Where’s Wallace at? WHERE’S THE BOY, STRING? (Photos by IS Photography | ImagesOfVegas.com)

Weirder than watching Idris Elba of The Wire DJing at Lagasse’s Stadium? Watching Idris Elba of The Wire rapping at Lagasse’s Stadium. Because he’s British. And Stringer Bell. We’re pretty sure our head just got all explodey.

Elba was at the Palazzo last night for the premiere of Takers, along with Hayden Christensen, T.I., Michael Ealy, Jay Hernandez, director John Luessenhop, producer Will Packer and Stephanie Pratt. Christensen, who’s somehow in the news for ending his engagement to Rachel Bilson and not still for ruining Darth Vader forever, started out playing blackjack with Hernandez on the casino floor before they moved inside. The Sith Lord spent most of the night talking with friends at a private table.

T.I. got up to join DJ Cassidy, along with Elba, before he left the stage, leaving Elba to rock the mic while, presumably, keeping one eye out for Omar and Brother Mouzone. Also turning up was Floyd Mayweather, Jr., before everything broke up around 2 a.m.

By Jason Scavone

Oh yeah, that guy.

Matt Dillon, Chris Brown, Idris Elba and Hayden Christensen joint Takers — a heist flick about a group of bank robbers pulled into one last job, because bank robbers are never satisfied to just call it a damn career already — has its Vegas premiere tonight. Hitting the red carpet at Lagasse’s Stadium inside Palazzo will be Christensen, T.I., Elba, producer Will Packer and, naturally, Holly Madison, Angel Porrino and Josh Strickland. It all goes down around 10:30 p.m., and the flick opens Aug. 27. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Stephanie Pratt and Redfoo from LMFAO. A match made in heaven. Ish. (Photos by Denise Truscello)

Two years of meatballs and Turkish sinks came and went over the weekend with Lavo celebrating its second anniversary. It started Friday night with Kim Kardashian jumping on the mic to wish co-owner Noah Tepperberg a happy birthday in front of a crowd that included Stacy Keibler, Robert Iler, David Spade, Kevin Farley, and Rob Thomas and wife, Marisol, who partied until after 2 a.m. before he had to leave to get ready for his Saturday concert at Red Rock Casino.

Paris Hilton turned up around 3 a.m. and, just to give things that little flair of socialite drama we all know and love, neither spoke to nor looked at Kardashian even though they were at the same table. Hilton took off right after she took her turn on the mic.

Also coming were was Brandi Glanville, Molly Sims, LMFAO, Jonathan Cheban (who came with Kardashian) and Clifton Collins Jr. Pratt came over with Anthony Mackie after they were at the Lady Gaga show. She brought Mikey Appel to the party and was handsy on the red carpet, but she was lipsey with LMFAO’s Redfoo when push came to makeout. Producer Jimmy Iovine also turned up after Gaga to hear his son DJ Eye spin. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Well, that went by in a blur. (Photo by Jessica Blair | SpyOnVegas.com)

All sorts of anniversaries this weekend. Not only is it the 944 five-year, but Lavo at Palazzo marks its two-year anniversary. They’re bringing in Dave Annabelle, Odette Yustman, Rob Thomas, Stacy Keibler, Amanda Righetti, Brandi Glanville, Stephanie Pratt and Matthew Rhys for the shindig. And as we all know, there ain’t no party like a Matchbox Twenty/Dancing with the Stars party ‘cuz a Matchbox Twenty/Dancing with the Stars party don’t stop. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Kobe still got two free throws for this.

Basketball players should not be named Sasha. They should be named Wilt. Or possibly Shaquille, and that’s it. We’re sure Shaquille Stockton agrees with us. Anyway, the Lakers’ Sasha Vujacic hosts at Lavo inside Palazzo tonight for the Peak Sports launch. It’s the chance to taunt your Celtic-fan friends that you’ve been waiting for. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Planned fun is the best KIND of fun. (Photo by IS Photography)

Speaking of bachelorettes, Jessica Alba was in town this weekend to put all that stuff she learned in Good Luck Chuck and Valentine’s Day to good use, planning a bachelorette party for her friend Jacqueline.

They made the rounds at the Palazzo, doing the spa and Azure and Lavo. The bride-to-be got some really special wedding advice, too. Like: “Never agree to do a sequel to a superhero movie;” and “Co-starring with Michael Myers and a funny accent will set your career back 10 years, no matter how hot you are.”

By Jason Scavone

Still hurts, doesn’t it, Cavs fans?

LeBron James had to come to Vegas. Vegas loves whoever’s at the front of the pack, no matter how he got there. This is the only city in the country he can hang out in right now other than Miami. Which, really, probably doesn’t matter to him if he only has Vegas or Miami clubs to choose from. It’s like never being cut off from booze the rest of your life, except for all the bourbon and beer you can drink. Somehow, we guess we’d make do. Regardless, James does the first of two nights in town, tonight at Lavo and tomorrow night at Tao. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Cucumberly delicious.

On a blazing hot day, we understand that you don’t want to sit down to a pan of lasagna. You want something light, like a salad. And a cocktail. But who has time to eat and drink two different things? Not you. You’re busy. You’ve got places to be.

Lucky for you, you can get plenty of cucumber in your cocktails. SushiSamba’s Kumori Sukai (meaning “Cloudy Sky”) uses the cuke for a savory summertime drink that’s a nice change of pace from the usual fruity fare.

Take an ounce of shochu, an ounce of gin, an ounce of sake, half an ounce of sour and shake with muddled cucumbers. Strain into a cocktail glass half-rimmed with crushed Nori salt and wasabi, then garnish with a cuke slice. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Molly Ringwald and husband … Panio. (Photos by Al Powers | SpyOnVegas.com)

Panio? Panio?. Molly Ringwald married a dude named Panio? Shit, she may as well have gotten hitched to Ducky and be done with it.

The Brat Packer was at Lavo last night for the release of her new book Getting the Pretty Back. She was with her husband and two friends for dinner before she headed up to the club, drenched in pink light for the occasion. She’d been at Tao Beach in a cabana earlier in the day, which can’t possibly be a good idea for a ginger. Seriously, though. Panio.

By Jason Scavone

Cue Sponge.

You know, every one of us is a brain. And an athlete. And a basket case. A princess, and a criminal. Except for those of us who are actually the princess, in Molly Ringwald’s case. She’ll make you listen to the Psychedelic Furs on loop tonight at Lavo where she hosts Pretty in Pink for the release of her new book, Getting the Pretty Back. Getting it back? She’s fine. Or at least, so says the crush we’ve had on since The Breakfast Club reran endlessly on cable weekend afternoons. If you’re dressed in pink, there’s a pink cocktail open bar. The largest pink posse of broads can win autographed copies of the book, Sephora gift cards or bottle service for your crew. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone