Archive for April, 2010

Had a couple of invitations last week, both on the same day. The first one was from a place I used to frequent for its fabulous Bar-B-Que Ribs, while the second was from a casino, where I used to go to watch the ladies walk by (just kidding). By now you may know I’m referring to “Gilley’s,” now at its new home inside Treasure Island. The second location was the Hard Rock Hotel, and its new tower, fantastic new pools, and of course, the new SkyBar.

The Original “Gilley’s Honky Tonk bar,” was created in Pasadena, Texas in 1971 by country music legend, Mickey Gilley. In 1980, John Travolta and a cast of future stars traveled to Pasadena and made a little film, ‘Urban Cowboy,” which not only vaulted its stars to legendary status, but absolutely lifted the bar towards the stars. Incidentally, I had the great pleasure of working with Mickey Gilley when he was book at the Dunes Hotel in the ‘80s. And, I have to tell you, he was a great guy to work with. I worked for a number of country stars when they appeared in our little village, and they were always just easy to work with. Can’t always say that about other entertainers who I’ve worked with: some were a pain in the butt!

Anyhow, the new “Gilley’s,” is situated next to Siren’s Cove and will have retractable glass for outdoor Strip seating, and will be accessible from inside the casino, and via a newly constructed bridge in front of the Siren’s ship. Its big draw, besides the tremendous food, is a little monster called, “The Mechanical Bull.” It’s a heck of a ride, believe me. In my younger days I actually climbed up on the monster, when it was at the old Frontier Hotel. I asked the operator to put it at a low speed—even that was a wee bit to much, as I was quickly dispatched to the padded floor. Once was enough for me—but I kept returning for the ribs.  Got to tell ya, if you want great food served by bikini-clad hostesses, and some good country music, then Gilley’s is a place for you. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, featuring a show kitchen and custom saddle seats at the bar, with live entertainment Thursday through Saturday, featuring line dancing and the world-famous Gilley Girls.

The battle between swimming pools has taken one giant leap for party goers, with the opening of the SKYBAR at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (HRH) the other evening.

Part of a huge $750 million expansion, the new very sophisticated lounge offers guests (and the public if you want to splurge $20.00) a new experience for sun-seeking guests, who also like being pampered. SKYBAR features a distinctive acrylic-edged pool with three peek-a-boo cutouts in the floor that act as skylight windows to the lower HRH Beach Club. You can lounge on plush bar seating, custom daybeds, couches and banquettes that pepper the teakwood plank floor. The lower SKYBAR pool features 14 luxurious cabanas surrounding a circular infinity wading pool.

SKYBAR has been a staple in the Los Angeles social scene for the past 14 years, entertaining everyone from celebrities to LA notables and guests alike, according to Kendra Cole of the SKYBAR in Los Angeles, “this is a perfect spot to further its legacy.”

“The new SKYBAR is the ultimate blend of Morgans Hotel Group’s history of refined socializing and the evolution of the new Hard Rock,” Phil Shalala, CMO of the Hard Rock, said.

The SKYBAR will be open daily from noon—8 p.m. with special nighttime hours. Admission is complimentary for guests and $20 for the public. Upscale beach attire is strictly enforced. Now I have no idea what that means, but I’m guessing that my old “Speedo” will not pass muster?

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If you are out looking for a bargain and want to have a fun time, then look no further than the Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel. Producer Bob Kephart consistently books the best in stand up comedy each and every week. The Comedy Stop is going on 20 years in Las Vegas, with the “mother club” in Atlantic City celebrating its 28th year. Both clubs have won so many awards it’s impossible to name them all: the Las Vegas Comedy Stop has been honored with the “Best in Las Vegas” award seven times. Appearing Monday, April 26 through Sunday, May 2, will be three headliners: Hal Spear, Joe Delion and Manny Oliveira. Tickets for the 9 p.m. show at the Comedy Stop in the Sahara Theater, located on the main floor, are priced from $24.95 plus tax and fees. There is a special local ticket price (with proof of residence) for $19.95 plus tax and fees. Call (702) 737-2878 for reservations.

Attended a birthday party a couple of weeks ago for a very wonderful person. Janice Marie “The Goddess” Wilson celebrated her 60th birthday with a surprise birthday party put on by her family. I would guess there were about 75 close friends in attendance. One of the gifts to her was dancing lessons, which was a pre-birthday gift and the final dance session was filmed for the party. Oh, yeah, if you would like to hear Ms. Wilson discuss life, wellness, etc., listen to her radio blog every Monday morning by going Clicking Here You can also call in a question for her or her very special guest this Monday (April 26) Ms. Nancy Barr. Call (646) 652-4558

That’s about it for another week. I’m outa here!

As many of you know, this writer just happens to really like funny people, funny things and unique things. When I do find something of interest, I check it out and, if I think it’s important enough, I bring it to your attention. Well, guess what? I’ve found an interesting book written by a member of the stand up comedian circuit: Tommy Blaze.

Blaze is the originator, along with illustrator Nate Fakes (now you have got to admit those two names, right away, can get you curious, right?), of a number of blogs written by Blaze and which first appeared on the Internet titled: “Knocking On Heavens Door.” Tommy has been a stand up comedian for more than two decades, and Fakes is an illustrator for “Mad Magazine.” The two men came together via a search on the Internet by Blaze for an illustrator, since he was not good at drawing.

The blog got a ton of hits on the Internet, and that was when Blaze (at the urging of his 10-year-old daughter, Delaney) decided to make it into a comic book. Blaze and Fakes communicated, and it was decided the book would cover the first 100 strips posted on the Internet. The result is a very interesting and funny comic book with full illustrations.

At first glance, it would appear that the two gentlemen have created a comic strip about a typically precocious six-year-old boy named Spencer, who lives in an average suburban neighborhood complete with a Mom, Dad, a baby sister and a very strange best friend—actually a very special best friend. It is here the similarities to Knocking on Heavens Door (KOHD), and any other comic strip that I can remember, ends, because Spencer’s best friend is, for no particular reason that is explained—God.

Despite the fact The Almighty plays a large role in the comic strip, KOHD is neither preachy nor sacrilegious, but rather an amusing and endearing story of Spencer’s struggle with the challenges of youth, authority and the world’s changing times. With every step and misstep (and there are a lot of both in the first 100 strips), God diligently remains by his friends’ side, which—as Spencer discovers—makes playing Hide and Seek virtually impossible. I truly found the strips thought provoking and at the same time funny. The little sister, by the way, who is constantly being picked on by Spencer, is based on Tommy’s own daughter, Ruby, and how she terrorizes her older sister, Delaney.

While the humor is intended for adults, the content is completely family friendly and can benefit those of all ages. I honestly enjoyed the thought pattern that Blaze is able to capture in words. And, Fakes illustrations are truly amazing and on the money!

You can purchase the paperback comic book by going to: www.kohdcomic.com. Price for the 100 page publication is $19.99. Check with Amazon, where it is reportedly heading as it goes into its second printing. You can also enjoy it at www.KOHDComic.com, where new comics are posted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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While on the subject of comedy, the Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel has an interesting booking for this coming week, April 19 through 25. Jimmie “J.J.” Walker will be hosting the 90 minutes of laughter for producer Bob Kephart, and will be introducing fellow headliners, Russ Nagel and Danny Bevins. The following week (April 26 through May 2), Manny Oliveira returns with Hal Spear and Joe Delion. For reservations call the Sahara Box Office, (702) 737-2878.

The popular, “Dennis Bono Show from Las Vegas,” hosted by recording artist and entertainer, Dennis Bono, has joined “Stay Tuned America, Your Entertainment Superstation,” three times a week. The radio show can now be heard six times a week: Fridays on 91.5 FM at 6:00 p.m. and KDWN AM 720 at 11:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at KDWN at 8:00 p.m. (All Pacific Standard Time).

David Saxe is not saying what or who, he will be booking into the former Wyrick Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, but the dynamic promoter has a bevy of talent just itching to find a home. Rumors are flying all over the Village, that some acts, currently located at other venues in town, have approached Saxe to move from where they are now to his new theater. David acquired the 435-seat venue and has already renamed it the Saxe Theater. The 22,000 square-foot entertainment facility will debut this June, and will be home to the first major talent-driven Las Vegas production in more than a decade. More on Saxe in a later column.

Well, gang, that appears to be all the news for this week. Have a calm and peaceful weekend. I’m outa here!

There are a couple of people in our little village, who have been working their butts off to promote the sounds of Jazz and Big Bands: Gary Anderson and Michaelina Bellamy. Often times, when these two were staging events and only charging, like, $10 to get to listen, I watched as they took money out of their pocket (or purse) to pay the musicians for their tireless work.

To me, that’s not fair. This town supports all kinds of events, ranging from a Greek Festival to Helldorado, and a bunch of other events in between. Anderson is an Emmy Award-winning saxophonist of the top caliber. Over the years, Gary had the good fortune to play and write music for some of the great American band leaders—from Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan. He also toured with “The Man,” Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan to name a few.

Michaelina has been a lead singer for a bunch of orchestras, and was the headliner in the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana for a couple of years. She has a long list of people for whom she has either opened for, or headlined with including Engelbert Humperdinck, and most recently, Bob Newhart to name a couple. Neither of these two fine musicians needs to work their butts off to promote their careers along—they’ve already proven that! But, because they believe so darn hard in the music of the Big Band era and their love of Jazz, they do what they are doing—promoting, promoting, promoting!

“We plan on keeping this music alive and swinging in Las Vegas and around the World,” Anderson said. “Consider dropping by one of our venues when you are out and about. You’ll hear 16 to 20 musicians and vocalists put their hearts, souls and incredible talent on display, and do we have talent in this town!”

This Saturday, April 10, from 2-5 p.m., The Bruce Harper Big Band will be at E String Grill, 2031 W. Sunset Road, Henderson. For $10 you get to hear some great music, which will be hosted by Marsha K & Norm Ross.

Sunday, April 11, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m., Matt Johnson’s LV Superband will be at the Brazilian Grill at 9640 S. Eastern Ave. Michaelina is your host, and a $10 donation requested.

Monday, April 12, from Midnight to 1 a.m., The Bruce Harper Big Band will be at the Tropicana Hotel. This is free and hosted by Santa Fe and Michaelina.

And, every Tuesday in April, from 7 to 11 p.m., Gary Anderson and Friends will be at the new Las Vegas Rocks Café, in downtown Las Vegas (located on the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd). There is no cover charge and parking is free in the Neonopolis Garage, with a one drink minimum.

Do yourself a favor and try to take in one of these events. Once you do, you’ll be hooked, and pretty soon it could very well work out to be SRO for these events. I sure hope so!

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Appearing this weekend at the Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel are stand up comedians Paul Lyons, Michael Gelbart and Quinn Dahle. Booked for next week, by producer Bob Kephart, are Peaches Rodriquez, Mike Burton and Macio. Showtime is 9:00 p.m. nightly. Tickets begin at $24.95 plus tax and fees. Call 737-2878 for reservations

Entertainment legends, Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland, are “re-united” through award-winning portrayals by Suzanne Goulet (no relation to Robert Goulet) as Liza and Denise Rose as Judy, in “Judy & Liza…Together Again” at the Suncoast Showroom, April 17-18.

The phenomenally popular off-Broadway production “Girls Night: The Musical,” will make its Las Vegas debut in the Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand Hotel for a limited run, May 6-12. Tickets start at $57.40.

One of best little shows in the Village (my opinion) is in the Le Bistro Showroom at the Riviera Hotel. “The Concert That Never Was,” starring Sharon Owens as Barbra Streisand and Sebastian Anzaldo as Frank Sinatra, is, without question, as near perfection as you’ll find anywhere. Not only do they look like the stars, their voices are nearly flawless. This is a show I strongly recommend to one-and-all.

That’s about it for another week. I’m outa here!

A very good friend of this writer, Annette Falcone, sent me some information about a gig she will be performing in come this June. Oh, did I mention, Ms. Falcone is the wife of the “Conductor to the Stars,” Vince Falcone? Well she is!

Annette is a member of the Performing Arts Club in Anthem, and, as such, volunteered to sorta audition for a musical, titled at this time, “Magic Moments,” which will premiere on June 3-4-5, with a special matinee on June 6th. What a lot of her neighbors didn’t know, is that our little bundle of Italian dynamite is a fine professional singer. I’ve heard her sing when attending a few private parties, at Vera (Mrs. Robert) Goulet’s home, but never in public. Her super husband, Vince, from what I’ve been told, will, just possibly, accompany her if he’s not on the road with one of his stars. If that happens, and Vince is able to play the piano for Annette, it’ll a first for the theater, in that most of the performers sing to a sound track (tape).

Mrs. Falcone has been selected to perform in three sections of the musical. The director, George Gingerelli, is re-creating a variety of famous songs from Broadway musicals, and the great musicals created on film. Annette auditioned for “Making Whoopee,” from “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” and “Maybe This Time,” from Cabaret. She will also do a walk-on part, in which she portrays, Natalie Wood as a young girl in the movie, “Gypsy.”

Annette also informed me that when the tickets go on sale, one would think it’s like a rock concert. People line up for hours before the box office opens. Tickets go on sale, May 17, and are priced at $10 for residents and $12 for us non-residents.  I have ordered my tickets from my friend for opening night.

Bob Kephart’s Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel continues to book three headlining comedians each and every week. Located in the Sahara Showroom, the comedians take to the stage following the Rick Thomas Magic Show at 9 p.m. Unfortunately, Thomas does not always end his show on time and the Comedy Stop sometimes does not get everyone seated until around 9:15 p.m. But, once seated, the laughter begins and continues for 80 to 85 minutes.

Appearing this weekend (March 29 to April 4) is longtime regular Greg Morton, magician Harry Maurer and new to the Las Vegas Comedy Stop, Lucas Brown.

Quinn Dahle headlines April 5-11, along with Michael Gelbart and Paul Lyons. Dahle grew up in Minnesota, finished high school in Colorado, and went to college in Arizona, where he got his first taste of being a stand-up comedian.  Not too long after getting the stage bug, young Quinn checked out of Arizona State University and headed for the bright lights of Los Angeles. He is considered by many to be a smart, clean and witty comic with impeccable timing.

“Ever since I was a kid, everyone around me, including my immediate family, told me I should do stand-up,” Dahle said. “So, naturally, that was always on my mind and now…here I am!”

Paul Lyons can’t stop winning. He’s been the Inspirational Coach for The Washington Generals, Lindsay Lohan and Ted Kaczynski. Paul always looks on the bright side of life. Paul’s cat will not use the kitty litter, “he’s always thinking outside of the box,” Williams explained. Paul reportedly has A.D.D., but as he sees it, “I’m multi tasking.” After Williams’ drivers license was revoked, he celebrated, saying, “I just saved a bundle on my car insurance.”

Showtime for the Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel is 9:00 p.m. Tickets start at $24.95 plus tax and fees, with a special ticket for locals (with proof of residence) priced at $19.95 plus tax and fees. For reservations call (702) 737-2878.

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The Las Vegas Tenors, minus its founder Bill Fayne (he’s on the road with Clint Holmes), will be performing at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino, April 23-25. The group was originally formed in 2005 by four guys, Fayne, Mark Giovi, Bobby Black and Teddy Davey. Giovi left to pursue his own individual career, and the group is now comprised of Black, Davey and Chris Coyne.

The Las Vegas Tenors, without question, is one of the most liked groups appearing in our little village. The first time this writer heard them was at an open microphone night at the Bootlegger. I was literally blown away with their range of music, from Grand Opera to Broadway to Pop; they did and still do it all. The showroom at the Suncoast is sure to be SRO for the Tenors, with show time set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets priced at $19.95 plus tax.

The long anticipated return of the Frank Sinatra, Jr., show and his 20-piece band, also at the Suncoast, has added another show night, starting on Friday, April 9 and closing Sunday, April 11. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performances. are priced at $29.95 plus tax. For Suncoast ticket information call (702)636-7075.

Well, gang, that’s about it for yet another week. I’m outa here!