Las Vegas Weekly

September 15, 2008 · 6:50 PM

Strip Scribbles: Siegfried & Roy, Louis Vuitton launch

By Robin Leach

*It was appropriate that German-born "Magicians of the Century" Siegfried & Roy were first up to tap into the spirit of the annual Oktoberfest celebrations here at the Hofbrauhaus. As is tradition, our hometown illusionists tapped the first keg of the delicious brew -- and stuck around to enjoy it with plenty of sausages and bratwurst!

Photo: KirvanDoak Communications

Siegfried and Roy

*Employees of swank leather and handbag empire Louis Vuitton swear that a brand new LV boutique designer label will launch with America’s largest display in the former Guggenheim Museum space at the Venetian and that the world’s largest LV store will open in the new MGM CityCenter next year!

*Prior to leaving the valley for his hosting chores on Saturday Night Live, Olympic gold medal champion Michael Phelps had a tête-à-tête intimate dinner with Sunset Tan’s beauty Amber Peterson. They sat side-by-side in the N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms after he’d been given a custom airbrush tan in the LA Sunset Tan salon in the new Palms Place tower. Amber is busy busy ... she also supervised the custom airbrush that Lance Bass and his Dancing with the Stars partner, Lacey Schwimmer, received at Palms Place as well.

Photo: Sunset Tan

Amber Peterson and Michael Phelps.

*A new escalator is being installed from the Luxor lobby direct to the second floor mezzanine level to deal with all the crowds expected -- not only for this week’s opening of the new T’n’T Mexican restaurant from Michael Frey, but for when the Titanic and Sports Memorabilia exhibits open in December. Meantime the new expanded Bodies exhibit is attracting more than 1,400 visitors each day and growing!

*Promos and teases for Vegas chef Jeff Henderson’s new Food Network reality show have begun running on cable TV. The former Bellagio chef’s

program gets underway mid-October and shows Jeff "rescuing the lives of troubled kids to follow in his footsteps teaching them how to become a chef."

*The weekend bid by Maverick Illustrated to claim a new Guinness world record for the “World's Biggest Underwear Party” failed. Hundreds of girls and guys showed up in their boxers, briefs and baby dolls but just not quite enough to crack the 2,500 mark. A new attempt will be made next pool season at the Palms.

*Today’s sports heroes team up with the sports legends of yesteryear for a unique Celebrity Basketball “ Old School vs New School” poker tournament at the Hard Rock casino this afternoon. Greg Anthony, former UNLV student who went onto NBA fame and now an ESPN anchor will lead the ‘ Old School” going up against the “New School” led by Jermaine O’Neal when tip-off starts at 2pm in the new hedonistic ultra-luxurious ‘Poker Lounge’. Some of the confirmed players include Sam Cassell and Ray Allen from the 2008 champion Boston Celtics, Robert Horry and Michael Finley from the San Antonio Spurs, Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns), Cuttino Mobley (LA Clippers), Shawn Marion, former UNLV Rebel -and now Miami Heat star, plus my long ago pal retired New York Knicks player John Starks. $50,000 is at stake with money raised going to two charities: Operation Smile to assist children worldwide suffering from facial deformities and cleft palates and the American Cancer Society. Jermaine, who plays for the Toronto Raptors commented: “ Poker has definitely become the most popular game and we are excited to play for a good cause. Greg summed up: “ Its similar to being on the court as each one of will be playing to win. The fans will love our competitiveness.”

*Star Surveillance: After filming an episode of his MTV show at Planet Hollywood resort and casino, comedian Eddie Griffin enjoyed dinner there at Strip House … Comedians Brad Garrett and Ray Romano dined together at Stack Restaurant & Bar before their headlining gig at The Mirage ... They dined on executive chef Brian Massie's chicken parm on a stick, hot rocks and pigs in a blanket while sipping on Beringer Knights Cabernet ... contentedly dining alone at the bar was Entourage star Kevin Connolly who wanted the exact same Stack meal he always has first night back in town: two orders of the wings and a diet coke ... next door at Bellagio, Milwaukee Bucks standout Damon Jones and friends dined at Fix Restaurant & Bar, where Jermaine O'Neal and friends dined at an adjoining table ... erotically gorgeous Playboy model Brittany Fuchs hosted and celebrated her 23rd birthday at an action-packed after-fight party at MGM’s Studio 54 nightclub. The sexy model, seen in Playboy’s special editions: Sexy 100, Girls of MySpace and College Girls, attracted hundreds of fans after the Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico KO victory over Joel Casamayor of Cuba. Boxing greats Mike Tyson and Vernon Forrest joined Brittany’s VIP section.

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