Columnist Joe Delaney: Columbus Day might be the next big holiday weekend for locals

COLUMBUS DAY. ... With the annual success of the Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas each September, one wonders why our large Americans-of-Italian-descent community doesn't try to make more of an impact with Columbus Day, especially when it falls on a Monday as it does this year, and there is a three-day weekend with which to work.

Singer Jerry Vale, a longtime Las Vegas favorite, is the sole Italian-American featured this weekend, playing Boulder Station at 9 o'clock this evening and Saturday. ... Italian-American celebrations are big weekends throughout the year in many major U.S. cities. ... Why not here?

The Michael LaRocca Show in the World Trade Center is a salute to the best in Broadway musical theatre. ... LaRocca might be adding something special this weekend. ... There's more good Broadway in town, the Broadway Cabaret at the San Remo Hotel.

Rickles is back

Don Rickles always comes in at full strength. ... This weekend at the Desert Inn, the one-time Merchant of Venom, now more of a motivational speaker in his closing moments, has vivacious Broadway star Lisa Donovan as his opener. ... Lisa came into the D.I.'s Starlight Theatre for four weeks in 1994 and stayed on for seven months. ... She has toured the world as a concert artist.

In Thursday's Sun column, we pointed out the excellent comedic choices available, all different styles, with George Carlin at Bally's, Louie Anderson in the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre, to be followed next Thursday by Rodney Dangerfield. ... Rickles' longevity puts him atop this list.

Keely Smith, a Las Vegan, is now on the road doing tributes. ... She performed a Louis Prima tribute in Hollywood's House of Blues on Sept. 23, and has a Frank Sinatra tribute on Oct. 17, at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif., plus a new Sinatra tribute CD in the works.

Flatley story

Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance," without Michael Flatley, is a hit at the New York-New York hotel-casino, while one of the "Riverdance" companies recently played the Golden Gate in San Francisco and the Chronicle critic wrote that " 'Riverdance' landed with a thud." ... It was Flatley's dancing and choreography that made "Riverdance" a hit originally.

There might not have been a "Lord of the Dance" if Flatley had not been fired the night before "Riverdance" was set to open for a sold-out season in London a few years back. ... A "Riverdance" company is scheduled to play the MGM Grand Garden in mid-December.

Comedian-ventriloquist Michele LaFong, a protege of the legendary Senor Wences, still active in his 101st year, is performing through Thursday in the second floor Comedy Showroom at O'Shea's, next door to the Flamingo-Hilton on the Strip.

Community theatre

Actors Repertory Theatre presents Lanford Wilson's romantic comedy, "Talley's Folly," through Sunday (Summerlin Library Theatre); "Lend Me A Tenor" opens tonight (CCSN's Black Box Theatre on the Cheyenne campus); also opening tonight, Nevada Theatre Company's "Mere Mortals" at the Clark County Flamingo Library.

Second and final weekend for "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" in UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre. ... Call for times on all four productions. ... Alabama is the LV Hilton attraction at 5 p.m. today and Saturday, part of the Hilton's new variety of programs approach.

Returning to the San Remo's Broadway Cabaret, we just received word that local residents can get two tickets for the price of one ($30.38 total) through Oct. 31. ... Call 597-6028 for details. ... Proof of Nevada residence must be presented when picking up tickets.

Jazz notes

Enjoy Mike Breene, Bob Badgley and Santo Savino, Wednesday through Saturday evenings (Santa Fe), the Sunday noon home of The Jazz Organ-ization. ... Marv Koral's All-Stars are at Carollo's Restaurant, 5-9 p.m. Sundays. ... Fridays, the jazz is hot at Pogo's and Mondays are equally hot with Don Menza & Friends in the Riviera lounge.

Nalani Kele, whose Polynesian Revue was a Stardust Lounge feature for years, has re-opened The Garlic Cafe. ... Stop by. ... Happy Columbus Day, let's do more with it in 1999. ... See you next Thursday.

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