Classic oldies rock'n'roll, blues, CHRISTMAS SONGS, smooth-jazz (even classic country if you want). From Elvis to Motown, Clapton & Stevie Ray to Hank Williams, Creedence to "Sleepwalk".... 300+ song repertoire, State-of-the-art BOSE sound system. JIMMY LIMO 1-man-band plays drinking, dancing or dinner music, loud enough to party, mellow enough so your guests can talk without yelling. CURRENTLY PLAYING 6 DAYS A WEEK at Eastside Cannery, Tuesday-Sunday 4:30-7:30.
Lexxi Foxxx On The Stripper Pole Photo Credit - Julie Kasperson
The following post was contributed by WHV contributor Julie Kasperson. She can be contacted through her Facebook Site.
I happened to catch a Steel Panther show at Aliante Station on a recent Saturday night. They also play Green Valley Ranch on Fridays, while traveling to L.A. during the week. After experiencing the show, I can see why the band, formerly known as Metal Skool, has a loyal local following.
If you are old enough to remember “This is Spinal Tap” then you will understand and appreciate the musical and comedic stylings of Steel Panther. The group consists of four members: lead singer Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, bassist Lexxi Foxxx, and drummer Stix Zadinia.
Don’t get me wrong…this band rocks! They are all actually very talented musicians that happen to enjoy doing very funny send-ups of every hair band you remember from the ‘80’s. During the show you’ll hear covers of songs from Van Halen, Motley Crue, Skid Row, and other heavy metal bands. They also play and sing their own material, which is very x-rated and often very funny.
They have a disclaimer posted outside the Access Showroom at Aliante Station that reads: “Steel Panther performs an adult-oriented show that is for mature audiences only.” This is to forewarn people with delicate sensibilities and that are easily offended to stay the hell away. If you like your music hard and loud, with very adult-oriented comedic activities in-between, then this is the show for you.
Bass player Lexxi Foxxx continuously checked himself out in a hand mirror, while applying lip gloss and tossing back his long, head-band covered blond locks. The group had go-go dancers pole dancing on stage, and Lexxi took an opportunity during one song to try out the pole himself, with hilarious results. They also like to kid each other about their age and lead singer Michael will do kicks and leaps, or at least try to, while trying not to hurt his legs or back in the process.
I saw the band’s CD on iTunes. People would write reviews saying how awful the band was, but other reviewers came to their defense and said you have to see the show to appreciate how talented and funny these guys are. My point exactly. You want a free show that will rock you and put a grin across your face? This is it!
The following post was contributed by WHV contributor Julie Kasperson. She can be contacted through her Facebook Site.
There’s no shortage of nearly-bare men in Las Vegas; there’s probably at least four revues running currently on the Strip. “Naked Boys Singing!” features seven men that want you to know that it’s a musical that just happens to have naked boys singing.
The show at Las Vegas’ intimate Onyx Theatre celebrated its 77th performance on June 18th, 2009. Its run has been extended indefinitely, and if the audiences are any indication of the support and enthusiasm this show has received, there will be lots more opportunities to catch this clever, funny musical.
“Naked Boys Singing!” celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. It has had productions in New York, Los Angeles, as well as worldwide. Sometimes the show runs into trouble with audience expectations, as was shown in Puerto Rico, where the show was shut down because of the nudity.
The actors I interviewed want audiences to know that “it’s a fun show, very unique, and it’s the only fully nude production in Las Vegas, and there is no audience participation.” Nolan Christopher spent two years in the production in Chicago. One can only imagine how chilly the actors must have been during the wintertime!
The cast is made up of trained actors, singers, and dancers. Christopher is in the cast of “Tony & Tina’s Wedding” while others work as singing gondoliers at the Venetian or in other productions.
Once you get over the initial shock of seeing fully nude men singing and dancing, you start paying attention to other things, like the clever, funny, and sometimes poignant songs that highlight the vulnerability of men. The show’s 16 songs were written by a group of writers with various showbiz pedigrees, and they keep the audience interested and laughing throughout.
The show is marketed to mostly gays and women. They would like to promote the show to bachelorette parties, women’s fairs, and bridal shows. The Onyx Theatre, located off East Sahara in the Commercial Center, is a small venue located inside a clothing and fetish store called The Rack. “Naked Boys Singing!” is its longest-running show, and the cast reports that owner Michael Morse has been very supportive during its run.
So if you want to catch a hilarious and entertaining musical inside Las Vegas’ “leading alternative theatrical and performance space” that happens to be performed by talented men in the buff, then this show is for you.
There is a type of random encounter that allows me occasionally, albeit rarely, to meet entertainment celebrities in Las Vegas, which is amazing considering that my current health condition does not allow me to get out and about that much.
DAMN IT! I just re-read this first sentence and you must know that it is a bit of a lie --- there really are no coincidences and the "random encounter" is really a logical result of my wife's paramedical insurance job, where she is definitely "out and about" with her job as a nurse who does mobile physicals. She occasionally meets famous people as part of her job. I tag along and act as a combination car driver, porter, and "body guard" ( LOL ).
I met Criss Angel long ago this way before I knew who he was. I was clueless. I had the nerve to ask Criss' business manager what Criss does for a living ! I met some well known casino executive who will remain anonymous, who comped me to see shows like "Hairspray". And I also missed some of the trips with my wife; for example, when my wife met Teller from "Penn and Teller" --- he talked !! --- my loss in not meeting him , since I'm such a magic / illusionist fan. She also went to the home of Suzanne Somers and met Mike Love of the Beach Boys --- again my loss...
It is somewhat hard to write about this stuff, because I don't like "bragging" and I am not really by nature a "name dropper" --- I beg your indulgence -- but if I do encounter a celebrity, say, in a restaurant, I do find it hard to leave them alone and not say "hi" or at least ask for an autograph. Many years ago my wife and I were having New Years' day dinner at The Sands Hotel ( now you know it was many, many years ago ! ) and the late Redd Foxx came over to our table and talked to ( joked with ) my wife. Probably because she was staring at him and his wife. He asked her what she did for a living and she, SOMEWHAT startled and out of character for her, meekly replied "Nurse?". He told my wife "Please stay close--- an old man with my bad health may need your services soon !! ". Funny memories. There are others, but I won't bore you anymore. I am sure that many other people have had similar encounters. The real point is that living in a place like Vegas ( or New York or LA ) makes it more possible for anybody to have these fun "chance" meetings with celebs.
Meeting George Bugatti
One such pleasant encounter recently occurred at the Casa di Amore restaurant where my wife and I shared Thanksgiving Dinner. I met the house resident lounge entertainer extraordinaire George Bugatti. George currently performs Tuesday through Saturday 6-10 PM at the Casa di Amore; he is the perfect entertainer for the "Old Vegas" ambiance of this great Italian restaurant. If you don't recognize the name, George is a "crooner" in the tradition of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. George also performs songs from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s.
George's credits in his bio are so impressive. He sat and chatted with us for a while. He suggested ( and I would like ) to visit LA sometime to review the next running of his musical play "WIZARD".
"George is currently starring in “WIZARD” The Musical Story of Oz Composer Harold Arlen which is touring Performing Arts Centers across America. His business partner Sam Arlen, the composer’s son, also stars in this Broadway-bound show"
"George Bugatti created the Three Crooners expressly for the Arlen songbook. Featuring George Bugatti, Alistair Tober and Johnny K, the Three Crooners have settled into a six week run in the Las Vegas showroom after recently completing a 20 city tour, of America's most beloved Jazz based standards. Although many might think of the Rat Pack when they hear the word Crooner, a term first adopted for Bing Crosby and later used to describe the likes of Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, The Three Crooners have their own distinctive style, namely George Bugatti's unmistakeable masculinity and unique gift for melody and phrasing, and influences from mentors like Tony Bennett. With his relaxed style and Malibu surfer look, Johnny K, is more like the Chet Baker of the group, while Alistair is the broadway triple threat with many impressive TV and movie credits."
The following post was contributed by WHV contributor Julie Kasperson. She can be contacted through her Facebook Site.
As I perused the huge line snaking through the Hard Rock Hotel, I wondered if my companion and I would make it into the Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball. Security was everywhere, directing party goers to move here and there, not to block doorways, yelling instructions at everyone. Everyone seemed to be in a festive, happy mood. It’s the first Halloween party I’ve attended in a long while where everyone was in costume. It’s a requirement of the Ball—you must attend in costume or be turned away. This event was sold out and judging by the thousands in attendance, this was one of THE parties to be at for Halloween.
The action took place in two rooms: one big ballroom where there was a dance floor, tables, vendors selling jewelry, lingerie, artwork, and other sexy items, and a stage where various acts of B&D (bondage & dominance) and S&M (sadism/masochism) were taking place, in full view of the public. The newly remodeled Joint was also open for partiers. A lot of the performances of the night took place here, such as Men of Playgirl (exotic male dance troupe); Laseronics (laser light show), and Perish (a group of performers utilizing fire and power tools—it’s a little difficult to explain unless you’ve seen it!) Well-known DJ’s also took over the stage at the Joint such as Donald Glaude and Scooter & LaVelle, getting the crowd moving.
All kinds of costumes were worn by the crowd: everything from the most kinky and flesh-baring to cute and sexy, funny, and even group efforts such as Wrestlemania (Hulk Hogan look-alike) and Star Wars. Many of the costumed attendees paraded down the hallways between the two party rooms, preening and posing for photos.
Maybe because I’ve lived in L.A. most of my life and have seen a lot of strange things I didn’t find this party to be as “wildly exotic” as the ads have touted it to be. Also, since the Gaming Control Board has been monitoring behavior at clubs recently, and even shutting down Privé Nightclub at Planet Hollywood, naughtiness and outrageous behavior was kept on a short leash, as it were. It was very enjoyable and a great night for people-watching. One of the best parties in town for Halloween, I do believe. Lewd and lascivious? Nah. Well, maybe just a teeny bit…
Some photos by Julie Kasperson from the Fetish and Fantasy Ball
I'm listening to Coast To Coast AM radio tonight and it is another riveting show. The quality and choice of topics have really improved on C2C recently. Peter Aykroyd ( Dan's Dad ) is promoting his new book A History of Ghosts, with an introduction written by Dan, who has become quite an influential and knowledgeable paranormal ( and UFO ) researcher in his own right. ( Once a conehead, always a conehead ?!) I have added this book to my Amazon wish list, so remember me for the coming Holiday Season --- or Christmas --- or Hanukkah :-)
Dan wrote the screenplay for Ghostbusters and he was definitely influenced by his father grandfather --- the book author and Canadian filmmaker --- who in turn was influenced by his own fathergrandfather (Dan's grandfather great grandfather), who was a Spiritualist and regularly held seances when they were popular back in mid-19th to 20th century. During the C2C interview Dan said that Ghostbusters is in the same tradition as the recently released low budget movie Paranormal Activity and of course, the classic movie Ghost with the late Patrick Swayze. Movies like these are just great for viewing this Halloween season...
Now it is not surprising that this C2C show airs tonight, a few days before Halloween. You may ask yourself,"What does all this have to do with Las Vegas?" Well, really very little other than Coast To Coast's origins in Vegas with Art Bell, and Dan Aykroyd's crazy local TV ads ( where he recreates his Saturday Night Live persona of the fast talking TV kitchen gadget pitchman - remember the Bassomatic skit from SNL? ) for Lee's Discount Liquors here in Vegas, promoting his "pure spirit" Crystal Head Vodka. And did I mention that The Blues Brothers featuring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi will be performing at the Las Vegas House of Blues on October 31st (Halloween) ? Seems like all roads lead to Vegas, eventually...
The following is Dan's video, now seriously hawking his pure - water sourced, no additives added, Newfoundland government still produced, diamond filtered Bassomatic ( just kidding ) vodka which was introduced around Halloween a year ago. I have not tried this "pure spirit" vodka yet, but may investigate drinking a few ounces at bedtime as a possible cure for my chronic insomnia. Just stare into the crystal skull's eye sockets, you are getting very, very sleepy ...
Summary Of Last Night's Show From Coast To Coast Web Site
Looking at the Coast To Coast website, I stand corrected on at least one point: there are four ( not three ) generations of Aykroyds who were interested in the paranormal.
Spirits and the Paranormal C2C Show Summary October 28, 2009
Celebrated actor and businessman Dan Aykroyd was joined by his father Peter Aykroyd (first hour only) the author of A History of Ghosts, to discuss their family's interest in the paranormal, which has spanned four generations. Peter's grandfather Samuel was a spiritualist in Kingston, Ontario. As part of a group known as "Dr. Aykroyd's Circle," they met regularly with a trance medium named Walter Ashhurst, who communicated with deceased spirits. Peter said he joined in on some of these seances, when he was a young boy. Of the various types of phenomena, "materialization" has impressed Peter the most, and he cited the case of when a medieval monk reportedly appeared before one group during a seance.
Dan talked about "precipitated spirit paintings," works of art said to appear on canvases without the use of human hands. He grew up seeing American Psychical Research journals around the house, and some of the paranormal knowledge he was steeped in later helped to inspire his hit film Ghostbusters, which took a lighter look at the subject matter. "One of my favorite things to do is to drive in the middle of the night, 'planet crawl' as it were, across America or Canada and listen to Coast to Coast. It's just one of the treats of being alive," Dan Aykroyd shared.
Dan discussed unusual psychic phenomena such as apports, describing an incident in China in which a container ship had a black void that sucked equipment away-- some of this equipment later emerged 2,000 miles away, he said. He also talked about his interest in UFOs, and cited a recent case in Ottawa in which a ball of lights was seen making right and left turns before crashing into the water.
“Gambling on or near days of the full moon, and by avoiding the casino on or near days of the new moon, over the long-term, gamblers may be able to boost their payout percentage by about 2 per cent...” - Dr. Dean Radin
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Leaving "What's Happening, Vegas?" 