File this item under "uncomfortable coincidences": the developers of the famed Hotel Byblos and St.-Tropez club plan to open an upscale nightclub in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with a theme of great African American musicians. To be called "Black Legend," the club will serve tapas all day while featuring impersonator acts singing soul, funk and pop music, but with a focus on the Motown greats.

Speaking from experience—wink wink—we can vouch for the fact that in Monaco, most of the nightlife happens either onboard a yacht or in a high-rise swanky condo, not in clubs or bars since the daytrippers and tourists take over those. Nonetheless, we don't doubt that "Black Legend" will be a success, considering the French disposition to old African American cabaret acts; they did raise Josephine Baker and more to stardom with the US would have none of it.

The club, due to open this October, should have plenty time to hone its Michael Jackson memorial act and more before the famed Monaco Grand Prix rolls back into town next May.

Related Stories:
· St. Tropez Hotelier Takes On Basque Coast [HotelsMag]
· Black Legend Monaco [Official Site, Coming Soon]
· Monaco Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

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While stateside the year's highlights on the field of fireworks have already faded from the sky, this year's International Fireworks Competition is only getting started. The Monaco-based tourney kicked off last week with a €100,000 prize and high-powered bragging rights at stake.

Portugal and France face off against last year's champion Austria at the deep-water Port d'Hercule. The display with the best style, color, special effects and synchronization with music will get a repeat performance in November for Monaco's national holiday. Who knew the genteel principality was such a fan of the ol' boom boom pow?

Start strategizing your seat for the performances by Austria (July 24 at 10 and August 9 at 9:30) and France (August 23 at 9:30). Call the Jardin Exotique, which will be open free that night for viewing from its hillsides, at (377) 93 15 29 80 to reserve a seat if your yacht won't be available.

Related Stories:
· International Fireworks Festival [VisitMonaco.com]
· Daytime Fireworks, Cake, and "National Treasure" For The Fourth [Jaunted]
· Fireworks Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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Last one in's a rotten egg! We're finding the best places in the world to stick our toes in this summer (or next winter) for our World's Coolest Pools map. Know of any pools we must check out? Let us know.

We've always associated Monte Carlo with monokinis and James Bond (not necessarily together), so it doesn't surprise us that the most glamorous tax shelter in the world also boasts a few spectacular pools. A tipster wrote in about the Fairmont Monte Carlo pool and, well, we're cashing in all our chips the next time we happen to be in the neighborhood.

Opened in 1975 as the Loews Hotel Monte-Carlo, with a heating and air-conditioning system that uses the natural temperature of the Mediterranean, the Fairmont has an embarrassment of riches in the arena of ocean views. Which is good, if you believe commenters like a Tripadvisor vet who says the property should "shoot the room decorator" for the still-dated-after-all-these-years renovation. ]]> egw 2009-06-04T15:17:05-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/4/133324/448

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "The rich are different from you and me." Last week, Bravo TV president Lauren Zalaznick protested the idea that shows on her network, including the "Real Housewives" franchise and "Million Dollar Listing," are all about money, claiming instead that they're about "extreme personalities." Frankly, they could have been more extreme on last night's "First Class All The Way," because all we saw was the money.

The show follows Sara Duffy, concierge to the rich and famous and founder of her own travel firm, SRD International, for whom no request is out of line. Dig up a real European royal on a trip to Monaco? Sure! Villa about to be trashed by your "bros" in Italy? No problem. Duffy specializes in leading her charges around like sheep, which we never knew was a popular travel fantasy among rich Americans.

"Getting a passport in one day is like giving birth to an elephant," Duffy says in a talking-head interview during the pilot, which follows a tour group around Monaco and Paris. "It's not easy." But it's easy if you're an elephant! While we may have fantasized about someone who would be able to cut through travel's red tape for us, we wonder about the authenticity of the passenger's experience when everything is smoothed out for them. And yes, we want the po-faced lady who lost her wallet in the first place to have to suffer a little, even if she doesn't get a good story out of it.

To quote another great American writer, "It's fun to have fun, but you've got to know how." Part of Duffy's job is to make the most memorable trips possible for her clients, but this ill-timed show proves the rich just don't know how to entertain themselves.

Related Stories:
· The Affluencer [NYT]
· Bravo's Reality Series "Welcome To The Parker" [HC]
· Recently Reviewed: First Class All The Way [Variety]

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While Americans braved $4-plus-per-gallon prices at the pump--or watched people spend tons of gas money at the Indy 500--celebs flocked to the tiny principality of Monaco for a weekend away. Whether they were attending the Formula 1 race, like Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, or otherwise occupied, stars alone or in pairs made the best of the holiday.

Kate Hudson relaxed in Monte Carlo with her new fling, racer Lance Armstrong, while newlyweds Jay-Z and Beyonce looked like they weren't having such a good time outside of their hotel. (Maybe they couldn't get tickets to Indiana Jones 4!)

Monaco is shaping up to be a very popular destination for celebs in 2008. In May, Bono celebrated his 48th birthday there, and Brangelina took the kids for a family vacation. Another advantage to this tiny principality? It's close enough to Cannes that stars can run over (in private helicopters, natch!) and catch a film or two.

Related Stories:
· Monaco Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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Who knew Prince Albert of Monaco was such a music buff? The ceremonial head of state also oversees his own awards show, which took place over the weekend in Monte Carlo. Above, he lives the dream of every teenage boy in America and cozies up to Rihanna, who performed at the awards where Celine Dion and Patti LaBelle picked up career achievement prizes.

Europe played host to another awards show this weekend as the MTV Europe Awards were held in Munich, Germany. Avril Lavigne took home Artist of the Year, Amy Winehouse acted completely weird onstage and host Snoop Dogg wore lederhosen--something we dearly wish we had caught in person.

Related Stories:
· Rihanna's World Music Awards Performance [JustJared]
· Rihanna Takes Home A Tattoo [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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After the VMA's and her big 25th bday bash in New York, mega-couple Jay-Z and Beyonce could use a little downtime.  Where to relax? Monaco, of course.

PopSugar reports the lovebirds have been spotted all over Monaco, where Jay-Z is shooting his new video for his next album due out in November, "Kingdom Come".  Beyonce is spending her days performing some retail therapy at the area's exclusive boutiques. As we know, the poor thing barely has anything to wear, with her own clothing line and all.

Obviously Jay-Z's timed the trip just right. This weekend is the Monaco Yacht Show at Port Hercules. 100 of the world's most beautiful yachts, including 30 making their world premieres, are on display. Luxury cars and private jet manufacturers will be in town too. Tickets for the show are $65 a day--a drop in the bucket for Jay-Z to do some swanky shopping.

Related stories:
Beyonce and Jay-Z do Monaco [PopSugar]]]> sedona 2006-09-20T09:44:20-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/