Ever since our LUXE LIFE exclusive interview with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop has begun to appear more and more often as he gets comfortable in his new home here in Las Vegas.
This week, proving his love for Asian culinary delicacies, he hit two of our famous dining spots. (Remember when I chatted with him he was sipping soup at Wing Lei in the Wynn?) This week he finally went for the first time to the TAO Asian Bistro at The Venetian. Wearing his traditional all-black suit and black sunglasses, he arrived with four guests through a private, security-guarded entrance at the resort. Michael enjoyed chicken satay, Chilean sea bass and lobster wontons during the 90-minute meal and told the managers before leaving that he was very happy with it and promised to return. If he'd gone upstairs to the TAO nightclub, he would have run into Ashanti and Nelly who were partying at a VIP table on the dance floor!
Then next day, Michael took his three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II -- nicknamed Blanket -- to star chef Wolfgang Puck's Asian eatery Chinois in the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. To avoid overzealous fans, who followed them into the restaurant, Michael was given a private room in the upstairs OPM Nightclub for his late lunch with the children. On their way home he stopped at the giant FAO Schwarz store in and loaded them up with new toys and stuffed animals. Michael's settling in right at home!
MISS AMERICA'S PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY
One of the last things that the new Miss America did before jetting out of Vegas was to take a portrait photo with yours truly. I never guessed she'd remember with her crazed, immediate schedules in New York and Washington D.C. Well say hallelujah, she made certain I got it and here it is!
RED ROSES
I forgot to tell you when reporting on the romantic reunion between feisty couple Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler that when they retired after the PURE party, he had three dozen red roses for her and they plucked the petals to throw over their bedroom romp!
SAMMY GETS HIS STAR
One of the original Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr. was honored yesterday on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. His shining recognition will be placed outside the Riviera Hotel where his widow, Altovise, accepted the award. Born in Harlem back in 1925, Sammy was just three years old when he began dancing. An auto-accident in 1954 almost killed him, but left him with the loss of his left eye. It was in 1959 that he joined Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, forming the famed Rat Pack of Vegas. He was married to dancer Altovise Gore in 1970 by Rev. Jesse Jackson and remained married until his 1990 death from throat cancer. Eventually celebrity VIP stars will dot four miles of sidewalk along the Strip. Sammy's star is a 3ft square slab of polished granite weighing 180 lbs and features his name in gold embossed letters.
SUPER CHALLENGE
Although everybody's attention this NBA All-Star Weekend is focused on the big game Sunday and the All-Star Jam Session meet and greets at Mandalay Bay, there's an extraordinary test of skills tomorrow afternoon at Thomas & Mack definitely worth checking out. Four NBA superstars face an obstacle course of dribbling, shooting and passing, and they are timed while battling the course. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Steve Nash, will attempt to wrestle the skills title from last year's winner, Dwayne Wade Two rounds will determine two players to fight it out in the finals, with the winner walking away with $35,000. Best times range from 26 to 33 seconds and all the NBA stars turn out to root for their favorites and distract their opponents. Every b-ball skill gets called into play; jump shots from the key, pylon dribble around, lay-ups, chest pass and bounce pass and an outlet pass throw- with dunking permitted instead of a lay-up! In addition, tomorrow there's the Shooting Stars contest, the 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk contest!
CONGRATULATIONS
What a wonderful coincidence for the JET nightclub and its sister STACK restaurant in the Mirage. They're celebrating their first anniversary and it all ties into NBA All-Star Weekend. Tomorrow night, two heavyweight headliners, Tracey McGrady and Diddy himself celebrate the anniversary!
BIRTHDAY BATTLE
Both NBA legendary superstar Michael Jordan and party heiress Paris Hilton are celebrating their birthdays this weekend. Michael his the magic 44 mark with a party at the Bellagio, with 75 models and dancers decorating the ballroom. Paris celebrates her 26th birthday with gal pals Nicole Richie and Jenna Jameson with promises from her record producer Scott Storch and both Fergie and Snoop Dogg to join the cake cutting!
PARTY RUINDOWN
- LeBron James is scheduled at the Light in the Bellagio. Magic Johnson and Allen Iverson are set for Studio 54 and Dwayne Wade for Sports Illustrated at rumjungle in Mandalay Bay. Russell Simmons is hosting at OPM in Caesars, The Rat Pack Party hosted by Jermaine Dupri, Nelly and Pharrell Williams, is at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood. Studio 54 at the MGM has Ladies Night Out with LL Cool J. Nick Cannon and Complex Magazine host the Body English, Hard Rock party with promised appearances by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. LeBron James hosts Kenny Smith's poker party at the Empire Ballroom. Vince Carter and Mark Wahlberg should show at Risque in the Paris. Following their Orleans Arena concert Tabu Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand: hosts the Blackeyed Peas After Party
ELVIS IS EVERYWHERE
As LUXE LIFE reported, former Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller and his anchor sports broadcaster sister, Cheryl, had a dream come true. They dressed in Elvis jumpsuits and wigs to film a taped segment from the Graceland Wedding Chapel here that will air during Sunday's worldwide broadcast of the All-Star Game.
NBA ALL-STAR TIMETABLE
The week-long celebration that enables fans from around the globe to experience the thrill of the world's greatest athletes playing the game they love sadly winds-up on Sunday, with the 56th NBA All-Star Game at the Thomas & Mack Center, televised on TNT to a worldwide television audience in more than 200 countries. All-Star Jam Session at Mandalay Bay continues through late Monday afternoon, as it's the official President's Day holiday. Here's Luxe Life's weekend NBA calendar highlights:
FRI-MON
9AM-10PM; All-Star Jam Session, the world's largest interactive basketball theme park; so large, you could fit 38 official-size NBA basketball courts or 14 million regulation-size basketballs in it! Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (South Convention Center).
Friday, Feb. 16
Following our Star-award on the Walk of Fame for Toni Braxton at Brenden movie theaters in the Palms, I'll also emcee the red carpet for the MVP film premiere with a slew of NBA players past and present attending. Then Shaquille O'Neal and AKON will show at The Palm's RAIN nightclub for a special "Welcome to Vegas" party.
- The McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game features James Denton, Nelly, Taye Diggs, David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy, Nick Cannon and Bow Wow amongst others airing live on ESPN.
Saturday, Feb. 17
- While All-Star Jam Session continues on at Mandalay Bay the All-Star Saturday Challenge is at Thomas & Mack.
- Those amazing Harlem Globetrotters will play against the NY Nationals & Dennis Rodman's All-Stars at the Orleans Arena.
- Carmelo Anthony, Floyd Mayweather, Nelly, Lil Wayne will be at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood while Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria and boyfriend Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs will party at PURE.. At the rival TAO in The Venetian, Jay Z and LeBron James will team up.
Sunday, Feb. 18
- It's the 2007 All Star Game at Thomas & Mack -- the first ever in NBA history to be played in a city that doesn't have a franchise team ... YET!
STRIP SCRIBBLES
I'm going to play host for part of the weekend to four of the gorgeous, drop-dead WWE Divas: Ashley, Kristal, Candice and Layla You can check out the girls here. We're going to look at some of designer Katherine Bauman's new basketball jewelery and then hit a couple of the top parties for which we'll do show and tell here on Monday morning. ... For the second consecutive night after filming with Kevin Spacey in the new 21 Blackjack movie on location here, co-star Laurence Fishburne hit the Beatles Revolution Lounge at the Mirage. ... Even though the NBA All-Star Weekend is incredible, Vegas has a whole lot more entertainment going on and we've put it all together in what we call ...
ROBIN'S ROYAL RUNDOWN
Friday, Feb. 16
- Black Eyed Peas with Fergie will thrill at the Orleans Arena and then race to ultra lounge TABU at MGM for the afterparty.
- D.L. Hughley ensures laughter galore at the Orleans.
- Hometown Grammy hero Ne-Yo sings soul and hip-hop at House of Blues.
- David Brenner brings his headline humor to the Cannery.
- Jamie Foxx in the first of two nights at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.
- Jay Leno is back for more comedy at the Mirage.
- The Oak Ridge Boys sing out loud Texas Station.
- All the ladies love LL Cool J as he parties at Studio 54, MGM.
- Nick Cannon, LeBron James, Carmello Anthony are the expected guests at Body English old school hip-hop showcase at the Hard Rock.
- Dennis Rodman parties at Scores and then Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony kick off a 2am After Hours blast.
- Arnez J, Earthquake, Lavell Crawford, (All Stars of Comedy) - Orleans Arena 11:59PM.
- Jungua kicks off the Chinese New Year at the Suncoast.
- CineVegas presents 'Half Nelson' with Ryan Gosling at the Tropicana Cinemas.
Saturday, Feb. 17
- Happy Birthday to Paris Hilton; naked and all tied up in mic-cables at Body English, Hard Rock Hotel.
- Alicia Keyes hosts at OPM in Caesars Palace.
- Star-dancer Mario Lopez and Good Charlotte's Joel Madden join forces to make the party rock at the Beatles Revolution Lounge.
- Dolly Parton is double pleasure at Buffalo Bills.
- Danny Gans and his many voices entertain at the Opportunity Village Benefit in the Mirage.
- Katt Williams presents his comedy at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Sunday, Feb. 18
- A unique Comedy brunch with Cedric the Entertainer at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.
- King Magazine throws a Lingerie & PJ party with Jermaine Dupri and Melyssa Ford at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.
- DJ Grandmaster Flash, the legend of the turntables, spins at Light in the Bellagio.
- To mark Chinese New Year -- it's the year of the pig (or boar if you prefer) -- the Roman Grecian theme at Caesars Palace undergoes a slight facelift for the 10th annual celebration of the ancient tradition. Arriving guests will be greeted by 100 strings of firecrackers and over 200 red paper lanterns with Chinese characters representing "luck." The fragrant aromas and colorful blossoms of 1,000 China mums, 500 red azaleas, 80 tangerine and bonsai trees and live orchids will decorate hotel gathering spaces, hallways and VIP lounges. Additionally, three large pigs, with the largest at 6ft. long, will bring the luck of the zodiac to all that enter the gaming areas. 4,100 guests will be entertained with 2 sold out shows in The Colosseum by Asia's top singer, producer and actor Jacky Cheung with 60 hit albums to his credit over the past 20 years.
- The Vietnamese Lunar New Year is also celebrated at the Orleans.
- Former Saturday Night Live star Joe Piscopo launches a three-month run of his comedy shows at the Hilton.
- It's 'Fame Games' Episode 6: I take the A List for a decadent luscious lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant while the B list gets beer and hotdogs at the Hofbrau, but then we challenge our celebrities to find 20 hookers in a roomful of 60 girls ands boot them out before they make tabloid headlines. Our Back to Reality game is a test to find the real bling and I'm not frightened to smash my hammer into the jewels if they get it wrong!
MONDAY'S TEASE
With as few words as possible and with as many close-up and personal photos as possible LUXE LIFE somehow will miraculously have star-studded highlights of all the game action, the behind the scenes dramas and the non-stop party parade.
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