Kobe and Redfoo in La Freak at Lakers Casino Night presented by OneWest Bank and Pechanga Resort & Casino
I can truly say that I have never played Blackjack or Poker before,
but on Sunday night I dived into the unknown. I learned how to gamble
with the help of some glamorous celebrities for a good cause – the
Lakers Youth Foundation.
As a first time gambler (gambling with no cash, but for raffle
tickets) I experienced the rush, and proved to be a very high-spirited
learner at the game of Blackjack aka “21”. Yet with patient coaching
from the various celebrities sitting at my table and well-timed advice
from the Pechanga Resort & Casino card dealer, I soon found that there
is more to Blackjack than simply counting to 21.
Dwight Howard playing JustDance at Lakers Casino Night presented by OneWest Bank and Pechanga Resort & Casin
While I was relearning the skills of simple addition, the Lakers Youth
Foundation was raising some much-needed funds via the selling of a painting
done live at the event by artist David Garibaldi. The painting was accessorized with a photo opp with famed Laker Player Kobe Bryant, and ended up going for $20,000.00 at the live
auction by Lakers’ commentator John Ireland.
True to the Lakers’ earlier win against the Chicago Bulls, the night
ended on a glorious note as RedFoo and the Party Rock crew came on
stage after an intro from comedian Heather McDonald and TV personality
Jillian Barberie. I must admit I have never seen so many boys
prancing around on a stage in glittering underwear outside of a gay bar.
During the rather dishy RedFoo’s performance, I had the pleasure of
exploring a Just Dance station on the Wii, popchips Pop-a-Shot,
Photoboothless, food from Wolfgang Puck and drinks provided by
Finlandia Vodka.
Among the sights to be seen were the LA Lakers’ Dwight Howard in a game of
Just Dance and Steve Nash at the popchips Pop-a-Shot hoops.
Chad Michael Murrary and Gilles Marini at popchips at Lakers Casino Night presented by OneWest Bank and Pechanga Resort & Casino
In the upstairs VIP area ‘High Rollers VIP Suite’, I got a chance to
chat with Redfoo, as Kobe wandered over to indulge in a spontaneous
photo shoot with Redfoo, wearing the new La Freak clothing line.
My favorite fashions at the ‘High Rollers Suite’ were the new heels
from OceanMinded shoe lines that actress Jessica Lowndes, of the CW’s
90210, fell madly in love with, and the new Ultimate Ears Headphones that
Gilles Marini, of Sex in the City, ended up being gifted with. I also got
a chance to explore the feel-good jewelry from Good Works, an
accessory line that partners with charities who spread their
individual messages via %25 of sales that go back to them.
David Arquette at Lakers Casino Night presented by OneWest Bank and Pechanga Resort & Casino
Among the celebrities in attendance were Sarah Hyland joined by “Modern
Family” cast mates Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. “Glee” cast
members Amber Riley, Chord Overstreet and Harry Shum Jr. as well as
One Tree Hill alums Chad Michael Murray and Bethany Joy Lenz. Also, at
the party was “Dancing with the Stars” Cheryl Burke and Derek Hough.
Playing poker were Gilles Marini, David Arquette, Nick Zano and Kevin
Dillion. Other stars in attendance were Hailee Steinfeld, Shenae
Grimes and “True Blood”‘s Ryan Kwanten.
