Las Vegas Weekly

July 22, 2009 · 12:50 PM

Strip Scribbles: Go swimming with the sharks at Mandalay Bay

By Robin Leach

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium.

Photo: Mandalay Bay

Can’t resist the pun about plunging to new depths! Can’t resist the pun about having too many sharks coming over every weekend from Hollywood! In our “Only in Las Vegas” files, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is launching a new Dive with Sharks program in August for its hotel guests. Thrill-seekers who are certified divers ages 18 and older will experience a rush of adrenaline going underwater with more than 30 sharks in the 1.3 million gallon exhibit.

During the four-hour adventure, participants learn about shark health and behavior, as well as Shark Reef Aquarium research projects that aid in the preservation of endangered species. The program is limited to two participants and one dive per day. I’m told the $650 fee or $1,000 for a couple provides each diver with a wetsuit worn under a protective stainless steel chain maille, in addition to the other dive equipment. To maximize safety, two instructors will accompany each guest. Let’s hope they remember to feed the sharks an extra breakfast that morning!

*It wasn’t a Mideast sheik! It wasn’t an Asian high roller! It wasn’t even an NBA or NFL superstar or headline entertainer! Turns out the winner of the trip for four on a 72-hour weekend spree in Paris was one of our local ladies. In a contest at Jet in The Mirage, the anonymous lady racked up a $9,000 bill for champagne and cognac in a high-spending battle! Patrons accumulated points through the purchase of bottles from the Moet Hennessy portfolio, and the big spender at the end of the night won the trip. Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and comedian Pauly Shore accompanied by 26 Spearmint Rhino exotic dancers joined in the challenge, but the gal who won charged her $9,000 champagne tab on her credit card to win! The jet-set trip to Paris includes an exclusive tour tasting and overnight stay at the chateau of Dom Perignon in Epernay after a ceremonial tasting of various vintages.

*Time to dust off those neon leggings and break out the parachute pants as LAX in the Luxor turns back the clock in August to salute ’80s and ’90s icons with guest hosts each week. It kicks off Aug. 5 with 90210 star Shannon Doherty. Webster star Emmanuel Lewis hosts on Aug. 12, figure skater Tonya Harding on Aug. 19 and Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges on Aug. 26.

*My Los Angeles TV friend Alan Mendelsohn has completed filming the first series of his TV program Best Buys here in Las Vegas, and this time around, we’ll get to see the shows here, too. Our Channel 5 Fox affiliate will air the first program at 1 a.m. Aug. 11. Subsequent broadcasts are Aug. 13 and 14 at 1 a.m.

Star surveillance

Dancing With the Stars reigning champ Mark Ballas attended Jersey Boys at the Palazzo, and afterwards, the only male pro dancer to win twice on DWTS stopped backstage to congratulate the cast on their fancy footwork! The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, celebrated its first anniversary at the Palazzo in May. …. Professional racecar driver Marco Andretti was at The Playboy Club in the Palms with four guests. … 90210 stars and couple Jessica Stroup and Dustin Milligan watched Holly Madison’s Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, and Dustin narrowly escaped being handcuffed to the stage bed in the pink paint scene when he was pulled up onstage by several sexy Peepshow girls. Also there were Ambyr Childers of All My Children, Leven Rambin of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Pauly Shore, who went up onstage after the show to get photos with the cast. Pauly had spent the day at Tao Beach and kept cool with cranberry juice and soda. … Poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel were Jon Beason and Chris Harris of the Carolina Panthers, Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys and Layzie Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. … For a second consecutive day, comedian Louie Anderson enjoyed breakfast at Society Cafe in Steve Wynn’s Encore. … Paul Pierce dined at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms with four friends in the private dining room enjoying rock shrimp and fried crispy calamari. For his main course, Paul ordered roasted Colorado lamp chops with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. … Funnyman Gabriel Iglesias and two friends in town for promos of his Palms concert this weekend had a gargantuan breakfast at Hash House A Go Go of bacon waffles, fried chicken Benedict, hand-hammered pork tenderloin Benedict, zarate hash of chorizo, sausage biscuits and gravy and bread pudding for desert. Wow!

Tonight’s tips

There’s a triple threat of rock at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay with Trapt, Since October and Inept, while the Arcangels soar at the Las Vegas Hilton. The outrageously sexy lingerie company Forplay hosts a party at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel and is giving away the sauciest of barely there underwear to the ladies.

Tomorrow’s teases

Chef Joel Robuchon makes dining in his palace of pleasure affordable with a new set of dinner delights in a price-conscious world. … Rick Thomas wraps a world tour and returns to the Strip with his Bengal Tiger illusions. … The porn industry picks up production in Las Vegas with a new studio as an XXX-rated actress joins forces with a rocker to take off with a wild slumber party!

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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