February '08 Entertainment—The Vegas Eye Column

Party The Right Way

Altamar Brands, LLC, celebrated the Nightclub & Bar - Beverage and Food Show in Las Vegas with an exclusive invite-only event at The Palms’ Hardwood Suite with special DJ Paul Oakenfold. Guests were joined by painted Right girls and treated to specialty Right Gin cocktails in the main floor and upstairs, while the basketball court of the suite was transformed into an enchanted forest with painted fairies. Special VIP guests were hand-delivered a bottle of Right Gin and mixers in a special gift box prior to the event.

Wilson at the rock?

Guy Wilson the most recent manager to leave adult club Spearmint Rhino was spotted at The Hard Rock Hotel's Cafe, Mr. Lucky's with Hard Rock exec. Cory McCormick. What possibly could they be discussing?

Happy Birthday Champ!

Floyd Mayweather celebrated his 31st birthday Monday night at Jet Nightclub as any champion would – with a huge blowout bash at his favorite Vegas party spot. It turns out the champ had much more of a reason than a birthday to party. Just hours earlier in the day it was announced that a $20 million payday awaits the undefeated WBC welterweight champion when he takes on Big Show as part of WWE’s “WrestleMania XXIV” on March 30.

A flamboyant Floyd arrived aglitter with bling including two huge diamond rings, a dazzling diamond bracelet and numerous sparkling chains, his entourage, included his mother, two sisters, his manager and agent, the group worked their way through the adoring crowd to the stage VIP section of the club where they quickly got the party started. As he was about to be presented with a boxing glove cake create by Jean-Philippe Patesserie, a ten person drum line marched out onto the stage drumming along to “The Champ is Here” while DJ Roonie G mixed his special Floyd Mayweather rendition of A/V. JET’s sexy dancers then brought Floyd to the microphone and he thanked all his fans and well wishers and even brought his mother out on stage to thank her for all of his successes.

Floyd danced all night long and was joined by R&B Songstress Keyshia Cole. The crowd became supercharged when Keyshia’s hit song “Let it Go” pumped through the club’s sound system. Raz B of R&B Group B2K was also in the house.

$8,000 per Hand

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was burning the midnight oil for a second night in a row at a Playboy Club Blackjack table last night with a couple of friends and bodyguards by his side. He didn't hesitate to match his bets from earlier this week, placing up to $8,000 per hand, while sipping Corona's.

Vegas to Sonoma Every Day

"The Vegas flight will open up this market to travelers from throughout the United States," said Ken Fischang, President/CEO of Sonoma County Tourism Bureau.

The new flight from Las Vegas will serve as a new gateway for air travelers making connections from Midwest and East Coast destinations.

"Travelers from the East Coast can take a red eye to Vegas," Fischang added. "Because their bags have been checked through to Santa Rosa, they can leave Vegas’ McCarran Airport to gamble, eat dinner or explore the city. Then, it’s back on the plane for a two-hour flight. After a refreshing night’s sleep, travelers awaken ready to start their ‘Sonoma Country vacation."

Horizon Air began serving Sonoma County on March 20, 2007, with flights to Los Angeles and Seattle. On Oct. 28, the airline added a daily nonstop flight to Portland. These flights, as well as the new Las Vegas flight, are operated with the airline’s quiet and comfortable 76-seat Q400 aircraft.

"Since bringing air service back to Sonoma County, we’ve been flooded with requests for flights from Las Vegas," said Dan Russo, Horizon’s director of marketing and communications. "So we’re especially pleased to now be in a position to make it a reality. Las Vegas will be our fourth destination to be served nonstop from Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport."

The new Las Vegas flight will take two hours and five minutes each way and will depart daily from Las Vegas at 10:15 p.m. The flight from Santa Rosa to Las Vegas will depart at 7:35 pm.

"Sonoma Country," located 30 miles from San Francisco, is America’s premier wine, spa and coastal destination, featuring more than 250 wineries, over 100 organic farms, and 76 miles of stunning Pacific coast.

EYE SPY

Wednesday night, TAO Las Vegas saw “American Pie” star Jennifer Coolidge having a late dinner at TAO Asian Bistro with seven friends. On Saturday night, actor Seth Green made an appearance at the nightclub with six friends. The actor took his regular table, an upper skybox overlooking the packed nightclub. Seth chose Grey Goose for him and his friends and they partied into the early morning hours listening to the sounds of DJ M.O.S.

LAX Nightclub was overflowing with enthusiasm Wednesday night as DJ Hollywood kept the dance floor packed with smash hits and the Miss LAX competition had heads turning all night long. Joining the weekly Wednesday party was poker pro Phil Ivey and a large group of friends. Downstairs on the stage, actor/choreographer Chris Judd quenched his thirst with Belvedere cocktails and took in the sites of the beautiful two-story club with the lovely Fantasy Girls at his side. Also partying at a plush VIP table on the dance floor was NY Giants running back Ruben Droughns. The scene at LAX was mind-boggling Thursday night as hypnotist Anthony Cools stopped by to party in style. The Las Vegas headliner partied with fellow club goers on the main dance floor where he enjoyed the sounds of DJ Hollywood. PURE Nightclub proved once again that it is home to the hottest parties as sexy songstress Ashlee Simpson and boyfriend Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy bassist, kicked off the rockin' party Friday night. Also seated on the main stage with a large party was famed rapper Ja Rule who pumped up the crowd with an impromptu performance of some of his hit songs. Also making PURE his party spot of the night was former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson who entertained his party of friends and enjoyed the slick sounds of DJ Vice until last call. Before heading to PURE to check out the exciting party scene, Ashlee Simpson and Wentz dined in style at Social House. Over in the bird cage lounge, pro poker player Chris "Jesus" Ferguson sipped on pineapple mojitos and noshed on Kobe sliders. Later in the evening, the current Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, stopped in for a late night snack of assorted sushi rolls and Voss water. Club goers partying at LAX were treated to an amazing performance by pop star Ashlee Simpson on Saturday night. After her performance, Simpson headed down to the Main VIP Stage where she met boyfriend Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and her father Joe Simpson. Sitting at a nearby table, Luxor headliners Mindfreak Criss Angel and comedian Carrot Top enjoyed Montecristo Rum and Cokes as they mingled with fans all night long. In addition to the performance by Simpson, clubbers were delighted to see a special impromptu rap session by Coolio. Also partying at LAX on Saturday night was magician Steve Wyrick. Celebrity chef Hubert Keller was spotted dining at Company American Bistro , sampling a special nine-course tasting menu prepared by executive chef Adam Sobel and Planet Hollywood president Mike Mecca.

Thursday night, Ja Rule was at MOON Nightclub in Las Vegas for a private event hosted by Velvet Angels, a new female footwear line out of Los Angeles. He entered with two men and relaxed at a VIP table he had reserved on the dance floor, and at one point, took the mic to treat guests to a performance of some of his greatest hits with the owner of Velvet Angels, Joe Ponce, at his side.

Smith & Wollensky Wine Dinner Wed

Palms Place Unveild

I just finished an exclusive walk thru of Palms Place and I must say even I am overwhelmed. The lobby of Palms Place has, of course a signature Palmsesque style bar named Rojo for guests to enjoy. The minimalism of the lobby is certainly offset by the extravagant amenities of the property. Owners will be going to closing on their suites later this week and The Palms will start booking the rooms within the next two weeks for guests. I took a walk thru of a few of the celebrity penthouses including; Hulk Hogan and KISS front man Paul Stanley’s penthouses both with 180degree views of Las Vegas. They are both still under construction as is Jessica Simpson's penthouse suite. They will be completed and delivered furnished by the May 31 deadline that owner George Maloof placed on himself. Walking thru the studio and one bedroom suites the first thing you notice is the stylish designer accessories and state of the art fully equipped kitchen. There is even a giant marble spatub in the bedroom of the suite.

The Drift spa among other traditional amenities boasts the only Turkish co-ed hamman in America. As well as, the world famous Sunset Tan complete with leggy blonde manager Janelle Perry. Then there is the pool. The pool comes complete with fire pits and waterfalls. Cabanas can be rented daily or you can simply sit at Simon Restaurant and lounge that is surrounded by water on 3 sides. Simon will feature a California modern design and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Another little secret is that Simon will have a Sushi bar. All of this is connected to the Palms Casino by an elevated, enclosed moving walkway called the Sky Tube.