Las Vegas Weekly

06.18.12 · 3:26 PM

Tyson on Broadway; Tim and Faith; Madonna; ‘Spider-Man’ at Venetian?

The VIP grand opening of "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth -- Live on Stage" at MGM Grand on Saturday, April 14, 2012.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

It’s a new week, and we start it with …

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Exactly as we first tipped, boxing legend and Las Vegas resident Mike Tyson was welcomed to Broadway this morning by theater owner and producer James Nederlander and together with director Spike Lee announced a six-day engagement of the former heavyweight champion’s one-man show “Undisputed Truth” that Mike unveiled here at home at MGM Grand in April.

Spike will direct the play, also as we first exclusively revealed. It is the first of many developments worldwide for Mike’s theatrical production.

*Talent scouts for the hit Broadway production “Spider-Man” quietly held auditions here for a Las Vegas cast with a rumored residency to take over the theater now occupied by “Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular” at the Venetian after its Sept. 2 closing after six years -- mainly because the rigging of the “falling chandelier” can be adapted for Spider-Man’s flying sequences.

Rumors continue to grow also for the Tony Award-winning “The Book of Mormon” to eventually land at the neighboring Palazzo in the theater former occupied by “Jersey Boys,” which is now just down the Strip at the Paris.

*Is this also where country super-couple Tim McGrawand Faith Hill, who are headed to Las Vegas on Thursday, will perform a mini-residency going up against Garth Brooks in the interim?

Tim has just embarked on a project to give 25 mortgage-free homes to military veterans with an eventual goal of 1,000; one is right here in North Las Vegas.

*We’ve reported that the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” moves into Blue Man Group’s theater at the Venetian, and now we can confirm that Blue Man will open in its theater at the Monte Carlo on Dec. 23, with Jabbaawockeez in its new theater at Luxor.

(Incidentally, the film “Rock of Ages” starring Tom Cruise and “Dancing With the Stars” and Las Vegas darling Julianne Hough opened over the weekend in third place with an under-expectations haul of $15 million.)

*Former “Phantom” Las Vegas star Sierra Boggess, who has gone on to London and New York theatrical fame, has just been tapped from her Broadway show “Master Class” to star in the West End production of “Les Miserables.” It’s a return to Britain for Sierra, who was last there starring in the unexpectedly short run of the “Phantom” sequel “Love Never Dies.”

*Superstar Madonna’s two Las Vegas concerts at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Oct. 13-14 are sold out, and In Touch Weekly says her tour demands are “pop star excess gone rogue.” Madonna, who has flashed her nipple in Istanbul and her arse in Rome while on her world tour, reportedly will travel here with a 200-strong entourage that includes her chefs, yoga instructor, acupuncturist, masseuse, drycleaner and 30 bodyguards.

In Touch reports that the 53 year-old pop queen expects her MGM dressing room to include 20 phone lines, a special draped fabric and lilies and white and light pink roses with all stems trimmed to six inches. In Touch also says that her furniture will be shipped in with the stage sets to replace the items in her MGM suite so that she really feels at home.

*British boyband One Direction returns to Las Vegas on Aug. 3 at Mandalay Bay -- they were here just two weekends ago at Planet Hollywood -- as ticket demand prompted the second concert. Our Las Vegas phenom Manika, who is getting incredible reviews with her debut singles, including “Good Girls,” opens.

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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06.18.12 · 1:31 PM

Photos: Voluptuous Aubrey O’Day hosts at Hard Rock Hotel’s Rehab

Aubrey O'Day, with DJ Eric D-Lux, hosts at Rehab in the Hard Rock Hotel on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Photo: Hew Burney/Hard Rock Hotel

It was a case of best curves forward when shapely and sexy singer and reality TV star Aubrey O’Day walked the red carpet Sunday at the infamous daytime party Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel. Aubrey even walked in with her two pooches dressed in bikinis.

The buxom -- to say the least -- blonde bombshell dazzled, wowed and definitely turned heads as fans lined up to see the “Celebrity Apprentice” temptress. Aubrey, who starred here in “Peepshow” as the Peep Diva alongside current star Holly Madison, at Planet Hollywood showed off her curves in a barely there, cutout, black tiger one-piece swimsuit (although to my eyes, it looks as if several, thin Band-Aids were stitched together).

Her coiffed curves were a decolletage display of bounteous bodaciousness! The sex kitten hosted with DJ sets by S.K.A.M. artist Eric D-Lux and resident DJ Shift and joined them onstage to spin the wheels of steel. She sent out a Tweet, asking: “Are we looking like Barbie and Ken?”

In case you’re keeping track, the voluptuous former Danity Kane singer measures an eye-popping 34D-25-33. Thanks to Hew Burney of the Hard Rock Hotel for his photo gallery and to Richard Corey for his video posted on YouTube.

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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06.18.12 · 11:48 PM

Star Surveillance: Joey Fatone, Ryan Kwanten, ‘Gigolos,’ Siegfried & Roy

“Dancing With the Stars: Live in Las Vegas” at the Tropicana star Joey Fatone of ’N Sync fame showed off his cooking skills in celebrating the newest Smashburger in Las Vegas at Fiesta Rancho. As these photographs show, Joey took over the grill to season, smash, flip and eat his burger. Then he manned the register to fans’ amusement.

Adult-film star Tabitha Stevens and the cast of Showtime’s hit series “Gigolos” partied at “Crazy Horse III” with fellow adult stars Devon Michaels and Jenny Hendrix and “DWTS: Live in Las Vegas” pals Joey and Carson Kressley.

Legendary magicians Siegfried & Roy enjoyed a night out at “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace and then congratulated the cast backstage afterward and posed for photographs.

Stratosphere singer-songwriter-musician headliner Frankie Moreno was honored with his own signature drink at Minus 5 Ice Bar in the Monte Carlo: a Crown and Coke-o-nut. Frankie joins Holly Madison, Carrot Top, Human Nature, Laura Croft and the cast of “Fantasy” in the celebrity cocktail lineup.

The 11th Annual Reggae in the Desert was a sold-out, 12-hour show with 4,000 people, and Israel Vibrations were onstage when this aerial photograph was taken.

“True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten treated his parents to a Father’s Day dinner at Lavo in the Palazzo.

And world-renowned marine-life artist Wyland created another underwater masterpiece while fans watched during his Father’s Day meet-and-greet at Wyland Gallery in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.

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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06.18.12 · 4:39 PM

Strip Scribbles: New travel series to film with unsuspecting L.V. tourists

Jabbawockeez's Grand and VIP Opening Party at Monte Carlo on Oct. 22, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

TV shows keep cameras rolling on the Strip with a more-than-ever increased production schedule. The newest is Travel Channel’s original series “Trip Flip,” which premieres June 28 with fun-seeker travel-expert host Bert Kreischer. He’s here for four days starting Tuesday filming two unsuspecting vacationers who’ll be invited to trade their plans for his all-expenses-paid, three-day adventure that will challenge them to experience things they never thought possible.

It’s the fantasy vacation they never saw coming. One trip will be transformed into an extraordinary adventure. I’ve learned that the two lucky travelers -- unknown until Tuesday -- will play in the World Poker Tournament, get lessons from Penn & Teller at their Rio magic show, dance behind masks with Jabbawockeez at Monte Carlo and go behind the scenes to take part in a Cirque du Soleil show. There’s even more but details still being locked up this morning.

Bert’s premiere is two half-hours in New Orleans and Hawaii. On Tuesday, as he becomes the ultimate Las Vegas tour guide, he’ll hit our shopping malls, chain restaurants or the Strip sidewalk to take one couple and change everything.

“It will not be the Vegas that’s written in the guidebooks for two travelers. It will all be out of their comfort zone. They’ll get an adventure they’d normally be too timid to try on their own. I need two brave souls ready to raise their hands and take a risk for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience,” Bert said.

In the two opening episodes, one couple kissed alligators in New Orleans, and another couple in Hawaii went swimming with sharks. He’s keeping the adventures of his Las Vegas stops secret until the air date. The series also will be filmed in Mexico, Italy and Scotland.

NEW ROMANCE: Internet gossip is abuzz that superstar singer Cee Lo Green, who opens his show “Loberace” here Aug. 29 for a four-month run at Planet Hollywood, is keeping company with newly divorced Trina Braxton. That’s Toni Braxton’s sister who films their reality TV series “Braxton Family Values” at her Las Vegas home.

Trina split from her husband Gabe Solis when he checked into a sex addiction treatment clinic. Meantime, “The Voice” judge and Trina have been spending more time together after their dinner dates. Both being here this fall should make that dating schedule a little easier.

PRAYERS & GOOD THOUGHTS: So sad and sorry to hear the news that regular Las Vegas visitor and new father Jack Osbourne has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The son of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and “America’s Got Talent” judge Sharon Osbourne is only 26.

Reports today in Britain’s Hello Magazine and People Magazine say he learned of the illness only two weeks after his daughter Pearl was born. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to him. The autoimmune disease with no cure attacks the central nervous system to cause numbness, muscle spasms and loss of coordination. He discovered the medical problems when his eyesight began to rapidly deteriorate.

PROGRESS FOR NEVADA CHEFS: The prestigious James Beard Foundation officers received an earful from Las Vegas food writers when they came here to the Venetian recently and announced no Las Vegas or Nevada chefs were in this year’s awards. Now they’ve revealed changes this morning that as of next year, Nevada will join with California and Hawaii to form a new, reduced, three-state Western category of “Best Chef West.”

“The Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee is always looking for ways to improve the James Beard Awards to better reflect what’s happening in the industry across the country,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “These changes signal the growth and vitality of America’s ever- evolving culinary culture in different geographic regions.” Since 2005, Nevada has been part of the Southwest region with Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Texas and Oklahoma.

ENVIRONMENTAL DICAPRIO: In a departure from its normal manufacturing methods, Madame Tussauds at the Venetian has gone environmentally friendly with its newest figure: Leonardo DiCaprio. The wax has been eliminated, and the production process was done by hand in natural daylight. Leonardo’s head is created from clay and natural beeswax, and the artists used bicycles and public transportation to get to and from their studio as part of the project, with design materials recycled after the figure was completed.

EVA & GEORGE RETURN: They were an odd couple but produced one of the funniest, unanticipated, unrehearsed and unscripted comedy routines ever performed at a Las Vegas charity event. Now Eva Longoria and George Lopez will team up again for her charity Padres a second time at Tropicana on Sept. 29.

STATISTICAL HICCUP: Wall Street bankers are analyzing the reservation bookings for our Strip hotels the week after Fourth of July celebrations. The average daily room rate on the Strip has suddenly slipped to $121 per night vs. the $168 hotels had built it up to for the same week last year. It’s a 28 percent drop, with weekday rates slumping 41 percent and weekend rates increasing only 1 percent. Last year, our rates were up 43 percent compared with 2010. Convention attendance for the week after July 4 also is down drastically, but Wall Street experts say the remainder of 2012 is looking to give a mid-single-digit overall net growth.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Dip or lounge at Boulevard Pool in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for “Dive-In Movies” with “Seabiscuit.” Jack Barakat of All Time Low celebrates his birthday at the Monday party at the Hard Rock Hotel. And nightlife czar Jack Colton hosts the 7th annual “20 Most Beautiful People in Las Vegas” at Bare Pool Lounge in the Mirage.

TOMORROW’S TEASE

We unlock some of the backward-written, reverse mirror-image secrets for an exclusive preview tour of the amazing “Leonardo da Vinci: Master Genius” exhibit of art (the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”) and interactive working machines that eventually became helicopters, planes and cars, opening at the Venetian, plus a remarkable “Diamonds for Divas” headed to Las Vegas.

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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06.16.12 · 4:59 PM

Photos: Stanley Cup champions L.A. Kings trade jerseys for board shorts

The L.A. Kings celebrate their first Stanley Cup victory at Wet Republic in MGM Grand on Friday, June 15, 2012.

Photo: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

The Los Angeles Kings are celebrating their NHL championship with stops all over Las Vegas, and their headquarters are at the Palms with their 35-pound Stanley Cub. The Kings, among them Jeff Carter, Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll, are Stanley Cup winners for the first time, and several of the players said a Las Vegas visit is the perfect celebration 45 years in the making.

On Thursday night, their Stanley Cup was feted like a celebrity at The Venetian, where the players paraded the cup into Tao, and each member of the team sipped champagne from it before confetti guns were fired in the nightclub.

On Friday, the guys enjoyed beers while sitting poolside 50 stories in the air in the Palms Fantasy Tower Sky Villa looking east over the Strip. Their party weekend also included a stop at Wet Republic at MGM Grand on Friday, where hundreds of fans and daytime revelers lined up to cheer them on as they made their way to VIP bungalows.

At a luxury cabana, center Stoll picked up the Stanley Cup for everyone to see to a big roar of cheers. The Stanley Cup was then placed front and center from the bungalows while the players spent the afternoon having fun in the sun.

The celebration continued at the Bellagio. After dining at nearby Sensi, the team, including Brad Richardson, Jonathan Bernier, Alec Martinez, Drew Doughty, Stoll, Carter and Lewis, among others, was greeted by Hyde Bellagio cocktail servers in L.A. Kings tank tops and referee skirts carrying giant letters spelling “K-I-N-G-S.”

The team made their way into the club with the spectacular views of the Bellagio Fountains as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” blasted and black-and-white LED lights emblazoned the hotspot with Kings colors. DJ G-Squared announced to the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for the L.A. Kings! That’s the Stanley Cup right there!”

At their VIP booth, the group enjoyed champagne and cigars while players took turns hoisting the Cup. The group posed for photographs with fans and shared swigs of beer from the top of the Cup.

Later in the night, Hyde presented the team with a replica Stanley Cup cake so large that it had to be wheeled to the table. The players continued partying at Hyde into the wee hours of the morning -- long after the Cup headed home for its 1 a.m. curfew.

The 2012 NHL Awards pre-party is set for Tuesday night at Surrender Nightclub in Steve Wynn’s Encore, and the awards airing on NBC Sports is at nearby Encore Theater in the Wynn with Hollywood stars as presenters and performances by Nickelback -- check out the rundown of stars posted Thursday.

The champions return here for “Frozen Fury 15: Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche” on Saturday, Sept. 29, at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Thanks to Al Powers of Powers Imagery and the Palms for their photographs.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy contributed to this report.

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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06.16.12 · 10:06 AM

‘True Blood’ star Sam Trammell can’t shift into animals in real life

By Don Chareunsy

“True Blood” studs have overrun Las Vegas.

Last weekend, it was Joe Manganiello (werewolf Alcide Herveaux on the hit HBO series who stars in the upcoming “Magic Mike” as Big Dick Richie alongside Channing Tatum ), and today it’s Sam Trammell, the complicated super-shifter Sam Merlotte, hosting at Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood.

Merlotte, who didn’t shift into an animal while being interviewed -- as far as we know -- chatted about the new Season 5 (which kicked off last Sunday), Luna and Andy Bellefleur -- ahead of his Las Vegas nightclub duties.

Don Chareunsy: What’s in store for Sam Merlotte in Season 5 of “True Blood”?

Sam Trammell: It’s a very dangerous year for Sam. He’s got werewolves after him, and this complicates his relationship with Luna. And there are others. Many ups and downs and twists and turns -- and plenty of shifting.

D.C.: How are you most like your character? Least like him?

S.M.: I’m a fairly private person, like Sam Merlotte. I’m from Louisiana, as well. Of course, I can’t shift into animals, at least not that I know of.

D.C.: If you could be another character on “True Blood,” who would it be and why?

S.M.: I’d be Andy Bellefleur. I think Chris Bauer is an amazing actor, and his character always makes me laugh.

D.C.: You seem to host Las Vegas nightclub events at least once a year. What do you like to do when you’re in Las Vegas?

S.M.: I always see a show and have dinner at a nice place and stay out very late. I’m not a huge gambler, but I love to play poker.

D.C.: If you could shift into anything, what would it be?

S.M.: Given the traffic here today (in L.A.), I’d have to say a bird.

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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06.15.12 · 4:05 AM

Celebrity preview: Nickelback, Weezer, The Wanted, Da Vinci, circus

A 16th-century Italian genius and two adorable elephants may upstage all the headline attractions in Las Vegas this weekend. Leonardo da Vinci, who died in 1519, was a painter, architect, sculptor, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor and anatomist who left a treasure trove of creations and breakthroughs still admired and in use today.

Widely known as the man who painted the “Mona Lisa” and her smile, da Vinci is the Italian Renaissance man with the mind that laid the groundwork for modern society’s most impactful inventions, including the helicopter, plane, car, parachute, submarine and bicycle. It all comes to life at The Venetian today in the most comprehensive exhibition of his work with more than 200 pieces, including 75 of his life-sized inventions, plus 3D renderings of his works. In all, 11 themed areas created by Europe’s leading da Vinci experts.

Pour through his notebooks to see if you can discover the hidden clues, intentional mistakes and his mirror-image writing that he used to keep his discoveries top secret. Having visited Florence every summer the past decade, I can tell you that da Vinci was a genius -- a man far ahead of his time -- so don’t miss this exhibit. Plus, check out the nearby summerlong, Italian-inspired Carnevale that commenced Monday with Kimora Lee Simmons.

It’s a music weekend, even though the annual Electric Daisy Carnival has ended for another 12 months, with young Dia Frampton from “The Voice” and veteran legend Mitzi Gaynor performing. In addition to the fabulous females, we have a mixed bag of music and comedy with Nickelback, Weezer, Rodney Carrington, Tyga, George Jones and The Wanted, with Las Vegas’ 15-year-old LexRox as the Brit boyband’s opening act.

The “Dragons” circus is presented all weekend by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Thomas & Mack Center. Two of the elephants this week appeared with showgirls at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and stole the hearts of fans.

Like elephants, we never forget, so with a roar, we know it’s time to trumpet this weekend’s attractions in our own favorite artistry we title each week the Royal Robin Rundown:

FRIDAY, JUNE 15

Hawaiian rock band Pepper performs at Volcom in Miracle Mile Shops at 5 p.m. in Planet Hollywood and then at Soundwaves poolside in the Hard Rock Hotel. Vocalist and songwriter Lucy Woodward is at Cabaret Jazz in The Smith Center for the Performing Arts for two nights. Weezer rides the waves at Mandalay Bay Beach.

“Million Dollar Quartet” continues at Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center. Scissor Sisters are at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Frankie Perez, an honorary member of super-group Camp Freddy, goes solo with a late-night, free show at The Lounge in the Palms. And Michael Firestone reflects on Michael Jackson with “Moonwalker” at South Point all weekend.

Kathleen Madigan makes her comedy debut at the Mirage. Comedian, actor and writer Rodney Carrington returns to Hollywood Theater at MGM Grand through Wednesday. Rich Vos headlines at Empire Comedy in the Paris. And Greg Wilson and John Bizarre yuk it up at Big Al’s Comedy Club in The Orleans all weekend.

OF SPECIAL NOTE

Tickets go on sale for Eric Church with guests Justin Moore and Kip Moore at Mandalay Bay on Nov. 3. “Dragons” is at the Thomas & Mack through Sunday. “Dancing With the Stars: Live in Las Vegas” continues its run at Tropicana all weekend. MMA fans and fighters say D-Day has arrived at LVH theater. And it’s the official opening of the da Vinci “Genius Exhibition.”

PARTY PATROL

Along comes a spider with DJ Spider and Derrick Anthony at Tryst in the Wynn. DJ Bambi and Tommy Trash do double duty by day poolside and nighttime at Marquee in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Tyga, of Jamaican and Vietnamese descent, performs at 1 OAK in the Mirage. The self-titled Ambassador of Rap Wales does double duty at the Palms by day at Ditch Fridays and then at nearby Rain. And DJ Steve Aoki spins at Surrender in Steve Wynn’s Encore.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

Nickelback and guests Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days are at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Boulder Blues features Bill Magee and Dr. Harpo & 2 The Moon at Boulder Station. George Jones is still going strong at 80 at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm. Reggae in the Desert presents the late Bob Marley’s son Kymani Marley, Third World, Tribal Seeds and more for 11 hours at Clark County Amphitheater. The Manhattans are at Suncoast for two nights.

“There’s No Business Like Show Business” entertainer Mitzi Gaynor presents her six decades of “Razzle Dazzle: Life Behind the Sequins” at Sam’s Town. New Edition and Bobby Brown are at the Theater for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood. The velvet is still blue with Bobby Vinton at Eastside Cannery. And Jesus and Mary Chain are head on at HOB.

OF SPECIAL NOTE

The Rogue Warrior Cage Fighting Championships are at the Cannery, and punk-rock Burning Angel sex video vixen Joanna Angel is joined by adult actress Belladonna and Skid Row drummer turned porn star Phil Varone at Deja Vu Adult Emporium for a Baci Lingerie fashion show and party, followed by an after-party at Vince Neil’s Girls, Girls, Girls.

PARTY PATROL

Jermaine Dupri performs with Derrick Anthony on the DJ decks at Tryst. Dia Frampton hosts and performs at Pure in Caesars Palace. “True Blood” star Sam Trammell hosts at Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood. Ricardo Laguna hosts at Tao Beach in The Venetian. Hardwell spins by day and Cosmic Gate and Wippenberg by night at Marquee. Cali Love featuring Brandon Kent is at Palms Pool. Hard Rock Sofa is at Surrender. And trance pioneer Darude is at Bazaar: Under The Eiffel Tower at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens in the Paris.

SUNDAY, JUNE 17

98.5 KLUC presents Summer Jam 2012 with The Wanted, Karmin, HardNox, Chris Rene and DJ Hollywood all day poolside at The M Resort, with our teen-pop sensation LexRox opening for The Wanted.

“Celebrity Apprentice” temptress Aubrey O’Day, the pop singer who guest starred in Planet Hollywood’s “Peepshow,” hosts DJ sets by Eric D-Lux and Shift at Rehab in the Hard Rock Hotel, followed Monday by Jack Barakat of All Time Low in the recurring Beachlife series.

PARTY PATROL

Karmin hosts and performs at The Bank in the Bellagio, and DJ Zedd with Tommy Trash spin at Marquee Dayclub.

OF SPECIAL NOTE

Tickets go on sale Monday for Sir Elton John’s return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for his Oct. 10-28 dates of his acclaimed “The Million Dollar Piano.”

Check back throughout the weekend as we post reports and photo galleries and continue our coverage Monday. Have a great weekend!

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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06.14.12 · 12:57 PM

Photos: New KISS product tested by Mike Tyson is nothing to sneeze at

Las Vegas resident and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson took on a new task of testing the strength of tissue paper in an evening of hilarious revelry when KISS frontman Gene Simmons launched products at his KISS by Monster Mini Golf opposite the Hard Rock Hotel on Wednesday night.

Contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for today’s laugh-a-minute photo gallery, and I am going to refrain from all potty humor and make zero references to toilet training. However, the subject is tissue. The word comes from the noise when you sneeze: Ah-tiss-u! You can’t avoid the fact that it’s a necessary and useful product at both ends of the spectrum of life.

Gene’s gorgeous wife Playboy knockout Shannon Tweed joined in the fun, and it was a night of guffaws and smiles complete with Las Vegas impersonator Luis Reyes as Gene in makeup and boots. Monster Mini Golf owners Christina and Patrick Vitagliano welcomed the “First Family of Jewels” and presented Gene with packages of the new line of KISS Hello Kitty facial tissues and toilet paper.

I am not kidding; this is not April 1. I’m trying to contain myself from writing off-the-wall comments. Suffice to say, I can’t repeat what Gene and Mike joked about it, but they were doubled over in hysterics with their bawdy bathroom humor.

Now Mike has added tissue tester to his resume of fighter, actor, singer and entertainer. The star of “The Hangover” will be in New York next week for a press conference to officially announce his one-man show “Undisputed Truth,” to be directed by filmmaker Spike Lee, which begins a limited engagement on Broadway at the end of July. (We posted the exclusive news June 5.)

Mike will juggle the East Cast shows to shoot scenes for “The Hangover, Part 3” at Caesars Palace. This week, Mike made an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to rap a song to LeBron James to encourage the Miami Heat to victory in the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma Thunder.

But Wednesday night, Mike was in an altogether different role. He amazingly agreed to test the new products. Thankfully, he didn’t leave the room. He simply demonstrated it in a tug-of-war contest that, incredibly, the tissue won.

If you require soft-to-the-touch heavyweight tissue, you now know where to buy it. Gene, ever the financial mogul, has another KISS product in his mountain of merchandize; you certainly can’t sneeze about his business acumen.

How can I resist? This story was written entirely tongue-in-cheek!

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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06.14.12 · 5:31 PM

Strip Scribbles: NHL and NBA stars are headed to Las Vegas, baby

Sidney Crosby and Mark Messier at the 2010 NHL Awards at the Palms on June 23, 2010.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Get ready for a mass invasion of sports superstars and their Hollywood pals over the next few weeks. First up is the 2012 NHL Awards at the Wynn on Wednesday to be broadcast live on NBC Sports and in Canada on CBC. The two-hour celebration this season’s top performances includes Cheryl Burke (“Dancing With the Stars”), Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”), Ray Liotta, Adam Pally (“Happy Endings”) and Killing Them Softly.

They join award presenters Kevin Connolly (“Entourage”), Colin Hanks (“Dexter”), Cory Monteith (“Glee”), Matthew Perry, Vince Vaughan, Joshua Jackson (“Fringe”) and sports broadcasters and NHL legends including Mark Messier and Ted Lindsay. There also will be appearances by Tracy Morgan, Will Arnett and Kevin Smith. Nickelback, appearing this weekend at MGM Grand, headline the awards with two shows at Encore Theater in the Wynn.

The NHL is returning to Las Vegas as part of a new three-year contract with our Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The previous three awards were at The Pearl in the Palms, and the Wynn now has the annual event through 2014.

NBA Summer League

Then comes the 2012 NBA Summer League with 24 teams competing in a 60-game schedule July 13-22 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. It will showcase 13 of the Top 14 picks in this year’s NBA Draft. First-day action tips off with the Atlanta Hawks playing the Washington Wizards in the first of four scheduled games. Other teams participating opening day include the Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

NBA TV will televise all 60 games, including 39 live from the Thomas & Mack and Cox. The New Orleans Hornets, who have the top selection, faced the Portland Trail Blazers on July 15. The Kings, owned by our Las Vegas-based Maloof family, have the fifth pick.

Also taking part: Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. No word yet on what might be planned with the Oklahoma Thunder, heavily tipped in sports books to win the 2012 championship against the Heat.

CONGRATULATIONS x 5

1) Boxing legend and Las Vegas resident Mike Tyson will be in New York on Monday with director Spike Lee and theater owner and producer James Nederlander to officially announce that his one-man show “Undisputed Truth” will open there in July, just as we exclusively reported June 5.

2) Executive chef Christina Olivarez of Diego at MGM Grand makes her national TV debut on The Food Network’s “Chopped” on Tuesday.

3) Las Vegas showgirl Whitney Berry departs Monday from “Crazy Girls” at the Riviera for rehearsals starting Tuesday to join “Spider-Man” on Broadway on Friday. A star is born!

4) Minus 5 Ice Bar honors Stratosphere headliner Frankie Moreno with his own signature drink at its Monte Carlo outpost; check out Editor-at-Large John Katsilometes’ The Kats Report for his rundown of Frankie’s starry 100th show and contract-renewal celebration Wednesday night.

5) Desert diva Megan Romano, formerly of Aureole at Mandalay Bay, has her dream come true with the gala opening tonight of her bakery and cafe Chocolate & Spice on Sahara.

BLOGGERS DELIGHT: More than 500 of the nations top bloggers arrive Friday for the weekend-long, annual Americans for Prosperity conference, and I’ve been asked to be a guest speaker talking about economic freedom and fiscal responsibility. With membership in all 50 states and 35 state chambers, the group hosts the gathering that last year attracted Herman Cain, Michelle Malkin and the late Andrew Breitbart.

PORN PARADE: XXX actresses Belladonna and Joanna Angel will appear Saturday with Skid Row drummer turned porn star Phil Varone at Deja Vu for Baci Lingerie’s launch of a line of eyelashes. Everybody who attends receives a free eyelash application. At night’s end, the porn prince and his princesses celebrate the new edition of Las Vegas Strip magazine with a party at Vince Neil’s Girls, Girls, Girls.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Impressionist Frank Caliendo was at The Laugh Factory in the Tropicana on Wednesday night to wish his friend, headliner Finesse Mitchell, a Happy 40th birthday. Backstage, the two funnymen dueled with Morgan Freeman impressions. Finesse asked Frank to do a guest set, and Frank wowed the audience with Al Pacino, Dr. Phil and his signature John Madden. Finesse was presented with a birthday cake onstage. Actor Taye Diggs stayed at the new penthouse loft-style suites at the Tropicana. And Lars Ulrich of Metallica dined with 10 friends at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms on Wednesday night.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Blue-collar comic Rodney Carrington opens a seven-night run at David Copperfield’s Hollywood Theater in MGM Grand. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present their new circus “Dragons” at The Tomas & Mack through Sunday. On Friday morning, children ages 1 through 3 with developmental delays receive an Easter Seals treat of a hands-on sensory tour in a seminar with the clowns and four-legged stars.

Rome From Sublime performs an acoustic set poolside at Surrender’s Splash Dance at Steve Wynn’s Encore. White Denim is at Boulevard Pool in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Jim Jefferies and Eddie Ifft have a one-night stand at Empire Comedy Club in the Paris. At the L.A. Comedy Club in Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina, Shang headlines for four nights. And Marche Bacchus hosts “The Grape Escape” fundraising dinner presented by chefs Alex Stratta and Dave Middleton to benefit Three Square food bank and the North Las Vegas Chamber Community Foundation.

TOMORROW’S TEASE

Nickelback comes to town, along with Weezer and The Wanted, in a Las Vegas music weekend that also features legendary Mitzi Gaynor. And there’s competition from a 16th century Italian genius who laid the foundation of what we know today as the plane, helicopter and car.

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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06.14.12 · 2:27 PM

Laura Croft: How to avoid wardrobe malfunctions when passed out

The third and final night of the 2012 Electric Daisy Carnival at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, June 10, 2012.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Also: Do some people dress for Las Vegas without checking a mirror?

Also: Men’s and women’s fashions in Las Vegas

By Laura Croft

It’s another episode in the life of our occasional fashion and party contributor reality TV starlet and Playboy beauty Laura Croft:

On a recent night out in Las Vegas, I saw more drunk girls than I have ever seen in my life. I tried to go into three different bathrooms, all on the same property, that were shut down due to girls vomiting all over them. There also were girls being wheeled out in wheelchairs.

I’ve been there, and it’s embarrassing. When you love to have fun and party, it’s bound to happen at some point. But if you’re really planning to tie one on, there are some precautions we ladies should take.