the Stars. Eighty-two-year-old actress Cloris Leachman had 16 of the judges’ votes with celebrity chef Rocco DeSpirito at 20 and daytime soap queen Susan Lucci with 21 out of a possible 30. But the kickoff decisions are made by viewers voting, and it looked as if our hometown headliner, singer Toni Braxton and regular Vegas visitor Lance Bass would be safe at 22 points apiece for ... Read more...
Unique M lightship to light up the Vegas sky
The 170-foot giant M lightship will now become a permanent attraction and get a permanent home at the new M resort nearing construction completion on the far south end of the valley. It successfully flew into town with its 70-foot-by-30-foot aerial TV screen making it the world’s largest advertising blimp! M builder-developer Anthony Marnell III says: “Plans are underway to house the lightship on property adjacent to our resort and we will give tours of it to the public and ... Read more...
Roast of Cheech & Chong added to Comedy Festival
It’s the ultimate lineup of comedy kings and queens for the 4th annual Comedy Festival set at Caesars Palace to kick off Thursday Nov. 20 and run through Saturday night, Nov. 22. One of the key highlights has to be an all-star celebrity crowd to roast newly reunited Up in Smoke stars Cheech Marin and his priceless partner, Tommy Chong, on Friday evening, Nov. 21. Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Dane Cook, Katt Williams, Tracy Morgan and Jeff Dunham are among ... Read more...
Ski-mask wearing woman wielding power-washing gun leaves behind mystery
In my job I receive the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to e-mail communications — but certainly none more mysterious and intriguing than the following: It was just another Monday night of partying for my friends and myself in Las Vegas. Well, at least we thought it was. A crazy woman sporting a ski mask wielding a power washer gun and an unfamiliar logo with the letters “NDSRAW” made us think otherwise. Of course, this is ... Read more...
Carey celebrates Cannon’s birthday bash
Pop’s reigning royal showbiz couple, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, were still rocking early this morning at PURE nightclub in Caesars Palace. Luxe Life has the first red-carpet arrivals of the happy twosome from our through-the night photographers Scott Doctor and Erik Kabik. Nick, an actor and comedian, celebrated his birthday at the chic nightspot — and also jumped on the “wheels of steel” to twist the turntables as guest DJ for part of the night. His party capped a ... Read more...
Siegfried & Roy return from Europe with good medical news as they plan to honor Houdini
Our beloved hometown illusionists Siegfried & Roy were the toast of the town in London -– and Roy got a thumbs-up progress report on his recent knee surgery that made the nearly two-week visit there even more memorable. “It was a fantastic whirlwind of events, galas, applause and ovations” their longtime friend and their magic show’s Evil Queen, Lynette Chappell told me when they returned to Vegas yesterday. Even Roy’s surgeon flew over to meet with the “Masters of the ... Read more...
Exclusive: Justin Timberlake names final superstar lineup at Planet Hollywood
Five star-studded events at Planet Hollywood this fall will help heat-up the economic slowdown. That’s the plan of the resort casino’s owner chairman, Robert Earl, who confirmed last night Justin Timberlake’s final superstar lineup for next Friday night’s charity concert there. Justin’s on-stage friends, who will be helping the pop-singer with his Shriners Childrens Hospital benefit show and golf tournament, now include The Jonas Brothers, 50 Cent, Boyz II Men, Rihanna, will.i.am, Adam Levine, Esmee Denters and Leona Lewis. That ... Read more...
Miss America VIP Weidner already planning for January event
Lovely Lynn Weidner is the “hostess with the mostest!” A former Miss New Jersey contestant in the Miss America pageant, she is the official one-woman Vegas welcoming committee -– and she’s already lining up all the judge’s activities for their January arrival. The elegant wife of Venetian/Palazzo Chief Executive Officer Bill Weidner also welcomed reigning Miss America, Kirsten Haglund to the resort casinos. I got to chat with Lynn after she’d given Kirsten a tour of the hotels. Here’s our ... Read more...
Mariah stays in Vegas for husband’s birthday bash
Superstar singer Mariah Carey and her new husband, actor and comedy star Nick Cannon, became the first people to dine in the new private dining room at Rao’s in Caesars Palace last night — even before it’s officially opened next week! Tonight, Nick takes centerstage at the Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace, where he’ll celebrate his birthday and also spin the “wheels of steel” as guest DJ. Fans had been hoping that Mariah, who hosted her own bash at the ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celebrity sightings and tonight’s tip
*Hotel mogul Steve Wynn has tentatively set Dec. 22 as the official opening night of his new Encore resort casino. Nightclub czar Victor Drai will open the new luxurious, over-the-top XS nightclub there on Dec. 31 and the suites will be ready for occupancy as of Feb. 6. *It’s only now coming to light that nightclub empire operator Pure Management Group surrendered its Lucky Strike bowling alley to the Rio resort casino. No official statement was ever made as to ... Read more...
Injury sidelines gold medalist on Dancing With the Stars
* As Luxe Life revealed yesterday, Olympic volleyball gold medalist Misty May Trainer was forced to leave the Dancing with the Stars show due to an Achilles tendon injury. As a result, there are now only 10 teams left to compete. Hometown singer Toni Braxton and regular Vegas visitor Lance Bass look to survive the third-round eliminations on the ABC-TV show. Both Toni and Lance scored 22 out of 30, performing a traditional Viennese waltz. Toni wore an 18th century ... Read more...
Here today, gone tiara for Miss America at Donny & Marie show
The one show on the Strip that Miss America Kirsten Haglund wanted to see was Donny & Marie Osmond at the Flamingo. But she’d had no time to make advance plans and discovered it was “sold out”! Rather than let her go disappointed I made one phone call followed by two emails –- and voila! Singer Donny and Flamingo president Don Marrandino rustled up two tickets squeezed her into a VIP booth – and greeted her backstage after the show! ... Read more...
Exclusive interview, candid photos from Miss America’s three-day visit
The last time I saw Kirsten Haglund was seconds after the Miss America crown was placed on her head at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for Performing Arts on the Strip. It made the statuesque 19-year-old Michigan beauty the youngest ever winner of the prestigious title. Within hours she flew to New York and began her 20,000-mile-a-month, yearlong reign. Days ago she returned to Vegas for the first time since the pageant and Luxe Life won the exclusive opportunity to spend ... Read more...
Holly and Hef are ‘no longer’ she says
Girls Next Door star Holly Madison admitted late last night (Monday) that she and 82-year-old Hugh Hefner have apparently called it quits. The 28-year-old blond beauty who has been recently linked with Mindfreak magician Criss Angel here in Vegas, was “ambushed” by paparazzi video and still cameras as she left a Los Angeles restaurant. She was out with two friends for dinner and didn’t celebrate Hef’s second-year anniversary of his Palms Playboy club here. (CLICK HERE for our report on ... Read more...
Burton’s sleight-of-hand produces beer from a barrel for Oktoberfest
For the fifth consecutive year master magician Lance Burton ensured it was not an illusion when he “tapped a keg” Sunday night to produce beer by the barrel-load! The Monte Carlo headliner kept the tradition alive during the Oktoberfest celebrations at the Hofbrauhaus kitty-corner from the Hard Rock Hotel on the corner of Harmon and Paradise. The Bavarian celebration of beer has become a worldwide celebration exported far away from the German homeland — and is now the second most ... Read more...
As world’s only Playboy Club (for now) turns 2, Hefner extols ‘cleavage central’
It was exactly two years ago tonight (Monday) that playboys Hugh Hefner and George Maloof opened the first new Playboy club — and glamour, glitz and gorgeous girls were back in vogue! Fifteen years earlier, the final remaining nightspot of the one-time huge empire shuttered its doors. The 52nd-floor Vegas Playboy Club — almost at the top of the Palms Fantasy Tower — has reigned solo for the past 24 months, but if financial markets ease there should be a ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celebrity sightings and tonight’s tips
*I’m delighted and happy to report there seems to have been a tremendous thaw in the icy relationship between star chef Bradley Ogden and his genius chef son, Bryan Ogden. No sooner did Luxe Life report last week — click here for that story — on the ugly friction between the two kitchen kings than Bradley jetted from his Caesars Palace fine-dining restaurant to junior’s newly opened Apple hotspot in Hollywood. I’m reliably told the father-son reconciliation began when dad ... Read more...
Braxton, Bass square off to stay on in third round of Dancing With the Stars
It’s the third round of Dancing with the Stars tonight on ABC and, now that Kim Kardashian has been booted the Vegas connection remaining is hometown singing superstar Toni Braxton and regular Vegas visitor Lance Bass. Toni will dance with pro-partner Alec Masso in his fourth season with the show and Lance is partnered with Lacey Schwimmer in her series debut — although she did win the 2007 World Swing Dance championship. Tonight they face the raucousness of the jive ... Read more...
‘Robin Hood’ high roller giving to the poor after blackjack challenge
It was a simple concept for a Midwestern high roller known to many casinos here on and off the Strip. Proud of his uncanny blackjack wins he decided to risk some of his fortune at the tables and donate half the winnings to two under-privileged families. My pal, Fox News reporter Rick Leventhal flew to Vegas during the weekend with a family from a suburban Detroit mobile-home park. Here’s his story: “I witnessed one of the most amazing and wonderful ... Read more...
Charo shoots two TV shows at locations around the Strip
Sexy Spanish superstar Charo starts two long days of location TV filming on the Strip today as part of a new PBS-TV pledge drive special being produced and co-hosted by local Vegas entertainment celebrity Tony Sacca. Incredibly and simultaneously she’ll also be shooting a separate reality show for Univision — and the two sets of dueling cameras will work their scenes around each other! It all started this morning at 10 a.m. with a gondola ride along the Venetian Grand ... Read more...
Hiltons, Mariah Carey, Mario Lopez highlight party frenzy on the Strip
Superstar singer Mariah Carey and socialite sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton led the cheerleading squad on a star-studded weekend when the girls outnumbered the guys -– and won! In fact, heart throb Mario Lopez, the new EXTRA host, became “lost” in the crush of the other celebrities while celebrating his birthday. Paris and her steady beau, rocker Benji Madden, turned up to help little sister, Nicky, celebrate her own 25th birthday over a two-day festival of fun. It all began ... Read more...
Cher KO’d by asthmatic bronchitis — won’t return to Caesars until next year
Early this afternoon, Cher, her doctors and executives at Caesars Palace made a tough official decision to cancel yet another weekend of shows. It was the third cancellation during the past two weeks and the second consecutive weekend that shows were canceled just hours before the curtain was due to rise. Cher will not appear tonight (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday); both shows have been canceled completely I was told that as a result Cher will not now be returning to ... Read more...
Chinese government tightens more Visa restrictions to slow Vegas interests in Macau money market
For the third time in just five months the Chinese government has tightened visa restrictions in an attempt to slow down the vast sums of money being gambled with the Vegas owned casinos there. When Steve Wynn, Sheldon Adelson and MGM Mirage opened their casinos on the island off the coast of Hong Kong the Chinese allowed Guangdong residents unlimited visits to play table games. Fortunes poured in overnight for the Vegas operators. Now the noose keeps on tightening as ... Read more...
Vegas VIPs head for American League playoffs in Anaheim
In this week’s American League opener between he Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox it didn’t go the way a slew of Vegas VIPs wanted. They’d made the hike over to Anaheim, only to see their L.A. favorites fall victim to the Red Sox. Whereas the Angels won eight of nine regular season games, outscoring the Red Sox 42-17 in the final six regular-season games, this time treachery slid into home base. The Angels fell 4-1! Everybody was ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Star sightings and the weekend rundown
*Extra security will be on hand for the mob mayhem and hysteria expected at 6 a.m. Saturday when Jonas Brothers fans start lining up for tickets at MGM Grand Garden Arena, where the pop music rock sensations will appear Nov. 29. A random number will be selected at 9 a.m. and then everybody reshuffles behind that in order. Nobody will be permitted to purchase more than eight tickets. The box office will open at 10 a.m. The brothers are the ... Read more...
Angel talks with preview audiences about the ongoing changes at Believe as Halloween approaches
Each night of previews -– I repeat, previews — for Criss Angel’s new Cirque du Soleil Believe show see new illusions being added and perfected with adjustments to the running times of the woven scenes. The last few days have seen distorted and misunderstood reports about the illusion driven show and Criss has gone on record admitting that the previews are a challenging and necessary difficult part of the production process. He’s also firmly convinced that it will be 100 ... Read more...
Killers to debut ‘Human’ on SNL to advance Day & Age
It’s official: The television debut of the “Human” single off The Killers’ new album will be tomorrow night as our hometown heroes perform as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live. The four Vegas rockers will release their third studio album Day & Age on Nov. 25. Killers Web site “Human,” released this week on radio, has exploded as the No. 1 most-added song on modern-rock radio station playlists. They will perform with musical guest host Anne Hathaway for SNL’s ... Read more...
Advance serving of Raw Talent Live at the Sahara
It could easily be described as one of the most ambitious live music shows ever brought to the Strip. When Raw Talent Live opens tomorrow (Friday) night at the Sahara, in a sense it’s a journey that began back in Communist Cuba. It wasn’t until many of the cast members defected to America that this new production could take shape. Sixty performers will utilize 700 costumes during the fast-paced 75-minute adrenaline-packed bilingual performance –- 30 percent of which will be ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Li.Lo avoids the cameras, star sightings and tonight’s tip
*Lindsay Lohan didn’t remain in total hiding on her visit to the Palms with girlfriend-lover Samantha Ronson — but did avoid the hungry paparazzi. They managed to sneak in and out of the N9NE steakhouse restaurant and the Rain nightclub without getting caught on camera — although DJ Samantha did pose for the official shot of her with No. 1 world DJ Paul Oakenfold. Lindsay stuck to Fiji water the entire trip while Samantha enjoyed her Ketel One vodka with ... Read more...
Up close with Queensryche: Exclusive photo album
Since 1991 the Bellevue, Wash.,-based heavy metal band Queensryche has released 10 albums selling more than 20 million copies around the world with 11 million albums and videos sold in the U.S. alone. Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik was invited to get up close and personal to shoot this exclusive photo album at the heavy metal progressive band’s concert at the House of Blues. Read more...
Axed Kim says Dancing was ‘incredible experience’
“I am obviously sad to go” Kim Kardashian commented moments after being axed from the second round of the Dancing with the Stars ABC contest show. “I know I wasn’t the best dancer and I never claimed to be. I had never taken a dance class in my life until now!” Kim raced from one ABC studio with her partner, Mark Ballas, to another ABC studio to appear on the late night Jimmy Kimmel talk show. Then she threw a ... Read more...
Tyson-Holyfield ‘Unfinished Business’ sounds like risky business for would-be models
Is a battle between boxing’s yesteryear champions Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield actually in the cards? It’s the first I’ve heard of an “Unfinished Business” heavyweight boxing contest to be staged in Dubai at the end of January. Boxing fans may know better and far more than I do. Its OK -– I can hear you screaming “ear ear!” However, there’s a hint of scandal already blowing around this event — and I’m not talking just about the possibility of ... Read more...
Chillin’ and killin’: Inside Minus 5 and Fright Dome
A giant near life-sized ice sculpture of Elvis Presley complete with guitar, sunglasses, sideburns and pompadour dominates the new Minus 5 permanent ice lounge at Mandalay Place — it’s the first in the United States although Minus 5 has six others in operation in three other countries. It was more than 90 degrees in our desert playpen when I skated into the 2,000-square-foot, 23-degree cold zone to chill out just hours after its official opening -– and the white-clad Eskimo ... Read more...
Carey Hart gets it write with tattoo tome
Motocross champion and stuntman Carey Hart can now add the role of author to his resume! The owner of the new Wasted Space rock club at the Hard Rock Hotel released his debut tome today (Wednesday) when Inked went on sale at bookstores across the country. It’s safe to call this a coffee-table art book because there are 42 incredibly lavish color photos by Bill Thomas that show off the art of tattooing perfectly. Inked features 42 different people, including ... Read more...
Another 48-hour blast for Hollywood’s young TV stars on the Strip
Actor Zachary Levi brought his entire cast of Chuck co-stars with him to Vegas for his three-day birthday bash. It all began with Zach, Joshua Gomez, Yvonne Strahoovski, Sarah Lancaster, Ryan McPartlin, Scott Krinsky, Marc C. Lawrence and Julia Ling joined by producers McG and Chris Fedak celebrating the launch of their second season on NBC. They stretched out in the sun at the Venus topless optional adult pool club at Caesars Palace sharing a deluxe VIP cabana for dining ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Celebrity sightings and tonight’s tip
* TV personality Dr. Phil may have found the solution to stress! Tomorrow on his show seen nationwide (here locally at 7 p.m. on NBC affiliate KVBC-TV Channel 3) our friends the Blue Man Group will perform to demonstrate how people can reduce stress in everyday life. Starring nightly in their own showroom at The Venetian, the Blue Man Group incorporates several types of percussion into its live shows. Research has proved listening to the sounds of drums can help ... Read more...
Kardashian lopped from Dancing, but Braxton safe – for now
Going into last night’s (Tuesday) second-round Dancing with the Stars results show it looked pretty certain that our Vegas hometown heroine Toni Braxton and regular Vegas visitor Lance Bass would be safe -– and not axed from the show. It was far more worrying for Kim Kardashian, who films her Keeping up with the Kardashians reality TV series here. She was part of the trio of three lowest scorers including 82-year-old Cloris Leachman and celebrity chef Rocco DeSpirito — but ... Read more...
Billionaire’s Jackson-Madonna Dubai party set amid ‘high’ terror risk
Pop prince Michael Jackson, who lives in Vegas, maybe having second thoughts about joining Madonna for the $30 million-plus party planned for the opening of billionaire Sol Kerzner’s new water-themed resort hotel. Pop princess Kylie Minogue has been booked to headline the opening concert on Nov. 20, with more than 2,000 VIPs and celebrities flying in from all over the world. Kerzner’s new 1,540-room Atlantis, modeled after the one he has in the Bahamas where our Pure nightclub folks operate ... Read more...
Environmentalist Midler’s tours are a gas – and that’s the problem
When singing star Bette Midler discovered that it takes 14 fully loaded trucks to move her show on tour, she decided to quit all future touring. Midler ticket info Forget the high price of gas, Bette is a real-true environmentalist! She revealed: “I’ve decided to stay put in Vegas instead of wasting a lot of expensive gas. It caused too much pollution as well. I don’t drive much myself anyway. I have a Smart car and a Toyota Prius hybrid. ... Read more...
Vegas kitchen kings throw three-day culinary festival to show off our dining destination
An incredible weekend-long fine food festival is all set. More than 10 superstar Vegas chefs are hosting more than 12 of America’s top kitchen kings for the James Beard Foundation’s gastronomic all-stars Taste America series. Restaurateurs, cookbook authors, other celebrated chefs, and food and wine journalists will descend on Vegas on Oct. 24 for the event — and tickets are now on sale. It’s the ultimate showcase for Vegas, which I have long described as America’s top dining destination. Our ... Read more...
Labor Day Weekend: Myriad options in Las Vegas packed into four days
Inflated prices for entry and cabanas at nightclubs. Lines stretching around corners. The final big pool weekend before autumn arrives. LMFAO hosting at ...
Photos: Bridget Marquardt talks bikinis, TV, watches and Las Vegas
The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches star was the snow princess hosting the Stereo Loves Snow Day Moet Ice Imperial champagne party ...
If you are Paris Hilton and Cy Waits, what happens here doesn't stay here
When Las Vegas markets itself as an adult playground, we can't expect that unfortunate incidents involving celebrity ...
With all-star release, Hard Rock Hotel's Joint is guitar heaven
Carlos Santana's VIP guests ranged from India.Arie to Gavin Rossdale to Chris Daughtry as he gave attendees a healthy sampling ...
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