Christina Aguilera, Bill Maher, Olsen twins light up Las Vegas

By Melissa Arseniuk

Monday, June 1, 2009 | 8:12 a.m.

This weekend was yet another hot one in Las Vegas, in terms of both temperatures and celebrity sightings.

Christina Aguilera kicked it all off on Friday when she hosted a party at Tao honoring jeweler Stephen Webster’s 2009 collection.

Webster designed Aguilera's wedding and engagement rings, as well as her other favorite piece of jewelry, a ring that was given to her on her first Mother’s Day as a mother, after the birth of her son.

Xtina's husband, Jordan Bratman, accompanied her for dinner and the pair settled into one of the nightclub's skyboxes afterward to take in the scene below.

Less than an hour after Aguilera first touched down at the Venetian, porn crossover princess Sasha Grey stopped in at Tao's sister nightspot in the Palazzo, Lavo, where she hosted a premiere party for her first mainstream movie, “The Girlfriend Experience.”

Also spotted dining at Lavo on Friday: chef Bethenny Frankel from Bravo’s "the Real Housewives of New York City," former "ER" cast member Shane West, and actress Alessandra Torresani, who is set to star in the new "Battlestar Galactica" spinoff, "Caprica."

As the sun began to set on Sin City, “Dancing with the Stars” finalist Gilles Marini was spotted enjoying an evening meal at Strip House at Planet Hollywood before he hosted the night's festivities at PH's hotspot, Privé.

Also enjoying a decadent dinner in the desert on Friday was Nicky Hilton and her boyfriend, David Katzenberg, who dined at N9NE Steakhouse with Adam Goldstein (who is better known as DJ AM) and five others.

While Hilton had the shrimp cocktail, petit filet and baked potato, Katzenberg ordered tomato salad with blue cheese, lamb chops, and sautéed spinach. Goldstein, meanwhile, had the so-called "garbage salad" and a Kobe burger.

After dinner, the group headed over to Rain, where Hilton and Katzenberg took in AM's set from a stage-side VIP table.

The three were later spotted at Tao, while Hilton and Katzenberg were seen at Blush the following night, on Saturday.

Writer/record producer Bryan-Michael Cox; rapper/songwriter Jermaine Dupri; and rapper/actor Nelly also took in the scene at Rain on Friday. The musically-inclined group was also spotted at the Palms the following night, at a VIP table at Playboy Club.

System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan, was also at the Palms on Friday, and was seen joking around with two friends at Moon.

Earlier that day, “I Love College” rapper Asher Roth performed at Wet Republic and singer/record producer/actor Ray J sipped strawberry daiquiris at Ditch Fridays at the Palms.

Mark McGrath and his band, Sugar Ray, played the Hard Rock pool as part of the resort's ongoing Friday Night Live concert series.

Punk rockers Pennywise also performed on Friday night, at the House of Blues. Death By Stereo also took part in the Jagermeister Music Tour.

The live music action continued on Saturday when Loverboy and Night Ranger played Sunset Station, and The Offspring and special guests Alkaline Trio and Street Dogs played the Pearl.

Before their show, the Offspring performed an acoustic set at "Studio at the Palms" for MIX 94.1 FM contest winners as part of he station's Underground Lounge series.

Later that night, front man Dexter Holland kicked back at Carey Hart's nightclub at the Hard Rock, Wasted Space, while other members of the band partied at Playboy Club.

Saturday afternoon, former Spice Girl and current “Peepshow” star Mel B hosted US Weekly’s “Hot Bodies” party at Tao Beach.

The saucy Brit's hubby, movie producer Stephen Belafonte, was there, as was Sasha Grey, who sipped mojitos in the shade, Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden, and actor Shane West.

West put in an appearance at Tao nightclub later that night, where he partied with actress Evan Rachel Wood and a modest group of about 20 others in the VIP. "Pulp Fiction" star Ving Rhames was also in the club that night.

Meanwhile, Mel B's “Peepshow” co-star, Former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant an "General Hospital" starlet Kelly Monaco, threw herself a belated birthday party at Privé.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and seven friends had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms on Saturday. The group reportedly ordered rock shrimp and wontons to start followed by filet mignon, lobster mashed potatoes and green beans.

Also at the Palms on Saturday night, Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Kareem Rush, who partied at Ghostbar with a female friend; actress Sanaa Lathan, who was spotted at Rain; and singer Ryan Cabrera, who celebrated in the VIP section at Moon. Flanked by five friends, Cabrera stuck to Red Bull for most of the night.

Rich Sommer of "Mad Men" dined at Lavo on Saturday, as did returning diner Bethenny Frankel and her fellow reality show personality (and model), Brittny Gastineau. (Gastineau's new reality show is expected to premiere on MTV later this year.)

After dinner, both Frankel and Gastineau made their way upstairs to Lavo nightclub where they cut loose on the dance floor.

Also at the Palazzo but outside around the pool, a handful of stars of varying brilliance attended a private benefit in support of Autism nonprofit, the Lili Claire Foundation.

The 'Spring Bling' party was presented by jeweler Simon G and was hosted by reality show mother and daughter Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian. Grammy nominees Sara Bareilles and Colby O’Donis performed as part of the event and Shari Belefonte, Vanessa Minnillo, Annie Wershing from “24,” and one-time “American Idol” contestant, Chikezie, came out to show their support for the very worthy cause.

After the poolside soiree came to a close, the mother and daughter duo moved the party inside the resort, to the lounge at Dos Caminos. O’Donis and Manillo joined the matriarch and her daughter at their VIP table, while Chikezie enjoyed the post-party festivities nearby at his own VIP table.

R&B group All 4 One and hip hoppers MVP also attended.

The cast of "Top Chef" had a season six wrap party at Blush on Saturday night, featuring judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons. Local celebrity chefs Paul Bartolotta, Daniel Boulud and Gavin Kaysen also joined the foodies' fete.

Also at Blush on Saturday, "Fast & Furious 4" actress Mirtha Michelle hosted an "Angular" watch party.

Further south on the strip, meanwhile, Playboy Playmate and Penthouse Pet Lexie Karlsen hosted a party of her own at Hawaiian Tropic Zone.

Vegas Magazine celebrated its sixth anniversary with a sweet splash at Pure on Saturday with a star-studded, sugary affair. Heather Graham hosted the candy-themed party, while other celebrity guests included Holly Madison (who also put in an appearance at Spring Bling), Jermaine Dupri, actress Erica Hubbard and comedian Bill Maher.

Graham's director boyfriend, Yaniv Raz, also attended.

Madison and friends were once again spotted having brunch the next morning at Simon at the Palms. Later that night, Erykah Badu performed at the House of Blues.

And finally, everyone's favorite identical former child stars, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, made an unexpected appearance on Sunday when they showed up, apparently hungry for a late dinner, at Lavo on Sunday night.

Arriving at around 10:15 p.m., the twins and their entourage of about 10 friends were escorted to a private dining area at the back of the restaurant.

While Ashley was dressed in loose fitting pants and a blazer, the kookier Olsen twin, Mary-Kate, topped off her ensemble with a flat-brimmed hat.

Also spotted at Lavo on Sunday: Fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is set to meet Juan Manuel Márquez on July 18.