Tony Bennett performs during the concert and dinner that was held Thursday at Tao Nightclub in the Venetian to support VegasTennis.coms Marty Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation Big Heart Awards.
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 | 10:32 a.m.
Britney Spears in concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 25.
Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus at the Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 5, 2009.
Sun Coverage
The weekend is upon us once again and, once again, the VIPs didn’t wait for Friday to arrive to come to Las Vegas.
The stars of "Fame" were at Paris: Actors Debbie Allen, Kristy Flores, Walter Perez, Asher Book, Paul McGill, Paul Iacono, Kay Panabaker, and Kherington Payne were all there for the Vegas premiere, along with the film’s director, Kevin Tanchereon.
Meanwhile, another red carpet was going on, over at Tao. Instead of a movie, however, this one was organized to raise funds and awareness for charity.
Attending the Big Hearts Awards Dinner in support of the Marty Hennessy Junior Tennis Foundation were Tony Bennett, Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes, former MTV band of the year, Mosaic; Foreigner’s Dominic Allen; former Miss America/actress/new fashion designer, Ali Landry and her husband, director Alejandro Monteverde; one of Monteverde’s “Bella” actors, Eduardo Verastegui; the inspiration for the film “Rudy,” Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger; and longtime Sinatra music director Vinnie Falcone.
Thursday night also saw two '90s revival-style concerts take place: The Presidents of the United States of America and The Ataris played VooDoo Beach, while Sugar Ray took to the stage at Mandalay Bay, at House of Blues.
What’s more, Cheap Trick performed, too, as part of the grand opening party for the new John Varvatos store at the Hard Rock Hotel.
While last night was a big one, the celebrity sightings will continue today, starting with a "bam" as Emeril Lagasse opens his new eatery at the Palazzo.
Lagasse will be on hand as the Palazzo sports book is reborn as “Stadium,” complete with a revamped menu and surrounds.
Expected guests include Melissa Rycroft and her fiancé, Tye Strickland; race car driver Danica Patrick; Los Angeles Clippers player Craig Smith; former “Dancing With The Stars” contestant and NFL defensive tackle Warren Sapp.
Others expected at Lagasse's Stadium include retired NBA player Gary Payton; actresses Beth Ostrosky Stern and Elisabeth Röhm; actors Mario Lopez, Dan Cortese, and Zach Gilford; “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “How to Look Good Naked” personality Carson Kressleyv.
Still others expected at Stadium include “Entrourage” actors Kevin Dillon and Rex Lee, UFC fighters Tyson Griffin and Frank Trigg; MMA fighters Urijah Faber and Gina Carano; Olympic swimmer Dara Torres; Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner; and former Playboy model and recent “Peepshow” installation, Aubrey O’Day.
Basketball player-turned-author, Derek Fisher, will be there, as well, in advance of tonight’s grand opening to sign copies of his new book, “Character Driven: Life, Lessons, and Basketball.” The Lakers’ starting point guard will be in the Sports Book-turned Stadium from noon until 2 p.m. today.
In other pro-sport action, NHL great Luc Robitaille will return this evening to host a celebrity poker tournament at MGM Grand in advance of tomorrow’s L.A. Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche pre-season game.
An invite-only VIP pre-party will be held at Studio 54 in advance of the tournament, which will get underway near Wolfgang Puck’s namesake bar and grill at 6:30 p.m.
NHL players expected to take to the tournament’s tables include L.A. Kings Jarret Stoll, Dustin Brown, and Sean O’Donnell; Colorado Avalanche Kyle Quincey, Scott Hannan, Cody McLeod and Marek Svatos; and NHL retirees Marty McSorley and Jason Smith, among others.
Liza Minnelli will also at MGM Grand this evening to begin a string of shows at the Hollywood Theatre, where she will appear nightly at the resort through Oct. 1.
Later tonight, a grown-up version of a Hogwarts sock hop will take place at Privé as “Harry Potter” actor Thomas Felton hosts the Friday night party.
Meanwhile, Van Morrison will perform his hits out at The Joint at the Hard Rock, while country music icon Wynonna will be at the Orleans Showroom for the first of a three-night stand.
The music will continue on Saturday, which is shaping up to be quite the musical day for Las Vegas.
The city will host Better Than Ezra at Silverton Casino; Pet Shop Boys at The Joint; Lifehouse at Mandalay Bay Beach (as part of Rock 'n Roll Wine's Amplified Festival); Crosby, Stills and Nash at The M Resort; and Outkast’s own Big Boi at LAX.
At Mandalay Bay on Saturday, the one and only Britney Spears will be at the Events Center for the first of two hyper-choreographed Circus-style shows.
And as the former Mickey Mouse Club star performs at Mandalay Bay, reigning tween queen Miley Cyrus will be at the Thomas & Mack Center. Unlike Brit-Brit, who also performs on Sunday, however, squeaky-clean Cyrus is in town for one night and one night only.
Local bodybuilder Jay Cutler rounds out Saturday night’s entertainment schedule, as he hosts the Mr. Olympia afterparty at Privé.
And as the weekend comes to a close, born-again rock band Creed will play the Joint.
Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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