Las Vegas Weekly

October 1, 2008 · 11:19 AM

Billionaire’s Jackson-Madonna Dubai party set amid ‘high’ terror risk

By Robin Leach

Photo: Denise Truscello

Michael Jackson celebrated his 50th birthday at Planet Hollywood in Caesars Palace on Aug. 29, 2008.

Pop prince Michael Jackson, who lives in Vegas, maybe having second thoughts about joining Madonna for the $30 million-plus party planned for the opening of billionaire Sol Kerzner’s new water-themed resort hotel.

Pop princess Kylie Minogue has been booked to headline the opening concert on Nov. 20, with more than 2,000 VIPs and celebrities flying in from all over the world.

Kerzner’s new 1,540-room Atlantis, modeled after the one he has in the Bahamas where our Pure nightclub folks operate the Aura disco, is opening in Dubai -- and he’s planning in a partnership with MGM Mirage, when economic conditions improve to duplicate it on the Strip just north of Circus Circus. Both will feature water amusement parks, open-air marine habitats, beaches, boutiques and upscale starchef restaurants.

British Government security officials have raised the terrorism threat in the United Arab Emirates to “high’ after agents deciphered a major increase in “attack talk” while monitoring Internet chat rooms they had under surveillance. A spokesman for Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth office confirmed: “We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks there. The attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time.” The fears have risen because Islamic extremists have said UAE is a Muslim country and the resort is a symbol of Western decadence. A number of suspected terrorists believed to pose a credible threat are now under full-time surveillance.

Already a fire of unknown origin early last month destroyed the Atlantis lobby roof, and smoke damaged the exterior of the main hotel wing. The resort, on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah was fixed for the “soft opening” a week ago. Arabian business officials are openly discussing the opening being at the center of a major terrorism scare.

Many high-ranking Vegas and MGM officials here are set to join world business leaders, politicians, musicians and movie stars when the Dubai Royal Family hosts the grand opening. It is being planned and organized by Gerry Inzarello who heads up Kerzner’s hotel operations from New York. My friend, Gerry was formerly with the Four Seasons group HQ’d at Mandalay Bay.

Dubai World and members of the Dubai royals have major investments right here in Vegas. They are major partners with MGM in the ongoing development of the colossal City Center project and own 50 percent of the Light nightclub empire, which includes Bank, Jet, Fix, Stack, Yellowtail, Diablos Cantina, and the under-construction Harmon Hotel.

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