The bars, lounges, supper clubs and joints around town are filled with another week of great entertainment.
Start the weekend early with Mark Giovi at Casa di Amore. Reviewed by one website as, “Vegas, the way it used to be,” Casa di Amore remains a favorite of locals and a destination for visitors worldwide. A 7-year Strip headliner, Giovi’s classic music stylings have been tailored for the supper club venue perfectly. Giovi performs regularly Wednesday-Saturday, 6:30-10:30 PM. Casa di Amore is just minutes east of Las Vegas Blvd., 2850 E Tropicana Ave. Click here to view the menu.
For Boulder City folks, Mike Vaughn, another Checkmates alumnus, has a Wednesday-Saturday run at the Hacienda Hotel, 7:30 PM-Midnight. Vaughn has assembled a great band that pays tribute to legendary blues artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bo Diddley, the Allman Brothers and more.
“Casual” is the word for Thursday, when Kent Foote and the Vegas Good Fellas bring their 5-member band to Siena Deli, 9500 W. Sahara. Foote’s vibe welcomes all guests and Chef Giancarlo’s menu satisfy nearly every taste with a menu ranging from great appetizers to specialty sandwiches, salads, not-your-everyday pasta selection, meat, fish and chicken entrees. The 3-hour music set begins at 7:30 PM. Friday, Foote and his keyboard plater, Chicago Paul Stevenson Sinatra-cizes their repertoire beginning a 4-hour set at 6:00 PM at Ferraro’s, rated by one magazine as the #1 restaurant…period! Ferraro’s, at 4480 Paradise Road, offers a 50% food discount to locals. Whether visiting. Siena or Ferraro’s, go early…and stay. You’ll love it!
Lisa Gay and hubby Tony Drake have quickly established themselves as one of Las Vegas’ “must sees.” Resident headliners at Alexis Park Resort’s newly remodeled Pegasus Room, the couple, whose roots go back to Lou Rawls, the Fifth Dimension and many more walk-of-famers have developed a following that attracts local and visiting celebrities. The 9:00 PM Friday show features guests Toscha Comeaux and Donna Lynne. Alexis Park is across from the Hard Rock Casino, 374 E. Harmon Av.
Get ready to sweat! Ricco “The Las Vegas Showman” Diamante expects everyone (but me) on the dance floor. He’s packed his glitter and sequins, loaded up the car and is on a local mini-tour, first Friday night at the Silverton Casino 7:00-10:00 PM Friday night, Feb. 8 before returning to the Fiesta Rancho Saturday night, 8:30 PM – 12:30 AM. This Las Vegas Showman regularly attracts an audience that provides as much glitz, glamor and excitement off stage as Ricco does on stage. Ricco packs his high energy performances with rock, Motown, R & B and the great dance songs of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with a touch of classic ballads like “the Platters “Only You.” Watch for a bit of Elvis thrown in. If you haven’t seen Ricco before, the time is right because he’s coming to a venue near you. If you have seen him before…well, if you have seen him before, you’ll probably be back this weekend. No cover either night.
America’s Got Talent finalist Seth Grabel brings what he calls his own brand of “acromagic” to the stage, blending flips, leaps with sleight-of-hand and large-scale illusions. Grabel’s real appeal is his easy comedic charm and his ability to grasp nail-biting dramatics to make his shows an exercise in nerve-wracking tension and breath-catching release. On America’s Got Talent, Grabel amazed millions of viewers by making a DeLorean appear out of thin air but the surprises weren’t over yet. Emerging from the futuristic vehicle were mini versions of the shows judges, Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan. Grabel appears every Thursday through Sunday at the Royal Resort (formerly Debbie Reynolds Casino), 99 Convention Center Dr., just a half block off The Strip. Showtime is 6:00 PM. If you hurry, there may still be discount tickets available on line. Go to www.Groupon.com
Vocalist Treasure Guffy and her band have made the Stratosphere’s 107 Lounge high on many people’s must-visit list. The sultry singer keeps it mellow with her jazz, light blues and R & B, all tailored to the room, the mood and the audience, both in the lounge and a flight down in the Stratosphere’s revolving restaurant. The breath-taking views of The Strip are unequaled as are the mood and music created by Guffy and her three fine musicians. Treasure’s band is scheduled to perform 6:00-10:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday through the end of March. Happy hour specials run 4:00-7:00 and include half price amazing appetizers and everybody’s favorite martini, the 2-For-1 in a variety of blends. Hurry in though, because rumor is that management is bringing in a DJ and music-in-a-box. Goodbye atmosphere.
Don’t know what to expect Sunday night at Artifice, described on their website as an “urban lounge” and having “three rooms with an eclectic mix of music and entertainment,” but that’s the thrill of discovery. Sunday Artifice hosts a rare performance by Wendy Fleming, who will be appearing in one of those three rooms. I first saw Wendy backing up Bobby Brooks Wilson at Bootlegger when he respectfully handed her the mic and she stunned the audience with her slow, sultry version of “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess. Since then, Wendy’s local appearances have been few but Sunday night she’ll be part of KC Live with saxophone player Sid the Kid beginning at 7:30 PM. Artifice is located at 1025 S 1st Street.
Some Save-The-Dates…or You’ll Wish You Had
February 15: Peter Pavone is the guest of Lisa Gay, Tony Drake and their Gentlemen of Thrill Band at Alexis Park. Pavone has appeared extensively around the world paying tribute to Dean and Frank in Rat Pack Shows. He’s also a regular around Las Vegas, often appearing with Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Tribute. Pavone has also won rave reviews for his Hello-I’m-Johnny-Cash tributes. Alexis Park is across from the Hard Rock Casino, 375 E. Harmon Av.
February 21: The Vegas Underground that’s writing Las Vegas entertainment history takes their show to House of Blues prestigious Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay. Vegas Underground, subject of a front page story in the Los Angeles Times, burst on the scene two years ago with a classic Rat Pack-type anything-goes show every Monday at west side’s Tap House. Drummer LJ Harness promises the same you-never-know who-will-show-up type of top entertainers but has leaked that Paul Shortino (of Quiet Riot) Frankie Scinta and David Perrico of Pop Evolution have expressed an interest. Vegas Underground regulars include host Mark Giovi, saxophone player Steve Poncar (of Las Vegas Good Fellas), Ned Mills on keyboard and guitar player Keith Neal.
February 23: Pia is Back! Flying under the radar for too long, Pia Zadora (pictured) has returned to the stage after a 15-year absence with the grace, style and energy that belies that decade and a half hiatus. After a stunning performance on stage at the Smith Center, Pia knocked ’em dead at the Vegas Underground’s sponsored Toys for Tots gala, singing and kibitzing with comedian and Academy Award performer Steve Rossi. Tickets for her Sun Coast performance are available on line by clicking here.
April 13 and 14: The Bronx Wanderers who makes us remember what we loved about the Doo Wop era return to the South Point Casino to reprise the sold out shows the past two years. The 5-man band is anchored by vocalist dad Vinnie and sons Vinnie Jr and Nicky. More than a tribute band to “The Wanderer” icon Dion DiMucci, the stage erupts into excitement when surprises too good to reveal jump off the stage to the delight of all audiences. Although tickets are not yet available, mark your calendars to see this exciting group.
FOR A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT
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