Las Vegas Weekly

January 23, 2012 · 12:01 AM

Photos: Celine Dion celebrates Chinese New Year, Octavius Tower

By Don Chareunsy

Celine Dion celebrates the grand opening of the Octavius Tower and Chinese New Year at Caesars Palace on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage/DeniseTruscello.net

By Don Chareunsy

Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion hosted the grand-opening ceremony of the Octavius Tower in conjunction with Chinese New Year on Sunday night at Caesars Palace, officially ringing in the Year of the Dragon. During the private ceremony, Dion participated in the customary lion dance, bringing good fortune to Caesars’ sixth hotel tower and wishing happiness and prosperity for the New Year.

“I am pleased to celebrate the opening of the luxurious Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace and am very honored to welcome the Year of the Dragon,” Dion said in a news release. “As this is a very special time when millions of people around the world are celebrating the Lunar New Year, I would like to send my very best wishes to all for a healthy and Happy New Year.”

The grand-opening celebration kicked off with a lion dance as Dion painted the eyes of the lion to awaken it, presenting it with a red envelope, a gift to symbolize prosperity. Accompanied by drums, lion dancers paraded in the tower to ward off evil spirits, welcoming a New Year of wealth and prosperity.

“At Caesars Palace, we are privileged to welcome guests from around the world, and it is with great pleasure that we continue our longstanding Chinese New Year celebrations, a custom which began in 1975,” Caesars Palace Regional President Gary Selesner said. “On behalf of Caesars Palace , I wish you and your families a very happy and prosperous New Year.”

Caesars Palace opened the 668-room Octavius Tower on Jan. 2, bringing the resort’s total to 3,960 rooms and suites. Chef Bobby Flay (Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace) hosted the Chinese New Year celebration at Caesars last year. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and arts and entertainment editor of LasVegasSun.com.

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

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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

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