There’s never been a New Year’s Eve like this one—and the probability is that it will never happen again. The once-in-a-lifetime $100-million+ celebration is a perfect storm as four new nightclubs open and enter the raging nightlife entertainment wars. Almost a dozen celebrities will become the battle-ammunition as the extraordinary parties fire salvos at one another to claim supremacy. The stars jet in to earn giant paychecks to handle and host the countdown at midnight into 2008! LUXE LIFE has the full day and night-by-night timetable of who is where and when below in the Royal Robin Rundown.

SUPERSTARS’ SUPERSIZED PAYCHECKS AS FOUR BRAND NEW SUPERCLUBS PREMIERE:

You can hear Sir Winston Churchill’s voice when you realize that never have so many Hollywood celebrities earned so much money for so little time, but they are the honey that brings in the crazed crowds to pay unbelievably high prices for admission to the nightclubs competing for supremacy this Dec. 31.

After much investigation we can reveal fairly safely that in no.1 neck-and-neck position for the biggest payday are Paris Hilton and cleavage-bearing superstar singer Maria Carey at $500,000 apiece.

Paris will be at LAX in the Luxor with sister Nicky picking up her own $175,000, and Mariah will be at TAO in the Venetian. Admittedly, if you spread Paris and Nicky’s half-million dollar pay package over four nights of appearances at sister party venues PURE, Social House, Tangerine and Company—it’s a more practical economic salvo. But add in
Pamela Anderson’s Dec 31 appearance for $150,000 at PURE and Kevin Federline’s lesser-fee-paid duties at Tangerine and you’ve got an economic war the likes of which have never been seen ever before in Vegas.

The celebrities are everywhere with Avril Lavigne opening Prive at Planet Hollywood, and the can’t be beaten team of music mogul Jay-Z and his first lady of song, Beyonce at their new 40/40 Club opening in the Palazzo alongside The Venetian. I was reliably told that with four brand new clubs all premiering that more than $100-million in investments are at stake in the nightclub wars to be no.1.

Stunning actress Mischa Barton, who is set to help open the new Cathouse restaurant and loungerie at the LUXOR on Saturday night, may be delayed after being arrested late last night (WED) during a Los Angeles traffic stop.

She was released into her parents’ custody at 10:10 a.m. today (THURS) and driven from the police department in their automobile. Mischa was held in the West Hollywood police department on $10,000 bail on misdemeanor charges involving a DUI and related drug charges and driving with an expired license, according to both Hollywoodscoop.com and the TMZ Internet sites. The British-born former model, who has seven new movies being released in 2008, was fingerprinted and photographed for her mug shot spent and spent a total of seven hours in the holding cell.

However, it’s Dec. 30 that the largest all-star turnout of celebrities ever seen in Vegas history will walk the red carpet for Jay Z and Beyonce at 40/40. Following successes in New York and Atlantic City, this is the third club in Jay-Z’s empire with a fourth to follow later in ‘08 in Tokyo, and then obviously in Macau! On the guest list for the $20-million club’s opening are everybody from sports superstars Barry Bonds, Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez and soccer’s David Beckham with Spice Girl wife, Victoria to music couple Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri along with TV mega-host Oprah Winfrey—just to name a few!!!

We’ll have an exclusive photo report and interview with Jay-Z when Luxe Life returns after the Jan. 1 hangover has settled!

Prices are zooming—not just for bottle service, but also for general admission. The record for that this year must go to the new ultimate-in luxury Bank nightclub opening at the Bellagio in place of the former LIGHT nightspot. Just to get through the door there will cost $250 with an extra $32.50 for processing your credit card! Once inside, the cheapest tables are $10,000 apiece! But in all fairness, that does include bottles of champagne and vodka for four!

“Vegas nightlife has never been more expensive,” I was told. It’ll be really interesting as the nightclubs fight it out to see who remains standing and who remains leader or becomes no.1. There’s never been a showdown like this ever in Vegas history—and millions of dollars are at stake! There could be some fall-outs or they can all be winners and set nightlife on fire for another year of starry surprises. 

FIREWORKS FRENZY: Over 300,000 revelers from all over the world will jam Downtown’s Fremont Street and our world-famous Strip once it’s closed to traffic starting at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. A full contingent of 2,300 police officers alongside FBI agents, National Guardsmen and other emergency workers will be on duty to ensure a trouble-free celebration. The only rules, other than to have a grand time, are that no glass bottles or cans are permitted on the Strip and no unaccompanied minors can be there from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.! Five helicopters will be on aerial patrol and can be used for medical airlifts if necessary.

Even some 50 couples are expected to marry right over the midnight hour at different wedding chapels here in what has now become the second busiest day of the year after Valentine’s.

This year’s multi-million-dollar firework celebration is also the largest to-date with more than 30,000 pyrotechnic explosions being fired in the Grucci display. Computer controlled and set from seven hotel rooftops, it will run exactly eight minutes and 20-seconds. This year’s theme is “The Best is yet to Come,” and is set to swing music and big band musical elements from yesterday and today. Visitors can watch the tourbillions, comets, mines and peonies as they explode from MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, The Venetian, Circus Circus, The Flamingo, Treasure Island and the Stratosphere as the gateway to downtown where America’s Party Live in Concert features the Doobie Brothers and the Bangles at Fremont Street. Watch for the special effects such as the colorful buzzing bees dancing to Gretchen Wilson’s “Here’s for the Party” and the blossoming six-pointed chrysanthemums during Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman.” Massive rainbows of color comets will crisscross from all seven rooftops to the song “Hey Big Spender,” and the grand finale will highlight Titanium salutes to coincide with the percussion of Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

Said Donna Grucci, president of the fireworks company: “It’s our fourth time doing this for Vegas and this year we have pulled out all the stops to create America’s largest New Year’s Eve party done in true Vegas style.” 

Mayor Oscar Goodman added: “Each year our Vegas New Year’s Eve festivities get bigger and better and this year’s celebration is no exception. We just keep on growing! 

STRIP SCRIBBLES:

*Oscar winner Jamie Foxx celebrated four birthday parties over four days to celebrate his big 4-0, and the finale was at JET nightclub in the Mirage.

“It’s the biggest and wildest of them all,” said Jamie, who wore an impressive white Pinstriped suit, black necktie, black vest and tailored grey trousers! Sporting some mighty impressive bling-bling, even he confessed the chic Vegas fashion statement was a far cry from the Miami party where he showed up in low-riding shorts, commando style!!

Jamie arrived at midnight with comedy pal Martin Lawrence after a birthday Kobe steak dinner at the adjoining STACK restaurant. Once ensconced in the VIP area beside the DJ’s booth, the two-some attracted a swarm of gorgeous girls, with one lucky mystery—blonde stuck to Jamie’s side all night long. They switched between Cristal champagne, Grey Goose and Jamie’s familiar Belvedere and tonic.

The nearby Jean-Philippe Patisserie baked up an extraordinary three-tiered chocolate cake for the birthday boy. He grabbed the mic shouting to the fun-fuelled fans: “If it’s my birthday, it’s your birthday!”

Then he sang several songs, including Bob Marley’s “One Love” which prompted an unforgettable club-wide sing-along from all the revelers. Before leaving after four-nonstop hours of fun, the DJ played Jamie’s own hit song “Gold Digger,” which propelled him onto the dance floor to dance and bump with the pretty girls who surrounded him!

*Martin Lawrence also showed up with friends the previous evening at the TAO nightclub inside The Venetian, and separately, another comedy king, Damon Wayans with his own group. It was for the annual “Bad Santa Party” with showman Jeff Beacher playing the role of Saint Nick gone bad. Rapper Lil Jon turned up with five friends and pre-ordered his dance floor table stocked with the only drink he ever partakes—Patron tequila.

*Floyd Mayweather, Wayne Newton and Criss Angel were just a few of the local celebrities who joined me up at Opportunity Village to tape holiday video greetings to our servicemen on duty overseas.

*Nick Lachey and Nicky Hilton’s new Company American bistro at the Luxor is building a steady celebrity clientele. Spotted there was magic giant Penn Jillette dining on the pumpkin soup, heirloom beet salad and Utah smoked trout; System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan ordered up the Dover Sole and petite filets for his group, and legendary ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons enjoying the champagne and caviar selections! My kind of guy!

*One of China and Hong Kong’s greatest entertainers, Jacky Cheung had two sell-out concerts at Caesars Palace on his fourth visit to the casino-resort. President Gary Selesner, along with both Caesar and Cleopatra, officially welcomed him.

Back in February, 11 months ago at Caesars, he kicked off The Year of Jacky Cheung World Tour and since then has toured in Shanghai, Taiwan and three sold-out shows in Singapore. This return to Vegas was his 88th and 89th show on the tour, which will wrap when the “God of Songs” carries the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch. The actor-producer was first discovered beating out 10,000 other contestants in a national 1984 singing challenge and went on to record 70 best-selling albums of Canto-pop (Cantonese pop music).

Whatever language you speak to shout out Happy New Year, Vegas is the world’s ultimate party spot these days, even beating out Times Square New York, and Luxe Life has the full details of the upcoming five-day events, shows and parties in what we refer to affectionately around here as the Royal Robin Rundown:

Dec 28:
*Jump! They thought it would never ever happen, but David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen have patched up their differences since splitting up in 1984.

The reunited 80’s supreme rock band are still hot for teacher and enjoying themselves on their cross-country tour which pulls into MGM’s Grand Garden Arena for two-nights. Eddie’s son Wolfgang joins in as bass-player.

*Hills heartthrobs Brody Jenner and Frankie Delgado jumpstart the PURE nightclub’s weekend of wonders with a four-day Caesars Palace contingent of celebrities.

*Hip-hop legend Ice-T and his super-sexy blonde-haired bombshell wife, Coco open the music and mayhem of the new Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood. If you’re on the VIP list, Coco even plays hostess and walks you to your table!

*Time for a rap lesson from “The Teacha” of political and socially conscious music when KRS-One performs his legendary hip-hop skills at Studio 54 in MGM.

*From Broadway tap-dancing to ministering at a Los Angeles soul church, actor-entertainer Ben Vereen sings his way into Southpoint for three nights.

*His sons, Matthew and Gunnar, remember Pop star Ricky Nelson fondly when they perform with the Stone Canyon Band for three nights up at the Suncoast.

Yes, they are the twin grandsons of the original Ozzie and Harriet TV show family. Born 45 minutes apart in 1967, they both took up bass and drums when they were just seven years old!

*The Higher welcome Everybody Else at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay—but don’t be confused because it’s “today” and not Therefore Tomorrow! They’re followed later by the standup comedy of Fear Factor’s Joe Rogan, who on his last appearance there literally shocked fans with his dropped-trousers act.

Dec 29:
*The king of hip-hop, music mogul Jay-Z will have a full house at the Pearl concert theater in the Palms—and maybe fiancée Beyoncé will be front row or watching from the wings! All just 24 hours before her own Mandalay Bay show and their joint opening of the new 40/40 Club.

*It’s the official premiere of the new erotically charged exotic Cathouse restaurant and sexy seductive loungerie with Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon and English-born beauty, actress Mischa Barton of OC fame.

Motorcycle champion Mick Doohan and Indy 500 driver Danny Sullivan will add to the high-speed action.

*Night Two of PURE nightclub’s non-stop four-day party whirl with socialite and fashion designer Nicky Hilton hosting the UFC 79 after-party with mixed martial artist Wanderlei “Axe Murderer” Silva.

Opponent and light heavyweight UFC champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell goes directly from the two-men mega fight at Mandalay Bay to Studio 54 at MGM to host his official after-party.The Nemesis battle also features Matt Serra vs. Matt Hughes.

*UFC strongman Matt Hughes will join reality TV stars Brody Jenner and Frankie Delgado at the new LAX nightclub in the Luxor for his after-fight party. Kevin Federline will also bring his entourage along for the festivities.

*The Original Family Stone will give two-nights of on time uninterrupted concerts at The Orleans without any of the dramas associated with their former leader!

*Opening weekend festivities continue at Planet Hollywood’s new PRIVE nightclub from Miami when Maxim magazine and its knockout models present former MTV VJ, Susie Castillo.

*Reverend Horton Heat is no religious act at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, but the devout fans will make the pilgrimage.

Dec 30:
*A double-header superstar attraction that can’t be beat when Beyoncé Knowles appears in concert at Mandalay Bay.

Then beau Jay-Z escorts her on the red carpet for the star-studded premiere opening of their 40/40 Club at the new Palazzo at The Venetian.

I’ll be there as international soccer star David Beckham and Posh Spice wife, Victoria, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupree, Maria Carey, Shaquille O’Neal, Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and a host of other BIG NAMES—including Martha Stewart, Alicia Keyes, Serena Williams and Gwyneth Paltrow—are all on the guest list for the glitziest gala in Vegas history. We’re expecting history to be made if Beyoncé and Jay-Z give in to their friends’ demands and team for a surprise lovebird’s mini-midnight concert.

*Night Three of PURE’s premium party pack has Paris Hilton hosting. Expect Britney’s ex, Kevin Federline to also be there to add to the tabloid headlines—ah the merry-go-round of love proves Hollywood is such a tiny tinseltown. Remember when Paris consoled Britney after the K-Fed bust-up? Now she’s partying with him! Plus, remember exactly 365-days ago when Britney began her slide-down to train wreck status when she collapsed there, had to be carried out and has made daily zany headlines ever since.

*The Dancing with the Stars tour foxtrots and tangos its way into the Orleans Arena with dance-divas Karina Smirnoff, Drew Lachey, Cheryl Burke, Sabrina Bryan and eight other fleet-of-foot folk with the surprise possibility of Wayne Newton himself stopping by.

*It’s double your pleasure at the Playboy Club and MOON nightclub in the Palms where Playmates Kara Monaco, Amanda Paige, Janine Habeck and Hiromi Oshima host their “After Dark,” and “Clash” with Laury Tee, the Emperor of Electroclash who makes lightning strike.

*It’s a triple temptress posse at the new LAX nightclub in the Luxor when Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Audrina Patridge head in from the Hills to party at their pre-NYE bash before they jet to San Diego for the big night itself. The government’s FAA agency, fearing “revelers dancing on the runways,” forced them out of a Carlsbad Airport hanger to a new theater in the Gas Lamp District. The traveling three-some then race to Atlantic City, picking up $2l0,000 for the three-days of jet setting!

*The porn-world’s reigning princess, voluptuous Tera Patrick starts two nights of wild partying at Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay.

The “double penetration”—as it’s billed—will feature curvy Tera dancing with the famous burlesque dancers, and afterwards she’s promised to take photos with fans and sign autographs. The sultry, smoldering, sensual sex symbol will also host the annual 2008 AVN porn awards at Mandalay Bay on Jan. 12 and promises to return then to dance with the take-it-all-off (well, almost) dancers. On New Year’s Eve itself, Ivan has the rock and roll Royal Jelly burlesque dancers for two different shows through the midnight hour.

Dec 31:
*Start the celebrations early with a noon performance by a Liberace sound-alike! The brilliant pianist, Wes Winters is at the Suncoast. Then at 1 p.m. the brassy babes of Hogs and Heifers park their motorcycles to welcome rockers Southern Stue to start their 12-hour party downtown.

*Palms tycoon George Maloof has rolled the deluxe dice to win the night with his double Spectacular celebrity-laden New Year’s Eve celebrations. First up, king hip-hopper Kanye West in concert at the Pearl, then Dave Navarro on guitar with DJ Skribble rock out at RAIN, plus lovebirds Jamie Pressley and DJ Eric Cubeechee team for MOON’s midnight celebration, while ten of the sexiest Playmates—Kara Monaco (2006 Playmate of the Year) brings nine other busty bunnies—party one floor below for the Playboy Club extravaganza.

* Vegas becomes Hiltonville when sisters Paris and Nicky host the champagne midnight countdown at LAX in the Luxor after they do dinner in Nicky’s new Company restaurant at the casino resort with partners Nick Lachey and Wilmer Valderrama.

Both Mindfreak magician Criss Angel and Kevin Federline are on their guest list for what could be the toss-up for who wins the ultimate New Year’s Eve party.

*K-Fed hops up late to LAX after dining at Social House in the TI and doing the midnight champagne countdown in Tangerine nightclub downstairs as the fireworks roar up and down the Strip. (Tangerine closes January 2 for a remodel with Miami Ink opening in its place come Spring)

*I’ll be MCing the special show by those master musicians, Earth, Wind and Fire in a midnight countdown concert at The Venetian, and then we’ll all join superstar singer, the Grammy-winning and cleavage-baring Mariah Carey at her party in the TAO nightclub there before going onto Jay-Z and Beyonce’s NYE bash in their new 40/40 club alongside in the Palazzo.

*All eyes on Night Four of PURE’s starry galaxy will be on the princess of pulchritude, Pamela Anderson herself. Will the Vegas showgirl’s new hubby, Rick Salomon be at her side when she starts the ten-to-one countdown at midnight? Are they on or off? Will there be a videotaped midnight kiss? Will Criss Angel magically appear and then disappear? These and other questions will all be answered in the next edition of Luxe Life!

*South Beach chic meets Sin City mayhem when pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne adds to the dancing debauchery planned for the official grand-opening night of Prive at Planet Hollywood. Doubtless the Grammy nominated singer will have rocker husband, Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 rock group on her arm as Crunk pioneer Lil Jon sips his Patron tequilas while taking on the turntables as Littrell and Howie Dorough—in an exclusive appearance—sing out the midnight countdown.

*Sexy sassy blonde Playmate of the Year, Sara Underwood brings along her playmate friends to ring in the New Year with the go-go dancers and acrobatic aerialists at Rumjungle in Mandalay Bay. She’s going to release $10,000 inside the balloons to be dropped at midnight.

*The Doobie Brothers and The Bangles make the music at the Fremont Street Experience as part of downtown’s giant open-air “America’s Party” telecast with the citywide Grucci fireworks extravaganza firing from seven casino rooftops all the way up and down the Strip.

*Million-dollar America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator brings his amazing comedy and singing ventriloquism talents to the Hilton with semi-finalist Bobby Badfingers, known as the world’s best finger snapper.

*The Goo-Goo Dolls return once again at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay for what now looks like their 7th consecutive New Year’s Eve party.

*Tie a special ribbon on to welcome ’08 with Tony Orlando at the Cannery, and also still going strong and kicking up her high heels in song and dance, Debbie Reynolds does the honors at the SouthPoint.

*Master blues guitarist B.B. King makes the quick trip south on the I-15 well worth it for his “Star of the Desert Arena” show at Buffalo Bill’s.

*Get up close and personal with Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine when they play AJ’s in the Hard Rock.

*Follow Yellow Brick Road right into the Boulder Station for its party concert, and the appropriately named Midnight Club group play out the old and play in the new at Texas Station, while the San Fernando Band rings in at the Suncoast.

*It’s something completely different—and maybe very dangerous. During ESPN’s live New Year No Limits telecast, action sports stars Robbie Maddison and Rhys Milllen will take over the Rio resort-casino’s parking lot for two wild and crazy stunts. Robbie, a freestyle motocross star from Australia, will attempt to jump the length of a football field to set a new motorcycle distance jumping world record, and Rhys, a New Zealand movie stunt driver, will attempt the first ever back flip of an off-road racing truck!

Jan 1:
*What a fabulous way to start the New Year—providing the hangover isn’t too bad! The four men who make up the Las Vegas Tenors have an 11 a.m. vocal date at the SouthPoint for “The Hair of the Dog” brunch.

Luxe Life takes a day (Jan 2) to organize all the reporting and photo-coverage of the amazing round of celebrity fuelled parties—we’ll have the full rundown tomorrow (THURS) when we return. Plus, an advance look at one of the biggest conventions of the year as the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off at the weekend with all the new gadgets and gizmos being launched in ’08!

Happy New Year everybody! All of us at Luxe Life wish you health, happiness and prosperity for 2008!

Days before Jay Z and Beyonce are due in Vegas—for what one might now describe as a honeymoon—rumblings abound that they tied the knot in a private marriage ceremony in France a week ago.

The official black showbiz news site mediatakeout.com and RTE Entertainment from Paris says the pop-world’s reigning King and Queen also had rings tatooed on their 4th fingers to mark their deep relationship in addition to exchanging rings to slip over them. They were photographed upon their return to New York at a Knicks basketball game with their tattoos showing under the rings.

The couple, which have been dating since they worked together in 2002 on “Crazy in Love” reportedly got engaged this past May while vacationing on a yacht in the French Riviera.

On their recent visit to Vegas at The Venetian, when they originally announced next weekend’s December 30 opening of the new 40/40 sports club at the sister Palazzo Hotel, I asked Jay Z when they would finally tie the knot. He laughed and said he might even consider a Vegas ceremony but noted that a wedding would be sooner rather than later.

The couple will fly here shortly after Christmas next week for his concert at the Pearl in the Palms on December 29 followed by her concert at Mandalay Bay on December 30. After Beyonce’s concert there will be a red carpet opening of the sports club, which is expected to attract a huge star studded crowd.

I am due for a brief interview with Jay Z and an advance tour of his 40/40 project next Friday, December 28—and if they haven’t publicly talked about the alleged secret runaway wedding trip by then you can be assured it will be one of my first questions!

If they have indeed tied the knot privately in order to avoid paparazzi mayhem Luxe Life extends its sincerest congratulations.

From the Luxe Life team, editor Leslie Frisbee, photographer Scott Doctor and yours truly, our sincere best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and continued successes for the New Year!

The Hilton family—yes Paris, Nicky and their parents Kathy and Rick—are regular Luxe Life readers and they’ve asked me to get their “Happy Holiday” message out to all the others who log on daily.

Kathy emailed to tell me the family has launched a special holiday project for the Make A Wish Foundation. You can find the “Kathy Hilton Wishing Tree” on the eBay Internet auction site and place bids on a unique selection of one-of-a-kind autographed celebrity memorabilia. Log on today (FRI) and keep checking back until it ends on Boxing Day—Dec 26—at 7 p.m. here on the West Coast and 10pm on the East.

The big package is for a winning bidder and friend who will be flown to Vegas for Paris and Nicky’s New Years Eve party at the new LAX nightclub in the Luxor where they will stay.

Then Paris and Nicky will take them to their own hair expert, king colorist to the stars Michael Boychuck for a makeup makeover! Paris has also donated two watches from her own line: one with silver face and white band and the other a gold face with black band. She’s personally autographing both and adding a third watch from her very own jewelry chest!

It’s a great cause so log on and bid. As Kathy said: “Merry Christmas to everybody and a happy healthy New Year. Lets all join together to help raise funds at this Season of giving to help some very wonderful children who want to see their last wish come true.”

Overseas banks and well-heeled foreign investors are moving into Vegas land-holdings and new mega resort complexes like never before—and one foreign bank is even using its Russian ruble holdings in a very big way. Over 60-acres of land stretching down Harmon between the Planet Hollywood resort and condo towers to the Hard Rock hotel has been packaged together by the Africa-Israel Investment Bank, which is controlled by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev.

I’m reliably told that a small team is already in place here working on the master plan with a local design group. Apparently, famed Italian restaurateur Giuseppe Cipriani will operate his Venetian restaurants and a boutique hotel there—one of up to six boutique brands planned there, including one from international hotel-designer Andre Balzas, former boyfriend of actress Uma Thurman. In addition, there would be one large 2,500 room luxury complex—probably a hip trendy W hotel.

“Think of it as a boutique hotel campus with one large hot upscale anchor casino-resort,” I was told. Ironically, the same banking group had originally partnered with reclusive American tycoon Robert F.X. Sillerman on the land surrounding the current Harley Davidson café—which he planned to develop as an Elvis Presley-themed hotel. Apparently he bought out the Africa-Israel partnership and they used his funds to help acquire the Harmon corridor land. One of Steve Wynn’s top executives has apparently joined Sillerman to run and develop the Presley hotel project, which would eventually swallow up the Harley Davidson space. Sillerman’s theatrical companies own rights to numerous superstars and sports legends, and they too will be incorporated into the entertainment industry themed property which is opposite the City Center project. By coincidence, they will have a Cirque du Soleil spectacular based on Presley’s life.

Another Israeli-based bank is behind the $5-billion investment planned for the hotel condo complex on the site of the old Frontier property. Construction is due to commence in March directly opposite the WYNN, and it will be a duplicate of their New York Plaza Hotel. In addition, I’m reliably told that it looks as if the Strip will finally get a prestigious 400-room luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel as a boutique partner within another major resort construction project. Boom-times indeed for builders, and Wall Street says, “It’s all good” for the next five-years ahead!

The last time I chatted with “Mr. Las Vegas” I took the opportunity to talk about Christmas in Vegas, and he wrapped it up with a Christmas wish for Luxe Life readers.

Robin Leach: What do the Holidays mean to you as an entertainer who often works during them and as a married man with family?

Wayne Newton: I have worked through them practically all of my life. In some instances, it is another day on the job. The other side is you have to be aware that some people who don’t have children, or children that are of age, they want to come to Las Vegas and Vegas has to cater to that, too. It does bring home what it is that the holidays are about.

RL: What does Christmas mean to you?

WN: Christmas was one of the saddest days of my life when my brother told me there was no Santa Clause.

RL: But you must have dressed up as Santa for your own family?

WN: I have never done that, but I have hired people to do that for me. It is interesting because when my older daughter was five or six we hid out on the landing upstairs, and it was one of my pilots, and he put on the Santa outfits and we pretended like we were checking the North Pole and all of the time zones to see where Santa was and then he walks in and ate the cookies and he started going he-he-he, and my daughter looked at me and I said Santa has got a problem tonight. It truly brings out the kid in me. It is one of my favorite times of year and I think that mainly because people are starting to realize the true meaning of Christmas and people are nice to each other—something that should last the whole year, not just that one segment of time.

RL: Have you ever done an actual Christmas Day show with the troops?

WN: Yes I have. In fact, we were in Afghanistan on Christmas two weeks after our coalition forces had freed their country.

RL: Do you have one joyous happy memory of a holiday visit to the troops? Do you get behind the line and serve turkey?

WN: Oh yes; as a matter of fact, we were in Iraq and I took Paul Rodriguez, Neil McCoy, the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and Miss USA and myself—we were all in line serving turkey to the troops and this one soldier looks at me and says, “you have no idea how thrilled we are that you are here.” I said, “well thank you,” and I talked to them about how thrilled we are to be there for them. He said, “I am not sure you understood what I meant; I meant if you weren’t here, they would be feeding us camel.” So that is one I will never forget.

RL: Wayne, let’s go back to the early days of you entertaining downtown when you were a teenager. Now, 48 years you have spent in this city, but what was Christmas like yesteryear in Vegas as compared to what it has become today?

WN: Well, back then Christmas was a time when all the showrooms closed down. Vegas wasn’t big enough to support keeping them open. You could shoot a cannon off and never really hit anybody. So the showrooms were closed down under the pretense that they were doing maintenance or cleaning, but the truth was that there was a lack of people. Then on the 26th the town started to jump again and we would go through New Year’s and then it would cool off again and go through the middle of January in terms of people coming here until about April. Those were terrific times, but not like today where the town is large enough by itself to support the number of performers that are here. It was almost a thing where you could do a Christmas show years ago, but people just wouldn’t come out; they would stay home with their families. But now, not only do we have tremendous amounts of traveling people visiting Vegas for the holiday season, but a lot of locals come out, too. It has all changed for the good.

RL: Do you cook the turkey yourself?

WN: Not a chance. Having come here so young, I can’t even boil water. When I did that scene in the “Vegas Vacation” movie where I am cooking spaghetti, I was laughing the whole time because people will come up to me and ask about my particular recipe for spaghetti and I can’t cook at all and I never have. If I had to cook to survive, I would have starved a long time ago.

RL: Now are you like every other American man after turkey dinner that you take 40 winks?

WN: I do and I must tell you that not only do I look forward to that, but also I look forward to the day after because of all the leftovers.

RL: On Christmas day do you do gifts around the tree early morning or do you start Christmas Eve at midnight?

WN: We start Christmas Eve at midnight, but since our youngest came along we open her gifts, not the ones from Santa, obviously. We open those family gifts early before she goes to bed, then the adults open theirs and then we open her gifts from Santa on Christmas day.

RL: What’s your holiday greeting for everybody this year?

WN: My greeting is that I wish everybody what I wish myself and that is: happiness, health, and love with your family.

Four stars will be entertaining this weekend with their Holiday shows as Christmas is finally here! First-up, America’s sweetheart Marie Osmond, who will also display her twinkle-toe talents that got her within a ballerina’s shoe length of the crown on Dancing with the Stars. She’s up at the Suncoast for three nights through Sunday and will warble her way through yuletide favorites and Christmas carols. I’ve no doubt she’ll find a way to plug her collectible porcelain dolls on QVC, but she’s allowed to do that because of that very special voice—first introduced to America when she was just three years old and sitting on Andy Williams’ lap.

For 50 years, superstar singer Johnny Mathis has thrilled audiences with that magical voice that positively speaks Christmas. He’s sold more than 300-million copies of the 90 albums he’s recorded over five-decades. He’s got two nights at the Hilton and “Chances Are” really good that he’ll sing that along with the Christmas classics. Last year I listened to his mellow voice and honestly thought, “snowflakes should be falling by the open fire” when his smooth as silk voice still hit the high notes. Just how many romances did he start?

I’m happy that Toni Braxton is over the bad flu and cold that felled her run at the Flamingo for almost a week.

She’s back there brighter, better and stronger than ever and has turned her regular concert into a Christmas show, complete with white-fur trimmed sexy Santa suits. Toni’s run at the Flamingo is currently set to go through August, but the special Holiday show disappears and she goes back to normal performances on December 26.

Finally, Debby Boone “lights up our life” with her Christmas celebration and a combined tribute to Rosemary Clooney at the Goldcoast tonight and tomorrow. Why Rosemary you might ask? Well, Debbie is married to her son Gabriel, who is George Clooney’s cousin! Debbie was given Rosemary’s collection of jazz vocal arrangements upon her death. The pop-singer won a Grammy award back in the 70’s for the “Light up my Life” hit which stayed at no.1 for 10-weeks.

*The brochure that Jay Z’s marketing department sent out about the new 40/40 Club he’s opening at the Palazzo on December 30 states that it cost him $20-million!

It has 85 plasma screen TV’s, 24-karat gold and platinum floors, five pool tables and five bi-level bars 40 feet long. In addition to the 24,000 square foot interior, there’s an additional 3,000 square foot bar and lounge on the outdoor terrace. The 1,800 capacity club will also have five exclusive VIP rooms including Jay Z’s own room for rent at $1,500 for 70 people parties, and the ESPN Hall of Fame Lounge for 120 guests that goes for $3,000 per party. Of course, drinks and food are extra! Convention groups can also rent out the entire club for presentations, webcasts or teleconferencing for $20,000, plus the munchies and the cocktails. Jay Z has cooked up special packages for everything from engagement parties to bachelorette parties, from Bar Mitzvahs to graduation parties. Smart marketing from the genius of the business!

*Brad Womack, the heartbreaker from the latest season of ABC’s The Bachelor, was spotted at Ghostbar in the Palms with a “beautiful flawless brunette.” They enjoyed cocktails at the bar for about an hour. Brad was drinking Miller Lite and Fiji Water while his stunning date sipped on Grey Goose and Redbull. Before leaving, they finished by sharing a shot of Grey Goose Orange with a splash of Cranberry.

*Playboy model Taryn Terrell, who also wound-up a WWE Diva finalist, continued her 23rd birthday celebrations here for a second consecutive night.

This time she partied at Diablo’s Cantina in the Monte Carlo casino resort. The blonde beauty was accompanied by Alfonso Ribeiro, (Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Taryn managed to polish off a 44-ounce “Sancho” margarita with her Mexican feast.

*Cirque du Soleil has newly re-designed its theater lobby at “O” in the Bellagio—and opening today, it’s filled with amazing sculptures of circus and performance artists. More than 50 bronze sculptures along with original drawings, serigraphs and lithographs are on display in the lobby’s gallery. They are the work of Richard MacDonald, who is hailed as the master of figurative sculpture and who has been exhibited worldwide.

Says Cirque founder Guy LaLiberte: “His art reveals the infinite beauty of the human body. The characters he creates are playing forever in the theater of life. He captures a fleeting moment of time and immortalizes in one work the grace, strength, joy and discipline of dancers and acrobats.”

*Time is running short to complete the cards and gifts, but if you’re “all done” and ready to party, play and pleasure yourself for the Holidays, we still have a few entertaining selections for you in what we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

Fri Dec 21:
*Time to wish superstar Jamie Foxx a happy birthday.

The Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy nominated singer will celebrate his 40th birthday at JET nightclub in the Mirage. Expect the DJ to play “She Goes All The Way” by Rascall Flatts from their latest album, “Still feels Good,” because Jamie performs on the sing-along. Next month he starts the music biopic, The Soloist, with Robert Downey Jr. and Rachael Harris.

*Comedy satire king, Bill Maher skewers politics, presidents and current events on a two-night bitter and biting “real time” rant at the Hard Rock hotel casino.

*Despite the chill, the Outdoor Picture show starts two nights of Holiday movies out at the District in Green Valley Ranch. Bring blankets, picnic baskets and hot coffee for How the Grinch Stole Christmas tonight, and James Stewart’s It’s a Wonderful Life tomorrow night.

Sat Dec 22:
*It’s “Deep Dish” with Sharam entertaining at the JET nightclub in the Mirage. Faarsheed promises the opening set.

Sun Dec 23:
*The 6th annual Christmas extravaganza rocks out with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and guest stars, The Detonators, at the Hard Rock. Brian is also promoting his upcoming CD release, Wolfgang’s Big Night Out, in which he—as guitarist, singer and songwriter—leads his 18 piece Rockin’ Big Band in a reinvented revitalization of the world’s greatest melodies from Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky!

Mon Dec 24:
*This is it! The final opportunity to do any last minute shopping or simply stay home to watch TV for once with a fine cognac and fabulous cigar on hand! It’s the quietest night of the year here in Vegas!

Tues Dec 25:
Merry Christmas everybody! Hopefully Santa will be good to you whether you’ve been naughty or nice. Don’t overeat the turkey, trimmings and plum-pie! If you do venture out, don’t expect to find too many shows open.

Wed Dec 26:
*In England we Brits celebrate this as Boxing Day—when it’s gift-giving between friends and work colleagues, rather than Christmas Day when it’s “strictly family only.”

*Kelly Clinton will sing for her supper up at the Suncoast.

We’ll be back after Boxing Day—that’s the day after Christmas—with a special mid-week edition to carry you right through the staggering all-star power lineup of celebrities hosting four-days of New Year’s Eve weekend parties and shows. We’ll run a cash-register tally on the giant-sized fees that Hollywood pop personalities are being paid for their New Year’s Eve appearances here. Can you imagine counting down from ten and picking up a $500,000 paycheck? At $50,000 a second, that’s gotta be the most expensive payroll in Vegas history! Some will say it’s scandalous and outrageous that pop-culture celebrities are racking up such big bucks. It spawned a celebrity war by our Strip nightclubs in a raging battle for supremacy on Vegas’ wildest—and most profitable—holiday.

We’ll also have the photo coverage of Jamie Foxx’s ultimate birthday bash at JET.

Meantime, have a wondrous, blessed and safe Christmas—and champagne wishes as 2008 gets ready to dawn!

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