Las Vegas Weekly

08.29.08 · 3 PM

Strip Scribbles and highlights for the holiday weekend

*Congratulations to our beloved hometown hero, Tony Curtis, who was honored this week by the Turner Classic Movies cable channel with a 24-hour marathon of his more than 100 movies, including The Defiant Ones, which won him a 1959 Academy Award nomination. It’s all part of his 83rd birthday celebrations, which will see his “American Prince Memoir” being published in mid-October. It’s been a two-year collaboration with respected sports author Peter Golenbock, and Tony is hoping that he’ll be able ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 2 PM

Vegas gets its first resident superstar DJ in Paul Oakenfold

George Maloof’s entertainment team at the Palms is betting big on one of the world’s biggest DJ names in dance music. They’ve hired famed Paul Oakenfold to be the city’s first resident superstar DJ for the newly redesigned 25,000-square-foot Rain nightlife venue. Last weekend, Paul was back in his British home country as the opening act for Madonna’s world tour premiere and this Saturday he’ll kick off his long-term run at Rain. But Paul is far more than a man ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 1:30 PM

Jerry Lewis takes on a $63 million challenge with annual telethon

In just a little more than 21 hours, hometown comedy actor Jerry Lewis has to reel in more than the record $63.8 million he raised last year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The 43rd annual Labor Day telethon gets underway at 6 p.m. our time on Sunday live from the South Point resort casino and will run until 3:30 p.m. our time on Monday. It will be broadcast on 180 TV stations in the U.S. and Canada and via RealNetworks ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 12:10 PM

Rumors indicate a $100 million price tag for Pure?

Mystery surrounds a staggering possible $100 million price tag that allegedly has been placed on the sale of Pure Management Group’s colossal Vegas nightlife empire, according to well-placed rumors yesterday and this morning! Luxe Life has reliably learned from entertainment industry sources that the Pure executives have possibly agreed to sell their successful Pure and Lax nightclubs in a deal that may close as early as the end of September. I have been told that an Internet music group has ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 12 PM

Nightclub lawyers demand apology, retraction for anonymous letter

Against the background of the ongoing IRS probe into Pure’s “line-fishing tipping systems,” a major controversy has broken out over an anonymous, unsigned letter that was reportedly sent to the Enforcement Division of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Lawyers for the rival Prive nightclub at the Planet Hollywood resort casino have immediately demanded “a retraction and apology” from a local food and beverage magazine Web site that mysteriously posted the only copy under the shocking headline “PRIVE EXPOSED.” An investigation is ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 10:10 AM

Siegfried & Roy make a VIP hero out of ‘the boy who can’t be hugged’

One touch of schoolboy James Dunn by another human can cause an entire layer of his skin to peel away. Even his mother, Lesley, can’t hug her 15-year-old son. James suffers from a rare disease known as Recessive Dystrophic EB, which causes his skin to blister severely and then become open wounds. But the Liverpool, England, youngster is about to have a long-time dream fulfilled, thanks to our hometown illusionists Siegfried & Roy. The boy will be their special VIP ... Read more...

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08.29.08 · 9:06 AM

Kiss guitarist moves into penthouse and pays homage to the Beatles

Paul Stanley is enjoying a honeymoon-styled Vegas vacation with his newly pregnant wife, Erin Sutton — all built around his KISS concert tonight at the Pearl in the Palms. The happy couple checked in first to their very own penthouse condo atop George Maloof’s new Palms Place tower. It’s their first weekend in the palatial pad, which has a spectacular 360-degree panorama view all the way from the Red Rock range on the West out to the mountain peaks on ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 2 PM

Strip Scribbles: Jacko is back, Hef’s party girl and tonight’s tips

*Who was that masked man? Yes — Michael Jackson donned his face mask and hooded sweatshirt yet again when he took his three children, wearing jeans and baseball caps, to the Cirque du Soleil show KA at MGM as part of his birthday week celebrations. Less than a month ago they’d all taken in Cirque’s Mystere show at Treasure Island. Michael, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow, ordered popcorn, which they all munched on from their seats in the center of ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 1:10 PM

Beacher spoofs the abominable snowman ripoff

Comedy impresario and showman Jeff Beacher had to get into the act. Headlines two weeks ago screamed the abominable snowman had finally been found. Even while I was in Europe the news broadcasts and papers screamed about the discovery. It seems everybody wanted to believe the creature was real! Naturally, within days the entire ruse unraveled as a horrid hoax — but that didn’t stop Beacher from jumping into action. Within hours of the con being exposed, Beacher produced his ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 12 PM

Hard Rock adds sexy spa masseuses, all-female VIP host staff to new poker palace

It all appears far more like an exotic nightclub rather than a traditional smoke-filled traditional poker room. Forget the images of yesteryear, the Hard Rock is putting an admitted “sexy decadent” ultra-lounge spin on its parlor of playing cards. Designed to attract the world’s top poker players and high-end bachelor parties and private events, it is Vegas’ very first trend-setting Poker Lounge. The $30 million-designed space features 18 poker tables, including five private, high-limit tables that already have turned heads. ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 11:15 AM

Entourage actress, Covergirl model opens Palazzo nightclub

Gorgeous Entourage actress Carla Gugino helped the owners of Tao from the Venetian softly open their new Lavo nightlife venture in the Palazzo. She was joined by fellow Entourage actress Emmanuelle Chiquiri and their friend, beautiful 27 Dresses star Malin Akerman. Comedian David Spade was also dining there on the first night just a table away from mine. Our colleagues from VEGAS magazine, president Michael Carr and publisher Alison Miller were on the red carpet with Carla as she signed ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 10 AM

Dancing odds reveal who’s on top, who’s likely to get booted

Johnny Avello, director of the race and sports book at Wynn Las Vegas, has released his odds for the new season of Dancing with the Stars, starting in September. (Click here for our Luxe Life photo coverage yesterday as rehearsals got underway.) I have to officially advise that these odds are for entertainment purposes only and are not wagered on. Expect ribald roastmaster, fanged funnyman Jeffery Ross and veteran actress Cloris Leachman to be dispatched at high speed because Avello ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 9:20 AM

After the Strip and Macau, next stop for Venetian is India

Wall Street sources tell me this morning that our billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has now set his eyes on India for the next worldwide expansion of his Venetian and Palazzo brands — and he’s willing to gamble $12 billion on the expansion. Presently, India, with its booming economy, only has one legal casino in Goa, which like Macau, was a former Portuguese colony up until 1961. However, gaming is an active enterprise there. Sheldon says he’ll “happily spend up ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 8:50 AM

‘Suge’ Knight makes bail after knife attack and parties on the Strip

Hours after making bail, Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight was out and about on the town last night less than 24 hours after being jailed. He visited Drai’s After Hours Club inside Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall at center-Strip. Reports from Vegas police stated that Knight was jailed yesterday on assault and drug charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife near the Las Vegas Strip. They had been partying at the Spearmint Rhino strip ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 8:10 AM

Hometown rock group The Killers reveal new album title

Contrary to earlier reports elsewhere, The Killers are not going to “Do or Die” with their new CD. I can assure you that our hometown hitmakers will title their third hit album “Day And Age.” The hometown band’s leader, Brandon Flowers, broke the news himself and he’s expecting their new song “Spaceman” to be its first breakout hit — way before the album’s November release date. He says that “Losing Touch” will probably wind up being his favorite track on ... Read more...

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08.28.08 · 6 AM

Surprise contract negotiations will return Celine Dion to Caesars

It’s exactly as Celine Dion’s husband, Rene Angelil, promised! Even though the Vegas-based Canadian songbird is still on a world tour that won’t end until Valentines Day, she and manager Rene are in discussions with executives at her former Caesars Palace home for a return — maybe as early as fall of next year! Here’s what I wrote for Luxe Life last December: “This is not an end,” Celine Dion said as her final night of a five-year run at ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 4:10 PM

Nick Cannon DJs at Pure — but no sign of Mariah

As part of MAGIC fashion week celebrations, comedy actor Nick Cannon hosted a party at the Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace at which he also played guest DJ! Celebrity photographer Erik Kabik captured this collection of candid close-ups for the enjoyment of our Luxe Life readers. Nick was mobbed by fans, and although he turned up with a rolling and ever-growing entourage through the night, there was no sign of his wife of two months, pop-queen Mariah Carey! Relax — ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 3:15 PM

Strip scribbles and tonight’s blow-out bashes

*If selected to run as Sen. John McCain’s veep choice, former Gov. Mitt Romney would just be a heartbeat away from the presidency — and today some Vegas-area residents are seeing him close-up at different spots all around town. He lunched at the Panevino restaurant across from the airport and then late this afternoon he turned up at the Henderson Convention Center. McCain’s announcement could certainly come by Friday on his birthday, which he shares with Michael Jackson and me! ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 2:47 PM

Nothing but parties, parties and more parties

Socialites Nicky Hilton and Kourtney Kardashian, along with their controversial galpal Courtenay Semel and a Keeping Up With the Kardashians film crew in tow partied at the new Sushi Samba hotspot in the Venetian. Kourtney had filmed her shopping spree earlier at the Dior, Annie Cream Cheese, Ralph Lauren and Poleci stores in the Palazzo mall. In the new “outing” of Hollywood it was safe to say Courtenay came without her new galpal Tia Tequila, although she still made headlines ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 1 PM

‘Robin Hood’ high-roller wants to beat the casino to help the needy

My friend, Fox News on-screen reporter Rick Leventhal, is a frequent Vegas visitor and he’s discovered an incredible story right here. It came to light while I was away in Europe but Rick flew into town yesterday to check on “Robin Hood’s” progress. Here in his own words is Rick’s story that he posted on his Fox News Web site blog: He calls himself “Robin Hood 702.” He’s a high stakes blackjack player well known in certain Vegas casinos for ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 12:25 PM

A magician with a mission, Jeff McBride opens first close-up ultra lounge

It’s one of the most stunning and incredible illusions you can imagine. Acclaimed magician Jeff McBride rolls up his sleeves to his shoulders to prove there is absolutely nothing there at all. Then hundreds of playing cards individually appear from his fingertips, pour from his mouth and race from his arms and elbows. He then flicks them at Guinness Book of World Records speed so fast they actually bounce off the floor and land perfectly in a pile 30 feet ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 9:43 AM

Jay-Z and Beyonce’s 40/40 Club to become new Palazzo race and sports book

It’s official as of less than one hour ago that Sheldon Adelson’s Palazzo resort hotel casino will take back hip-hop mogul Jay Z’s 40/40 sports club and ultra lounge. Luxe Life previously reported that the Las Vegas Sands parent corporation was buying Jay-Z’s rights for $40-million — although that figure is not mentioned in this morning’s news (Click here for our exclusive report two weeks ago that the transaction was underway!) Jay Z had opened the third of his 40/40 ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 8 AM

Vince Neil temporarily splits from Crue for solo tour

Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil will take off temporarily from the group’s ongoing worldwide tour in December for his own solo tour, traveling as far away as England, Spain and even Moscow! How will the Russians react to his wild ways? Vince, who lives around the corner from me here in Vegas, said the suddenly hot Swedish hard-rock group Fatal Smile will be his opening act for at least 13 European gigs. Vince’s tour has a Dec. 3 opening in ... Read more...

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08.27.08 · 6 AM

After health problems, Toni Braxton is ‘Dancing With the Stars’

For six months, Grammy Award-winning singer Toni Braxton has been away from the spotlight getting stronger after a heart-related health problem that KO’d her from the Flamingo headliner slot. She was even rushed to a hospital by ambulance after one emergency right from the Strip showroom after a performance. Now she’s signed on for the seventh season of ABC’s top-rated Dancing with the Stars show. Rehearsals already have begun for the Vegas-based songbird and she’s been partnered with Season One ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 4 PM

Photos: Madonna’s world tour kickoff

First stage photos of the Madonna 2008 world tour that kicked off in Cardiff, Wales. Her outfits were Givenchy Haute Couture by designer Riccardo Tisci. Click here for our Monday coverage of the premiere in advance of Sweet & Sticky heading into Vegas in November. Read more...

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08.26.08 · 3:30 PM

Tonight’s tips on the Strip

Our merry mayor of mirth, Oscar Goodman, will be guest of honor when he opens the new 12-21 bar at Morton’s Steakhouse at 5:30 p.m. General manager Daniel Hurst will present the mayor with his very own personalized wine locker and he’ll unveil a new Oscartini martini! Members of our Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony — and of course a couple of free drinks! … Our colleagues at Vegas Magazine will be joined by ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 3:18 PM

Strip Scribbles: Hannah heart-throb, Ozzy rocks Vegas

*Official congratulations to Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz on the baby news we broke here at Luxe Life yesterday. (Click here for the full story in case you missed our breaking news report). Jenna says once she’s rested and in good shape she’ll proudly show the baby-bump here in Vegas but most of the time she’ll rest at their beachfront home in California until the big-day! *Don’t think that Miley Cirus gets all the attention on Disney’s Hannah Montana smash ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 2:07 PM

Vegas rap star Flo Rida wows the hometown crowd

Hip-hop star Flo Rida, a former UNLV student, wowed the crowd in an unforgettable evening at Pure nightclub’s Summer Surprise Series. Not only did he perform on stage but he also jumped down to the floor to dance with his fans! It was shortly after midnight at Caesars Palace when he began the show with his current hit single “In The Ayer” and followed it with “Elevator,” the second single from his highly successful solo album Mail on Sunday. Flo ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 2 PM

Nick and Macy duke it out at rival fashion parties

It’s a MAGIC fashion showdown between Mariah Carey’s new husband, Nick Cannon, and superstar singer Macy Gray on the arm of Christian Audigier tonight. Nick will be celebrity DJ at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace for The Loots’ presentation of fashions. Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier himself will escort international recording artist Macy Gray into his own Treasure Island nightclub for a fashion show of his designs titled When I Move You Move. Macy promises some impromptu R&B soul beats ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 1:03 PM

1,000 Phantom shows is cause for celebration

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular at the Venetian. Last night they hit another milestone celebrating their 1,000th breathtaking performance. The Las Vegas production of the worldwide favorite, which has been haunting the Venetian resort for two years, is enjoying enduring success that very few others have achieved. It was featured on the 2008 season of American Idol and named one of Las Vegas’ Top 10 shows in 2007 and the No. 1 show ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 8 AM

Beauties Sarah Larson, Dita Von Teese, Pam Anderson land new romances

Superstar actor George Clooney chickened out on the “M” and “C” words after a near year-long whirlwind, worldwide romance with model beauty Sarah Larson, formerly a cocktail server at the N9NE Group venues in the Palms. For a while she enjoyed her new-found single status, but now, according to my nightclub spies all around town, she’s found a new beau! For now, the new man-date is unidentified but they were spotted at both the new LAVO nightspot in the Palazzo ... Read more...

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08.26.08 · 6 AM

Crazy Horse to get a new look, thanks to Cirque genius

For the first time in nearly 20 years the legendary Crazy Horse cabaret is to undergo a total revamping — and the new owners are spending more than $4 million in the process. It will be unveiled at the main showroom in the French capital. After Paris premieres it at the end of next year, the company will remake Forever Crazy here at the MGM Grand. The Crazy Horse has been a permanent attraction on the Strip since 2001. The ... Read more...

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08.25.08 · 5:23 PM