Red Carpet Report: Rolling Stones book second date in L.V.; Hakkasan expansion; Cliff Perlman; Celine Dion
I was scoffed at when I was first to reveal that The Rolling Stones would play not one but two concerts here this fall. I was proven correct when their first show — now sold out — was booked for Oct. 19 but had to hold my breath until this morning when the British boys announced the second spectacular will be Saturday, Oct. 22, again at T-Mobile Arena.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 16. It’s the band’s last U.S. show this year and follows the Desert Trip concerts in Indio, Calif., on Oct. 7 and 14. It’s the first time in more than three years that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood are returning to the Strip.
EXPANDING
Hakkasan Group’s global luxury hospitality company headquartered here is on the move, and the world’s first Omnia dayclub and a Japanese restaurant are set to open at the new resort Cliff in Bali. Hakkasan has already partnered in the Alila Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a Hakkasan restaurant, Omnia nightclub and Japanese restaurant Sake No Hana.
Neil Moffitt, Hakkasan’s CEO who predicts nearly 650 jobs for the ventures, says that once completed, he intends to expand further in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
ALSO ON THE MOVE
Those lingerie-clad female fighters from The Octagon are taking the Las Vegas naughty nightie fireworks to Europe. Lingerie Fighting Championships headquartered here has signed contracts for three matches in Vienna, Bratislava and Ostrava. It will be a whirlwind tour with three fights over three consecutive nights in three countries.
Fifteen of the league’s most popular Las Vegas vixens will make the journey to Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Hometown promoter Shaun Donnelly, CEO of LFC, says he’s spoken to each of the girls “about the physical risks of fighting three opponents over three nights, and each one said that they were up to the challenge for the first-ever underwear fights in Europe.”
CONDOLENCES
We add our condolences to family and friends of former Caesars Palace President and Chairman Clifford Perlman, who died last weekend. A true visionary, Cliff served as CEO of Caesars from 1969-1982 and was chairman of parent company Caesars World. Cliff created the first publicly held gaming company, sponsored the Alan King Tennis Classic and worked with Don King to secure some of the biggest boxing events there.
Caesars President Gary Selesner said: “Cliff was a visionary and an innovator. He is responsible for many impressive and long-lasting contributions to the gaming and entertainment world.” Caesars Entertainment CEO and President Mark Frissora added: “The entire Caesars family is deeply saddened by the loss of Cliff Perlman. We offer heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Cliff was one of a kind. His force of personality and determination helped shape Caesars Palace and Las Vegas into the premier entertainment and luxury destination it is today. We are grateful for his pioneering spirit and recognize that Caesars wouldn’t be what it is today without Cliff.”
ACES & DOUBLES
The list of tennis stars that Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King have recruited for World Team Tennis Smash Hit they’re staging Oct. 10 at Caesars’ forecourt keeps growing. Feisty John McEnroe will play with Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick and Lindsay Davenport. Mark Philippoussis and Mardy Fish were added to the lineup today. Since 1993, WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $14 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local AIDS charities.
Caesars, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, also is home to Elton’s hit resident show MILLION DOLLAR PIANO. The tennis court will be set up in the valet area. Captained by Billie Jean and Elton, the players form two teams and play a match featuring singles and doubles. Elton is expected to participate in a celebrity doubles match. Last year, his team took a 12-11 edge in the overall series with a 17-11 win over Billie Jean’s players.
COOL COMEDY-HOT CUISINE
I told you previously that comedy host Bill Bellamy would welcome Neon Trees along with ABSINTHE’s The Gazillionaire, comedian Bob Saget and chefs Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken and Hubert Keller for the Scleroderma Research Foundation fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas in The Linq Promenade on Oct. 13.
Now I can advise that PAWN STARS heroes Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison have agreed to appear along with pastry chef Keris Kuwana of Yardbird at The Venetian. The night is being produced by my pal Saville Kellner, who battles the disease himself.
THE CARBONARO EFFECT
Twas two nights before Christmas and all through The Mirage, guests will be abuzz about comedy magician Michael Carbonaro. The improbable illusionist who appeared on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO has performed more than 500 perplexing prestidigitation acts on his TruTV series. Now he’s set to play here for the first time at The Mirage on Dec. 23.
STAR PARADE
Priscilla Presley on a low-key visit here was a last-minute surprise guest at Clint Holmes’ BETWEEN THE LINES at The Palazzo.
Singer and musician extraordinaire Frankie Moreno and DANCING WITH THE STARS pro dancer Lacey Schwimmer enjoyed dinner at the new Benihana in Fashion Show mall. I watched as they joined with waiters and chefs to sing “Happy Birthday” to guests at their same-table grill. Frankie told me that they are off to my summer stomping grounds in Tuscany next month, and he plans to import a line of Italian wines from there.
Singer Jay Sean partied with eight friends at Encore Beach Club enjoyed Tito’s vodka cocktails while listening to DJ Zedd. Sean agreed to one photo with an attractive EBC server. Also there: former UFC fighter Tito Ortiz in a group of 10 that included girlfriend Amber Nichole Miller in a tiny, hot-pink, fringe thong bikini.
CELINE’S NEW SONG
I listened this morning for the first time to our Caesars headliner Celine Dion’s new song, “Recovering.” It is hauntingly beautiful. What I didn’t know after I’d been touched so emotionally is that it was written for her by another Las Vegas artist, Pink.