STRIP SCRIBBLES
*Superstar Al Pacino managed to get in two hours of high-roller salon gambling before he left Planet Hollywood Resort for Los Angeles.
Al who stayed in a super movie-suite there for the world premiere of his new 88 Minutes movie personally thanked owner Robert Earl on departure for a great visit—and promised he’d be back because he loved his movie-themed suite so much!
*Recording superstar Carrie Underwood took over MGM’s Tabu Ultra Lounge to film her latest music video for her new single “Last Name.” The sexy nightclub venue set the scene for the song’s story of a young woman visiting Vegas for a girls getaway—and then waking up after partying to find herself married to a man who’s last name she can’t remember. The concept of the video is a prequel to her award winning “Before He Cheats” video where she originally meets her love interest. Carrie wore a free-flowing tangerine halter dress with yellow and coral highlights for the video—complete with matching yellow shoes and brilliant gold cascading earrings to contrast her signature blonde curls. Ironically that leading man in her video portrayed the deceiving heartbreaker in her previous “Before He Cheats”—but in real life he is happily married for the past six years and has a two-year-old daughter!. Several members of Tabu’s own model staff filled in as extras on the shoot—and managed to get souvenir photos with Carrie although all other cameras were banned from the set!
*A unique feature-length documentary detailing the full story behind the platinum partnership between The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil resulting in the creation and launch of Love at The Mirage will be released worldwide on June 24. Titled All Together Now the DVD ‘s running time will be 2-hours and 2-minutes including the 84-minute documentary and bonus features all in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Digital Stereo. It recounts how the Love project came into being, born from the personal friendship between George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and records early contributions from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.
The film records the decision to utilize the combined talents of Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin to produce what became a 90-minute soundscape created from The Beatles’ multi-track recordings and how this new audio adventure was being quietly worked on in the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The early stages of the project at Cirque’s Montreal headquarters were all filmed, as were the first rehearsals at The Mirage theatre here in Las Vegas—completely rebuilt with a one-of-a-kind sound system and complex round staging. No attempt has been made to disguise some of the disagreements that took place along the way regarding how the songs would be portrayed visually. The creative differences—a necessary part of the overall process of bringing Love to its most vibrant life—illustrate the participants’ love and respect for the music and vision of The Beatles.
Incidentally Cirque founder Guy Laliberté will be playing in the Bellagio’s big poker tournament this weekend. He flew in from Montreal headquarters to play and my spywitnesses tell me that he’s become a formidable player who is strong enough to win the $250,000 prize. I chatted with Guy at the Bellagio and next week Luxe Life will post our exclusive interview about his new Criss Angel Believe magic spectacular
*After a year-long break, lifelong Las Vegas resident Mindy Drake has returned to dance with the Crazy Girls at the Riviera.
Born and raised here, Mindy still lives in the same house with her parents while she pursues her degree in psychology by day at UNLV and dances in the topless cabaret revue by night!. The perfect 5-foot-6-inch, 115-pound dancer appeared with Carmen Electra in Living Large.
*The first ultra pool on the Strip has celebrities diving in during the soft opening of Wet Republic at MGM. Boxing legend Mike Tyson joined fellow fighter Zab Judah and Three 6 Mafia’s assistant, Computer who stars on MTV’s reality series Adventures in HollyHood.
They took over an extravagant poolside bungalow to enjoy the party scene happening all around them.
*Advance notice that Disney’s High School Musical is coming to Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts. The phenomenally successful teen movie has spawned a touring stage version and it will arrive here with 34-talented performers and a live orchestra for four nights starting June 4. Tickets will go on sale NEXT Saturday April 26 with the line forming at 9 a.m. Meantime you don’t have to wait any longer for this weekend’s highlights around town in what we affectionately call around here the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
FRI. APRIL 18
*From loving New York to leaving his heart in San Francisco Tony Bennett still makes musical magic and he’ll prove it for the next two nights at the Hilton. Our beloved local favorite Clint Holmes starts a three-night run at the Suncoast bringing some of his own favorites to sing and play along. Comic and TV game show host Howie Mandel has two nights of mirth and merry at The Mirage.
*Much music around town tonight with Average White Band up at the Red Rock Resort, Mike Epps and Lavell at the Pearl in the Palms, Rev Run from Run DMC hosts “Mu$ic is the Currency” at Rain in the Palms, Thrice survives at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay and Henry Cho at SouthPoint
*Parties everywhere: brunette bombshell Carmen Electra celebrates her birthday at Pure nightclub in Caesars Palace. … Porn-princess and gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey bares her assets at Privé in Planet Hollywood. … Playboy cover model and one its sexiest 100, Amy Lynn Grover hosts at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. … The co-stars of Prom Night—Jana Kramer, Johnathon Schaech and Scott Porter—celebrate the release of their fright night movie with a party at Tao Beach in The Venetian.
*Actors Richard Kiel, best known as “the man with iron jaws” from the James Bond series, and Kane Hodder will be signing autographs at Gallery of Legends in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile today, tomorrow and Sunday afternoons. Kane played Jason in the Friday the 13th movie series.
SAT. APRIL 19
Super singer Mary J. Blige will limo from her MGM Grand Garden Arena concert with Jay-Z to host her after-show party at Tao Beach in The Venetian.
Don’t be surprised if fighter Joe Calzaghne doesn’t turn up for a planned post-fight party at LAX in the Luxor. Although advertised there is a tug of war ongoing with the Planet Hollywood fight promoters who want him—win or lose—at their Privé nightclub with fight opponent Bernard Hopkins. Either place we’ll have their party pix here on Monday. But you can plan on it for definite that Emmy-nominated actor, Kevin Dillon and actor Jerry Ferrara who plays Turtle on HBO’s hit comedy series Entourage, will host the Smashtime party at Body English in the Hard Rock.
Hip-hop punk rockers Kottonmouth Kings return with their indie-rap, psychedelic sound to the Joint in the Hard Rock casino while Tantric is the headline group in the “Not So Silent” tour at the House of Blues.
SUN. APRIL 20
Round 2 of the NBC TV sports special National Heads-Up Poker taped from Caesars Palace airs today with Jennifer Tilly battling Clonie Gowen, Orel Hershiser meeting Ted Forrest, Jason Alexander against Huck Seed, poker princes Daniel Negreanu and Michael Mizrachi, and Shannon Elizabeth playing opposite Andy Bloch.
Go join Alice and her Wonderland friends including the White Rabbit for the “Mad Hatter Tea Party” and fashion show fundraiser for the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. The fun shenanigans start at 11 a.m. on the main stage of the Fashion Show Mall.
It’s 12 hours of nonstop party fun from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. at the grand opening of “Sunset Sessions” at the Tao Beach in The Venetian.
There’s a free screening of the Super High Me movie at the downtown Beauty Bar at 10 p.m. to promote our 10th anniversary CineVegas film festival getting underway June 12. The movie follows standup comic Doug Benson and his weird and wacky experiences with marijuana.