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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for March 2010
Strip Scribbles: Rockhouse celebrates anniversary of late grand opening
It was a rock and roll-themed bash to celebrate the first anniversary of the late grand opening party of Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub in front of Imperial Palace. Outrageous hypnotist Anthony Cools, Fantasy headliner Angelica Bridges and her cast from the Luxor burlesque walked the electric blue carpet. Rockhouse owner Jonathan Fine announced that he’ll open his second hotspot with PBR Rock Bar in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile this summer. Former Baywatch bombshell Angelica wound up shopping for scrumptious Easter ... Read more...
Photos: Dita Von Teese aspires to create and run strip burlesque
A half-inch in height made a huge difference in the life of striptease queen Dita Von Teese. “I would loved to have been a Crazy Horse girl, but I was a little bit short — only by half an inch — but it’s the career that got away from me,” she said backstage at MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris theater. It is before tonight’s curtain up on Dita’s second weeklong run guest starring in Crazy Horse Paris at the intimate, ... Read more...
Photos: Murder and mayhem at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas
One of the most controversial sightseeing experiences in Las Vegas is moving along on schedule. Plans have been drawn and approved, and construction is underway on the $42 million Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime Enforcement. It’s set to open next spring and has already been nicknamed The Mob Museum. It’s a throwback to the Mafia days of the 1940s all the way up to the 1980s before organized crime was kicked out of the Strip and Wall Street bankers ... Read more...
DWTS photos: It’s so long for Shannen Doherty, injured Mark Ballas
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor Last night was an evening of emotion and surprises on Season 10’s first elimination episode of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars that included actress Pamela Anderson and partner Damian Whitewood in the bottom two, the (unexpected) departure of actress Shannen Doherty and her partner, an injured Mark Ballas, and a tear-inducing dance tribute to the people of Haiti. The night started with astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa declared safe, even though they were ... Read more...
Photos: Dee Snider rocks with Lita Ford at Las Vegas Hilton
“I Wanna Rock” is an anthem for rocker Dee Snider — and also one of his band Twisted Sister’s most recognizable songs — but Dee hasn’t quite figured out yet what he wants to do about it. He continues to present I Wanna Rock! Live! shows at the Las Vegas Hilton to try to figure out the one that really works best. The Twisted Sister frontman’s latest performance was a teaming with British rocker Lita Ford, Mark Slaughter of Slaughter ... Read more...
DWTS: And the first celebrity to depart Season 10 is …
The first celebrity couple has been eliminated from Season 10 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, and it’s likely not who viewers widely expected to get the cut. SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to watch the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of Dancing With the Stars. Consider this my one and only friendly warning! But come back after the show to see if you agree with my observations! From my tweets: Shock of shocks with ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Happy Birthday to Celine Dion; VIP packages announced
Superstar singer Celine Dion, who returns to The Colosseum in Caesars Palace next March, celebrates her birthday today, and to commemorate the day, Caesars Palace has announced three VIP packages for her spectacular. The Diamond VIP package ($1,375) includes numerous amenities, among them one ticket in the first five rows of the front orchestra, a preshow VIP dinner at a Caesars Palace restaurant and a $150 voucher to the Celine Dion gift store. The Emerald VIP package ($555) includes, among ... Read more...
Photos: Jay-Z and Beyonce party all night long after his Palms concert
Superstar singer Beyonce put last week’s pregnancy rumors to rest while partying in Las Vegas over the weekend with hip-hop husband Jay-Z after his sold-out concert at The Pearl in the Palms. Not only did she wear a sexy, skin-tight dress, but she also enjoyed her Ace of Spades champagne and partied into the pre-dawn hours at Tao in The Venetian. Then she continued with gaming in the high-roller lounge Mint at the Palms, where Jay-Z and she stayed in ... Read more...
DWTS photos: Who’s axed tonight? Chad? Buzz? Kate?
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor Season 10 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars loses its first couple tonight. The bottom-dwelling pairs as of last night are legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin with Ashly Costa, reality TV star Kate Gosselin with Tony Dovolani and Cincinnati Bengals star Chad Ochocino with Cheryl Burke tied with All My Children Aussie heartthrob Aiden Turner with Edyta Sliwinska. Here are the scores after two dances performed over two weeks: singer Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough, ... Read more...
Winner repeats at 4th Annual Battle of the Brushes at Blush
This year’s theme at the 4th Annual Battle of the Brushes was “I’m a Barbie Girl,” and reigning champion Natasha Chamberlin of Color salon at Caesars Palace was victorious with her interpretation of Lady Gaga Barbie. Las Vegas-based Rain Cosmetics sponsored the event at Blush in the Wynn, and Playboy Playmate and Holly’s World reality TV star Laura Croft joined owners Rain Andreani and Lori Montoya for the judging. Expert hair competitors from all over the Southwest included Christophe of ... Read more...
Photos: Bad Religion is oh-so-good at House of Blues concert
It’s been 30 years since Bad Religion first went out on the road, and the punk rock band is still touring. Fan and photographer Erik Kabik was at the jam-packed House of Blues in Mandalay Bay to capture the action for our photo gallery. Erik told Vegas DeLuxe: “Bad Religion continues to tour and release albums and perform high-energy shows that seem to defy their age. This was a classic Bad Religion show featuring a full set of music spanning ... Read more...
Photos: Jay Sean is ‘Down’ at Eve for his 27th birthday
R&B heartthrob Jay Sean celebrated his 27th birthday at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve the Nightclub in Crystals at MGM CityCenter. A packed crowd cheered loudly when the British singer hit the stage and performed his two hit songs “Down” and “Do You Remember.” The gorgeous Eve servers presented the breakout star with a giant surprise birthday cake, which was an oversized replica of his favorite Dolce & Gabbana sneakers. It weighed in at 65 pounds, including 14 pounds of frosting ... Read more...
Holly Madison to auction off co-star, local bachelorettes
Peepshow star Holly Madison is going to sell off her roommate and Holly’s World co-star for a blind date with an unknown admirer. Playboy Playmate Laura Croft will be sold to the highest bidder at the Smoking Hot Bachelorette Auction on Friday at Ghostbar in the Palms in a fundraiser for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. Maybe Caesars Palace singer and handsome Brit Matt Goss will show up to bid on Laura the way the two of them have ... Read more...
Top U.S. chefs and restaurant brands are coming to the Cosmopolitan
The first details of the culinary concepts and dining delights for the new Cosmopolitan have emerged this morning. The Cosmopolitan, which sits between Bellagio and MGM’s CityCenter, has two 50-story towers housing 2,995 hotel rooms and condo-style accommodations with three distinct pool experiences and more than 100,000 square feet of gaming floor. The new restaurants, all opening for the first time in Las Vegas, include New York’s Blue Ribbon by restaurateurs Bruce and Eric Bromberg, Comme Ca from acclaimed Los ... Read more...
DWTS: Will an obvious couple go home tomorrow night?
On the second week of Dancing With the Stars, the celebrity dancers re-established their positions from last week’s premiere with no upsets or shocks but an amazing surprise from Pamela Anderson. I didn’t take Tony Dovolani’s threat to quit on Kate Gosselin that seriously, but it was good reality TV and probably worked against her! SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to watch the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of Dancing With the Stars. Consider this ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Neil Diamond checks out his future Caesars Palace home?
For the king of soft rock, it was more than just a visit to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to enjoy Lionel Richie’s weekend concert. Yes, Neil Diamond was in the audience listening to Lionel, but he also checked out the backstage facilities and the dressing room while he was here. Naturally, that added fuel to the very solid rumors that he’ll officially announce this year his plans for a residency. Here’s the way I’ve heard it from more than ... Read more...
Photos: Maksim dances around romance rumors; DWTS preview
Rumors are rampant that ballroom bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy and his Season 10 Dancing With the Stars partner Erin Andrews have flipped for each other and are waltzing off to do the cha cha cha! The most anybody can get out of the dapper, chest-baring heartthrob is a “maybe!” Maks didn’t bring leggy blonde ESPN reporter Erin with him when he hosted at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand over the weekend, but he did bring his charm and swagger ... Read more...
Photos: Kendra Wilkinson makes a splash before Stripper Pole 101 class
It was a nonstop Las Vegas workout weekend for newlyweds Kendra Wilkinson of The Girls Next Door and Kendra fame and her star wide receiver husband Hank Baskett of the Philadelphia Eagles. They simply dazzled everywhere they went, and her reality TV show cameras followed them every step of the way. (Season 2 of Kendra began airing March 14, two days after Hank signed a one-year contract to return to the Eagles after spending one year with the Indianapolis Colts.) ... Read more...
Photos: Celebrities turn out for Michel Legrand tribute at MGM Grand
Superstar diva Barbra Streisand did not show for the 50th anniversary salute to music maestro Michel Legrand, despite rumors leading up to the event, but she will be in the final PBS version of the star-studded concert special. Sting, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie also are shooting video segments to be edited into the show. Ten cameras recorded all the action at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, and Jerry Lewis nearly stole the show when he conducted the 66-piece ... Read more...
Photos: Dave Navarro parties shirtless at DJ Skribble’s Freak Show
It was no surprise that rock guitarist Dave Navarro wound up shirtless for DJ Skribble’s new and recurring Freak Show weekend party at Studio 54 in MGM Grand. It was a night and early morning of unforgettable mash-ups, and Dave started the night with a shout-out inviting the crowd to “Get Your Freak On” a la Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. And with a bizarre collection of carnival sideshow performers swallowing swords, eating light bulbs and fire and showcasing body piercings, it ... Read more...
Dita Von Teese begins rehearsals for Crazy Horse Paris at MGM
Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese has arrived in Las Vegas safely and has already begun rehearsals for her Wednesday night encore premiere in Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand. She’ll perform three sexy, saucy and sassy new numbers on the cabaret stage there for a limited run through April 7. Dita was the first guest star in the history of the famous cabaret, and she will feature new performance numbers that she developed especially for her sold-out performances in the ... Read more...
Photos: Barry Manilow says he would perform in Las Vegas ‘forever’
If superstar entertainer Barry Manilow has his way, he’ll continue performing on the Strip “forever!” Barry told me: “You can’t call this work really — it’s such a joy! I am having the best time of my life here in Las Vegas. “When I started at the Hilton, that was only an original year deal. Look what happened. It led to five years. Now we’ve signed for two years here at the Paris, so maybe that will go twice as ... Read more...
Criss Angel’s $25 million castle home, Grand Canyon stunt on Mindfreak
Mindfreak magician Criss Angel will attempt a death-defying “teleportation jump” over the Grand Canyon as one of the extraordinary and spectacular illusions he has planned for the new Season 6 shows. Criss told me: “I can’t wait to get the cameras rolling. I am so excited about the new challenges. They truly are remarkable.” One of his Mindfreak producers told me exclusively: “This new season has the most incredible — yes, crazy — demonstrations of his career.” I’ve learned from ... Read more...
Photos: John Mayer is a singer-songwriter and musician, too
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor John Mayer isn’t immune to tabloid headlines and controversy. How can he be when the seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter with mad guitar skills has dated Jennifer Love Hewitt, Minka Kelly, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. He also reportedly lip locked with Perez Hilton, and scandal plagued him after his recent Playboy interview in which he used the N-word (and has since apologized more than once) and kissed and told about Simpson. There were no ... Read more...
Photos: Sarah Palin and Tea Party’s showdown in Searchlight
It’s been titled the “Showdown in Searchlight”: Sarah Palin, former Republican vice presidential candidate and ex-governor of Alaska, addressed today the Tea Party activists in Searchlight, Nev., the hometown of Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, and our contributing photographer Scott Harrison and VDLX videographer Richard Corey were onsite for these images and two videos posted on YouTube, respectively. For more in-depth stories, check out our colleagues’ coverage at LasVegasSun.com. Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and ... Read more...
Exclusive photos: Legends rehearse for tonight’s Michel Legrand tribute
“The man is a genius,” said actor Jon Voight at yesterday’s rehearsals for tonight’s 50th anniversary tribute concert to Michel Legrand at MGM Grand Garden Arena. “They just don’t make them anymore like him,” said Dionne Warwick after she rehearsed her duet with the 78-year-old award-winning and chart-busting composer legend. “It is the greatest honor of my career to stand beside him and sing and play for him,” George Benson told me. Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was granted unprecedented access ... Read more...
Stripper Bar opens, and Kendra Wilkinson teaches how to take it all off
Who better than curvy Kendra Wilkinson to step from the pages of Playboy to celebrate the opening weekend of Stripper Bar at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. She’s even going to teach a Stripper 101 class Sunday! The Girls Next Door and Kendra star and wife of Hank Baskett of the Indianapolis Colts joins the Stripper Bar instructors to teach the right moves around the pole be it positioned in your bedroom or at a topless club. Kendra’s Sunday class is ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Rio star chef Steve Martorano opens Florida eatery
Our favorite Italian chef and DJ Steve Martorano of The Rio opened his new Italian-American Kitchen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., last night. Steve celebrated with grand gala festivities that included a parade by the Philadelphia Mummers Polish American String Band, cabaret dancers, models frozen in giant ice blocks and cooking demonstrations. He was joined in the kitchen to prepare his famous meatballs by Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, Dan Marino, Jason Taylor, Kelly Bensimon ... Read more...
Jay-Z, John Mayer, Garth Brooks and Lionel Richie invade The Strip
Lionel Richie and Garth Brooks stay out of the headlines and just make music. For hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, everybody wants to know if his beautiful wife Beyonce is pregnant. For embattled singer-songwriter John Mayer, he’s disappeared into a self-imposed celebrity exile after a controversial Playboy interview in which, among his indiscretions, he discussed ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson’s sex secrets while they were dating. Four superstars of music. Four men each with a distinctly different sound. And in a nearly impossible set ... Read more...
Photos: Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley celebrates his 30th birthday at Tao
Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley celebrated his 30th birthday at Tao in The Venetian last night. To kick off the night’s celebration, Deryck and his friends dined on seafood specialties under the watchful eye of Tao’s larger-than-life Buddha, and at the end of the meal, he was surprised with a Jack Daniels birthday cake. The rocker, who recently split from wife Avril Lavigne, and his pals each took a bite of the cake and then jokingly tried to take a ... Read more...
Ryan Couture prepares for his final amateur MMA match
By Hepi Mita, Vegas DeLuxe photo archivist Heading into his career as a professional MMA fighter, Ryan Couture knows that he’ll be judged by the hefty standards set by his father, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. “If I’m able to make even a fraction as much of a name for myself as Dad has, that will be a major accomplishment I’d be proud of,” Ryan Couture said. Couture’s last amateur fight takes place at today’s Tuff-N-Uff Future Stars of ... Read more...
Strip lights of Neon City to go dark for one hour tomorrow night
It’s going to be very dark on the Strip tomorrow night as hotels and businesses across the valley turn off their lights for one hour — from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Even the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign will go dark. It’s all to mark Earth Hour, which is a global event calling for action on climate change. Las Vegas is one of the world’s showcase cities standing in solidarity with capitals across the globe to raise awareness. ... Read more...
Exclusive photos: Michel Legrand rehearses; Barbra Streisand on bill?
It will be one of the most magical moments in music. Stars — including a possible appearance by Barbra Streisand — are all lined up for the ultimate tribute to the 50-year career of legendary Michel Legrand. The superstar concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena tomorrow night is being taped for later airing on PBS. Michel, who has been nominated for 13 Academy Awards, is a three-time Oscar and five-time Grammy Award winner and will be welcomed to the stage ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Rockhouse marks 1st anniversary with 80-ounce drink
Hot off the grill! At 80 ounces, it might just break the record for the largest drink on the Las Vegas Strip. Tonight, the ultra dive bar Rockhouse on the Strip in front of Imperial Palace will provide revelers with a plastic strap-on guitar cup filled with either 80 ounces of beer or frozen daiquiri. That’s really rocking out — maybe even passing out — and major brain freeze. The bar dancing and tire swinging is all to celebrate the ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Dennis Hopper is dying of prostate cancer, lawyer says
Our thoughts and prayers are with actor friend Dennis Hopper, who chaired the CineVegas Film Festival here every summer. His lawyer told a court in Los Angeles that Dennis is dying of prostate cancer and was unable to attend a divorce hearing. It’s so sad because Dennis is always a vibrant personality and the consummate gentleman when we meet here in Las Vegas. Here’s a happier moment when he was presented with a key to The Playboy Club at the ... Read more...
Frank Gehry gets first look at his finished downtown Ruvo Center
World-renowned architect Frank Gehry finally got to see his drawings and work come to life for the first time when he visited the now-completed downtown Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “He was totally blown away and very emotionally moved,” Southern Wine and Spirits head honcho and Keep Memory Alive founder Larry Ruvo told me. “He kept saying how beautiful it was and that it simply took his breath away. It had finally become better than he’d ever ... Read more...
Photos: Barry Manilow the magnificent’s official debut at Paris
Barry Manilow’s “official” arrival on the Las Vegas Strip gets underway tomorrow. His premiere at the Paris was set for March 5, but it was delayed by an unexpected and last-minute electrical fire and postponed by 24 hours, as we reported here at Vegas DeLuxe. Then the ShoWest movie convention came to town, and Barry’s Theater des Arts was taken over for screenings of new summer releases and upcoming 3-D films. So tomorrow, in a sense, becomes Day 1 all ... Read more...
Photos: Maverick Helicopters tour offers stunning views of the Mojave
Las Vegas welcomes more than 35 million visitors a year, and most of the tourists stay put on the Strip, but the area around our valley has many attractions that people — tourists and residents alike — miss. Contributing photographer Tom Donoghue hit the skies to shoot those sites and sights. Tom clambered aboard a Maverick Helicopter at its Strip-side runway in the private terminals of our McCarran International Airport. The side door was removed, and Tom was securely anchored ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Rino Armeni closing his Pips Cucina at Aliante
Hot off the grill! Another restaurant bites the dust due to the chilling economic slowdown. Last week, I reported on the closure of Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant Charlie at the Palazzo and the changes at David Burke’s self-named eatery at The Venetian. Now Epicurean Foundation’s beloved founder Rino Armeni is closing his Pips Cucina and Wine Bar at Aliante. In a private email to me, Rino noted: “The opening of Pips was a fulfillment of a lifelong dream. The present economic ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Facts and figures about Encore Beach Club, Surrender
Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn today revealed the first details of his new, lush 60,000-square-foot oasis of playground pleasure he’ll open in time for Memorial Day weekend. Encore Beach Club and Surrender nightclub features three tiered pools within a circle of 40-foot palm trees. There will be a more private experience within the 26 cabanas and the exclusive opulence of eight double-decker 350-square-foot bungalows each with hot tubs, showers and temperature-controlled cooling and heating. Steve has partnered with Las Vegas nightlife ... Read more...
Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show has double duty here and in S.F.
The Rat Pack producer Sandy Hackett is about to juggle two casts of his hit Strip show, and there even might be more to come as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin’s collaboration. Direct from Las Vegas, Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show kicks off its national tour at San Francisco’s Marines Memorial Theater for a limited engagement starting with a gala premiere April 17. Tickets go on sale today. We ... Read more...
Photos: NBA legends score on The Strip during March Madness
Two legendary NBA stars have brought added excitement to the Strip during March Madness. Clyde “The Glide” Drexler and James “Big Game” Worthy thrilled basketball fans with appearances at meet-and-greets at Planet Hollywood and the Flamingo. Clyde and James also took part in a Hoops Challenge at the O’Shea’s block party, where Flamingo comedian headliner George Wallace stopped by to handle the play-by-play commentary. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was on hand as fans got to play hoops with both ... Read more...
Photos: George Wallace welcomes Chris Tucker for a night of comedy
It was a thunderous throwback to the glorious golden days of Strip entertainment when headliners invaded one another’s showrooms for impromptu jam sessions among singers and musicians and when comedy kings attempted to out joke one another. The stars loved it, the crowds loved it, and the casinos loved it! It was always an electrical explosion of talent, and for some reason, it brought the best out of them. They sang, played and laughed better. The clock turned back to ... Read more...
Photos: Strip stars raise funds for 3 local charities with free Ben & Jerry’s
When it comes to supporting local Las Vegas charities, our Strip entertainers are the first in line to volunteer. Former Baywatch beauty Angelica Bridges, who headlines Fantasy at the Luxor, was in the spotlight scooping ice cream at the Ben & Jerry’s in The District at Green Valley Ranch. The ice cream makers each year give away free ice cream cones and hope that happy customers will in exchange donate generously to a charity, and this was the 32nd annual ... Read more...
Breaking news: Drug gang violence in Mexico forces Vince Neil to scrap tour
No sooner did we report yesterday that Motley Crue singer Vince Neil would fly one of his own Vince Neil Aviation charter fleet planes over the border for this weekend’s concerts in Monterrey than he was forced to scrap the travel plans. Vince was set to take off for Mexico for his first solo show Friday, but promoters called it off because of the country’s continuing drug gang violence and shootouts that have made headlines and TV newscasts in recent ... Read more...
Photos: Round-the-world flight makes pit stop in Las Vegas
With his only mainland U.S. fuel stop in Las Vegas, 62-year-old Swiss aviator Cpt. Riccardo Mortara went on to successfully claim a new around-the-world record of 57 hours and 54 minutes. But the stop in Sin City was the start of major drama and a battle with Mother Nature that nearly prevented the bid from being achieved. Everything was plain sailing and crystal smooth after take off from Geneva, with stops in Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Macau, Osaka, Russia, Anchorage ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Birthday parties for sexy CIA agent, Reno 911 star
Yvonne Strahovski, the blonde bombshell and sexy CIA agent on NBC’s Chuck, hosted an arresting night of intrigue and allure at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand while celebrating boyfriend Timothy Loden’s birthday. It was just one of the hotspots they hit during their mini vacation. Before Tabu, the couple and their friends spent the day poolside in one of the lavish cabanas at Wet Republic. Yvonne wore a simple and elegant black sundress and kept on her Top Gun-style ... Read more...
Exclusive photos: Vince Neil’s Las Vegas-based Vince Neil Aviation
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling like a rock star, our very own Vince Neil is now ready to make that dream come true. The Motley Crue frontman and our hometown hero is in the midst of launching Vince Neil Aviation to be headquartered right here in the private terminal at McCarran International Airport. The first three planes in his new fleet are a Hawker 700, a Lear 35 and a Gulfstream, and he invited Vegas DeLuxe and contributing photographer ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Star chef Rick Moonen celebrates string of success
Hot off the grill! Celebrity chef Rick Moonen is all fired up for an April hat trick of unprecedented culinary successes. Yesterday, as Vegas DeLuxe reported, Rick was named one of three local finalists for the prestigious Best Chef of the Year: Southwest Award from the James Beard Foundation. He’ll go to New York for the announcement of the winners at a Lincoln Center gala May 3. But first he’ll sharpen his kitchen knives to do battle as a returning ... Read more...
DWTS photos: Pamela’s comedy, Evan’s grace and Nicole on top
The premiere of Season 10 of Dancing With the Stars last night instantly shuffled the 11-star lineup, but the spotlight fell on former Strip headliner Pamela Anderson, as she proved that she’s not only a dancer but also a comedienne. Nicole Scherzinger, the former Pussycat Dolls lead singer gone solo, proved that she’s the celebrity to beat. As we reported here last night, she and Las Vegas pro partner Derek Hough, who won Season 7 with new co-host Brooke Burke, ... Read more...
DWTS Season 10 debuts! Who soared, who slipped; a big change
It looks as if it will be beauty over age and experience from the first round of dances on tonight’s Season 10 premiere of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Eighty-year-old legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin is so determined to win as the long-shot senior that he didn’t let travel plans to New Zealand interrupt his dance practice with Ashly Costa. He simply took her along on the trip, and they had three workouts Down Under! But as you will read here ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Bobsledders find Love at The Mirage post-Olympics
The Winter Olympics gold medalists from Canada’s women’s bobsled team took over Las Vegas as their party playground this past weekend. It all began at The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. Heather Moyse, Amanda Morley and Kaillie Humphries went backstage after the show, were greeted by many of the Canadian cast members and showed their gold medals to everybody. The bobsled beauties had previously watched O and Ka for their Cirque fix before the weekend. The ... Read more...
Las Vegas star chefs among 2010 James Beard Award finalists
Three beloved Las Vegas chefs will battle it out for the title of Best Chef of the Year Southwest in the 2010 James Beard Awards, and several other Strip chefs are represented in the Oscars of the food industry. The finalists, whittled down from the semifinalists we reported Feb. 18, were announced today in New Orleans, and the winners will be announced at New York’s Lincoln Center on May 3. The three Best Chefs of the Southwest finalists are the ... Read more...
Dancing With the Stars Season 10 premieres tonight
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin was one of the very first men to walk on the moon. Now the question is whether the 80-year-old hero can skate around Vancouver Winter Olympics figure skating champion Evan Lysacek to win the 10th season of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars that gets underway tonight. Or will pop culture icon Pamela Anderson’s assets win over fans and the final battle be against former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, who is teamed with Las Vegas ... Read more...
Photos: David Hasselhoff talks reunion, Knight Rider, new shows
Former Baywatch and Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff turned his Las Vegas visit into a jam-packed and nonstop whirlwind that included a reunion with his ex-wife actress beauty Catherine Hickland for the first time in 22 years. While here, David, who was mobbed by crowds wherever he went, chatted with me and revealed that he has plans for a new Las Vegas show. Our contributing photographers were with him every step of the way. Tom Donoghue discovered David greeting Planet ... Read more...
Photos: Nicky Hilton hosts birthday bash for boyfriend David Katzenberg
The rumors were rapid fire from Hollywood to New York: Socialite, entrepreneur and pop culture personality Nicky Hilton was finally getting engaged in Las Vegas at the birthday party she was throwing for longtime boyfriend Hollywood agent David Katzenberg. After all the rumors, the rumblings and the Internet buzz, it simply didn’t happen! In fact, their celebration at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel was a low-key event, and they stayed under the radar most of the weekend, too. The ... Read more...
Smokey Robinson offers advice to aspiring musicians at SXSW
Legendary singer and music mogul Smokey Robinson said that “showbiz is a life of hard knocks” and that he still goes through “ups and downs,” but he doesn’t let the hard knocks discourage him. The Motown entertainer, who lives here in Las Vegas and currently presents Human Nature at Imperial Palace, was invited to give the keynote address to the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The festival, which premiered in 1994, serves ... Read more...
Photos: This Bud, bracket, brawn and band are for you at the Hard Rock
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor The Hard Rock Hotel and Bud Light teamed up beginning Wednesday in celebration of the Hard Rock’s new HRH Beach Club and Skybar and five days of festivities titled the World’s Largest Pool Party. The party kicked off Wednesday with a larger-than-life NCAA Basketball Tournament bracket on the facade of the new HRH Tower with continuous updates. Along with thousands of Bud Light drinkers partying poolside throughout the weekend, the schedule included a private ... Read more...
Coming Monday: Martin Lawrence at The Pearl; Nicky Hilton & Co. at Vanity
Amid the March Madness and Spring Break celebrants, there was plenty of room for a birthday celebration and laughter last night. While it wasn’t an engagement celebration, as had been rumored, it was a birthday soiree for Hollywood agent David Katzenberg and his sister Laura, and the hostess of the festivities at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel was David’s girlfriend Nicky Hilton. Just off the Strip, funnyman Chris Rock surprised fellow funnyman Martin Lawrence during the latter’s standup performance ... Read more...
Coming Monday: Exclusive photos of Vince Neil’s new private charter fleet
Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue has shot an exclusive photo gallery with Motley Crue rocker and hometown hero Vince Neil and his Vince Neil Aviation new private jet charter airline at McCarran Airport, which Vince unveiled — and we reported — on Thursday. As a preview to our Monday story and photo gallery, here is Tom’s photograph of Vince, his wife Lia and her best girlfriend Marley Taylor of Zowie Bowie fame with the new fleet. Check back here at ... Read more...
Reunited — and it feels so good — at the Knight Rider Festival
Former spouses and Knight Rider co-stars David Hasselhoff and Catherine Hickland were reunited for the first time in more than two decades yesterday at the Knight Rider Festival at Fremont Street Experience downtown, and Brian Jones of Las Vegas News Bureau sent Vegas DeLuxe these two teaser photos of the reunion and David driving the iconic KITT. Check out my Twitter account at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach for tweets and video from yesterday. The Hoff himself tweeted: “Woo-hoo! Great fun at the Knight ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Are Nicky Hilton and David Katzenberg getting engaged?
Rumors are flying that socialite and entrepreneur Nicky Hilton might become engaged this weekend while in Las Vegas when she throws a birthday party for longtime boyfriend Hollywood agent David Katzenberg. The couple will be dining with friends at Rare 120 in the Hard Rock Hotel tomorrow before the celebration in nearby Vanity. Meantime, the buzz about sister Paris Hilton and her upcoming engagement with boyfriend Doug Reinhardt is intensifying, too, particularly when they dined and vacationed with both sets ... Read more...
James Taylor and Carole King tickets go on sale tomorrow
It was 40 years ago that iconic recording artists James Taylor and Carole King went out on tour. Then they separated, but in 2007 to celebrate the Troubadour club’s 50th anniversary, they reunited for six concerts. After critics and fans alike hailed that successful mini-run, the idea for a much larger tour started formulating. Now the Troubadour Reunion Tour is about to hit the road as a rare and intimate in-the-round performance, and it stops at MGM Grand Garden Arena ... Read more...
Photos: ShoWest wraps with awards, wardrobe mishap, Hangover 2
The Hangover director Todd Phillips confirmed that the Las Vegas comedy has now surpassed $400 million worldwide, and it cost only $32 million to make. It’s become the biggest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time, and although filming will begin hopefully in November for the now-confirmed sequel, it won’t be shot on the Strip again. Last December at a Caesars Palace party to launch the DVD, Todd gave me the exclusive about the sequel, and he updated the status of Hangover ... Read more...
Knight Rider Festival reunites David Hasselhoff and Catherine Hickland
When lovely Catherine Hickland meets up with her ex-husband David Hasselhoff this evening onstage downtown, it will be the first time they’ve seen each other in 20 years. Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman will be onstage with the two former Baywatch stars to prevent any awkward or interesting moments. Catherine told me late last night that all her attempts to fly home to Las Vegas were foiled because of the high winds here. “If the flights don’t resume, ... Read more...
Exclusive: Star chef Charlie Trotter closing his Palazzo restaurant
It’s the first star chef restaurant closing brought on by the recession. Charlie Trotter has decided to close his award-winning fine-dining palace Restaurant Charlie and its C Bar in the Palazzo. Newlyweds Charlie and his bride Rochelle sent me the sad email verdict this morning, but they promise to try it again when the economy bounces back. Their decision comes just three weeks after their marriage on an island near the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. “It breaks our heart,” ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Bam! Emeril Lagasse, Todd English, Jamie Oliver
Hot off the grill! I’m not sure if the battle against obesity began with first lady Michelle Obama or my fellow Brit and Food Network star chef Jamie Oliver. The Naked Chef is heading here to start his revolution. In a new Ryan Seacrest- and ABC-produced series premiering March 26, Jamie will unveil his plan to change the way America eats. Jamie wants to change habits in school, at work and most especially in the kitchen. He’s so shocked by ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Liquid at Aria and HRH Beach Club at Hard Rock open
Today’s the day for the debut of the Strip’s newest adult-only pool lounge and restaurant Liquid at MGM CityCenter’s Aria, while the grand opening is April 8 with DJ Tiesto. Guests can explore the luxurious private cabanas with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, two dipping pools, sprawling chaise lounges and plush day beds surrounding a 1,200-square-foot main pool. Liquid also offer poolside pampering and a premier party experience Thursdays through Sundays. To celebrate, there’s a Liquid Passion drink made with fresh blood ... Read more...
Vince Neil unveils his private jet fleet at McCarran
Motley Crue rocker and hometown hero Vince Neil rolled out his new airline fleet this morning, and with its rock and roll-themed furnishings and painted flames fuselage, he’s all set to ensure that there are music flights in the friendly skies from now on. Vince showed off his first three jets: a Hawker 700, a Lear 35 and a Gulfstream. Vince told me: “They are all now finished, all tricked out. We will base Vince Neil Aviation at McCarran Airport’s ... Read more...
Photos: A tour of the new platinum penthouses at Hard Rock Hotel
The new super suites at the Hard Rock Hotel are so out of this world, you might not ever want to sleep once you get settled. The experiences are so sensual, surreal and special, you might not ever want to check out, either. Forget sleeping. This is all about the world’s wildest and most fanciful fun. This goes way beyond Emeril Lagasse’s slogan of “kick it up a notch.” Not only did I take a mind-blowing tour of the seven ... Read more...
It’s hoopla as March Madness begins with basketball legends
It all starts today with the official arrival of March Madness! Ten glorious days of NCAA hoop excitement, with 64 teams that even had President Obama weighing in last night with a prediction that Kansas would win and our hometown UNLV would get booted in the first round. Boo to him! Could Syracuse upset Kansas? I leave it to the experts! We posted a story yesterday of Kevin Burke’s brave and amazing prediction of the winning team. This morning, I ... Read more...
Movie superstars celebrate ShoWest awards with blowout banquet
For the past few days, movie industry delegates have been inspecting new digital projectors, examining new popcorn and snack services, pouring over cell phone ticket-delivery systems and excitedly discussing the bigger, expanded rollout of 3-D films headed for theaters this year. It’s the behind-the-scenes part of the film business that makes the real profit for theater owners above and beyond the blockbuster box office receipts they ship back to Hollywood studios. But the nuts and bolts of the trade show ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Kevin Burke’s mind-blowing March Madness magic
If Kevin Burke, who stars in his own downtown comedy magic show, pulls off the hat trick, it’s likely to go into the history of prestidigitation as one of the greatest stunts of all time. Kevin will get in touch today with St. Patrick’s Day spirits, and because he’s Irish, that means a bottle of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey. When finished with the last drop, he’ll turn mentalist and make a mind-blowing prediction. Kevin will write down on a piece ... Read more...
Photos: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Holly Madison kicks off Strip events
Platinum blonde Peepshow star Holly Madison is going green today and kicks off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at center Strip. She marched at noon with lucky leprechauns right into O’Shea’s, the only Irish-themed casino on the Strip, and contributing photographers Erik Kabik and Scott Harrison were there for all the action. It will signal the start of a four-day-long block party, and Holly will challenge guests to beer pong games. Meantime, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker throws her first ... Read more...
Photos: Star chef Todd English officially opens P.U.B. at CityCenter
It took just 4 seconds for celebrity chef Todd English to down an entire pint of beer in a single gulp at the private VIP opening of his new Todd English P.U.B. in MGM CityCenter’s Crystals last night. Todd had 3 seconds left in what is rapidly becoming a new 7-second challenge and tradition at his first pub concept, a modern interpretation of a traditional English pub. The three-time James Beard Award winner told me: “I picked Guinness because it’s ... Read more...
The Twilight Saga: New Moon wins fan choice award at ShoWest
It was one of the year’s Top 10 grossing films at the box office, and now The Twilight Saga: New Moon has won the ShoWest/Fandango Fan Choice Award to be presented at tomorrow’s banquet and award ceremony. New Moon, the second in the hugely popular Twilight series, won with more than 66 percent of the vote during the eight-week online survey with more than 70,000 voting. One winner who took part in the sweepstakes will attend the ceremony at Bally’s ... Read more...
Wynn sports book posts American Idol Season 9 odds
It was a war of words that had never been seen before on American Idol until last night between host Ryan Seacrest and judge Simon Cowell. They literally got in each other’s faces sparring over contestant Michael Lynche, who had wowed them all a week earlier. Last night, however, sarcastic Simon criticized the workout trainer unkindly, saying: “I thought the performance, particularly your dancing, was kind of corny. It was verging at times on a tiny bit desperate.” A hot-under-the-collar ... Read more...
Photos: 2010 Miss America returns home for first time since crowning
For the first time since being crowned 2010 Miss America back in January here at Planet Hollywood, Caressa Cameron finally returned home — and the red carpet was rolled out across Virginia! Caressa’s first task was to crown the new Miss Virginia Chinah Helmandollar, who takes over the title from Caressa. Highlights of Caressa’s first day home included a visit to students at an elementary school, where she stressed the importance of always doing the right thing and shared with ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: George Wallace is giving away a Smart Car on April 1
Comedian George Wallace is giving away a Smart Car to one lucky winner at his April 1 show in the Flamingo, where he’s headlined for six years, and the giveaway is no joke! Fans participate by filling out an entry form at his showroom after watching the performance. Anybody who buys tickets from VegasOnDemand.com also is automatically entered. Said George: “I’m so excited to be giving away this Smart Car. I love to give back to the community, and this ... Read more...
Three food critics aim to name 50 best L.V. restaurants for new book
With all the fabulous, rich and royal restaurants and charmed celebrity chefs we have in the Las Vegas area, is it possible to narrow the list down to just 50 top restaurants? Respected food critics John Curtas, Max Jacobson and Al Mancini aim to try for a new book being published this year titled Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants. The Top 10 will be the best high-end restaurants on the Strip, and then the remaining 40 can be ... Read more...
Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston at Planet Hollywood on July 24
Call it Bieber Fever as millions of fans count down the days until Tuesday’s release of Justin Bieber’s second album My World 2.0. The 16-year-old platinum-selling, pop-singing sensation kicks off his first headlining tour of North America on June 23 featuring Sean Kingston as the opening act. They’ll blaze a trail through more than 40 cities before wrapping up Sept. 4. Justin stops here at the Theater for Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood on July 24, with tickets going on ... Read more...
Sex and the City stars lead award-winner arrivals for ShoWest
Today is opening day of this year’s ShoWest movie convention at Paris and Bally’s, and Hollywood stars join with studio moguls and theater owners worldwide for the meetings and exhibits. ShoWest covers everything from new movies, projectors and digital technology delivery of films to even the newest popcorn machines. The new “movie ticket to your cell phone” technology will be unveiled this year. Among the stars jetting in will be the four Sex and the City beauties: Sarah Jessica Parker, ... Read more...
Public votes on 20 players for WSOP Tournament of Champions
Just 27 poker players will battle it out for the $1 million prize package in the 2010 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions starting at The Rio on June 27. The final table of nine playing No Limit Hold’em should roll July 4. Five entries into the tournament are automatic. The three previous WSOP TOC winners gain entry, plus the reigning WSOP champion and the reigning WSOP Europe champion get seats at the table. Annie Duke, Mike Matusow, Mike ... Read more...
Happy Birthday to Jerry Lewis and Eva Longoria Parker
Birthday greetings to two special friends of Las Vegas and Vegas DeLuxe. First, and it’s difficult to believe, congratulations go to legendary comedian and actor Jerry Lewis, who chalks up 84 years today — and he’s still going strong. Jerry is planning a new Broadway musical, and you just know the French will be putting his name up in lights today with flags flying to join the celebration. Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker has embraced our city since opening ... Read more...
Photos: Frank Caliendo, Mayor Oscar Goodman throw out first pitches
The dueling Chicago Cubs beat the Chicago White Sox on two consecutive nights in their annual Spring Training games and visit here to Las Vegas. That’s definite proof that the boys of summer are ready for another season of America’s favorite pastime, and it also proves that winter is behind us and warmer weather is here to stay. Monte Carlo headliner impressionist Frank Caliendo threw the first ball at our Cashman Field, but it took him six times before the ... Read more...
Photos: Terry Fator’s first-anniversary red carpet, show and after-party
In the olden days, it was Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack who reigned on the Strip. Today, it’s the Laff Pack led by singing impressionist and comedy ventriloquist Terry Fator. He tried to celebrate his first anniversary Saturday night at The Mirage, where he headlines, but Laff Pack inductees Frank Caliendo of the Monte Carlo and Carrot Top of the Luxor kept on interrupting with comical surprise cameos. Carrot Top raced from the back of Terry’s showroom and brought ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Adult star vows to put the sin in Sin City
Sex symbol and adult film star Sunset Thomas will host the inaugural Tasteful Party Bus Tour debuting late April. “The trip originates in Los Angeles,” beamed the porn princess. “That’s where partygoers start this racy road trip. Once the bus reaches Las Vegas, I get onboard, and, baby, that’s when things really heat up!” Passengers party on I-15 aboard the 50-seat luxury bus fitted with plasma TVs, two dance poles, a full service bar and a private room. Five hot ... Read more...
Photos: Matt Goss’s premiere becomes online phenomenon
British singer-songwriter Matt Goss has a worldwide following, and fans from Europe, Australia and Canada who couldn’t get to his opening night in Caesars Palace over the weekend set off a viral tidal wave to be there online. Beautiful Scary Spice Mel B, multiplatinum-recording artist Leona Lewis and singer Natasha Bedingfield, however, made it through the throngs for Matt’s premiere produced by Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin in the new Gossy Room at Cleopatra’s Barge in Caesars Palace. Stunning Playboy ... Read more...
New Dancing With the Stars cast featured in video
It’s just one week from today for the two-hour premiere of Season 10 of ABC’s hit competition Dancing With the Stars, and here for the first time is video of the entire cast of celebrities and their professional dance partners as they talk about themselves, rehearsals and what we might expect: We’ll be monitoring the progress of the stars who have Las Vegas connections, including Pamela Anderson, Buzz Aldrin and professional dancers Derek Hough, Chelsie Hightower and Le Reve choreographer ... Read more...
Photos: Parties w/Pauly D, Travis Barker, Ryan & Audrina, Common, more
Hotels, restaurants and showrooms here this past weekend all reported big upticks in reservations and partying customers, making it the best $$$ weekend of the year to date, even exceeding Super Bowl XLIV weekend in many instances. With March Madness hoop-la getting underway, I hope we’ve seen the worst of the financial decimation and now can start moving upward again. The stars poured in from Hollywood to add their glamour to the bottom-line excitement. Elsewhere on Vegas DeLuxe, you’ll find ... Read more...
Tickets go on sale today for Sting, British Royal Philharmonic
Superstar musician Sting embarks on a world tour this summer accompanied by the British Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, and it will include a stop here at MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 18. Sting will perform his most celebrated songs reimagined for symphonic arrangement with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Steven Mercurio. Steven has conducted shows for many stars including Andrea Bocelli and the late Luciano Pavarotti. Tickets go on sale today and are limited to eight per ... Read more...
Photos: Zac Brown Band gives fans 4-hour show at The Joint
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor If comedy actors Jack Black and Zach Galifianakis had a brother who just happened to be a Grammy Award-winning country music singer, his name would be Zac Brown. The resemblance is uncanny. In fact, maybe Brown really is Black, as Black proved his music chops in School of Rock. Reigning Best New Artist Grammy Award winner Zac Brown Band performed for 4 hours Saturday night at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel accompanied ... Read more...
Photos: Spring has arrived at Bellagio’s Botanical Gardens
Now that the clocks have moved forward, the casino resort pools are open and the temperatures will be in the 70s all week long, it really feels like spring is here — even though the calendar calls for it to be officially recognized this Sunday. The incredible horticultural staff and artists at Bellagio, though, prove that spring has arrived as far as we’re concerned. In celebration of spring, the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveiled a spectacular floral exhibition this ... Read more...
Zac Brown Band performs 4-hour show in The Joint at HRH
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor Reigning Best New Artist Grammy Award winner the Zac Brown Band performed for 4 hours last night at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel accompanied by Joey & Rory, as well as Levi Lowery, Sonya Leigh and Nic Cowan, three of Zac’s favorite musicians from their hometown of Atlanta. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik was with ZBB before the concert and stage side last night, and we’ll have our full photo gallery and ... Read more...
Crash test dummy debuts at Terry Fator’s first-anniversary show
To celebrate the first anniversary of his show, ventriloquist impersonator Terry Fator surprised the star-studded crowd by performing in a jam session with his musicians. Not content with performing a 90-minute show in his main theater in The Mirage, Terry went to the nearby B.B. King’s Blues Club for his after-party, and to the delight of fans performed eight songs with his group. It was a star-studded audience complete with old-time ventriloquists, while up onstage during the main show, Carrot ... Read more...
Photos: Tuff-N-Uff at The Orleans features brutal arm break
By Hepi Mita, Vegas DeLuxe photo archivist Frank Mir protege John Gettle became an Internet sensation last week after brutally breaking the arm of his opponent William Kowolski at the Tuff-N-Uff Amateur Fighting Championships at The Orleans. Video of the horrific arm break hit the blogosphere and went viral, generating an abundance of attention for the previously unheralded amateur fighter. Here’s the video on YouTube. Warning: It is brutal. The injury is the worst any athlete has suffered in the ... Read more...
Ladies lead turnout for gentleman Matt Goss’s premiere
What a night! What a party! What a sensational show! What sophistication and style! What a re-created Rat Pack glory days memory! The premiere of British crooner Matt Goss in his new Gossy Lounge at Caesars Palace last night wound up with a star-studded finale as Scary Spice singer Mel B and Natasha Bedingfield joined Matt onstage for a shout-out sing-along. Singer Leona Lewis almost made it to the stage, too, but even “trapped” behind four of the sexiest, stocking-clad ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Las Vegas gets its own miniature zoo
For the first time ever on the Strip, there will be a new animal attraction for tourists and locals. Call it a baby zoo complete with zebras, giraffes and a young rhino. It will be a one-of-a-kind Exotic Animal Encounter. Vegas DeLuxe has learned that the entrepreneurs who bankrolled the Cloud Nine balloon rides are adding the animal park to their takeoff and landing site opposite Mandalay Bay in nine days. Cloud Nine is the world’s largest tethered helium balloon ... Read more...
Matt Goss premiere at Caesars Palace to be a star-studded affair
It’s time for a celebration at Caesars Palace tonight when singer Matt Goss opens as the casino resort’s newest resident headliner in his new Gossy Room. Matt has been rehearsing with his nine-piece band, including a new trumpet player, at Cleopatra’s Barge behind screened curtains, but crowds have been gathering and standing for hours to listen. He also has his sexy Dirty Virgin dancers and two backup singers. Tonight, singers Mel B from the Spice Girls, Leona Lewis and Natasha ... Read more...
Troubadour Reunion brings James Taylor, Carole King to L.V. in July
Legendary recording artists James Taylor and Carole King’s highly anticipated Troubadour Reunion Tour includes a Las Vegas stop at MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 18. This once-in-a-lifetime event, the first time in 40 years, marks a concert experience bringing together two beloved singer-songwriters. Joining Carole and James will be original band mates guitarist Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, drummer Russ Kunkel and bassist Lee Sklar, known in their own right as The Section. Carole and James’ performance together at the Troubadour ... Read more...
Travis Barker kicks off North American tour tonight at Pure
Tonight marks the start of Travis Barker’s new North American tour with his premiere performance at Pure in Caesars Palace. Travis is teamed up with Kanye West’s former DJ A-Trak, who replaces the late DJ AM (Adam Goldstein), who died of a drug overdose in New York last Aug. 28. Travis and Adam had escaped from a fatal and fiery plane crash while on tour in September 2008. Both were badly burned and hospitalized. DJ AM became the resident turntable ... Read more...
Wet Republic at MGM Grand opens today — let the pool wars begin
Today’s the opening day for Wet Republic at MGM Grand, and as Vegas DeLuxe has previously reported, the promoters there have declared war! They’ve also lined up a star-studded guest list of weekend party hosts to ensure that the new clubs at the Hard Rock Hotel and Encore don’t steal their thunder. On March 27, it’s the official media day opening with former The Girls Next Door and now Kendra reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson showing off her post-baby swimsuit ... Read more...
Terry Fator reflects on his first year as a headliner on the Strip
Entire theater audiences sometimes line up for Terry Fator’s meet-and-greet and autograph session after his show at The Mirage. Two years ago, just before winning Season 2 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, he was lucky to get one person in the crowd. For more than 20 years, Terry toiled anonymously in America’s backwater towns unheralded and unknown. Then it all changed overnight, and he fulfilled his dream with a 10-year, $100 million Strip contract. Superstars from show business are now ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Conan O’Brien’s new tour stops at The Pearl on May 1
Former NBC late-night talk-show host Conan O’Brien will headline a comedy and music revue that begins a two-month, 30-city tour April 12 and includes a stop at The Pearl in the Palms on May 1. The aptly titled Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour kicks off in Eugene, Ore., and will take Conan and a cast that includes longtime sidekick Andy Richter and the former Tonight Show band to venues in at least 20 states and two Canadian ... Read more...
Victor Drai’s Hollywood nightspot officially opens tonight in L.A.
Nightlife czar Victor Drai certainly isn’t resting on his laurels. Neither are his managing partners, twin brothers Cy and Jesse Waits. The trio picked up the top two honors this week for their luxurious and sprawling XS at Steve Wynn’s Encore — the Nightclub & Bar Awards were presented to them for Best New Nightclub and Mega Club of the Year. They raced from their Top 100 Party at XS for 4,000 of the Nightclub & Bar delegates Tuesday night ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Mario Batali’s restaurants screen documentary
Hot off the grill! The three Mario Batali restaurants at The Venetian and Palazzo — Carnevino Italian Steakhouse, B&B Ristorante and Enoteca San Marco — played host to a screening of a documentary about over-fishing narrated by Ted Danson. The End of the Line was shown for staff yesterday and today, but restaurant guests also saw it at a midnight screening last night. The first major documentary to reveal the crisis facing today’s oceans, The End of the Line warns ... Read more...
Sex and the City stars to receive Ensemble Award at ShoWest
Sexy and stunning Sex and the City stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon will receive The Ensemble Award here at next week’s ShoWest convention. The actresses will pick up four matching trophies at ShoWest’s Final Night Banquet and Award Ceremony one week from today at Bally’s and Paris. Sex and the City 2 opens May 27, and conventioneers will get an sneak peek of the film. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda take another bite out ... Read more...
Photos: She’s Out of My League premiere at Planet Hollywood
Truth be told, all eyes were on the gorgeous girls attending the Planet Hollywood premiere last night for She’s Out of My League. The photographers’ flashes lit up for lead actress and Maxim cover girl Alice Eve, plus former Dancing With the Stars beauty Stacy Keibler and Holly Madison’s reality TV star sidekicks Laura Croft and Angel Porrino. Even hot hunk Paul “DJ Pauly D” Delvecchio of MTV’s Jersey Shore, with his six-pack abs and tan and all, was somewhat ... Read more...
Lily Tomlin returns to MGM’s Hollywood Theater tomorrow
Brilliant comedienne Lily Tomlin finally performed in Las Vegas last November for the first time in her long and illustrious 40-year-plus career. Now she’s back again, and it’s becoming a regular date on her calendar. Lily talked with us last October before her debut of Not Playing With a Full Deck at MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theater. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue captured Lily onstage in November. I asked Lily as she got ready in L.A. for the new run starting ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Sierra Boggess is feted in Love Never Dies premiere
Former Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular star Sierra Boggess was center stage with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber for the standing ovation at the world premiere of the sequel Love Never Dies in London yesterday. Stars including Sir Michael Caine, Rupert Everett, Richard E. Grant and Gerard Butler cheered the cast, and Sierra received the loudest of all. Theater critics at London newspapers were unanimous in their praise for the soprano who starred here at The Venetian production for three years. ... Read more...
Photos: Popular new tourist attraction is a History Channel success
Forget about the view from the re-created Eiffel Tower on the Strip. Fuggedaboutit — the faux New York skyline, in this case — and the dancing fountains splashing sky-high to Italian opera. The newest and most unexpected tourist attraction in Las Vegas is headed up by four of the most unlikely TV stars. Incredibly, 1,000-plus people wait in line every day for entry, and earlier this week, 6 million people watched it on television. According to one TV ratings company, ... Read more...
Music helps Marie Osmond begin to heal during return Flamingo show
When a strong and courageous Marie Osmond finished her first return show last night after the tragic death of her son, it was her brother Donny who summed it up best: “I admire my sister. She got back onstage tonight. She did a great job and made it through the show.” Less than 24 hours earlier, a sobbing Marie had leaned on him for support at the funeral in Provo, Utah, for 18-year-old Michael Bryan, who jumped to his death ... Read more...
Photos: Bridget Marquardt shimmers and shines in silver at Moon
Fashion experts, or at least the Svedka Vodka folks, are predicting that our 2033 wardrobe will shimmer and shine like the silvery moon, so Playboy beauty and The Girls Next Door star Bridget Marquardt dressed the part in a futuristic fashion forward look early this morning and, appropriately, her platinum party was at Moon above The Playboy Club at the Palms. Our contributing photographer Scott Harrison and photographer Denise Truscello adjusted their lenses to avoid all the reflecting glitter and ... Read more...
Photos: X Burlesque marks the spot with third anniversary
Girls, girls, girls, and just one funny guy! That’s been the successful formula for the sexy romp X Burlesque at the Flamingo, which celebrated its third anniversary with new scanty costumes and pulsating and throbbing dance numbers. There are blondes, brunettes and redheads in the enthusiastic take-it-all-off lineup, and they put stripper poles, bathtubs and floor mattresses to great use with all their sexual moves and gyrating gymnastics. The topless silk number is quite frankly amazing, and when the topless ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Nightclub & Bar trade show is in full swing
The four days of partying for the 25th Annual Nightclub & Bar Awards is at the midpoint today. It began Sunday at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel and continued last night at Haze in Aria. Today at high noon, the following awards were presented to the owners, operators and managers of the winning sweep by our Las Vegas pleasure palaces and playgrounds: Steve Wynn & Victor Drai’s XS at the Encore for Mega Club of the Year and New ... Read more...
Criss Angel makes magic at WWE’s Raw in Portland
Wrestling and Mindfreak fans joined forces to give magician Criss Angel an extraordinary welcome at last night’s WWE Raw matchup at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore. Our thanks to World Wrestling Entertainment for providing these ringside photos to Vegas DeLuxe.com today. Criss made the round-trip private jet flight despite being under the weather and on medication, and he will still complete rehearsals on new illusions this afternoon at the Luxor and perform two Cirque du Soleil Believe shows ... Read more...
Marie Osmond returning to Flamingo show after son’s funeral
A grieving Marie Osmond will return to the stage of the Flamingo tonight less than one day after the funeral service for her son Michael Bryan, who jumped to his death Feb. 26 in Los Angeles. Performances of Donny & Marie were canceled last week, but she and Donny have told hotel executives that they will resume tonight. They are canceling vacation plans to make up for the missed shows. As of this past weekend, more than 400 seats had ... Read more...
Photos: DJ Skribble’s Freak Show at Studio 54 in MGM Grand
Whoever knew there were so many freaks with so many bizarre talents and skills? It was proved true at the opening night over the weekend of DJ Skribble’s new residency in Studio 54 at MGM Grand. The carnival sideshow featured performance artists swallowing swords, eating shards of glass and even lifting weights from their eye sockets! Photographer Isaac Brekken shot a gallery of Freak Show photos where every picture is worth at least a thousand words. Our spywitness reported: “All ... Read more...
Sierra Boggess set for world premiere of Love Never Dies in London
Former Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular star Sierra Boggess is all set to become the toast of the town tonight in London when the curtain rises for the long-awaited and much-anticipated world premiere of Love Never Dies, the sequel to the blockbuster musical The Phantom of the Opera. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber opens his newest production at the Adelphi Theater with Ramin Karimloo as the masked man and Sierra as his muse Christine Daae. The story is now set forward ... Read more...
Photos: Barry Manilow triumphs after $150,000 fire stops Paris premiere
Legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow turned a near tragedy into triumph during his premiere weekend on the Strip after a power surge caused $150,000 in damages to the computer program systems in the sound and lighting control boards. It wrecked plans for the Friday night premiere just hours later. “You could smell the burnout,” one of the stage engineers told me. “One or two of the protectors failed or didn’t turn on, and the lot just went up. It brought the ... Read more...
DWTS photos: Brooke Burke replaces Samantha Harris; more rehearsal pics
Congratulations to Brooke Burke, the Season 7 Dancing With the Stars champion with former Las Vegas resident Derek Hough, who will be the new co-host of the hit ABC series. Host Tom Bergeron made the announcement this morning on Good Morning America without Brooke, who’s on a safari vacation in Africa with her family. Her marriage to Dr. Garth Fisher ended in 2006, and she has been romantically linked with former Baywatch actor David Charvet since then. Brooke, a 38-year-old ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Benefit raises $20,000 to assist Bill Fayne
It was an all-star turnout for the Saturday fundraiser to help Las Vegas Tenors singer and musical conductor Bill Fayne, who faces monumental medical bills now that he’s recovering from major throat and stomach surgery. “The great news now is that he is on a course to full recovery,” said Clint Holmes, co-host of the show with wife Kelly Clinton Holmes. I kicked off the festivities with a champagne toast, and among those taking the stage were Monte Carlo magician ... Read more...
Criss Angel’s 10–year reunion with WWE stars in the ring tonight
Mindfreak magician Criss Angel promises that there will be no disappearing act when he steps into World Wrestling Entertainment’s Raw ring tonight in Portland, Ore. Despite not feeling well, Criss flew out of Las Vegas this morning and will return in time for tomorrow evening’s performances of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor. Criss also revealed to Vegas DeLuxe that he has signed for a sixth season of A&E’s Mindfreak, which he has just finalized planning for filming to ... Read more...
Photos: The 2010 post-Academy Awards Vanity Fair party
Contributing photographer Erik Kabik, who covers the Las Vegas celebrity and entertainment scene for Vegas DeLuxe, was credentialed to shoot the 82nd Academy Awards post-party hosted by Vanity Fair at the Sunset Tower Hotel in L.A. last night and kindly shared his gallery with us from the red carpet. 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 ... Read more...
Four-day Nightclub & Bar convention kicks off in Las Vegas
The four-day party whirl that surrounds the Nightclub & Bar convention and trade show celebrating 25 years in Las Vegas got underway last night with the kickoff festivities at Vanity in the new HRH Tower of the Hard Rock Hotel. Among the stars scheduled to attend this year’s event running through the Wednesday night awards show are actor Dan Aykroyd, Wee Man, deejays Paul Oakenfold and Kid Capri, Iron Chef Dominique Crenn, Bravo’s Million Dollar Listings reality TV star Madison ... Read more...
Annie Duke wins NBC’s Heads-Up tournament and $500,000
Poker princess Annie Duke became the first woman in six years of the tournament last night to win the NBC Heads-Up championship at Caesars Palace, and she walked off with the $500,000 first-place prize. Annie triumphed against the creme de la creme of the poker world and defeated Erik Seidel, who has won eight World Series of Poker bracelets and is ranked ninth in the overall money list. Erik went home with $250,000 for finishing runner-up, while the third- and ... Read more...
Photos: Bon Jovi goes full circle with classic, new hits at MGM Grand
Talk about high energy. Talk about unrequited passion. Talk about giving it your all. For Bon Jovi, the New Jersey rockers’ Las Vegas weekend stop for the new Circle Tour simply had to be the best of the 135 shows — and it was! Bon Jovi gave until there was no more to give. Electrifying, extraordinary, exciting, enthusiastic and exuberant. There aren’t enough words in Webster’s to use (starting with “e”!) to describe the power — and the wattage. The ... Read more...
Photos: Jersey Shore cast continues Las Vegas invasion
Three weeks ago, it was Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from reality TV’s big new hit Jersey Shore at the grand opening of Sugar Factory in Planet Hollywood. Last weekend, it was a birthday blast at the Palms for Jenni “JWoww” Farley. This weekend, it was Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Sammi “The Sweetheart” Giancola from the MTV sensation, which was recently renewed for a second season of 12 episodes. Filming starts in May and will be shot this time in and around ... Read more...
Photos: A busy weekend of Oscars, Peepshow and Eve for Holly Madison
It’s nearly mission impossible for platinum blonde beauty Holly Madison this weekend. She becomes the face of E! Entertainment for Oscar weekend coverage in Hollywood and simultaneously still has to perform twice in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood on the Strip. The crazy schedule began at 1 a.m. today when she hosted an Adriana Fernandez Bikinis fashion show at Eva Longoria Parker’s Beso restaurant and Eve the Nightclub at MGM CityCenter’s Crystals. Even Holly was in disbelief that she took off ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Warner Bros. to get Achievement Award at ShoWest
The statistic is mind-blowing: $4.010 billion in ticket sales for Warner Bros. from its 2009 worldwide box office. Here in the U.S. alone, the company raked in more than $2 billion. The staggering numbers were revealed yesterday when ShoWest announced that it will present the Achievement Award to the company at the final night’s banquet and awards ceremony March 18 as the four-day convention wraps at Bally’s and Paris. While in Las Vegas the week after next, Warner executives will ... Read more...
DJ Skribble’s Freak Show begins residency at Studio 54
If you see a man using his eye socket to lift weights early Sunday morning at Studio 54 in MGM Grand, don’t think you’ve had one too many at the bar! If you spot somebody swallowing a sword, putting screws in his face, impaling his stomach or skewering his body, don’t think a hellish hangover has begun! Forget about your normal sideshow carnie blowing fire — this one has somebody who eats the flames! Welcome to a bizarre world known ... Read more...
Barry Manilow premiere at the Paris is canceled; Bon Jovi rocks MGM Grand
UPDATED @6:58 P.M. Barry Manilow’s premiere tonight has been canceled due to a power surge, which effectively shut down the music and audio-visual components of the show. Technicians will be working to alleviate the problem so that the show can go on tomorrow night at 10. Check out my tweets for the latest updates. It’s an extraordinary showdown between two masters of music here on the Strip this weekend, and one mixes love and romance with the standards while the ... Read more...
Photos: Celebrities, poker pros arrive for $1.5 million Heads-Up battle
Play began at 1 p.m. today for 64 of the world’s top poker players in the NBC Heads-Up Poker championship, and they’ll battle for $1.5 million in prizes at Caesars Palace. The celebrities and poker pros gathered at Pure in Caesars Palace last night for the draw party, which resulted in brackets. They’ll meet again in the Caesars Palace Poker Room for the next three days until the winner is crowned Sunday. Among the celebrities playing are actress Jennifer Tilly, ... Read more...
Photos: More Dancing With the Stars first rehearsals
With ABC’s news of the Season 10 cast of Dancing With the Stars announced Monday night, we posted first-rehearsal photos with Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa, Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower and Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough on Wednesday. ABC has just released more rehearsal photos, this time with Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Aiden Turner with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only professional dancer to compete in all 10 seasons of DWTS. We will have first-rehearsals photos of ... Read more...
Photos: Behind the scenes, on the red carpet, in the front row with Oscar.com
If Hollywood’s top executives pull it off, you will have not only “a front-row seat at the Oscars” on Sunday, but you also will be “walking the red carpet” with all your favorite stars. It’s all thanks to modern technology and the ability of the Internet to be so interactive. Master magician and Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton, Harrah’s headliner Mac King and other Las Vegas stars will have their own red carpet at the Variety Children’s Club charity fundraiser ... Read more...
Photos: Palms chefs, Cirque du Soleil join St. Baldrick’s effort
There will be a lot more bald men walking around Las Vegas this weekend, and, no, we’re not having a shiny pate convention. The hairless heads are all part of a giant worldwide fundraising effort by the organization St. Baldrick’s that leads the fight against childhood cancer. Call them shaven, stark, smooth, Spartan and severe looks, but it’s the gesture that counts! Two celebrity chefs are getting in on the act: Nove Italiano’s chef Geno Bernardo at the Palms received ... Read more...
Photos: P Moss celebrates release of Blue Vegas
Bar owner and author P Moss commemorated the release of his short story collection Blue Vegas with an avant-garde party at his Double Down Saloon that featured a special performance by extreme circus freaks troupe SwingShift SideShow, emcee Jenn O. Cide and DJ Rex Dart of the Bargain DJ Collective. They performed ancient and deadly feats of skill, along with jaw-dropping and eye-popping stunts, including sword swallowing, fire performances, belly dancing and mind-over-body demonstrations. P Moss gave a reading from ... Read more...
Photos: The Lion King joins Madame Tussauds at The Venetian
Finally, there’s fame for Disney’s The Lion King at Madame Tussauds. A wax figure of the hit musical’s iconic baboon shaman Rafiki was unveiled this morning in the collection at The Venetian. On hand was Buyi Zama, who plays Rafiki in The Lion King at Mandalay Bay, and contributing photographer Erik Kabik was at the ceremony for these photos for our photo gallery. Several of the show’s South African cast members also turned out for a special dance ceremony. The ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: It’s neck-and-neck for The Hurt Locker, Avatar
Our favorite Strip odds-maker Johnny Avello will host an Academy Awards viewing party Sunday to celebrate the 82nd annual Oscars. The event at the Wynn Race & Sports Book is open to the public, and attendees will have a shot at walking away with prizes from contests planned during the ABC telecast hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. This is Johnny’s 16th year providing Oscars odds. “The Best Picture category was expanded to 10 nominations this year, but, in ... Read more...
Photos: ABC releases Dancing With the Stars Season 10 cast photos
The official cast photos of Season 10 of Dancing With the Stars have been released by ABC. The 11 couples competing for the coveted mirrored disco ball trophy this season are Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa, Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood, Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas, Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani, Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya, Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel, Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke, Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower, Nicole Scherzinger and ... Read more...
Las Vegas pool wars are heating up early with new attractions
With snow still on the ground across much of America, it’s difficult to believe that the first salvo in this year’s Las Vegas pool wars will be fired tomorrow with the opening of George Maloof’s Palms Pool & Bungalows. You can bet there will be folks out there in their bikinis and swimming trunks grabbing the rays. George’s now famous Ditch Friday parties return May 7. Hollywood stars are going to play a major role in this year’s nonstop poolside ... Read more...
World Magic Seminar’s all-star lineup pays tribute to Siegfried & Roy
Every year since 1978, magic legends Siegfried & Roy have sponsored the World Magic Seminar, now in its 33rd year. They’ve used the annual meeting to inspire young magicians from around the world to follow in their footsteps. Siegfried & Roy also sponsor the College of Magic, a nonprofit performing arts training center in Cape Town, and seven students traveled from South Africa to attend the seminar here at The Orleans. The World Magic Seminar is an opportunity for growth ... Read more...
Justin Timberlake’s celebrity golf fundraiser seeks volunteers
Pop superstar Justin Timberlake is looking for volunteers for his 2010 celebrity golf tournament Oct. 18-24 at TPC Summerlin. You’ll have to pay $40 for the privilege, but you receive a tournament jacket, a golf shirt and hat, a weeklong badge, a ticket to the volunteer party and meals during the volunteer shift. If you’re age 18 or older and interested in volunteering, contact Donna Millwood at (702) 589-4945.Tournament volunteers assist in a variety of areas throughout the tournament, including ... Read more...
Legends cast invites Sarah Palin to Harrah’s stage
The cast of Legends in Concert at Harrah’s has sent an invitation to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to join the Strip show any time she wishes to re-create award-winning 30 Rock star Tina Fey. Tina has lampooned Sarah with impersonations on Saturday Night Live all the way to an Emmy Award. The invitation follows the former vice presidential nominee’s standup monologue on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Tuesday night. Sarah joked about the closing ceremonies of the ... Read more...
Air Supply celebrates 35th anniversary with Las Vegas recording
They have become the world’s longest-lasting and top-traveling minstrels. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock have wandered the world for 35 years, and now to celebrate the milestone, they’ve recorded their first studio sessions of original material in eight years, with many of them here in Las Vegas. The master men of music who have been turning out the hits since the early 1980s make their debut on the Las Vegas-based Odds on Records with a 14-track musical odyssey about man’s ... Read more...
Photos: LAPD’s Behind the Scenes exhibit at the Palms
Hours into the opening yesterday of a very limited-run exhibit of crime memorabilia and evidence at the Palms, the family of slain Sen. Robert Kennedy succeeded in having the shirt he wore the day he was assassinated withdrawn. Otherwise, some never-before-seen courtroom items used as evidence in some of Hollywood’s most horrific homicides were still intact at the Key West ballroom in the Palms. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was there for two hours this morning before the first wave ... Read more...
World Magic Seminar w/Criss Angel, Siegfried & Roy; Nathan Burton’s statue
Siegfried & Roy still reign as Masters of the Impossible even though they have officially retired from the world of wizardry. Their last one-night-only reunion performance was at the 2009 Keep Memory Alive gala here, but this afternoon, the beloved and respected counts of conjuring were honored with a tribute at the 33rd Annual World Magic Seminar at The Orleans. Criss Angel, who revealed that he’s going ahead with a Season 6 of Mindfreak on A&E, was the emcee for ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Angelica Bridges shoots long-awaited Playboy pictorial
When sexy singer Angelica Bridges signed on as the headline star to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fantasy at the Luxor, the first promotional plan was a Playboy pictorial. But less than a day after she joined the cast last October, she had to drop out because of a child custody battle with her ex-husband Edmonton Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray. Fortunately, it was all resolved, and the Playboy plans are on schedule again. In fact, the photo shoot took place ... Read more...
Lady Antebellum receives 7 ACM nods; awards at MGM on April 18
Country queen Reba McEntire will host the Academy of Country Music Awards for the 12th year when the 45th annual star-studded event is broadcast from our MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18. The next night, CBS will record a special marking the last tour this summer for Brooks & Dunn titled The Last Rodeo. Once again, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have been nominated for Top Vocal Duo. If they win, it would be their 16th vocal duo award. ... Read more...
Vince Neil wraps South American tour, readies solo album for May
After four super-successful concerts in four countries in four days, rock superstar Vince Neil was en route home to Las Vegas yesterday from his South American tour that included his first-ever appearance in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Each one of the stops – Sao Paulo; Santiago, Chile; Santa Cruz, Bolivia; and Buenos Aires, Argentina — was a sell-out concert. Tour promoter Gabe Reed commented: “The response by the fans to this tour was amazing. We had sold-out shows at each stop, ... Read more...
Photos: First rehearsals for new Dancing With the Stars cast
The new Season 10 cast for Dancing With the Stars had no time to waste! No sooner had ABC announced the lineup Monday night than the professional dancers had their new celebrity partners in the dance studio for a grueling six-hour rehearsal. ABC photographer Rick Powell was on hand to capture the first day warm-ups for three couples with Las Vegas connections. Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, a frequent Las Vegas visitor, has been teamed up with our own ... Read more...
Photos: Fly Girls party; Melrose, DWTS secrets; Kelis at Eve
Five beautiful Virgin America flight attendants jetting through Las Vegas are set to become the newest reality TV stars when Fly Girls premieres March 24 with its eight episodes on The CW. The April 14 episode features our Palazzo, so it was more than appropriate for all the stars to gather at Lagasse’s Stadium to celebrate the premiere. The five Fly Girls, all of whom are based in L.A., are Mandy, Louise, Tasha, Nikole and Farrah, and the premiere reveals ... Read more...
Holly Madison: ‘Peepshow is back and better than ever!’
There’s no doubt about it. The producers of Holly Madison’s Peepshow at Planet Hollywood have made it hotter and sexier during its six-week hiatus. In fact, it’s at least twice as hot now because audiences get to see Holly go topless in two dance numbers, and just so the girls aren’t left out of the flesh appeal, the Big Bad Wolf drops his trousers to bare his bum. The revamped show reopened to a sell-out crowd last night, and its ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: LAPD crime exhibit on display at the Palms
With evidence from death scenes involving Marilyn Monroe, Charles Manson and Sen. Robert Kennedy, it’s one of the most unusual conventions to be hosted here in Las Vegas. The LAPD is hosting the California Homicide Investigators Assn. 2010 conference at George Maloof’s Palms. They have the first-ever behind-the-scenes look at some of the most notable homicides that occurred in L.A. in the past century, and the exhibit is open to the public tomorrow through Friday. The Key West ballroom will ... Read more...
Photos: Mariah Carey brings her tour to a close at Colosseum
It seems every time superstar singer Mariah Carey plays Las Vegas, she moves up the odds. Last year, she had two sold-out concert weekends at the 1,800-seat Pearl Theater in the Palms. This year, Mariah decided to close her The Angels Advocate Tour in the 4,500-seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace with one final blowout show, which also was a sell-out. Fans loved her and the show. I managed to get contributing photographer Tom Donoghue away from shooting winners Jimmie Johnson ... Read more...
X Burlesque celebrates third anniversary at the Flamingo
There will be an entirely new look to the sexy, sassy and seductive X Burlesque when it celebrates its third anniversary Thursday night at the Flamingo. To mark the occasion, producer and co-creator Angela Stabile has embarked on a major expansion. In 48 hours, the X Burlesque topless temptresses will unveil an “enhanced” version of the randy revue with new dancers, numbers, costumes and temptations. The X Girls will strip away their inhibitions inside Bugsy’s Cabaret with Britney Spears’ hit ... Read more...
Photos: DWTS Season 10 cast, pro partners set for March 22 debut
He’s 80 years old, but he also remains one of the few men in the world to walk on the moon. In fact, astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the second man on the lunar surface. Don’t underestimate my good friend. He and I have wrestled Jet Skis in the Caribbean and tackled toboggan runs and ski slopes in Canada, so Buzz is ready for Season 10 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and teamed with pro partner Ashly DelGrosso-Costa. Buzz was ... Read more...
Photos: Is another NASCAR race coming to Las Vegas?
Jimmie Johnson yesterday scored his 49th NASCAR victory with his fourth win in six years out at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and his second consecutive win of the season, and our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue shot one of the most extraordinary set of NASCAR photos from 7,000 feet up in the air. Tom was strapped in safely in an open-door Maverick helicopter to get the Red Bull Air Force skydivers almost eyeball to lens. Said Tom after the sky-high experience: ... Read more...
Photos: Keep Memory Alive’s $27 million night filled with firsts, miracles
It was a glamorous and glittering night of magic and miracles — and an extraordinary series of firsts. It was the first time in the 14 years of the Keep Memory Alive: Power of Love Gala that funds the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health downtown that we topped $20 million. We raised $23 million from donations, ticket sales and the live and silent auction — and incredibly at the last moment, former International Game Technology head ... Read more...
Photos: Kim Kardashian’s revved-up weekend of NASCAR, perfume
It was an ab fab weekend for gorgeous reality TV star Kim Kardashian — right up until the moment her perfume-sponsored car #36 pink Chevrolet crashed into the wall at Las Vegas Motor Speedway yesterday during the NASCAR Shelby American 400 won by Jimmie Johnson. Kim fortunately missed by just seconds seeing her car driven by Mike Bliss of Milwaukee, Oregon, eliminated. After joining Carroll Shelby for the traditional “Gentlemen, start your engines” command, the pink-and-black-race-suit-adorned actress watched the first ... Read more...
Photos: Nick Cannon and JWoww rock the nightlife scene
Jersey Shore star Jenni Farley, better known to fans as JWoww, turned her back on our rival Atlantic City and picked her first-ever visit to Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday. JWoww turned up for a weekend of fun at the Palms and on her first night started out with dinner at Little Buddha. Then JWoww had a VIP stage table at Rain for DJ Z-Trip’s weekly performance, where she and 10 friends danced to the beats and partied hearty. ... Read more...
Revamped Peepshow resumes tonight, and Holly Madison is ready
Holly Madison’s striptease spectacular returns to the Strip tonight. After a two-month, mid-winter hiatus, Peepshow has curtain up once again at Planet Hollywood. Holly and the cast had two weeks of intense rehearsals that continued over the weekend and this morning for the revamped revue. There are new dance routines in place of trimmed and cut segments. There are new cast members, including the full-time debut of Wayne Brady’s former backup beauty Cheaza as the Peep Diva, and new sets ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Garth Brooks tickets sell out amid cyber war
Ticket scalpers resorted to a cyber war in the continuing bid by Garth Brooks and hotel mogul Steve Wynn to prevent them from getting tickets to his show and profiting from marked-up prices. Steve’s executives said the scalpers were merciless in besieging the computer systems with cyber attacks that slowed the ticket sales and booking systems. However, the tickets for the second series of 20 concerts at Encore Theater in the Wynn were sold out in only 4 hours, from ... Read more...
Celebrity preview: Woods, Bieber, Swift, Prince, Madonna and Kid Rock
It’s one of the fiercest and most competitive entertainment weekends Las Vegas has ever seen, even with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and their country ...
Strip Scribbles: L.V. chefs set for ‘Top Chef Masters’; Wet ’n’ Wild contest
Two Las Vegas chefs and possibly a third will be seen in the next edition of “Top Chef Masters” this summer on Bravo. RM Seafood champion Rick ...
Star Surveillance: Phelps, Zeta-Jones, Damon, Avicii, DeLoach, Roday and Gruffudd
Twenty-two-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps stayed on in Las Vegas after Labor Day Weekend to continue partying at Tuesday night’s Lost ...
Strip Scribbles: From ‘America’s Got Talent’ to the Palazzo for local acts?
“America’s Got Talent” judges have been tough on Las Vegas acts, as the top-rated NBC series edges closer to next week’s finals. But there’s a silver ...
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