Las Vegas Weekly

July 31, 2008 · 11 AM

Palms prepped for over-the-top Midsummer Night’s Dream

By Robin Leach

Organizers say they've booked the hottest models and entertainers to perform. About 2,200 people attended the event last year.

Photo: Joe Fury

Hotel tycoon George Maloof is betting $300,000 that his upcoming Midsummer Night’s Dream party at Playboy Club will be the “biggest and best” Vegas has ever seen. A six-week construction project is underway, and Hollywood set designers are on hand to completely transform the Palms' main pool and VIP bungalow-area into a medieval enchanted forest. It will take three full days after everything is trucked in from California just to set up.

The most highly anticipated event of the year returns for its second year on Saturday, Aug. 16. Originally made famous by Hugh Hefner’s annual exclusive event at the Playboy Mansion, this over-the-top party is the most lavish bash Las Vegas has to offer.

In an exclusive Luxe Life interview, production manager Damien Sanders told me: “It will be one breathtaking and spectacular show. We are constructing a 30-foot-tall castle for the ‘Kings Court’ that will be the centerpiece, complete with a drawbridge and moat built out over the pool. The red carpet to enter will be 100-feet long. We have literally created an enchanted forest, complete with a king’s stage for 60 performers, including jesters and Merlin the magician. Needless to say, we’ve booked the hottest models and entertainers to perform. We’ve even got a 10-foot-tall guillotine. If the king shouts “off with his head,” it's rigged so a fake head will roll out each time!

“We’ve hired California’s top lighting company to illuminate the place. Some 50 giant flags will twirl from the pillars and the upper centerpiece pool deck. An 8-foot crystal ball with projectors will show Robin Hood scenes, so you won’t even know there was a Palms pool there in the first place. It’s completely transformed, so guests will wonder where it went!

“We had 2,200 guests last year, and we are on target for well over 3,000 revelers this year. Everything is new and different this year and guests will have more fun with it, all wearing their masquerade or medieval masks and outfits.”

The Masquerade in the King’s Court theme was inspired by my ancestors and forefathers from back in 16th- and 17th-century merry old England. The cast of characters will include mimes, fortune-tellers, knights, warriors, magical ladies in the water and ladies-in-waiting.

“This annual party is by far the most elaborate one-off event Las Vegas will see all year,” says N9NE Group vice president Michael Fuller. “From state-of-the-art audio and visuals to ornate costume and set design, this interactive production will be one to remember for years to come.”

Upon arrival, guests will receive commemorative coins as “bargaining chips” to satisfy various tantalizing indulgences throughout the night. Partygoers will also enjoy music by hot Vegas headline DJs, including Playboy Playmate Tamara Sky, Eric Cubeechee, Danny Love and The Funkler -- in addition to a special performance by master illusionist “The Great Merlini.”

Incidentally, stars making the scene over the past few days at Palms included Jamie Foxx, with Ludacris and Mike Bibby at N9NE Steakhouse; Kobe Bryant -- for two consecutive nights -- at Nove Italiano; and The Girls Next Door star Bridget Marquardt with 2007 Playmate of the Year Sara Underwood at both Rain and Moon nightclubs. Record mogul Suge Knight made the scene at N9NE, ghostbar and Moon!

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