Two weeks into November, and the charity-go-round is picking-up speed, at a dizzying rate.  After the success of the annual Make-a-Wish Foundation luncheon at Spago, on Thursday, the second annual Stand Up for Skateparks at Wynn Las Vegas to benefit the Tony Hawk Foundation on Saturday afternoon, and Camelot at the Magical Forest to benefit Opportunity Village, on Saturday night, it’s time once more for the yearly Rock for the Cure to benefit Nevada Cancer Institute.

Honorary chair Eva Longoria-Parker

Always a highlight of the philanthropy season, the ninth annual Rock for the Cure will be held, this Thursday (November 11th) at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter.  Returning as emcee is everyone’s favorite leather-clad curmudgeon, Larry King, joined this year by honorary chair, Eva Longoria-Parker.  Also, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-r, Sammy Hagar, will be entertaining everyone with a live demonstration of why he’s unable to drive 55.

But what the lure is for these sorts of affairs are the incredible rosters of culinary talent, and amazing auction items.  (And altruism…  Don’t forget altruism!)  On the gastronomic side, bidders at the Silent Auction will be able to peruse while noshing on victuals by two of my favorites peeps, Chefs David Robins and Eric Kein of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.  Then, once the dinner bell has been rung, attendees will be able to partake of a family-style feast prepared by Chef Shawn McClain (Sage at ARIA) and Chef Todd English (Olives at Bellagio and Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals) as well as treats from Chef Jean-Philippe Maury of Jean Philippe Patisserie and a helping-hand from ARIA Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito

The auction has actually already begun with a special Online Auction Item: a VIP Package to the Pacquiao vs. Margarito bout at Cowboys Stadium, in Dallas.  In addition to a pair of Floor Seats (8th Row, no less) to the fight on Saturday night, the package includes two passes to the VIP Pre-Party, and a one-night stay at Dallas’ premiere boutique accommodation, Hotel ZaZa (in a double-premium balcony room). 

Click HERE to bid on the fight, now.

Dale Chihuly seaform-set

Lady Gaga (Photo: Hedi Slimane)

As one might expect, auctioneer Peter Stremmel’s gonna have his hands full with a plethora of luxury items and one-of-a-kind experiences.  There’s Dale Chihuly’s cheerful Sunflower Yellow Seaform Set with Cherry Lip Wraps, 2001, valued at $26,000; and a pair of 32GB wi-fi enabled iPads complete with his-and-hers Gucci cases (don’t leave home without ‘em).

Channel the little monster inside of you, when you and three of your nearest and dearest get up-close and personal at Lady Gaga’s upcoming concert at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 25th, and take home some unique Gaga loot, to boot!  Or, if you want something visual, press-up into Michael Godard’s groovy original painting, Disco Fever (valued at $65,000) – where cocktail garnishes dance in heat to the disco beat.

DISCO HEAT by Michael Godard

Is one of your brood into hoops?  If so, I’d wager that a four-day stay at Michael Jordan’s Fantasy Basketball Camp, in August 2011, would be the trip of a lifetime.  This priceless package includes personal instruction from the man, himself, as well as memorabilia including an MJ jersey and autographs galore.  And while your child (ages 8 – 18) is learning the finer points of the crossover dribble from His Airness, over at UC Santa Barbara, you’ll be enjoying six days at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott.  Cheers!

Lt. General Tom Stafford (USAF-Ret)

Now if the last few items didn’t wow you, this one’s sure to launch you into orbit!  Omega produces the only NASA-approved watch for manned space missions, making it the only watch worn on the Moon.  So, to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, Lt. General Tom Stafford (USAF-Ret.), the Commander of that mission in 1975 – the first joint US/Soviet space-flight, the last Apollo mission, and the last manned US space-flight until 1981’s inaugural Space Shuttle mission – will guide you on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, in Houston, Texas.  In addition to the air and ground transportation and hotel accommodations, this package includes one limited-edition 50th Anniversary Omega Speedmaster timepiece. 

As far as I see it, the only problem worth telling Houston about, is being outbid!

9th Annual Rock for the Cure
Benefiting Nevada Cancer Institute
ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter
Thursday, November 11th
5:30pm

Click HERE for more info

Get into it!