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A SLUMBER party with Gordon Ramsay is on the menu when Crown opens the Metropol hotel on April 21. Crumpet-face is flying in to cut the ribbon at his restaurant Maze, and VIPs will be packing their overnight bags because they're being treated to an overnight stay, a cocktail reception, dinner, breakfast and valet parking. The invitation, the size of a placemat, is from Crown executive chairman James Packer and says he "would like you to join him". Can't wait to catch up, Jamie. It's a shame Tracy Grimshaw isn't on the list but someone else could have a quiet word to Ramsay that non-surgical facial enhancement is only a jab away. Mr Expletive will be bunked down for a couple of nights, his spokeswoman saying: "He wants to spend time in the kitchen with chef Josh Emett." Ramsay's wife, Tana, was hoping to join him but has a diary clash. The Metropol extravaganza also clashes with the opening of FAME The Musical at the Regent Theatre. Across town, pyjamas and leg warmers are the night's unofficial dress code.

It fits to be pink

GEORGINA Weir and Amelia Coote open the doors to the new Le Louvre today, the South Yarra salon sexed up with hot-pink graffiti images of John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld. Artist Dan Wenn was hard at work with his spray can yesterday, adding Dame Edna Everage and milliner Stephen Jones to the walls. Edna has dazzled in many Le Louvre gowns and Barry Humphries, a friend of Weir, cut a striking figure in an ocelot coat from the Collins Street store. It's such a fitting tribute to see Edna in hot pink graffiti: she's bold, loud and loves giving lesser mortals a spray.

On the home straight

YOU can already hear galloping hooves at the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup. The trophy has departed on its global tour, Birdcage marquees are in the planning and the Park Hyatt is drafting the guest list for its invitation-only breakfast. Another event on the calendar is the Photo Finish photo exhibition produced by Keith Courtney and Christian Wagstaff featuring racing royalty here and abroad. There's Gai Waterhouse skiing in Aspen, Bart Cummings at his Sydney stables, jockey Frankie Dettori in Dubai and Damien Oliver at Jan Juc beach. Bets are on as to which VIP will stop the race that stops a nation. Maybe it will be Jean Shrimpton in a short hem or the Queen in a long hem.

Lights, camera, action!

IT'S a big day on the set of Neighbours for Lehmo, the comic who's making his acting debut as a comic (hope he rehearsed in front of the mirror being himself). It's only natural that Lehmo is eyeing a record deal next, saying: "Following in the footsteps of Kylie and Jason has me really focused to put in a big performance. Given the anticipated success, a recording deal with Stock Aitken Waterman is likely." Another face in Erinsborough yesterday was Kate Neilson, the aspiring actress who landed a spot as an extra. Every Logie winner started somewhere.