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| October 10, 2008 | NEWEST - PRIOR WEEK - ARCHIVES |
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| "It's The Norm" - Las Vegas Entertainment Events | |
THE CHICK SINGERS & ULTIMATE MANILOW
It's time that I catch up on a few things that this writer had set aside, so that I could write about the Warriors and Soldiers, which I did last week. By the way, I received a ton of e-mails regarding that situation, and asking why Las Vegas doesn't get behind the dog trainer. Steps are presently underway to stage an entertainment filled benefit along with an outdoor bar-b-que to raise funds for the soldier, Ron Portillo. At the present time, this writer is contacting a few friends to join in the effort - looking for volunteers to help put it together. The funds will be put in a trust fund, monitored by a group of three people, who will issue funds as needed for training the animals. As you know (at least you should if you read this column on a regular basis), one of my favorite people, a singer, producer, friend and wife (not mine) is, Ms. Kelly Clinton-Holmes. Her husband, Clint, is also on that favorite list. Well, a couple of weeks ago we, Nancy Barr, and this writer, were invited to watch the debut of a new group called, "The Chick Singers," inside the Stirling Club at Turnberry Towers. I knew that if Ms. Clinton was involved, I had to be there. So, off we went!
The group is comprised of, naturally, three "chicks," huh ladies, who actually can sing. It is directed, written, produced and stars Kelly, Elisa Fiorillo and Veronica Valdes. Got to tell ya, gang, it is a fun-filled 80 minutes of entertainment. A lot of the songs have a familiar musical line with new words created by the three "chicks." But then there are some golden songs from the past that never fail to win an audience over. The second number in the show is a "Rat Pack Medley" with the three girls (huh, chicks) singing "That's Life," "Birth of the Blues" and "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You." It's really good, and sets a nice pace for the remainder of the evening! That was followed up with a Donna Summer Medley, which was wonderfully performed by the three. "Rejection," an original song by Kelly, Elisa and Veronica was a delight as was "Mambo Italiano," "Carwash" and "One, Two, Three." Each song had its own costumes and of course "Carwash" was about getting a job and was quite hilarious. One of the great gag songs was "Bun in the Oven," an original by Elisa and Nyalle Iameh and performed by Ms. Fiorillo - it has to do with pregnancy! Ms. Fiorillo then sings a beautiful ballad dedicated to her mother, Betty "Boop" Cutter, titled "Count on You." |
It was now Ms. Clinton's turn to perform her classic "PMS Blues," followed with "I've Got The World on a String," starring Jo Jo Spaghetti Moretti, a one-time famous trumpet player on the Las Vegas Strip. This is really worth the price of admission (there were no tickets, thereby we got in free) and is again a classic by Kelly (costumed, with trumpet in hand) The final number is a strong closer with all three attired in World War II Army uniforms singing a song made famous by, The Andrews Sisters, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." Here's hoping a talent buyer was in the audience (S.R.O. crowd by the way) and has the courage to take a chance on a new act. The three ladies are highly talented and of course motivated to the ninth degree. Was invited to attend the new Barry Manilow show, "Ultimate Manilow: The Hits," at the Hilton Hotel the other night. And, gang, the show is filled with many of his major hits, spanning more than 35 years. Of course his entertainment career really started back in the early '60s, when he was bouncing around New York clubs as a piano player, song writer and jingle guy. One of his jingles (which he performs briefly in a medley) became very famous, "You Deserve a Break Today," for McDonald's. The 65-year-old performer, who has been at the Hilton since 2004, has more energy than a 12-year-old. He was reportedly having difficulty with his hips, but when he climbed the ladder that leads to a small stage over the audience, you wouldn't know it. Manilow does not fail in delivering such songs as "I Write the Songs," "Mandy" and of course "Copacabana." Barry has the support of four fabulous back-up singers and a great 10-piece band. This is definitely a must see show! THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: Good friend and a terrific violinist, Kathy Judd (she was first violin for many entertainers in Las Vegas through the mid-70s and 80s) keeps busy in Washington D.C., where she is the director for a very prestigious musical school, the Washington Conservatory of Music. Ms. Judd recently performed in a trio at the Kennedy Center, as backup for pop singer, N'Kenge, in a gala benefit for the Children's Defense League... "I'll Be Seeing You: Hollywood Canteen 1943," is a salute to all veterans, servicemen and women, and is being performed this weekend and next weekend in the beautiful 300-seat Starbright Theater in Sun City Summerlin. It includes all the famous and memorable songs of the era. Call (702) 869-0841 for more information... Katy Sagal, best known as the wife in the TV hit, "Married ...With Children," will be in concert at the Henderson Events Center, at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17th... "Dangerous Curves," three gals who sing up a storm, and who this writer has personally recommended, will be per orming tonight (Oct 10) at the New Song Church in Anthem at 8 p.m... Well, gang, that's about it for another week. I'm outa here!
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