The "highly-anticipated and sometimes controversial" pop-up/mobile venue, Club Nomadic, officially opened on Thursday night to "3-hour long lines for some ticket holders." The club "finally received its certificate of occupancy Thursday afternoon, making way for opening night with headliner, THE CHAINSMOKERS." The lines "could be even longer tonight when BRUNO MARS takes the stage" (ABC13.com, 2/3). There were "at least 9,000 concert-goers" packed into Club Nomadic on Thursday night. SNOOP DOGG was a "surprise guest," taking the stage just after 1:00am CT. Also spotted at the event was rapper 2 CHAINZ. TAYLOR SWIFT is expected to perform on Saturday night (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/3).
HOLD YOUR HORSES: "The Players Party" at Sam Houston Race Park was "slated to kick off" on Thursday and run through Sunday, but instead was cancelled. The party was supposed to feature musical performances from THE BEACH BOYS, KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND and others. Pro Football HOFers WARREN MOON, EARL CAMPBELL, Saints QB DREW BREES and former NFLer TIM TEBOW were among those slated to attend (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/3).
GET THE WEEKEND STARTED: Friday night's party scene in Houston will see the 13th annual "ESPN The Party" at a 65,000-square-foot downtown warehouse with live performances by FERGIE and DJ KHALED....New Era Cap will be hosting "Planet New Era" at the night club Vrsi. The invitation-only event will have musical performances by FETTY WAP, among others. Bulls G DWYANE WADE, Rockets G JAMES HARDEN, Bills QB TYROD TAYLOR and magician DAVID BLAINE are slated to appear....The 14th annual "Leather & Laces" party kicks off on Friday at Hughes Manor with hosts JENNY MCCARTHY and DONNIE WAHLBERG, and special guest NASCAR driver KYLE BUSCH. The party continues on Saturday with models EMILY RATAJKOWSKI and SARA SAMPAIO hosting....Former NFLer TERRELL OWENS and former NBAer STEVE FRANCIS are hosting a fundraiser at Capone's Oven & Bar (THE DAILY).
WEEKEND WARRIORS: Saturday's events include the Maxim Party at Smart Financial Centre. Musical guests include hip-hop artist TRAVIS SCOTT. The event also includes a Monster Energy FMX Motocross show....The 2nd annual Hank Baskett Celebrity GAEMS Pro CP will take place 1:00pm CT at the Four Seasons. The event will benefit The Griffin Gives Foundation. Invited guests include Pro Football HOFer MICHAEL STRAHAN and former NFLer CHAD JOHNSON....Taste of the NFL takes place at the Univ. of Houston. Food samples prepared by chefs from each NFL team will be available. All proceeds benefit the Houston Food Bank....BUZZ ALDRIN will host the Extravaganza of Stars at the Blackburn Estate. Special guests include GEORGE FOREMAN and musicians CLAY WALKER and JORDIN SPARKS....The Playboy Party takes place at Spire nightclub and features rapper FLO RIDA....Rapper LIL WAYNE is among those hosting the "Undisputed" party at the Ayva Center. Guests include former NFLer HINES WARD, Seahawks DE MICHAEL BENNETT, Vikings RB ADRIAN PETERSON and Cowboys QB DAK PRESCOTT....Rolling Stone hosts the Houston Big Game Bash at the Museum of Fine Arts. Musical performances include DIPLO and hip-hop artist NAS....Sports agent LEIGH STEINBERG will host his 30th annual Super Bowl party at Hughes Manor....Actor JOSH BROLIN will host the Big Game Big Give celebrity charity poker tournament. The invitation-only event will be co-hosted by Gold Medal-winning U.S. swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS....Former NFLer MICHAEL VICK will have his official retirement party at the Grooves nightclub with a musical performance by rapper GUCCI MANE (THE DAILY).
GAME DAY: The party continues on Super Bowl Sunday with ESPN's JAYMEE SIRE hosting The Players Tailgate. Chef GUY FIERI will headline the event....Musical performances from LADY ANTEBELLUM, O.A.R and TYLER FARR will take place at the Champions Club in the NRG Center as part of a pre-Super Bowl event. Former NFLers and the Texans cheerleaders will make appearances....The NFL Alumni Association's annual Game Day Brunch will take play at Del Frisco's steakhouse (THE DAILY).
