"Upon entering the nightclub Phoenix was swarmed by fans and graciously posed for photos with a few.  The sounds of DJ Five provided the new minted rapper with a nice warm up as he prepared to take the stage.  After a few sips of beer, he jumped up onto the catwalk for the first ever performance in his new career and camera phones appeared to capture the moment.  During his three song performance he stopped only to light a cigarette and take a quick swig of beer. 

 

"The crowd was pumped as he ended his set and Phoenix was so excited he tripped leaving the stage and slid down the banquette.  He celebrated by dancing around and jumping up and down so hard his beanie flew off."

Photo: Lavo

 

So it appears that the new nightclub and restaurant LAVO is set to open at the Venetian's Palazzo in August. Or at least that is what one side is saying.

As you recall, I blogged earlier that the space where LAVO is going has been subject of somewhat mysterious litigation between the company that owns the Venetian and the principals of Tao, the Venetian's successful nightclub. Why would two companies that are collaborating so successfully at one venue be in court over another? That is the mystery of what is otherwise, except for the passion with which it was fraught and fought, appears to be the sort of landlord and tenant dispute that gets worked out when people of good will want a business to work. 

Anyway, LAVO sent out a press release Monday announcing its opening is finally set for August. I wrote the public relations spokeswoman for LAVO  then to find out if this meant the lawsuit with Sands (the parent company of Venetian and Palazzo) was at an end. "That is correct," she wrote back. "The judge denied Sands' Motion to Dissolve the Preliminary Injunction. We are very happy to be moving forward. The case is over. There is no further legal action on either side."

Meanwhile, I asked the Venetian to confirm if LAVO's plans to open in August were indeed not going to be opposed in court any further by Las Vegas Sands. But I have pointedly, a day later, still received no response. If I can get the Venetian, Palazzo or Sands to confirm they are opening this nightclub restaurant next month, I will instantly let you know.

This close to opening you would think the resort would be solidly behind LAVO, but in Vegas nothing is certain about an opening until the doors open. (Photo by Sarah Gerke)