Las Vegas Weekly

August 21, 2009 · 2:02 PM

Strip Scribbles: Rihanna gets cozy with Kings of Leon rockers

By Robin Leach

Rihanna.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Looks like Kings of Leon has a super fan in superstar Rihanna! The Barbados beauty hung out with the rockers during two vacation days the band scheduled before their Hard Rock Hotel concert in The Joint on Wednesday. After wrapping the Canadian leg of their tour, KOL flew into Las Vegas ahead of their show, and it was 48 hours of much-needed rest, recovery and relaxation.

They hit the pool at Hard Rock’s Beach Club, and none other than Rihanna stopped by their VIP cabana! While in town, Kings of Leon also treated their stage and road crew to dinner at Lavo in the Palazzo. Rihanna and illusionist David Blaine were at their sold-out concert on the third day of the band’s visit.

*We at Vegas DeLuxe extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Frank Fertitta Jr., the patriarch of Station Casinos who passed away today after heart surgery in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. Click HERE for coverage from our colleagues at the Las Vegas Sun.

Photo: TVT

George Maloof and Mark Messier.

*Palms President George Maloof has arrived in the Bahamas to judge Sunday’s Miss Universe Pageant. The event will broadcast on NBC at 9 p.m. from the Atlantis casino resort on Paradise Island.

Photo: TVT

Jasmine Fiore at Tao.

*Ken Henderson, the president of Best Models Agency that represented slain beauty Jasmine Fiore, has had a whirlwind 48 hours in New York talking about her. He appeared yesterday on NBC’s Today with Matt Lauer and Nancy Grace on CNN, and today he will film segments for Entertainment Tonight and ABC’s 20/20 before flying back home here. I introduced Jasmine to Ken, who signed her to his agency. Click HERE for our exclusive photos of Jasmine that we posted last night. Meantime, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are part of the international manhunt for reality TV contestant Ryan Alexander Jenkins, who is the subject of an arrest warrant for her murder. Click HERE for our story this week.

*It appears that hotel mogul Steve Wynn will incorporate his Switch restaurant at the Encore into the newly planned pool and nightclub complex we told you about this week. He’s told Clark County Planning commissioners in a presentation that the Strip-front entryway area, by the parking driveway he wants to better use, will be known as Switch Beach Club.

Photo: TVT

Switch chef Marc Poidevin and the not-to-be-missed chilled seafood tower.

*It might be the smartest promotion on the Strip, as MGM executives get really creative during these trying tourist downturn times. Want to really be an ultimate high roller? The new Prima program costs $500, which you pay upon check-in. Instantly, you are upgraded to a bungalow suite; you get VIP entry to Studio 54 and Tabu; and all drinks from that point on are 2 for 1, as are meals at Craftsteak, Fiamma, Nobhill, Seablue and Joel Robuchon’s L’Atelier, which comes with his complimentary champagne if your check hits $178 for two dinners. You get a 15 percent discount on shopping and free limo service to other MGM Strip properties. Heading home, you get the no-wait line pass for a taxi. Additionally, you receive upgrades at Cirque du Soleil’s Ka and free access to Wet Republic and the Spa and Fitness Center. Now that’s what I call an incredible value for $500!

Star surveillance

Professional racecar driver Marco Andretti dined at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms in a party of four. They enjoyed rock shrimp, calamari and Kobe Carpaccio, with Marco ordering the garbage salad and short ribs for his main course. Before the end of the meal, the group had espresso shots. … Also at N9NE was former MLB pitcher Greg Maddux with four male friends sipping on red wine and enjoying lobster pot stickers and calamari. For his main course, Greg chose the rib eye steak and a side of potato gnocchi. … Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman, leading in the wish-list polling as our future Nevada governor, was at Hash House A Go Go hosting an early breakfast for members of the Nevada Restaurant Association.

Photo: Al Powers/www.spyonvegas.com

Randy Couture and his wife Kim.

*MMA star Randy “The Natural” Couture has a jam-packed day tomorrow on a break from fight prep and workouts at his Xtreme Couture Gym. He’ll be ringside at the Tuff–N-Uff fights at The Orleans rooting for his son, Ryan, who is following in dad’s octagon footsteps. Fellow MMA warrior Frank Mir will be there with celebrities including Master P and Tommy Lee, if the Motley Crue drummer has recovered from recent injuries. Tomorrow afternoon, Randy hosts his 2nd Annual charity poker tournament downtown at the Golden Nugget. Operation All In will raise money for his foundation, which supports injured troops and their families. Many pro and celebrity poker players have promised to play alongside the public. The grand prize is a trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas and a $10,000 seat there in the Sports Legends Challenge poker tourney. Tomorrow night, Randy will host the official after-party for Ryan at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, and fighter and former Playmate of the Year Latasha Marzolla will attend. Next Saturday, BTW, Randy is set to fight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a UFC fight in Portland, Ore.

Now it’s time for us to play our cards right to come up aces high in a submission of the weekly knockout we affectionately call around here the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Ludacris.

Friday, Aug. 21

*Hip-hop artist and actor Ludacris has a free poolside concert at the Palms debuting tracks from his two upcoming albums Ludaversal and Battle of the Sexes. Luda gets the credit -- or the blame -- for Fergie’s hit “Glamorous,” which has a considerable tip of the hat to yours truly!

*Prive at Planet Hollywood, shuttered briefly by liquor-licensing officials, reopens with rapper and music producer Jermaine Dupri. He hosts and will, no doubt, get behind the turntables for a guest spin on the wheels of steel.

*Marilyn Manson is with his Grammy-nominated band in what will be an unforgettable concert at The Joint. Who knows what to expect from this controversial gothic-styled rocker with more makeup than Lady Gaga!

*Green Day, who are in concert at Mandalay Bay with Franz Ferdinand, are no basket cases when they come around with three Grammy Awards to their credit. Quite a feat for Billy Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool, whose albums include Dookie and American Idiot.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Don Rickles.

*Comedy legend Don Rickles, aka “Mr. Warmth,” sharpens his razor-sharp standup at The Orleans through Sunday. Don is still going strong 50 years after Frank Sinatra bore the brunt of his savagery in 1957, and Don became an overnight hit.

*The original teenage idol had his first hit record when he was just 17. Bobby Rydell, who still sings “Forget Him” and “Volare,” is at the Suncoast through Sunday. That long, incredible career is why the producers of Grease paid tribute by naming the film’s school Rydell High!

*The nearly 100 Japanese jugglers, dancers and acrobats who make up the variety and beauty of Matsuri host a VIP premiere at their new home in Imperial palace.

*There’s a grab bag of music acts tonight: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy perform poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel; Dave Mason plays Santa Fe Station; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly play two nights at the Hilton; and the ultimate Doo Wop show bounces at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

Saturday, Aug. 22

*As one of the most successful groups of all time, Boys II Men has served up their showmanship of ballads and dance moves since 1986. The Philadelphia trio, who are performing at Mandalay Bay Beach, have sold 60 million records and reached the top spot on Billboard charts five consecutive times.

Photo: Fox TV

Daughtry.

*Just weeks after the No. 1 release of Leave This Town, Daughtry has taken off on an intimate 13-city club tour that lands at Pure in Caesars Palace. Lead singer Chris Daughtry, who finished fourth on Season 4 of American Idol, insisted on the $20 ticket price to ensure that fans could see them.

*Depeche Mode, who started out nearly 30 years ago in England and have sold more than 75 million records, appear with Peter Born & John at The Pearl in the Palms.

Photo: Krave

Zowie Bowie will be at Krave.

*Zowie Bowie -- blond duo Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor -- have a late-night performance at Krave in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. Check out the wild and sexy look they have on the ad!

Photo: RETNA

Lauren Conrad lounges fashionably at Wet Republic.

*It’s a very busy star-studded day at the side-by-side Venetian and Palazzo casino resorts. Reality TV actress Lauren Conrad hosts at Tao Beach in The Venetian, and over at Azure Pool in the Palazzo, actress Mena Suvari hosts the Absolut party featuring a Diane von Furstenberg fashion show. It wraps up with the live satellite telecast of the 2009 Miss Chinese Cosmos Pageant of the Americas.

*I’m still not sure why Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine are saying this will be their last Las Vegas appearance, at Ovation in Green Valley Ranch. Their shows are sell-outs all over, so I haven’t a clue why he’s calling it the farewell tour.

*Two legendary rock acts, April Wine and Edgar Winter, perform at the Cannery. “Just Between You & Me,” it’s been a 40-year-run for the Canadian springtime vintners. Multi-instrumentalist Edgar “Only Comes Out at Night” as vocalist, keyboardist, saxophonist and percussionist. I’ve tried hard to weather these two from April to Winter, but puns fail me!

*Worlds Collide with mixed martial arts and boxing in the sports matchup at the Star of the Desert Arena.

*My friend Geno Bernardo, executive chef at Nove Italiano in the Palms, will reveal his cooking secrets in a demonstration at Whole Foods in Town Square. He’ll share his techniques and offer a tasting of his Insalate Di Pomodoro using heirloom tomatoes, fennel and calamari.

*Don’t forget Aid for AIDS of Nevada’s Black & White poolside party at the Hard Rock Hotel, with appearances by Charo, Penn & Teller, Nathan Burton and other Strip performers at the 23rd annual AIDS charity fundraiser.

Photo: Mansholt PR

Rick Faugno of Jersey Boys.

Sunday, Aug. 23

*Jersey Boys star Rick Faugno premieres his solo show Songs My Idols Sang (And Danced) at South Point. Tickets are in such high demand that he’s added a second show at the 400-seat showroom for Sept. 20. Rick, who plays Frankie Valli in the musical at the Palazzo, has based his one-man musical production on his life story. His longtime love, girlfriend and fellow Broadway performer Joyce Chittick, is the show’s director and choreographer. Rick said: “It’s a tribute to all the people in my life and career and to the icons of song and dance who I’ve looked up to since I was a kid.”

Monday’s teases

We have astounding stories of Michael Jackson’s last days and final hours in the L.A. estate where he died June 25 as we get ready for next weekend’s presentation of his Celebrity Star and the Strip performers tribute concert with dad Joe Jackson and manager Frank DiLeo. Also coming up, our interview with comedy impressionist Frank Caliendo, who just signed a 10-year headliner deal at the Monte Carlo.

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.

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