Las Vegas Weekly

October 2, 2009 · 3:29 PM

Strip Scribbles: Christina Milian returns to revel with partygoers

By Robin Leach

The Dream and Christina Milian.

Photo: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Just a month after her runaway wedding and the surprise announcement of her pregnancy, stunning actress-singer Christina Milian returns to Las Vegas. Christina plans to host a night of revelry at Tabu Lounge in MGM Grand. Her new husband, Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter and producer The Dream will accompany his blushing bride to the bash.

Star surveillance

Singer Nick Lachey is back in town for another weekend with his reunited ladylove Vanessa Minnillo, who is here filming Face of Vegas. Nick was at his new favorite hangout, First Food & Bar in the Palazzo, for a late lunch. He has been spotted several times there, where he normally catches football games with Vanessa. … Mike Tyson watched Human Nature at Imperial Palace last night, and the ex-boxing champ was on his feet moving, grooving and singing along to the Motown hits. … Gorgeous Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger broke away from Slash & Friends rehearsal last night for a meet and greet with Terry Fator and posed for our exclusive photo.

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

Nick Lachey.

Photo: Cashman Photography

Terry Fator and Nicole Scherzinger.

*After my story yesterday trying to clear up the Barry Manilow rumors, I’m reliably told that negotiations are underway for the singer-songwriter to move from the Hilton onto the Strip by year’s end. It’s apparently looking more and more likely that he will land a residency at the Paris with his own theater. “He’s always wanted to be on the main Strip instead of being around the corner,” my respected source said.

*Always glad to clear up a rumor gone wrong and put it to rest. Yesterday, we murmured about nightclubs possibly undergoing renovations and makeovers after New Year’s Eve. Here’s the response from magnetic Maggie Feldman at Tao and Lavo: “I just read your rumor about Lavo closing to remodel and wanted to let you know that it is not the case. While Lavo is constantly improving and upgrading the nightclub to continually maintain the best possible experience for our customers, there are no plans to close or for any major remodels.” No word yet from the folks at Pure and LAX.

*In my line of work, you just can’t help bumping into showbiz friends as they travel the country. On my quick, overnight visit to Atlantic City, the Las Vegas-based, violin-playing Alizma triplets were on my flight to start a three-week tour of upstate New York, Manhattan and Florida, winding up in Atlantic City. Dancing With the Stars frontrunners Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff took the red eye and still had to rehearse in a ballroom right off the plane. Stacey Keibler was hosting another event, and good pal Mario Lopez was celebrating his birthday. I had dinner with former Flamingo President Don Marrandino, who is now a month into his run as the new East Coast Harrah’s head honcho. He revealed that he’s got his pals Toby Keith and Sammy Hagar to team up for a new restaurant concept as his first super deal! So Don is busy bringing showbiz and celebrities to his Atlantic City properties.

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

The Alizma triplets at Robin Leach's celebrity star presentation at Brenden Theatres in the Palms.

*In support of Lance Armstrong’s global fight against cancer, the plaza of Planet Hollywood will be bathed in yellow tonight to mark LiveStrong Day, Lance’s global day of action to inspire people to join in the fight against cancer. It was on Oct. 2, 1996, that Lance was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. Before he knew whether he would survive, Lance started LiveStrong to fight the disease.

*It’s definite that opera singer Andrea Bocelli is returning for a one-night-only concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 12. I love Andrea’s music, but won’t the cowboys be wrapping the National Finals Rodeo events? … As I reported on Twitter yesterday, the Kanye West and Lady Gaga Fame Kills Tour, with a Nov. 13 stop at Mandalay Bay, has been canceled. … A reminder that tomorrow’s AC/DC concert at MGM has been canceled, along with five other dates, due to a medical procedure causing lead singer Brian Johnson to rest. The Black Ice World Tour should resume in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16 and the Las Vegas stop rescheduled, so hold on to tickets. The Black Ice World Tour kicked off last October and has crisscrossed North America and Europe twice.

Even with AC/DC’s cancellation, we’re still jam-packed for yet another star-filled weekend, and we’ve wrapped up all the remaining green for go highlights for the next three days in a red ribbon package we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Friday, Oct. 2

*Comedian and game show host Howie Mandel starts a 12-day run at the MGM and doubtless will laugh at his own germphobic behavior.

*Jay Leno takes a break from his primetime show for two late nights of comedy at the Terry Fator Theatre in The Mirage. Jay hops a plane directly from tonight’s NBC taping to make it here in time to stroll leisurely onstage.

Photo: NBC TV

Jay Leno.

*Country star Randy Travis entertains at Texas Station, Tony Orlando ties a yellow ribbon during his three nights of shows at South Point, and Cash’d Out rocks Carey Hart’s Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel.

*To prove there is no age discrimination here, we note that the Mickey Mouse Bus has arrived in town. Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show at The Orleans Arena brings Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Cinderella to town.

*Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden is guest deejay at Prive in Planet Hollywood.

Photo: Issac Brekken

Joel Madden.

*With Halloween just around the corner, Fright Dome at Circus Circus opens its doors for 2009, so let the ghostly, ghoulish, gruesome games begin. Two new haunted houses -- five in all this year -- themed after the Saw films, will debut tonight.

Saturday, Oct. 3

*She’s up from Down Under and has crossed the pond for her American tour: Kylie Minogue brings her pop sounds to The Pearl in the Palms.

*Journey at The M Resort is still together “After All These Years” and will “Never Walk Away” from their fans, which they welcome with “Open Arms.” So “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” -- OK, we’re done!

*It’s a step back in time with the Guess Who, the first Canadian rock group to reach No. 1 in the U.S. Still going strong 40 years later, they’re at the Cannery.

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

Blake Shelton.

*Country king Blake Shelton sings the tangled stories of love and strife at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm. … Lonestar plays Gordie Brown’s showroom downtown at the Golden Nugget. … The Mystic Roots Band plays at Mandalay Bay, and Shades of Sinatra take us back to Rat Pack days at the Suncoast through Sunday in a salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes and his legendary life of song.

*No less than six rock groups play on the Into the Mouth of Hell We Tour at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay: Trivium, Hatebreed, Whitechapel, Darkest Hour, Dirge and Chimaira.

Party patrol

International pinup model and burlesque dancer Sabrina Kelly hosts a late-night party at First Food & Bar until 4 a.m. to show her tattoos at the Inked Awards for the Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth after-party.

*Tickets go on sale today for Brian Setzer’s 7th Annual Christmas Orchestra Extravaganza at the Hard Rock Hotel, the Dec. 11 and 12 standup comedy concerts starring Jeff Dunham at Caesars Palace and the Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Day KISS concert at The Pearl in the Palms.

Sunday, Oct. 4

*R&B icon Charlie Wilson, who has one of the most distinguished voices in soul music, brings beautiful dancers, a funky band and a new production to the Hilton.

*Carey Hart welcomes The Aggrolites to his Wasted Space.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya on Dancing With the Stars.

Monday’s teases

With photographers deployed up and down the Strip, we’ll have the full photo wrap-up of the weekend parties with Paris, the Simpson sisters and all the rockers, plus a preview of the dance floor battles facing Kelly Osbourne, Donny Osmond and Chuck Liddell on the third week of Dancing With the Stars.

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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