Not a chance, insiders say emphatically. Yes, it will be one of the biggest clubs in the country, but two-thirds of the square footage is outdoors. The party will move outside as the club fills up, instead of the daunting challenge of making a cavernous club look full.

The $2.2 billion, 2,034 room Encore is scheduled to open around Christmas.

Over at the Hard Rock Hotel, it's full speed ahead for the next generation of The Joint.

The new $49 million club will allow 3,000 for a seated show, 4,000 for other events. It's more than double the previous capacity.

It opens in mid-April with big-name opening night entertainment and will feature "some great new elements," said Yale Rowe, the Hard Rock's new senior vice president and general manager.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Audrey Holmes is in for a birthday surprise. The mother of Las Vegas entertainer Clint Holmes had only one request for her 93rd birthday today: the hit show "Jersey Boys" at The Palazzo. She's also getting a pre-show gondolier ride. Calvino the singing gondolier is her youngest grandson, Cooper Holmes, 26. ...

ABC News' "Nightline" co-anchor Martin Bashir has been in town all week, conducting interviews about the effects of the economy's downturn in Las Vegas.

He interviewed Mayor Oscar Goodman and others. The show is tentatively scheduled to air in the middle of next week.

That cast on his right wrist? Because, at age 45, he hasn't been able to give up his love for rugby. He'll undergo surgery next month. ...

Georgina Vaughan, 20, of Summerlin, claimed the title of Miss Nevada USA 2009 last Saturday at the College of Southern Nevada's Horn Theater. Ileri Tunrarebi, 18, of Henderson, claimed the Miss Nevada Teen USA 2009 title.

MAY I RECOMMEND

Experience a Las Vegas boxing tradition: the excitement of a title fight weigh-in.

Ricky Hatton's rowdy following will be rocking the MGM Grand Garden at the 2:30 p.m. weigh-in today, which is open to the public. Junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi of Brooklyn, N.Y., will be making a fashion statement in an Ed Hardy robe created by French designer Christian Audigier.

Malignaggi has promised an over-the-top ring arrival on Saturday night.

SIGHTINGS

Portia de Rossi, riding the Big Shot, X Scream and Insanity thrill rides at the Stratosphere on Wednesday. She was with Andy Lassner and Ed Glavin, executive producers on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

... Dutch magician Hans Klok, taping two appearances on the "Ellen" show on Thursday.

... "America's Got Talent" winner Terry Fator stopped by the Rocket Gaming Golf Tournament at Bali Hai on Tuesday where he unveiled the newest "star" to his cast of thousands, Vicki the Cougar. He's in town promoting the tickets-on-sale announcement for his upcoming headliner show at The Mirage.

... David Copperfield, dining at CatHouse (Luxor) before attending the Cirque du Soleil-Criss Angel show "Believe."

THE PUNCH LINE

"The economy's getting bad. Broadway attendance is down 90 percent. Economists are saying it is a terrible time to be gay." -- Craig Ferguson

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.