Las Vegas Weekly

May 3, 2010 · 5:28 PM

Strip Scribbles: Miss USA contestants arrive at Planet Hollywood

By Robin Leach

2009 Miss USA Kristen Dalton at the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

All eyes were on the Strip today when the 51 Miss USA contestants arrived at Planet Hollywood, which they’ll call home for the next 12 days leading up to the live NBC telecast May 16 to select the new winner. Reigning Miss USA Kristen Dalton, who was a ring girl at the Floyd Mayweather Jr. -Shane Mosley fight Saturday, greeted them. The ladies will meet fans on the Strip outside Planet Hollywood tomorrow, followed by dividing up into three groups for dinners at Harrah’s, Paris and Caesars Palace. Miss Nevada Julianna Erdesz will be at Caesars.

There’s also a swimsuit photo party in the Garden of the Gods at Caesars on Wednesday at noon. The contestants will karaoke at Sushi Samba in the Palazzo that night and then play The Price Is Right at Bally’s on Thursday. The Miss USA hopefuls trade gowns and tiaras for pajamas at Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon’s weekly brunch in Palms Place on Sunday.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

UFC President Dana White taps the ceremonial first keg of Maibock at Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas on April 30, 2010.

*The spring and summer seasons haven’t truly arrived until Maibock does. UFC President Dana White was the honorary bergermeister who tapped the ceremonial first keg of Maibock at Hofbrauhaus, bringing one of Munich’s oldest beers here for the fifth consecutive year. Traditionally, the first barrel of Maibock is tapped at Hofbrauhaus in the last week of April in time for May.

Now through Aug. 14, Masskrugstemmen competitors have their chance to prove they have what it takes to hold on to a one-liter stein of Maibock the longest, with one Las Vegas winner heading to New York City to represent Hofbrauhaus in the national championship Sept. 25.

Photo: Courtesy

Terry Fator on the set of a photo shoot with John Barrett.

*The Mirage headliner Terry Fator spent his weekend working on a photo shoot with photographer John Barrett for Terry’s residency show at The Mirage, and Vegas DeLuxe received a behind-the-scenes photo of the pair at work. John is known for his work with The Muppets, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock.

*What is a snoodle? Master magician Lance Burton has adopted a new mixed breed dog and called it a snoodle. He laughed: “It’s half schnauzer and half poodle. The young dog is still in its training stages. I’m a big fan of ‘The Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan and have read his book and watched his TV show while training our new pet.” Lance’s last dog, Monte the golden retriever, passed away a few years ago.

Photo: Darrin Bush/Las Vegas News Bureau

Gloria and Emilio Estefan pose next to their star on the sidewalk in front of the Flamingo on April 30, 2010.

*The breaking news headlines trumpeted elsewhere yesterday about Gloria Estefan’s return to Las Vegas this fall were old news to Vegas DeLuxe readers who first learned about it from our interview with husband Emilio Estefan we ran Thursday. Kudos, though, to my friend Steve Friess for learning that the show is believed headed to the Tropicana.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Ivana Firestone and Andrew Firestone at Vanity inside the Hard Rock Hotel on May 2, 2010.

*It was a birthday party fit for an awards bash for Hard Rock Hotel customer development chief Richard Wilk at the new tapas restaurant Johnny Smalls there, followed by Vanity. Entourage star Kevin Dillon hosted the nightclub bash after a surf and turf dinner at Rare 120. Kevin smiled for photographs and greeted guests, including film producer Richard Bottle, Leon Ganter, Chris Mallik and Dexter Jasper of the upcoming film Middle Men. Former The Bachelor star Andrew Firestone, with wife Ivana, also joined the party with The Hurt Locker producer Nicolas Chartier.

Models and bunnies including Vivid Video’s Lia 19 and Playboy’s Nadia Nicole joined the fun with Tommy DeVito and guitarist Joe Long of the Four Seasons. Lupe Fiasco celebrated and flirted with cocktail waitresses and a go-go dancer. Coolio was dressed to impress but still had to be walked off the property by two security guards!

Photo: Brian Steffy/Blush

Nelsan Ellis of HBO's True Blood with brother Maurice Ellis at Blush inside the Wynn.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver dined with two of their children at Strip House in Planet Hollywood. … Leonardo DiCaprio and Vin Diesel were at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo for a leisurely brunch. … Playing golf in separate groups at Steve Wynn’s golf club were Will Smith, Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears, Andy Richter, Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox and boxer Winky Wright. … Actress Lisa Kudrow enjoyed a late lunch at Society Cafe in the Encore. CNN political analyst James Carville was at a nearby table. … Eva Longoria Parker and boxer Eric Morales had lunch separately at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, while singer Mya, Jarryd Bayless of the Portland Trailblazers, Edgerrin James of the Seattle Seahawks and Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins were at Boa Steakhouse. … True Blood star Nelsan Ellis hosted at Blush in the Wynn and was joined by brother Maurice in welcoming Brian Urlacher.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with comedian Rick Martinez as he headlines for one night only at Harrah’s Improv with his Spicy Latino Nights. Meantime at the Riviera’s comedy club, Jimmy Dunn, Chris Monty and Tony V begin a run of two shows nightly through Sunday.

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

Chef Todd English at the grand opening of Beso restaurant and Eve Nightclub at CityCenter on Dec. 3, 2009.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

We’re watching tonight’s James Beard Awards in Manhattan, with our culinary stars hoping their nominations turn into victory, and we’ll have that report tomorrow, plus dance-floor action photos from Dancing With the Stars. … Congrats to Bellagio & CityCenter chef our friend Todd English on his James Beard Award for his TV special Food Trip last night at the Food Media Awards in NYC. … I’m checking out Mandarin Oriental for two days and a magnificent meal with celebrated three-star chef Pierre Gagnaire. We’ll also have Mac King’s 10th anniversary at Harrah’s and the latest on the Cirque du Soleil plans for its two Michael Jackson shows.

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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