Las Vegas Weekly

May 22, 2009 · 8 AM

Stars galore invade the Strip for Memorial Day weekend fun

By Robin Leach

Do ya think Dane Cook works out occasionally?

Photo: TBS

It’s a full head-on invasion of Hollywood celebrities this four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend, and no matter where you turn, there will be VIPs to entertain and amuse.

You’ll get the full Royal Robin Rundown in a separate day-by-day posting, but because there are so many personalities on parade here, I wanted to pick out some highlights:

Photo: Station Casinos

Smokey Robinson.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Taylor Swift at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Kendra Wilkinson.

Comedians Cheech & Chong, Lewis Black, Joe Rogan and Dane Cook will be serving up the laughter; The Beach Boys, Smokey Robinson, Taylor Swift, Ozomatli, Kool and the Gang, Clint Holmes, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum and Air Supply make the music; David Copperfield makes the magic; and the Deadly Seven will shock with screams for the squeamish. Additionally, The Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson, the mixed martial arts stars and the XXX-rated beauties from Vivid’s adult entertainment lineup host parties at pools throughout town.

Two cancellations

Robin Williams was set for the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but because of his heart surgery in March, the Sunday show was canceled. Robin’s first post-surgery appearance was last week with David Letterman to promote Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian, in which he reprises his role of Teddy Roosevelt and which opens today.

Photo: CineVegas

Robin Williams in World's Greatest Dad.

You can go to www.robinwilliams.com to see the video of the zany funnyman as he thanks fans for their prayers and support, and even shows off the scar running down his chest! “This little break has given me more energy than ever,” he says.” “Plus, it’s wonderful to now have a cow valve. … If you don’t mind the grazing, it’s quite invigorating.”

Robin, who always rides his bicycle from the Strip up to Red Rock whenever he’s in town, is hoping to get to our CineVegas Film Festival for pal Bobcat Goldthwaite’s closing night film, World’s Greatest Dad, in which he stars and Bob directed. His 30-date comedy tour “Weapons of Mass Destruction” resumes at the end of September and runs through Nov. 28 -- but no stop for a make-up date in Las Vegas is planned yet.

Photo: Courtesy

Natalie Cole.

Singer Natalie Cole also canceled her concert this weekend scheduled for The M Resort as a result of a long-prayed-for but unexpected last-minute kidney transplant Wednesday. You can read her letter about her long search for a kidney match at www.nataliecole.com.

Natalie had been on kidney dialysis three times weekly since last September. She underwent the transplant after a kidney came from a deceased organ donor through the regional organ procurement agency. She has been told to recuperate for four months, and her doctors at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles say she is “resting comfortably.”

You can watch Natalie’s interview about her illness on CNN’s The Larry King Show HERE.

We’ll be busy all weekend long to ensure that we have full photo reports from our contributing photographers of all the activities when Vegas DeLuxe returns to its normal schedule Tuesday.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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