What I personally like about this business,
showbiz that is, is the delight I get in watching a veteran entertainer showing
some of the new kids on the block a few things about entertaining a crowd.
There are so many great entertainers out there, but they are more and more being
forced to work on the road. Unfortunately the word "working the road" has a deeper meaning here,
because the Entertainment Capital of the World has just about forgotten about
many of them.
Luckily, for some of those men and ladies and
us, there is the Michael Gaughan properties, primarily The Orleans and Suncoast
showrooms, that bring them back for two or three nights a couple of times a
year. I am not going to mention them by name, as it would take the entire
column and I would want to be absolutely accurate. But, I am sure many of you
readers know of whom I speak.
What was even nicer was going downtown to the
Golden Nugget the other evening to see one of the greats who helped bring us
that title we often refer to about our little town. Tony Orlando graced many a
Las Vegas stage in the 70's, 80's and 90's and he's back better than ever. Hey,
he's no kid anymore either (going on 58), but he still displays that wild
energy he once was so well known for. Sure he has put on a few extra pounds,
but who hasn't? Tony, however, waste not a moment bringing out the hits, as a
biggie from the 70's is first on the band list, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the
Ole Oak Tree." The near capacity crowd settles back as they know there's an
exceptional entertainer on stage with a great story to tell, a story told
through his music!
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For the next 80 some minutes hit after hit is
presented with the gusto of a teenager. "Candida," "Knock Three Times" and "He
Don't Love You" become practically a medley as he races through the first 10 or
15 minutes. The five-piece band, which Tony found working a club in
Springfield, Mo., lends great vocal backing to the man. They are in no way a
replacement for his former backup group known as "Dawn," but they are
definitely an asset to the show. Orlando has always been able to show personal
emotion and bring a certain feel to a particular song, like he does for "I Who
Have Nothing" or "Stand By Me." His original song, sorta biographical in
nature, "Harmonizing Nights" is a wonderful piece of pure Orlando. There are so
many wonderful songs and moments with Tony Orlando that I recommend you take a
few minutes out of your day to spend it with one of the great entertainers of
our time. Tony Orlando will be at the Golden Nugget for about 10 more weeks.
Call for further information and reservations.
I have no idea how many of you out there are
collectors of art. I am sure at one time you purchased a painting or two
somewhere to hang on your wall. Many of you know I not only collect art but
also do a bit of sculpting myself. Many entertainers have another side to them
as well. Take Billy Dee Williams for example. A highly respected actor with
credits that climb the wall of film fame, Williams is also an award-winning
artist. His paintings hang in museums around the world and also on the walls of
many a collector. Markman Gallery recently moved from its old location at another
hotel in Summerlin and has settled in at the fabulous Rio Hotel on Flamingo
Blvd. The new gallery, located overlooking Masquerade Village, will have some of
Williams' painting on display through the end of March. Another wonderful
aspect of the Markman Gallery is they believe in promoting local artist. Stop
by the next time you're in the neighborhood or when you are looking for a fine
piece of art. The gallery is open from about 1:30 in the afternoon till around
11 pm., nightly.
Well gang that's it for another week. I'm outa here!
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