Caviar wishes, Emerald Dream
Not every event this New Year’s Eve weekend will be handing out big paychecks to the celebs who host it; at least one fete will give some very special women the most special New Year’s ever. Las Vegas clothing designer Lana Fuchs will host the Emerald Dream Ball at the Rio, where 13 breast-cancer survivors will be treated to an all-expenses-paid week of pampering and relaxation, including complete makeovers, spa treatments, manicures and pedicures, Botox, facials, dinners, nightlife, limos, show tickets and a full wardrobe complete with a custom-designed gown. The week’s festivities will culminate on December 31, at Club Rio, where (kind of like on Fox’s The Swan) the 13 women will model fashions from Fuchs’ new Billionaire Mafia street couture line. Through this event, Fuchs hopes to raise at least $250,000 for the Emerald Dream Foundation.
A personal cancer scare brought the disease into focus for Fuchs, whose closest friend, Larissa Goldenberg (the Ball’s party planner), is a cancer survivor. Tickets for this over-the-top black-tie event cost $750 general admission/$1,000 VIP and include a reception, red carpet, entertainment, a 15-course Russian-style dinner and lavish gift bags. Call 888-883-8247 to attend.
Peeking in on Privé
We just couldn’t wait any longer! Earlier this week, the Weekly got the very first peek of Privé since it moved into the furnishings phase. When Privé opens on Friday, December 28, joining the already-open Living Room, guests will be treated to a unique venue and a unique attitude toward nightlife. The escalators leading to the Opium Group’s first Vegas outpost will be commandeered by the club at 10 p.m. But once inside, don’t expect to be sorted like the wheat from the chaff by security staff—this club is all-VIP, all the way. “No ropes,” affirms Opium Group Las Vegas managing partner Justin Levine from the top tier of his club’s multi-elevation main room, where two gentle increments of 10 inches will ensure that there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Those seats, by the way, will be pin-spot-lit, crocodile-embossed black leather with Pucci fabric backs and a sturdy platform for dancing. Levine insists that, like at his venues in Miami, all surfaces be fully danceable. “It’s part of the energy. Who sits on a couch in a nightclub?!”
He calls it “intelligent design,” the method by which he and co-managing directors Greg Jarmolowich and Frank Tucker collaborated to design the club, the largest opening this New Year’s Eve weekend. Monitors are built in to the stage for a chic, seamless integration into the club’s seating area when not in use. Not an inch of the 12,000-square-foot venue has been wasted, and everything—from the bars and DJ booths to the hallways and the double-sided fireplace—is exaggerated in size. In fact, a two-story lamp will be the first thing guests see when they enter the club. Though the club could easily fit 1,000 people—and often will for private affairs—on most nights, the capacity will be limited to about 750, affording guests the most precious commodity of all—personal space!
Goodbye, Krave Lounge ...
... And hello, Teatro Afterhours! As we mentioned a few weeks ago, Teatro Afterhours—the popular weekly event hailing from MGM Grand’s long-gone Teatro Ultralounge—will make a comeback at a super-secret location on December 28. And that mystery location is the former Krave Lounge. Showcase Events, the team behind Teatro Afterhours as headed up by director of marketing and promotions Pedi Amiri, has signed a deal with Krave (Amiri’s family biz), which essentially leases the lounge out from under the behemoth club and gives this locals-friendly party a permanent home! Look for Lisa Pittman’s CandyBar (“For girls who like girls”) to continue during prime time from 11 p.m.-2:30 a.m., at which time the (rather early by Vegas standards) afterhours kicks off. Teatro Afterhours joins the list of venues opening New Year’s Eve weekend with four nights of late night music-focused entertainment. For a full line-up visit www.TeatroLasVegas.com.
She’s still electric
On Tuesday, December 18, Carmen Electra released a new workout DVD, guaranteed to make a lot of people sweat—even if they don’t work out to it. Called Vegas Strip, the video was shot entirely at Studio 54 and features aerobic striptease, combining body-sculpting dance moves and burlesque sets with sultry stretches and toning exercises, and all set to a mix of club-style music. So now people can take off pounds while they take their clothes off. Although ... isn’t it a good idea for people to get in shape before they take their clothes off? In any case, Electra will host a DVD launch party at Studio 54 on January 4, where the first 100 guests will receive Vegas Strip as well as her other striptease DVD, In the Bedroom.
And another thing!
“It’s just not fair how [clubs] gave the authority to women [about dress codes]. We gotta take it back like Adam!”
–Overheard in the elevator on the way up to The Big Sleazy party Thursday at Voodoo Lounge.