The 49th Grammy Awards celebration gets underway here tonight, even though the glittering CBS live telecast isn't until Feb 11 in Los Angeles. For the first time, the Recording Academy has teamed with both our Convention and Visitors agency along with People Magazine for a star-studded pre-party. Oscar winning actor and Grammy nominee, Jamie Foxx will host the Kick Off bash at Jet Nightclub in the Mirage this evening. Joining the show will be multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning singer Fergie, who recently wowed Vegas at the Billboard Awards. (Click here for our full award coverage). There will also be featured performances by John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting and Josh Kelley. Numerous celebrities, musical artists and Las Vegas headliners will join music industry executives for the unique event sponsored by Mark, the beauty and fashion boutique brand owned by Avon. It's the first of several nationwide events leading up to the Grammy telecast!

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

Illusionist Criss Angel recently fulfilled the holiday wishes for a few of his fans. Living at the Luxor while filming the 3rd season of A&E's 'Mindfreak,' Criss took time out for three special Make-a-Wish Foundation children: 13-year-old Brad Parker from Pennellville, NY, 14-year-old Brad Showen from St. Cloud, Florida and 9-year-old Veronica Cordero from Palm beach, Florida. All three had told the charity that after watching 'Mindfreak' they wanted to learn magic from him! He not only taught them magic tricks but then surprised them letting them watch a taping of the show. He continued the spirit later the same day by handing out toys and tricks to underprivileged children at a neighborhood Lutheran Church.



PRICELESS PIANO

Country superstar Vince Gill was another star fulfilling holiday wishes while he was headlining at the Hilton Theater. Not only did he treat third graders from a Vegas elementary school to a musical performance, but he also gave the kids an interactive music lesson with Sunset Strip lead guitarist Steven Lee and his keyboard singer Brenda Cowart. Hilton corporate had offered to donate $1,000 for each artist that signed the piano while on eight stops of a nationwide tour launched at last year's Grammy Awards to raise funds for music education. Vince signed it too, and it's now gone over the original goal of $100,000! You've got a few more days to dash down to the lobby of the Hilton and see the beautiful autographed piano, with signatures from Vince alongside Mary J. Blige, James Blunt and 97 others, for yourself. It will be auctioned for the charity at the 49th annual Grammy awards on February 11.

BIGGER HIGHER
Luxe Life told you last week about the new rage in higher skyscrapers for Strip resorts. Now comes word thatthe planned Echelon project to take the place of the Stardust when it's blown up early next year will also increase in scope from what was originally envisioned. Executives there want permission to increase the heights of all five towers up to 57 stories 650 ft tall. Plus, they want to add 1,500 rooms and 2,000 condo-apts to the swank Delano and Mondrian Hotels being partnered there. Also, Morgans Hotel Group, which owns the Delano and Mondrian Brands, is awaiting approval to its purchase of the Hard Rock Hotel and plans call for a new 180-ft tall tower with 350 additional suites when the takeover is approved as early as next week.

ANDRE'S REMINDER
Guests at numerous Valley restaurants are supporting Andre Agassi's "Round Up" dinner checks to benefit his Charitable Foundation and Keep Memory Alive, the foundation for the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute here. But more needs to be done, so consider this a very polite reminder from Luxe Life to support the campaign, which ends New Years Eve. Its simple, just roundup the check to the next even dollar amount, or add more if you wish. "Las Vegas has shown time and again that it is a very generous city, and I want to thank the restaurant industry for being part of the 'Round-Up' campaign," said Agassi. "This is a good way for diners and restaurants to join together to continue to help our community."

STRIP SCRIBBLES
Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and Jon Walker of Panic! At the Disco (left), partied at Jet Nightclub at The Mirage along with other Panic! band members after their Orleans show. ... Next door at STACK, Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan dined on wings and Sea Bass as newly crowned World Champion All Around Cowboy from the National Finals Rodeo, Trevor Brazile, celebrated his win! ... Over at the Hardrock, Wolfmother from Australia performed for the unveiling of AC/DC bass player Cliff Williams' bass guitar added to the lobby showcase. ... Veteran pianist Roger Williams, aged 82, did break his own world record marathon attempt -- his 7th -- of playing piano for 14-hours, thanks to some unexpected support at the Fashion Show mall. Clint Holmes turned up to sing 'The Christmas Song.' One couple, who stayed from start to finish, were longtime fans Tom and Mary Hellmann celebrating the 35th anniversary of their engagement, and he proposed one more time with Roger playing their favorite 'Lara's Theme' from 'Dr. Zhivago.' Several thousand dollars in contribution s and pledges were contributed to our Vegas PBS TV-station.

TONIGHT'S TIP
Join our merry mayor of Mirth, Oscar Goodman for martinis at Hogs & Heifers downtown for the 2nd annual Toys for Tots fund raiser. (If you can't make it, you can sign up for his Martinis with the Mayor college class!!); Donny Osmond brings his Holiday Celebration into the Orleans through Sunday night; the Nevada Ballet theater presents its annual Nutcracker show at UNLV; the World Salsa Championships are being staged at the new South Point and, as I've already told you, Barry Manilow headlines at the Hilton, while Jamie Foxx and Fergie kickoff the pre-Grammy party at Jet. Also, today and tomorrow Profiles in History holds the live internet auction of Vegas and Hollywood memorabilia which features the wedding ring that Elvis had made for himself for his wedding to Priscilla Presley back in May '67. On display at the Aladdin Hotel it was decorated with 8 baguette-cut diamonds within a border of 16 fill-cut diamonds.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
Luxe Life has the full story of comedy star Jeff Beacher's dramatic journey from hopeless slob to hoped-for heart-throb as he fights to drop over 100 lbs before his overweight state harms his health! Plus all the added attractions for New Years Eve and our weekly royal rundown of events around town!

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