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Steve Wynn, Victor Drai, XS, HRH and The Light Group in nightlife shakeups
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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for July 2009
Strip Scribbles: World Hip-Hop Dance Championships back for second year
The 2009 World Hip-Hop Dance Championships are back in Las Vegas this weekend with 120 dance crews representing 30 countries. It’s the second year of the street dance competitions here. I know very little about lock, crump and whack but can understand vogue and pop lock! There are three age group categories: junior, varsity and adult. Each team has to feature five to eight dancers in an original two-minute routine showing three styles of hip-hop dancing. Two nights of preliminaries ... Read more...
It’s a really tweet Twitter treasure hunt at Tao next Thursday
It’s certainly the first Twitter treasure hunt in Las Vegas nightclub history and possibly the world! Next Thursday, Tao in The Venetian will host a treasure hunt with a $5,000 prize, and all the clues come via Twitter. Be at least 21 years old with ID and bring a digital camera to snap photos of objects you’ll be searching for and a cell phone with a Twitter app to get the tweeted clues. You’ll be competing by yourself; pairs and ... Read more...
Congratulations to our Merry Mayor of Mirth on his 70th birthday
Our wonderful tourism booster and always Merry Mayor Hizz Honor Oscar B. Goodman celebrates his 70th birthday tonight with a public street party at Fremont Street Experience downtown. “It’ll be a blast!” Oscar said. “I’m inviting everyone to leave their worries behind and join me for a one-of-a-kind evening to benefit three local charities. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to share it with the citizens of fabulous Las Vegas!” Mayor Goodman’s street party ... Read more...
Jubilee!, the Strip’s longest-running show, celebrates 28 years
Glitz, glamour and glitter are synonymous with classic Las Vegas and also with the extravaganza Jubilee! that officially celebrates its 28th anniversary this weekend. Congratulations to cast, crew and officials at Bally’s, where the show has entertained more than 11 million guests. The near-three-decade-long production of gorgeous showgirls, lavish costumes from Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee, dazzling scenery, dynamic music, topless pageantry in feathers and sequins and world famous specialty acts was conceived, staged and directed by the legendary and ... Read more...
Vince Neil helps O’Shea’s celebrate its 20th anniversary at center Strip
Congratulations to the staff and executives at the oft-forgotten O’Shea’s at center Strip on its 20th anniversary. Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil will be part of tomorrow’s all-out blowout birthday bash right before he joins his band mates for Crue Fest 2 in The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. It will be an all-day celebration tomorrow at the Strip’s most uninhibited casino, and Vince’s appearance will be at 5 p.m. to blow out the candles on the cake and ... Read more...
Criss Angel’s Season 5 of Mindfreak most dangerous and daring yet
Mindfreak magician Criss Angel will dice with death five times during the new Season 5 of his top-rated A&E series. Starting with the premiere Aug. 12, each show will be a one-hour special with incredible illusions, phenomenal physical feats and daring demonstrations. But it’s the death-defying escapes that will attract the most attention, and even Criss admits that it’s the most dangerous and daring season to date. His biggest coup will be a mass levitation, where audience members will be ... Read more...
Leader of Dubai arrives for first look at CityCenter co-owned with MGM
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the leader of Dubai, has arrived in Las Vegas via private jet. He will get his first look at CityCenter, which he co-owns with MGM, tomorrow. His trip means CityCenter, estimated at $8 billion to $10 billion, is nearly finished. As previously announced, the luxury shopping complex Crystals is scheduled to open Dec. 3 — click HERE for that story. Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Secret lets you dine like VIP at Palazzo
I’m going to let you in on a very special fine dining secret! High above the casino floors at the Palazzo and The Venetian is an exclusive experience normally reserved for invited VIP guests and high rollers. One of the top award-winning and acclaimed Asian chefs from Hong Kong, Simon To, heads up an army of master chefs from across China to serve up amazing, authentic Asian cuisines in the Paiza Club. It’s an almost individual cook-to-order feast from any ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Jay-Z shows up for late-night meal at Tao
Just as Tao in The Venetian was about to close after midnight this morning, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z made a surprise appearance and confirmed that he’s here for the weekend to watch and support his wife Beyonce’s four concerts at the Encore Theatre. A male friend and a bodyguard joined Jay-Z, and the three men secluded themselves in Tao’s private dining room where they ate satay bass and yellowtail jalapeno. They also shared more than a dozen of the specialty sushi ... Read more...
Mariah Carey signs on for four concerts at the Palms
Singer Mariah Carey, the most successful female recording artist in history with more than 175 million albums sold worldwide, will perform four shows at The Pearl in the Palms. Hotel mogul George Maloof pulled off the incredible coup as Beyonce arrives in town for four shows starting tonight, and the official news of Mariah’s concert dates was confirmed within the past hour. Mariah will appear in the up close and personal, once-in-a-lifetime concerts Sept. 11-12 and Oct. 9-10. Tickets are ... Read more...
New nightclub, casino, pools and restaurant in store for Hard Rock Hotel
Two new pools, a Sky Bar and a nightclub are all planned for the fall expansion at the Hard Rock Hotel, while Body English will close after New Year’s Eve celebrations and debut as a new entity next April — and not necessarily as a nightclub! That’s the word from Hard Rock’s head honcho, Yale Rowe, senior vice president and general manager of operations. Click HERE for our photo tour yesterday of the new Paradise Tower he’s opening there this ... Read more...
Financial worries mount for Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s physician
Neighbors in the prestigious gated Red Rock community where Michael Jackson’s personal physician lives are gossiping about him facing the loss of his home there. Rumor there is that Dr. Conrad Murray has fallen behind some $100,000’s worth of payments due the mortgage holder and the Red Rock management association — and that the foreclosure process has begun. One resident told me last night: “We don’t like having the swarms of media stalking our community, let alone raids by police ... Read more...
Donny & Marie Osmond confirm two-year contract renewal on Today
For the second time in less than a year, America’s favorite brother and sister duo Donny & Marie Osmond have won a contract renewal as headliners at the Flamingo. They let the news slip on NBC’s Today being broadcast from Pure’s outdoor patio overlooking the Strip this morning. Flamingo officials afterwards confirmed to me that the entertainers have signed through October 2012. It was back on Sept. 9 last year that Donny and Marie began their run, and after just ... Read more...
Beyonce arrives to wrap up tour with four shows at Encore Theater
Four days and nights that can only be described as fierce … Sasha Fierce! Superstar Beyonce arrives today for her Thursday through Sunday shows in the Encore Theater at Steve Wynn’s Wynn and Encore resorts. Both casino hotels are rolling out the red carpet for the actress-singer with resort-wide parties and events. Beyonce’s intimate concerts here in the 1,500-seat theater wrap up her I Am … North American tour of arenas. Some of the tickets available online run as high ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: ‘Scream Queen’ to film new horror film in Las Vegas
Actress Rachel Grubb and horror film director Teresa Fahs promise that their next shock flick Haunting Kira, to be filmed on location in Las Vegas next year, will be the goriest and bloodiest zombie movie ever made! The announcement was made the day after Comic-Con in San Diego wrapped last weekend. Rachel is known as “The Scream Queen” from her 30 horror films, which include Terror Overload, Tales of the Dead, 13 Hours in a Warehouse, Strip Club Slasher and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Battle of the Brushes at Blush
Las Vegas makeup artists are in high demand with our Strip entertainers, model photo shoots and when Hollywood celebrities come to town to work and party. But for one night, all the salon makeup mistresses put work aside to party and play at Blush in the Wynn. However, it turned into a Battle of the Brushes when Rain Cosmetics owner Rain Andreani, the only Las Vegas makeup company, gifted them with some of her unique products. The artists went to ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Smokey Robinson surprises with Human Nature
It was the night Las Vegas had been waiting for weeks to happen! At first, everybody bet the bank that on opening night at the Imperial Palace Showroom, Motown mastermind Smokey Robinson would join his Australian discoveries Human Nature for an onstage performance. Instead, Smokey just introduced them and then hung out at his VIP booth with ex-Supremes member Mary Wilson to watch the show as they sang and danced along with the sensational four-man Aussie group. Last night, an ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Kelly Rowland lets love take over at Tao
Stunning singer Kelly Rowland, a founding and ex-member of Destiny’s Child, simply wowed and won over the Worship party crowd at Tao in The Venetian when she celebrated the season finale of her Bravo series The Fashion Show. The 28-year-old sexy singer, songwriter and actress wore a simple and eye-catching pink jumper dress when she arrived at Tao for dinner. She and her friends ordered sushi rolls, satay skewers, squash lettuce wraps and chicken and pork fried rice from chef ... Read more...
Chester French celebrates Blink-182 gig with feast and clubbing at Lavo
No sooner did Chester French open for Blink-182’s first reunion show in five years than they raced from the stage at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel for a three-hour feast of Italian dinner specialties at Lavo in the Palazzo. Nearby, actress Mena Suvari and her music producer fiance Simone Sestito were enjoying a romantic dinner. Once Chester French had their post-show nourishment, they were ready to party. Fueled up, the band went upstairs to the boutique nightclub, their ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Gabriel Iglesias turns fat into funny at the Palms
Heavyweight comedian Gabriel Iglesias doesn’t shy away from his extra pounds in his shows. He actually turns fat into funny and describes the five stages of being overweight in a hysterical routine: chubby, chunky, fat, huge and morbidly obese. He saves “fluffy” to describe himself at the fourth level, but while here at the Palms added a sixth level: “Oh, hell no!” Leading lens lady Denise Truscello was at The Pearl in the Palms for Gabriel’s stellar performance in 2 ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Hard Rock Hotel set to open Paradise Tower
Ahead of schedule and defying the economic downturn, Hard Rock Hotel executives are proudly unveiling the first part of its planned extension this weekend with the new Paradise Tower suites. Judging from yesterday’s tour by Hard Rock Hotel Senior Vice President and General Manager of Operations Yale Rowe, the Paradise Tower includes the very latest cutting-edge technology in electronics. The marvel forever attraction is the world’s most unique interactive pool table in the penthouse. Three different scenarios, thanks to an ... Read more...
Don Marrandino roast features Donny & Marie, X Girls and other stars
Hard to believe that after you rake your boss over the coals that you’d get a same-night renewal of your contract! But that’s exactly what happened with the topless dancers of X Burlesque at the Flamingo, and although there was no official announcement yet about a two-year-contract extension for Donny and Marie Osmond there, I’m reliably told that we can expect it soon. The X Burlesque beauties have signed on for another three years! My rival gossip guru Norm Clarke ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Pastry chef wins Miss Sunset Tan; Miss Playboy Club crowned
First there was 40, and then 30. Then they were cut down to 10 finalists, and it wound up with 28-year-old pastry chef Hillary Fisher from Charleston, S.C., being crowned Miss Sunset Tan 2009 at the second annual swimsuit pageant at the Palms. Seconds after she won, Hillary told me: “I didn’t think I’d even get into the Top 10. There were just so many beautiful women competing. I never guessed I’d go all the way and win. I’m speechless. ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Bette Midler’s $1,000 backstage meet and greet
Superstar Bette Midler’s new luxury VIP package is quite the deal, even with its $1,000 price tag — believed to be the most expensive of its kind in Las Vegas history! The Divine Miss M has affectionately dubbed the package Smug Mutha, and fans who sign on will sit front row center at her Caesars Palace Colosseum spectacular The Showgirl Must Go On. After Bette sizzling spectacular, they’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her backstage. Additionally, they’ll have a ... Read more...
Feds raid Las Vegas home of Michael Jackson’s doctor
Las Vegas police officers are assisting Los Angeles detectives and Drug Enforcement Agency agents as of 10 a.m. today in executing search warrants on the home of Dr. Conrad Murray at the prestigious guard-gated Red Rock Country Club in Summerlin. Dr. Murray is the Las Vegas-based physician who had signed on as Michael Jackson’s private physician for the This Is It 50-concert run at 02 Arena in London. Additional officers also are now stationed while searching Dr. Murray’s Global Cardiovascular ... Read more...
Steve Wyrick sues pyrotechnics company for failed death-drop stunt
Planet Hollywood magician Steve Wyrick’s failed Fourth of July stunt on the Strip that injured one crewmember has prompted Steve to file a lawsuit. Click HERE for our Las Vegas Sun colleague Steve Green’s story posted this morning. And click HERE for our report on the failed stunt. 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. Follow Robin ... Read more...
New Treasure Island restaurant to feature Phil Ruffin’s jade collection
Hotel mogul Phil Ruffin has set an Aug. 10 official opening date for his new Asian-themed restaurant Khotan at Treasure Island, which he acquired from MGM this year in a $750 million purchase. Khotan takes the place of the recently departed celebrity hotspot Social House. Since Khotan translates to “city of Jade,” Phil has decided — exactly as Vegas DeLuxe first reported — to decorate the restaurant with his own large collection of exquisite jade sculptures and ivory antiquities. I’m ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Counting Crows and Augustana at Red Rock Resort pool
A medical emergency called a halt to Michael Franti and Spearhead joining the outdoor Traveling Circus & Medicine Show presented poolside at the Red Rock Resort in Summerlin over the weekend. However, headliners Counting Crows with frontman Adam Duritz and supporting rockers Augustana more than made up for the absence, with Crows hits including “Round Here,” “Mr. Jones” and “A Long December.” Contributing photographer Erik Kabik was literally onstage for our photo gallery! Robin Leach has been a journalist for ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: It’s Stacy Keibler vs. Melissa Rycroft in rival pool parties
Two Dancing With the Stars beauties found themselves hosting rival pool parties in Las Vegas this past weekend, and both were at competing resort pools in a head-to-head bikini battle! Actress-model Stacy Keibler had hostess duties at MGM’s Wet Republic. The stunning, leggy starlet wore a red and white polka-dot bikini with matching white fedora. She showed off her amazing body as she partied with friends in one of the VIP bungalows. Stacy, who finished third with Tony Dovolani in ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Three bids expected for Prive space in Planet Hollywood
Despite the shockwaves in the Las Vegas nightclub industry with the yanking of Prive’s liquor licenses, I’m reliably informed that at least two local nightclub groups and one Southern California operator are anxious to ante up big dollars to take over the venue! The three investment groups are well experienced in the industry and ready to move with money and design plans in compliance with the Gaming Control Board and county liquor regulations. Click HERE for my colleague and Las ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Rock stars make it a Happy Birthday for Slash at Mirage
It was a nonstop weekend party for rock guitarist Slash as he celebrated his 44th birthday in town. Slash spent the first part of his birthday lounging at Bare topless pool in The Mirage. DJ Samantha Ronson, without Lindsay Lohan in tow, stopped by to wish him Happy Birthday as she was unable to attend his parties. The group festivities began with a cocktail party at Rhumbar in The Mirage and continued with a celebration birthday dinner at Stack in ... Read more...
David Duchovny and Tea Leoni find Love at Mirage
In past months, Hollywood headlines have trumpeted the on-and-off relationship between actor David Duchovny and his actress wife Tea Leoni. The couple themselves admitted their difficulties when they split. But they certainly found Love all over again during their visit to Las Vegas over the weekend and showed up at The Beatles musical by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. The handholding, arm-squeezing couple was together, reconciled and reunited! Daughter Madelaine West and son Kyd Miller were with Dad and ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Aerosmith and ZZ Top rock MGM Grand
Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue shot these two extraordinary photo galleries for Vegas DeLuxe when rock legends Aerosmith and ZZ Top played at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Said Tom: “It was a unique shoot because I felt the real passion, pain and love through the camera as the guys performed. I decided to shoot some black and white because of the passion that came from the music. The musicians gave me the same intense experience as to ... Read more...
Zowie Bowie jumps to the Strip with Vintage Vegas
The deal is signed, sealed and delivered, as they say in showbiz, and it’s exactly as we predicted when we were the first to break the news that Zowie Bowie would be leaving their berth at the Palms. The dynamic duo of Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips are all set to bring their new Vintage Vegas to the Lance Burton showroom in the Monte Carlo as late-night entertainment with an 18-piece orchestra and brass band. The official announcement confirming this ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Steven Tyler at Studio 54 and Snoop Dogg at Palms
It was the morning that even the stars didn’t want to call it a day! Snoop Dogg began his concert at the Palms after 1 a.m. today, and thousands packed the Kandyland party there. We’ll have the full photo coverage tomorrow of Snoop’s show at the Palms Pool, along with the Miss Sunset Tan swimsuit pageant, but this was Snoop at full throttle at 1:30 a.m.! Over at Studio 54 in MGM Grand, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler showed up early ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Profanity? Crowd surfing? It’s a Blink-182 rock show
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor “Chuck Norris masturbates to us!” You know you’re in for a crazy night at a concert when masturbate is one of the words that can be written in a review without editing. The boys were definitely back in town, as Blink-182 singer-bassist Mark Hoppus, singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker reunited last night at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. It was the punk pop rockers’ first concert together in nearly five ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Which entertainer has a second wife and child in SoCal?
Wicked whispers & racy rumors It’s difficult to believe, but I am told it’s totally true! Who is the headline entertainer with a “second wife and child” in Southern California while he lives here with a wife for his nightly shows on the Strip? … Which Strip show is getting a head-to-toe makeover during August after plans were finalized this month so that it has a new look and feel come September? … It’s a touch-and-go-no-go weekend for another Strip ... Read more...
Michael Jackson concert celebration is set for Aug. 29 birthday
Mark your schedule now for the Michael Jackson celebration tribute concert on what would have been his 51st birthday on Aug. 29. That’s also my birthday, and I’ll emcee the ceremony to start it all off with the unveiling of a star dedicated to him at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms. Then for one performance only, our top entertainers will join together for a special performance titled “Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson.” In this multi-artist production ... Read more...
It’s rival pool parties and concerts in Sin City this weekend
It’s a double or nothing weekend in Las Vegas as rival headliners and competing 72-hour poolside parties challenge one another for bragging rights. *Two three-day-long, outrageous, over-the-top parties kick-off today with Kandyland at the Palms and its Miss Sunset Tan beauty pageant, while over at the Luxor, it’s the Singles in Sin City blast. *For indoor performances, the battle is on between Steven Tyler and Aerosmith with ZZ Top at MGM Grand going against Earth Wind & Fire and Chicago ... Read more...
Stars at Play Photo Gallery: Blink-182, Steven Tyler and Mel Gibson
The rockers rule this weekend in Las Vegas. Punk rockers Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 kicked off their reunion tour — the first in five years — at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel last night. Originally, they were planning to only perform the starting tour date tonight, but fans snapped up tickets so fast that they added last night’s show. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty front and center for this fabulous ... Read more...
Closing of Prive and Living Room is only the tip of the iceberg
It’s only the tip of the iceberg! That’s according to investigators who have been undercover in nightclubs over recent weeks when the bombshell dropped yesterday that Prive and its Living Room ultra lounge in Planet Hollywood will shut down next week now that their liquor licenses have been yanked. I’m reliably told that at least three other nightclubs and pool party action spots are on the radar with serious continuing investigations. Some of the facts coming to light are, quite ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Jason Statham is a kickboxer, not a UFC fighter
Filming has wrapped in Louisiana on the new Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham movie The Expendables being produced by Planet Hollywood Chairman Robert Earl, who will throw its world premiere party here next spring. Jason, who burst on the scene with the Transporter films, is featured on the cover of the current Planet Hollywood in-room glossy magazine. Jason says he takes his martial arts skills very seriously, learning boxing from his father and going on to kickboxing and jujitsu, which ... Read more...
Celebrities surprise George Wallace during his birthday performance
Comedian George Wallace stopped his Flamingo headliner show cold in its tracks when the phone rang and it was superstar Stevie Wonder on the line with a surprise “Happy Birthday” call. Then before he could resume his show, fellow Flamingo magician Nathan Burton strolled onstage to perform a special birthday illusion. When the trick’s reveal took place, there behind the magic curtain was another Flamingo headliner, singer Donny Osmond, dressed in a showgirl’s sexy bustier corset she’d just vanished out ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Two shows premiere on the Strip: Rick Thomas and Charo
Master illusionist Rick Thomas, who has amazed audiences around the world, has returned home to Las Vegas and a new venue at the Sahara on the Strip. Latin cuchi-cuchi bombshell Charo has simultaneously taken up residence less than a quarter-mile away at the Riviera showroom, with her classical Segovia guitar work thrilling audiences nightly. Rick’s new show combines the beauty of magic, the complexity of working with regal animals and the elegance of dance. He has performed on the Strip ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Sunny Leone and Dirrty launch adult A.I. Studios
Adult entertainment actress Sunny Leone has set up her Las Vegas headquarters of A.I. Studios to make more XXX-rated movies here. Sunny’s latest feature Sunny’s Slumber Party was cast and partly shot here with co-stars Jenna Haze, Monique Alexander, Alexis Texas, Kiara Diane and Alyssa Reese. Las Vegas regulars Ron Jeremy and Randy West appear in the film in comedy-driven, non-sex performances. Slumber Party’s scheduled release date is in September, and Sunny plans a nationwide tour to promote her new ... Read more...
Nathan Burton renews Flamingo contract for three more years
Comedy magician Nathan Burton recently appeared on the current fourth season of America’s Got Talent and wowed the judges and his bosses at the Flamingo so much so that they have renewed his act there for another three years. On Talent, Nathan performed a whirlwind spot of mind-blowing magic, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, with judge David Hasselhoff raving, “Wow, wow, wow! That was terrific!” Now in a multimillion-dollar deal, Nathan’s headline comedy magic show is renewed through ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Eva Longoria Parker, Hotel 32 and Joel Robuchon
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker met with Bobby Baldwin, CityCenter’s president and CEO, and Frank Visconti, president of Crystals at CityCenter, at MGM’s CityCenter yesterday to discuss the highly anticipated debut of her restaurant and nightclub Beso Las Vegas. In December, the stunning beauty brings her flagship Hollywood hot spot to the Strip inside CityCenter’s Crystals, the spectacular retail and entertainment district. She’s partnered with our Bellagio celebrity chef Todd English in the venture. Eva says Beso takes a ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Go swimming with the sharks at Mandalay Bay
Can’t resist the pun about plunging to new depths! Can’t resist the pun about having too many sharks coming over every weekend from Hollywood! In our “Only in Las Vegas” files, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is launching a new Dive with Sharks program in August for its hotel guests. Thrill-seekers who are certified divers ages 18 and older will experience a rush of adrenaline going underwater with more than 30 sharks in the 1.3 million gallon exhibit. ... Read more...
Beyonce’s four-day concert run sparks series of parties at the Wynn
When superstar singer Beyonce hits the stage at the Encore Theater in the Wynn at the end of the month for four shows, it will cap a resort-wide series of events. We’ve got the full rundown that actually starts a week ahead of her arrival for the I Am … World Tour engagement. The festivities kick off with a “Single Ladies” dance contest qualifying round this Saturday at Tryst, with the finale set for July 30. Three winners will receive ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Coach K returns for another round with U.S. Men’s Basketball
USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo made it official yesterday at a press conference at the Wynn that the 2006-08 USA Basketball Men’s National Team coaching staff of head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University) and assistants Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mike D’Antoni (New York Knicks) and Nate McMillan (Portland Trailblazers) will be back! The four-man crew led the American men to gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a three-year record of 36-1. Mike Krzyzewski’s wife Mickie made the trip to ... Read more...
Michael Jackson death inquiry shifts to Las Vegas hospital
In the days shortly after Michael Jackson’s untimely June 25 death, I wrote here at Vegas DeLuxe that eventually the trail of drugs and doctors involved with the King of Pop would lead here to Las Vegas. This week, I have been proven right. Not only are investigators from the L.A. Coroner’s Office meeting with Dr. Conrad Murray, who has moved back here from Houston, but they also are trying to determine how hospital-only drugs used in surgery as an ... Read more...
Las Vegas author reveals how to keep an illicit affair secret
Throughout history, humans have had affairs. Be they love or lust, they often end in disaster, divorce — and, worst of all, death! Celebrities, politicians and VIPs who see marital merriment turn to madness wind up in the headlines and are pilloried for their dalliances under somebody else’s sheets. We’ve seen adultery almost on a monthly basis this year, including our Nevada Sen. John Ensign, and it has heated up in the past decade like never before. Now Las Vegas ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Music plays on with The Dan Band, B-52’s and Jermaine Dupri
Soon after confirmation came that hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson had ended their seven-year relationship, the record mogul turned up at Prive in Planet Hollywood. The Grammy Award-winning artist was all smiles and dressed to the nines in a crisp blue button-down shirt and Gucci loafers as he went inside the DJ booth for his guest-hosting appearance. Jermaine played a blazing two-hour set of hip-hop, cutting the music at one point to apologize to the crowd for having ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Anthony Cools, Marilyn Manson and Amazing Johnathan
Congratulations to comedic hypnotist Anthony Cools, who has just had his four-year run at the Paris extended for another four years! It started out as a limited engagement back in 2005, but the wild stage show proved so popular, it will now rack up an eight-year total with the new contract. During the run, Anthony transformed part of the Paris lobby area into his own 220-seat showroom. A new 3-D movie introduction produced by his brother Jeffrey Cools and starring ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Celebrities celebrate their birthdays up and down the Strip
Is there a better place than Las Vegas to mark another year of life? These stars don’t think so! Ryan Cabrera at the Bank Yes, it’s “True,” heartthrob with the hair Ryan Cabrera celebrated his 27th birthday at the Bank in the Bellagio, and our leading lens lady Denise Truscello was there for the celebration. Among Ryan’s guests were magician Steve Wyrick and a host of gorgeous girls who helped blow out the candles on his microphone-shaped cake! Natalie Martinez ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Jet, LMFAO, Adelitas Way, The Fray, Pepper and Ron Browz
There’s never quite been a music week like this. In the past few days, it seems we’ve had more musicians visiting, playing, filming and performing than ever before. Our team of prized photographers somehow managed to keep pace with the concerts, the tapings and the parties that go along with all the action. LMFAO at Tao Electro-hop duo LMFAO filmed their new video “Shots” with rapper Lil’ Jon at Tao Beach. Red Foo and Sky Blu of LMFAO with DJ ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: The Osbournes experience Zero Gravity at McCarran
Talk about an out-of-this-world experience for Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne! They experienced complete weightlessness with Zero Gravity Corp. over the skies of Las Vegas this past weekend, with the rock music family flipping and floating while onboard G Force One filming an episode of their new reality show. The Osbournes wowed the Zero G flight crew with their best impersonations of Superman as they soared the length of the airplane. Jack played Pac-Man as he glided up and down ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: The Young and the Restless dream wedding at MGM
The Young and the Restless stars Christian LeBlanc and Tracey Bregman served as witnesses at The Young and the Restless Wedding of a Lifetime of Charlene Lee and Willie Williams at the MGM’s condo-tel Signature. Willie and Charlene were the winners of the top-rated soap opera’s dream wedding contest. Christian and Tracey play Michael and Lauren Baldwin on the CBS show. Charlene and Willie, who were flown here from the Bronx, were selected from 2,600 contestants who were narrowed down ... Read more...
New reality TV show The Good Life is coming to Sin City
If you live like a princess or act like one — or want to be one! — then a new reality TV show that’s headed to Las Vegas for filming is just right for you! Hollywood casting agents are coming here to track down the pampered and the privileged over the next few weeks for the new series The Good Life. Whether you get pampered on someone else’s dime and your extravagant lifestyle includes luxury cars, designer handbags and expensive ... Read more...
O marks the spot for Limp Bizkit singer and newlywed Fred Durst
It was a wonderful way to celebrate a new wedding! Rocker Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit married his ladylove Esther Nazarov before flying into Las Vegas for a fan-packed free concert at The Pearl in the Palms — and they honeymooned in style before and after the concert. The newlyweds enjoyed mojitos at the Palms Place pool and enjoyed a romantic dinner at Prime in the Bellagio, where they saw Cirque du Soleil’s O. They went backstage afterwards to meet ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Miss Bliss bikini contest raises temperatures at Palms Place
How about a super-sexy collection of a beautiful bikini-clad bevy of blondes and brunettes to start the work week right? Just when you thought the heat wave hit 117 degrees and couldn’t get any hotter, along came this procession of princesses to send it soaring even further! And just when you thought bikinis couldn’t get any briefer, the Southern California Malibu String Bikini Co. decided to prove “oh, yes, they can!” The designers say theirs are the sexiest swimsuits on ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Pat and Vanna spin four weeks of Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune stars Pat Sajak and Vanna White are at the halfway mark of their marathon four-day shoot schedule of the new 27th season of game shows. They’ve shot the first two weeks of shows to kick off in September, and today and tomorrow film two more weeks for the February ratings sweeps period with a romantic theme to air around Valentine’s Day. Yesterday was a little more relaxed and less frenzied as they shot promos and prize package ... Read more...
Hef watches ex-girlfriend Holly Madison in Peepshow
Playboy head honcho Hugh Hefner was reunited with his former gal pal Holly Madison when he watched her striptease spectacular Peepshow at Planet Hollywood last night. Holly, who stars as Bo Peep, welcomed the group at the show and then arranged for her former beau to be pulled onstage during the audience interaction number “Trick or Two.” Hef loved it! Commenting about his experience onstage, Hef said: “I was delighted. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed it. I think everyone ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Shannon twins turn heads at Playboy Store in Caesars Palace
Fans, with girls outnumbering guys, lined up in long lines for a meet and greet with twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon at the Playboy Store in Caesars Palace’s Forum Shops. At times, the lines stretched more than 500 feet and often three and four people deep. It is virtually impossible to tell Karissa and Kristina apart! And wearing matching pink bikinis certainly didn’t make it any easier for our contributing photographer Tom Myers. The new Girls Next Door have arrived, ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Vegas to celebrate Michael Jackson’s Aug. 29 birthday
Following up on our recent report about Michael Jackson’s autopsy report being made public Monday, the L.A. Coroner’s Office has now run into a road block in completing its final examination of doctor prescription records and has pushed back its findings for at least two weeks. Meantime, I can confirm that Michael’s birth date of Aug. 29 will be celebrated here in Las Vegas with a day- and night-long series of special events and a tribute concert. It’s the same ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: It’s a grape year to bottle your own wine in Las Vegas
I have grape news, and this is certainly one story I am going to toast! I never knew that right here in Las Vegas, it was possible to literally make your own wine for less than $9 a bottle complete with your own name emblazoned on the label. That’s the genius business of former 30-year food and beverage veteran Charlie Peters, who now runs Grape Expectations, the first Nevada School of Winemaking. Without having to stomp barefoot, customers can crush ... Read more...
Zero Gravity at McCarran offers out-of-this-world experience
Do you remember where you were 40 years ago as we sat open-mouthed in awe at the John Glenn and Buzz Aldrin moon landing by Apollo 11? It was one of those moments in history never to be forgotten. Space travel and exploration has since become as acceptable as a monorail ride from MGM to the Convention Center, even though it’s a $25 million ticket to ride with the astronauts! Now for much, much less, you can have the opportunity ... Read more...
Martinis and merry mirth for mayor’s 70th birthday soiree July 31
Plans have been locked into place for the celebration of our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman’s 70th birthday that we first told you about nearly a month ago. The three-hour party July 31 will be open to the public, with a $20 donation benefiting Hizz Honor’s three favorite charities: the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Opportunity Village and Three Square Food Bank. It’ll take place on First Street Stage downtown on Fremont Street Experience in front ... Read more...
Sammy Hagar prepares to open Cabo Wabo in Planet Hollywood
It’s now been officially confirmed! As Vegas DeLuxe first reported, rocker Sammy Hagar is bringing his Cabo Wabo Cantina this fall to center Strip, replacing Trader Vic’s in Planet Hollywood. It will be a two-level, 15,000-square-foot nightclub and restaurant — and, as Sammy himself says, he’s ready to rock Las Vegas Cabo-style! “It will be a hard rockin’ dining and nightlife experience,” Sammy commented. “Just as Cabo Wabo Cantina transformed Cabo San Lucas from a sleepy Mexican town into a ... Read more...
Wheel of Fortune spins into The Venetian this weekend
Wheel of Fortune hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White arrived at the Palazzo in Las Vegas last night and are ready for a marathon filming weekend of their long-running, top-rated, syndicated game show. The show begins its 27th season this fall, and the first two weeks of shows are being filmed here at the Sands Convention Center in The Venetian this weekend. Over the 96-hour shoot schedule, Pat, Vanna and the production team also will film two other weeklong series ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: E! to record Hef and Shannon twins at Peepshow
Following up on our story yesterday of Hugh Hefner’s 19-year-old twin girlfriends Karissa and Kristina Shannon coming to Las Vegas for the weekend, Holly Madison has confirmed that the Girls Next Door TV crew will be filming Hef and the ladies at her Peepshow in Planet Hollywood over the weekend. Holly says she intends to pull the Playboy king, her ex-boyfriend, out of the audience and up onstage for the pink-paint, handcuffed-to-bed number. I wonder if Hef’s favorite color is ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Las Vegas stars shine at 2009 ESPY Awards in L.A.
Gorgeous Lake Las Vegas golfer Natalie Gulbis and hometown boxing champion Mike Tyson were just two of our favorite stars to shine at last night’s ESPY Awards hosted by actor Samuel L. Jackson at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. The program was recorded for broadcast on ESPN this Sunday. Newlywed Girl Next Door Kendra Wilkinson was on the red carpet with Philadelphia Eagles husband Hank Baskett and proudly showing her baby bump. Another regular Las Vegas visitor, 14-time Olympic gold ... Read more...
Mac King, Jeff McBride traveling to China for world championships gala
Two Las Vegas magicians are flying to China in the next few days to entertain at the 24th Annual World Magic Championships. More than 2,000 wizards from around the world will participate July 26-31 for the title of world’s best in categories ranging from card magic to manipulation to stage illusions. Our hometown heroes Mac King and Jeff McBride have been booked to showcase their skills onstage to the competing magicians and are not taking part in the contests. Jeff, ... Read more...
Interactive exhibit CSI: The Experience is headed to MGM
The top-rated CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is set on the Las Vegas Strip, and now the interactive exhibit CSI: The Experience will open this summer at MGM Grand. Developed by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with a National Science Foundation grant for a tour of science museums, CSI: The Experience gives guests the chance to play crime scene investigator, learning scientific principles and investigative skills as they examine one of three crime scene mysteries. In ... Read more...
At the Palms: Miss Sunset Tan pageant and Snoop Dogg concert
There will be open casting calls tomorrow in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for contestants hoping to enter the 2nd Annual Miss Sunset Tan swimwear model search. Then next weekend, July 24-26, 40 of them will take part in the finals to be held at the Palms, with more than $100,000 in cash and prizes and the winner becoming the new face of E!’s Sunset Tan for the next year. The pageant, which will be the centerpiece of the debut ... Read more...
Is Michael Jackson death investigation now all-out murder case?
We are now only five days away from the toxicology report being released in the death of King of Pop Michael Jackson. The L.A. coroner will disclose it early next week, and it will likely go a long way in determining if the current inquiry becomes a full-on murder investigation. Official LAPD sources deny that it’s already a homicide investigation, but gossips in Los Angeles say that the continuing police work is already indicative of that charge. Detectives and Coroner’s ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: A-Rod’s new love revealed at Angels-Yankees game?
Las Vegas was well represented at the Los Angeles double-header against the Yankees in Anaheim, Calif. Jersey Boys cast member Erich Bergen threw out the opening ball in the first game, and Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular star Anthony Crivello, the Phantom himself, sang the national anthem before the second game. Dozens of Las Vegas fans of the Bronx Bombers made the trip, including our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue. Tom found himself with a photo scoop on his hands as ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Steve Schirripa to award $1 million on Face the Ace
On The Sopranos, he played part of da family that took da money, but on his new NBC series, actor Steve Schirripa is giving it away! Our hometown hero who still books comedy entertainment at the Riviera has been picked to host the new one-hour Saturday night show Face the Ace. It’s the first time a poker series will air in primetime. Face the Ace kicks off Aug. 1, and it’s all filmed here at Cin City Studios. Current TV ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Dancers and singers audition for the Dirty Virgins
British singer Matt Goss and Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin spent more than six hours yesterday auditioning dancers and singers for the show they are launching at the Lounge in the Palms in early September. There was a huge turnout of sexy dancers at The Pearl in the Palms. They were put through a series of orchestrated moves following Haylie, one of the lead Pussycat Dolls Las Vegas dancers at Pure in Caesars Palace. My spywitness said: “It was amazing. ... Read more...
‘Peepshow is a joy,’ says Peep Diva triple threat Shoshana Bean
Veteran Broadway actress, singer and dancer Shoshana Bean is not only working in Las Vegas for the first time in her career, but she’s also working in a topless show for the first time! Shoshana told me that she’s loving it all. Shoshana said: “I thought it was pretty late in life to make one’s first trip to Vegas. This is my first time here working. I love it. … I can’t believe it is work. It doesn’t feel like ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Miss America, Michael Phelps and Cullen Jones
Our 2009 Miss America Katie Stam was back at home in Indiana for the USA World Swimming Championship Trials and witnessed two new records being set! Katie, a native of Seymour, started off her day with the Make a Splash program, where she spoke to 200 kids about how much she enjoys swimming and being Miss America. She then joined a group of championship swimmers in an autograph session for fans. Later, Katie sang the national anthem at the trials ... Read more...
Celebrities go to war against high-priced ticket scalpers
The stars themselves have declared war against high-priced ticket scalpers running rampant at high-demand events not only in Las Vegas but also at arenas across the country! The first three shows here to benefit from the battle are Sugarland at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm on July 24, followed by Diana Krall at The Pearl in the Palms on Aug. 8 and Creed at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Sept. 27. Joint resident Carlos ... Read more...
Smokey Robinson signs up for Justin Timberlake’s golf charity event
Motown legend and Las Vegas resident Smokey Robinson has signed on for Justin Timberlake’s pro-am golf tournament scheduled for Oct. 14. It’s part of a near weeklong benefit (Oct. 12-18) for the Shriners Children’s Hospitals at the TPC golf course in Summerlin and wrapping up with an all-star concert at Planet Hollywood’s Theatre for the Performing Arts. Smokey says he’s excited to participate in this year’s event. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the pro-am to support such an ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Mayor is ‘killed’ at murder mystery show premiere
Apologies to our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman for the grabby headline, but how could we resist? Oscar was “shot” last night in a cameo appearance at the 10th anniversary dinner show of Marriage Can Be Murder on its first night in its new home at Fitzgerald’s downtown, just as we tipped in yesterday’s Vegas DeLuxe postings. Despite the fact that our mayor sometimes riles his opponents and even makes lovely wife Carolyn grit her teeth occasionally, we can ... Read more...
Karissa and Kristina Shannon to make first solo trip to Las Vegas
Bunny alert! Hugh Hefner’s newest matching gal pals the sexy Shannon twins are headed to Las Vegas for the weekend, and the hutch’s head honcho won’t be here looking after them! Karissa and Kristina Shannon will hop here in less than 48 hours and have the town all abuzz! First stop on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. will be at the Playboy store in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace for an autograph session of the first-combined July/August issue ... Read more...
A timeline of Terry Fator’s new dates, and Melinda Fator responds
Following our news yesterday about Terry Fator’s weekend dates with cover girl model Taylor Makakoa, Las Vegas media whipped itself into an overnight frenzy playing catch-up. One TV report even had Terry’s separated wife in shellshock over my first revelation! Puh-lease! I’m out of town with family on a working trip, and I didn’t let the news of Terry’s newly dating status get blown up into an exploitative piece of histrionics! Let’s run down the facts here: Terry’s wife of ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Terry Fator has a new lady in his life
Mirage headliner Terry Fator has started dating again, and the lucky lady is Las Vegas model Taylor Makakoa, who used to don a sexy red, white and blue patriotic outfit in his show nightly at The Mirage. Taylor left the show in March. My spywitness at last night’s Rhumbar opening there told me, “They’re not hiding it. They were hand-in-hand all night long. They are very much together.” Taylor is a Hawaiian-born beauty who now resides in Las Vegas. The ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Star-studded Rhumbar opening benefits cancer charity
It was a simultaneous grand opening for Rhumbar at The Mirage and a kick-off for Pink Sugar Mondays. Mirage headliner Terry Fator with the Alizma triplets, Peepshow star Holly Madison and Mirage President and CEO Scott Sibella were among the celebrities who attended the event. Megan Hauserman and Rhumbar founders Craig Gilbert and Michael Frey also attended the grand opening, which was a benefit for the cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Coincidentally, Terry, who won the first ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Regeneration 2009 Tour makes a stop at The M Resort
Yesterday in our roundup of the weekend music concert scene, I felt we short-changed the bands who performed the first concert at The M Resort. The Regeneration 2009 Tour stop featured Missing Persons, Cutting Crew, Wang Chung and ABC. Hotel owner Anthony Marnell III opened the Villagio del Sole Pool and Entertainment Piazza with the concert. Dale Bozio, the lead singer of Missing Persons, had the distinction of singing the first song at the Piazza. Vocalist Nick Van Eede and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Rise Against and Rancid rock The Rogue Joint
Punk rockers Rise Against and special guest opening act Rancid rocked The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel last night, and our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was front and center for this phenomenal photo gallery. Rancid opened with guitarist and vocalist Lars Frederiksen wowing the crowd with his customized Marshall amplifier. It was a night for noise and not a sunset for silence! Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Menopause the Musical makes ‘the change’ at premiere
During its three-year run at the Las Vegas Hilton, Menopause the Musical entertained more than half a million guests, and now the show about “the change” has moved to the Strip. The laugh-a-minute, song-a-minute production is now headquartered at the Luxor, and the cast won a standing ovation and more applause when they arrived for the first-night celebration in their new home. Nightly kudos to four of the hardest-working powerhouse women in Las Vegas show business, including dynamic vocalist Queen ... Read more...
Are Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson taking it off for X shows?
Rumors have started flying that former porn queen Jenna Jameson might well expose herself again, but this time on the Strip as a guest star in X Burlesque at the Flamingo. And more startling that former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, her boyfriend and the baby daddy to their new twins, might simultaneously wind up in Men of X at Hooters! Husband and wife Matt and Angela Stabile, the shows’ producers, would only admit that they are discussing the possibility of ... Read more...
Robin Antin to begin hunt for new group for Matt Goss at the Palms
The search officially begins tomorrow for the sexiest singers and dancers who will make up Robin Antin’s newest dance troupe the Dirty Virgins. Robin hit pay dirt with the Pussycat Dolls and is planning to re-create that success when she presents English crooner Matt Goss in a new show starting Sept. 3 in the Lounge at the Palms. Robin will audition dancers starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Palms Lounge and then continue at 3 p.m. with singers. Six musicians ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Globetrotting gnome hits all the Las Vegas hot spots
Talk about the high life while peddling some of the best bargains in the travel industry! Not content with his “marriage” to Holly Madison, which we posted yesterday (click HERE for that “I Do”), the Travelocity gnome enjoyed even more adventures during his foray through our desert kingdom. The gnome turned up at Siegfried & Roy’s dolphin pool at The Mirage, enjoyed the dancing fountains and the Conservatory at the Bellagio, rode the New York-New York roller coaster and, to ... Read more...
AEG: Michael Jackson’s This Is It is basis of tribute show
King of Pop Michael Jackson was due to open his run of 50 This Is It shows last night in London, but that worldwide dream of loyal fans ended sadly, tragically and dramatically. However, the day afterward, AEG Live has now confirmed what I exclusively reported shortly after Michael’s death. AEG Live’s head honcho Randy Phillips says the concert promoter is in the early stages of planning a concert based on This Is It, which had completed final L.A. rehearsals ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Holly Madison’s last-minute dash to make curtain call
Our Showgirl Next Door Holly Madison nearly missed her Saturday Peepshow performance because she was stuck in traffic going from her UFC ring-girl duties at MGM to her Planet Hollywood stage. Holly had to abandon her limo and hightail it down the Strip in high heels. Fortunately, or unfortunately, she wasn’t wearing this new bikini she donned for a new calendar shoot. Holly also found time over the weekend to get “married,” as you can read in our story this ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Rock star weekend with Incubus, NKOTB and The Roots
The weekend turnout of rockers and pop stars for concerts and parties throughout the Strip rivaled the UFC 100 bonanza, and our fabulous Vegas DeLuxe contributing photographers managed to keep up with all of them. Rockers Incubus, led by singer Brandon Boyd, performed at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, where Erik Kabik captured them in action, while at the other end of the music spectrum, the reunited New Kids on the Block had fans screaming for more ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: It’s playtime for UFC 100’s ring warriors
The UFC has finally come of age as the biggest sport headquartered in Las Vegas, and after this past weekend’s UFC 100, it can now certainly claim positively and with pride the biggest event in MMA history that exceeded the best of boxing — and now the boom has been lowered forever on that sport! We’ll leave all the coverage of the Octagon wins for Brock Lesnar over Frank Mir and Georges St. Pierre over Thiago Alves to our colleague ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Holly Madison’s unusual and surprise ‘wedding’
Stop the presses! Playboy beauty Holly Madison was “married” in a unique, unusual and surprise wedding yesterday, and lens lady supreme Denise Truscello captured the photos! It’s enough to get the heart of a hardened journalist beating stronger early on a Monday morning because you know that with these first fast and furious photos, we’ve beaten the tabloids and the nightly TV shows to the punch. When the new first broke, we immediately thought she’d landed one of her former ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Resident DJ Paul Oakenfold renews Rain contract
Congratulations to British DJ Paul Oakenfold, one of the world’s best deejays, on renewing his contract at the Palms to be the resident wheels of steel star at Rain through 2010. His Perfecto Las Vegas shows have been drawing record crowds. “Perfecto serves as the ultimate nightlife destination for partygoers seeking an extraordinary sensory experience that is unmatched anywhere in America and rivals any party around the globe,” Paul said. Perfecto is every Saturday in the 25,000-square-foot nightclub, and Paul ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Carmen Electra’s electrifying night of topless triumph
Hundreds of fans joined by a media scrum of TV cameras, reporters and photographers mobbed sex bombshell Carmen Electra when she made her red carpet entrance last night at MGM’s Crazy Horse Paris theater. The pint-sized powerhouse packed a punch with her appearance in pink! Six of the 12 Crazy Horse Paris dancers flanked Carmen as she posed on the red carpet and talked with us. She told me she’d felt completely free when she stripped and went topless for ... Read more...
Los Angeles Lakers among 21 teams taking part in NBA Summer League
Twenty-one NBA teams, including the 2009 NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers, will compete in this year’s NBA Summer League, which kicks off today. In all, there will be 55 games from today’s tip-off through July 19. Today’s matches are between Houston and Golden State (1 p.m.), Detroit vs. Sacramento (3 p.m.), Los Angeles against Toronto (5 p.m.) and Milwaukee vs. Dallas (7 p.m.), with all games in Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center. Tomorrow’s matches are between ... Read more...
In concert: Duran Duran, Incubus, NKOTB, Snoop Dogg and … Kenny G
It’s not all about hard bodies and destruction on the basketball court and inside the cage at UFC 100 this weekend. There’s another superstar musical invasion on deck for Las Vegas, with everybody from hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg to popular saxophonist Kenny G at opposite ends of the music spectrum. Additionally, Duran Duran and Incubus go up against each other, and New Kids on the Block bring back their winning sounds from the 1980s. If that’s not enough, Jadakiss raps ... Read more...
Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar battle for heavyweight title in UFC 100
Two giant fights inside the cage! One to determine the heavyweight championship title, and another to settle the welterweight championship. If you were casting a battle for UFC 100, you couldn’t do better than the bitter and brutal rematch between our hometown hero Frank Mir and his extraordinary opponent Brock Lesnar — and Georges St. Pierre battling Thiago Alves for the welterweight belt. Along with those two volatile wars is the battle of the coaches from Season 9 of The ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Tommy Lee dreams of roller coaster for his drum set
Can Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee be serious? Tommy wants to have an indoor roller coaster built so that his drum set complete with two seats could roll around on it during the group’s shows. He’d love nothing more than to debut it upon the group’s arrival here next month for their Crue Fest concert at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. In a fascinating article in the new edition of Rhythm, Tommy is featured at the top ... Read more...
Lord of the Dance reportedly to close after less than three weeks
Less than three weeks into a special nine-week Las Vegas engagement, producer Michael Flatley has apparently decided to end the run of his Lord of the Dance spectacular. If rumors are true, then the dance musical extravaganza is the latest casualty in a string of shows that have collapsed at the Steve Wyrick Theatre in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops, and Sunday will reportedly be its final performance. Michael’s cast and crew of 50 are said to be in tears, ... Read more...
Michael Jackson merchandise goes on sale shortly after L.A. memorial
It doesn’t take long for the wheels of big business to start rolling even if King of Pop Michael Jackson hasn’t been buried yet. Less than 48 hours after the Staples Center memorial tribute in L.A., official new merchandise has gone on sale. There is now — this morning — an authorized Michael Jackson This Is It merchandise store up and running at www.MichaelJacksonMerch.com, and it’s approved by AEG, the promoters of the London concerts, which were due to start ... Read more...
Topless revue Crazy Girls at the Riviera is ‘not closing’
Producers of the topless revue Crazy Girls at the Riviera reacted angrily this morning to reports published elsewhere that their striptease show is closing. “It’s simply not true,” I was told. “If somebody had bothered to check with us, we would have told them immediately that we are not closing, and then they wouldn’t have published a false story.” Crazy Girls is the original and first topless revue on the Strip and this year celebrated its 22nd anniversary. Karen Rader, ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: From The Grass Roots to Linkin Park to Dead by Sunrise
Back in the summer of 1969, rock ’n’ roll American-style kicked into high gear. Janis Joplin and her gravely voice reigned supreme out of San Francisco with her original band Big Brother and the Holding Company. The Grass Roots, one of the greatest rock groups of all time, were at the top of what would be a multi-decade career. To celebrate the Fremont Street Experience’s salute to the Summer of ’69, not only did the two giant bands of yesteryear ... Read more...
It’s official: Aubrey O’Day becomes Peepshow’s Peep Diva on Sept. 14
Vegas DeLuxe broke the exclusive story July 1. Then L.A. gossip writers followed, and finally yesterday, producers of Peepshow officially confirmed that former Danity Kane blonde bombshell Aubrey O’Day will open in Peepshow with Holly Madison on Sept. 14. I’m reliably told that sultry siren Aubrey wants to wear even hotter, sexier outfits than Spice Girl Mel B wore when she originated the role and might go topless when she takes over the role. “She wants to be remembered as ... Read more...
As promised, Carmen Electra goes topless in Crazy Horse Paris preview
Sexy and sultry Carmen Electra will shed more than her inhibitions tonight for three dance numbers as the guest star of Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand. The former Baywatch babe will dance barefoot behind bars in the Chain Gang number, and then will peel off into some naughty nude lingerie for a Lesson in Eroticism balanced on a pair of heart-shaped red ruby lips. She also will join the entire lineup of beauties for the finale wearing little more ... Read more...
Andre Agassi picks up a racquet for World Team Tennis
Las Vegas residents, along with the world, winced right after the 2006 U.S. Open when Andre Agassi announced his retirement. Now our 39-year-old hometown hero is picking up the racquet again and ending his retirement. Tomorrow, Andre will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms in World Team Tennis. League founder and friend Billie Jean King owns the Freedoms, and Andre will play for them in Philadelphia and then again July 17 in Newport Beach, Calif. Billie Jean flew to Las Vegas ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche to receive stars at the Palms
It’s very early exclusive news, but congratulations to Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche, who will both be presented with stars on the Walk of Fame at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms next month. Final details are being worked out now, but the actors will get their stars simultaneously in an Aug. 5 presentation tied to the premiere of their new film Spread, which is described as a sex comedy centered on a serial womanizer who finally meets his match. ... Read more...
Lindsay Lohan faces lawsuit over Sevin Nyne tanning mist spray
Actress Lindsay Lohan reportedly partnered with a Las Vegas businesswoman, Lorit Simon, to develop the new Sevin Nyne tanning mist spray. The young star launched it with a debut party at Wet Republic in MGM two weekends ago as part of her early birthday celebrations. Lindsay, who turned 23 last Thursday, was said by the New York Post to have been paid $70,000 for her Las Vegas promotion of the tanning spray. Now just four days after her birthday, she’s ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: It’s party time for Ashlan Gorse and Audrina Patridge
Two of Hollywood’s hottest young TV stars ensured that the Las Vegas party scene never stopped when they came to play in our desert kingdom. Sexy starlet Audrina Patridge of MTV’s The Hills hosted a lavish celebration at the Bank in the Bellagio. Audrina started her night with a dinner for friends at the Bellagio’s Yellowtail with a meal specially created by chef Akira Back. Audrina took her girlfriends dancing at the Bank and refused to call it a night. ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: There’s another Sin City — in Carlsbad, Calif.
The first and only theme park in America created by Danish toymaker Lego is less than 300 miles from Las Vegas. Located in Carlsbad, Calif., Legoland is less than a five-hour drive to escape our desert heat in the triple digits. There are more than 15,000 Lego models in the park created from more than 35 million Lego bricks. The models range from a Brontosaurus made from 2 million bricks down to a tiny rabbit made from just four bricks, ... Read more...
Is there a tug-of-war for a Michael Jackson museum in Las Vegas?
No sooner is the Michael Jackson memorial tribute over than the lawyers get back to the business of wrangling over — and untangling — the web of Michael’s finances and future earning power. The first feud appears to be shaping up over the location of a proposed museum similar to what Elvis Presley executors set up at Graceland. Naturally, that involves Hilton owner Tom Barrack, head of Colony Capital that put up a $25 million loan to help Michael save ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: NBC poker series could turn viewers into millionaires
A new NBC game show from the folks at Full Tilt Poker is underway this week here. NBC has former Riviera entertainment director and Sopranos star Steve Schirripa as host of Face the Ace, and the public gets to play along Friday. It’s a series of seven one-hour episodes that start airing Aug. 1. The unique format calls for contestants to combat one of three unknown poker pros in a heads-up, no-limit Texas Hold ’em after selecting the opponent from ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Fans gather for televised Michael Jackson memorial
The video screens stretching across the length of Planet Hollywood and its Miracle Mile shops were all tuned to the CNN telecast of the Michael Jackson memorial tribute at Staples Center in Los Angeles this morning. Fans stood watching for the entire 150-minute service of tribute speeches, song remembrances and even a little politicking. The stereo sound was pumped through the state-of-the-art, wall-to-wall, mega sound system, too. Fans on the Strip applauded, cheered, went silent at appropriate moments and sang ... Read more...
Carmen Electra ready to go topless in Crazy Horse Paris at MGM
The sexy and gorgeous Carmen Electra, who has shed all her inhibitions on the cover and inside the pages of Playboy, is definitely going topless again tomorrow night when she begins her guest-starring run in Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM. There were rumblings that Carmen would keep her bra or pasties on, but she promises that it’s all coming off! “I wanted to go for it. I didn’t want to cheat either the audience or myself,” she laughed with ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Fighters declare Nelly’s set at Jet a knockout performance
Rap superstar Nelly had fans enthralled early this morning at Jet in The Mirage. He wowed the audience with a performance that had them whooping, hollering and applauding in a standing ovation that would not stop. Fighters Chuck Liddell and Antonio Tarver, who were in the crowd, declared it a knockout performance. Nelly unexpectedly brought along his brother City Spud, who sang along with him as an extra treat, and Jade Cole from America’s Next Top Model Cycle 6 dazzled, ... Read more...
Celebrities continue their nonstop party whirlwind on the Strip
After two days of concerts and hard partying, Jamie Foxx still couldn’t completely relax when he hit the pool for Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel. The superstar entertainer relaxed for a while in his VIP cabana, but it wasn’t too long before he went to the DJ booth, grabbed the mic and hopped onto a stack of speakers to sing several Michael Jackson songs. To cool down the crowd, he ordered several bottles of Dom Perignon and sprayed them ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Playboy’s Miss July 2008 hosts pool party at Planet Hollywood
With the desert heat now regularly in triple digits, just looking at photos of pretty people in the pool helps cool one down! Playboy’s Miss July 2008 Laura Croft helped Planet Hollywood’s VIP hosts throw a pool party at the resort casino, and they’ve decreed that swimming can now go until 10 nightly to keep cool. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was click ready for this photo gallery of everybody enjoying the summer fun. Some of the beauties, including Laura, ... Read more...
Exclusive: Whitney Houston’s comeback to kick off in Las Vegas
It’s supposed to be a super secret, and I know I’m going to be chastised for revealing it, but I simply can’t resist. Superstar Whitney Houston will start her concert comeback tour right here in Las Vegas. All the deal’s terms have been negotiated, and now it’s simply down to organizing the official announcement once the ink has dried on the crossed T’s and the dotted I’s! First, though, comes her new single “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” from ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Jay-Z, LeBron, Jamie Foxx, Rihanna and Holly Madison
It was the star-studded holiday weekend that just couldn’t be beaten anywhere in the world. This wasn’t just the A-List of showbiz kings and queens, it was the AAA platinum directory! Vegas DeLuxe had it covered from start to finish thanks to our spywitnesses and the photographers who kept all the action in focus! Click HERE for our coverage of the Jay-Z and Ciara concerts at the Palms, and click HERE for our coverage of the Jamie Foxx shows at ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Pink reveals concert stunt that nearly killed her
A daring bungee stunt during Pink’s show in Brisbane, Australia, went dangerously wrong, and the pop princess has revealed that it was a “near-death experience.” Pink, who recently called off divorce plans and reconciled with our hometown stunt motorcycle hero Carey Hart of the Hard Rock Hotel’s Wasted Space, wound up in serious trouble during a production number. “I was flying through the air while singing one number. Then the bungees broke — the whole motor broke,” she said. “I ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Three stars in and two stars out in WSOP at The Rio
There have already been surprises in the first starting days in the 2009 World Series of Poker: Rap superstar Nelly and baseball pitching great Orel Hershiser were KO’d from the outset, and legendary poker pro Doyle Brunson, who won in 1976 and 1977 and celebrates his 40th anniversary in WSOP play this year, was ousted along with 2003 champion Chris Moneymaker and 2007 champion Jerry Yang. Meanwhile, three Hollywood poker enthusiasts won on their first day and are still in ... Read more...
Exclusive: Michael Jackson’s ‘extraordinary stress’ from London contract
Just 48 hours before his death, Michael Jackson was “in a high state of stress and emotional drama, fearing that he would never be able to complete the 50-concert run in London, and it would kill him.” That’s the inside word from one of the closest business friend’s of the late King of Pop who he turned to often when problems were at their darkest. I am sworn to never release his identity. The night that the rehearsals were filmed ... Read more...
Restaurants and luxury retailers are scheduled to open Dec. 3 at CityCenter
An unprecedented lineup of super luxury brands, with some of the world’s largest flagship stores, is set to be announced by MGM this morning for its massive CityCenter project. Many will be both the largest brand stores in Las Vegas and the U.S.! “It’s an unparalleled collection for an international shopping destination,” said an MGM executive today who also revealed that they’d open for business Dec. 3. The gigantic, 500,000-square-foot retail and dining complex known as The Crystals will rank ... Read more...
Phil Hellmuth, dressed as Julius Caesar, arrives at WSOP to mayhem at The Rio
Scantily clad Grecian goddesses drew a media mob when they escorted poker prince Phil Hellmuth, dressed as Julius Caesar, into the third starting day of the World Series of Poker at The Rio today. Regular Vegas DeLuxe reader Richard Corey shot the arrival and posted his video to YouTube this evening. With a record 11 winning gold bracelets, Phil is highly regarded at the top of his profession as one of the living legends of modern-day poker play despite being ... Read more...
WSOP welcomes surprise visit by House Banking Chairman Barney Frank
One of the biggest surprise arrivals on the third day of this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event is House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank. The Democratic congressman from Massachusetts was filmed by regular Vegas DeLuxe reader Richard Corey, who posted his video to YouTube today. Barney was introduced by WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack at The Rio, where the 40th anniversary of the prestigious poker tournament is being held. Today was the third starting day of initial play. ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Jamie Foxx creates fireworks at his Hard Rock shows
For two consecutive nights, superstar Jamie Foxx set off the fireworks with his incredible Illusion Tour stops at The Rogue Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. The Oscar winner, comedian and singer, direct from hosting the BET Awards, thrilled his sell-out audiences. Special guests MC Hammer and Too Short joined Jamie onstage last night, and the trio hung out together backstage after the show. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik shot this collection of photos for our photo gallery. On the ... Read more...
Steve Wyrick’s death-drop stunt on the Strip goes up in flames
A rapidly spreading fire nearly ended magician Steve Wyrick’s death-drop stunt in chaos. The illusionist was locked into a music equipment case by Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington on the Strip outside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile shops last night. Plans called for ropes to be tied around the case with the shackled magician trapped inside. It was then to be hoisted 80 feet in the air by a crane, and as the last rope burned, the case would plunge in ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: It’s Azure Pool time for DWTS couple Maks & Karina
The engagement ring sparkled and glistened as brightly as the holiday fireworks! Dancing With the Stars beauty Karina Smirnoff flashed the ring and her smiles when her fiance and co-star Maksim Chmerkovskiy and she celebrated the Fourth of July at the luxury and chic Azure Pool at the Palazzo. No confirmation about a Las Vegas or Hollywood wedding this year, but the couple will marry this fall. Maks, who was the choreographer for the newest routines of Steve Wynn’s Le ... Read more...
Terry Fator’s 18-year marriage is headed for divorce
Entertainer Terry Fator, who won the first $1 million America’s Got Talent prize on Season 2 and landed a $100 million, five-year headline contract at The Mirage, has admitted that his 18-year marriage is headed for divorce. Terry’s wife Melinda and he had kept the decision quiet for six months. “It’s a sad day,” he told me this afternoon after Melinda and he decided to confirm the breakup to a few close friends. “We’ve been separated for a good time ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Stars turn out for Jay-Z and Ciara concert at The Pearl
Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z had a star-studded turnout for his concert with Ciara last night at The Pearl Concert Theater in the Palms, and he took the opportunity to pay tribute from the stage to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. Gorgeous R&B singer Rihanna, traveling with friends and no romantic match, attended and danced happily and enthusiastically through nearly the entire concert. Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who hosts Fourth of July celebrations today at TAO Beach during the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery (70 photos!): Stars shine at The Rio for Ante Up for Africa
Actor Don Cheadle, who stars in the upcoming Iron Man sequel, and poker pro and Celebrity Apprentice finalist Annie Duke co-hosted the third annual Ante Up for Africa charity poker tournament yesterday on the eve of the World Series of Poker Main Event that kicks off today. Before yesterday’s play, the annual fundraiser at The Rio had raised more than $2.1 million since launching in September 2006 to build awareness for the continuing humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, and to ... Read more...
Fourth of July boasts big all-star entertainment lineup
An explosion of mega-talent will match the flare of the fireworks celebrations across the Las Vegas Valley for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Jay-Z and Jamie Foxx go head-to-head for two consecutive nights, and basketball baron LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers hosts a 12-hour-plus party to claim the title of Best Nightclub Champion. Even Holly Madison, the new showgirl next door, is on the fiery fireworks and party patrol! It might just well be the biggest all-star, sparkling ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence Exclusive: Restaurant and club closings and openings
It’s a hot-off-the-grill exclusive! Vegas DeLuxe has learned that new Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin drops the boom on Social House there come Monday morning, according to wicked whispers and racy rumors last night. The Asian-themed celebrity hotspot is, as we reported weeks ago, being booted, and Christian Audigier the Nightclub, also managed by Pure Management Group for the French fashion designer, follows within a week. Phil is reportedly planning to build a Gilley’s country western-themed bar, grill and dance ... Read more...
CNN and AEG confirm our Michael Jackson video rehearsal story
Here’s the first video footage of Michael Jackson courtesy of YouTube rehearsing his This Is It song-and-dance segments filmed just two days before his death: CNN anchor Anderson Cooper obtained the video from concert promoters AEG, who were producing Michael’s shows. The video confirms our Vegas DeLuxe story that AEG taped the last dress rehearsal at Staples Center in Los Angeles before the move to London. Click HERE for that story. Michael was set to kick off the 50-concert run ... Read more...
Steve Wyrick to attempt death-defying stunt 80 feet above Strip tomorrow
No magician has ever attempted the death-defying stunt that Steve Wyrick will face tomorrow night. He’ll perform it live right on the Strip outside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington will select one of his new band’s equipment cases for the frightening exploit (his side project group is appropriately called Dead by Sunrise!). Steve, who appears nightly in his own theater at Miracle Mile, will be handcuffed and shackled inside the box, which will ... Read more...
Happy Fourth of July weekend from VDLX and Miss America
Who better than Miss America 2009 to join with Vegas DeLuxe to wish all of you a wonderful and safe Fourth of July holiday weekend? Our good friend the adorable Katie Stam of Seymour, Ind., began her reign in January, and she’ll be back again at Planet Hollywood next January for the 2010 pageant, which will for the first time in decades feature a Miss Puerto Rico contestant. As the nation celebrates its 233rd birthday, Katie will serve as grand ... Read more...
Stars go all-in for annual Ante Up for Africa to kick off WSOP Main Event
A stunning all-star celebrity turnout is set for today’s 2 p.m. red carpet start for actor Don Cheadle and poker princess Annie Duke’s 3rd Annual Ante Up for Africa tournament at The Rio. Screen hunks Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will join an ever-growing list of VIPs and card kings that includes celebrities Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer, Cedric the Entertainer, Jason Alexander, Montel Williams, Sarah Silverman, Rob Schneider and Tia Carrere, athletes Charles Barkley, Herschel Walker, Kenny Smith and Shawn ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: A sneak peek at the new What Happens in Vegas ad
For a sneak peek of the hilarious new What Happens in Vegas television commercial debuting next week, click on the preview below courtesy of YouTube: Now I know why all those out-of-towners keep coming to Las Vegas for all the excitement the likes of which they’d never even dream of back home! *“Misfit of Magic” magician Ed Alonzo, who created illusions and special stage effects for Michael Jackson’s This Is It concert run, tells me he is rejoining the Britney ... Read more...
Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton kicks off National Ice Cream Month
Wilmington, N.C., native Kristen Dalton is as pretty as a picture could be. The reigning Miss USA 2009 has a smile that could melt ice! Fortunately, when Kristen unveiled the Red, White and Blue banana split sundae to kick off National Ice Cream month, the blonde all-American beauty polished it off before it could melt. She was at the Strip-side Serendipity 3 ice cream parlor and restaurant at Caesars Palace for the sweet spot salute to the delicious dessert of ... Read more...
Hilary Duff pops the cork on honeymoon-styled Las Vegas vacation
For at least two days now, lovebirds Hilary Duff and her hockey player boyfriend Mike Comrie have been inseparable on a Las Vegas vacation. The actress-singer and the Ottawa Senators star were in Sin City with a group of 30 celebrating a friend’s birthday. But the couple was closerthanthis at Lavo in the Palazzo. The twosome started with a dinner feast that included the signature giant Kobe meatball and chicken parmigiano. After dinner, the couple led the group to a ... Read more...
Las Vegas Hilton celebrates its 40th anniversary today
Congratulations to the Las Vegas Hilton as it celebrates its 40th anniversary today. Nineteen employees still work at the Hilton from the very first day the property opened as the International back on July 2, 1969. To mark the milestone, two special $5 commemorative gaming chips, one bearing the likeness of Elvis Presley and the other of Barbra Streisand with the Hilton marquee from back then, are on sale at the casino cage. The Hilton, which transformed itself over the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: San Diego Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey is a perfect excursion
When desert temperatures race into triple digits, Las Vegas locals start thinking of nearby escapes to catch a cool breeze. One of the most interesting attractions only a five-hour drive or one-hour flight away is the 100-acre world class San Diego Zoo, which is home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species. The botanical collection has more than 700,000 exotic plants. The San Diego Zoo has the largest population of giant pandas in America, ... Read more...
Mayor reflects ahead of birthday and says he’s still mulling governor bid
Whenever you get the chance to chat with our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman, you can be guaranteed to get a few good, fun and solid sound bites. After his Lance Burton Day proclamation on Tuesday, I buttonholed Hizz Honor and asked him how he was feeling ahead of his 70th birthday. Oscar will celebrate it at the end of this month with 70 showgirls, 700 Bombay Sapphire gin martinis for well-wishers and a 70-inch ice sculpture down on ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Lance Burton talks about 13-year run and the future
When master magician Lance Burton first signed a 13-year contract to headline at the Monte Carlo, it was then the longest contract in Strip entertainment history. Yesterday, Lance renewed it for another six years into 2015, adding to the longevity record of 19 continuous years! Lance and I chatted privately right after the official ceremony at the Monte Carlo, where Lance signed the contract with Monte Carlo President and COO Anton Nikodemus and was then presented with a proclamation by ... Read more...
Phantom producer Scott Zeiger reveals secrets to show’s third anniversary
The Phantom of the Opera has enjoyed extraordinary success since it was created by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and premiered in London 23 years ago. Here in Las Vegas, Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular has just celebrated its third anniversary. Now the world’s greatest theatrical musical love story is getting a sequel! Andrew is at work on it for its world premiere in England next spring. I talked with Scott Zeiger, co-CEO of BASE Entertainment who produces Phantom here at ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles Photo Gallery: Prey debuts with Don Johnson’s son Jesse
Jesse Johnson, the son of actor Don Johnson, led a cast of Australian actors for the U.S. premiere of their horror flick Prey at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms. Many of the Down Under newcomers made the long flight for the screening and the celebration dinner at Nove Italiano. Strip headliners Human Nature, Thunder From Down Under, the Fantasy showgirls, plus an assortment of zombies and ghouls dotted the red carpet as I hosted and welcomed Sinsu Ko from ... Read more...
Smokey Robinson’s miracle Strip return, Human Nature and Motown duties
Talks are underway for superstar Motown singer Smokey Robinson to return to the Strip in a one-night-a-week show. He has just launched the debut shows of the Australian pop group Human Nature at the Imperial Palace Showroom, and as the one open slot is on Friday, Smokey may well take it for himself! Smokey now lives most of the year here in Las Vegas and hops back and forth to Los Angeles, so it would be an easy commute to ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: HardBat Classic at The Venetian is not your mother’s table tennis
It was a star-studded turnout as celebrities joined table tennis players and fans from around the world for the HardBat Classic Tournament at The Venetian. Among the VIPs joining in the action were tennis star Anna Kournikova, who showed up on the red carpet in a tan mini-dress and stilettos while carrying her ping-pong paddle, and Spike TV’s sexiest athlete award winner and table tennis phenomenon Biba Golic. Also there was handsome Antonio Sabato Jr. talking about his new reality ... Read more...
Ex-Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day tipped for Peepshow in the fall
The producers of the hit Peepshow at Planet Hollywood confirmed late yesterday that they are in negotiations for former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day to take over the Peep Diva role this fall. Vegas DeLuxe broke the scoop yesterday when the news leaked out as Aubrey began planning to film a new reality TV series. Aubrey wanted to film some of the series here in Las Vegas as she began preparations for Peepshow, and we learned of the Peepshow link! ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood at MGM; Gin Blossoms at HRH
The magic of their music was the same as it was when they first played together 40 years ago. In fact, maybe even better! Call Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood guitar gods or guitar greats because, in their 60s, they’re still doing better than a slew of wannabes less than half their age. Back in 1969, Eric and Steve played together in the supergroup Blind Faith. It wasn’t until last year at a New York concert that they reunited and ... Read more...
The Hangover becomes top Las Vegas-based film of all time
After just four weeks, the summer comedy hit The Hangover, filmed at Caesars Palace and other Las Vegas locations, has assumed the No. 1 spot on the box office list of films that are primarily set in or themed around Sin City. This past week, The Hangover, at nearly $186 million, overtook 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven, at $183 million. The rest of the Top 15: Ocean’s Thirteen, $117 million; 21, $81 million; What Happens in Vegas, $80 million; Miss Congeniality 2: ... 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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