Hawaiian Tropic Zone heating up club scene

One of the newest nightspots in town is trying to make a little noise.

On Saturday, Hawaiian Tropic Zone, located at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, will host the official after-fight party for boxing champions Juan Manuel Marquez and Abner Mares starting at 10 p.m.

Resident DJ D Miles will be on the turntables, and drink specials will be featured from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Hawaiian Tropic Zone also will host a St. Patrick's Day party on Monday, as well as Playboy Playmate Tamara Witmer's birthday bash on March 22. And it all leads up to its grand-opening festivities the weekend of April 25, when celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson reportedly is being booked to provide the music.

Paris makes rounds with new beau -- The Paris Hilton express made its latest stop in Las Vegas last weekend, with new beau Benji Madden along for the journey.

Madden, the guitarist for Good Charlotte, has been dating the heiress since his much-publicized breakup with former fiancee Sophie Monk.

The hot new couple bounced around the city to various nightclubs during their getaway, dropping by Pure at Caesars Palace and Jet at The Mirage on March 7, before hitting LAX inside the Luxor on Saturday for Hilton's hosting gig.

Madden was supposed to be the guest DJ Saturday at Privé at the Planet Hollywood Resort, but due to some contractual issues and setbacks with Privé, the event was nixed just hours before it was supposed to start.

Actress Sims to host Dos Caminos opener -- Model-turned-actress Molly Sims will host the grand-opening party for Dos Caminos and Sala Lounge on Saturday at the Palazzo.

Sims, who starred in the TV show "Las Vegas," will be on hand to raise money for her charity -- Friends of El Faro -- at Dos Caminos. The event is slated to start at 9 p.m.

Sightings of the weekend -- Singer Taylor Dayne checked out The Bank (Bellagio) on Saturday. Dayne also celebrated her 46th birthday March 7 at Revolution Lounge (Mirage) with hair stylist Kim Vo.

At Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday: rappers Flo Rida and Rick Ross, and the cast from the movie "Step Up 2 The Streets."

Members of the country music group Rascal Flatts were spotted at Pure on Saturday.

Actors Dominic West and Sonja Sohn celebrated the end of HBO's "The Wire" at Tao Las Vegas (The Venetian).

At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday: music star Ne-Yo and actor Thomas Ian Nicholas from "American Pie" fame. Ne-Yo also was spotted at Poetry.

At Privé on Saturday: Venetian headliner Wayne Brady, actress Shar Jackson and Rick Salomon.

Actor Nicolas Cage was spotted at Ghostbar (Palms) and The Bank on Saturday.

Baseball player Kenny Lofton hit up Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn Las Vegas) on Saturday.

Actor/comedian Damon Wayans visited Jet on Saturday. Wayans also was seen at Pure on March 7.

MTV reality stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt hosted the evening's festivities March 7 at LAX. Also at LAX: Kansas City Chiefs safety Greg Wesley.

At Jet on March 7: Molly Shea of the "Olly Girls," celebrating her 22nd birthday with fellow "Olly Girl" Holly Huddleston and actor Rex Lee of "Entourage."

Soccer star Landon Donovan visited Moon (Palms) on March 7.

Actor/comedian Pauly Shore and reality star Janelle Perry of "Sunset Tan" stopped by the Playboy Club (Palms) on March 7.

Las Vegas native Angelique of VH1's "Rock of Love" hosted Syrup Swimwear's 2008 bikini line launch March 7 at Blush Boutique Nightclub. Also at Blush: celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

Jeremy Pond covers the nightclub scene for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Vegas Confidential. His column appears Fridays in Neon and online at www.lvrj.com and www.normclarke.com. He can be reached at 383-0298 or via e-mail at jpond@reviewjournal.com.