STRIP SCRIBBLES
*Congratulations to famed celebrity chef Charlie Trotter who announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend, Rochelle during the revered wine dinner he hosted at his new Restaurant Charlie seafood sensation in The Palazzo.
*Real-estate tycoon Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump checked out the family’s new Trump International Hotel & Tower for the first time since it opened two weekends ago.
A connoisseur of fine cuisine, Eric dined at the hotel’s signature restaurant DJT where he enjoyed the Chilled Maine Lobster for an appetizer and the Seared Day Boat Scallops for his main course. He also tested one of the hotel’s luxurious suites where he said he had the “best sleep of his life.” He should have, since he and sister Ivanka tracked down and developed the fabulous beds with 500-thread-count Bellino Italian sheets, feather-down comforters and pillows and Trump signature sleep systems by Stearns & Foster. Eric, Ivanka and Donald Jr. work closely with their father on the newly-launched Trump Hotel Collection brand, which includes properties in Chicago, Manhattan, Ft. Lauderdale, Waikiki and New Orleans in addition to the one here opposite the Wynn.
*Robert DeNiro’s chef partner, Agostino flew in from Los Angeles to personally cook for Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco at his Ago restaurant in the Hard Rock resort casino. She was there introducing her new Italian wines to the customers and staff!
*Sex and the City hunk, Jason Lewis will join Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco and Spamalot star John O’Hurley for today’s “Masters vs Rookies” Pro Am cooking contest with Iron Chef Cat Cora as emcee at the Caesars Palace Roman Plaza. Jason was Samantha Jones boy-toy in the TV series and now in the new hot summer movie version.
*A lot of people didn’t believe me when I wrote about the $1000 high-roller sushi roll at the Koi celebrity studded restaurant in the Planet Hollywood Resort. Some scoffed and sneered!. So I have no choice but to present it to you in its full and glorious colorful glory!
I just wish you could break through the computer screen and grab it to taste for yourself! It’s not on the menu so you must ask for it and promise not to blink at the bill! It’s made from marinated Foie Gras and poached in sweet sauterne dessert wine, shaped into a roll and then top-loaded with sweet baby lobsters and cut into sashimi shape and brushed with vanilla bean butter! Now that’s a taste treat! But the chef hasn’t finished yet! He then places shaved white truffles atop and drizzles 100-year-old Balsamic vinegar all over the platinum platter!!!
*Congratulations to Connie Thiele from Austin, Texas for hitting a $21 million jackpot at the Palms Casino Resort, the third Megabucks jackpot there since 2004. Connie and husband Robert were at the Palms playing slots hoping to earn enough for a free lunch when it turned into a $21 million smorgasbord!
*Renowned artist Dale Chihuly will sign copies of his new book and DVD set, Chihuly in the Hotshop that captures his creative commotion and collaborative artistry. Shot at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wash., the two-part set offers captivating video and more than 90 still images of the famous artist in action. Known for revolutionizing the skill of glassblowing with his masterpieces showcased around the world, he also designed the extraordinary chandelier ‘Fiori di Como’ located in the Bellagio lobby. He’ll be at his gallery alongside the Conservatory & Botanical gardens there during the weekend. It’sthe first and only store featuring his work and where you can purchase the artistic legend’s exquisite glass masterworks.
*Elegant English actress Jane Seymour is also an accomplished artist and there’s a 10-day exhibition of her paintings at Barbara Lee Woollen’s Art de Vignettes Too gallery in Henderson. Jane herself will be in the gallery both today (FRI) and tomorrow and check out my friend’s floral artwork inspired from the gardens of her magnificent English castle. Now its time for us to pick up the canvas for the weekend of eye-appeal Vegas happenings and fill in all the colorful artistic attractions that around here we affectionately refer to as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
FRI., May 9
* Beauty is the name of the game and today is a day of blonde and brunette bathing bombshells. The brand new 2008 Playboy Playmate will jet right from the Playboy Mansion announcement in Beverly Hills to her first public appearance unveiled right at poolside for George Maloof’s Ditch Fridays party in the Palms. Then all 65 exotic swimsuit stunners competing in tomorrow’s Miss International Hawaiian Tropic pageant will parade at the Golden Nugget’s pool and then host at the new Torrid nightclub in their own HT Zone at Planet Hollywood Resort’s Miracle Mile.
*Gorgeous Alicia Keyes is a visual stunner and incredible vocalist but also a brilliant pianist able to tickle the ivories for Boogies or Beethoven. She’s had an extraordinary super-successful journey since her 2001 MTV music awards show debut, racking up five Grammy awards just 12 months later. Tonight with her new As I Am near million-copy seller she headlines at MGM Grand, and we’re all “Fallin’” for her!
*Tall and talented funnyman Brad Garrett is a laugh a minute tonight and tomorrow at The Mirage shedding his Everybody Loves Raymond role for the challenges of stand-up comedy. Over at the Improv in Harrah’s my pal Hal Sparks of E! TV’s Talk Soup and Queer Eye headlines with his unique comedy tonight through Sunday evening.
*He can play Chopin as a classical concert pianist or jazz saxophone and even a fiddle and banjo. Tom Dane is a musical genius who has mastered 12 different instruments and is also a living sound machine with his on-target impressions. He’s at Steve Wyrick’s Planet Hollywood Theater for one unique night.
*”Wild Boys” Duran Duran are still “Hungry Like The Wolf” and rock ‘n’ roll out the Red Carpet Massacre 2008 tour with two nights of back-to-back-shows tonight and tomorrow at the Hard Rock with special guest
Your Vegas. Hard to believe that handsome studs Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhoades have been with the group since it was originally formed almost 30 years ago and have sold over 70 million records. Then Reggae legend and Jamaica’s outrageous and bizarre hip-hop rhyhym–master Eek-A-Mouse squeaks out a poolside concert also at the Hard Rock tonight.
*Veteran jazz singer Etta James began singing at age 5 in a California Baptist church choir. In her 50-year career she’s nabbed four Grammy’s and been inducted into all three Blues, Grammy and Rock and Roll halls of fame! Her special throaty sounds will thrill at the Orleans tonight through Sunday evening.
*It’s standing room only for the country sounds of Emerson Drive at Ovation in the Green Valley Ranch while Tower of Power stands tall through Sunday night at the Suncoast and DJ Jazzy Jeff stars at Rain in the Palms for Mu$ic is the Currency.
*The 13th annual Motorhead Festival starts downtown at 10 a.m. today and continues on tomorrow, but for something truly completely different check out the amazing never-before-seen break-dance moves of Jabba-Wockeez at the Jet nightclub in The Mirage.
SAT., May 10
*With over 40 million worldwide album sales Rush is still in a hurry speeding along with its “Snakes & Arrows” tour slithering in bullseye at Mandalay Bay with guitarist Alex Lifeson, singer Geddy Lee and drummer Neil Peart.
*Clean-cut comedian Daniel Tosh, who has wowed with his cutting-edge one-liners on both Jay Leno and David Letterman’s late night talk-shows is at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.
*Actress model Ali Landry celebrates her first Mother’s Day Tao nightclub’s first ever “Hot Moms” event at The Venetian hot spot. The former Miss USA, her first daughter Estela was born last June, is best known for her role in the Doritos TV commercials and as Rita Lefleur in the sitcom Eve. Her husband, film director Alejandro Monteverde will join the festivities.
*Beauty and The Geek sexy stunner Jillian Beyor has agreed to strip down to her lusty and lacy lingerie for a Pillow Fight party in Studio 54’s nightclub at the MGM Grand.
SUN., May 11
*Happy Mothers Day and remember gals can join their guys out at the first ever special “adventure” high speed Hot Pursuit day at the new Spring Mountain Club raceway just 45 minutes from the Strip out at Pahrump. From noon to 6 p.m. drivers can race go-karts at speeds of over 80mph, drive Corvettes through a training course and take “hot laps” in radical racecars. Nightlife executives from Privé, Tao, the Hard Rock, Light Group and The Palazzo will compete for the firstst Vegas Hot Pursuit trophy.