The Lakers basketball organization hosted the team's third annual casino night and celebrity poker invitational—sponsored by Bodog and Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino—at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar. To raise money for the Lakers Youth Foundation (a group that aids children's charities in local disadvantaged areas), the Lakers' Lisa Estrada and Ian Levitt worked with Along Came Mary to transform the hanger into a replica of the Mirage—including roulette tables, an elaborate center bar, and Vegas-style dancers on pedestals.
The crowd of thousands dined on international cuisine from Along Came Mary and sipped drinks from sponsors Grey Goose and Starbucks. Some played poker and bingo; others tried their luck against the pro-ball players in skeeball and free-throw contests or took a poker lesson. Dita Von Teese performed her burlesque act. Although the event had a Vegas look, it also had a decidedly L.A. feel, with Lakers cheerleaders milling about, floor-to-ceiling photos of players (in attendance) on the walls, and screens playing game footage.
Before heading home, partygoers could redeem their chips at one of the souvenir booths around the hangar for sports memorabilia ranging from Lakers-logo duffle bags, pens, and mugs to martini sets and diamond pins.
Posted 04.27.06
The crowd of thousands dined on international cuisine from Along Came Mary and sipped drinks from sponsors Grey Goose and Starbucks. Some played poker and bingo; others tried their luck against the pro-ball players in skeeball and free-throw contests or took a poker lesson. Dita Von Teese performed her burlesque act. Although the event had a Vegas look, it also had a decidedly L.A. feel, with Lakers cheerleaders milling about, floor-to-ceiling photos of players (in attendance) on the walls, and screens playing game footage.
Before heading home, partygoers could redeem their chips at one of the souvenir booths around the hangar for sports memorabilia ranging from Lakers-logo duffle bags, pens, and mugs to martini sets and diamond pins.
Posted 04.27.06
