BUZZ CLUBS

A plush Basque blowout

Basque is getting ready for its close-up. The French-themed nightclub at Hollywood and Vine -- the former location of Deep -- is plotting some soft-opening parties throughout May. But look for a blowout bash on May 21, when tattoo artist/clothing designer Ed Hardy celebrates his new line with a fashion and car show. And check it: We hear Basque’s VIP rooms include fur on the ceilings.... A little birdie tells me Goldfingers nightclub in Hollywood changed ownership and is being retooled into Buddha Bar.

Turns out Jessica Simpson likes her metal loud and proud. The songbird showed up two weeks in a row to do some headbanging at the Roxy at its Metal Skool night on Mondays. Simpson, who turned out with Bam Margera and various pals from “Jackass,” even sang a lick with the big-haired band.... And On the Rox, the cozy nightclub above the Roxy, is gearing up for summer. Owner Nic Adler is DJing on Friday nights, and on Saturdays, Chris Kilmore from Incubus DJs along with Kev E Kev.... Reggae surf punks Too Rude headline a Cinco de Mayo bash on Friday at Latitudes in Redondo Beach.

Seeing Paris

Paris Hilton made the rounds last Thursday. The blond waif showed at the tony boutique Kitson for the People’s Liberation/”House of Wax” bash, where she was joined by her fellow “Wax” cast members Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray and Jared Padalecki. The clothier People’s Liberation gave out “See Paris Die” T-shirts. (Bit morbid, don’t you think?). Hilton then made her way over to Montmartre Cafe at Hollywood and Highland for the Pioneer Navigation party, where she caught up with pals Kimberly Stewart, Tara Reid and Lindsay Lohan. All in a day’s work.... And Reid and Lohan were among the celebs who showed up on Friday at Spider Club, where they rubbed elbows with the likes of Kevin Costner, Vanessa Marcil, Avril Lavigne, Matthew Perry and Vince Vaughn.

The hardest working girl in show biz, promoter Pantera Sarah, tells me she’s orchestrating an Xbox/MTV bash at Avalon next Thursday, with the Killers and Snow Patrol.... And we hear the after-party for the premiere of Scott Caan’s new film, “Dallas 362” is taking place at Concorde on Wednesday. Expect such cast members as Jeff Goldblum, Kelly Lynch, Shawn Hatosy, Heavy D and Selma Blair to be in the hizzah.... Save the date: L.A.’s Fetish Ball is back in black. This year’s barely clad soiree takes place at the Key Club on July 22 and 23.... Tonight at B.B. King’s in Universal City, it’s Devoted Spirits, a group composed of former Earth, Wind & Fire musicians playing EWF classics. Feel the burn.

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-- Heidi Siegmund Cuda