Playboy, Penthouse models hosting parties

Another nightclub arrives this weekend as Torrid makes its debut at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.

Torrid kicks off its celebration tonight, with Playboy Playmate Amanda Paige (Miss October 2005) and American Curves model Brooke Banx hosting the party. DJ Samantha Ronson will spin from midnight to 4 a.m.

On Saturday, Strip Las Vegas magazine hosts with its May cover release party, featuring cover girl Valentina Vaughn. Penthouse Pet and author Victoria Zdrok will host her book release party as well, with fellow Pets Cassia Riley, Justine Jolie, Jamie Lynn and 2008 Penthouse Pet of the Year Erica Ellyson joining the fun.

Adding some major intrigue to Torrid's weekend parties is the possible appearance of Lindsay Lohan. The actress is very close to Ronson, who also will perform Saturday at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone.

Lohan, who hasn't been spotted at a Las Vegas nightclub since her last summer at Pure, joined Ronson for her performance early Sunday morning at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in New York's Times Square.

The weekend before, it was reported by several media outlets that Lohan attended Ronson's events at three Los Angeles nightclubs.

Wayne Crane, the director of marketing for Torrid and the Hawaiian Tropic Zone, hasn't received confirmation that Lohan will attend.

Ladies drink free from 10 p.m. to midnight today and Saturday. There is no cover charge.

Blush hosting Esquire magazine party -- Some of the sharpest-dressed guys in the country will hit Blush Boutique Nightclub on Saturday for the 2008 Esquire Best Dressed Real Man in America after party.

Blush invites men to register for the contest at the Esquire Style Lounge at the Wynn Las Vegas hot spot and will give the first 150 guests to visit the lounge from noon to 6 p.m. a free Esquire gift.

Contestants can register at the Style Lounge or online. The national winner will receive a prize package worth $40,000.

Doors open at 9 p.m. for the after party at Blush. Table reservations are recommended and locals will be admitted for free.

McCartney to celebrate 21st at Pure -- Singer Jesse McCartney will host the evening's festivities tonight at Pure as he celebrates his 21st birthday inside the Caesars Palace venue.

Doors open at 10 p.m. at Pure, with DJ Vice providing the music. For more information, log on at www.purelv.com.

Sightings of the weekend -- At Privé (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Saturday: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Whitney Houston with boyfriend/singer Ray J, Tom Jones, boxing champion Joe Calzaghe, Michael J. Fox, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Jeremy Piven.

At 40/40 Club (Palazzo) on Saturday: Jay-Z and Beyoncé, singer Solange Knowles, quarterback Vince Young, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., and NBA players Dwyane Wade, Steve Francis, Antoine Walker, Marcus Camby and Ben Gordon.

Actress Carmen Electra and Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino checked out Pure on Saturday.

At Tao Las Vegas (Venetian) on Saturday: singer Mary J. Blige, actor Chris Tucker, Piven and Wade.

At Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday: rapper Too Short, celebrating an early 42nd birthday with an impromptu performance, Ray J, and rapper Memphis Bleek, who also performed.

Rapper Tricky and former music mogul Suge Knight visited Moon (Palms) on Saturday. Knight also was spotted at Drai's After Hours (Bill's Gamblin' Hall).

At Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce nightclub (Mandalay Bay) on Saturday: poker star Phil Hellmuth, musician Scott Ian of Anthrax, drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Venetian headliner Wayne Brady and actor Ben Vereen.

Jeremy Pond covers the nightclub scene for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Vegas Confidential. His column appears Fridays in Neon and online at www.reviewjournal.com and www.normclarke.com. He can be reached at 383-0298 or via e-mail at jpond@reviewjournal.com.