Baz Does It Again

We reckon Baz Luhrman and Catherine Martin (she did the costumes) have another hit on their hands : the stage version of Baz's original 1992 film hit Strictly Ballroom.
The show opened last night at the Lyric Theatre at that bastion of poker machines and roulette tables Star Casino.

Lots of celebs were on hand- Jack Thompson, Joel Edgerton and the much loved  Kylie Minogue. But where was Paul Mecurio the star of the film ?. If he was there we didn't spot him.

What can we say about Strictly ? It has heaps of colour and  movement, lots of gaudy frocks, fabulous dancing and of course terrific music ( lots of ABBA) and it's bound to end up in London and New York.
The standing ovation at last night's performance would tend to confirm this.

Falling Stars

Will-I-Am & Ashlee Simpson arrive on Wednesday for the Marquee openiung.

Relaxing in our rural retreat for the weekend, our spy disguised as a B-List sleb ventured into no-man's land, Darling Harbour for the much trumpeted "VIP" celebrity opening of Star Casino's Marquee nightclub.

The original architects of Star City say they operated under directions from a Feng Shui Master which may explain the millions in profits that have been generated for it's owners over the years but did they sack the Feng Shui consultant for the latest "billion dollar" makeover?. Things are going from bad to worse for the gambling joint despite the millions of dollars they have forked over for celebrities like Leo Di Caprio and the Black Eyed Peas to put in personal appearances.
Elton John stormed out of the casino's new penthouse suite after one day last year and fled to the Sheraton On The Park, vowing never to return and the on-going political dramas over the sacking of the casino boss, Las Vegas import Sid Vaikunta will get much worse.
Last night's appearance by Paris Hilton, surely on the slippery slope to celebrity oblivion was a major mistake and basically set the tone for the glitzy nightclub. Why it thinks it needs a "VIP Entrance" is a mystery. Getting patrons through he main door will be a struggle let alone those who pass as VIPs in this town.
Hilton's appearance at Bondi barely caused a ripple and noticeably absent were the paparazzi. They were largely absent for last night's launch as well. And as late as 6pm the club managers were desperately phoning around agents looking for a magician to entertain the VIPs.

A Paris Autumn

Taking in the gorgeous Autumn weather today at Bondi, the Shuttle came across "party girl" Paris Hilton who is town for the opening of Star casino's Marquee club tonight......

Will-I-Am? I Don't Think So

A missive arrives from the Star casino with a follow-up phone call from a PR operative : "you will be coming on Friday won't you ?".

"I doubt it" responded the Shuttle, "we have a date in Moss Vale for the weekend..wan't to get out of town early Friday and miss the traffic".
"This is the hottest ticket in town" she replied.."people are begging for an invite".
The Star is opening a new nightclub, Marquee on Friday with a "VIP" party and a public opening on Saturday. Following form they are busing in some star acts-Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas, Will-I-Am and some "party" girl called Paris Hilton. Ashlee Simpson, Nick Lachey, Red Foo, Abbie Cornish, the list goes on. And it wouldn't be a Sydney party without Danni Minogue, Lara Bingle etc ad finitum.

The Star has already run into bother with some of their spruikers being ejected from various nightclubs around Sydney after they were discovered handing out flyers for Saturday night.
The last time Paris was here was to open John Ibrahim's Piano Bar in Kings Cross two years ago on News Year's Eve. She was in and out of the club in under 30 minutes. We'll be in the country having a quiet weekend.

It's Raining Men!

The social bible of Sydney's swish Eastern Suburbs, Latte Life has launched a very special contest-they're giving away free men. Not to keep permanently mind you (although anything is possible) but as a date for Valentine's Day.  There is someone for everyone in this quest and every age group is catered for.

For the older sophisticated lady we have Latte Life's society spy (and sometime Shuttle contributor)  bachelor Bill Ranken  ( below ) who gives his age as 'vintage'!.

A few tips here girls : do not be fooled-Bill may drive a small battered car he calls 'Snoopy' and live in a fairly small pad in Elizabeth Bay weekdays,  but he does own two of NSW's most desirable grazing properties in the Southern Highlands, Nerida and Lockesly,both with very grand houses on them and some friendly neighbours like Miriam Margoyles, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

And his contacts are impeccable. Bill is on a first name basis with the Packers, Murdochs, Fairfax's, Waltons, Hordens , Graces..just about every family that comes with a brand name, a media empire or a few department stores. He lunches with Frank Lowy who owns the worldwide Westfield Shopping Malls chain, and he often escorted the late Princess Margaret to society events in London. Bored, is one thing you will never be with Bill

For the sporty girl Porsche Racing Car Driver/Entrepreneur, Aaron Zeferos, 28 is up for grabs and the girls may have a bit of a fight on their hands for male model, Mark Whittington,  who is just 22 and has that all important six pack and a top sponsor  The Star Casino in Pyrmont

Mark Whittington

Maurie Brancato

Another athlete is available, David Bell 43 who is Business Owner of OZUP Paddleboards .

 Next up is one for ladies who lunch and have their hair done  ( a Bay daily ritual) /  Celebrity Hair Stylist, Maurie Brancato, 23 of La Boutique. 

 Win him and you could become the fodder for gossip under the dryers for weeks to come. It could do wonders for the image.

And here is a real bloke for you gels with healthy bodies (or a healthy appetite) from Premium Fitness Studio in Double Bay- Michael James. 

As Latte Life's editor Jane King explains :                                                                                            

‘I was tired of all the desperate man shortage reports about the Eastern Suburbs so decided to find 6 of the best to run as dates in a Valentines Date competition ,pretty much as soon as we put the word out we were on the prowl for some dishy dates we had a  long list of applicants to chose from, we decided on the following for Ladies of the East to enter to win a Valentine date with; There is no shortage of available men in Double Bay..

To read the rules on how to win your male for a day you will need to pick up the latest copy of Latte Life now on the streets. Do hurry as although over 37000 are distributed they are snapped up fast. Or go to their website : www.lattelife.com.au

Leo DiCaprio's Catalogue Christmas Present

 




Great Gatsby star Leonardo DiCaprio is back in California today for Christmas after flying out of Sydney on Thursday afternoon courtesy of The Star Casino's corporate jet.

Accompany him was Victoria's Secret model Erin Heatherington who the Daily Mail has reported,  Leo spotted in an underwear model catalogue and contacted her with a request to join him in Sydney. Erin continued on to New York on a commercial flight.

The UK Daily Mail newspaper also has a series of photographs taken last Tuesday by a tourist of the pair touring the grounds of historic Vaucluse House which is in the next suburb to Point Piper where DiCaprio is renting a harbour side house while he films Gatsby for director Baz Lurhmann.

Several newspapers have reported that Leo has 'imported' several models to date yet the Hollywood star has often been spotted partying with his close knit band of male friends sans these 'girlfriends' at several Sydney night spots including Ivy in the city where twice he has rented the lounge bar for he and his pal's exclusive use and the tiny Beach Haus nightclub in Kings Cross where, once Leo & pals arrive one of his bodyguards is posted at the front door to screen further guests who may arrive. DiCaprio will be back in Sydney in early January to wrap up filming.

Burt

Baz

Meanwhile director Baz Luhrmann is recovering from an injury that required several stitches and resulted in the Gatsby set being closed down until January, after he hit his head on a camera weight last week.
While DiCaprio's co-stars Carey Mulligan and Tobey McGuire are spending Christmas in Sydney, friends have been commenting on Baz's new smooth look around his eyes and pondering whether Luhrmann has had surgery.

One older technician who has worked on many Hollywood films said that when he arrived for the first day of filming on Gatsby, Baz's new look reminded him of another movie great he has worked with-actor Burt Reynolds.