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Robin Leach: Luxe Life
What's your story? If you are a celebrity in Vegas, Robin Leach wants to know.
05.31.11 · 9:08 PM
Star Surveillance: Jenny McCarthy, UFC stars, Flo Rida, Drake, more
Showbiz stars must have turned Hollywood into a ghost town the past 96 hours because everywhere you turned on and off The Strip, the joint was jammed and jumping with VIP partygoers. Las Vegas became the top U.S. playground for Hollywood and sports celebrities over the four-day MDW 2011. Pool parties were packed, restaurants were filled and nightclubs were at maximum overflow. Here’s the celebrity countdown. *Actress Jenny McCarthy and Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Cheryl Burke dined at ... Read more...
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Facebook05.31.11 · 2:09 PM
Strip Scribbles: Mayor presents Penn & Teller with key to the city
In one of his last official ceremonies before next week’s mayoral election, Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman this morning presented Rio headliners Penn & Teller with a key to the city. Oscar wanted to recognize the magicians’ dedication to the community and unwavering commitment to helping Aid for AIDS of Nevada fight HIV/AIDS. For a decade, Penn & Teller have led the Penn & Teller Challenge team at the annual AIDS Walk and supported various AFAN fundraisers, including AFAN’s ... Read more...
05.31.11 · 11:03 AM
WSOP returns with 58 gold bracelets up for grabs through July 19
It’s baaack! The world’s longest-running, largest and most prestigious poker tournament kicks off today with the game’s greatest names. The 42nd Annual World Series of Poker starts this afternoon at the Rio with 58 events over 50 days of play. The first open bracelet tournament tonight is a new event, a $25,000 buy-in Heads Up No Limit Hold’em championship. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, and only 256 star players will compete in a rare one-on-one battle in bracket-style format. ... Read more...
05.31.11 · 5:20 AM
Photos: Encore Beach Club marks first anniversary with Deadmau5
By Don Chareunsy Dancing With the Stars professional dancers Cheryl Burke and Maksim Chmerkovskiy — with his rock hard body, the show should be renamed Dancing With the Studs — partied at Encore Beach Club’s first-anniversary celebration at Steve Wynn’s Encore yesterday. Moving to the sounds of uber popular Deadmau5, real name Joel Zimmerman making his EBC premiere, and DJ Feed Me, the ABC stars partied under the sun with friends, among them Diana Ross’ son Evan, in a cabana ... Read more...
05.31.11 · 3:03 AM
Photos: Jamie Foxx christens Club Nikki with bubbly at Tropicana
By Don Chareunsy As if a Grand Opening White Party with the likes of Oscar winner Halle Berry, Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton and music legend (and Tropicana headliner) Gladys Knight weren’t enough, Club Nikki and Nikki Beach kept its MDW 2011 debut going strong Sunday night with surprise host, performer and Oscar and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx. Photographer Tom Donoghue was on the scene of the new hotspot and shot a photo gallery. Donoghue told VegasDeLuxe.com: “Jamie Foxx put ... Read more...
05.30.11 · 5:01 AM
Photos: Drake is joined by Lil Wayne onstage at Hard Rock’s Rehab
By Don Chareunsy R&B superstar Drake hosted and performed during the Memorial Day Weekend celebration at the original and infamous daylife party Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel, despite cool and windy temperatures in Las Vegas. Lil Wayne, dressed in a white tank top and camouflage shorts, joined Drake, in a red T-shirt and blue jeans, onstage for his daytime performance yesterday. Lil Wayne also hung out with Drake’s lil brother at a daybed and spa at Rehab. The Hard ... Read more...
05.30.11 · 3:22 AM
Photos: Akon’s performance at Chateau attracts star athletes
By Don Chareunsy Senegalese singing sensation and Grammy nominee Akon kept the Memorial Day Weekend party going with a high-energy performance at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at the Paris on Saturday night. Akon arrived on the red carpet about 1 a.m. wearing a black leather Gucci jacket, a black T-shirt and black leather-like denim. After the red carpet, Akon headed to the new nightclub and performed some of his hits, including “I’m So Paid” and his No. 1 smash “Smack ... Read more...
05.30.11 · 1:28 AM
Photos: The Bellagio’s patriotic and colorful gardens ring in summer
The new summer display at the Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is nothing short of spectacular even though it reflects the lazy days of the year’s longest and hottest season. It features incredible flowers and a carnival with a moving 11-foot tall, 8,600-pound carousel and a 40-foot, full-scale Ferris wheel. Most meaningful — and particularly so this Memorial Day Weekend — is a patriotic display of the Stars and Stripes. Photographer Tom Donoghue was there at 4 a.m. before visitors ... Read more...
05.29.11 · 11:57 PM
Photos: Scott Disick marks 28th birthday with Kourtney Kardashian
By Don Chareunsy Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Scott Disick celebrated his 28th birthday Friday night at the new Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood with his girlfriend and baby mama Kourtney Kardashian, and photographer Denise Truscello was onsite for the festive evening. Disick, whose impeccable fashion sense is as dependable as his sarcasm, wore custom-made Astor & Black slacks and a Tom Ford hounds tooth blazer while enjoying champagne with his longtime girlfriend and a group of friends, including ... Read more...
05.29.11 · 10:45 PM
Photos: Epicurean Affair at Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo draws 1,500
By Don Chareunsy More than 65 restaurants and beverage purveyors were the draw for 1,500 guests at the Las Vegas Epicurean Affair presented by the Nevada Restaurant Association at Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo on Thursday night. Aquatic performers dazzled in the pool, and DJs, stilt walkers and fire dancers kept the crowd entertained, but the food and beverages were the main attraction. Fresh seafood was abundant at several restaurants. McCormick & Schmick’s offered oysters on the half shell, ... Read more...
05.29.11 · 11:36 AM
Photos: Holly Madison hosts a party at Blush in the Wynn
By Don Chareunsy Busy Peepshow and Holly’s World star Holly Madison hosted a Memorial Day Weekend celebration at Blush in the Wynn last night, capping off a busy week for Las Vegas’ Sweetheart that included reporting on the red carpet for Extra at Club Nikki and Nikki Beach’s White Party Grand Opening at the Tropicana and announcing the yearlong beer festival kicking off at Bally’s in October. Madison was dressed head to toe in Roberto Cavalli at Blush and wore ... Read more...
05.29.11 · 10:34 AM
Photos: Jason Derulo rides solo at Pure in Caesars Palace
By Don Chareunsy Singer Jason Derulo hosted and performed at Pure in Caesars Palace on Friday night, and photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for the red carpet and concert inside the packed nightclub. Newcomer Derulo, a protege of producer, songwriter and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, already has three Top 10 hits, “In My Head,” “Ridin’ Solo” and the No. 1 smash “Whatcha Say.” His latest single is “Don’t Wanna Go Home.” Derulo posed for photographs for photographers ... Read more...
05.29.11 · 8:59 AM
Photos: Nelly gets it hot in Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at the Paris
By Don Chareunsy Rapper, actor and Grammy Award winner Nelly hosted and performed at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens on Friday night at the Paris to kick off the four-day Memorial Day Weekend in Las Vegas. The “Dream” singer walked the red carpet about 1 a.m. in a black T-shirt, dark jeans and blue Nikes. His performance at Chateau included “E.I.,” “Flap Your Wings,” “Country Grammar” and his big hit “Hot in Here,” which sent partygoers into a frenzy as he ... Read more...
05.27.11 · 5:04 PM
The Love Festival and Paul Van Dyk: An electronic weekend in Las Vegas
By Nikki Villoria The Love Festival is raising the bar this year and ready to outdo last year’s record-breaking turnout by creating the biggest dance music hotspot for Memorial Day Weekend. The three-day festival features sounds from some of the world’s top DJs and draws the masses to the Palms for sets at Palms Pool & Bungalows and Rain. Go Ventures, one of the largest event production and promotion companies in the U.S., and the Palms are hosting the return ... Read more...
05.27.11 · 4:06 PM
Strip Scribbles: Encore Beach Club, Surrender celebrate first anniversary
Congratulations to Encore Beach Club and Surrender at Steve Wynn’s Encore celebrating their first anniversary this Memorial Day Weekend! Co-owner Sean Christie has put together headline performers including Steve Aoki, Lil Jon, Grammy Award winner Afrojack and Kaskade, ending with Deadmau5 on Memorial Day Monday. Tomorrow night, Peepshow and Holly’s World star Holly Madison celebrates the long holiday weekend with a bash at Blush in the next door Wynn. Her Peepshow and Holly’s World co-star Josh Strickland parties and performs ... Read more...
05.27.11 · 12:58 PM
Photos: Club Nikki, Nikki Beach open in a sea of bright white at Tropicana
Everybody wore white! The guests, the owners, the presidents, the managers, the bartenders and the chefs. Only the cocktail servers wore the briefest of orange lingerie under see-through white wraps. It was a sea of shining white. Celebrity guests including Wayne Newton, Andre Agassi and Rita Rudner wore white. But surprise guest Halle Berry was in a different shade, and tall comic Brad Garrett wore dark slacks with his white shirt, telling me, “They simply don’t make white for my ... Read more...
05.27.11 · 10:08 AM
Photos: ‘The Red, White & Blue never takes a holiday’
Photographer Tom Donoghue put together a special Memorial Day photo gallery to mark this weekend’s first real holiday of summer. Tom went back through a year of his various photos shoots with Las Vegas residents, VIPs and celebrities in locations throughout the valley. Tom told me: “The photos prove that The Red, White & Blue never takes a holiday. It is still worn well and waved proudly.” All of us at VegasDeLuxe.com wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day ... Read more...
05.27.11 · 9:26 AM
Celebrity preview: Memorial Day Weekend = superstar DJs and pool parties
With a four-day holiday weekend and temperatures expected in the 90s, the fun and frolic of Memorial Day Weekend 2011 will be all about music stars and DJs at pool parties by day and night. In fact, the Party Patrol over this 96-hour, nonstop weekend outnumbers all the headline shows, including a King and Queen of Comedy, Bill Cosby and Chelsea Handler, appearing here this weekend. Chelsea’s 2011 Lies She Told Me tour features her Chelsea Lately regulars Brad Wollack, ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 9:48 PM
Photos: Halle Berry walks carpet at Nikki Beach White Party opening
By Don Chareunsy Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry, accompanied by her actor boyfriend Olivier Martinez and a guest, walked the arrival white carpet mere hours ago at the White Party Grand Opening for Nikki Beach and Club Nikki at the Tropicana. Berry was dressed in a classy beige dress, bucking the sea of partygoers dressed from head to toe in white. Robin Leach of Vegas DeLuxe and Senior Editor John Katsilometes are on the scene, and Leach will be back in ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 4:33 PM
Exclusive: Inside David Copperfield’s holy grail of wizardry — nirvana!
When The Beatles wrote “Magical Mystery Tour” in 1967, they must have guessed that incredible illusionist David Copperfield would take their lyrics to heart to tackle the two biggest challenges of his career. Not onstage at MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theater, where he regularly headlines, or touring arenas around the globe to present his magnificent magic, but off-stage on a private hideaway Caribbean island and at a secret museum of the world’s largest private collection of magic memorabilia at an unmarked ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 2:07 PM
Strip Scribbles: Epicurean Affair is tonight at Azure Luxury Pool
It’s one of the most amazing culinary events of the year and a must attend for foodies. Celebrity chefs and some of our world-renowned restaurants are all geared up for tonight’s Las Vegas Epicurean Affair at Azure Luxury Pool at the Palazzo. Some of the participating restaurants for the tantalizing evening of culinary splendor include Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico, Table 10 and Stadium, Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu, Pierro Selvaggio and Luciano Pellegrino’s Valentino, Max Brenner’s chocolate emporium, plus hit ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 1:06 PM
Photos: June Playmate of the Month Mei-Ling Lam signs autographs at Palms
Fans turned out in force for Playboy’s Playmate of the Month Miss June 2011 Mei-Ling Lam when she signed autographs on copies of the new issue at the Palms, and photographer Scott Harrison was on duty for all the excitement. Next month, the Miss July centerfold beauty is hometown model and knockout beauty Jessa Lynn Hinton, who used to work at The Playboy Club at the Palms. Tonight, the winner of The Playboy Club’s Miss June calendar model search will ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 10:03 AM
Terry Fator sets the record straight about ex-wife, new wife, ex-advisers
Mirage headline entertainer and America’s Got Talent Season 2 $1 million winner Terry Fator simply wanted to set the record straight, but his candid comments on the podcast of Las Vegas Weekly journalist and colleague Steve Friess are likely to set off fireworks. Steve told me: “It’s stunning stuff. Terry goes on a rampage against both his former handlers and his former wife. Listen to and/or read it for yourself! Here are a couple of the controversial points: Steve Friess: ... Read more...
05.26.11 · 1:25 AM
Photos: Nikki Beach, Club Nikki open with VIP White Party at Tropicana
The veteran king of international jet-set nightlife is about to show the new kids on the block how to really party! Tonight, with its signature White Party Grand Opening at the renovated Tropicana, Club Nikki and Nikki Beach will set new standards of dayclub and nightlife in The Entertainment and Nightclub Capital of the World. The eagerly awaited and highly anticipated five-day opening festivities features internationally recognized DJs including Robbie Rivera, JoJo Florez and Behrouz and the launch of the ... Read more...
05.25.11 · 10:40 PM
Photos: Aubrey O’Day shows off her bountiful assets at Liquid Pool
Reality TV starlet and singer Aubrey O’Day, a former guest star in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, wowed the crowd when she showed off her curves — and other assets — in a white bikini when she hosted at Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria. The daytime revelers included her All About Aubrey co-stars Krystal Bronson and Rob Knox, with DJ Loczi spinning behind the turntables. Aubrey, who portrayed the Peep Diva role now occupied by Cheaza, sprayed the crowd with champagne ... Read more...
05.25.11 · 7:13 PM
Photos: Jose Andres’ ‘e’ is a unique, hidden treasure at Cosmopolitan
It has only eight seats. It’s hidden away at the back of another restaurant. It’s never advertised or promoted itself. In fact, one of the most unique restaurants in the world is an unknown wonder. Some foodies say that the dining delight, which opened on New Year’s Day, should get recognition at the finest dining on Earth. The restaurant “e” is the creation of Chef Jose Andres, who was recently named Outstanding Chef of the Year by the James Beard ... Read more...
05.25.11 · 3:01 PM
Strip Scribbles: Bachelorette films at Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay
Three Strip hotels serve as the backdrop for three dates on next Monday’s Episode 2 of the new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette. Ashley Hebert, who is getting a second shot at love on Season 7 of the reality TV series, will have two one-on-one dates and a unique group date. Shooting took place in secrecy at the Bellagio, Monte Carlo and Mandalay Bay. Talk about hearts-a-flutter! I can reveal that the first date at the Bellagio is nearly a ... Read more...
05.25.11 · 11:45 AM
Marie Osmond’s remarriage 29 years later; Donny Osmond’s 33-year union
It was an extraordinary, candid and heartwarming conversation backstage with Donny and Marie Osmond at their Flamingo showroom. Nothing was off-limits, and their back-and-forth sibling banter helped lighten the teary moments when Marie talked about her emotions in healing from the death of her son and the happiness with the romance of her renewed marriage. Marie was dressed in a new sparkling black Bob Mackie for the new opening number, and Donny was in slacks and a white bathrobe. The ... Read more...
05.24.11 · 9:21 PM
Star Surveillance: BEPs, Joe Jonas, Trey Songz and Randy Couture
Music superstars celebrated at The Official 2011 Billboard Music Awards After-Party at Lavo in the Palazzo on Sunday night. The party’s hostess, Rihanna, arrived in a stunning gold dress, joining Jay-Z and Beyonce with her former Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Las Vegas’ own Ne-Yo joined the party with Glee star Matthew Morrison, Joe Jonas, Nas and Taboo and Apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas, who jumped into the booth with DJ Vice to perform their hits. ... Read more...
05.24.11 · 5:28 PM
Photos: Holly Madison, Tim Allen welcome Wounded Warriors to town
There were heart-tugging, emotional moments and tear-filled eyes when 70 wounded veterans were given a red carpet welcome by more than 1,000 Palazzo and Venetian employees and guests cheering and waving American flags. Peepshow star Holly Madison and Venetian headliner Tim Allen welcomed the Wounded Warriors and their spouses flown here from military hospitals in Washington, D.C., and San Antonio for a weekend of world-class dining, star-studded entertainment and luxury suites — all a gift from Las Vegas Sands Chairman ... Read more...
05.24.11 · 3:29 PM
Strip Scribbles: Barry Manilow to release 1st original album in 10 years
Paris headliner Barry Manilow is about to release his first original album in a decade. Barry flies to New York today to appear on Joy Behar’s CNN show tomorrow and then on QVC on Thursday to premiere 15 Minutes, a guitar-driven pop album that explores the double-edged sword of fame. Barry spent two years on the project writing the music and lyrics after recording six critically acclaimed albums of songs written by the greatest songwriters of all time. Barry said ... Read more...
05.24.11 · 1:35 PM
Oprah Winfrey’s 24-season talk-show run ends tomorrow
An important chapter in TV history ends tomorrow when, after 4,561 episodes over 24 seasons, cultural icon Oprah Winfrey airs her final syndicated program. Don’t worry, though: You’ll still see her this fall on The Oprah Winfrey Network, a Discovery channel, and Rosie O’Donnell takes over her Harpo Studios in Chicago for her new syndicated talker. This morning, Oprah’s $300,000 wax figure was unveiled in the Spirit of America gallery at Madame Tussauds at the Venetian. Oprah becomes the only ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 11:56 PM
Photos: Rihanna, Britney pillow fight, Cee-Lo’s flying piano at BMAs
It was a night of TV firsts and a mountain of memorable moments, from a mid-air spinning piano created by illusionist David Copperfield at his Las Vegas headquarters with Cee-Lo Green at the controls as a reincarnated Liberace to an S&M decked out pillow fight between Britney Spears and Rihanna. Just when you couldn’t imagine anything else being conjured, Snoop Dogg managed an incredibly accurate, over-the-top imitation of me in the backstage pressroom and even offered me a record deal. ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 8:51 PM
Star Surveillance: Ke$ha, Glee stars, Cee-Lo, Ne-Yo and more
Singer Ke$ha, in town for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, watched Mindfreak magician Criss Angel’s Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor with her mom, brother and friends. Her brother Louie, a huge Criss Angel fan, was the chosen audience member during the “Cups & Balls” illusion onstage with Criss. It was Ke$ha’s first Cirque show here, and backstage, she told Criss he’d “mindfreaked her brain.” Afterward, Criss partied at Moon in the Palms. Singer Cee-Lo Green made the ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 4:26 PM
Strip Scribbles: Paul McCartney to attend Love anniversary
Cirque du Soleil officially confirmed today our earlier VegasDeLuxe.com exclusive that Sir Paul McCartney and fiancee Nancy Shevell will attend the fifth-anniversary celebrations of Love at the Mirage on June 8. He’s even selected his favorite DJ Chris Holmes to spin the wheels of steel at the after-party. Normally, Love is dark Wednesday nights, but this was the one date that worked with everybody’s schedules. Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and son Dhani will join Cirque execs for the performance and ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 3:44 PM
Neil Diamond talks about residency rumors at Caesars Palace
For a year now, rumors — with some substantial sources involved — have floated that superstar singer Neil Diamond was considering a short residency run at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, joining current headliners Celine Dion, Sir Elton John and Rod Stewart. Last night on the red carpet for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, where he closed the show with “Sweet Caroline” and “America” after receiving Billboard’s Icon Award, Neil told me, “Las Vegas is ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 1:02 PM
Photos: Holly Madison talks Holly’s World, Peepshow at Hangover 2
It’s a green-light go for Holly Madison and her sexy sidekicks to start a Season 3 of Holly’s World in September on E! Entertainment. The Peepshow platinum blonde beauty confirmed the news at the premiere of The Hangover, Part II at Planet Hollywood on Saturday. Holly also revealed that negotiations are already underway for her to continue in her starring role in Peepshow through 2012. “You’re not losing me,” Holly laughed when I chatted with her on the red carpet. ... Read more...
05.23.11 · 10:50 AM
Carmen Electra to host grand opening of Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon
Sex symbol Carmen Electra will be the guest striptease star to open the exotic and erotic Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon at Planet Hollywood on June 4. PCD producer and choreographer Robin Antin invited me to watch a dress rehearsal after the premiere of The Hangover, Part II on Saturday ahead of Wednesday’s soft opening of PCD Burlesque Saloon. Wow! This is going to be one super-sensual lounge at the new Gallery Nightclub complete with stripper poles, a bejeweled fairground carnival ... Read more...
05.22.11 · 7:21 PM
Photos: Stars arrive at 2011 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand
By Don Chareunsy The 2011 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by The Hangover funnyman Ken Jeong, are underway at MGM Grand Garden Arena, and thanks to Glenn Pinkerton of Las Vegas News Bureau and Tom Donoghue for their quick-and-fast photos from the red carpet of, among others, Lady Antebellum, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Neil Diamond, who is receiving Billboard’s Icon Award, and Kevin Mazur of WireImage for ABC for his telecast photos, which include Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. Senior Editor ... Read more...
05.22.11 · 2:34 PM
Photos: Joe Jonas hosts Billboard Music Awards pre-bash at Tao
After a day of soaking up the sun at Tao Beach, pop heartthrob Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers hosted the official 2011 Billboard Music Awards pre-party at Tao in the Venetian last night. Fans went crazy for the young superstar, even though he wasn’t with his two brothers Nick and Kevin. One ardent admirer burst into tears after he gave her a hearty hug. Ultimate happiness! Joe’s evening started at Tao dining on signature dishes under the watchful eye ... Read more...
05.22.11 · 12:35 PM
Photos: Black Eyed Peas continue Strip takeover with Will.i.am at Pure
First it was Fergie, Taboo and Apl.de.ap. Now early this morning to complete The Black Eyed Peas takeover, it was Will.i.am, with Apl.de.ap making another appearance. The BEP rule the Strip this weekend, and they haven’t even performed yet at tonight’s 2011 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena. VegasDeLuxe.com reported early yesterday on Fergie’s amazing appearance at Haze in Aria with her bandmates. Then Will.i.am turned guest DJ for an incredible late night, early morning set at the ... Read more...
05.22.11 · 11:33 AM
Photos: Nicki Minaj parties at Chateau and LL Cool J at Gallery
It was an epic “make-good, raincheck” performance by Nicki Minaj at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at the Paris early this morning less than 24 hours before she goes onstage for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena. On tonight’s 3-hour ABC telecast, the self-proclaimed Harajuku Barbie will duet with pop princess Britney Spears as a teaser performance of what their upcoming summer tour will sound and look like. The song is likely to be Britney’s current smash ... Read more...
05.21.11 · 2:28 PM
Strip Scribbles: First yearlong beer festival begins in L.V. on Oct. 13
Cheers! Salut! Prost! Slainte! Skaal! Whatever language you use to toast will be heard when the world’s first yearlong beer festival gets underway here Oct. 13. The 12-month celebration will feature more than 500 brews from 100 brew masters. The announcement will be made next Thursday by Patrick Gagnon, a Montreal-based events promoter (he must have taken his inspiration from Cirque du Soleil!), and Peepshow and Holly’s World star Holly Madison at Bally’s. They’ll reveal details and offer a few ... Read more...
05.21.11 · 9:23 AM
Photos: Fergie rocks out at first Billboard Music Awards party
Las Vegas has become The Music Capital of the World this weekend with the invasion of the recording industry’s biggest artists. The superstar weekend began last night and continues to one of the biggest events on the annual calendar — the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday at MGM Grand Garden Arena and airing on ABC. It’s the first time in five years that the BMAs are being telecast and are back in Las Vegas. The BMAs preview posted yesterday includes ... Read more...
05.20.11 · 2:42 PM
Photos: South Point constructs 600,000-gallon indoor pool for H2X
The aquatic sports action photos shot by Tom Donoghue yesterday at South Point are all the more extraordinary when one realizes that they were taken in the middle of a parched desert. The equestrian center at South Point has been transformed into an indoor, 600,000-gallon aquatic pool for contests and thrills this weekend. Audacious athletes are performing stunts today and tomorrow on wakeboards, watercrafts and waterskis as part of H2X, as Vegas DeLuxe previewed yesterday. Expect back flips, barrel rolls, ... Read more...
05.20.11 · 1:19 PM
Photos: BMAs to include Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady A, Keith Urban, BEPs
It’s one of the most prestigious shows in the music industry alongside the Grammys and the American Music Awards, and the Billboard Music Awards are back this weekend with a knockout lineup of superstars. It’s one of the biggest music nights of the year in Las Vegas, and everybody from Rihanna, The Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Cee-Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, Pitbull and Taio Cruz are partying, performing and posing on the red carpet. The 3-hour ... Read more...
05.20.11 · 9:24 AM
Celebrity preview: Billboard Music Awards, Nicki Minaj, Glee in L.V.
It’s a three-day music weekend of superstars, and in advance of Sunday’s 2011 Billboard Music Awards on ABC, presenters and performers are making the most of their Las Vegas visit with nightclub hosting duties and celebrations. Everybody from Fergie to Will.I.Am of The Black Eyed Peas to Joe Jonas are earning extra paychecks while waiting for the votes to be tallied. In addition to the dusk-to-dawn dalliances, there’s a wide range of music offerings, from the wild Hendrix Experience at ... Read more...
05.19.11 · 4:41 PM
Strip Scribbles: South Point creates 600,000-galloon indoor pool
Only in Las Vegas would more than 600,000 gallons of reclaimable water be used to flood an arena to create the world’s largest portable indoor pool for an amazing water sports contest! The weekend thrill show dubbed H2X stars audacious athletes on everything from watercrafts, waterskis, wakeskates and wakeboards. The jaw-dropping stunts are the first of their kind, not only on water but here in the desert. Professional freestyle Jet-ski star Tony Dwyer yesterday supervised the “flooding” of South Point ... Read more...
05.19.11 · 3:05 PM
Photos: Grandma Lee is definitely not your everyday senior citizen
By Nikki Villoria Laughs, sarcasm and politically incorrect statements were in abundance during last weekend’s show at Big Al’s Comedy Club at the Orleans. “I’m really happy with this club — it’s beautiful,” said comedienne Grandma Lee, a fan favorite from America’s Got Talent. The 200-seat theater was nearly full of audience members ready for an evening of comedy. “The venue here, it’s fantastic. It’s really great to see them put together a comedy club of this stature. There’s a ... Read more...
05.19.11 · 12:55 PM
Photos: Battle of the Bands winner Gentlemen Hall Cruzes into BMAs
By Nikki Villoria With their Chevy Cruzes loaded up and ready to go, six bands drove to Las Vegas for the opportunity to compete for a moment onstage at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena this Sunday. The initial pool of 18 artists in the competition was selected by Billboard, who tracked each band’s online fan engagement, and from those 18, the Final Six were chosen. “We wanted to bring the Billboard Music Awards back to ... Read more...
05.19.11 · 9:05 AM
Photos: Mary Sue Milliken survives mishap on Top Chef Masters
Despite a bloodied battle in Bravo’s Top Chef Masters kitchen where she cut off the tip of her thumb, Border Grill Chef Mary Sue Milliken soldiers on in the hit reality TV competition series. At her Mandalay Bay restaurant last night, where she hosted a viewing of Episode 7, she told me: “So far, I have won $20,000 for our Share Our Strength charity, so I am very glad that I did it. But it is super intense. It is ... Read more...
05.19.11 · 1:45 AM
Photos: For 100 Monkeys, art has no age, number, beginning or end
It isn’t the unusual name of 100 Monkeys that makes the funk rock band so unique. It isn’t just that Twilight star Jackson Rathbone is in the band. It isn’t just the fact that all five musicians can switch over to one another’s roles and alternate instruments during performances. It’s the fact that four of the all-American boys are in their 20s, and the fifth member is a black man in his late 50s. “The age gap is unique, but ... Read more...
05.18.11 · 11:02 PM
Photos: Bacio by Carla Pellegrino opening includes reality TV filming
Reality TV show cameras followed Chef Carla Pellegrino when she hosted a VIP and media grand opening for her Italian restaurant Bacio in the Tropicana last night. The producers, one of whom worked for me at The Food Network and the other who worked on our nightly syndicated series Preview TV, told me the series Beyond the Kitchen will be 12 episodes of the dual life of the chef and fashion model mother. Bacio, across from the steakhouse Biscayne and ... Read more...
05.18.11 · 4:33 PM
Strip Scribbles: Couple wed by Gigolos star and producer
Las Vegas nightclub operator, manager and VIP host Marklen Kennedy, aka The King of Las Vegas Clubs, has hit it big as a first-time TV producer with his Sin City-based series Gigolos on Showtime. Now he’s got another reality TV series in production about the Gun Store here, and a third show is in the development stage. Marklen created and produced Gigolos, about handsome hunks who provide companionship to women as male escorts. Steven Gantt, who is one of the ... Read more...
05.18.11 · 11:56 AM
Donny and Marie Osmond change up their hit show at the Flamingo
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but brother-and-sister duo Donny and Marie Osmond last night went against that old showbiz rule. They premiered their new look, sound, lighting and wardrobe production at their Flamingo theater and pulled off yet another winner. There’d been nothing wrong with their previous show. Critics praised it, and fans loved it. So when you’ve got 48 years of showbiz experience, why risk major changes that could jeopardize what was already working well? “After three ... Read more...
05.18.11 · 9:07 AM
Human Nature celebrates 2nd anniversary with news of a TV special
Life has completely changed for the four Australian members of Human Nature as they celebrate their second anniversary on the Strip tonight and another year’s contract extension. “It was the biggest gamble of our lives,” Michael Tierney told me. “We were totally unknown here. We started in the worst economic circumstances imaginable. We had real fears about ‘what if it doesn’t work.’ The four of us sat on the stage at the Imperial Palace theater eating burgers with a beer ... Read more...
05.17.11 · 5:36 PM
Strip Scribbles: The Hangover Part II red carpet is Saturday
There is a red carpet for the Las Vegas premiere of The Hangover Part II on Saturday afternoon at Planet Hollywood. Stars Justin Bartha, Jamie Chung and Mason Lee are taking part in the celebration as the new IGT Hangover slot machines are unveiled based on the Las Vegas-filmed The Hangover, now the top R-rated comedy of all time. Celebrities expected for the red carpet and afternoon party include Holly Madison, Josh Strickland, Angel Porrino, Laura Croft, Vinnie Favorito, Nathan ... Read more...
05.17.11 · 2:50 PM
Does big Las Vegas hotel deal involve billionaire Ron Burkle?
We’re learning more about the huge Las Vegas hotel deal that’s in the works, but not all the dots are yet fully connected. Billionaire investor Ron Burkle, who is a confidante of former President Bill Clinton and raised more than $1 million for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, has been named to the board of Morgans Hotel Group. Ron is its largest financial investor and promptly named his longtime associate Michael Gross to be its chief executive. Michael replaces Fred ... Read more...
05.17.11 · 1:06 PM
Shania Twain confirms interest in concerts at Caesars Palace
Canadian superstar Shania Twain has confirmed our Vegas DeLuxe exclusive about appearing as a resident headliner at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. In a video conversation with online gossip guru Perez Hilton, Shania confirmed the contract talks we first reported as far back as Jan. 4 but said no specific dates have yet been set because she has to get her voice well first. Fans know from recent interviews promoting her new documentary series on Oprah Winfrey’s new network OWN ... Read more...
05.17.11 · 11:01 AM
Photos: Holly Madison and her dogs Napoleon, Josephine and Louis
By Don Chareunsy Photographer Erik Kabik sat in during a photo shoot yesterday with Peepshow and Holly’s World star Holly Madison and her three dogs Napoleon, Josephine and Louis, all from rescue. Louis was purchased by Madison for $5,000 at the Eighth Annual Best in Show at the Orleans this month. Madison, in a beautiful blue satin dress, and the pooches were getting their photograph taken for the cover of The Vegas Dog. Kabik’s photo gallery of the behind-the-scenes filming ... Read more...
05.16.11 · 4:05 PM
Clinton Sparks wants partygoers to soak up the awesome at Moon
By Mark Adams “Did you have an awesome time? Did you drink awesome shooters, listen to awesome music, and then just sit around and soak up each others’ awesomeness?” Of course, when Lizzie Caplan says this in Mean Girls, she’s being sarcastic, but that’s almost exactly what DJ Clinton Sparks wants you to do at his Awesome Party, which launched at Moon at the Palms on Saturday night. I sat down with the E! correspondent, who’ll be playing 12 dates ... Read more...
05.16.11 · 2:09 PM
Strip Scribbles: New dates announced for Garth Brooks at the Wynn
With sold-out crowds and rave reviews, country king Garth Brooks’ juggernaut success story as resident headliner at Encore Theater in the Wynn continues. This morning, dates were announced for his next series of performances at Steve Wynn’s casino resort. Garth’s new dates are Aug. 19-20, Sept. 9-10 and 23-24, Oct. 7-8 and Oct. 21-22 and Nov. 4-5. He’ll perform four shows each visit over the two nights, and tickets go on sale Saturday. Incidentally, over the weekend in Macau, hotel ... Read more...
05.16.11 · 11:56 AM
Photos: Sahara’s final Saturday of operation on the Strip
By Don Chareunsy In less than 2 hours, the 59-year-old Sahara closes forever on the Strip. A few hours ago — at 10 a.m., to be exact — the casino floor closed. Senior Editor John Katsilometes of The Kats Report at the Las Vegas Sun has been staying at the Sahara since Thursday, with Las Vegas photographer Leila Navidi documenting the “Jewel of the Desert’s” final days of operation. Check out their extensive coverage on Las Vegas Sun, and thanks ... Read more...
05.16.11 · 2:57 AM
Celebrity roundup: Birthday girls Audrina, Angel, Nikki and Debby
By Don Chareunsy It was a birthday bonanza comprised of four ladies in The Entertainment Capital of the World over the weekend, with the youngest turning 18, and the “old lady” turning 26. Yes, it is a tad depressing, isn’t it? Twilight and Thirteen actress Nikki Reed celebrated her 23rd birthday at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at the Paris on Friday night with a group that included new boyfriend American Idol contestant Paul McDonald before partying the night away at ... Read more...
05.15.11 · 6:58 PM
Photos: Angel Porrino celebrates 22nd birthday at Gallery Nightclub
By Don Chareunsy Absinthe, Peepshow and Holly’s World blond bombshell Angel Porrino celebrated her 22nd birthday at the new Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood last night. Porrino was dressed to kill in a white, strapless dress by Trashy Lingerie — complete with a corset top and tulle skirt bedazzled with rhinestones — and matching, rhinestone-studded Steve Madden platform pumps. The bubbly birthday girl with the beaming smile partied with a group of friends that included Peepshow and Holly’s World co-stars ... Read more...
05.15.11 · 4:24 PM
Photos: Lauryn Hill performs at Boulevard Pool at Cosmopolitan
By Don Chareunsy Grammy Award-winning singer Lauryn Hill performed a jam-packed concert backed by DJ Rampage on Friday night at The Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan in a stop in her 19-date Moving Target: Extended Intimate Playdate Series, and Erik Kabik was onsite for a photo gallery from the performance under the stars. Hill’s career has been largely quiet in the past decade after monstrous success in the late 1990s. Hill catapulted into the public eye with her powerful voice ... Read more...
05.15.11 · 2:12 PM
Photos: Audrina Patridge celebrates birthday with brother, ex-boyfriend
By Don Chareunsy Gorgeous The Hills and Audrina star Audrina Patridge celebrated her 26th birthday yesterday afternoon at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic among bikini- and board shorts-clad daytime revelers that included her brother Mark Patridge and friends. The MTV and VH1 star and Carl’s Jr. peddler arrived with her entourage of 15 at 2:30 p.m., and the brunette siblings, with no video crew on hand, enjoyed a celebratory afternoon away from their new reality TV series. With the thermometer hitting ... Read more...
05.14.11 · 5:06 PM
Photos: T-Pain, Charlie Hunnam and Debby Ryan party at the Paris
By Don Chareunsy Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at the Paris was jam-packed with celebrities living “The Good Life” last night, led my multi-talented musician T-Pain performing a DJ set and Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam serving as host. T-Pain, in a graphic T-shirt and white-framed glasses, hit the decks about 1 a.m. after settling into his VIP table and played a mix of hits, including his “Buy You a Drank” and “Hey Baby.” The Grammy Award winner enjoyed Grey ... Read more...
05.14.11 · 3:53 PM
Photos: Nikki Reed celebrates 23rd birthday at Sugar Factory, Gallery
By Don Chareunsy Twilight actress Nikki Reed (Rosalie Hale to all you Twi-hards) celebrated her 23rd birthday at the new Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood last night, and the actress’s celebratory entourage included family, close friends and her new boyfriend, American Idol contestant Paul McDonald, with whom she was seen kissing and dancing throughout the evening. Reed, dressed in a black mini dress and Miu Miu pumps, and her friends enjoyed Grey Goose and Red Bull at their VIP booth, ... Read more...
05.14.11 · 2:31 PM
Photos: The Moody Blues make a Precious Cargo tour stop at The Joint
By Don Chareunsy The Moody Blues, the English rock band who’ve been making music together for nearly half a century, made a stop on their Voyage 2011 Precious Cargo tour last night at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Formed in 1964, The Moody Blues, who have sold more than 70 million albums and amassed 14 gold and platinum albums, perform today as a trio — John Lodge, Justin Hayward and Graeme Edge. They’ve charted two No. 1 albums, ... Read more...
05.13.11 · 4:37 PM
Strip Scribbles: A very big Las Vegas deal; ‘John Doe’ not that rich
Some wicked whispers & racy rumors! Which billionaire on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list has his sights set on a big Las Vegas deal for the first time in a partnership with a Las Vegas tycoon? I believe the magnate who owns a hockey team will be here next month at the Palms for the NHL Awards. But I hear he’s already seriously kicking the tires on a local acquisition that’s close to key contract points. Yesterday, one of ... Read more...
05.13.11 · 2:33 PM
Terry Fator, Jersey Boys, BMG to take part in Armed Forces Day
Our nation’s wounded warrior veterans will get the star treatment a week from today as Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaims it G.I. Jams Day and Venetian and Palazzo Chairman Sheldon Adelson gives them a weekend of entertainment, dining and relaxation at his casino resorts. Service members from Nellis Air Force Base are already at work recording the second G.I. Jams CD to follow the unveiling Friday of the first album of overseas active duty service personnel. Additionally, there will ... Read more...
05.13.11 · 12:39 PM
Counter Intelligence: Alex Stratta at Marche Bacchus; PDT; Al Mancini
Top Chef Masters Chef Alex Stratta, who ended his run on the Bravo series this week with $20,000 in winnings for his colon cancer charity Faster Cures, has added to his Stratta duties at the Wynn in taking on consulting duties at my favorite Marche Bacchus for owners Jeff and Rhonda Wyatt. Alex’s first move was to install his former Chef de Cuisine Joe Swan from the recently shuttered Alex at the Wynn in the Marche Bacchus kitchen, replacing Jean ... Read more...
05.13.11 · 4:34 AM
Celebrity preview: Audrina Patridge, Angel Porrino’s birthdays; pickles!
Reality TV star beauties Audrina Patridge and Angel Porrino — plus a pickle-eating world-record contest! — are likely to get the lion’s share of photographers’ attention this weekend as veteran recording acts invade the Strip. It’s a vintage musical heaven with everybody from Stevie Nicks to Elvis Costello to The Moody Blues. Yanni and Merle Haggard are at both ends of the music spectrum with their shows, while contemporary stars Lauryn Hill and Sean Kingston round out the pop parade. ... Read more...
05.12.11 · 4:33 PM
Strip Scribbles: Jeff Timmons begins monthlong Chippendales stint tonight
98 Degrees founding member and singer Jeff Timmons joins the cast of Chippendales tonight as the first musical guest star and MC in the lineup of the iconic, bare-chested hunks. Jeff will be here for four weekends at The Rio through June 5. Grammy-nominated 98 Degrees — which also included brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey, plus Justin Jeffre — sold more than 15 million albums with gold or platinum status in some 60 countries. Their eight Top 40 hits ... Read more...
05.12.11 · 3:05 PM
Donny & Marie add bedazzled guitars, cowboy boots to Flamingo show
Brother-and-sister duo favorites Donny & Marie Osmond kick off exciting changes to their Flamingo Showroom production starting next Tuesday. They recently celebrated their 500th show since opening Sept. 9, 2008. Their original 6-month contract was extended through the end of this year just six weeks later. Now with the new changes, it looks like another contract extension. “Donny & Marie have been very popular entertainers on the Strip for nearly three years now, and many of their fans come back ... Read more...
05.12.11 · 1:26 PM
Photos: Criss Angel adds dazzling illusions to Believe at Luxor
The string of achievements and accolades that superstar magician Criss Angel has racked up in his career is simply amazing. But he’s proudest of all with the raves he’s now receiving from audiences, celebrities and critics for his revamped Believe from Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor. The most-watched magician online with more than 100 million YouTube views literally pulled off the impossible when he turned around the original production, which was hit by critics, into the bestselling magic spectacular ... Read more...
05.12.11 · 11:27 AM
Alex Stratta wins $20,000 for charity, exits Top Chef Masters
Top Chef Masters Cheftestant Alex Stratta walked away with a $20,000 win for his colon cancer charity, even though he came unstuck cooking a four-course vegan meal on Maroon 5’s tour bus. “The wrong time and the wrong place,” the Wynn star chef laughed. In a gracious and friendly exit, Alex said he had a great time on the six episodes of this season’s top-rated Bravo series. “I would never have been able to afford making a charity donation on ... Read more...
05.12.11 · 1:52 AM
Celebrity roundup: Pacquiao, Ke$ha, Playmates, Chris Brown party in L.V.
By Don Chareunsy The party didn’t start until Manny Pacquiao, Claire Sinclair, Ke$ha and more walked in, and it was quite the jam-packed soiree in The Entertainment Capital of the World. Sure, Pac-Man’s defeat of “Sugar” Shane Mosley in front of a sold-out audience at MGM Grand Garden Arena had some critics grousing because they wanted a KO instead of a “snoozer,” but the media and the world couldn’t get enough of the fighters, from their arrival to their press ... Read more...
05.11.11 · 4:31 PM
Guy Savoy marks 5 years at Caesars; XS at night; Vdara wins award
How can it be five years of fine dining already since top French celebrity Chef Guy Savoy opened his self-named institution at Caesars Palace? He’s celebrating this spring having racked up an impressive collection of accolades, including Best of the Best by the prestigious Robb Report. Our sister publication Las Vegas Weekly awarded him Best Wine List honors, and Travel & Leisure named Guy Savoy “one of the best new restaurants in the world.” Guy was impressed most of all ... Read more...
05.11.11 · 3:03 PM
Strip Scribbles: America’s Got Talent winner Michael Grimm at GVR
It was mild mayhem when singer and America’s Got Talent winner Michael Grimm returned to his old stomping grounds of Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch to celebrate the CD release for his first major album on Epic Records. Michael performed a concert with a meet-and-greet post-show and was surprised onstage by friend and ex-boss Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers. Michael and Bill performed Sam & Dave’s “Hummin’ ” that’s on Michael’s indie album Leave Your Hat On. *Peepshow ... Read more...
05.11.11 · 1:05 PM
Wayne Brady to host 38th Daytime Emmy Awards at Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas comedy star Wayne Brady has been tapped to host the 38th Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS and airing from the Las Vegas Hilton on June 19. Daytime actors and talk show hosts will invade town for the glittering, star-studded affair. Nominations were announced in Hollywood this morning, with General Hospital, The Young and the Restless and The Ellen DeGeneres Show leading the list. The recently canceled One Life to Live and All My Children also were nominated, as ... Read more...
05.11.11 · 9:06 AM
Las Vegas chefs duke it out on ‘brutal’ Top Chef Masters
It’s been a seesaw ride for Las Vegas Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Alex Stratta on the latest season of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. First, Mary Sue, from Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, was at the bottom and clearly in danger of elimination in the first episode. Then Alex, from Stratta at the Wynn, fell from an Episode 1 win to the bottom as Mary Sue rallied to win — now two victories and $20,000 for her charity. Both were ... Read more...
05.10.11 · 10:31 PM
Strip club dancer Valarie Amber reveals The Naked Truth in new book
Valarie Amber, a strip club performer well known in adult entertainment venues in Las Vegas and New York, has lifted the lid on The Naked Truth in a Gentlemen’s Club, which has just been released on Amazon.com. The dancer with a respectful reputation was in New York yesterday hosting her first autograph sessions for the tome before returning home for similar engagements. She explained, “It is not only educational for everybody, but also a how-to book for women and dancers. ... Read more...
05.10.11 · 4:02 PM
Strip Scribbles: Presley company CKX purchased for $509 million
As key shareholders in CKX, Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie Presley gave the OK for Apollo Global Management to buy it for $509 million. CKX, which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland, is partnered with Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts in Viva Elvis at Aria. The megabucks deal also includes an 80 percent interest in licensing rights to Muhammad Ali, who is managed by Siegfried & Roy’s Las Vegas guru Bernie Yuman. Now for the really interesting part: ... Read more...
05.10.11 · 1:32 PM
The cast of Jersey Shore isn’t in America anymore
The Jersey Shore Season 4 location visit to Italy is proving one tough assignment for the cast, which includes Las Vegas resident DJs Pauly D and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino. I told you earlier about how the Mayor of Florence had issued a set of instructions that they not be filmed drinking, chewing gum or behaving badly while there. Then sticking to his veto of “Guido-style activities that show Italians in a bad light,” he also banned them last week ... Read more...
05.10.11 · 6 AM
Rod Stewart signs on for two-year residency at Caesars Palace
Rocker Rod Stewart has signed contracts for a two-year residency, Rod Stewart: The Hits, at Caesars Palace starting in August — neatly sandwiched between Celine Dion and newly signed Sir Elton John — exactly as Vegas DeLuxe first exclusively reported April 20. And don’t be surprised if Rod has half the audience onstage with him or if he joins them in the seats at The Colosseum to sing his hits. “I want it like an up-close, friendly, intimate club performance. ... Read more...
05.9.11 · 11:47 PM
Photos: Vegas Uncork’d wins raves; Steve Wynn’s vegan lunch a highlight
The hugely successful, four-day Vegas Uncork’d food and wine festivities wrapped yesterday after everything from a beachside barbecue to a late-night star chef DJ session to elegant and exotic Mother’s Day brunches. All were the topping on the cakes served by a cadre of celebrity chefs during the 96-hour, fifth annual, nonstop dining extravaganza. Bon Appetit and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored the festival, which proved not only that Las Vegas is Star Chef Dining Capital of ... Read more...
05.9.11 · 5:33 PM
Strip Scribbles: Playboy’s Miss July centerfold hails from Las Vegas
It’s now official that our hometown knockout blond bombshell Jessa Lynn Hinton will be Playboy’s July Playmate centerfold in the issue on sale June 5 that also features Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner’s blushing bride Crystal Harris on the cover ahead of the wedding. And I can tell you she isn’t wearing the wedding dress! Jessa, a stunning former Playboy Club Bunny and model for Palms Pool, is now co-host of Top Rank’s boxing shows and interviewed Manny Pacquiao and Shane ... Read more...
05.8.11 · 2:23 PM
Photos: Manny Pacquiao celebrates victory by singing to his fans
By Don Chareunsy What’s a champion boxer to do after scoring yet another victory in the ring? No, not go to Disneyland. If you’re Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, who handily defeated “Sugar” Shane Mosley in front of a sold-out crowd at MGM Grand Garden Arena last night, you sing to your fans. Pacquiao did just that at the Official Manny Pacquiao After-Fight Party hosted by — who else? — Pacquiao and featuring The MP Band. Tom Donoghue was on duty for ... Read more...
05.7.11 · 3:06 PM
Vegas Uncork’d Day 2 photos: Grand Tasting at Caesars; blackjack at XS
As Bon Appetit’s Vegas Uncork’d ended the halfway mark of its four-day fine food festival, my notebook was full of highlights: *TV Chef Gordon Ramsay showed up at last night’s Grand Tasting at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace, which seemingly confirmed our earlier exclusive reports that he’s taking over Les Artistes Steakhouse at the Paris for his first Las Vegas outpost. Rio illusionists Penn & Teller also strolled the 5 acres of food stations. *Macho Chef Steve ... Read more...
05.7.11 · 2:04 PM
Strip Scribbles: Cinco de Mayo with Erik Estrada, Tamra Barney, Chuy
Call it Cinco de Mayo mayhem for the Second Annual CHiP and Salsa Fiesta at Tacos & Tequila at the Luxor. My longtime pal CHiPs star Erik Estrada hosted and was joined by Tamra Barney and Eddie Judge of The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Half-Pint Brawlers from Jackass 3D and The World Power Lucha Libre wrestlers. Erik told the crowd how excited he was to be back for a second consecutive year. For Tamra and boyfriend Eddie, it ... Read more...
05.7.11 · 1:06 PM
Taryn Manning turning it up at Blush at the Wynn tonight
By Nikki Villoria From big screen to center stage to DJ booth, if it’s a form of art, 32-year-old Taryn Manning is all over it. Manning set out to become a professional dancer, but after continuously being in the background, she decided that center stage is where she wanted to be. “I knew I was a really good actor and singer. When I was doing backup dancing gigs, I was, like, wait, I can do what those singers are doing. ... Read more...
05.7.11 · 11:01 AM
Photos & videos: Claire Sinclair’s coronation as Playmate of the Year
Playboy king Hugh Hefner and Palms chief George Maloof threw a daylong coronation party for Claire Sinclair as she was named the 2011 Playmate of the Year at Moon at the Palms last night. The bunny hop began with Hef, his fiancee Crystal Harris, Claire and a dozen other Playmates at the summer season launch of Ditch Fridays at the Palms Pool & Bungalows, as reported yesterday by Vegas DeLuxe. The celebration continued into the evening, and thanks to Palms ... Read more...
05.6.11 · 8:24 PM
Photos: Hef’s pre-wedding Las Vegas trip for Playmate of the Year crowning
With a little more than 1 month left before the wedding of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner and December 2009 Playmate Crystal Harris, Hef flew to Las Vegas today to crown the 2011 Playmate of the Year. The couple — he’s 85, and she’s 25 — will wed in a semi-formal affair at The Playboy Mansion on June 18. It’s his third marriage and her first, and they became engaged on Christmas Day. Invitations with turquoise and fuchsia Swarovski crystals to ... Read more...
05.6.11 · 3:26 PM
Day 2 of Vegas Uncork’d: Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace takes spotlight
Bon Appetit’s Vegas Uncork’d chefs and guests in the hundreds got down to the serious task of fine dining last night after the opening ceremony with a Saber-Off Champagne toast timed to the explosions of the dancing Bellagio fountains. Four Masters Series dinners hosted by Bon Appetit editors were held at Caesars Palace with star Chefs Bradley Ogden, Guy Savoy and Francois Payard at their self-named restaurants and Frank Pellegrini Jr. , the Rao’s owner who served a family-style Italian ... Read more...
05.6.11 · 1:35 PM
Celebrity preview: Playboy Playmates, Pacquiao and a pop princess
This weekend in Las Vegas could be titled The Battle of the Beauties and the Brawlers. Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner and 2010 Playmate of the Year Hope Dworaczyk reveal and crown the 2011 winner at the Palms alongside Hef’s fiancee Crystal Harris and numerous Playmates, while welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley slug it out in the ring at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Former boxing title-holders and other athletes are all over the Strip with fight parties, and Supercross ... Read more...
05.6.11 · 12:02 PM
Celebrities, VIPs pour in for big Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley fight
Showbiz stars and heavyweight VIPs have front-row seats for tomorrow’s showdown between Manny “The Pac-Man” Pacquiao and “Sugar” Shane Mosley at MGM Grand Garden Arena. This afternoon is the official weigh-in, and Tom Donoghue is on assignment for the photo gallery. The Pac-Man said this week: “It’s nice to be back here in Vegas. I miss Vegas. It has been a long time.” As Vegas DeLuxe reported Wednesday, win or lose, vanquished or victor, Manny will entertain his fans with ... Read more...
05.6.11 · 10:32 AM
‘Every day is a honeymoon,’ Andrea and Steve Wynn say post-wedding
Las Vegas’ No. 1 power couple, hotel mogul Steve Wynn and his bride, the former Andrea Hissom, held hands and then kissed tenderly on the lips. It is obvious that they are hopelessly in love and completely contented with each other as a perfect match. “Every day is a honeymoon,” she purred, as Steve told me exclusively: “It’s all great, beautiful, and we are loving being married.” The romantic royals chatted candidly last night at Sinatra at the Encore, where ... Read more...
05.5.11 · 6:02 PM
Check your jerseys and flip-flops at Sebastian Maniscalco’s show door
By Allison Duck Sebastian Maniscalco, a style correspondent for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and a performer on Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show, headlines at The Playboy Comedy Club at the Palms through Saturday night and offers laughs and possibly a little fashion commentary. Check your flip-flops at the door because Maniscalco will be judging. Allison Duck: At what point in your career did you realize you could really call yourself a professional comedian and that this was ... Read more...
05.5.11 · 4:59 PM
Strip Scribbles: Mary Sue Milliken wins again on Top Chef Masters
Congratulations to Las Vegas star Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Alex Stratta on last night’s budget-conscious Top Chef Masters. Mary Sue from Border Grill at Mandalay Bay earned $10,000 in her second win for food bank charity Share Our Strength. Alex, from Stratta at the Wynn, and Mary Sue were thrown two unusual challenges on Episode 5 of Season 3 of the Bravo series. The Quickfire Challenge had the chefs creating an appetizer that cost less than $1. NPR’s Dinner ... Read more...
05.5.11 · 4:29 PM
Vegas Uncork’d is in full swing with celebrity chefs
The simultaneous explosion of the Bellagio fountains this afternoon with the all-star chef turnout to saber-off a giant champagne bottle officially marked the kickoff of the four-day culinary extravaganza Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit. Yesterday, VegasDeLuxe.com posted an overview of the festival, including today’s highlights beginning with the Champagne Saber-Off by Chef Julian Serrano at the Bellagio fountains. Here are tomorrow’s highlights: Two chefs battle at the Bellagio when Akira Back and Martin Heierling heat up the kitchen in a ... Read more...
05.5.11 · 1:32 PM
Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre talks Las Vegas, MGM and Michael Jackson
The Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil four-part interview series began Monday with John Branca, co-executor of The Estate of Michael Jackson, followed by Jackie Jackson, older brother of Michael, and Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling on Tuesday and writer, director and choreographer Jamie King yesterday. The interviews wrap up today with Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre’s overview of Immortal, which arrives at Mandalay Bay on Dec. 3 for a now-33-performance engagement. Here is Daniel’s overview in his ... Read more...
05.5.11 · 10:36 AM
Ole! Star glamour adds to Cinco de Mayo fiesta festivities
Fiesta! It’s Cinco de Mayo! Happy May 5, to all our friends from South of the border, that actually is a celebration of the Battle of Pueblo. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16, so don’t confuse the history of the victorious battles against the French Army twice the size of Mexico’s. CHiPs star Erik Estrada hosts one of the biggest parties on the Strip when he’s joined by Tamra Barney from The Real Housewives of Orange County at Tacos & ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 11:15 PM
Director Jamie King reveals secrets of Michael Jackson: Immortal
One-time Michael Jackson tour dancer Jamie King is the man now entrusted with writing, directing and choreographing the upcoming 5-year run of Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. The premiere is in October in Cirque du Soleil’s hometown of Montreal, and then 33 performances follow on the Strip starting Dec. 3 at Mandalay Bay. An interview with Michael Jackson Estate co-executor John Branca was posted Monday, talks with older brother Jackie Jackson and Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling were posted ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 6:38 PM
Photos: Win or lose, Pacquiao to sing for fans post-fight Saturday night
Bruised or battered, win or lose, limping or leaping! Whatever happens in the ring at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley won’t deter the Filipino fighter from fulfilling a promise to fans to sing again at Mandalay Bay. The Pacquiao After Party is the official celebration after the fight with a $65 admission. Tom Donoghue shot Manny’s last performance at Mandalay Bay. A number of Las Vegas venues are alluding to Manny parties, ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 4:40 PM
Strip Scribbles: Venetian, Palazzo stays for Ellen DeGeneres’ audience
Audience members at The Ellen DeGeneres Show today received a complimentary two-night stay at The Venetian or Palazzo thanks to the Emmy-winning TV host. Ellen filmed a segment there playing the role of a celebrity concierge for a day to help celebrate the launch of a strategic marketing and points alliance between the Las Vegas casino resorts and InterContinental resorts. Ellen showed how easy it is to earn the Priority Club points by welcoming four lucky bachelorettes at check-in. She ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 2:27 PM
Star chefs and foodies invade town for Fifth Annual Vegas Uncork’d
It’s the culinary extravaganza described by experts as unlike any other on the calendar anywhere in the world. Vegas Uncork’d kicks off its fifth-annual, four-day, ’round-the-clock fine dining and wondrous wines with an amazing gathering of the world’s best chefs tomorrow afternoon. Star Chef Julian Serrano of Picasso at Bellagio and Julian Serrano at Aria performs a ceremonial saber-off by using a large sword to slice the top of a magnum of champagne. He will be joined by some 35 ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 1:33 PM
Marie Osmond remarries first husband Stephen Craig in Las Vegas
By Don Chareunsy Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond walked down the aisle today with someone very familiar to her family and her. Osmond, 51, remarried Stephen Craig, 54, her first husband, at the Las Vegas Mormon Temple. “I am so happy and look forward to sharing my life with Stephen, who is an amazing man, as well as a great father to my children,” Osmond, who resides in Henderson, said in a statement to People. Access Hollywood reported the remarriage, which ... Read more...
05.4.11 · 9:56 AM
Celeb roundup: Steve Wynn wedding, Tiger Woods’ Jam + Charlie Sheen
By Don Chareunsy The boys were back in town in The Entertainment Capital of the World, and they were center stage, from a Las Vegas royal wedding for a hotel mogul to concerts galore and, finally, to a much-hyped but ultimately low-key appearance by a talented but complicated actor named Charlie Sheen. While Prince William and Kate Middleton were watched by millions upon millions in their multi-million-dollar Royal Wedding in England, Steve Wynn also wed a British woman, the now-former ... Read more...
05.3.11 · 6:30 PM
Strip Scribbles: America’s Got Talent films for 2 days in L.V.
Cameras roll tomorrow and Thursday almost around the clock here for the new season of America’s Got Talent, the NBC show that has been good for The Entertainment Capital of the World — and vice versa. It’s where Mirage headliner Terry Fator shot into the big time, winning Season 2 and $1 million after two decades of being an anonymous ventriloquist. It’s where hometown magician Murray Sawchuck became a semifinalist last year and landed a role on History Channel’s Pawn ... Read more...
05.3.11 · 5:32 PM
Photos: Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley arrive at MGM Grand
It was a total mob scene with masses of worldwide media for today’s arrival of boxing rivals Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and “Sugar” Shane Mosley at MGM Grand, where they will duke it out Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden Arena for Manny’s WBO welterweight title. Tom Donoghue was on hand to capture all of the excitement for a photo gallery. Even though the boxers were the main attractions, the spotlight also shined on knockout TV sports reporter Ines Sainz, who ... Read more...
05.3.11 · 1:29 PM
Jackie Jackson, Mandalay Bay head discuss Michael Jackson plans
Michael Jackson’s older brother Jackie Jackson is convinced that the late King of Pop is fully supportive of all the Cirque du Soleil show developments and the two productions set for Mandalay Bay starting in December. “He’s definitely watching over this. He’s going to be alive in everybody’s minds for all the years to come now. He lives on,” Jackie said. “Michael would have loved what’s going on now for his legacy. He always loved the business and the entertainment ... Read more...
05.3.11 · 3:40 AM
Criss Angel makes wishes come true for two terminally ill teens
Two terminally ill teenagers with the Make-a-Wish Foundation were flown to Las Vegas to meet with Mindfreak magician Criss Angel at his Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor as he made their dreams come true on World Wish Day last Friday. A 13-year-old Pennsylvania boy, Nick, and a 17-year-old girl, Sarah, from North Carolina were the illusionist’s guests at his show, and they, along with their families, met Criss afterward backstage, where he showered them with gifts of ... Read more...
05.2.11 · 6:41 PM
Video: Steve Wynn as Elvis and new wife Andrea as Lady Gaga
Thanks to the newly wed Steve and Andrea Wynn, they’ve let the public watch their faux wedding ceremony they created in advance of their real wedding over the weekend. Hotel mogul Steve dressed as Elvis and the former Andrea Hissom dressed as Lady Gaga complete with white, high-heel boots. All 1,000 guests loved the video, and Steve has kindly agreed to share what he showed to his well-wishers, among them Priscilla Presley and Joe Esposito, Elvis’ friend and former bodyguard. ... Read more...
05.2.11 · 4:32 PM
Strip Scribbles: Manny Pacquiao selling jewelry to benefit youths
Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao heads to Las Vegas after his final gym workouts today in L.A., and the multi-millionaire is selling his jewelry when he arrives at MGM Grand tomorrow. The Filipino folk hero will sell a limited edition of his eight-time world championship rings at $6,000 apiece and donate proceeds from the MP8 Collection sales to benefit needy children in his homeland. The high-end, limited-edition jewelry is available at MGM and also on his Web site MPBoxing.com While working ... Read more...
05.2.11 · 2:07 PM
Michael Jackson Fan Fest details, plus late singer’s plans before death
The first-ever, estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest takes place here on the Strip starting Dec. 3 when the new Immortal Tour from Cirque du Soleil opens at Mandalay Bay. Vegas DeLuxe has now learned that for 4 hours before each of the 33 performances, fans will experience the legacy of The King of Pop in a very new way. Already planned is an up-close look at Michael Jackson memorabilia, items from Neverland Ranch that have never been seen publicly, photo ... Read more...
05.2.11 · 11:02 AM
Photos: Rita Rudner, Holly Madison go to the dogs at Best in Show
It was the day that went to the dogs — but in the best way possible. Strip stars led by Venetian headliner Rita Rudner turned out for the Eighth Annual Best in Show 54-strong puppy parade of shelter dogs at Orleans Arena yesterday. All 54 of the canines were up for adoption, and all found new homes. Holly’s World star and Planet Hollywood’s Peepshow headliner Holly Madison made the winning bid of $300 to The Animal Foundation to adopt a ... Read more...
05.1.11 · 3:33 PM
Photos: Charlie Sheen is a winner at Chateau; stars walk red carpet
The big question was, “Would he?” As, in, “Show up.” The “he” in this instance was Charlie Sheen. And the warlock-ian media lightning rod met every logistical challenge to fulfill his commitment early this morning to walk the red carpet and hang out for a couple of hours at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas. He ended a performance of his My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option one-man show in San Francisco about 10 p.m. ... Read more...
05.1.11 · 1:35 PM
Photos: Tiger Woods’ quiet Tiger Jam return with Keith Urban, John Mayer
After canceling last year’s Tiger Jam fundraiser because of scandals and tabloid trouble, golfer Tigers Woods stepped cautiously back into the Las Vegas spotlight last night. Cautiously because he had to walk onstage at his Mandalay Bay Events Center concert with Keith Urban and John Mayer with Achilles heel and knee injuries. But also cautiously because of the unknown audience reaction for his Las Vegas return. There were many empty seats at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tiger was uncomfortable being ... Read more...
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Tuesday
2012-05-29
South Point
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Tuesday
2012-05-29
$3 drinks with a text at the door
The Strip
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Tuesday
2012-05-29
Activities-farmers market
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Wednesday
2012-05-30
The Strip
An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
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Wednesday
2012-05-30
$150 bottle specials
Hot Spots
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Wednesday
2012-05-30
Drink Specials
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Thursday
2012-05-31
reduced price drinks on Thursday nights
Hot Spots
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Thursday
2012-05-31
The Orleans
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Thursday
2012-05-31
Green Valley
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Friday
2012-06-01
Concert
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Friday
2012-06-01
Henderson
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Friday
2012-06-01
The Strip
An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
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Saturday
2012-06-02
Downtown
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Saturday
2012-06-02
Local Bands
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Saturday
2012-06-02
Red Rock Casino
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Sunday
2012-06-03
Concert
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Sunday
2012-06-03
The Strip
An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
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Sunday
2012-06-03
$5 drinks with text
The Strip
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SMS Alerts
Featured Cocktail
May 23, 2012
by
Sabrina Chapman
Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl stings so good
Ready to celebrate the official start of summer? Prepare for takeoff. Memorial Day Weekend picks up speed with the addition of Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl ($49) to the weekend’s party lineup. ...
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