Encore nightclubs getting company

Steve Wynn is closing Encore's Las Vegas Boulevard entrance soon to make room for a fourth nightclub on the Encore-Wynn Las Vegas site.

Demolition of the driveway area could begin as soon as next month, according to plans submitted for county approval.

The Strip-facing nightclub and beach club will tie into atrium space and connect with Switch restaurant, so named because sliding walls create a new decor throughout the evening.

A 2010 summer opening is planned at the as-yet unnamed club, which will join Encore's megaclub XS and Wynn Las Vegas' Tryst and Blush Boutique.

According to rumblings, the surprise is that the new club will be operated by Sean Christie, rather than Victor Drai, who is in charge of XS and Tryst. Christie runs Blush nightclub at Wynn.

BIDDING WAR

Another bidding war looms in the Michael Jackson saga.

While working on his album, including months of collaborations at the Palms recording studios, Jackson sat down for a series of interviews during his final days in Los Angeles.

"The family is trying to obtain those tapes," said a source. "They'll be worth a lot of money, and the family is looking for cash."

AEG, the entertainment giant that partnered with Jackson on 50 London concerts, is trying to assist the family in gaining possession of the interviews.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Two members of the Flamingo's "X Burlesque" cast are in Toronto this weekend for sparkling additions to their portfolio. South African Shakeera Onstead, dance captain of the X girls, and newcomer Tara Sherwin, a Zooey Deschanel lookalike, were to perform at a Toronto Film Festival party for George Clooney on Saturday and Elton John on Sunday. The Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority flew them to Toronto, according to X owner Angela Sampras. The private parties were held in Jezebel's, a burlesque hot spot.

SIGHTINGS

Pete Rose, dining at Nove Italiano (Palms) on Saturday. He's signing autographs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today with former teammate and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver at Field of Dreams (Forum Shops at Caesars). Seaver, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1992 by the highest percentage ever (98.8%). ... Miss USA 1996 Ali Landry, chatting with Friday patrons at La Scena Lounge at The Venetian. ... Rapper Mickey Avalon and former NBA star Gary Payton, at Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday at separate tables. ... Retired NBA player Spud Webb, at Rain nightclub (Palms) on Friday. ... Allen Evangelista of ABC's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," at Lavo (Palazzo) on Friday with friends.

THE PUNCH LINE

"I realized something last night watching the game, and that is this: The older you are wearing body paint at a sporting event, the more likely it is that you still live with your parents." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.