Las Vegas Weekly

January 5, 2009 · 11:02 AM

Strip Scribbles: Nightclub shakeups start New Year’s war; is Ray J buying one?

By Robin Leach

Parents-to-be Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson.

Photo: Brian Steffy/Blush

Nightlife observers are convinced that a major shakeup of nightclubs is about to get underway now that the 800-pound Encore resort gorilla named XS has opened. One expert told me: “Watch Victor Drai’s XS put at least three clubs out of business by spring, and you’re going to see others undergoing major renovations and remodels to compete, with the remainder fighting for survival.” Tonight is the debut of XS’s hospitality industry night, and experts will be watching its expected double-whammy impact on locals!

Photo: OPM

Ray J.

Meantime, for three consecutive nights, multiplatinum R&B star Ray J partied at Poetry nightclub in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and now I’m hearing solid rumors that he will become a new partner there. “He loved the club that much,” one of my reliable sources told me, “and he wants to buy it.” I know Poetry owners Mike Goodwin and Branden Powers were in heated lunchtime business discussions at the new T&T Mexican eatery inside the Luxor over the weekend. I’m betting you’ll hear by midweek that the I’s have been dotted and the T’s have been crossed on a contract that makes Ray J, real name William Norwood Jr., a partner in the upscale hip-hop nightspot. When the sexy singer tossed out thousands of $$$ in a “Sexy Lady” contest there over the weekend, he was definitely celebrating something special! Ray J, who is the younger brother of R&B princess Brandy, debuts his new show For the Love of Ray J next month on VH1, where women from across the country compete for his favors and attention.

Another solid rumor to come my way revolves around Michael Greco, Pure’s director of celebrity services. I reliably hear, even though it’s only rumor, that George Maloof has tapped him to become the new Palms entertainment chief overseeing all the nightlife venues there. Expect that first major salvo in the new nightlife adventures of Las Vegas to be officially fired within two weeks!

Photo: TLC

The Miss America contestants aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif.

*It’s now absolutely official: I’m the first to tell you that the 52 Miss America contestants will arrive en masse in Las Vegas on Jan. 15, and after checking into Planet Hollywood for their 10-day stay, their arrival parade will be on the out-front winding staircase starting at 2:30 p.m. Planet Hollywood President Mike Mecca will officially welcome each state’s gorgeous representative with a red rose. The live telecast is set for Jan. 24 after three nights of preliminary stage events and the judge’s interrogations! We’ll be there each day starting Jan. 15 for our Vegas DeLuxe postings of exclusive stories and photos.

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

Usher played NYE 2008 host at the Bank.

*Smooth as silk R&B singer Usher went shopping for an incredibly expensive new Rolex watch while he was staying at the Bellagio, and to accommodate his privacy, the lobby store shut the doors so he could be the only customer in there while fans pressed hard against the windows to see just how many thousands he was spending!

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

Holly Madison and Criss Angel.

*From all inside reports I’ve heard, Holly Madison’s parents, who visited for New Year’s, hit it off perfectly with boyfriend Criss Angel and his mom and brothers! The Mindfreak magician even took them to Fix for desserts, ordering up warm brownie cakes, molten chocolate coffee cakes, cappuccino milk shakes and even a hot chocolate from the bar! During their visit, Holly took Mom and Dad to watch Criss’s Cirque du Soleil Believe show at the Luxor, and both families joined together for a private New Year’s dinner at Tender there past the midnight hour! More from that “seal of approval” as it develops!

Photo: Prive and StarTracks Photo

Kym Johnson, Lance Bass and Cheryl Burke.

*Dancing With the Stars runner-up Lance Bass treated two of the show’s professional dancers, Kym Johnson and Cheryl Burke, to dinner with five other friends in the private dining room of Strip House inside Planet Hollywood. Also dining there in another section were love mates Tito Ortiz and former porn princess Jenna Jameson.

*While at their LAX New Year’s Eve party in the Luxor, the Kardashian family confirmed that their reality TV show home in Hidden Hills, Calif., is up for sale. Sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney said their present four-bedroom home where they film the show simply isn’t large enough, so they’re moving up in size! If you’ve got a cool $3.4 million sitting around, you can snap it up immediately! You’d sure be Keeping Up With the Kardashians if you became the new owner!

Photo: Sarah Feldberg

Michael Phelps.

Star surveillance: Basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was front row and center at Bette Midler’s spectacular at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, and afterwards he went backstage for a personal meet-and-greet with the singer. … Multiple Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps brought along 20 family members and friends for dinner at Tao in The Venetian. While revelers were celebrating the annual post-New Year’s Eve “Hung Over & Broke” party, the world record holder tucked into Chilean sea bass, Kobe beef and chicken pad thai before hitting the large corner dance floor table with Patron tequila and Grey Goose vodka! Michael went into the DJ booth to wave to the crowd after getting a shout-out from comedian Pauly Shore, who re-did a 10 to 1 midnight countdown. Lance Bass, along with fellow DWTS contestant Maurice Green and pro dancer Cheryl Burke, also joined in the fun. Cheryl showed off some of her serious dance moves to actress Mena Suvari and her fiance Simone Sestito, who were seated alongside in the VIP section for the second consecutive night! Before the night was over, Staind lead singer Aaron Lewis arrived with his crew. Also there was Dr. 90210 star Dr. Gary Motykie and up-and-coming actress Briana Evigan with beau Max Nash. … Master illusionist Lance Burton led the cheering section for his girlfriend Gabriella Versace’s opening night of her new run of shows at the Palazzo’s lounge as lead singer for the band Nitro.

Photo: Barbara Kraft/Encore

The lush XS nightclub at the Encore.

Tonight’s tip

It’s New Year’s Eve all over again as far as members of our hospitality industry are concerned. Since they all had to work through the midnight countdown as 2008 turned into 2009, tonight Jet at The Mirage throws them their own New Year’s Eve party now that the tourists have returned home. … It’s also the premiere of Victor Drai’s new XS nightclub’s Industry Night at Steve Wynn’s just-opened the Encore. … Hip-hop star T Pain entertains and plays guest DJ at Prive in Planet Hollywood and promises to “make it rain” with greenbacks all over the dance floor.

Photo: Scott Doctor

Kerry Simon.

Tomorrow’s tease

Funnyman David Spade becomes the hottest cult comedy star in town -- and takes all 700 members of his audience out for drinks! … The giant Consumer Electronics Show pulls into town with a slew of NBC stars in tow along with game show titan Alex Trebek and a host of other celebrities. … Iron Chef Kerry Simon throws a fun, star-studded pajama party at his Palms Place restaurant Simon. Check out those sexy nurses at the Bloody Mary Hangover bar! … Plus four other super chefs make headlines in a restaurant-themed day focusing on the tastiest treats! … Then on Wednesday, get ready for our exclusive, sizzling, sexy, sassy and sensational interview with porn princess Jenna Haze, as she gives us the advance peek at the Adult Video Network convention and awards show.

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