Las Vegas Weekly

February 2, 2012 · 4:52 PM

Strip Scribbles: Sports Illustrated swimsuit models + music in L.V.

By Robin Leach

Models Irina Shayk and Jessica White at Tao Beach in The Venetian on June 26, 2010.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Twenty of the world’s most incredible bikini beauties will leave New York for two days of fun on the Strip, arriving Feb. 14 to celebrate the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The models party in Manhattan first to announce the new cover girl the night before. Last year, it was Irina Shayk, and she’s at the Mirage on Friday night at 1 OAK with swimwear model cohort Jessica White, who this morning was named one of this year’s contenders for the coveted cover.

The cover winner will be revealed Feb. 13, and the battle comes down to Genevieve Morton, Brooklyn Decker, Cintia Dicker, Este Ginzburg, Julie Henderson, Hilary Rhoda, Jessica Perez, Kate Upton and Jessica. Brooklyn, the wife of tennis star Andy Roddick, is a former cover girl.

They’ll be headquartered with 10 of the magazine’s other beautiful bodies at the Cosmopolitan when the magazine debuts to shine a spotlight on 10 of the 17 up-and-coming music artists whose music creates the soundtrack to Swimsuit 2012. It also will mark the debut of a two-day Lexus/Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Beauties & Beats Music Festival with the glamour girls stage side at all 10 performances from 5 to 11 p.m. at Book & Stage. The event is free and open to those ages 21 and older.

“We’re excited to shine the enormous spotlight of Swimsuit on to these 17 emerging artists, the same way we have helped to illuminate the stars of our models for nearly 50 years,” said M.J. Day, senior editor. More than 70 million people worldwide will see the models and the musicians in the magazine and mixed media platforms.

JUST ASKING: Is it mere coincidence that Stacy Keibler is hosting at the Bank in the Bellagio this weekend, Cheryl Burke is at Tao in the Venetian tonight, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Val Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani were on the Strip last weekend? I can confirm that the casting folks from the top-rated “Dancing With the Stars” were here, too, sizing up offers to Las Vegas names for when the new series starts rehearsals March 3.

TASTE OF THE NFL: 2012 Miss America Laura Kaeppeler is in Indianapolis participating in Taste of the NFL events surrounding Super Bowl XLVI with chef Bobby Flay (Mesa Grill in Caesars Palace). Laura, who is working with our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue there, will be on “Good Morning America" at 8 a.m. Friday to talk about the benefits provided by the chefs of each NFL city.

NEW DJ RESIDENCIES: “Jersey Shore” stars DJ Pauly D has signed on with Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel. Formerly at Rain in the Palms, Pauly kicks off Season 9 of the infamous Rehab on April 22 and spins at Vanity the night before. And Gabriel & Dresden start their residency at Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan on Friday after a three-year hiatus and touring in 17 countries.

CALENDAR GIRL: “Peepshow” star Cheaza celebrates the release of her new sexy, sassy calendar at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile next Wednesday -- go to her Web site Cheaza.com for a sneak peek. The knockout beauty who was shot by Playboy and Maxim photographers will be autographing her calendars at Pampas. Don’t be surprised if castmates Holly Madison and Josh Strickland stop by to wish her well. She’s also celebrating the completion of her new album with its single “Live for Tonight.”

GALLERY GIRL: Classic porn star and Las Vegas resident Sunset Thomas has created a novel series of photo paintings shot by Tony Chiu for her new Web site SunsetThomasArtGallery.com They are unique and unexpected in black and white, with eye-popping splashes of neon color added, and when the lensman and his subject went to Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza to celebrate the shoot, there was former Mayor Oscar Goodman, so they gave him with one of the tasteful nudes, which he promised to hang up at home. Sunset and Tony plan to open a gallery of her nudes in the burgeoning downtown Arts District.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

“DWTS” beauty Cheryl hosts a go-go contest at Tao, with $15,000 in prizes for the winner and runner-up. Andrew Dice Clay puts the sin back in our city with four nights at the Riviera. “The Price Is Right host Drew Carey starts a four-day run at MGM Grand with his Improv-A-Ganza alongside TV co-stars Kathy Kinney, Johnathan Mangum and Heather Campbell. Clint Holmes is MC of the Queen of Hearts benefit honoring 10 remarkable Las Vegas women at Crystals in CityCenter to benefit Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. And the International Sportsmen’s Expo opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center as Nevada’s largest outdoor adventure travel, fishing and hunting consumer show.

TOMORROW’S TEASE

It’s more than just a betting binge at our sports books on Super Bowl Sunday. It’s a thrill-a-minute entertainment extravaganza that puts Indianapolis and Madonna to shame as the Strip has bigger action and many more stars -- with lingerie ladies, swimwear stunners and UFC fighters all in our Weekend Celebrity Preview.

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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