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Stars Shining At Parties Across City

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By JOHN W. ALLMAN

jallman@tampatrib.com

Published: January 29, 2009

TAMPA - The Super Bowl provides a taste of a life that most people only dream about, but few get to experience.

It also showcases how much work and effort it takes to transform familiar venues into world-class party pads fit for A-list celebrities. Here's a look at four well-known haunts getting a facelift this weekend:

Jackson's Bistro

The 2009 Leather and Laces party, hosted by Jenny McCarthy, Carmen Electra and Kim Kardashian, is pricey at $275 a ticket and $550 for VIP access.

The waterfront restaurant-nightclub is being revamped for Friday's event, said Corey Riina, co-owner of Pied Piper Productions.

"It's going to be stocked with celebrities that Tampa is not used to having on hand," she said.

Everything about Jackson's that regular visitors know will be gone, including the furniture and lighting. In its place will be new furniture, lighting, drapes and lots of fresh flowers, plus about 10,000 square feet of added outdoor space for private cabanas. A cabana for 10 people will set you back $1,995.

Riina said McCartney and Co. are obligated to visit each of Jackson's four rooms to mingle with guests.

Museum of Science & Industry

Promoters for the two-night Under the Veil parties, hosted by Aqib Talib, Jermaine Dupri, Nelly and Antonio Tarver, promise to transform MOSI into a star-studded celebration that spans four floors of the museum and spills out onto the roof over the Imax theater.

Friday night's party will feature 100 models with veiled faces who will be walking around but not speaking to guests. They won't remove their veils until Saturday night's event, said Jakale Freeman and Joseph Stuckman of J&J Sports Marketing Group.

VIP access will cost $600 for men and $300 for women, but general admission is reduced for women with a $100 all-you-can-drink ticket. General admission for guys is $300.

"The locals always get shut out," Freeman said. "We chose to say let's open it up."

The Ritz, Ybor City
It's a party so exclusive that even the people who run the nightclub can't say who is hosting this event Friday night. The Tampa Tribune, however, has it on good authority that Maxim magazine is throwing its annual VIP invite-only Super Bowl soiree at the revamped nightspot.

For those familiar with the former Masquerade concert hall, the two side bars off the main Seventh Avenue entrance are being repainted and spruced-up with new lighting and comfy couches for VIP guests. The main ballroom also is getting minor work done. The balcony will be closed for Friday's event, but may be open for parties Saturday and Sunday.

Downtown Tampa

ESPN the Magazine's Next Big Weekend 2009 is happening Friday and Saturday in downtown Tampa at Morgan and Bell streets under a 22,000-square-foot tent.

Friday night's party is a celebrity watcher's who's-who with a performance by Wyclef Jean and confirmed appearances by DJ Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alyssa Milano, Benji and Joel Maddon of Good Charlotte plus a bevy of current and former professional athletes.

Saturday's schedule includes a free fan celebration with beach volleyball matches, interactive sports events and performances by Sean Kingston, the University of South Florida Marching Band and Tampa's own reggae band Impulse.

Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at (813) 259-7915.

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