Las Vegas Weekly

August 20, 2009 · 12:29 PM

Strip Scribbles: Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter fans ad campaign

By Robin Leach

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

The new Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter doesn’t open until December, but stars who are loyal fans of the luxury resort group are already in place looking at the progress! The building was fitted yesterday with two oversized building wraps featuring familiar superstar faces from the hotel’s continuing trademark advertising endorsement campaign.

The building’s south exterior façade now features a 140-foot-by-140-fott We Fan Vegas wrap, and the Strip-side ballroom floor-to-ceiling glass window walls have been fitted with a colorful version of the recognized fan symbol.

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

In all, 12 celebrities who regularly stay at the group’s worldwide hotels and who permitted their images as fans to be used for a charitable donation include cycling champion Lance Armstrong, actress Sigourney Weaver, musician Bryan Ferry, actress Jane Seymour, model Jerry Hall and our very own CineVegas Film Festival Chairman actor Dennis Hopper. Jane’s fee was donated to City Hearts, Lance to his cancer foundation and Dennis to the Venice Family Clinic.

Photo: Getty Images/CineVegas

George Maloof, Maria Menounos, Dennis Hopper and Danny Greenspun.

The hotel group has donated more than $500,000 since the ad campaign’s 2001 inception. Originally, British Earl Patrick Lichfield photographed the fans, but since his death, Mary McCartney has shot them. Mary, the daughter of Paul McCartney and the late Linda Eastman McCartney, also will photograph the first fan who selects the new property to best “represent their feeling of well being.”

*Mark your schedule now for the 19th Annual K-9 trials sponsored by Siegfried & Roy at The Orleans Arena. The annual benefit helps the four-legged officers in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police K-9 Unit. Police officers from the U.S. and abroad compete in the trials regarded as the top in the United States. “This is more than just pets adding life. This is how they save lives,” said Siegfried. “These remarkable canines help keep our streets and homes safe from harm. They are invaluable teammates and true heroes endangering their lives just as their partners do.”

Photo: Shadow PR

Magician David Blaine with his fiance Alizee Guinochet at Yellowtail in the Bellagio.

Photo: Shadow PR

Chef Akira Back and David Blaine at Yellowtail in the Bellagio.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Samantha Droke, Kyle Howard and Wells Butler at Blush in the Wynn.

Star surveillance

Magician David Blaine and his fiance Alizee Guinochet enjoyed sushi prepared by chef Akira Back at Yellowtail in the Bellagio. The chopsticks didn’t go flying at the five-star restaurant, but the playing cards did! After the meal, David thanked Akira by putting on an impromptu, close-up magic performance that amazed patrons. … Kings of Leon enjoyed a night off from their touring schedule by coming in a day early from concerts in Canada for their Joint gig last night and decided on an Italian feast at Lavo in the Palazzo. They told diners that they were amazed when the cast of Twilight showed up for one concert and noted for my pleasure that stars Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson got really cozy with each other! The band treated their crew to dinner, too. They ordered up Kobe meatballs and chicken Marsala and proved themselves as wine connoisseurs, indulging in Ornellaia and Far Niente. The rockers also celebrated an assistant’s birthday with a dessert platter of warm chocolate bread pudding and Oreo Zeppole! … Hypnomagician Keith Barry, who performed a monthlong engagement at Planet Hollywood last year, returned to his former theater to watch Peepshow and wound up getting pulled onstage by the topless beauties for the pink paint and handcuffs bed scene. … X Games pro skateboarder Jake Brown continued his partying at Moon in the Palms and, accompanied by eight friends, showed off his dance moves, getting applause from the adjoining VIP table that included rapper Too Short. … Actor Kyle Howard (My Boys), Living Lamas reality star Shayne Lamas, Princess Protection Program actress Samantha Droke and actress Ella Thomas, who appears in the upcoming film Surrogates with Bruce Willis, were among the celebrities at the Primp Yourself fashion party at Blush in the Wynn. The ladies wore new designs from Primp, which include just released cocktail attire from designer Wells Butler. Her husband DJ Spider provided the music as the group danced the night away in the VIP room. Wells gave her guests gift bags with her signature printed sportswear as they departed.

Tonight’s tips

Shock comic Andrew Dice Clay returns to the Strip for a 17-day engagement at the Riviera. His hardcore, in-your-face comedy has never been equaled since he broke all the rules with his outrageous and dangerous, hysterical humor. … Also at the Riviera, sexy redheaded magician Scarlett unveils her new wizardry with the seductive magic showgirls who will go topless for her production, which nightly includes the Houdini water torture escape. … The third annual white-hot fusion mixer co-sponsored by our colleagues at Las Vegas Weekly takes place at Moon with young business professionals networking in all-white attire.

Photo: Retna

Lauren Conrad at Wet Republic in MGM Grand.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s another huge, star-studded, jam-packed weekend in Las Vegas as we get closer to summer’s last hurrah of Labor Day next month. A highlight is the 23rd Annual AFAN Black & White poolside party at the Hard Rock Hotel with Charo and Penn & Teller leading a cavalcade of celebrity performers backed by the casts of X Burlesque and The Men of X. … Rocker Marilyn Manson dons his makeup and gothic look also at the Hard Rock … While starlet Lauren Conrad parties at Tao Beach in The Venetian, actress Mena Suvari will be next door at Azure Pool in the Palazzo hosting a Diane von Furstenberg fashion show.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This