Luxe Life Blog

Strip Scribbles: Eva, Carmen, Kris Allen to celebrate NYE in town

Posted December 17, 2009 • 2:25 p.m.

Aria at CityCenter opened to VIPs and media on Dec. 16, 2009, then to the public shortly before midnight. Actress and Beso owner Eva Longoria Parker and Beso executive chef Isaac Carter are pictured here.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Actress Eva Longoria Parker is spicing up the biggest night of the year when she joins Fox’s Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live. Eva will invite TV viewers inside the grand opening celebration for her new Las Vegas Latin steakhouse Beso and luxurious nightclub Eve at Crystals in CityCenter. Eva will be joined by Kim Kardashian and other celebrities.

Also part of the Fox broadcast, Mandalay Bay will feature a beach party hosted by Carmen Electra. American Idol Season 8 winner Kris Allen, finalist Allison Iraheta and Sean Kingston are the music guests.

*In advance of President Obama’s probable visit to Las Vegas next Wednesday or on his return flight from Hawaii, David Osborne, a full-time pianist at the Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar and Baccarat Bar, will perform at The White House next Tuesday and Wednesday. David will play on Tuesday for first lady Michelle Obama and her friends and staff, and on Wednesday for Cabinet members and their families.

David, who has performed for the past five presidents in The White House, will play in the Grand Foyer. One of the recommendations for David to play at The White House came from President Jimmy Carter -- David has played at the ex-president’s birthday parties for the past 20 years, including his 85th birthday party this year, where he called David “one of the world’s greatest pianists.”

*Some of the city’s most recognizable people will wish Las Vegas Happy Holidays in a series of video messages on Miracle Mile Shops’ Strip-side LED video screens beginning today. The videos will air every half-hour from 10 a.m. to midnight today through Dec. 31 and include greetings from Mayor Oscar Goodman, Blue Man Group, Chester Bennington, Holly Madison, Sammy Hagar, Donny and Marie Osmond, Zowie Bowie, George Wallace, Lon Kruger, Gordie Brown, Santana and yours truly.

*Comedian Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame performs his show The Donny Clay Experience at Planet Hollywood beginning Feb. 11. The actor, director and producer portrays Donny Clay, the world’s fourth-best motivational speaker.

*Our Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Doug Gillespie was locked up at the Magical Forest as part of his annual fundraising efforts for Opportunity Village. After spending 90 minutes in the Magical Forest jail cell, Sheriff Doug was released after exceeding his preset bail of $5,000 by raising more than $21,000. He spent his time in the jail cell making calls to raise money. Donations came from the mayor, city officials and other public service personnel. The money raised exceeded last year’s record of $16,000. The Magical Forest is Opportunity Village’s largest annual fundraiser.

*Masked magician Jeff McBride and his company of conjurors, artists and performance artists will bring Jeff McBride’s Magic Wonderground to the new club The Olive, at 3850 E. Sunset, beginning tonight at 8. Jeff promises an evening of magic featuring strolling entertainers, close-up magic, live art, techno-tribal belly dance, lighting F/X installations, a psychic sideshow with tarot and palm reading and a 10 p.m. all-star stage show. DJ Master Diaz, the Mojo A Go-Go Girls, the Mystery School Magi, Jordan Wright, Scott Hitchcock, Areeya, Suzanne, Minnie, Danita and Morganne will join Jeff. The Wonderground will be performed on the third Thursday of each month.

Star surveillance

After attending the grand opening of Aria at CityCenter last night, Eva Longoria Parker dined at her new Las Vegas hotspot Beso with friends, including partner and celebrity chef Todd English, Palms mogul George Maloof, celebrity chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Kerry Simon and attorney Robert Shapiro. Beso executive chef Isaac Carter prepared some of Eva’s favorite dishes for the group. … Mike Tyson and his wife Lakiha Spicer had dinner at Simon at Palms Place last night.

Tonight’s tips

Obviously, all the attention is focused on Stefani Germanotta. Who, you ask? That’s Lady Gaga’s real name, and her Monster Ball Tour is at the Palms for two nights, with Semi Precious Weapons as her opening act now that Kid Cudi was suddenly dropped from the lineup this morning. The Palms and its President George Maloof have adopted Gaga’s “Poker Face” for its new TV and Web ad campaigns. She describes her concert as a pop-electro opera, and we say, “Just Dance”! … Rain at the Palms hosts the ultimate, retro-inspired roller-skating disco party Down and Derby at 10 p.m. DJ Nugget spins inside the electro-styled discotheque, and resident skate guard DJ SHR3D will control the roller rink’s turntables. … The search is on for the best go-go dancer in Las Vegas at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. Guest judges will select the top five, and the winner will be chosen by audience applause. The winner gets a contract with nightclub dance divas Fallen Angel Promotions and $500 in cash.

Tomorrow’s teases

Mindfreak magician Criss Angel battles not one but two shoulder injuries as he celebrates his birthday in style and onstage at his Cirque du Soleil production Believe in the Luxor. Late show guests on Saturday will get slices of his birthday cake. Plus, we’ll also welcome hometown hero Guy Fieri back to Las Vegas with his Roadshow Tour that cooks up a storm with food and music, and we’ll take an advance peek at the annual Christmas Nutcracker production by our friends at the Nevada Ballet Theater, who are moving it for the first time to the Strip.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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