"Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings, this weekend's entertainment tips" by Robin Leach: Luxe Life

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Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings, this weekend’s entertainment tips

By Robin Leach

* Vegas plays host to a five-day royal visit as the king of Swaziland and his 26-strong entourage arrive by private jet at McCarran later today. Their schedule here is classified as top secret, but our Secret Service will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and there is no international incident. The royal retinue has taken over two entire floors of Caesars Palace for their visit with the king, staying in the same suite that was used for Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman’s filming of the Rainman movie. May I respectfully suggest he visit star chefs Wolfgang Puck, Guy Savoy, Bradley Ogden or Bobby Flay’s restaurants while there or let loose with a game of bocce at the famous Rao’s restaurant!

*We get our very first look today at all 52 of the new Miss America contestants who will check into the Planet Hollywood casino resort in January for the 2009 pageant. They are all appearing together this afternoon for the first time on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show with reigning queen Kirsten Haglund. Incidentally, Kirsten makes her own debut later tonight on TLC’s design challenge series Who Are You Wearing? Four designers compete to dress her for a red-carpet event and host Keisha Whitaker will reveal the winning designer as Kirsten leaves the design studio for the glamorous function.

Photo: Miss America Organization

Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund with Who Are You Wearing? host Keisha Whitaker.

*Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton entertained 600 community supporters to kickoff the United Way of Southern Nevada’s Community Campaign, which has a $14 million fundraising target. Nathan made its chairman, Michael Yackira, president of Nevada Power "magically appear" on stage with the first $1 million donation!

Photo: Live United

United Way of Southern Nevada's Community Campaign has a $14 million fundraising target.

*Star Surveillance: Dining at separate tables in Rao’s at Caesars Palace was singer Donny Osmond after his Flamingo show across the Strip and Ashley Olsen, who is in town with boyfriend Justin Bartha as he shoots scenes for the new Hangover movie filming at Caesars. Nearby at star chef Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, actress Heather Graham dined with other actors from the Hangover flick.

* It took less than three hours for an almost complete sell out of tickets for the Dec. 6 fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. With $17 million in sales it becomes the second-largest gate in boxing history. The "Dream Match," as it has been dubbed, pits 35-KO champ Pacquiao from the Philippines against 30 KO champion De La Hoya. If he wins, Oscar may even tempt Floyd Mayweather out of retirement for the ultimate mega-millions matchup.

*The kickoff event for the Frozen Fury ice hockey weekend battle between the LA Kings and the Colorado Avalanche is today’s all-star Luc Robitaille poker tournament. Members of both teams will be playing at the green-felt tables to raise money for Stacia and Luc's Echoes of Hope charity that benefits at-risk foster children. The pre-party that lets you mingle with those fleet of foot skaters is at Studio 54 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then the card action gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

*Those hotter than hot hotties and hunks from Sunset Tan take over the Palms all weekend long as part of the Season 2 finale. The blonde beauties and the gleaming guys host today’s Ditch pool party and tomorrow night they honor a "meet and greet" with fans at the Moon nightclub atop the Fantasy Tower and then Sunday night at the Playboy Club the season finale will be screened with a special viewing party. Meantime we have to shimmer and shine ourselves and glow for an action-packed 72 hours that we’ve polished up into a package we call the very radiant ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Friday

*For 50 years the Osmond Brothers have performed for worldwide audiences -- and they are still going strong. Merrill, Jay, Jimmy and Wayne will sing their hits and play their 28 instruments at the Orleans for three consecutive nights -- going head-to-head against Donny & Marie performing at the Flamingo. But there’s no rivalry and both will try to see each other’s shows on this reunion weekend. The Osmonds have sold more than 77 million records with 47 platinum and gold successes.

*Singer Richard Marx saw his first seven singles reach the Top 5 on Billboards singles charts, making him the first male solo artist to claim that fame. His career began in 1987 and "now and forever" he "holds onto the night" at the Ovation Lounge of the Green Valley Ranch.

*For more music choices turn back to yesteryear for the hits of Bobby Rydell at the Suncoast and Roger Williams at the South Point, both through Sunday night, or for a "total eclipse of the heart," Bonnie Tyler sings of "heartache" at the Cannery for one night. There’s a triple-header of rock with Atmosphere, Blueprint and Abstract Rude at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

*We just wish Tonight Show host Jay Leno would tell us what he’s going to do when he leaves the NBC show in the spring. Maybe he’ll drop a hint during his two days of topical headline comedy at the Mirage.

*Those gorgeous girls of the Fantasy topless adult cabaret revue at the Luxor will keep their clothes on -- but still look super-sexy -- when they tap the big keg as part of the ongoing Oktoberfest beer celebrations at Hofbrauhaus near the Hard Rock.

*Don’t forget the Mr. Olympia weekend continues tonight through Sunday at the Orleans Arena and you can click here for our interview with Jay Cutler, the reigning champion, as he seeks a third consecutive title.

*Special guest performers tonight and tomorrow at cutting edge magician Jeff McBride’s Wonderground interactive club include close-up sensations George Millward and Jean-Pierre Vallarinoi; sleight of hand artist Chris Randall and hand-shadow art masters Sonny Fontana & Circe. It all takes place at the Sound Trax Showroom in the Palace Station after Jeff’s "Magic at the Edge" show.

*Here’s the full rundown of celebrity-hosted nightclub parties tonight:

Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith who starred on Donald Trump’s reality show Pageant Place shrugs off her duties for Oprah Winfrey long enough to host at the Bank in the Bellagio. Sexy pop sensation Aubrey O’Day, from the Danity Kane all-girls group, hosts at the new Christian Audigier nightclub in Treasure island -- and she’s certain to electrify in his dazzling designer duds. The Hills hottie Lauren “Lo” Bosworth celebrates her birthday dinner with family and friends at the Tao restaurant and then moves upstairs to dance the night away at the Tao nightclub in the Venetian. "Queen of all media" and fellow gossip guru Perez Hilton kicks off a star-studded weekend in the Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood. The MuscleDog.com Mr. Olympia party at Torrid in the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile will be hosted by fitness model Bree Andre.

*Please support the second-annual Rock the Walk out at the Springs Preserve to support Juvenile Diabetes Research fundraising. My pal Clint Holmes will entertain along with Christy Molasky and the Music Junkies.

Saturday

*Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this morning for a unique Killers concert to be held at the House of Blues on Monday, Oct. 20. They only cost $36.50 and front man Brandon Flowers, who leads the Vegas dance-rock foursome, wanted to keep the prices for fans as low as possible in these tough economic times.

*Here’s hoping Jay Cutler wins the Mr. Olympia title for the third consecutive time because he’s set to host a celebration party at Prive nightclub in the Planet Hollywood casino resort. Down at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Miracle Mile cover model Anissa Holmes showcases the Playboy Hottest Nudes calendar release.

*All afternoon long model and reality actress Audrina Patridge from The Hills’ will be the sexy bikini starlet at the Wet Republic pool party in MGM. She’s also celebrating the Into the Blue sequel and her horror flick debut in House on Sorority Row.

*With a 20-year standup comedy career behind him, Louis C.K proves why he’s one of the funniest men around in concert at the Hard Rock. He’s written gags for Dana Carvey, Conan O’Brien and Chris Rock but his own new hour-long comedy special airs next month on Showtime. He’ll be seen shortly in the new Jennifer garner, Rob Lowe, Ricky Gervais film This Side of the Truth.

*It's a little bit of "turn back the clock" for the dueling Lettermen and the Vogues singing groups at the Cannery and love the fact that tickets are FREE. Yes FREE!!!! Also FREE is the double picnic under the blankets concert from Trent Tomlinson and the Lost Trailers at the Clark County Amphitheater Over at the Tropicana. It's only $34.95 for the top tickets for Little Anthony and the Imperials -- one of my own personal favorite groups from half a century ago!

*It's all in the name of Gin! Rock and Roll is served with Wine at the Amplifed Festival on the Mandalay Bay beach as the Gin Blossoms shake and stir the fans with 125 wines from 50 different wineries. ! For jazz aficionados check out jazz and R 'n B saxophonist Everette Harp, jazz guitarist Chris Standring and soul singer Phil Perry in a triple header of “cool sounds of the oasis” out at Chrome Showroom in Santa Fe Station.

*The party patrol pulls no punches with the entire cast of Chuck celebrating the start of their new TV season at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. Stars Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin, Yvonne Strahovski, Sarah Lancaster, Julia Ling, Ryan McPartlin, Scott Krinsky and Mark Lawrence will all be on hand with creator Chris Fedak for the premiere party.

*Don’t forget Lindsay Lohan’s lover, DJ Samantha Ronson, spins the night away with Paul Oakenfold now that he’s back from Madonna tour duties.

*Ice hockey fans can scream for the puck as the Los Angeles Kings skate slap-shots against the Colorado Avalanche in Frozen Fury 11 at MGM Grand that provides an advance look at the new season of thrills, chills, spills and an occasional fisticuff pummeling for good measure! Their decad-long face-off tradition has the Kings up 8-3.

Sunday

*Our friends, master illusionists and hometown heroes Siegfried & Roy, are honored in a Royal Tribute at the London Palladium in England. I know its 6,000 miles away but just keep them in your thoughts and check both Luxe Life and their Web site for up-to-date reports from the British capital.

*The finale of Sunset Tan’s Season 2 is at the Playboy Club in the Palms while just above at Moon it's Hair Wars 3 as top salons compete to find the grand styling champion in the Punk Rock category. Project Runway’s Stella Zotis, punk princess Joanna Angel and Playboy comedy’s Cort McCowan join with Billy Morrison of The Cult to judge the hairy creations.

*Rockers Queensryche play their hits and some rarities in concert at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Final vote: As the baseball season draws to an end as the playoffs get underway, sports books across the Strip will be monitoring all the action. Our Henderson-based Luxe Life photographer Tom Donoghue shot a unique set of photos on a recent trip to Los Angeles and they’re so great capturing the spirit and essence of the sport I wanted to share them with you. Once the new champions are named expect a slew of the diamond boys of summer to invade our valley to let off a lot of steam!