Friday, Aug. 29, 1997 | 9:57 a.m.
Tony Bennett serenaded a gathering of VIPs who also witnessed the first public destruction of Atlantis at a party preceding tonight's opening of a new wing of the Forum Shops at Caesars.
A parade through Caesars Palace will kick off a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies this evening as the resort braces for what could be record-setting crowds for the Labor Day weekend.
Representatives from Simon DeBartolo, developers of the Roman-themed mall, will cut the ribbon at 6:30 p.m. officially opening the new wing of tony shops. Fifteen minutes later, the world's largest FAO Schwarz toy store will be opened by its chief executive officer, John Eyler, and at 7 p.m., Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, will preside over the official opening of the Virgin Megastore entertainment outlet.
The first public showing of the new Atlantis special effects show, featuring choreographed fountains, fire and a 20-foot beast, is planned at 7:15. The show will be offered daily on the hour.
Actress-singer Vanessa Williams will sign copies of her new album "Next" at 8 p.m., and Bennett will sign copies of "Here's to the Ladies" at 11 p.m.
Bennett was the featured entertainment Thursday night at the VIP blast, attended by Strip entertainers Siegfried & Roy, basketball star Michael Jordan and about 1,500 well-dressed well-wishers.
While most partiers sipped champagne and sampled hors d'ouvres, others were downing Yoda Coladas, Stormtrooper Stings and Jabba Juice at the Star Wars Cantina on the third floor of the FAO Schwarz store.
Jordan, in town to sign a new contract with the Chicago Bulls, led an entourage through the giant toy store and also browsed at the new Victoria's Secret fragrance shop.
Caesars is expecting large crowds for the opening weekend. The most traffic ever recorded in one day at the mall was the Sunday of Labor Day weekend 1995, when an estimated 72,000 people visited.
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