CHARLES BARKLAY BREAKS VOW NOT TO GAMBLE AGAIN BUT PROMISES DON CHEADLE ALL THE MONEY WILL GO TO HIS CHARITY

Less than two months after paying off a $400,000 marker to the Wynn hotel that he’d “forgotten about,” NBA star Charles Barkley said he’d give up gambling in Vegas for the next couple of years. Now he’s breaking the promise, but it’s so he can donate his winnings to good pal, actor Don Cheadle.

Charles, former Phoenix Suns star and now an analyst of NBA games for Turner Network Television, is one of more than a dozen celebrities who have arrived at the Rio resort casino today (WED) for the second annual “Ante Up for Africa” poker tournament organized by Don and poker pro Annie Duke.

The money raised will go to the crisis in the Darfur region of the Sudan where 300,000 people have died and 2.5 million more have been uprooted since the ethnic warfare began there in 2003.

Don, and Charles, will be joined by his Oceans 13 actor pal Matt Damon, who played a year ago plus Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, George Lopez and poker pros Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak and others.

Last year Don’s first poker tournament raised over $700,000, and this year he’s hoping to top the $1 million mark. “I was elated we did that last year—our first year,” said Don. “I hope we can raise even more this year, and I am so grateful for everybody’s participation and generosity in helping us continue to bring the plight of the Darfur refugees to the forefront of people’s minds.” His partner Annie Duke added, “We are looking forward to another exciting year raising awareness for this ongoing crisis. It is exciting to bring the worlds of entertainment and poker together and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate at last half their winnings to our charity.” Charles has vowed to donate 100 percent of his winnings.

Said Barkley after he paid off the $400,000 debt to Wynn and a further $40,000 in District Attorney fees, “Just because I can afford to lose money doesn’t mean I should do it. For right now I’m not going to gamble the next year or two.” In a candid ESPN interview he estimated he’d lost $10 million in gambling since he began playing.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who will play alongside Charles today said he’d seen Barkley in a casino after a May golf tournament in Palm Springs.” He was on the wagon though,” said Jason.” He’s strong and he didn’t gamble. When he decides on something he keeps his word. But to donate all your winnings for this cause is something special and he can’t be faulted for breaking his pledge for such a worthy cause.”

The fast-paced tournament should see a winner after just five hours of play and fans can watch it as part of the ongoing World Series of Poker at the Rio. WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack commented, “The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur. The stars are coming out for this special event once again. We encourage everyone to come and support them.”

THE KILLERS KICK OFF SURPRISE SUMMER SERIES & NICOLE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH HER PUSSYCAT DOLLS

Stunning lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger celebrated her birthday in top-pop style at the Luxor resort casino.

She brought all the glamour girls from the gorgeous group: Kimberley Wyatt, Melody Thornton, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, and the founder-creator Robin Antin and record producer Marco “Polo” Bruno. First stop was at the chic Company American Bistro eatery where the model-thin girls selected shrimp ceviche and Soho Burgers followed by grilled Maine lobster paired with two wine courses. Then a multi-layered chocolate cake topped with sparklers was wheeled in for Nicole as her table sang her “Happy Birthday.”

Nicole was the center of attention in a beautiful silver beaded dress, but instead of relaxing and playing when they moved next door to the LAX nightclub she and her Dolls decided to give an impromptu surprise performance. They jumped up from their VIP table and landed on stage to sing their hits “Don’t Cha,” “When I Grow Up” and “Buttons.” Fans went into flashbulb frenzy screaming and taking photos of the five beauties as they showed their dashy-dance moves. After they’d sung their hearts out Nicole was presented with a massive three-tier birthday cake and everybody in the nightclub serenaded her with the “Happy Birthday” song!

They were joined during the night of dancing till dawn by Keeping up with the Kardashians star Khloe Kardashian and Miami Heat shooting guard Dwayne Wade.

Tonight (WED) the LAX nightclub kicks off its inaugural night of the 2008 Summer Surprise Series. It will alternate weekly on Wednesdays the “unknown mystery musicians” with sister club Pure up at Caesars Palace every other Tuesday, ands where it began its “surprise” is with hometown rock legends, The Killers.

Lead singer Brandon Flowers sent the packed club wild with his version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” It was the first time this entire year they’ve performed live and they concluded the two-song surprise set with the dance rendition of “Mr. Brightside.”

On hand to watch the Killers were actor comedian Jamie Kennedy and Luxor headliner Carrot Top.

FUN FACTS BEHIND PHANTOM’S TWO-YEAR SUCCESSFUL RUN

Last week Luxe Life reported on the cast and crew celebration of the second anniversary of the Phantom—The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian.

We didn’t have time on deadline, or space, to go digging for the fun-facts of the 24-month run, and you all know how I love those wacky stats.

In all they’ve performed the 95-minute show exactly 930 times in their $40 million theater. To stage it cost an additional $35 million for the original spectacular sets, visual effects and of course the breathtaking falling chandelier experience! Technicians have racked up 3,536 hours in maintaining the elaborate disintegrating chandelier and its safety riggings. It alone cost $5 million and took six months to construct with its 29,444 individual crystals weighing 2,000 pounds with the nickname “Maria.” Over 30 winches are used to operate it.

Since opening on June 24, 2006 the actress-singers portraying Christine have made 10,230 costume changes. There are 11-costume changes each show for Christine. It’s taken almost 1,000 hours alone for the Phantom’s makeup! Total cost of all the 500 costumes in the show ran $4.25 million, and that includes the wardrobes for the 80 life-sized mannequins in the opera boxes and the 22 mannequins on the Masquerade staircase.

The total number of cast, crew and orchestra members is 142 with 41 of them being in the cast. There are 250 automated effects in each show and 222 candles that rise up in the Phantom’s lair. As you know, the number of intermissions in the Vegas spectacular total absolutely zero!!! But most important of all is that some 100 million people worldwide have seen a staged version of the musical since Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber created it!