Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Bathtubs, bass solos and ‘Bang Bang’: What to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

Miss Nevada Pageant at the Smith Center

L.E. Baskow

The husband-wife team of Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton emcee the Miss Nevada Pageant and crowning at the Smith Center on Saturday, June 27, 2015.

Updated Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015 | 1:52 p.m.

‘Drop the Mic’ at Sayers Club

Launch slideshow »

Though I am tempted to refer to this column as my annual giving-of-thanks column I write each Thanksgiving, that would be wrong. I have never written such a column.

Until today.

A list, off the top of my noodle, about what makes me so thankful to call VegasVille my home.

As we say, run it. I am thankful for the following:

The Monorail route from Westgate or SLS Las Vegas to MGM Grand for shows and events at MGM Grand Garden Arena …

The view of the Fountains of Bellagio from Lago by Julian Serrano …

Any restaurant offering quality food and a relaxed vibe that is open 24/7 …

Andy Walmsley, who keeps the spirit of Old Vegas alive with his wildly entertaining production (most recently "Drop the Mic" at the Sayers Club at SLS Las Vegas) ...

Claire Sinclair's, and especially Claire Sinclair's, Instagram account ...

The cover of “Bang Bang” as performed by David Perrico’s Pop Strings band and carried through by vocalist Naomi Mauro …

Perrico’s band covering ELO’s “Livin’ Thing,” for that matter …

Matt Goss’s cover of “Hotel California” …

The Dirty Virgins …

Frank Marino, who has seen it all and continues to deliver one of the Strip's most entertaining shows with "Divas Las Vegas" at Linq Showroom ...

Producer Adam Steck, always willing to roll the bones to make a hit ...

Brad Garrett, 6-foot-8 of funny ...

Harry Shahoian and Rock This Town at Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget ...

The events at Las Vegas Village …

The Rockie Brown Band’s new release, “Brand New Day,” and any of that band’s live performances …

Kelly Clinton’s open-mic shows each Monday at Bootlegger Bistro. Clinton makes these nights move, regardless of the guests …

The Composers Showcase, as hosted by co-founder and “Jersey Boys” music director Keith Thompson, who should be the host of everything …

Human Nature’s “Motown, Christmas & More” holiday shows, featuring Ruby Lewis, at the Venetian …

The moment in that show when Phil Burton catches me Periscoping the performance and mimes the act of Periscoping …

The fortress that is V Theater and Saxe Theater, "Vegas! The Show" and the Skating Aratas ...

EJY (Eric Jordan Young) ...

Mac King and the Cloak of Invisibility ...

Gordie Brown's Elvis impression, where he uses toilet paper as a scarf ...

The leprechaun of O'Sheas, Brian Thomas, who always leaves me green with envy ...

Ross Molliison, the city's ringleader ...

Terry Fator and his burnout puppet Duggie Scott Walker ...

The Earth Wind & Fire medley by Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns on Mondays at South Point Showroom …

Rochon Westmoreland’s bass solo during those Santa Fe’s performances …

Dance master Ryan Kelsey, sarong-free and having a blast with Chippendales ...

The Smith Center President Myron Martin. Period (and ellipses) …

The consistently groovy Rob Lyons of "Million Dollar Quartet." ...

The consistently odd-socked Martin Kaye, also of "Million Dollar Quartet." ...

The searing version of “All Shook Up” by Michael Shapiro’s Reckless in Vegas …

Wassa Coulibaly late-night shows at Baobab Stage at Town Square, and her amazing fashion line ...

Maren "Confessions of a Showgirl" Wade, despite the occasional mixed metaphor.

Jennifer Romas navigating the bathtub in “Sexxy” at Westgate Cabaret …

Kenny Davidsen’s monthly “Playlist” shows Fridays at Tuscany’s Copa Room (up next is Heath Burgett of Mo5aic hosting '90s R&B Men’s Club on Dec. 9) ...

The Tuscany, in general, for its dogged dedication to live entertainment …

Lon Bronson, a true Las Vegas original …

The vision and versatility of Anne Martinez …

Dr. Keith Boman and Super Summer Theater …

Johnny O’Donnell, the high priest of revelry, and his VIP table at Crush in MGM Grand …

The range and firepower of Frankie Moreno, especially during his run at Cabaret Jazz (overhauled setlists for every performance) ...

The tour of the grounds at Wayne Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah …

Jason Tenner and Purple Reign at Westgate Cabaret. Musically and stylishly superior …

‘Sexxy’ at Westgate Las Vegas

Rehearsals for Jennifer Romas' Launch slideshow »

The full orchestras onstage in “Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers” at Encore Theater and “Frank: The Man, The Music” at Palazzo Theater (for a couple more nights, anyway) …

The glitter toss by Melody Sweets in “Slice of Heaven” at the start of “Absinthe” …

Sweets’ upcoming holiday single, “Santa Maybe …” which promises to light ye olde yule log …

Carrot Top, especially the frenetic first five minutes of his show at Luxor …

Donny & Marie …

Gaz & Penny …

The ever-effervescent Fentons (Graham and Nicole) …

LouLou D’Vil and The Baron (get to know them) …

The new home for the Burlesque Hall of Fame, at 1025 Main St., at the development on 1st and Main streets next to Art Square (and go to BurlesqueHall.com to support and donate, as the attraction needs $50K by the end of the year to help open the doors) …

Celine Dion, especially her duets with the hologram images of Elvis and Frank Sinatra …

The celebration of Sinatra’s 100th birthday …

Mark Shunock, in a mullet in “Rock of Ages,” and suit in “Mondays Dark” …

Skye Dee Miles, who never fails to deliver (especially at my birthday party at Rose. Rabbit. Lie.) …

Pitbull at Axis at Planet Hollywood

Pitbull kicks off his seven-show Launch slideshow »

Upcoming holiday shows by Travis Cloer (Dec. 7, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.) and Philip Fortenberry and Kristen Hertzenberg (Dec. 19, 2:30 and 7 p.m.) …

Steve Wynn’s capacity to match his passion for entertainment with investment in entertainment …

The view from Rivea at Mandalay Bay …

Carlos Santana and his dedication to worthy causes …

Andre Agassi and Stephanie Graf, for the same …

Larry Ruvo, for inspiring, well, everybody …

The Dispensary’s weekend jazz shows hosted by Uli Geissendoerfer …

Pia Zadora, holding forth at Piero’s Italian Restaurant …

The Falcones — legendary music director Vinnie and trumpet-playing son Danny — who I manage to see each week, somewhere …

Pitbull, a revelation at Axis at Planet Hollywood …

Derek Stevens, the lord of downtown, and his wife, Nicole. At The D Las Vegas Long Bar, they always make it a double #SheckyKats …

Jeff Civillico’s unicycle bit …

Jeff Leibow and the NF Hope Network …

The efforts of SLS Las Vegas to turn Life nightclub into a proper venue (Foundry Hall) filled with real entertainment …

The Clown Sugar at Peppermill …

Criss Angel's big illusions and small sidekick, Maestro ...

Penn & Teller and their refusal to maintain the status quo (and Penn for his wildly entertaining performance of “Clothes of the Dead” at Lon Bronson All-Star Band’s 25th anniversary show at Cabaret Jazz) …

Piff the Magic Dragon, Mr. Piffles and their trusty cannon …

The silk artistry of “Fantasy’s” Sonya Sonnenberg …

Zowie Bowie’s party performances before the reliably fascinating crowds Thursday nights on Fremont Street …

The dancing acumen of trombonist Kevin Mullinax, who is easily the city’s best dancing trombonist ...

Lisa Marie Smith’s spin through “I Put a Spell on You” in “Pin Up” at the Stratosphere ...

Paul Johnson, in fine form and feathered epaulets, in “Rock of Ages.” …

The white drape that covers the audience during “Within You, Without You” in “Love” at the Mirage …

Murray, Lefty and ... April! ...

Earl Turner, the city's indefatigable entertainer …

Clint Holmes singing “Hallelujah” at Cabaret Jazz …

Clint Holmes singing anything, anywhere …

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

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