SUNDAY MOURNING

Homonym. Words that sound alike but have different meanings and/or spellings.

WELL IT WASN’T that bad. We ended up at The Bootlegger Bistro to hear and see Art Vargas perform. You know when a place is half empty and there is very little energy in the room? Well that was last night. It becomes very disheartening when you ask the MC, Maître d, and owner of the joint, who the musicians are, and no one knows their names. Some very astute investigative reporting, on my part, took place in order to get their names. I ASKED THE MUSICIANS. (Mike Dubary-piano, Paul Ringenbach-drums, Johnathan Rem-bass and Rusty Blevens-sax). The show was basically an Old Vegas lounge act, and for that, it was just OK. Now you’ve got a dinner show that starts at 9:30 and you want to take a short break at 10:30 before coming back for the final hour. Does anyone realize that you’re going to lose over half the crowd. The only ones that stay are the entertainer’s personal friends (who can’t leave) and any performers that are going to sit in the 2^nd set. There was Rich Little, Steve Rossi and Frankie Scinta in the audience. Along with the owner Dennis Bono, who loves to sing. Have some one tell a few jokes, sing to tracks or do something to keep people in their seats. My god, where’s the business sense. However, the company I was with was great.

Before Bootlegger, we stopped by Ferraro’s for cocktails and a light bite. I was surprised to find only a duo playing on a Saturday night. Bobby Howard on guitar and Paul Stevenson on piano. Kent Foote joined the duo in song shortly after we arrived. Hopefully I will receive their entertainment schedule and pass it on in the calendar.

A Typical Friday Night

I NEED TO jot down notes as the evening goes on, or else I just can’t remember everything we’ve done and everyone we’ve seen. Now my daughter would say that’s from the Stoli Martinis, but the few that know me, please tell her that’s not the case. The martini’s, wine, tequila shots, are all to help keep the creative juices flowing. Since I cannot sing, dance or play an instrument well, I write about it. My grammar may be off, my spell check may not work all the time, but I try. Now about last night, I forgot what we did…

OK, OK. Piero’s for cocktails and a bite of dinner. The food and booze are always top notch, as well as the prices. You know what I think. If a performer gets up to sing or sit in with the band, at least the house should buy them a drink or a meal. If that would happen more often, I would take singing lessons. But for now let’s just enjoy the performers that are willing to share their talents with us. Ned Mills sang and played his 18 piece one instrument orchestra for about an hour before Carmine Mandia, the Friday and Saturday night house singer, arrived from his engagement at the Sahara. He worked the Sandy Hackett Rat Pack Show. Some new faces, at least to me, came up to sing. Peter Pavone, Steve Abraham, both originally from California, sang a number each. Then there was Barry Allen Cohen and Justin Olsen, who I’ve seen and heard before, and then a lovely and quite talented Jan Olivas. All of which were worth the price of admission. Oh that’s right, there is no charge to sit at the bar and have a good time. Has anyone really sat at a bar and not had a drink, or two?

Of course we finally ended the night at our local watering hole in Summerlin, Chianti Café. Another cocktail and dancing to the foot tapping, hip swaying rhythms of Sean West and the AK Vegas Band with a Treasure singing.

Calendar of Events Feb 3-11

Day	Date	Time	Performers	Venue	Details
Mon-Sun	Everyday	7pm	Sandy Hackett’sRat Pack ShowShadows in the Desert	SaharaCongo Room Stage	Box Office702-737-2515
Wed	Feb3	6-10pm	Bobby Liguori	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Wed	Feb3	8-11pm	Ronnie Rose Vocals	House of BluesMandalay BayCourtyard Restaurant	No cover
Wed	Feb3	9pm	Yellow Brick Road	Sun CoastShowroom	No cover
Wed	Feb3	10pm	Jerry Lopez, Lenny Lopez and a few others	Bootlegger Bistro7700 Las Vegas Blvd702-736-4939	No cover
WedThurSun	Feb 3Feb 4Feb 7	8:30pm-1am	Frankie Moreno Band	Rush Lounge in theGolden Nugget	No cover
Wed &Thur	Feb3-4	8-midnight	In-A-Fect	Sam’s TownHotel & Casino	No cover
Thur	Feb4	6-10pm	The Latin Sound	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Thur	Feb4	Check for time	Christine LaFondWith her fine bandOdyssey	In the Lounge at theTropicana	No cover
Thur	Feb4	7:30-10:30pm	Ronnie Rose VocalsVince Falcone-Piano Chris Gordan-Bass	Daddy Macs2920 Green Valley Pkwy702-272-0913	No cover
Thur	Feb4	2pm	GENEVIEVE	Hosting the Hit ParadeAt the Sun Coast Showroom	No coverBut tickets are needed
Thur	Feb4	7-10pm	Joe Darro’sOpen MicEvery Thursday	Frediani’s Italian Rest2895 N Green Valley PkwyHenderson 702-433-1494	No cover
Fri	Feb5	7pm	Allen TramontAnd a special evening of song	Frediani’s Italian Rest2895 N Green Valley PkwyHenderson 702-433-1494	No cover
Fri	Feb5	7-10pm	Eagle-One All-StarsFeaturingTYRIQ	SAM’S TOWNFriday Night Live!	No cover
Fri	Feb5	9pm-midnight	Chris BellBlues vocals	Jackson’s Bar & Grill6020 W. Flamingo@Jones	No cover
Fri	Feb5	7-10:30pm	Carmine Mandia	Piero’s356 Convention Center Dr369-2305	No cover
Thu-Sun	Feb4-7	7-close	Bobby Liguori	Capo’s Italian RestSpeakeasy5795 W Tropicana 702-436-2276	No cover
Fri &Sat	Feb5-6	9pm	Dennis MellenAnd Friends	Lucio’s Ristorante8615 W Sahara702-233-2859	No cover
Fri & Sat	Feb5-6	6-8:30pm	Larry Liso	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
EVERYFri & Sat	Feb5-6	8:30p-12:30a	Sean West and the AK Vegas Bandvocals-Treasure Guffy. Keys, flute, vocals-Ken Page. Bass-Keith Hollar. Drums-Harold Spider Webb. Stevie D-Keys Scott Webb on Sax and Sean West-vocals	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Fri &Sat	Feb5-6	9-midnight	Ronnie Rose	House of BluesMandalay BayCourtyard Restaurant	No cover
Fri &Sat	Feb5-6	9:30pm-2am	Frankie Moreno Band	Rush Lounge in theGolden Nugget	No cover
Fri &Sat	Feb5-6	10:30pm-3am	In-A-Fect	Sam’s TownHotel & Casino	No cover
Sat	Feb6	2-5pm	Jimmy Wilkins New Life Jazz Orchestra	E-String2031 W Sunset RoadHenderson 702-437-8764	$10.00 donation
Sat	Feb6	9:30-12:30	Art Vargas’Vintage Vegas Live	Bootlegger Bistro7700 Las Vegas Blvd702-736-4939	No cover
Sat	Feb6	7-10:30pm	Nik MastrangeloWithNed Mills	Piero’s356 Convention Center Dr369-2305	No cover
Sat	Feb6	7pm	Las Vegas Academy of the Performing ArtsNMEA HS Solo and Ensemble	Lark High School4291 Pennwood Ave Las Vegas	No cover
Sat	Feb6	8pm	Smooth Rhythm & Soul Saturday’s w/MOCCA LIVE	Texas StationIn theSan Padre Lounge	No cover
Sat	Feb6	7-10pm	SIDE OF JAZZLisa Gay VocalsAnd Tony Drake Guitar With Bass & Drums	Frediani’s Italian Rest2895 N Green Valley PkwyHenderson 702-433-1494	No cover
Sun	Feb7	8-11pm	Ronnie RoseWith featured artistBobby Rose	House of BluesMandalay BayCourtyard Restaurant	No cover
Sun	Feb7	8:30pm	Kelly Clinton’sCelebrity Spotlight	Bootlegger Bistro7700 Las Vegas Blvd702-736-4939	No cover
Sun	Feb7	6-10pm	Dennis MellenAnd Friends	Salvatore’s RestIn the Suncoast	No cover
Sun	Feb7	6:30-9:30	Joni IlliWithJoe Darro Quartet	Frediani’s Italian Rest2895 N Green Valley PkwyHenderson 702-433-1494	No cover
EverySun &Mon	Feb 7-Feb 8	6-10pm	Tommy Thompson Trio featuring Jeannie Snow	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Mon	Feb8	8-10pm	The Comedy Routine ofJames Scott, aka Mr. Bigfoot	Las Vegas Rocks CaféNeonopolis Complex450 Freemont St East 702-227-5872	$19.95 + taxWith drink includedValidated parking in Neonopolis garage only
Mon	Feb8	9pm	Kelly Clinton’sOpen Mic Cabaret	Bootlegger Bistro7700 Las Vegas Blvd702-736-4939	No cover
Mon	Feb8	10:30pm	Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns	Tiffany ShowroomAt theTropicana	No cover
Mon	Feb8	MidnightTo1am	Big Band TBA	The Tropicana Hotel & CasinoRight after Santa Fe	No cover
Tues	Feb9	6-10pm	Lynn Ross	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Tues	Feb9	7-10pm	Lou Martinez	Daddy Macs2920 Green Valley Pkwy702-272-0913	No cover
Wed	Feb10	7pm	UNLV Jazz Ensemble	Clark County Flamingo Library Theatre1401 E Flamingo702-507-3400	No cover
Wed	Feb10	10pm	Jerry Lopez, Lenny Lopez and a few others	Bootlegger Bistro7700 Las Vegas Blvd702-736-4939	No cover
Wed	Feb10	6-10pm	Bobby Liguori	Chianti Café1916 Village Center Circle 702-228-3330	No cover
Thur	Feb11	1pm	GenevieveWill be on the Dennis Bono Show	Sam’s Town	No cover
Thur	Feb11	7:30-10pm	Mary OWithHowie Gold	Ichobod’s Lounge3300 E Flamingo RdBet. Mojave & Pecos	No cover

BLUES CALENDAR

Wednesday – February 3
Courtyard @ House of Blues	Ronnie Rose Blues Band	9pm – 12am
E String	The Mudd Dogs: Al Ek & special guests featured weekly	8pm – 10:30pm
Hanks @ Green Valley Ranch	Michael Grimm	6:00pm
Sand Dollar	Ruffnecks	10pm – 2am
The Cellar	Billy Ray Charles	11pm – 3am
Thursday – February 4
BB Kings	Cordle-Scott Band	6:30pm
Hanks @ Green Valley Ranch	Michael Grimm	6:00pm
Railhead @ Boulder Station	Too Slim	8pm
Sand Dollar	Jimmy Mack & Blues Attack	10pm – 2am
The Cavalier	Celebrity “Night Owl Blues” Jam w/Mike Vaughn, Julius & Billy	11pm – ??
The Cellar	Billy Ray Charles	11pm – 3am
Friday – February 5
Aliante Casino	Michael Grimm	6pm
Jackson’s Bar & Grill	Chris Bell & 100% Blues	9pm
Lucille’s BBQ	Pete Contino & Blues Zydeco	7pm – 11pm
Mocha Joe	NEM Project	7pm
Sand Dollar	Cordle-Scott Band	10pm – 2am
The Cellar	Billy Ray Charles	11pm – 3am
The M Resort	John Earl & The Boogieman Band	9pm – 1pm
Saturday – February 6
Goldmine Tavern	Blues Storm	8:30pm – 11:30pm
Lucille’s BBQ	Pete Contino & Blues Zydeco	7pm – 11pm
Sand Dollar	LVBS Blues Jam	5pm – 9pm
Sand Dollar	NEM Project	10pm – 2am
The M Resort	John Earl & The Boogieman Band	9pm – 1pm
Sunday – February 7
Cheyenne Saloon	Blues Storm	7pm – 10pm
Sand Dollar	Chris Tofield	9pm – 1am
Shifty’s	Open Jam w/Dusty	8 – ????
Monday – February 8
BB Kings	Michael Grimm	7:30pm
Sand Dollar	Open Blues Jam w/Al Ek & The Shuffle Aires	10pm – 2am
Shifty’s	Open Jam w/Dusty	8 – ????
Tuesday – February 9
Courtyard @ House of Blues	Pete Contino & Blues Zydeco	9pm – 12am
Bunkhouse Saloon	Open Blues Jam w/Lipz & The Bunkhouse Blues Band	10pm
Hanks @ Green Valley Ranch	Michael Grimm	6pm
The Cellar	Billy Ray Charles	11pm – 3am
Wednesday – February 10
Courtyard @ House of Blues	Ronnie Rose Blues Band	9pm – 12am
E String	The Mudd Dogs: Al Ek & special guests featured weekly	8pm -10:30pm
Hanks @ Green Valley Ranch	Michael Grimm	6pm
Sand Dollar	Ruffnecks	10pm – 2am

Just Another Thursday Night?

A QUICK UPDATE of last nights escapades. We were with a Ronnie Rose virgin (that’s a person who has never seen or heard Ronnie perform). He loved it. Ronnie was performing at Daddy Macs with Vince Falcon, musical director for Frank Sinatra for many years, on piano and Chris Gordon on bass. We stayed for two sets to listen to his jazz, blues and pop standards, which the packed house enjoyed. Oh yeah, the place was full. Carmine Mandia sang a duet with Ronnie, as other performers in the house ate and drank. Mark Giovi, Bill Fayne and Mary O were all in attendance. It was good to see Bill out and about.

Five of us then went across the street to Frediani’s. It was my first time in the restaurant and found it to be quite warm and inviting. The Joe DarroTrio was backing up Open Mic Night, hosted by Marsha K. I won’t even try to mention the performers there; for sure I’ll miss most of them. There was however an inspiring rendition of My Funny Valentine performed by some guy named Earl something or other.

Joni James

The Big Band Sound is Back

Joni Illi at Frediani’s

Sunday Evening at Frediani’s….

Joni Illi will Sing Your Favorites,

Join her for a magical evening…

Lisa Gay and Tony Drake

A very Special night with Lisa Gay on Vocals and Tony Drake on Guitar with a couple more great musicians

Vintage Vegas Live

Marsha K & Victor Moea’

Ronnie Rose Hot Week Blues

Wednesday  3rd  8pm to 11pm

Mandalay Bay

House of Blues Restaurant

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Thursday 4th  7:30 to 10:30

Daddy Mac’s Restaurant

2920 N. Green Valley Pkwy  702-272-0913

Vincent Falcone – Piano  

Chris Gordan – Bass

Reservations Suggested for this special performance!

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Friday and Saturday Night 5th & 6th  9pm to 12am

Mandalay Bay

House of Blues Restaurant

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Sunday  7th  8pm to 11pm

Mandalay Bay

House of Blues Restaurant

 Featured Artist  “Bobby Rose”

Feb 14th Valentine’s Special Guest “Mary Oliver”

In-A-Fect

James Scott AKA Mr. Bigfoot

Mr. Bigfoot Stand Up Comedy Show From Cleveland,Ohio now living in Vegas comes 11 year Stand up Comedy Veteran James Scott,Mr. Bigfoot “The Cleveland Kid” at 6ft 3 inches James carries a 250lb frame and stands in 14 shoes. Next, he is a Mountain of a man with a sense of humor to match. He is often referred to as “Foots”.James, Material is pretty main stream and certainly Hilarious with his Observation of the world and his personal experiences. Finally, if your a person who loves Life then Bigfoot is the Show for you come get a Laugh and Enjoy Bigfoot at the Marquee Room on Freemont Street Experience. Credits:Recently Scene on VH1 Crime Stories played Officer Larry Young of Selena the Latin Singers Murder coming out in February 2010. Dates:January 25 February 1,8,15 (Mondays) Time:8pm to 10pm Location:Las Vegas Rocks Cafe in Marquee Room 450 Freemont (@ Las Vegas Blvd) Validated Parking in Neonopolis Garage Ticket Price $19.95 + Tax with Drink included Note: Try Las Vegas Rocks Cafe Wonderful Food menu Before and After the show a Great Social Gathering. For reservations:(702) 227-5872

A-List Lineup for February

Just Another Saturday Night

OLD LAS VEGAS seemed to be back, for a short while anyway, as Norm Crosby spent over an hour entertaining a full house at Las Vegas Rocks Café. The club has a nostalgia look to it, with a bar area, club area and showroom area. By the way, not one foul word was used in Norm’s unique delivery of jokes. He was preceded by John Garafalo, who paid tribute in song to some of the great tenors.   

Now I should let you know that drink prices, at least the house wine, seems to change as the venue changes. And one very classless act was a refusal to validate the parking slips for someone because the tickets for the show were comped.  If you’re trying to build a reputation, you might as well try for a good reputation.

After the show we did head over to the Golden Nugget for a late bite and to listen to Frankie Moreno sing in the lounge. He has a wonderful voice and great style on the piano with a talented group of musicians backing him up. And of course, we had our final stop at Chianti Café, to see old friends and make sure they hadn’t run out of Vodka. They didn’t.

THE SUMMIT

Joni Sings and Swings

NOW OPEN Ferraro’s

BELOW IS THE press release. You can read that in a minute. Now let me tell you about the  Grand Opening. It was first class. The food, the wine and the entertainment were all superb. Kent Foote and his wife Launa were gracious hosts, as were Gino and Mimmo Ferraro. All four are principles in the business and have a beautiful new venue. Kent was singing along with Paul Stevenson on piano, Vic Jones on bass and Bobby Howard on guitar. The place was packed with friends, celebrities and press. Even the Godfather was there to give his blessing. I’m looking forward to some happy hour cocktails in the near future…and beyond.

Ferraro’s  4480 Paradise Rd. (corner of Paradise & Harmon, south of Flamingo) 702-364-5300

CHIANTI CAFE Entertains 7 Nights a Week

Chianti Cafe

Fine Dining at Reasonable Prices

Entertainment 7 Nights a Week

 Never a cover

 

Monday - The Tommy Thompson Trio with Jeannie Snow  5-9 pm

Tuesday – Lynn Ross 6-10 pm

Wednesday – Bobby Liguori 6-10 pm

Thursday – Paul Stubblefield 6-10 pm

Friday – Larry Liso 6-8:30 pm

Friday - Sean West and the AK Vegas Band 8:30 pm-12:30 am

Saturday - Larry Liso 6-8:30 pm

Saturday- Sean West and the AK Vegas Band 8:30 pm-12:30 am

Sunday – The Tommy Thompson Trio with Jeannie Snow  5-9pm

 

Mention “Evan Davis Jazz” 2 for 1  Mon-Thur

(Reservations Recommended) 702-228-3330 

(Schedule may change from time to time.
I will try to keep you updated.)
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Live music in Las Vegas! 7 nights a week. Chianti Café is easily accessible to nearby neighborhoods including Red Rock, The Lakes, Sun City and the Villages in Summerlin, The Pueblo, The Canyons, The Crossing, The Trails, The Vistas, The Arbors and The Paseos.

Chianti Café

1916 Village Center Circle
Las Vegas, NV 89134
(702) 228-3330

Saturday Afternoon Jazz

Phil Flowers

Sante Fe at The Tropicana

Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns at The Tropicana Mondays at 10:30pm

WOODY WOODS ORCHESTRA coming in February

Carmine at Piero’s