"VIP Tent" Action at Skifest 2010

Deer Valley Resort marked the beginning of Park City’s celebrity season last weekend with the 19th annual Celebrity Skifest, a relatively low key affair drawing film stars and politicians to Deer Valley’s slopes for the hardest 15 (more) minutes of fame they’ll ever earn. As the announcer tauted the likes of Hill Harper (Criminal Minds, for those less attached to late night TV) and Oliver Hudson (of Kate and Goldie fame), the crowds filing into the Paul Mitchell sponsor tent seemed more interested in shaking the opening weekend snow off their skis and snagging a seat next to Heidi Voelker at the catered lunch. Curb Your Enthusiasm fans tried to sneak peaks of the more-famous Larry David and Cheryl Heines, while slightly more nostalgic sitcom fans looked in vein for Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Stealing the spotlight at Silver Lake Village was A-list actor Katherine Heigl, who arrived in Deer Valley for a relaxing vacation with her family. Heigl was spotted in Silver Lake on Monday with a kudos-worthy electronic cigarette, presumably the same brand made famous on her fall stint with David Letterman:

More Celebrity Highlights:

Samantha Ronson returned to Park City Saturday night with a packed set at Downstairs in the Hollywood DJ’s second appearance of the year. Dubb Media’s Teresa Dewilde captured the scene, which included artist Malia Denali and PR maven Hilary Reiter. 

Tom Hanks is rumored to have bought the Montage Deer Valley penthouse, a surprising departure from his loyalty to Sun Valley. No reports on the actor selling his Idaho ski pad, however, so speculation is (woefully for us) on investment rather than personal use.

Will Smith and entourage are back in town. The A-list family has been spotted at all three Park City resorts in years past, making their secret ski home location nearly impossible to pinpoint. The convivial family has enjoyed mixing with locals in previous winters, whether hanging out at Silver Mountain Sports Club or taking a Deer Valley sleigh ride.

New Park City enthusiast Bill Gates will retun to Sundance for Year 2 of the Bing Lounge, a four-day, celeb-laden mini club to promote his search engine. No reports of new dance moves have surfaced since his famous table display, but “The Bill” has gained popularity among viral video remake circles.

The 2011 Sundance Film Festival is expected to lure back indie veterans and fresh faces with Emma Roberts, Liv Tyler, Kate Bosworth and Demi Moore all representing projects this year.

Have a tip for Celebrity Report? E-mail editor@parkcityvoyeur.com.

Hollywood promoter Mac Africa spent a whirlwind night in Park City this week to eye a new venue for her highly anticipated Sundance Soiree. Arriving with entertainment attorney Tiffanie Jodeh, Mac toured the decorative digs before spending the evening at Zoom with Teresa DeWilde of Dubb Media, artist Josee Nadeau, mixologist Layne Edwards and DJ Liam Heffernan. Mac represents the Green Door, Vanguard and and Citizen Smith in Los Angeles, among others. The intimate Sundance Soiree, now in its fifth year, draws actors, producers, musicians and other entertainment professionals. 

Josee Nadeau (left), Mac Africa (pink!), Tifanie Jodeh

Bill Gates at The Bing Lounge (Cisero's) in January 2010

Bill Gates apparently had so much fun in Park City for Sundance that he’s returned to his new favorite mountain retreat for a summer getaway.

The Microsoft patriarch dined at 350 Main last week, accompanied by three plain-clothed security guards who entered the popular restaurant ahead of the bespectacled billionaire. Gates drew little vocal fanfare but plenty of interested stares, leaving locals to wonder whether the Windows Wonder will grace Main with semi-permanent residency.

For now, he has holed up in the Silver Lake area of Deer Valley but seems to enjoy hitting the town. Sundance party-goers will remember his widely broadcasted table dancing at the Bing Lounge, produced by LiveStyle Entertainment, last January while promoting his alternative search engine. Speculations of a new addition to the Celebrity Ski Fest have already begun, but no one has confirmed yet the would-be awesome entertainment of Bill Gates on skis.

What happens in Vegas…is coming to Park City.

Playboy Club and Moon Bar resident DJ OB-One is escaping Sin City this weekend to play an exclusive Saturday Set presented by Downstairs. OB-One, also known as Ben Garcia, recently caught the public’s eye on MTV’s “True Life: I’m a Muay Thai Fighter,” but the veteran bare-knuckled fighter has held an even longer-lasting effect on music lovers with his lightening-quick spin skills behind the decks. The Chicago native took Las Vegas by storm over a decade ago. It wasn’t long before he had joined S.K.A.M Artist’s elite roster, a coveted arsenal of artist featuring such icons as Lil Jon and supermodel Sky Nellor.

OB-One will bring his signature style of hip hop, rock, ’80s, electro and reggae to Downstairs this Saturday in what will be the venue’s sixth S.K.A.M Artist appearance in the last year. DJs StoneRokk, Skribble, Fashen, Reach and even Lil Jon have appeared at the club.

Ladies are invited to attend the Saturday Set cover-free. VIP reservations are available at events@downstairsparkcity.com.

Who will it be? Only one way to find out!

It seems sports starts can’t resist the chance to roll a few down the lanes while sipping bub and socializing at Utah’s newest upscale sport-themed nightlife event.

Three weeks after gold-medalist Apollo Anton Ohno appeared at the grand opening of TENPIN, now running Saturday nights at Park City’s Jupiter Bowl, a new athletic celeb is confirmed to check the party out himself. An Olympian in his own right, this Adonis won a gold medal in the last Summer Games, but most sports fans are used to seeing him ignite competitions on American soil as a pro player.

The only way to find out which larger-than-life celeb plans to heat up TENPIN tonight? Get your gal pals, and get your game on. TENPIN starts at 9 p.m. at Jupiter Bowl in Park City. For VIP lane reservations or guest list information, call Dustin at 801.414.0245 or e-mail dustin@3four.net.

Photo by Teresa DeWilde

Adding to Jupiter Bowl’s growing celebrity guest list, Apollo Anton Ohno upped the beautiful man factor Friday night for the grand opening of TENPIN, a high-end nightlife event launched by the 3Four Group.

Ohno posed with friends for Dubb Media entertainment photographer Teresa DeWilde, who captured the scene from the VIP room — a posh setup complete with dual private lanes and in-room cocktail service. A newly single Moise Bently (a Salt Lake-based musical icon in his own right) played host at the event, which drew more than 200 guests.

Local designer Chris Gill made an appearance, as well as Park City socialite Nancy Nichols, who capped a night of Park City Follies and uptown club appearances. The lighthearted party, marked by spring fashion, cocktails, and dancing on the bowling alley, thrived on a live set by DJ Bentley.

Recent appearances at Jupiter Bowl by Michael Jordan and Jon Gosselin have already earned the alley a reputation for drawing Park City celebrities, though no word has surfaced on who might appear at the next (yet to be announced) event. TENPIN soirees are open to all entertainment-seeking patrons 21 and older, while Jupiter Bowl will remain an all-ages venue in between events.

3Four Group presents TENPIN at Jupiter Bowl

Christina Aguilera loves it. Paris and Nikki Hilton, Beyonce, Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher can’t get enough, either — not to mention Eve, Ryan Seacrest and Gwen Stefani.

Thanks to a nationwide phenomenon sparked by Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, A-Listers are crazy for high-end bowling nightclubs.

Now, locally based 3Four Group has taken the concept a step further with TENPIN, an upscale nightlife event launching April 23 at Park City’s Jupiter Bowl. Already a hot spot for the likes of Michael Jordan and Jon Gosselin, Jupiter Bowl holds its own against any of Lucky Strike’s urban venues, boasting a luxurious interior fit for the red carpet.

The 3Four Group’s open-invitation launch party will feature icon Moise Bently as host, DJ Bentley at the decks, and a surprise DJ on a second dance floor. DJs will video mix on a 70-foot video wall and 28 flat screens while attendees dance, bowl, shoot some pool, or lounge at one of the luxurious bars in the facility. VIP tables and private lanes will be available, but the spacious venue lends comfort to all who attend. In a single word, Moise Bently describes the event’s inspired feeling as simply, “ecstatic.”

“I think it’s the perfect idea to bring out the excitement in Utah nightlife that has been missing, and the place is amazing,” he said. “We brand ourselves around class and a great environment, so I think this TENPIN event will show that.”

The TENPIN events will rejuvenate Jupiter’s nightlife scene once a week with new talent and surprise promotions at upcoming parties. Jupiter Bowl will remain an all-ages venue on all other nights, but for TENPIN, the venue will become a 21+ playground. For VIP table reservations, contact Dustin at 801-414-0245 or dustin@3Four.net.

Pato Banton: Open Heart

Reggae legend Pato Banton will return to The Spur this weekend for a two-day grand finale to Park City’s ski season, but his appearance is just the beginning for local reggae promotion group, Rawtid Productions.

Rawtid and newly formed Premiere Concierge will present the show to keep reggae fresh in the minds of Park Citizens before launching a new lineup of national acts this October. Alex Campbell, a long-time reggae promoter, said he hopes his shows lead to stronger interest in town.

“We’re bringing Pato back for a second time because we are trying to open the reggae market to Park City,” he said.  Campbell, the nephew of reggae icon Mikey Dread, founded Rawtid and Premier. The Pato Banton show will be Rawtid’s last of the season before returning in October. Tentative acts include John Brown’s Body, Cee Gee, Serani and Damian Marley.

Rawtid may also bring in some hip hop and R&B artists, Campbell revealed, jiving with Premiere’s growing client base. The company hosted T.O. and Tommy Davis during Sundance. Campbell doesn’t want to look to far into the future, however. For now, he hopes Park City will embrace the ski season’s reggae finale.

Alex Campbell, Sundance 2010

Pato Banton will play at The Spur this Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m.

We hope not quite yet!

Park City LOCALS founder and lifelong Park Citizen April Morrison may have celebrated a birthday Friday night, but don’t count on the entertaining blogger to lose her humorous edge. Morrison’s Park City LOCALS Facebook group, which began as a “just for fun and totally pointless” inside joke for locals, now promotes Park City businesses, non-profits and musicians to over 700 residents, while entertaining members with its signature off-beat humor. Morrison celebrated the big day with an intimate, local-filled house party.

April at the Park City LOCAL-fueled fundraiser, LOCALS Rock for Haiti