Luxe Life Blog
Strip Scribbles: The Royal Robin Rundown Labor Day special edition
LMFAO launch their Party Rock clothing line with a performance at Lavo.
Photo: Al Powers
Priceless jewelry and watches go on display for media types today for the first Bonhams & Butterfields auction at The Venetian this month and early October. Standing tall above the baubles, however, will be a fully constructed 66 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus skeleton that’s already been nicknamed Samson by the auctioneers. The skeleton, one of the three most complete specimens to have been discovered, also will be up for auction and is expected to go for million$.
The 400 pieces of jewelry and watches, some estimated to go for as high as $35,000, include pieces by Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany, Patek Philippe and Van Cleef & Arpels. Experts say the Clavius Collection is one of the finest single owner collections of wristwatches to ever be featured at a public auction.
They will be on display through Labor Day at the former Guggenheim Hermitage Museum at The Venetian, and, after touring Los Angeles and San Francisco, will return to The Venetian for the auction to start Sept. 21. Samson will be auctioned during the Oct. 3 Natural History sale.
Star surveillance
Former Miss USA and Doritos commercial beauty Ali Landry and The Twilight Saga: New Moon star Chaske Spencer were among the stars buzzing at the launch of Primp Clothing’s spring collection for MAGIC at a Blush party in the Wynn. Also there: Miley Cyrus’ sister Brandi Cyrus and fellow Frank and Derol band mate Codi Caraco, actress Christina Murphy and E! News’ Amy Paffrath. The Blush staff was dressed in the sportswear, and guests danced to the sounds of DJ Spider, who is the husband of Primp’s founder and designer Wells Butler. …LMFAO kicked off the launch of their Party Rock clothing line at Lavo in the Palazzo. Redfoo, Sky Blu and their friends dined on Italian specialties and drank raspberry mojitos before heading up to the nightclub, which they took over for a fashion show mixed with DJ Vice’s own Santa Barbara, Calif., sneaker boutique. LMFAO surprised clubgoers when they hopped onstage during the fashion show to perform their hit songs “I’m in Vegas Trick,” “La La La” and “Shots.”
Ali Landry at a showing of Primp Clothing's spring collection at Blush in the Wynn.
LMFAO launch their Party Rock clothing line with a performance at Lavo.
*Just in time for Labor Day, the new, massive 42,000-square-foot Hard Rock Cafe will open on the Strip just up from MGM Grand tomorrow. The Hard Rock has been an American institution for more than 38 years, but this new three-story location becomes the company’s flagship! The restaurant seats 950 people and features a live concert venue and the world’s largest Rock Shop of merchandise. It’s the second Hard Rock restaurant in town, with the original one staying put at the Hard Rock Hotel. Check out the new interactive Rock Wall, which will provide virtual tours of all 156 Hard Rock Cafes. Microsoft has created a special Surface with touch technology for guests to explore the largest and greatest rock memorabilia collection ever assembled, and it also works from their booths. The Surface takes guests up close with the records, instruments and clothing of the music legends they love, all of which can be magnified 3 feet wide.
*Now it’s time for us to rock hard, touch the keyboard at high speed and magnify the expanded holiday weekend list of other incredible attractions in what we affectionately refer to around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
Friday, Sept. 4
*When the Hall of Famer signed on at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, legendary Carlos Santana became the first rock and roll resident here. The guitar hero returns tonight to continue the next 16 shows in his 36 per year pact. Check the schedule, because his on and off shows run until Sept. 15, and then again Nov. 11-22, and The Joint is the only place west of the Mississippi you can see the supernatural Santana and take a trip through his hits!
Carlos Santana.
*It’s now just 10 days away from the Sept. 14 launch of Jay Leno’s new Monday through Friday 10 p.m. primetime NBC shows, and yet the comedy king still hones his stand-ups probably to keep any pressure getting to him. He plays Terry Fator’s theater at The Mirage tonight and tomorrow at 10 p.m.
Matt Goss.
*As you read in our interview with Matt “The Voice” Goss and Robin Antin earlier on Vegas DeLuxe, the twosome premiere their new show Matt Goss Live From Las Vegas with the lingerie-clad Dirty Virgins and backup band and singers in The Gossy Room at the Palms.
Zowie Bowie's Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips during "Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson" at The Pearl in the Palms.
*Zowie Bowie is the hottest duo to hit Las Vegas with their sensational song sessions, and now they’ve landed at the Monte Carlo for not one but two totally different shows. The new gig in the Pub starts tonight with their rock and roll, disco and Top 40 vibe every Friday and Saturday. Then starting Sept. 13, their new big band Vintage Vegas show with a 15-piece orchestra will be staged in Lance Burton Theater, and from everything I hear, it will bring back the Vegas classics of Sinatra, Sammy, Dean, Steve and Eydie. Think cufflinks and cocktails! Plan for tailored tuxes and glamorous gowns!
Barry Manilow at the Clio Awards.
*He writes the songs that people sing, and entertainer extraordinaire Barry Manilow returns to the Hilton for three nights playing and singing those hits. He’ll be back again Sept. 24 for three nights if you miss this holiday weekend.
*It’s a case of guys who would be gals when Frank Marino presents his all new Divas production through Monday of two shows nightly at the Imperial Palace. Frank, who spends more than his salary on stilettos, hosts in a whirlwind of Bob Mackie couture changes in glamorous gowns as Joan Rivers. For 23 years, Frank’s show An Evening at La Cage ran at the Riviera, but now he’s producing his own cast of female impersonators who are extraordinary as Cher, Liza, Madonna, Barbra and Britney, and our pal Larry Edwards as Beyonce and Tina Turner. Frank’s added a Lady Gaga impersonator to really make everyone just dance!
*You’ve heard their theme song on WWE Survivor, and this nu-metal band who’ve hit PlayStation 2 come to life as Puddle of Mudd poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel. The band has sold more than 7 million albums.
*Country singer and songwriter Hal Ketchum’s first single “Small Town Saturday Night’ soared to No. 1 on the country charts, and it triggered 15 follow-up Top 10 hits. Hal has sold than 5 million records, and he performs at the Boulder Station on a break from the Grand Ole Opry.
*Comedian Ralphie May has a three-day joke fest at South Point, and farther south on I-15, Grammy-winning Jaguares performs at Primm’s Star of the Desert Arena.
DJ Jazzy Jeff spins a set at Rain in the Palms.
*The four-day Fabulous Fest music extravaganza continues at the Palms’ nightlife venues. Today, DJs Steve Aoki and Scotty Boy pulse the beats at the Palms pool, then tonight DJ Danny Love stays outdoors while DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ R.O.B. mix it up in Rain. Tomorrow, Miguel Migs, Nickodemus and Keith Evan spin at the Palms pool by day, and Paul Oakenfold celebrates his return from Madonna’s European tour with the first anniversary of Perfecto at Rain, while DJ Eric Cubeechee plays his Cuban-influenced music poolside.
On Sunday, Carl Cox, Manufactured Superstars, Nicci Belucci, Keith Evans and Jordan Stevens keep the Labor Day party rolling from noon until the Main Event with Steve Angelo, Felix da Housecat, Michael Fuller, Real El Canario, Murk, Scotty Boy and Markus Schulz at Rain. In all, more than 20 premiere DJs keep the four-day Fab Fest movin’ and groovin’.
Megan Hauserman.
Party patrol
VH1 reality TV beauty Megan Hauserman, who won Beauty & the Geek and also starred in Megan Wants a Millionaire, I Love Money, Charm School and Rock of Love, hosts at The Playground. The blonde bombshell will be accompanied by best friend and Millionaire co-star Cecile Garr. … Playmates Monica Leigh (March 2006), Jordan Monroe (October 2006), Stephanie Larimore (June 2006), Lindsay Wagner (November 2007) and Tiffany Selby (July 2007) host the ultimate Playmate Experience at Studio 54 in MGM. … The music world’s most talented and versatile producer-performer, Grammy Award winner Jermaine Dupri, will spin the wheels of steel as guest DJ at Prive in Planet Hollywood. … MTV stars Cisco and Shwayze will be “Buzzin’ ” at Jet in The Mirage. … LMFAO, who are celebrating the duo’s newly released album Party Rock, entertain at Tao in The Venetian. … My longtime buddy Vanilla Ice raps at Rok Vegas in New York-New York.
Word to your mother.
Saturday, Sept. 5
*Our hometown beauty comes home. Sexy country singer Julianne Hough shot to stardom with her appearances on Dancing With the Stars, winning with Apolo Anton Ohno in Season 4 and Helio Castroneves in Season 5. She’s left the hit ABC show now and is out solo as a country star! Following her debut No. 1 country album and the hits “That Song in My Head” and “My Hallelujah Song,” she’s already at work on her sophomore album. Just turned 21, she’s also landed her debut movie Footloose opposite Gossip Girl heartthrob Chace Crawford. Julianne will headline at Mandalay Bay Beach, which means you get to cool off in the waves as she kicks up her heels onstage.
Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
*Country queen Reba McEntire performs her hits at the Star of the Desert Arena.
*Legendary entertainer, actor and comedian Bill Cosby performs back-to-back shows at the Treasure Island Theater. Bill has received the Presidential Medal of Honor, but he received another career milestone next month when he’s presented with the Mark Twain Prize for Humor.
Frank Sinatra Jr.
*There’s a triple threat of rock and roll mayhem and music as Def Leppard plays the MGM Grand Garden Arena with special guests Poison and Cheap Trick. … Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, who has played The Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall on his 250 concert tour dates in the past 12 months, presents his cool sounds of pop instrumentals at Aliante Station. … Frank Sinatra Jr. promises some great jazz, too, in his concert up at the Suncoast, but also vows there will be no “Strangers in the Night,” since he’ll also perform the hits of his father in the two nights of shows. … Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay for an early show, and then Zoltar with Victor Dinaire handle the late show. … The Super Soul Gospel Fest says hallelujah at the Henderson Pavilion.
*It’s the conclusion of the Summer of 69: Vegas or Bust events at Fremont Street Experience downtown. We turn back the clock to the golden oldies of the 1960s at the End of Summer, What a Bummer blast with Canned Heat tonight and Three Dog Night tomorrow. It’s been a summer-long success story for Fremont Street, and, yes, tickets tonight and tomorrow are still free!
*Reality show and real-life husband and wife duo Tori Spelling and Dean Hamilton are the celebrity hosts at Azure Pool in the Palazzo. The hot couple star on Oxygen Network’s Home Sweet Hollywood. Actress Regina King of NBC’s Southland will join the fashion show festivities poolside. I expect Tori’s going to deny the scandalous headlines in the weekly tabloids about their ex-best friend saying that their marriage is a “loveless sham.” After all, they have two kids!
Former Girls Next Door stars Bridget Marquardt, left, and Holly Madison flash smiles at the Creative Recreation/Hudson Jeans party at XS in the Encore.
Party patrol
Blonde bombshell Holly Madison changes out of her nearly-nothing outfits in Planet Hollywood’s Peepshow to host a holiday weekend party at Studio 54. … Cover group The Dan Band, who appeared in the summer smash The Hangover, are at LAX in the Luxor. … MySpace vixen Forbidden hosts her birthday party at Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile and has tribute artist Mini Madonna performing for the celebration. … Playboy’s 50th Anniversary Playmate Colleen Shannon, known as the world’s sexiest DJ, takes to the turntables at midnight to help host an Ed Hardy swimwear fashion show at the Carnival Court at Harrah’s. … Naughty by Nature lives up to its name performing at Rok Vegas.
Sunday, Sept. 6
*One of the truly big rock and roll events of the weekend stars a powerful four pack of hard rock stars Nickelback at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with guests Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel.
*Award-winning actor Gary Sinise shows his musical side when his group the Lt. Dan Band pays tribute to our Armed Forces heroes with a concert at the Cannery. Remember Lt. Dan was the name of the character Gary played in Forrest Gump. Gary plays bass in the band, which donates its money to the USO.
*The prime minister of heavenly soul, The Rev. Al Green preaches his gospel of masterful music and legendary lyrics about love in concert at the Star of the Desert Arena. … Singer Eddie Money is right on the … mark when he cashes in at the Silverton Casino Lodge. … Golden Oldies stars Three Dog Night wrap up at the Fremont Street Experience. … Loveshack performs in the afternoon and Nitro at night in the entertainment piazza at The M Resort’s Labor Day festival.
*Accordion-playing comedienne Judy Tenuta is the headliner at the Tickled Pink show at the Harmon Theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile.
Rapper T-Pain will perform at Rehab at The Hard Rock Pool.
*Hip-hop superstar T-Pain hosts and performs at Rehab in the Hard Rock Hotel. I’m told the debut episode on TruTV’s Rehab scored the highest ratings in the network’s history. You have to watch the upcoming episode with the knockout, busty beauties of Cabana Charms! … Later in the evening, Fuel’s Brett Scallions and Jeff Abercrombie will be refueled after a day of rest to perform the group’s hits at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space, with Solidify and Slow to Surface as guests.
*Chart-topping “My Life” singer Fabolous performs a mini-concert at Jet, then across the Strip, Good Charlotte frontman Benji Madden returns to take over the turntables at Drai’s After Hours in Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall with deep dish DJ Sharam hosting the official Fabulous Fest after-party.
Jerry Lewis.
*Headline stars and entertainment acts at the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association annual telethon kick off the two-day fundraiser at 6 p.m. They should wrap before 3 p.m. Monday at South Point, and even in this tough economy, Jerry and we are hoping that they beat last year’s record $65 million fundraiser.
Monday, Sept. 7
*The party doesn’t stop even if the Strip has emptied out and tourists have gone home to recover from their four days of festivities. DJ Samantha Ronson is back behind the turntables at Prive, and longtime ladylove Lindsay Lohan isn’t expected now that their on-off romance has really ended.
Shaquille O'Neal and Oscar de la Hoya at a press conference at Planet Hollywood for their exhibition matchup for the ABC series Shaq Vs on Aug. 18, 2009.
Tuesday’s teases
We’ll enjoy Monday as a vacation day like everybody else, but will return Tuesday for a rumble in the ring when Shaquille O’Neal takes on Oscar de la Hoya poolside at Planet Hollywood for a battle on Shaq’s ABC series Shaq Vs. We’ve got startling secrets about the new Peep Diva starring opposite Holly Madison in Peepshow, and Aubrey O’Day is so outrageous, you can guarantee headlines for her three-month run! Dennis Haskins, our good friend from Saved By the Bell, throws a Back to School bash, which means all the pretty young things will be dressed up in their sexy schoolgirl uniforms.
Champagne wishes to everybody for a great Labor Day holiday weekend!
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 Leach on Twitter HERE.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.
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