Archive for March, 2010

Today’s Random Celeb Encounter: Bob Saget

While strolling the always-entertaining Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas last night (Mar. 30), we spotted TV icon Bob Saget with a film crew in tow.

Bob Saget

Bob Saget chats it up on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas.

Saget, of course, was the beloved star of the classic sitcom “Full House” and hosted the mega-popular “America’s Funniest Home Videos” for seven seasons.

Upon seeing Bob Saget, we did what any Las Vegas blog worth its salt would do. We, very professionally, respected his privacy by forcing our way through the crowd of onlookers while furiously snapping photos, of course!

We caught Saget talking to comedy legend Sammy Shore (father of comedian Pauly Shore), whose connection to Vegas includes the fact that he was the opening act for Elvis Presley for four years back in the day. Sammy Shore was also one of the original owners of the famed Comedy Store in L.A., where (small world) Bob Saget got his start in comedy.

Saget was apparently in Las Vegas taping a new reality TV show, “Strange Days,” for A&E. Read more. You can follow Bob Saget on Twitter. Loved this photo he posted of his crew in classic Vegas regalia.

As if you needed more proof: You just never know who you’ll bump into when you’re in Las Vegas!

Posted on March 31st, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Brace Yourself for Vegas News Unleashed

There aren’t enough hours in the day to keep track of all that’s new and exciting in the world’s favorite playground, so here’s a sampling of the wild, the wonderful and the wacky from Las Vegas this week.

* Actor Jim Belushi was spotted having breakfast at Planet Dailies inside Planet Hollywood.

* Las Vegas has been named one of the “Top 10 Photo Spots” in the world. No kidding! See the full list.

VooDoo

Just another sparkly night in Vegas, as seen from atop the Rio.

* Several of the exhibits to be featured in the town’s Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, informally referred to as the “mob museum,” have been unveiled. Read all about it.

* Actor Rob Scheider and magician David Blaine were each recently caught taking in the Penn & Teller at Rio Las Vegas.

* A record-breaking around-the-world flight made a stop in Vegas. Of course it did! More.

* Vince Neil recently showed off his latest Vegas enterprise, a fleet of private jets. The first three “tricked out,” rock-and-roll-themed jets were a Hawker 700, a Lear 35 and a Gulfstream. Read more. Check out the official site. Dude! Just go on ”Celebrity Apprentice,” already!

Ink

Another part of the Vince Neil empire. Vince Neil Ink at Rio Las Vegas.

* Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is offering a Mariachi Brunch on Sundays. Learn more.

* The American Gaming Association has changed its position on legalizing Internet gaming. Read more.

* Here’s a great write-up about some of Las Vegas’ remarkable and quirky museums. Featured is The King’s Ransom Museum at Imperial Palace. Thank you for reading more, thank you very much.

* Boxer Mike Tyson was seen at Spago in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Actor was Ian Ziering also dined there.

Spago

Bonus factoid: "Spago" means "string" in Italian, a reference to spaghetti.

* The sightseeing Cloud Nine balloon has been temporarily grounded. The balloon was damaged by recent high winds. Read more.

* Music and reality TV icon Flavor Flav was recently spotted at the Anthony Cools show at Paris Las Vegas.

* The Casino Chips and Gaming Tokens Collectors Club annual convention comes to Vegas Jun. 23. We have a soft spot in our hearts for chip collectors since we personally have a gaming chip from every Las Vegas casino that has a craps table. No kidding. Read more.

We’re winded! But there’s more Vegas news to come from “The World’s Best Las Vegas Blog” (as voted by us). You can bet on that!

Posted on March 31st, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Q&A With “Peepshow” Star Holly Madison

Holly Madison doesn’t just do a show in Las Vegas. To a lot of people, Holly Madison IS Las Vegas! In fact, she was recently named “Best Celebrity Resident” in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s 29th annual “Best of Las Vegas” poll. (More.)

Holly Madison

Holly Madison celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau Day at Paris Las Vegas.

She’s sassy, sexy and all about enjoying everything Sin City has to offer. In this exclusive interview, we asked Holly Madison about her show, “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood, her life and her innermost secrets. (Well, two out of three ain’t bad.)

Pulse of Vegas Blog: “Peepshow” has been “revamped.” Have the changes affected your part in the show, and how?

Holly: We completely changed one of the numbers I’m in, to make it sexier, and of course my choreography changes to accommodate the changes in the stage and scenery.

Holly Madison

Onstage at "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood.

POV Blog: You seem to embrace social networking. What do you like about it? (Note: Follow Holly on Twitter here.)

Holly: I love Twitter. It’s a great way to keep up with friends and keep fans updated on what’s new. It also makes me laugh.

POV Blog: You live in the public eye, but what would it surprise people to know about you?

Holly: I’m a Disney fanatic. Every room in my new house is going to be Disney-themed.

Holly Madison

Holly meets the press.

POV Blog: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened during your “Peepshow” run? Any “wardrobe malfunctions”?

Holly: The cast of “Peepshow” always cracks me up. Sometimes, I can’t even keep a straight face on stage, they make me laugh so much. I love pulling celebrities and people I know up on stage.

POV Blog: What’s happening with your reality TV show, “Holly’s World”?

Holly: I have already filmed one episode of “Holly’s World” in Mexico. We start filming full-time in Las Vegas at the end of March.

POV Blog: What’s the most challenging part of being you?

Holly: I think the hardest part of being me is trying to juggle everything I put on my plate. Between doing a live show six nights a week, filming a reality show, doing P.R., developing merchandise and keeping up with my dogs and all my other responsibilities, I have no time for a personal life.

Holly Madison

Holly kicks off the St. Patrick's Day festivities at O'Sheas.

POV Blog: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life?

Holly: I am most proud of the work I did at Playboy for two years, directing and editing the centerfold feature. I loved that job, but when it ceased to be challenging, I quit.

Holly Madison

Just another day at the "office" for Holly Madison.

POV Blog: What restaurants and nightclubs do you frequent in Las Vegas?

Holly: I try and check out as many different things in town that I can, but my favorites are the Peppermill, Mon Ami Gabi, XS and Tryst nightclubs and the roller coasters.

POV Blog: We hear you’re an animal advocate. How active are you in animal rights groups?

Holly: I am starting to work with the local Las Vegas animal shelter to promote animal adoption and animal birth control.

POV Blog: Your love of Vegas comes through in everything you do. Why do you like it so much?

Holly: I love Las Vegas so much because it is like a friendly small town with all the fun things any big city could have.

Thanks for the great Q&A, Holly, and good luck with the continued success of “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood.

Holly Madison

Thanks for answering our annoying questions, Holly!

Posted on March 30th, 2010 by sroeben  |  4 Comments »

Color Artist Nabs “Battle of the Brushes”

Congratulations to Natasha Chamberlin from Color Salon at Caesars Palace for taking home the coveted “Battle of the Brushes” crown on Mar. 25.

Chamberlin had just one hour to create a masterpiece in this high-profile competition where cosmetics kingpins from a variety of Las Vegas spas and salons go head-to-head for a place in make-up artist history.

Battle of the Brushes

The eyes have it in Chamberlin's winning entry.

The theme of this year’s competition was “I’m a Barbie Girl,” which Chamberlin won with her dazzling “Lady Gaga Barbie” entry.

Battle of the Brushes

"Lady Gaga Barbie" won over the crowd and the guest judge.

The event, held at Blush Boutique Nightclub, marked the second consecutive win for Chamberlin. The guest judge was the ubiquitous Laura Croft, and the event was sponsored by Rain Cosmetics.

Learn more about Color, a salon by Michael Boychuck, at Caesars Palace.

brushes

Congrats, Natasha!

These exclusive photos come from Dave Proctor. The model? The multi-talented Tara.

Posted on March 30th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Wayne Newton Drops in On Matt Goss

None other than the legendary Wayne Newton dropped in at Matt Goss’ new show at Caesars Palace this weekend (Mar. 27).

Wayne Newton Matt Goss

Mr. Las Vegas gives props to the "new kid" at The Gossy Room at Caesars Palace. Yes, people still give props. We checked.

Learn more about Matt Goss and the revamped Gossy Room at Cleopatra’s Barge lounge inside Caesars Palace.

Posted on March 29th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Vegas Greets Soldiers Back From Afghanistan

A big, sloppy welcome home kiss to the men and women of the First Squadron 221st Cavalry who returned to Las Vegas this morning (Mar. 29) after a long deployment.

Homecoming

Families, friends and Vegas visitors were up early to greet the troops.

The soldiers of the Las Vegas-based “Wildhorse Squadron” have been deployed in Afghanistan for nearly a year.

Homecoming

Soldiers of First Squadron 221st Cavalry show their stuff.

Read more about the big day.

Homecoming

OK, we admit it, we welled up a little. We don't have to be detached. We're a blog.

The 250 soldiers were greeted by throngs of excited family members and friends grateful to have them home. More here.

Homecoming

Told you it was emotional!

An official ceremony to welcome the Wildhorse Squadron home is scheduled for Mar. 31.

Homecoming

Home safe and sound.

Thanks for making Las Vegas, and our country, proud!

Posted on March 29th, 2010 by sroeben  |  4 Comments »

Lights Dim on the Vegas Strip for Earth Hour

The famed lights of the Las Vegas Strip went dark for an hour on Mar. 27 for Earth Hour.

Earth Hour

The giant screen at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood announces the start of Earth Hour in Las Vegas.

Earth Hour was a worldwide effort that’s described as “a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future.”

Earth Hour

Paris Las Vegas, just 60 seconds before the start of Earth Hour, or as some called it, "Eerie Hour."

Earth Hour is the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour

The Montgolfier balloon at Paris goes dark. Don't panic. It's a symbolism thing.

Read more about Earth Hour on the Strip.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is in full swing. Sustainability rocks, but we personally tend to like our Strip more sparkly, thanks.

Go here for some amazing photos of Earth Hour around the world. Click on the Las Vegas photo to see the lights fade.

Posted on March 29th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Donny Osmond Supports Earth Hour

The Las Vegas Strip will go dark today, Mar. 27, for Earth Hour. The Strip will go dark at 8:30 p.m. Las Vegas time. Hear more from Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond.

Read more about Earth Hour.

Posted on March 27th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Sneak Peek at “Sindy” the Giant Stripper

Tonight (Mar. 26) is the “soft opening” of Stripper Bar in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, so of course we couldn’t resist slipping through security an hour or two before the bar’s “official” lift-off to give you an exclusive first look at the 31-foot stripper standing astride the entrance to this new hotspot.

Stripper Bar

That's "Sin City Sindy," with an "S." Enjoy, copy editors!

We even managed to get a glimpse of the last-minute touch-ups on Sindy, performed by a 31-foot-tall airbrush guy! Actually, he might have been using a crane of some sort, but that doesn’t sound quite as dramatic.

Stripper Bar

The finishing touches on Vegas' latest larger-than-life attraction.

We got the inside scoop that while Stripper Bar will be unveiled with Sindy as-is, her dancer pole will actually be arriving next week (Tuesday). A 30-foot-plus stripper pole is apparently a specialty item. Go figure.

Congrats to the gang at Stripper Bar on what’s expected to be a thrilling launch. Read more. Or visit the official site.

Posted on March 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Thought Paris Couldn’t Be Sexier? Think Again

Today (Mar. 26) marked the grand opening of La Vogue Bridal and Bachelorette Boutique at Paris Las Vegas. The store had debuted just a few hours earlier (a line had formed even before the doors were open) when we stopped by to see what all the buzz was about.

La Vogue

"La Vogue" in French means "The Vogue." Probably. We are not a translator, we are a Las Vegas blog.

This charming little specialty shop offers a titillating collection of merchandise, divided into two sections, one a “bridal boudoir” and another that’s a “bachelorette boutique,” catering to the wilder side of the Vegas experience.

La Vogue

Trust us, store manager Mylah loved having her photo taken.

The new shop is located along the cobblestone-lined shopping district of “Le Boulevard” at Paris, a resort known as one of the sexiest destinations on the Strip. That designation has been cemented with the opening of La Vogue! (Translation: We were blushing for the duration of our visit.)

Bonding Tape

Blush-inducing item number one: "All Tied Up Bonding Tape." It's used for, ahem, bonding.

Some of the saucy items at La Vogue include corsets, garter belts, rhinestone camisoles, tiaras, novelty veils and, of course, the renowned Paris wedding cake topper.

Paris cake topper

A conveniently-timed group of bachelorettes checks out the Paris cake topper.

Trust us, we’re only getting started. Lusty bachelorettes and brides will find an array of playful items like edible body paints and kits, as well as things that whip, tickle, restrain and vibrate.

La Vogue

Leather handcuffs. Check. Chains. Check. Not sure you can get much more Vegas than that.

Luckily, the friendly staff can help guests explore all the offerings. They didn’t even tease us about not knowing what half of the merchandise actually was.

Ralonda

Thank the heavens for Ralonda, the most patient Sales Consultant in the world.

La Vogue Bridal and Bachelorette Boutique is open Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Check it out. It’s sure to be an eye-opening experience!

La Vogue

La Vogue at Paris manages to juggle sweet and sexy (and wild), all with a touch of class.

Posted on March 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  1 Comment »

Your Change Can Bring About Change

Time’s running out to toss your change into the orange-colored fountain in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. It’ll not only bring you good luck, change thrown into the fountain until Mar. 31 will be donated to the Nevada Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Miracle Mile Shops Fountain

Pretty, huh? We have our moments.

In February, the fountain glowed red, and more than $1,400 was raised for the American Heart Association.

Miracle Mile

Do your part! After all, penny slots don't take actual pennies anymore.

Posted on March 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Our Best Celebrity Sighting Ever

What? We personally think he’s a huge celebrity. Hey, it’s Vegas!

Captain Morgan

We spotted this iconic figure on Fremont Street, downtown.

Posted on March 26th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Barry Manilow Woos Audiences at Paris

Here’s a great story about Barry Manilow’s new gig at Paris Las Vegas. Wonderful photo gallery, too. Find out more about the show, and get tickets.

Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow's stage spectacular at Paris Las Vegas.

Posted on March 25th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Dive Into the Caesars Pool Gorgeousness

If you’ve read this Las Vegas blog before, you know we just LOVE pretty pictures. Well, there’s a fresh batch of amazing photos of the recently-expanded Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis complex at Caesars Palace right here.

Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis

Caesars Palace truly does indulgence right.

Use the giant arrow to flip through the splendor-filled photo gallery, and book a room or package, or nab a private cabana, sure to be the best part of your poolside exploits during your next Vegas stay.

And invite us to your little soiree. This blog could use a little R&R, not to mention a dose of vitamin D.

Posted on March 25th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »

Stripper Bar Unveiled at Planet Hollywood

During one of our recent aimless strolls through Planet Hollywood and its Miracle Mile shopping extravaganza, we couldn’t help but notice this…

Stripper Bar

We love a good mystery! What is this place?

Our questions have been answered! Stripper Bar will be officially unveiled Mar. 26.

Touted as “Las Vegas’ first-and-only bar run by strippers,” Stripper Bar features an entrance with a 31-foot tall, custom-built stripper named “Sin City Sindy.”

The twist? Unsuspecting customers will enter the bar through Sin City Sindy’s legs, and a hidden camera will snap photos of their glances as they (presumably) look upward. Hello! Another “only in Vegas” souvenir moment.

The $150,000 stripper that adorns Stripper Bar intends to join the ranks of other over-sized Vegas icons such as Vegas Vic and Sassy Sally in true Las Vegas-style.

Sin City Sindy was hand-carved out of huge blocks of Styrofoam, and took more than three months to make. She weighs more than 2,500 pounds!

Warning: Themed-specialty-drink-names ahead. This just in. Specialty drinks at Stripper Bar will include, hey, we warned you: ”Nice Melons,” “Stiffy,” “Pink Panty,” “Simply Nuts,” “Love Bites” and “Bump & Grind.”

Further investigation required, but it sounds like fun. There’s always something new and surprising in Vegas.

Posted on March 25th, 2010 by sroeben  |  No Comments »