Celebrity forecast: WSOP Final Nine, Rod Stewart, and Tao turns 5

WSOP/Harrah's

Joe Cada celebrates after winning the 2009 World Series of Poker at The Rio.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Friday, Nov. 5, 2010 | 10:18 a.m.

The big weekend story is the Final Nine of the World Series of Poker at The Rio, although Las Vegas has no stars or resident poker princes and princesses at the table this year as the battle rages for the first-place $9 million win -- $8,944,138 to be precise. Each one of the remaining eight still divvy up $20 million in consolation payouts.

The Rio headliner Penn Jillette’s wife Emily Jillette, a poker ace in her own right, will be covering the action for us from tomorrow’s noon start to Monday’s 8 p.m. finish over the three days of expected play. We’ll post her continuing front-row blasts via my Twitter (@Robin_Leach) and then with weekend photos as we process them.

Here’s our ace in the deck with what we call the perfect play known affectionately around here as the Royal Robin Rundown:

Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Garth Brooks and Steve Wynn.

Melissa Goodin

Chippendales and Fantasy cast members at the grand opening of Nu Sanctuary Lounge in Town Square on May 27, 2010.

Friday, Nov. 5

Country king Garth Brooks is back for another weekend of shows at Encore Theater in the Wynn. Tonic is just the right measure at Aliante Station, Buddy Guy brings the blues to Silverton Casino Lodge, and Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers fame is joined by his daughter McKenna for three nights at South Point.

Comedian David Spade headlines at The Venetian for two nights. Cigar-smoking and scotch-drinking comedian Ron White is at The Mirage for two late nights of blue-collar comedy. Saturday Night Live and Weeds star Kevin Nealon headlines with his stand-up at pal Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club in the Tropicana for two nights. Jason Alexander continues his one-man The Donny Clay Experience at MGM Grand through Wednesday. Comedian Greg Fitzsimmons is at Sunset Station.

Top Chef judge Gail Simmons hosts Food & Wine Magazine’s all-star cuisine weekend at Vdara and Aria in MGM CityCenter and Bellagio with 14 culinary and wine experts. Skateboard superstar Tony Hawk hosts his Stand Up for Skateparks Foundation pre-party at Blush in the Wynn. Illusionist Jan Rouven performs his death-defying stunts twice nightly until the end of the month at Fremont Street Experience. The Bachelor winner Vienna Girardi hosts Ultimate Girls Night with Chippendales at The Rio.

Saturday, Nov. 6

The eagerly awaited Rod Stewart trial residency starts at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace for eight nights. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer says he’s trying the two weeks first before discussing a two-year contract. Twin brothers Joel and Benji Madden host a Good Charlotte record release party for their newest and fifth album Cardiology at The Lounge in the Palms. An autograph session follows the band’s set.

Country stars Alan Jackson, Chris Young and The Band are at the Thomas & Mack Center. Drake brings his Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour to a sold-out stop at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel with Tyga. Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds is at The Orleans for two nights. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is at Red Rock Resort, and Hiroshima is at Santa Fe Station.

Thomas Myers/Retna

Tony Hawk and Andre Agassi on the red carpet at the Tony Hawk Foundation fundraiser at the Wynn on Nov. 7, 2009.

Al Powers/Retna

Peta Murgatroyd, Damian Whitewood and Karina Smirnoff at Mandalay Bay's Mix Lounge on Aug. 18, 2010.

Tony Hawk presents his action-sports carnival with a live Vert Demo at the Wynn to benefit his foundation’s support of skate parks. Tony will welcome celebrities expected to include Andre Agassi, Chuck Liddell, Howie Mandel, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lance Armstrong, Miley Cyrus, Leeza Gibbons, billionaire Ron Burkle and the always radiant Elaine Wynn.

Star chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry and Bouchon serves up the gourmet dinner at our city’s premiere holiday gala with performances by the Jersey Boys cast and Clint Holmes all to support our beloved Opportunity Village as Camelot opens at The Magical Forest. The all-star tasting at Food & Wine weekend is set up around the pool of Aria with four of the resort’s top chefs and restaurateurs. Chef Geno Bernardo presents his Italian Thanksgiving cooking class at Nove Italiano in the Palms with six courses from his family’s dishes.

Celebrities including Jack Osbourne, Karina Smirnoff, Brittny Gastineau and Christina Milian join our Las Vegas VIPs to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Tao in The Venetian with music by DJ Vice. Eddie Murphy’s brother Charlie Murphy brings his stand-up to House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Fight fans will pack MGM Grand Garden Arena for the featherweight world championship matchup between Juan Manuel Lopez and Raphael Marquez. Together, the fighters have a combined record of 61 KOs.

Sunday, Nov. 7

Motley Crue frontman and hometown hero Vince Neil, who is about to start ABC’s Skating With the Stars, hosts his Sixth Annual Poker Tournament at The Rio benefiting the Skylar Neil Foundation named after his young daughter who died from cancer. With WSOP fans in the nearby Penn & Teller Theater, expect a big turnout of poker pros and Vince’s rocker pals.

Bob D'Amico/ABC TV

Vince Neil on ABC's Skating With the Stars.

Hard Rock Hotel

Arianny Celeste as Little Red Riding Hood and with the Big Bad Wolf at Ago in the Hard Rock Hotel.

With more than 20 million YouTube views, the 10 Indiana University students who comprise the a capella Straight No Chaser celebrate their third album’s release in concert at the Paris with their Nearly Sold Out Tour, which in fact has been selling out across the country.

November Playboy cover girl cutie Arianny Celeste, aka the UFC octagon knockout beauty, is featured at a meet-and-greet at the American Heroes Challenge at Clark County Shooting Park to kick off Veterans Week. It’s a two-day (tomorrow and Sunday) firearms and tactics competition and festival, and Arianny will pose for photos and sign autographs at American Shooters booth.

Steve Martorano’s Masters Meatball Eating Championship has brought out the Top 10 eating competitors from across the U.S. to see if they can topple top-ranked Joey Chestnut, who last year ate 50 2-ounce meatballs in 10 minutes -- with a knife and fork!

Next week

So You Think You Can Dance winner Lauren Froderman, fan favorite Kent Boyd and cast are at Planet Hollywood on Friday. We’ll have interviews with Lauren and Kent next week. Whoopi Goldberg is at Treasure Island on Friday. Usher with Trey Songz and Miguel are at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday. Jessica Lowndes is at Pure in Caesars Palace on Saturday. And Project Dinner Table’s final dinner of its inaugural season is Sunday, as is Sheryl Crow’s rescheduled concert at The Joint.

Check back Monday morning for the weekend celebrity recap, and happy stargazing.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy contributed to this report.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.