Vegas Entertainment News for December 11, 2007

Before we get into today’s celebrity news round-up, a quick note of apology for my absence. A family health emergency took me offline for the last week. But I am back and I have so much Vegas news to share…so let’s get started.

Here’s a look at some of the latest Vegas celebrity happenings:

Celine Dion A New Day

Celine Dion ends her long running show at Caesars Palace on December 15th, but fans of the singer will get one more chance to see the stage production in a theater setting…a movie theater, that is. National CineMedia’s Fathom, Chrysler and AEG Network Live have teamed up to present Celine Dion: A New Day in over 200 participating cineplexes nationwide on Monday, December 17th.

“Performing at Caesars Palace the past five years has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Celine Dion. “I’m thrilled that fans have another chance to see this remarkable show in their local movie theater.”

Ticket prices are expected to run $12.50 for adults for the one time only simulcast, which will then be released on DVD the next day in stores, in high-definition with behind-the-scenes bonus footage. Find your nearest theater online at fathomevents.com. In Las Vegas, Regal Village Square 18 (9400 W. Sahara Ave) will be participating in the event.

Bette Midler, who is replacing Dion, announced she has dubbed her new Caesars Palace production “The Showgirl Must Go On” and due to high ticket demand for her debut, five more shows have been added to the schedule. Tickets for these new dates (March 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16) went on sale Sunday, December 9. Midler expects to start dress rehearsals on January 20 to make sure all kinks are ironed out with the new custom-built stage by the time she opens on February 20.

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Jude Law celebrates his 35th birthday at LAX [photo: PMG] Hans Klok and Pamela Anderson [photo: PMG]

Academy Award-nominated actor Jude Law celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday, December 8th, at Luxor’s new hotspot LAX nightclub. Holding court in the VIP area, he was presented with a special birthday cake adorned with roses and then he and his friends toasted the night with shots of Patron tequila. Also nearby was Criss Angel whose huge entourage made many Montecristo Rum cocktails disappear during the night.

Angel was also at LAX the night before, helping fellow Vegas magician Hans Klok and his assistant Pamela Anderson celebrate the end of their show’s run at Planet Hollywood. The night was also the kick-off party for the new movie Jumper, with stars including Samuel L. Jackson partying the night away.

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Floyd vs Hatton [photo: HBO]

The weekend was capped off by the Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton fight Saturday (December 8), which brought celebs into town by the plane full, as well as thousands of Brits. Tickets for the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena were in such high demand that a pair of front row seats reportedly were resold for over $40,000.

Hollywood A-Listers packing the ring-side seats included Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Will Farrell, Denzel Washington, Jude Law, Jay Z, Tiger Woods, Hugh Laurie and soccer star David Beckham who even skipped his wife’s concert over at Mandalay Bay to see the fight. MGM headliner Tom Jones sang the British national anthem, in honor of Hatton, followed by Tyrese Gibson singing the American national anthem.

Mayweather, who now calls Vegas home, was backed by stars such as his “Dancing With the Stars” competitors/friends Helio Castroneves, Mark Cuban and Mr Vegas himself, Wayne Newton who assisted Mayweather with his many title belts at the boxer’s weigh-in.

Following his tenth round defeat of Hatton, Mayfield and friends headed over for an all-star congraulatory bash over at Jet nightclub at the Mirage. Hatton headlined his all-star post-fight bash over at Body English at the Hard Rock.

A slightly worse-for-wear Hatton also attended the Spice Girls show on Sunday with his parents, then joined Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown and Emma “Baby Spice” Bunton for a post-concert bash up the Strip at Pure, where they drank Dom Perignon all night.

Spice Girls at Pure [photo: PMG]

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The Clark County coroner has ruled last month’s death of Quiet Riot singer Kevin Dubrow to be a result of an accidental cocaine overdose, confirmed by toxicology reports that came in today. Dubrow, who was one of the leading voices of the 80s hard rock scene, had been battling drug and alcohol addiction for many years, but had been believed to be maintaining a successful rehab stay. The 52-year-old singer died in his Las Vegas home on November 25.