Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash was in Las Vegas Friday headlining the 20th anniversary birthday party at The Mirage, dubbing the event” Slash and Friends.” The axeman’s so-called friends included fellow GNR bandmate Matt Sorum and previously-mentioned fellow drummer Tommy Lee; Hole’s unladylike leading lady, Courtney Love; Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry; Maroon 5 hottie Adam Levine; Pussycat Dolls’ stunner Nicole Scherzinger; musician/screenwriter Rob Zombie; Led Zeppelin drummer Jason Bonham; and Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. What’s more, Keifer Sutherland served as master of (the star-studded) ceremonies.
Whew, try saying all that in one breath- and we’re just getting started…
If club hopping and spotting celebrities are your cup of tea, don’t forget to check out Her Greatness, the inimitable Paris Hilton as she graces Body English, the nightclub at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. This is THE favorite Las Vegas nightclub for Hilton, but don’t expect to spot her until around 11 p.m. – a gaggle of cackling groupies are a sure-fire sign of her presence.
Hilton watchers will remember the mini firestorm that erupted about a month ago when a local gossip columnist suggested the scandal-prone heiress was “wasted” at Wasted Space via Twitter.
Sober, tipsy, wasted or otherwise, Hilton will ensure Saturday night is a smash as she hosts “Smashtime” at Body English, along with E! Personality and BE Saturday night resident Clinton Sparks.
But if being in a state of mindless DJ bliss is your ticket, might want to head down tonight to the Rain nightclub at the Palms Casino around 10 p.m. as Paul Oakenfold presents Perfecto.
However, then again, if you’re a firm believer that a wholesome family celebrity life can indeed happen in Las Vegas, then put on your swimming trunks and head over to the Wet Republic ultra pool at the MGM this afternoon as the terrible actress, poor singer, and the sister of Jessica, an escalating train wreck and wife to an annoying band member, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz turns 25 today, blowing the candles out on her paparazzi pie.
Yep, the C-list celebritybirthday party guests will most likely celebrate by spending time with husband Pete and cute son Bronx Mowgli today and her family; though we’d really rather she would hang out with an acting coach.
That said, it’s pretty safe to say the senior Simpson sister’s ex, Nick Lachey, won’t be anywhere near Wet Republic or the sisters’ SPF this weekend – though he will be in town this weekend.
Lachey, however, has been spotted in and around the Venetian/Palazzo (including at First Food and Bar on Thursday) and will likely stay on property, for the most part. What’s more: Lachey’s current flame Vanessa Minnillo is rumored to be with him.
There are a lot of other notable Las Vegas birthday candles to blow out this weekend.
The Mirage is turning 20; PT’s, a local dive chain, is celebrating an amazing fog-filled 27 years; Tao is toasting its fourth birthday; and Lavo is about to mark a year of success and excess on the Strip.
All these birthdays mean three things: Lots of cake and lots of candles — and lots of celebrities, too.
Paris Hilton was also at the Vision Expo yesterday, promoting her new line of sunglasses at the Gripping Eyewear booth (#18103), but the blonde ambition’s endorse-a-palooza didn’t stop there: Hilton took her fashionable show down the street to the Hard Rock Hotel, where she strutted her stuff in a poolside fashion show. You might think of Hilton as a real life Barbie– you can dress her up, but be very careful when and where you take her out.
Today, the Vision Expo will be graced by rapper Pitbull who will take to the Revolution Eyewear booth at noon. Also at the Expo on Saturday will be PGA Tour golfer Kenny Perry, swing coach Matt Killen, and vision trainer Larry Lampert, who will be appearing n behalf of Transitions Optical (booth #10053). While the trio of golf pros will be chatting up Transitions lenses, they’ve also promised to share a few tips to help fans improve their golf game, too.
Meanwhile, Mario Barth’s “Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth” also got under way on Friday, across the street from MGM at Mandalay Bay, with some 1,000 of the hottest tat artists. The three-day ink fest also features a sizeable collection of celebs, including Tommy Lee, Jack Osbourne, Mark McGrath, Evan Seinfeld, and Duff McKagen.
Barth’s action will move to the Hard Rock on Saturday, where tattoo legend will co-host Inked magazine’s first annual Inked True Colors Awards, which will feature a special performance by The Bronx. After that he and his entourage will likely move the party to New York-New York after the awards, however, as Beastie Boys DJ extraordinaire Mix Master Mike takes to the turntables at a tattoo show afterparty at Rok.
While the Tao restaurant-nightclub has released the mile long list of confirmed guests for this evening’s four-year birthday party, everyone knows the place will be crawling with more celebrities and VIPs that what is listed.
The big names on the list now include actress Amanda Bynes; actor Mekhi Phifer; Dr. Allison Cameron from “House,” aka Jennifer Morrison; and “Blade” vampire Stephen Dorff. But it doesn’t end there, oh no… Aaron Paul, Adam Gregory, Amanda Righetti, Beth Ostrosky, Brandi Cibrian, Carson Kressley, Clifton Collins, Danielle Panabaker, Eva Amurri, Jason Kennedy, Jennifer Gimenez, Krysten Ritter, Patrick Sebes, Selita Ebanks, Spencer Grammer, Terrence Howard, and last but not least, Zachary Abel.
Naturally, the pre-released list of celebs attending the Tao party will likely serve as a mere starting point in terms of the who’s-who’s of the party. And, considering the plethora of stars in town this weekend, it’s not hard to imagine how much the guest list stands to grow by the end of the night.
Meanwhile, at the MGM Grand tonight, AC/DC will entertain at the Grand Garden Arena.
Another, though entirely different, Australian-born act will step into the spotlight tonight, too, however the second Down Under-born and bred show will go down at The Palms: Kylie Monogue will mark her return to North American soil and the North American stage tonight with a performance at the Pearl.
A very different show will take place at Texas Station tonight, as all-American country superstar Randy Travis takes to the stage.
Also, tonight, L.A. party boy Brent Bolthouse will bring the West coast party to Privé, where he will serve as guest DJ for the night.
And as if the weekend’s worth of birthday bashes and anniversary soirées isn’t enough, there will be yet another blow-out on Sunday at The Bank. Suffice to say those attending the tattoo show’s grand finale party on Sunday – yes, God doesn’t rest in Las Vegas – won’t be making it into the office first thing Monday morning: Dave Navarro is hosting the event, while DJ Skribble and DJ Slynkee will also contribute to the soundtrack.
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 