by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Does the name Alben ring a bell with you? If not let me refresh your memory. Last year I reviewed his show at The Orleans Hotel & Casino and wrote "This is a show for everyone!" Now you can, once again, have an opportunity to see and listen to this young Hawaiian-born singer perform, as he's at the "V" Theater inside Desert Passage at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino for the next four Friday nights.

Alben is a third generation Japanese-American (Nisei) born in Honolulu. His father and uncle both served in the United States Army during World War with the famed 447th Combat Regiment, which later was the most decorated division of the war. After graduation from the University of Michigan, Alben obtained his doctorate (PhD) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hawaii. But, his true love has always been singing.

Alben has been studying voice for the past 20 years and is well known on the islands. He is in constant demand to donate his time and voice at various charitable functions for non-profit organizations, and attempts to fulfill those requests-as time will allow.

But now and then he appears in Las Vegas, which he calls his second home, to perform the music of the Islands and much more. Alben has a vast vocal range, and can sing anything from pop, ballads and Broadway to opera, and does. With charm and charismatic flair, Alben sings the songs made famous by such stars as Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, to Andrea Bocelli and Whitney Houston. He literally takes his audience on a scintillating journey of love, passion and excitement.

Show dates are this Friday, Oct 13-20-27 and November 3rd with all shows set for 5:30 p.m. For reservations and information call (702) 932-1818.

A tremendous singer, friend and great gal will be performing at the Starbright Theater Summerlin come November 29th. Lisa Donovan is the lady who moved back to our little village a while back, giving up living in Hurricane country (Florida) for the calm warmth of Nevada. A critically acclaimed singer, dancer and actor, Lisa has done it all. Donovan has shared the stage with such notables as Bob Hope, Don Rickles, Rich Little and Jan Murray to name a few.

"One of my greatest thrills was when I opened for the legendary George Burns in his final two shows at Caesars Palace," she said. "Of course none of us knew these would be his final shows. He was a wonderful man!"

Ms. Donovan had a long-term contract to perform in the Starlight Room at the Desert Inn and would often appear opposite Peter Marshall - they would always sing a duet. In her show at the Starbright Theater, Lisa will perform her exciting rendition of the Judy Garland hits and, of course, will include many great Broadway songs and an array of new popular standards. Tickets are $15 for non-residents and are now on sale. Call (702) 240-1301 for reservations or information.

As previously mentioned in this space, the Second Annual Newport Pacific Jazz Festival is just around the corner. Being held downtown inside the Celebrity Theater (across the street from the Lady Luck Casino), it is sure to be a sell-out all three evenings - there are only seats for 360 per night. The kickoff night is Friday, Oct 27th with performances beginning at 7 p.m. throughout the weekend. An Art Exhibit by Art de Vignettes will start each evening at 5 p.m. with proceeds from the silent auction going to the education fund for Jerold "JJ" Johnigan's four children (He's the shoe shine man at the Triple George Restaurant).

Friday has been dedicated to the "Best in Contemporary Jazz" and will be hosted by Pamela Black of "Pamela's Place" and heard on KUNV radio, 91.5 on the dial. Saturday evening it'll be "The Best of Main Street Jazz Artists" and Sunday will be hosted by Larry White and his fabulous Jazz Orchestra. Each night, stars of the Jazz World will appear to sing or play their favorite jazz music.

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets purchased in advance online are $37.50 and will be $45 (including tax) at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.newportpacificjazzfestival.com.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The new show "Cover Girls," set to have opened last week, will instead open this coming Monday (Oct. 16th ) at 9:30 p.m. in the newly renovated showroom at the Golden Nugget, downtown... On Tuesday, Oct. 17th the sensual dancers of La Femme (at the MGM Grand Hotel) will make a special appearance at PURE (from 11 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) inside Caesars Palace and then repeat the gesture at Tangerine inside the TI Hotel & Casino on Wednesday (from 12:30-2:30 a.m.) The ladies will be available for a rare meet-and-greet... Those PIT PASSES are all gone for the March NASCAR weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Yep, gang, they were gone before Chris Powell (the General Manager) could even put a few away for friends. It was a total surprise for Powell and his staff... Tru Hawkins, who was the first voice listeners heard when KDWN began broadcasting in our village in April, 1974, completed his last broadcast on August 31st. The veteran voice of radio has launched TruSource, Inc., a voice-over company. What a voice. He is missed... "Jeff Trachta Live!" is now at the Rio Hotel. Known to more than 450 million viewers worldwide as Thorne Forrester on CBS's "The Bold & The Beautiful," Trachta will be appearing for a limited time... "Redneck Comedy Live!" opened last night (Thursday, Oct 12th) at the Sahara Hotel with a 9 p.m. show time in the Sahara Theater... Tony Bennett will headline at the Hilton Hotel October 20-21... Steve & Eydie (you know their last names) will close the legendary Stardust Theater the last weekend of this month. I'll be there for that final night, Saturday Oct 28th... Everyone is invited to wish one of my favorite singers Happy Birthday this Saturday at Piero's Italian Restaurant on Convention Center Way. Even though Genevieve will not reveal her age (what woman would), I'll still be there for sure. The Lady with the wonderful voice will be performing from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m...

Well, gang, that's about it for another week.

I'm outa here!

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