planet hollywood
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO AND PH TOWERS WESTGATE • LAS VEGAS
WINTER/SPRING 2010 EDITION
holly madison MEET THE SHOWGIRL NEXT DOOR
inside ph PH TOWERS WESTGATE
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contents I features
20 THE SHOWGIRL
NEXT DOOR
BY SHEP MORGAN
Peepshow vixen Holly Madison feels right at home living and working in Las Vegas.
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TOP-NOTCH Action heroes Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham team up with an all-star cast in The Expendables.
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WISH LIST We check out TeNo and H&M in Miracle Mile Shops. Plus, hot products.
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GAMING GUIDE Hot slots and an a-List reception.
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IN MEMORIAM P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O
A look back at the life of actor Patrick Swayze.
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contents I departments
44 WANDERING
IN WONDERLAND
BY SHEP MORGAN
DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
Inside the weird and wacky world of Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton.
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OUTTAKES An interview with Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel and a peek inside the new PH Towers Westgate. Plus, the diary of a diva, how to follow Planet Hollywood and PH Towers happenings, and a rundown on the movies and television shows filmed on property.
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THE DISH
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PLANET PILOT
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STARCATCHER
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ON THE TOWN
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Our dining and entertainment guide to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
The stars come out at night. Celebrities snapped at the premiere of The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard; the grand opening of Pink’s Hot Dogs; a party for Chuck Liddell and UFC 100; and Holly Madison “marries” the Travelocity gnome.
Las Vegas dining and entertainment.
CUTTING-ROOM FLOOR
Mickey Rourke, as Whiplash, is ready for battle in Iron Man 2.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEY/TOUCHSTONE PICTURES
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Hot diggity dog! Pink’s Hot Dogs serves its famous franks. Sammy Hagar talks tequila and tells all about his Cabo Wabo Cantina. And signature drinks from Yolös Mexican Grill and a peek at Pampas Brazilian Grille.
contributors
winter/spring 2010
planet hollywood THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO
Freelancer Danielle Cohen loves the glamour that her award-winning writing and editing career affords her, immersing her in the worlds of fashion, beauty, bridal, entertainment, dining, luxury lifestyle and travel for a dozen years now. Danielle’s byline can be found in publications around the world, including Caesars Player, ISLANDS Weddings & Honeymoons, Discover Style, Women’s Wear Daily, Impressions and Vows.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD IS PUBLISHED TWICE A YEAR AND DISTRIBUTED IN ALL 2,567 ROOMS AND SUITES AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO AND THE 1,228 ROOMS AT PH TOWERS WESTGATE. THE MAGAZINE IS ALSO DISTRIBUTED IN THE CASINO’S VIP LOUNGES, IN THE RESORT RESTAURANTS AND AT MIRACLE MILE SHOPS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD. ROBYN PEOT EDWARD MURZYN JULIE MORRISON
VICE PRESIDENT OF BRAND MARKETING EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
ONBOARD MEDIA MIAMI OFFICE 1691 MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 600 MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139 TEL: 305.673.0400 FAX: 305.674.9396
Lynn Goya writes regularly about food and wine, the environment, travel, business, design and entertainment for publications such as USA Today, Audubon and Cooking Light. She is an author who has written Fun with the Family Las Vegas, 4th edition, released by GPP Travel in 2007, and Best Easy Day Hikes Cedar Rapids, published by Falcon Press in 2010, and she is a writer for the regional Emmy-nominated PBS series, Outdoor Nevada. She says of her experiences, “Everyone has an interesting story to tell if you are willing to listen.”
ONBOARD MEDIA LAS VEGAS OFFICE 3355 SPRING MOUNTAIN ROAD, SUITE 13 LAS VEGAS, NV 89102-8632 TEL: 702.212.5690 FAX: 702.212.4960 ONBOARD.COM
ROBERT EICHNER ROBIN ROSENBAUM-ANDRAS SARAH BETH RENO MATTHEW SIESEL
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE PUBLISHING
KATE McCLARE RYAN SLATTERY LINDA BROCKMAN STEPHANIE CHATANAY COX
Jen Karetnick is a Miami-based freelance food-andtravel writer and a poet. She is the features editor for Wine News; the restaurant critic for MIAMI magazine; and arts and culture expert for VisitFlorida.com. Her poetry has appeared in The North American Review, River Styx and The Greensboro Review, and her first collection of poetry, Necessary Salt, was released by Pudding House Publications. Jen is also coauthor of Raw Food/Real World, Harper Collins, 2005. She collaborated with designer Bridgett Fernandez on a book called Born-Again Vintage, released by Potter Craft in 2008. jenkaretnick.com
SIRENA ANDRAS JUAN ITURRIZA BETH WOOD JULIO ORTEGA TRACY STEIN CLARA KOHN VIRGINIA C. VALLS JAMES PERDOMO ROBERT MARENCO GAIL ABRAMS VIOLETA MANCO-ROJAS CECILIA VASQUEZ
EXECUTIVE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR — PROJECT ART DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR ADVERTISING DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER — PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR SHIPPING & LOGISTICS MANAGER — AD SERVICES MANAGER AD SERVICES COORDINATOR AD SERVICES COORDINATOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS GEORGE ALPIZAR, DANIELLE COHEN, LYNN GOYA JEN KARETNICK AND SHEP MORGAN CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS ISAAC BREKKEN, TOM DONOGHUE, DENISE TRUSCELLO AND JOHN ULMANIS COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY DENISE TRUSCELLO
Shep Morgan is an award-winning producer and journalist who has written cover stories and celebrity profiles for publications, TV and Internet sites. He has interviewed many famous faces—ranging from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Johnny Depp and George Clooney—for some of the country’s top news outlets including Gotham, Hamptons, Redbook and Los Angeles Confidential magazines, The New York Times syndicate, TV Guide online, E! online and Parade.com. Shep is executive producer/ writer for the nationally syndicated radio series Jeanne Wolf’s Hollywood, which also appears as a weekly column on Movies.com.
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CATHY GLOVER
GROUP PUBLISHER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES ROD@ONBOARD.COM INTERNATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR CATHY@ONBOARD.COM
© 2010 ONBOARD MEDIA. NO CLAIM TO ORIGINAL WORKS OF PLANET HOLLWYOOD OR ADVERTISERS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS PUBLICATION ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMIT TED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR OTHERWISE, WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
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welcome letter Welcome to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. We are so excited to have you staying with us—here in the middle of all the action.
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O
There is so much to share in this latest edition of Planet Hollywood magazine. First, let me start by thanking Holly Madison for gracing the cover of this exciting issue. Madison is the star of our provocative adult review Peepshow, created right here in our own CHI Showroom. She plays Bo Peep, Peepshow’s heroine, who takes a journey through a tale with a tease. She was also the star of the reality hit, The Girls Next Door, and is currently working on her own reality show on E!.
Photo of Mike Mecca to come
In other entertainment news, Sylvester Stallone, a dear friend of Planet Hollywood, is working on an upcoming film that he wrote and directed, called The Expendables. It stars another great friend of ours, Jason Statham, and some other Hollywood greats including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke and Jet Li. We have been fortunate to find great opportunities within the film industry as well. In 2009, location scouts chose Planet Hollywood to film scenes from the comedy Get Him to the Greek, starring Jonah Hill and Russell Brand, and Somewhere, from writer-director Sofia Coppola, who won an Oscar in 2003 for her original screenplay, Lost in Translation. I’m also proud to say that we have worked closely with television networks to bring you episodes of CSI, The Girls Next Door and So You Think You Can Dance. Our latest production is with E!. It’s a new reality show which follows Holly Madison around Planet Hollywood and documents her quest to become mayor of Las Vegas. Simply put, you’ll never know what you’ll find going on inside The House That Fame Built. We are also excited about our biggest unveiling yet: PH Towers Westgate. This 52-story luxury condo includes all-suite accommodations, an exotic tropical oasis, state-of-the-art meetings facilities and a grand entrance to Miracle Mile Shops. Also new to the Planet is Pink’s Hot Dogs, a Hollywood favorite since 1939, and Cabo Wabo Cantina, Sammy Hagar’s new restaurant inside Miracle Mile Shops. I certainly hope that you take the time to check out all the famous options our property has to offer. Until then, consider this magazine your sneak preview into the fabulous world of fame.
Enjoy your stay, and please feel free to take your Planet Hollywood magazine home with you. All the best,
Robert Earl Robert Earl Co-Chairman Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Planet for the Planet Just as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Cate Blanchett advocate eco-friendly ways to conserve energy, the PH Green Team has been working hard to make a difference as well. Planet Hollywood has placed biodegradable Environmentally Responsible Products (ERP) in all its guest rooms, installed low-energy fixtures and bulbs, and has put motion sensors in some work areas so lights will turn off automatically when nobody is in the room. The company has made a conscious effort to reduce waste by moving to double-sided printing, reusing scrap paper and eliminating the use of Styrofoam cups. Planet Hollywood also is increasing its recycling efforts, in everything from fryer oil and paper to cardboard, plastic and glass. The PH Green Team is even converting food scraps into compost and donating it to local farms.
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outtakes
reaching new heights BY GEORGE ALPIZAR
Siegel, CEO of Westgate Resorts, says the design of the skyline-changing, 52-story structure was inspired by the bold lines of the 1957 Ford Thunderbird.
PH TOWERS OPENS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD
He started humbly in Orlando and ended up buying a piece of land next to Disney that catapulted him to the top of the timeshare industry. Now, the King of Timeshare, David Siegel, finds himself at another career milestone with the opening of the exclusive PH Towers Westgate on the Las Vegas Strip. P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F W E S T G AT E R E S O R T S
Located on the southeast corner of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino property, PH Towers offers guests true luxury and convenience. A first for a major Vegas project—the tropical pool is completely integrated with the spacious resort lobby and comes complete with a white-sand beach. It is the property’s focal point and “party pavilion.” Its 32 daytime cabanas will convert into private dining rooms when the sun sets. It’s “the sexiest, most conveniently located pool in Vegas,” Siegel says proudly. Rooms at PH Towers are the most technologically advanced in Vegas, with high-definition theater screens and flat-panel televisions, marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, and superb views of the Las Vegas skyline. Guests also have access to a state-of-the-art health club, and the tower connects directly to Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood with a 150-foot grand entrance into the PH Towers lobby. A GROUNDBREAKING CAREER PH Towers is the very first vacationownership resort to be fully integrated with a major resort and casino complex. It’s the latest project by Westgate, which Siegel founded as he began his career in Central Florida. In 1982, Siegel marketed a new concept in vacation lodging: timeshares. He started with only 16 luxurious villas near the main entrance of Walt Disney World Resort. The company now boasts 28 vacation villas and resorts in 11 states, including some of the nation’s top vacation destinations: Park City, Utah; Miami Beach, Florida; Mesa, Arizona; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—and Las Vegas. “I’m especially proud that our development is located at the most significant location on the Las Vegas Strip,” he says. 12
Rooms at PH Towers are the most technologically advanced in Vegas, and offer superb views of the Las Vegas skyline.
David Siegel, CEO of Westgate Resorts
PLANET HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS
Guests are invited to experience life on the other side of the Planet, in the hottest new hotel rooms on the Strip. Reservations for PH Towers can be made by visiting the web site at phtowers.com, or by calling toll-free 1-877-90-TOWER (86937).
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F W E S T G AT E R E S O R T S
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outtakes
Diva Diary Friday 9 a.m.: We arrived! So excited. May-
Saturday 9 a.m.: Hardly got any sleep but
Sunday 11 a.m.: While the boys are away, the
be Alex will finally ask me to marry him. I’m crossing my fingers.
who sleeps in Vegas, right? Yesterday was so much fun. We’re all eating breakfast at Planet Dailies. The pancakes are unreal!
girls will…tan. We’re heading to the pool soon. Alex and Sean are going to the Playing Field Lounge to watch the game.
10:30 p.m.: After last night, I need to relax. Brooke and I are going to the Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara for massages, while the guys play golf. I’m getting the Four Hands massage and, of course, a manicure and pedicure.
12:30 p.m.: How do you spell
10 a.m.: Just checked into the room at Planet Hollywood. So cool. Our friends Brooke and Sean have a room with Pulp Fiction memorabilia in it. Alex just loves that movie. He’s so jealous. Pulp Fiction room
11:30 a.m.: Pool or shopping? What to do first? The guys are at Spice Market Buffet for lunch, but I needed an outfit for tonight so Brooke and I went to the Miracle Mile Shops.
2 p.m.: They’re still eating! Not surprised. Heard it was a great buffet. Oh well. Brooke and I are at Yolös Mexican Grill having margaritas. Yum!
6:35 p.m.: At Strip House. Wow.
Yolös Mexican Grill
We all know that what happens in Vegas goes home in the form of great stories. But in the days of Twitter and Facebook, sharing those tales with friends is easier and quicker than ever. Here’s the rundown we got from a friend on her first trip to Sin City:
What an atmosphere. I think that’s red velvet on the walls. And lots of sexy black-and-white photographs. Here for the 24-layer chocolate cake before we see Peepshow.
5 p.m.: We stayed at the spa all day. So worth it. Waiting for Alex and Sean to return, so Brooke and I are drinking martinis at Extra Lounge. Take your time, guys! 6:45 p.m.: Just walked past the wedding chapel…it looks so romantic. Wink-wink, Alex.
mojito? Aah, who cares? They make them the best here!
3 p.m.: Met back up with the guys. They grabbed sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich so Brooke and I went to P.F. Chang’s and shared a chicken chopped salad. Mmmmmmm.
7:30 p.m.: Time to go home. Sigh. I had so much fun, I barely noticed that Alex didn’t pop the question— maybe he will when we come back to stay at PH Towers. Honeymoon in Vegas? I could definitely go for that!
Signing off for now….Nicole. 2:30 a.m.: Hung out at Heart Bar all night, telling stories. We met the funniest couple from L.A.—Suzanne and Casey. I never laughed so hard. Casey should really be doing stand-up.
9:45 p.m.: HA! Brooke thinks she can move like Holly Madison in Peepshow. We’ll see later tonight. Show has such a cute story. Adult version of Little Bo Peep. I know Alex and Sean enjoyed the outfits.
10:30 p.m.: I won! Playing blackjack in a place called the The Pleasure Pit. Not sure exactly what I’m doing but I’m winning. There are women in lingerie dancing here. Insane!
Privé
3 a.m.: Privé is so awesome. The club is packed. I’ve been dancing for two hours! Oh, and Brooke is no Holly on the dance floor, but that’s OK.
Become a Fan of PH Stay in touch with the PH experience, from exclusive offers and exciting events to celebrity spottings. Connect with us today on Facebook at facebook.com/phvegas, and follow us on Twitter @phvegas. Don’t miss out on the excitement happening at the center of the Strip! While you’re in Vegas, make sure to connect with us on Foursquare. Check out our Top 12 list for insider tips. And, when you check in at different locations around the casino, you’ll receive surprise offers and special gifts!
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outtakes
Camera Ready FOR PLANET HOLLYWOOD, WORKING WITH FILM CREWS IS A NATURAL FIT
Above: Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher film a scene from What Happens in Vegas on the casino floor. Below: Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up.
What’s filmed in Las Vegas is filmed at Planet Hollywood. In just three short years, the casino-resort has become one of the top go-to locations for filmmakers and Tinseltown television producers eyeing a Vegas backdrop. In that short time, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has seen the filming of six major motion pictures and more than two dozen television shows, and held 10 red-carpet movie premieres with stars such as Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Kevin Spacey, Al Pacino, Milla Jovovich, Jeremy Piven and Will Ferrell.
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F : S H A Q V S A N D M I S S A M E R I C A , P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ( B Y D E N I S E T R U S C E L L O ) ; W H A T H A P P E N S I N V E G A S , 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y F O X ; K N O C K E D U P , U N I V E R S A L P I C T U R E S ; 2 1 , S O N Y P I C T U R E S E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N C .
MUSIC, NEWS, HOLLYWOOD BUZZ
“It’s such a classic Vegas and pop-culture brand,” said What Happens in Vegas producer Shawn Levy, explaining why his team chose Planet Hollywood to film the Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher comedy at Planet Hollywood. “It’s a really vibrant, dynamic place. We got a fabulous location to work in.” In 2009, location scouts chose the property to film scenes from the Russell Brand comedy Get Him to the Greek and Somewhere, the latest outing by writer-director Sofia Coppola, who, in 2003, won a writing Oscar for her original screenplay, Lost in Translation. Television called as well, with networks filming episodes of CSI, The Girls Next Door, SHAQ VS, America’s Got Talent and E!’s new reality show, which follows Peepshow star Holly Madison around Planet Hollywood. The fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance made two stops in Las Vegas, using the stage inside the Theatre for the Performing Arts to tape episodes of the hit show, which executive producer Nigel Lythgoe referred to as “a true talent show. This really is about talent growing in front of your eyes,” he said during a break in taping. Shaquille O’Neal also entered the reality television world with his SHAQ VS series, a show in which the Cleveland Cavaliers center challenged athletes such as Michael Phelps and Albert Pujols in their respective sports. Shaq made a grand entrance to a Planet Hollywood press conference held on the casino floor announcing his fight against 10-time boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya. O’Neal challenged the much-smaller De La Hoya in a boxing match filmed on the property’s pool deck. At the press conference, De La Hoya joked about the obvious size difference— 7-foot-1-inch, 320-pound O’Neal towers over 5-foot-10-inch, 160-pound De La Hoya—saying he would throw “punches in bunches” and that his best chance for a knockout would be “if I had a baseball bat with me.” To which O’Neal replied, “There is an old song my mother used to play: ‘You can run but you can’t hide.’” Top, from left: Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner and housemates from The Girls Next Door; Sylvester Stallone and Piers Morgan filming Piers’ new show Piers Morgan On Las Vegas; At right, Shaq and Oscar De La Hoya filming SHAQ VS.
Above: Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher in What Happens in Vegas.
MOVIES FILMED AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD Somewhere Get Him to the Greek Race to Witch Mountain What Happens in Vegas 21 Knocked Up
TELEVISION (FILMED IN 2009) ABC’s SHAQ VS FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance E!’s The Girls Next Door CBS’s CSI G4’s 2 Months, $2 Million VH-1’s Tool Academy FOX’s More to Love MTV’s True Life: I’m a Gambler Travel Channel’s Extreme Vegas Miss USA 2009 Miss America 2009 Piers Morgan On . . . Las Vegas
MOVIE PREMIERES AND SCREENINGS AT PH The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (August 2009) St. John of Las Vegas (June 2009) Transporter 3 (November 2008) Repo! The Genetic Opera (November 2008) Saw V (October 2008) 88 Minutes (April 2008) 21 (March 2008) Rambo (January 2008) Resident Evil: Extinction (September 2007) Rocky Balboa (December 2006)
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F L I O N S G AT E F I L M S ( B Y K A R E N B A L L A R D )
top-notch
THE EXPENDABLES
A-LIST ACTION HEROES ON A MISSION
Sylvester Stallone has assembled an all-star cast of warriors for his next film, The Expendables, which has its world premiere in August 2010 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas. The movie—which was partially filmed in Brazil—stars and is directed by Stallone, who plays Barney Ross, the veteran leader of a group of mercenaries out to overthrow a ruthless dictator. Specializing in hand-to-hand combat, Stallone heads a team that includes Jason Statham as his second in command, the lovestruck British soldier Lee Christmas. Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Mickey Rourke also star in the film, in which Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger appear.
It’s one explosive moment after another in The Expendables, starring Sylvester Stallone (top and right) and other top players, including Eric Roberts and Steve Austin (above, from left).
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For Statham, acting alongside Stallone—his childhood hero—was a thrill. “I’ve seen every movie Sly has ever done. He’s one of the legends of our time,” Statham says. “I’m just going along for the ride playing one of a bunch of mercenaries.”
freeze frame
"I absolutely love Vegas and on my list of things to do in the future is to help make it even better.�
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ( B Y D E N I S E T R U S C E L L O )
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STAR PROFILE
GIRL NEXT DOOR
SHOW
Holly Madison Speaks Candidly on Love, Fame and Vegas Dreams
BY SHEP MORGAN
Holly Madison may not be serious when she talks about running for mayor of Las Vegas, but there’s no doubt that the voluptuous blonde who’s currently starring in Peepshow, Planet Hollywood’s topless tribute to burlesque, is making an impact in Sin City. The former star of the hit reality show The Girls Next Door, who also competed on Dancing with the Stars, reveals, “Everybody thinks Vegas is a transient thing for me but it isn’t. Living here is one of the best-kept secrets—nobody expects it to be as fun or as great as it is. I absolutely love Vegas and on my list of things to do in the future is to help make it even better.”
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freeze frame
Whether she’s lounging by the pool (right) or performing in Peepshow (below), Holly Madison is enjoying life at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Her role in Peepshow mirrors Madison’s dream of becoming a sex symbol. “I play Bo Peep,” she explains, “a girl who’s really hard-working but can’t find love because she’s timid. She falls asleep one night and ends up on this journey to a dream world where fairy tale characters teach her how to become confident and sensual.” Madison’s own journey began on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, where she spent her early childhood. Laughing at the thought that she might be compared to another high-profile woman from the 49th state, she jokes, “I’m not Sarah Palin, but I did go hunting with my dad. I do think growing up in Alaska made me sort of fearless, but I wouldn’t say I was a tomboy. I was always really girly.” “I was sort of obsessed with being famous,” she continues. “I had Marilyn Monroe paper dolls as a child and I was fascinated by her. I’ve always been really driven to be a celebrity. I don’t know what put that bug in me at a young age.” After spending her high school years in Oregon, Madison headed for Hollywood. “I had a mind of my own and my parents knew that I was going to do whatever I wanted to do so they didn’t try to give me advice,” she remembers. “I knew what I wanted. I wanted to be a sex symbol.” While working at an L.A. Hooters restaurant, Madison found the man who would help make her dreams a reality. “I went to some Playboy parties with other Hooters girls and that’s how
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I met Hugh Hefner,” she remembers. “After a while Hef asked me out. We hit it off immediately, and I moved into the Playboy Mansion two days after our first date. I ended up living with him for seven years.” Madison was catapulted into the spotlight when she joined Playmates Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson on the racy E! reality series The Girls Next Door. She also worked as a photo editor for Playboy. “One thing that’s important for women to remember about magazines like Playboy is that the female bodies they showcase are enhanced,” she says. “Every photo is airbrushed. There’s always a scar or a mole or wrinkles around the eyes that are going to be taken out. They’re not selling real-life women.” Nevertheless, Madison candidly admits that she made the decision to enhance her own image with plastic surgery. “I don’t think there’s anything to be ashamed of,” she says. “I just think people need to be careful and go to a quality doctor and not get some cheapo job. At Playboy, I’d see women come in who wanted to be centerfolds and they had nips and tucks that made them look disgusting.” “Even if you are born with beauty, who cares?” she adds with a laugh. “Pin a rose on your nose. It’s nothing you accomplished by yourself. I just don’t think it’s a big deal. I think you also have to concentrate on who you are on the inside and how you treat people around you.”
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ; H O L LY M A D I S O N A T T H E P O O L ( B Y J O S H R Y A N )
LIVING THE DREAM
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ; H O L LY M A D I S O N A T T H E P O O L ( B Y J O S H R Y A N )
STAR PROFILE
“I was sort of obsessed with being famous. I had Marilyn Monroe paper dolls as a child and I was fascinated by her. I’ve always been really driven to be a celebrity." THE VEGAS LIFE Madison insists she’ll demonstrate that philosophy in her new E! reality series which will chronicle her life in Sin City. “It’s not going to be mean-spirited like some of those shows,” she says. “I want it to be fun. I’m supportive of other women and I want them to do well. That’s why I want the most beautiful girls in Peepshow. I’m not the type who wants to surround herself with less-good-looking girls to look better. That’s not me at all.” So what is it about Vegas that excites Madison? “It’s not really the gambling,” she says. “I know how to play blackjack but I’m just not really interested. I go on adventures with my friends. We check out the other shows in town, we go to try all the restaurants. There are so many things to do here. Every day there’s something new.” “I love exploring old Vegas,” she adds, “Going to the places where the locals go like the Peppermill, or Luv-It Frozen Custard. There’s something for everybody here. It’s a place you can go for a couple of days and just forget all your troubles.” When Madison isn’t out on the town she’s likely home with a couple of buddies who undoubtedly will get some prime-time exposure in her reality show. “I have two dogs, Pekingese mixes that I got from the animal shelter here in Las Vegas,” she says. “It feels so good to take a dog home from a rescue organization. I’m one hundred percent against buying from pet stores when you can help a poor animal that’s facing the end of its life at a pound. I want people to know how important it is to adopt.” After the break-up of her long relationship with Hefner and a much publicized romance with illusionist Criss Angel, Madison is ambivalent about having a man in her life. “I don’t really have time to date,” she says. “I would have to find a guy who’s really secure and supportive of what I do. And that means letting me be in a topless show that I love six nights a week. There are not a lot of guys like that.”
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D RESORT & CASINO (BY DAN PETERSON)
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“I definitely want to have kids some day,” she continues, “but I can’t do it anytime soon because of my career. I’m buying a house right now, it’s my dream house, and one of the things I love about it is it’s in a neighborhood that I think would be just amazing for children.”
A HOLLY DAY BY HOLLY MADISON
While Madison is enjoying the ride, she knows she won’t be a sex symbol forever. “One thing I realized when I came to the Playboy Mansion is that I have an expiration date,” she says. “I had better not count on my looks allowing me to do this forever. You definitely have to have a lot of projects on the back burner.” Could that really include running for political office? Madison may have had a twinkle in her eye when she told an interviewer recently, “I want to be mayor of Las Vegas. I’d be really good at it.” Now she just smiles and says, “I think it’s a little early to reveal my campaign plans.”
Y OF 20T H CENTUR Y
FOX HOM E ENTERT AI
NMENT
Then she adds, “I think I’m learning. I think you have to be delusional. Even though other people don’t think you’re that cute or maybe people think you’re not talented, it doesn’t matter. You have just to keep pushing. I fell into a lot of traps along the way. Everybody does, but it’s been a really awesome adventure and I wouldn’t change anything, even the bad things.”
While Holly Madison spends a majority of her time on the Peepshow stage, she also enjoys the many things Planet Hollywood has to offer, such as a slice of 24-layer chocolate cake from Strip House. Right: Sheep drawings by Hugh Hefner and Madison on her dressing room wall.
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T A N D C A S I N O
freeze frame
PHOTO C OURTES
After I take my dog Napoleon out for a walk, one of the first things I do every morning is get an iced coffee. I love that PH has a Starbucks on the casino level and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Miracle Mile Shops. Most properties in town have one or the other, but not both. Having easy access to both brands is perfect for an L.A. transplant like me. The Miracle Mile also has several stores I love, such as Victoria’s Secret, The Body Shop and Herve Leger. I’ve found all kinds of addictive meals here as well. One of the treats I crave most often are nachos from Planet Dailies. They are among the best in town. I like mine without chili. Also, located in front of PH is the new Pink’s Hot Dogs, an offshoot of the legendary Hollywood hot dog stand. While you’re there, look at the floors. The tiles look like pink-and-white cowhide. Pink’s has even named a hot dog after me. The Holly Madison Naked Dog is barely dressed—just ketchup. I probably spend most of my time at Planet Hollywood onstage in the CHI Showroom or back in my dressing room. I decorated it like a little kid’s room, with sky-blue walls containing drawings of sheep done by my friends. While you can’t see my dressing room, be sure to come see me in Peepshow. I usually end my day at one of the Mezzanine-level restaurants, Koi or Strip House. Koi has some of my favorite sushi rolls in the city, including the Tiger Roll, which I eat several times a week. I also like the Braxton Roll, which is similar to the Tiger Roll but with rock shrimp on top. You won’t find these on the menu, but if you ask nicely enough, they will probably make them for you anyway.
Above: The Girls Next Door, starring (from left) Kendra Wilkinson, Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt.
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The most popular place for the Peepshow cast to wind down after the show is Strip House, the steak house next to the theater. I love the lobster bisque, potato purée and chocolate cake; but mostly I just have one of their fabulous filets with a side of broccoli. Finally, it would weigh on my conscience if I did not recommend the world’s most perfect hangover food: a sandwich from Earl of Sandwich. My favorites are the Ham ‘n’ Swiss and the Italian.
the dish BY JEN KARETNICK
HAUTE DOGS THE NEW TOP DOG PAINTS THE TOWN PINK
FROM BEING THROWN ACROSS THE KITCHEN BY WILLFUL TODDLERS TO BEING SCARFED DOWN BY CHAMPION COMPETITORS, THE HOT DOG—THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD OF DISHES—GETS NO RESPECT. OR AT LEAST IT DIDN’T UNTIL PINK’S HOT DOGS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.
Open at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino since its grand bow on September 18, Pink’s is a sibling to the iconic gourmet fast foodery from Los Angeles. Pink’s started on the West Coast as a family-owned hot dog stand, founded by Betty Pink in 1939, and became known as the “Home of the World’s Best Chili Dog,” a justly earned title that attracts crowds dozens deep and draws celebrities ranging from stage actors to rappers. “Pink’s Hot Dogs, known for their quality and value, have been devoured and enjoyed by residents of Los Angeles for decades,” says Billy Richardson, proprietor and CEO of Pink’s Hot Dogs Las Vegas. “The people of Las Vegas now have the opportunity to taste the world’s greatest hot dog without sitting in the traffic of I-15.” And unlike the Los Angeles location, Planet Hollywood’s 1,900-square-foot site lets you wash down your dog with some suds. You also have an opportunity to sit on a patio overlooking the Strip.
Posing with their namesake franks at the Pink's grand opening are Holly Madison, top left, and Kim Kardashian, above. Miss America 2009 Katie Stam takes a big bite, top.
Here, you’ll find the 14 varieties of dogs not only treated with respect, but practically revered. And that goes for both of the breeds the eatery offers: the all-beef frankfurter with natural casing that audibly snaps when you bite into it, and the thicker, Chicago-style Polish sausage. Classic dogs are named for the cities that inspired them—thus, the Guadalajara version has relish, onions, tomatoes and sour cream toppings, while the Brooklyn brethren appears wrapped with Swiss cheese and pastrami. Meanwhile, Pink’s special hot dogs boast the appellations of the stars who inspired them, including the Holly Madison Naked Dog, a plain hot dog dressed only in ketchup; the Mel B Dog, with nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, onions and tomatoes; and the Kim Kardashian Dog, with bacon, lettuce, tomato and guacamole. Stop by to savor one of these irresistible concoctions, or create your own.
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F : C A S I N O R O Y A L E , C O L U M B I A P I C T U R E S ; S E X A N D T H E C I T Y, N E W L I N E C I N E M A ; T H E B I G L E B O W S K I , U N I V E R S A L P I C T U R E S ; A N C H O R M A N : T H E L E G E N D O F R O N B U R G U N D Y, D R E A M W O R K S S K G ; C A S A B L A N C A , W A R N E R B R O S . P I C T U R E S
the dish BRAZIL AND CUBA BATTLE FOR THE BEST MUDDLED DRINK ON THE PLANET BY LYNN GOYA
STRAWBERRY CAIPIRINHA
CULTURAL COCKTAILS A traditional cocktail technique since the 1800s, muddling became familiar to the masses when the mojito leapt from the shores of Cuba into cocktail lounges nationwide. To make the unofficial national drink of Cuba, bartenders crush lime wedges, sugar and fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a sturdy glass with a wooden pestle to extract the juices and dissolve the sugar. They then add rum, ice and soda. Muddling not only mixes the flavors and frees the juices, but the sharp sugar crystals grind against the citrus’ skin to liberate the natural oils and understated bitters and create a faint yet distinctly pleasurable after-fragrance. Brazil’s official national drink is the caipirinha, a subtler but equally addictive muddled drink made with lime, sugar and cachaça, a Brazilian brandy made from pure sugarcane that is double-distilled, fermented and aged. Cachaça’s restrained floral character makes the caipirinha a much more delicate drink than the hearty mojito. Brazilian purists favor quarter-inch slices of key limes that are sometimes peeled to avoid imparting the skin’s bitterness to the drink. Most bartenders, however, make do with prepared lime wedges. The mojito and the caipirinha are two of the signature drinks at Yolös Mexican Grill, the inventive southof-the-border-style restaurant noted for its bold design and refreshing cuisine. Robert Parekh, lead bartender and mixologist, likes to add fresh strawberries or other seasonal fruit to his caipirinhas when it complements the cachaça’s natural floral bouquet. He often “plays around” with cocktail creation, experimenting with traditional ingredients or new-found treasures culled from his meanderings through local food and beverage markets. “We come up with new drinks a lot,” he says. “If you come to the bar, you can ask us to create something just for you.” Or if you’re adventurous try an off-menu concoction still in the experimental stage. A cocktail available one visit may be gone the next, Parekh cautions. “It depends upon what’s fresh in the house.” 28
3-4 strawberries 4 lime wedges 2 ounces Brazilian Cachaça 3/4 ounce rock candy sugar Place the strawberries and three of the lime wedges into a cocktail shaker. Muddle (grind) the ingredients until pulverized. Fill the shaker halfway with crushed ice. Add Brazilian Cachaça and rock candy syrup. Shake vigorously. Pour shaker contents into sugar-rimmed glass and garnish with remaining lime wedge.
MOJITO 6 mint leaves 5 lime wedges 1 tablespoon sugar 1 1/4 ounces rum Full scoop ice 2 splashes soda water (approx. 1 ounce) In a pint glass, add mint leaves, four of the lime wedges, and sugar. Muddle until the sugar dissolves and you smell the mint. Then add rum and fill the glass with ice. Place shaker over the pint glass and shake well. Pour into a tall glass and finish with soda water. Garnish with remaining lime wedge and serve.
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p h o t o c o u r t e s y o f m e a t a n d p o t a t o e s i n c b y r a n d e e s t. n i c h o l a s
Mexican Madness the dish
Sammy Hagar BringS tHe CaBo WaBo FieSta to Planet HollyWood reSort & CaSino by Ryan SlatteRy
MUSIC, NEWS, HOLLYWOOD BUZZ
Are you ready to rock? Sammy Hagar certainly is. The Red Rocker has opened his American flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The two-level, 15,000-squarefoot Strip-side restaurant and nightclub is the third location of the popular rock ’n’ roll south-of-theborder eatery. “We’re in Vegas and we’re going to be bigger and badder,” Hagar says of the Vegas outpost, explaining that it’s more glitzy than the soulful sandbox joint in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, or the slimmed-down version in Lake Tahoe. “It’s shinier. A bit more polished,” he jokes. After visiting Cabo San Lucas and falling in love with the lifestyle, Hagar bought a home there in 1982. “It was pretty mellow then, nothing but dirt roads,” Hagar explains. “There were no TVs and only one phone downtown.” But Hagar craved more. Most importantly, he wanted a tequila bar with a small stage so he could perform when the mood struck him. So he built one. “Once we started building, it just went over the top. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I had a vision.”
Offering a blend of live music and Mexican fare, Cabo Wabo Cantina features a menu of Baja-style fish and seafood dishes including lobster burritos and tequila shrimp. Wash them down with an island-inspired cocktail or margarita or sip Hagar’s favorite spirit, which, of course, is 100-percent pure agave tequila.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CABO WABO CANTINA (BY CARLOS LARIOS)
The original cantina, which he opened in 1990, helped transform Cabo San Lucas from a sleepy Mexican town into a major tourism and party destination—or as Hagar likes to say, in a nod to the now-famous Vegas ad slogan, “What happens in Cabo, never happened.” Sammy Hagar, top and right, opened Cabo Wabo Cantina in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
“It’s a rock ’n’ roll club with a Mexican twist. Everyone is invited to the party. It’s come as you are—flip flops and tank tops,” Hagar says. “It’s a fly place, casual as hell. We’re getting away from the velvet rope.”
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the dish
KING OF THE GRILL ROTISSERIE REIGNS AT PAMPAS
Meat rules the rodizio at Pampas Brazilian Grille in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Delivered to your table on sword-like skewers and carved tableside, seasoned meats are prepared with Brazilian spices and spit-roasted in a brick oven to seal in the juices. While the most popular cut of meat is picanha (top sirloin), skewer-carrying servers roam the room with many other types of meat as well, including beef tenderloin dusted with parmesan cheese, barbecued pork, grilled chicken, smoked ham with pineapple, lamb, Brazilian sausage, and turkey wrapped in bacon. When dining at Pampas, you’ll find a small disk with red and green sides placed on the table. Flip the token to green when you want the server to bring meat to your table; red means you’ve had enough. In addition to a well-rounded wine list, the restaurant features a unique cocktail menu consisting of caipirinha—a traditional Brazilian drink made with cachaça and sugarcane— as well as sangria, mojitos and martinis. Pampas also has an à la carte menu for those who don’t want to partake in the rodizio. The restaurant now serves a steak-and-egg breakfast buffet (7 a.m.-11 a.m. daily) with the rodizio, consisting of ham, breakfast sausage and top sirloin. Among the other buffet items are French toast, scrambled eggs, scones with honey butter, and empanadas filled with fruit, eggs and meat.
Clockwise from top left: Entry, dining room and bar at Pampas Brazilian Grille, home of flavorful rotisserie meats. 32
planet pilot
Touring Planet Hollywood Here's our guide to Planet Hollywood. A vAst ArrAy of pAlAte-pleAsing choices AwAits, whether you seek A culinAry Adventure or just need A quick refueling for your night out. And when you’re reAdy to hit the town, check out this gAlAxy of nightspots to find just the right plAce to plAy.
By Danielle Cohen
Dining
Earl of Sandwich
Sink your teeth into “The World’s Greatest Hot Sandwich” at this upscale deli, started by descendants of the man who first put meat between two slices of bread in 1762. Those needing a quick, satisfying bite will not be disappointed.
koi laS VEgaS
A sensation from coast to coast, Vegas’ version of this celeb fave remains in sync with its L.A. and N.Y. sister restaurants: Asian decor, cool Hollywood vibe and tantalizing Japanese-inspired menu with plenty of California flair.
P.f. chang’S
The combination of dramatic lighting and rich earth tones in the open dining room creates this modern Chinese bistro’s hip scene. Its exciting, extensive menu, which can also be ordered through In-Room Dining, seeks to attain harmony of taste, texture, color and aroma in all its family-style dishes.
Pink’S hoT dogS
For 70 years, these gourmet franks—many named after their celebrity creators—have been sating the appetites of stars at the City of Angels hot spot. Now, dozens of the legendary hot dog combinations are available at Planet Hollywood, including Pink’s world-famous chili dog.
PlanET dailiES
This 24-hour coffee shop and café offers eclectic cuisine and atmosphere. The unique and lengthy menu includes dishes inspired by destinations around the world, including Kobe beef sliders and Hawaiian rib eye, and also offers smoothies and wine.
SPicE MarkET BuffET
This sensory smorgasbord has sights, aromas and tastes from around the globe. In addition to ethnic entrees, the usual suspects—salads, carving stations and desserts—have made this one of the very best all-you-can-eat buffets in Las Vegas.
Grab a Cobb Wrap at Earl of Sandwich (above), and then catch Planet Hollywood's hot production of Peepshow (opposite page) or party with a mango margarita in hand at high-energy, vibrant Yolös Mexican Grill (right).
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STarBuckS
For a pick-me-up or sweet-tooth craving any hour of the day or night, you can count on this coffee and pastry purveyor known in all four corners of the world.
play, party and pamper yourself
STrip HouSe
For gourmands, Executive Chef John Schenk offers the perfect steakhouse formula—from savory start to sweet finish—in a sensuous David Rockwelldesigned environment. The prime cuts of beef are charred to perfection and may be accompanied by signature side dishes such as black truffle creamed spinach and goose-fat potatoes.
YolöS Mexican grill
All the hallmarks of a traditional Mexican restaurant are ever-present but with a bold twist that gets the memorable fiesta started. The restaurant’s festive surroundings are playful, yet sophisticated and sleek, with a sense of fun. Spicing up this eatery are more than 60 tequilas, a fresh-fruit margarita bar and guacamole prepared right on the spot.
Enjoy all-day casual dining at Planet Dailies (left and above), or taste the exotic delights of Spice Market Buffet (below left).
Night life aNd shows Extra lounge
At the Sin City headquarters of entertainment news program EXTRA, kick back with a cocktail and tons of eye candy as the TV show’s correspondents and crew get up-close and personal with Tinseltown’s hot shots.
HearT Bar
See and be seen while sipping on Seabreezes. The pulse of Planet Hollywood beats throughout the resort’s phenomenal three-acre casino. At the core is Heart, filled with dark wood and encrusted with mirrored glass, where thirsts are quenched around the clock.
THe living rooM
Beckoning shoppers, gamblers, partiers, sightseers and the like to enjoy a little down time, this luxurious cocktail lounge provides all the comforts of home. Lush couches, velvet curtains, cozy fireplaces and soothing music fill your need for a little (or a lot of) R&R.
peepSHow
Holly Madison headlines this sexy striptease-andstorytelling adult production that puts superstars, 25 dancers and a live band at center stage.
THe plaYing Field lounge
Planet Hollywood’s very own double-header. Its daytime Race and Sports Book transforms into a nocturnal lounge complete with a VIP section once the sun sets and neon turns on. The full bar specializes in beer by the yard and is surrounded by more than 30 plasma-screen televisions for your viewing pleasure.
privé laS vegaS
From sizzling South Beach in Miami comes this truly decadent 12,000-square-foot venue packing more A-list punch than most red carpets. Expect the unexpected with surprise performances, celebrity guests and opulent areas for imbibing, dancing and just plain living it up.
relaxatioN
planeT HollYwood Spa BY Mandara
Pure and total indulgence, complete relaxation and revitalization, and true euphoria are available all week long at this Asian-inspired sanctuary for body, mind and spirit. Whether booking one service or a full day of blissful therapies, you can choose from a bevy of sublime massages, facials and nail and hair treatments.
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wish list
WITH MORE THAN 170 STORES, MIRACLE MILE SHOPS AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD OFFERS SHOPPERS MANY CHOICES. HERE, WE HIGHLIGHT TWO OF OUR FAVORITES. BY DANIELLE COHEN
TENO Rubber, gold, sapphires, steel, topaz, wood and diamonds—it’s quite an assorted group of materials that German jewelry and watch manufacturer Heinz Schwarz transforms into innovative, modern product lines. The company creates a wide variety of necklaces, watches, cufflinks, rings, money clips, belts, bracelets, wallets, tie clips and earrings, with each given piece having approximately 100 coordinating items.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIRACLE MILE SHOPS (BY TOM DONOGHUE)
H&M With 1,800-plus stores located in 34 countries, it came as no surprise that more than 600 people waited in line to be the first to shop at H&M when the popular retailer opened its first Las Vegas location in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood in 2007.
The full TeNo, Boccia Titanium and TitanFactory jewelry, watch and accessory collections, which start at $57 and increase to more than $12,000, can be found in the ultra-minimalistic 1,100-square-foot TeNo boutique inside Miracle Miles Shops at Planet Hollywood, where singer/ actress LeAnn Rimes recently shopped. The store, which opened for business in 2003, is designed as a blank canvas with clean lines, allowing the progressive jewelry creations to stand out and be noticed. Personal consultations at TeNo help customers design their own jewelry from the YuKoN collection, allowing individuals to customize their own charm bracelets and necklaces, which feature elements that can be added or removed on a whim. teno.com
Sprawling more than 7,400 square feet, the contemporary Miracle Mile space features a bevy of young women’s and young men’s fashions in addition to a vast assortment of H&M brand shoes. Originally established in Sweden in 1947, the international retailer is famous for its stylish and affordable fashions. H&M has approximately 100 in-house designers who, along with buyers and pattern makers, create the company’s ultra-unique clothing collections. The store frequently refreshes its offerings with new fashion items that range from modern basics to tailored classics to trendy styles. hm.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIRACLE MILE SHOPS (BY TOM DONOGHUE)
PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF TENO
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PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF H&M
wish list Brace Yourself TeNo Stainless Steel YuKoN Collection bracelet with various elements, including diamond disc and 18-karat yellow and rose gold. As shown, $1,465. TeNo in Miracle Mile Shops. teno.com
spoiled rotten GreaT BuYS for The GaLS aNd GuYS who GeT everYThiNG TheY waNT
Black and Blue Satisfy your fashion lust with the coolest looks, from shaggy black jackets to shimmering blue bangles. The latest designs are at h&m in Miracle Mile Shops. h&m.com.
naTure's nurTure A gentle, lightly foaming body cleanser, Jurlique’s Jasmine Shower Gel moisturizes as it wraps skin in the sensual scent of jasmine. Mild natural cleansers derived from coconut oil and sugarcane produce a rich, foaming lather, leaving skin clear and refreshed. $22. Sephora in Miracle Mile Shops. jurlique.com
Maxx-iMuM sTYle The Scout Large Triple Zip Bowler in silver, from Maxx New York, comes in antiqued crinkle patent fabric. $168. maxxnewyork.com
product photos courtesy of teno, h&M, Jurlique and Maxx new york
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photo courtesy of banana republic
wish list Modern scents
Sterling silver TOUS For Mum pendant. $139. TOUS in Miracle Mile Shops. tous.com
An aromatic ensemble of sambac, rosemary, basil, sage and freshly crushed hazelnut comprises Republic of Men, while the fragrance’s lasting signature lies in scents of fresh sandalwood, cedarwood and creamy skin musks. $45. bananarepublic.com
photo courtesy of ysl
charMed Life
Layered Look Keep warm and look good by layering Banana Republic’s blue graphic tee with a stone wool shawl collar cardigan and putty puffer coat. Brown five-pocket corduroy pant, black wingtip oxford shoes and a pair of black leather gloves complete the outfit. bananarepublic.com
vintage styLe The Bettie Page Paris dress is lovingly constructed from rich pure wool. The fully lined design features intricate details along the skirt for that extra feminine flair. $160. Bettie Page in Miracle Mile Shops. bettiepageclothing.com
Lord of the rings Made of the finest stainless steel, every piece of TeNo jewelry is genuinely unique. TeNo’s steel rings come in a variety of styles, with ceramic inlays in blue or black and with or without diamonds. $215-$595. TeNo in Miracle Mile Shops. teno.com
p r o d u c t p h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f t o u s , B a n a n a r e p u B l i c , B e t t i e pa g e a n d t e n o
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wish list bold and beautiful Playful yet romantic, Republic of Women leaves an alluring impression. The perfume combines the sweet scents of osmanthus and lychee, and spicy bergamot with a pink jasmine and Moroccan rose finish. bananarepublic.com
Stand tall With a five-inch heel, the knee-high Xenonn black suede boot will have you standing above the crowd. $149. Steve Madden in Miracle Mile Shops. stevemadden.com
perfection in print Add flair and color to your look with the long-sleeved button-up shift dress from Jenny Helene. $179. jennyhelene.com
Product Photos courtesy of steve madden, Banana rePuBlic and jenny helene
AD TO COME VEGAS ROYALTY
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director's chair
Eric charbonnEau/WirEimagE.com
Wandering in Wonderland
The 51-year-old filmmaker, who has two children with his long-time companion, actress Helena Bonham Carter, is being celebrated with a major career retrospective at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, including a gallery exhibition and showings of his films. As for the work that lies ahead of him, Burton is totally committed to making Alice in Wonderland the definitive big-screen version of Lewis Carroll’s enduring popular fable. Here he tells us how his visions become reality. WHAT’S NEW ABOUT HIS APPROACH TO A CLASSIC I’ve never seen a movie version of it that really had an impact on me. Every character is strange and crazy and Alice just kind of wanders around having all of these weird encounters. We tried to make a story out of it with a beginning, middle and end and still be true to the spirit of Lewis Carroll.
InsIde the MysterIous MInd of dIrector tIM Burton—In hIs oWn Words
AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig.
by Shep Morgan
Tim Burton has succeeded in Hollywood without compromising his very personal artistic vision. From the startlingly different and eerie Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands to dark mainstream takes on Batman and Planet of the Apes, Burton has put his own uniquely fantastical spin on the big screen, often with a little help from his favorite actor, Johnny Depp. Burton and Depp last collaborated on the bloody musical Sweeney Todd. Now they’re joining forces yet again in a 3-D version of Alice in Wonderland, due out in early 2010.
REUNITING WITH JOHNNY DEPP FOR THE SEVENTH TIME From the first time I ever worked with him on Edward Scissorhands he was willing to try anything. As an actor, he’s totally fearless. He doesn’t like to be the same way twice. Everybody in Alice in Wonderland is crazy, but with Johnny playing the Mad Hatter we are always trying to keep his character rooted in humanity to some degree so he’s more than just nuts. WHAT HE LOOKS FOR IN ACTORS I like working with actors who don’t mind looking bad and dressing in ridiculous costumes, the ones that like to transform themselves and try to become other people rather than doing movie after movie as sort of the same character. The best of them, like Johnny, I sort of think
Photos courtEsy of DisnEy/touchstonE PicturEs unlEss othErWisE notED
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09BPH-DirectorsChair.indd 44
12/4/09 11:30:23 AM
movie magic
of as silent films stars. It’s like they don’t even need to speak when you see them on the screen because they’re so fascinating to watch. ADDING A THIRD DIMENSION It doesn’t give me a headache like it used to when I watched it as a kid. I think we’re going beyond the old trick of having something jump out of the screen at you. We’re trying to find more visceral, emotional ways to use 3-D. WHY HE LOVES MAKING MOVIES You’re on set and you see something and the hairs on your neck stand up because it feels very beautiful or emotional. Film is just kind of magical. You could be shooting something that seems sort of ordinary, and then you look at the rushes in the editing room and there’s a totally different vibe. That’s why it’s not an exact science. Making movies is a very ethereal process. FAVORITE FILMS AS A KID I grew up loving the holiday specials like Rudolph and the Grinch. But I also couldn’t get enough of monster movies like Carnival of Souls or The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, and, of course, all the horror films that Roger Corman made with Vincent Price. I was always fascinated that the monsters had real heart and you could relate to them, like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. You really felt for him; he was the one you were really rooting for. My parents told me that I watched those movies before I could walk or talk, and wasn’t scared of them. I was probably more scared by John Wayne.
DON’T ASK HIM TO ANALYZE HIMSELF I don’t even think my therapist can describe that, so you’re not gonna get an answer out of me on that one. I find that my conscious mind confuses me. That’s why I make most of my decisions, or I try to, more from emotion. I just feel more secure with that. The industry likes to kind of make you into a commodity when, in fact, you’re just trying to do things that you want to do, and that’s why I kind of put blinders on to a degree. WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING I could never do a movie just because I needed a job. I couldn’t fake my way through something I didn’t care about. But the bottom line is the box office. If you don’t sell tickets it gets a lot harder just to make personal choices. So you always feel that pressure but you can’t worry about it.
PARTIAL FILMOGRAPHY Alice in Wonderland (2010) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Corpse Bride (2005) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Big Fish (2003) Planet of the Apes (2001) Sleepy Hollow (1999) Mars Attacks! (1996) Ed Wood (1994) Batman Returns (1992) Edward Scissorhands (1990) Batman (1989) Beetlejuice (1988) Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
‘Every character is strange and crazy and Alice just kind of wanders around having all of these weird encounters’. Characters from Wonderland: Above: Anne Hathaway portrays The White Queen in Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland. Left: Matt Lucas is both Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Far left: Helena Bonham Carter plays The Red Queen. Below: Mia Wasikowska is Alice. Opposite page: Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter.
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gaming guide
GET IN THE GAME
BEING ON THE A-LIST HAS ITS PRIVILEGES Now premiering at Planet Hollywood: hundreds of new slot machines and a rewards program that is tops in the industry. P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O
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REWARD PLAY
Deal Yourself In
For those who regularly enjoy the casino’s 1,800 slot and video poker machines, the new PH Perks program has made gaming at Planet Hollywood even more convenient. In addition to your favorite classic games, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is rolling out the latest high-tech, next-generation slot products to be included in its inventory of 1,800 slot and video poker machines. “We just purchased and installed over three hundred new state-of-the-art slot machines. Our slot product offering is one of the most exciting on the Strip,” says Todd Simons, Executive Vice President of Casino Operations. While you’ll find custom Planet Hollywood creations scattered throughout the casino floor, which was just redesigned for better traffic flow, visibility and comfort, the resort also keeps its slot floor stocked with the hottest games based on blockbuster films, such as Sex and the City, Indiana Jones and Star Wars. “We have an enormous variety of games,” Simons notes, adding that he often gets to bring in the latest games for testing. “Planet Hollywood is a desirable location for slot manufactures to showcase their new products.”
Need some help figuring out if you should hit on a soft 16 against a dealer’s face card? Intimidated by the layout of the craps table? Well, no need to worry: Planet Hollywood offers free expert guidance three days a week, right on the casino floor. Stop by for a lesson and learn basic strategy on blackjack, craps, roulette, mini baccarat and pai gow poker.
PH Perks Advances have also been made in the resort’s a-List Players Club as well—a must-join free membership rewards program that’s available to all Planet Hollywood guests over the age of 21. The club’s customer satisfaction program, called PH Perks, tracks the play of guests as they accumulate points which can later be redeemed for amenities and comps such as meals, show tickets and spa services.
“Come experience the proper way to play the games you’ve always wanted to play but have been too intimidated to try,” Simons offers. “Our free gaming lessons will give you an edge.”
Planet Hollywood: Lesson Schedule Gaming lessons Tuesday-Thursday: Blackjack: 10:30 a.m. Craps: Noon Roulette: 1:30 p.m. Mini baccarat and pai gow poker: 3 p.m.
Each month, Planet Hollywood offers a shopping promotion where a-List members, who qualify based on their play, receive shopping gift cards from Visa or Neiman Marcus. Members can also go to the resort’s Web site to check their point balance online or to contact a casino host directly. “You get benefits just for joining,” explains Simons.
No trip to Planet Hollywood is complete without visiting The Pleasure Pit for high-energy gaming. In this distinct gaming area, women in lingerie dance on elevated platforms to rock ’n’ roll and Top 40 remixes, while dealers wearing red and black corsets keep the action going. “It’s unique and sexy. It’s Vegas,” Simons explains. “It brings excitement and a certain edge to the game, there is nothing like it.” You asked and we listened. We now have two Pleasure Pits with a total of 20 games—14 blackjack tables, four roulette tables and two Big Six wheels. The gaming area, which is located in the center of the casino floor, is open seven nights a week from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and operates during the day Friday through Sunday.
pleasure pit
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KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE.COM
in memoriam
Patrick Swayze with wife Lisa Niemi at the grand opening of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
REMEMBERING
PATRICK SWAYZE (1952-2009) TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY OF HIS CLOSE FRIENDS—DATING BACK TO HIS HIGH SCHOOL DAYS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS—PATRICK SWAYZE WAS SIMPLY KNOW AS “BUDDY,” A KIND AND CARING MAN. We were deeply saddened to hear the news on September 14 of the passing of our friend Patrick Swayze. Patrick and his wife, Lisa Niemi, were part of the Planet Hollywood family for decades, traveling the world with us to open restaurants and attend events. True to his strong character, Patrick faced his battle with pancreatic cancer heroically and continued to live his life with grace and dignity, leaving us too soon at the age of 57. P H O T O B Y H E AT H E R K O W A L S K I / C A S H M A N P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S
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'I’ve had more lifetimes than any ten people put together, and it’s been an amazing ride.' —Patrick Swayze in his memoir, The Time of My Life
“Patrick was such a joy to be around," said Robert Earl, Co-chairman of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. "He and Lisa were always generous with their time and energy, always happy to meet fans and sign autographs. Patrick had an easy grace about him and a smile that would light up the room. I feel honored that Patrick and Lisa were in Las Vegas to celebrate the opening of this resort, and we will always feel his presence here. He leaves all of us with a great legacy of classic, memorable films that we can take pleasure in watching forever.” California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said to Entertainment Tonight, “Patrick Swayze was a talented and passionate artist who struck a memorable chord with audiences throughout the world. He played a wide range of characters both on stage and in movies and his celebrated performances made the hard work of acting look effortless—which I know from experience is not easy. As a fan and as an actor, I admired Patrick and I know that he will be dearly missed.” Swayze, best known for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and as Orry Main in the television mini series North and South, had a prolific career in Hollywood which started in a 1979 film titled Skatetown U.S.A. In 1991, Swayze was named “Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, and in 1997 he was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Swayze was always supportive of the Planet Hollywood brand. In November 2007, he attended the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino grand opening celebration with his wife. In his memoir, The Time of My Life, Swayze left us with this poignant statement on his life writing, “I’ve had more lifetimes than any ten people put together, and it’s been an amazing ride.”
Hollywood Stars React to Patrick Swayze’s Death “Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives. In the words of Sam to Molly. ‘It’s amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.’ I will miss you.” —Demi Moore, who played Molly to Swayze’s Sam in Ghost “He was a beautiful person, an artist. Patrick, he just wanted to experience life and for his work he wanted to take the opportunity of the film and it gave him that sense.” —Keanu Reeves
Above: Swayze with Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing. Other memorable scenes, clockwise from top: The Beat; Point Break; Ghost; Dirty Dancing; To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.
“Patrick Swayze was a kindred spirit and a spiritual brother of mine. His focus was center target and his purpose was ... faith, kindness, grace, understanding and love.” —Gary Busey “You were a great talent. And more importantly ... a true gentleman.” —Alyssa Milano “I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick. While I was fortunate enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day. Not only did we lose a fine actor, I lost my older Outsiders brother.” —C. Thomas Howell
Partial Filmography Powder Blue (2009) Christmas in Wonderland (2007) Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004) One Last Dance (2003) Waking Up in Reno (2002) Donnie Darko (2001) Green Dragon (2001) Letters from a Killer (1998) Black Dog (1998) To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995) Point Break (1991) Ghost (1990) Steel Dawn (1987) Dirty Dancing (1987) Youngblood (1986) Red Dawn (1984) Grandview, U.S.A. (1984) Uncommon Valor (1983) The Outsiders (1983) Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979)
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F : T H E B E A T, A & E ; T O W O N G F O O T H A N K S F O R E V E R Y T H I N G , J U L I E N E W M A R , U N I V E R S A L P I C T U R E S ; P O I N T B R E A K , 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y F O X H O M E E N T E R T A I N M E N T; D I R T Y D A N C I N G , L I O N S G A T E F I L M S ; G H O S T, P A R A M O U N T P I C T U R E S .
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starcatcher
AROUND THE PLANET When the stars align on red carpets at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, we’re there to catch all the action.
CHUCK LIDDELL AND TITO ORTIZ
MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN, CHUCK LIDDELL AND MICHAEL STRAHAN
Fight for Your Right to Party CHUCK LIDDELL
P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D RESORT & CASINO (BY DENISE TRUSCELLO)
Following UFC 100, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell hosted a party inside The Playing Field Lounge at Planet Hollywood to celebrate his induction into the Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame.
Gnome Nuptials
Peepshow performer Holly Madison "married" the Travelocity gnome when it passed through Las Vegas. The ceremony took place at The Chapel at Planet Hollywood and was officiated by Elvis impersonator Tim Welch. Madison joked on her Twitter account the day of the fake wedding, “I’m marrying someone today—he’s short and well traveled.”
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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ( B Y D E N I S E T R U S C E L L O )
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O (BY DENISE TRUSCELLO)
Car Comedy
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O (BY DENISE TRUSCELLO)
Jeremy Piven joined costars Will Ferrell, Ken Jeong and Alan Thicke at the premiere of The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Dane Cook and Kid Rock were among those who partied with them.
JEREMY PIVEN
DANE COOK
KID ROCK
CRAIG ROBINSON
TANYA CALLAU AND ALAN THICKE
JORDANA SPIRO
WILL FERRELL JACKIE SEIDEN AND ERICH BERGEN
PHOTOS BY JOHN ULMANIS/CASHMAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
ROBIN ANTIN
KEN JEONG
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starcatcher Pink’s Grand Opening Kim Kardashian, Holly Madison and Mel B were among the stars at the grand opening of Pink’s Hot Dogs. “I think it’s very cool they are opening one up in Vegas,” Kardashian said of the Hollywood institution.
PINK'S CEO BILLY RICHARDSON (THIRD FROM LEFT) WITH CELEB HOT DOG LOVERS MEL B, HOLLY MADISON AND KIM KARDASHIAN
THOMAS HEARNS
JAMES TONEY
FRANK MARINO AS JOAN RIVERS
TOM WEST, BEVERLY PINK, RICHARD PINK AND GLORIA PINK P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F P L A N E T H O L LY W O O D R E S O R T & C A S I N O ( B Y I S A A C B R E K K E N )
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HOLLY MADISON
on the town Las Vegas is known for its Legendary entertainers, fabuLous cuisine and amazing boutiques. the strip offers pLenty of choices to keep your days and nights packed with fun.
HITS ON THE STRIP imaGes OF naTUre Thomas D. Mangelsen’s stunning images have earned him numerous accolades. His wildlife images of polar bears, bald eagles and dolphins have been published in leading magazines such as Audubon and National Geographic and many of his memorable prints are available in his gallery inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., S. (702) 731-0503. mangelsen.com
BUCa di BePPO PamPas Brazilian Grille Get skewered. This brazen Brazilian steakhouse specializes in roasted meats—everything from sirloin to pork to chicken—all delivered on skewers, which are then carved tableside. The meats are cooked rotisserie-style sealing in the flavor. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., S. (702) 737-4748. pampasusa.com
CaBO WaBO CanTina Offering a blend of live music, coastal Mexican fare and premium tequila, Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina serves up an all-day and all-night party in a two-level 15,000-square-foot restaurant with Stripside patio seating. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., S., (702) 385-2226. cabowabocantina.com
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Bring your appetite. The family-style portions at Buca di Beppo are huge and meant to be shared. The Italian restaurant first opened in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building in 1993 and has since grown with more than 88 locations nationwide. 412 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, (702) 866-2867. bucadibeppo.com
KUsh Fine arT Russian-born artist Vladimir Kush came to the United States in 1990 and has since opened several U.S. galleries including Las Vegas. His artwork includes metaphorical and metaphysical paintings and fine-metal sculptures. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 363-1990. Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. S., (702) 650-3444. vladimirkush.com
on the town MaverIck helIcOpTer TOurS Soar the skies with the only VIP-level helicopter company in Las Vegas. First-class excursions above the Strip, Grand Canyon, Colorado River and more are highlighted by the narration of experienced pilots. Indulge in the plush interior of the ECO-Star helicopter’s larger cabin and stadium-style seating for better visibility. (888) 261-4414. maverickhelicopter.com
TONy N’ TINa’S WeddING This top dinner show, the second-longest-running production in offBroadway history, parodies an Italian-American wedding and involves the audience in its performance. Spend the evening as a guest, from witnessing the ceremony to dancing the night away at the reception. V Theater in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., S., (702) 260-7200.
STeve WyrIck: daredevIl MaGIcIaN Whether he's filming a stunt for a Ford 10 Unleashed commercial on the Strip or performing nightly in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, daredevil magician Steve Wyrick tempts fate with amazing escapes and death-defying challenges. His street magic engages the mind and his illusions touch your heart. During his show a Learet 35, an AS350 helicopter and an Orange County Chopper appear and disappear amazing audience members. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. S., (702) 777-9974. stevewyrick.com
Oh My GOdard Gallery Known as the “Rock Star of the Art World,” Michael Godard creates lighthearted paintings with animated olives, strawberries and grapes in colorful revelry—a series he calls “Don’t Drink and Draw.” And while each of his paintings has a subtle message, he says his true inspiration comes from a desire to make people smile and a belief in focusing on humor when times are rough. Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., S. (702) 699-9099. michaelgodard.com
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# 1 Dinner Show!
Italian buttet dinner, champagne toast, wedding cake and live dance music amidst the chaos of an italian wedding.
At the Miracle Mile Shops V-Theater (adjacent to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino)
Call the V-Theater Box Office at 702-949-6450 or visit us at www.tonyandtinavegas.com
Wearing a power pack on his chest, Whiplash— played by Mickey Rourke— arrives for a showdown at the Monaco Historic Grand Prix.
TESTING HIS METTLE
IRON MAN MEETS HIS MATCH IN SUPERHERO SEQUEL
BY RYAN SLATTERY 60
Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) will have his hands full in this summer’s sequel to the 2008 blockbuster hit. The scarlet and golden-metal hero will battle menacing villain Whiplash (Mickey Rourke), who has serious firepower of his own in Iron Man 2. Tattooed and fresh out of jail, Whiplash is a Russian arms dealer who “has constructed his own version of the [Iron Man] suit,” director Jon Favreau told USA Today. The energy pack on Whiplash’s chest—which Rourke claims weighed 23 pounds—powers a pair of whips he’ll use to try to take Iron Man down.
Favreau says the actor’s performances in Sin City and The Wrestler convinced him to cast Rourke as the lawbreaker. “It was very important that the villain be as compelling as can be,” Favreau said. “Once I thought of Mickey in that role, it made me understand how to shape the story.” In addition to Downey Jr. and Rourke, Iron Man 2 stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts. Scarlett Johansson portrays Black Widow, and Samuel L. Jackson plays Nick Fury. Don Cheadle replaces Terrence Howard in the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes. Iron Man 2 is set to hit U.S. theaters in May 2010.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARVEL
cutting-room floor