Celebrities Join World Poker Exchange Tournament

24 May 2005

ANTIGUA – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Dirty Vegas, Grace Jones and DJ Guy Preston have been selected as featured performers during the VIP Reception at the World Poker Exchange London Open, the first ever lifestyle poker tournament.

The high stakes gaming event to be staged in London on the banks of the River Thames features a $2 million guaranteed prize pool and distinctive cultural, entertainment and dining experiences. A pinnacle of the four-day style-heavy event will be a private concert, separate charity tournament and VIP Reception featuring South London-based funky pop act Dirty Vegas, international chanteuse and "Queen of the Nightclub" Grace Jones, and celebrity club and party DJ Guy Preston.

"This unique combination of talent has been assembled to deliver a dynamic mix of dance, pop and groove tunes," explains World Poker Exchange Managing Director Haden Ware. "The line-up will certainly have tournament players as well as film, television and sports celebrity luminaries from the U.S. and U.K. mixing it up late into the night and adds additional lifestyle components to the London Open. One thing's for sure, should a player not win the tournament, they are still going to have a fantastic time with us in London along with their guests."

The showcase entertainment is but one element of the extraordinary mix of experiences presented at The London Open. "The journey begins with first-class experiences, completely personalized 24/7concierge services for our players and their guests, and some of the hottest competition ever seen on the international poker circuit," says Ware. "The World Poker Exchange will elevate players' expectations about what a tournament provides and will literally raise the bar on gaming events," explains Ware.

The GRAMMY-winning band Dirty Vegas (Best Dance Single, 2003) has toured with Moby, Tears for Fears and Groove Armanda, packing in fans at gigs from Singapore to Serbia, and Moscow to Milwaukee. The South London-based Dance/Trance/Funky Pop trio continues to build in worldwide popularity with their single Walk into the Sun simultaneously reaching number-one status on the Billboard US Club Chart and number-two on the Billboard Dance Chart. The song held its top position for seven weeks-- a rare feat.

Grace Jones, singer, movie star, fashion model, provocateur and "Queen of the Nightclub" has released two albums, Portfolio featuring hit single I Need a Man, and Slave to the Rhythm with singles Pull Up to the Bumper and My Jamaican Guy. Her acting credits include performances in Conan the Destroyer with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Boomerang with Eddie Murphy. and a turn as a Bond Girl in A View to a Kill.

DJ Guy Preston

Sought-after celebrity DJ and creative mix master Guy Preston has played VIP club dates at China White (voted Conde Nast's Best Club in the World/2003), Panagae (Best Club of 2004), and Bungalow 8 in New York City. A favorite among the trendiest of celebrities, Preston has served as the center attraction at private parties hosted by Jennifer Lopez, Dennis Rodman, and Dallas Austin. Fans around the world follow Preston for his party rock mixes of hip hop, R&B and "good grove." His only demo is the one much-in-demand CD he made for Tom Ford of Gucci.

The London Open will be broadcast as a Bravo primetime TV special "World Poker Exchange London Open." Off-camera, the competitors will enjoy high-stakes fun as they partake in the private concert & VIP Reception, exclusive tours of Kensington Palace, gain backstage access to the hit show The Producers, and enjoy the most lavish of culinary experiences in London's finest restaurants.

On-line qualifying satellite tournaments have already begun exclusively at www.worldpx.com, with entry levels as small as $1.