You know all those reports of hot Hollywood starlets holding court at West Coast parties in their Alexander McQueen cocktail dresses, throwing glamorous galas in floor-length Versace? Or the grittier late-night footage, when they're staggering to their cars, shielding their faces from the paparazzi? For one weekend, when the Bay area is overrun with stars here for the biggest football game of the year, you, too, can enjoy the celebrity party experience — for a price.
The following is a breakdown of area parties that have confirmed celebrity hosts and guests. They're all parties you can actually get into — provided you have a fat enough wallet and a hot enough outfit (and date). And this is only the Hollywood-iest of the weekend's party and special-event offerings. For a complete list of associated Super Bowl doings, see our events guide.
SUPER BOWL WEEKEND
AT JACKSON'S BISTRO
"Leather and Laces"
Celebrity hosts: Jenny McCarthy, Carmen Electra and Kim Kardashian
Additional star power? Celebs tend to attract other celebs. I imagine Reggie Bush will be there — he is a football player, after all, he lives in the South, and Kardashian is his main squeeze. No word yet on whether McCarthy and Electra's other halves (Jim Carrey and guitarist/DJ Rob Patterson) will also make appearances.
What's the scoop? The sixth annual Super Bowl fundraiser party features live entertainment by Cirque USA performers and spins by celebrity DJ Tendaji Lathan. All proceeds benefit Generation Rescue, an autism research and treatment advocacy organization headed by McCarthy.
What's the damage? Admission is $275 general/$550 VIP (includes passed sushi and hors d'oeuvres). And since it's for charity, you can write it off.
Where and when: Jackson's Bistro, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, Fri., Jan. 30, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., 813-265-1234,leatherandlaces.com.
"Models and Bottles"
Celebrity hosts: '07 and '08 Playboy Playmates of the Year Jayde Nicole and Sara Jean Underwood, MTV's latest Shot-Of-Love seekers the Ikki Twins, and WWE Diva's Ashley Massaro and Kelly Kelly
Additional star power? Nicole is dating Bruce Jenner spawn Brody Jenner, who probably has nothing better to do. Plus, Playmates attract other Playmates, Underwood is friends with Hef exes/Girls Next Door hotties Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson, and since their party's on Friday, there's a chance they'll make an appearance as well.
What's the scoop? Basically, you're paying to party with some really hot chicks to a soundtrack of live spins DJ PSI, DJ Crystal Ellis, Tamara Sky and celebrity DJ Benji Madden (the Good Charlotte brother who recently dated Paris Hilton).
What's the damage? Considerably greater if you have a penis: $45 ladies ($75 VIP), $95 fellas ($175 VIP), $350 VIP Celeb Ticket (includes a premium open bar and light hors d'oeuvres in the "Glass" room); other packages range from $795-$1995.
Where and when: Jackson's Bistro, Sat., Jan. 31, 10 p.m.-3 a.m., piedproductions.com.
REVOLUTION
Celebrity hosts: Kevin Dillon (HBO's Entourage), Boris Kodjoe (Showtime's Soul Food), Khloe Kardashian (E's Keeping Up with the Kardashians), Claudia Jordan (NBC's Deal or No Deal, Celebrity Apprentice), and Playboy cover model Vida Guerra
Additional star power? If so, they will be of a similar D-list variety.
What's the scoop? A "Dress to Impress" red carpet-style all-night party with live entertainment by go-go dancers, a performance by Playboy 50th Anniversary Playmate and self-proclaimed "World's Sexiest DJ" Colleen Shannon, and spins throughout by South Beach Miami DJ Selfborn. Feel like a star, in a dirty sort of way.
What's the damage? At press time a supposed limited number of tickets were being offered for $125 via ticketmaster.com.
Where and when: Floyd's Nightclub at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa, 10 p.m. Fri. to 6 a.m. Sat., Jan. 31, For VIP seating with bottle service, call 813-381-6927. For more info, call 813-627-7625 or visit revolutiontampa.com.
THE GOOD LIFE EXPERIENCE
Hosted by: Sean "Diddy" Combs, Deion Sanders and Winky Wright
Unconfirmed celebs: Even though there are no confirmed celebs, the three parties all have Diddy as their anchor, a sure way to draw other first-rate stars. Besides — do you really think that Diddy would put his name on three separate parties without bringing in some heavyweight A-listers? It is called the "Good Life Experience," right? Not the "Kinda Good Life Experience."
What's the scoop? This trio of star-studded parties is supposed to offer attendees a glimpse of what it feels like to live the "good life": the Las Vegas fight night-themed "Champions of the Good Life" with Wright and Diddy is held Thursday; a "Legends of the Good Life" celebration of sports on Friday with Sanders, Diddy and special TBA guest athletes; and the climactic "Icons of the Good Life" diamonds and pearls-themed party with Diddy as the sole host, star and entertainer. (No performance promises have been made in the planning of this party.)
What's the damage? The prices rise like bread each night — $100 general/$300 VIP Thursday, $200/$500 Friday, $400/$700 Saturday ($560 three-night general/$1200 VIP).
Where and when: The Venue, 2675 Ulmerton Road, St. Petersburg, Thurs.-Sat., Jan. 29-31, goodlifeexperience.com.
UNDER THE VEIL CELEBRITY SUPER BOWL PARTIES
Celebrity hosts: Jermaine Dupri and Aqib Talib on Friday; Nelly and Antonio Tarver on Saturday
Confirmed star power? Yep. Janet Jackson (her man is throwing the thing after all), Jamie Foxx, Vivica Fox, the entire So So Def family, and others on Friday; Common, DL Hughley, Charlie Murphy, Ken Griffey Jr., Laila Ali and others on Saturday.
What's the scoop? It's a chance to rub shoulders with a who's who of hip-hop on Friday, and a mixed bag of interesting personalities on Saturday. Live spins are provided by DJ's Q45, Mad Linx, Chill and Doc D, and the dress code is "Fly and flashy."
What's the damage? $100 ladies, $300 fellas, $600 VIP each night.
Where and when: Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Jan. 30-31, 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Fri.-Sat., undertheveilparty.com, myspace.com/undertheveilparty.
AJA SUPER BOWL WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Celebrity hosts: DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Hugh Hef exes/Girls Next Door hotties Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson, Pamela Anderson, Simeon Rice
What's the scoop? Three separate parties are hosted at Aja, a new Channelside entertainment venue. Thursday's "Super Bowl Kickoff Party" features a four-turntable set by DJ AM and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The "Friday Night Blitz Super Bowl Party" is hosted by Madison and Wilkinson (and quite possibly their significant others, illusionist Criss Angel and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett, respectively), Buccaneer Alex Smith, Greg Camarillo (Dolphins), Drew Carter (Raiders) and Brendon Ayanbadejo (Ravens), with spins by celebrity DJ Scene. And on Saturday, Anderson, the queen of party hosts herself, stages the "Athletes and Angels Super Bowl Party" with guests Rice (formerly of the Bucs), Shaun Phillips (Chargers), Stephen Cooper (Chargers) and Vernon Davis (49ers), with sounds by DJ Vice.
What's the damage? $50 Thursday, $300 Friday, $300 Saturday.
Where and when: Aja Channelside, 290 S. Meridian, Tampa, Jan. 29-31, 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Thurs.-Sat., 813-373-2633, ajachannelside.com.
SATURDAY NIGHT SPECTACULAR
Celebrity hosts: Kevin Costner and Michael Strahan
Additional star power? Real hard to say, but it being Costner and all, I'd have to guess there'll be a few surprises of the upper crust variety.
What's the scoop? Costner and Strahan co-host this fundraiser with a premium open bar, food, and live country music by Costner & Modern West (his band), performances by Star Ship Super Group (featuring Mickey Thomas, Toto lead singer Bobby Kimball, former Survivor lead singer Jimi Jamison, Skip Martin of the Dazz Band, and special guests), and Cirque USA. Proceeds benefit the Matthew Tryson Bryant Foundation, which funds SIDS-related charities like March of Dimes.
What's the damage? $875 per person. Yikes. But I guess if you've got that kind of cash to blow, you're looking for charity events to go to like this that you can write off.
Where and when: T. Pepin Hospitality Centre, 4121 50th St., Tampa, Sat., Jan. 31, 8 p.m.-3 a.m., saturdaynightspectacular.com.
TASTE OF NFL
Celebrity host: Celebrity chef and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio
Additional star power? Any celebs who consider themselves foodies will be here; and though her attendance has not been confirmed, Martha Stewart is holding a book signing earlier the same day at Macy's in Westfield Countryside Mall, and there are people from her radio show attending, so …
What's the scoop? It's a food and wine tasting bonanza that pairs a top chef from each of the NFL team cities (Marty Blitz of Mise En Place is the Bucs' representative) with an alumnus or current player from each team. Together, they make culinary magic to raise awareness and money for national hunger-relief organizations. Attendees enjoy food tastes paired with complementary wines, opportunities to meet and socialize with various top chefs and NFL greats, a silent auction featuring anything from sports memorabilia to travel packages, and live entertainment by Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7. Former Top Chef contestants, personalities from Martha Stewart Living Radio, and the current Miss America are also scheduled to appear.
What's the damage? $500 per person general/$600 per person VIP.
Where and when: Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg, tasteofthenfl.com.
BLU BASH
Host: blu, a luxury lifestyle magazine
Star power? Vanessa Carlton, Chef Florence
Confirmed celebrity guests? Ronde Barber, James Blake, John Lynch, Cortez Hankton, Warrick Dunn and cover model Melanie Capello.
What's the scoop? blu stages its celebratory launch at Florida Aquarium; Grammy-winning songstress Carlton plays an intimate concert, Food Network Chef Florence and the rest of the celeb guests rubs shoulders with the common folks, Ceviche serves tasty tapas, and a portion of proceeds from the event benefits America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay, Taste of the NFL and the aquarium.
What's the damage? $175 general/$250 VIP.
Where and when: Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Thurs., Jan. 29, 7 p.m, 813-273-4000, blutampabay.com.
This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2009.