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 Views,
Reviews, and Interviews
by Dianne R. Davis
diannerd@aol.com
Photos by Burt and Dianne Davis
Tom
Stevens Popular in "An Evening With Dean and Friends" at The Riviera
“Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes” and the audience loved Tom Stevens
as he impersonated Dean Martin at a special media event on March 7 at
the Riviera. The show is entitled “An Evening With Dean and Friends”.
Tom appears alone on stage but transforms himself into more than two
dozen notable celebrities. He smoothly takes on the physical
characteristics and complements them with an ever changing voice. His
props enhance the production currently playing in the Le Bistro Theatre.
Impressionist Tom Stevens performs at the Rivera Hotel and Casino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
With a pair of glasses, a cigarette, and a full head of black wavy hair,
this popular Tribute Artist takes us back to the days of Dean Martin.
The jokes are old ones because they are the very ones Dean did. Tom
captivated the audience with Dean’s number one 1964 top tune, That’s
Amore, all the more so as he wove his way through the audience. Between
songs, the banter was enjoyable. Tom told us that Frank Sinatra’s career
was revitalized with his 1966 hit, That’s Life. Just that quickly,
Dean’s props were replaced with the instantly recognizable hat that
Frank often wore as we were treated to several of Frank’s songs.
Tom brought us forward to 1990, the year we lost Sammy Davis Jr.
Suddenly, there is Sammy’s silhouette onstage singing Too Close for
Comfort. Tom changes his stance, his voice, and his facial features as
he brings out Peter Falk, Walter Matthau, Bing Crosby, and the mandatory
Jimmy Stewart.
This is an old style Las Vegas Lounge show and I say that in the most
positive sense. While some impersonators give us brief clips of songs,
Tom sings them all the way through in a most enjoyable fashion. While
not every single character hits a bull’s eye, the jokes are laughable,
the banter is enjoyable, the impersonations are excellent, and the show
gives audience members a chance to visit with old show business
favorites.
Impressionist Tom Stevens performs at the Rivera Hotel and Casino
 
 
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
  
  
Photo Credit: Stephen Thorburn
The size of the room is suited to this production, but they could
improve the quality of the experience with a little more sound proofing.
Tom’s impersonations are so good that at times we wondered if he was
lip-synching. And no, he doesn’t. But he does take that as a compliment
to his many years of hard work to perfect his craft. For more
information on Tom Stevens (and a discount coupon as well), visit
www.deanofdeans.com . For an
enjoyable performance, visit Tom Steven’s show at the Riviera. Tom
appears every Friday and Saturday at 6:00 P. and Sundays at 4:00 PM. In
the Le Bistro Theater. For ticket information call 702-794-9433 /
877-892-7469.
Entertainment
Consumers Exchange (ECE) Presents Awards at Spring Luncheon
Fans and celebrities alike were the winners at the Entertainment
Consumers Exchange Inc.’s Spring Awards and Tribute to Sweet Louie Event
on Saturday March 15, 2008. The sold-out event, held at the Bootlegger
Bistro, honored several long time local entertainers and gave attendees
the opportunity to visit and chat with their favorites in an informal
setting.
The group is a 501c7 national nonprofit networking & social organization
that is a generic fan club for people that love entertainment. “We are
as much about the fans as our favorites in entertainment.” They say.
Following an extended social hour, guests lunched on the Bootlegger’s
delicious pizza. Then Kathleen Dunbar, the comedy diva of the comedy
club circuit, emceed the program of awards and entertainment. Gina
Jourard & Shana Golden as Kona Wind entertained the audience as did
local favorite, singer Carmine Mandia and beloved comedian Charlie
Callas who attended with his lovely wife Eve.
Tempest Storm, the Queen of American Burlesque and motion picture
actress, received the first ever Sweet Louie Living Legend Award. Award
was created as a way to pay a lasting tribute to Sweet Louis, the
legendary perform that perform as part of he Checkmates for 40 plus
years until his death this past December. Sweet Louie was also an active
board member of Entertainment Consumers’ Exchange, Inc until his death.
According to Zee Matulonis, the group’s president, “In spring 2007,
Louie suggested we give a Living Legend Award to the Classic
Entertainers who made Las Vegas the Entertainment Capital of the world.
This will be the first time we will be presenting the award and we are
naming it the Sweet Louie Living Legend Award in his honor.”
Tempest Storm and Jimmy Castor
The Dennis Bono Show-Dennis Bono won for Show of the Year; Lorraine Hunt
Bono received her award for Lifetime Excellence in Entertainment and
Bootleggers Bistro was named Top Venue for Classic Vegas Lounge
Entertainment.
Other honorees were Jimmy Castor, Pioneer Award, Denise Clemente, Female
Lounge Singer of the Year, Bob Rozario, Musical Director of the year and
Dream Lover-A Musical Tribute to Bobby Darin-Lori Slinn-producer as
Favorite Tribute Concert of the Year, and Tommy Deering, Musician of the
Year.
Presenters included Bob Bandyk, Wally Stone, Helen Stone, Pat Hudson,
Mary Krovitz and Barbara Carducci, Linda Roberts Smith (Louie's Widow,)
and Sonny Charles, Louies partner of the Checkmates.
Left to right, honorees at the Entertainer’s Consumer’s Exchange
Luncheon were Bob Rozario, Musical Director of the Year, - Lori Slinn -
producer as Favorite Tribute Concert of the Year for Dream Lover - A
Musical Tribute to Bobby Darin, Jimmy Castor, Pioneer Award, Dennis
Bono, The Dennis Bono Show- Show of the Year, Lorraine Hunt Bono
Lifetime Excellence in Entertainment, Maria Perry for Bootleggers
Bistro, Top Venue for Classic Vegas Lounge Entertainment, Tempest Storm,
Sweet Louie Lifetime Achievement Award, Tommy Deering, Musician of the
Year, Denise Clemente, Female Lounge Singer of the Year.
I had a chance to chat with the charming Tempest Storm who said, “I’ve
had a hell of a life. I was the Brittany Spears of my day without the
drugs and the booze. I got high off of life” We chatted about some of
her liaisons and I asked her, “Who was the best?”. Her response was
immediate. “Dianne, Elvis was the King.”
Other special guests included Marlene Koppenhaveer, 2002-2003 Miss
Senior Nevada State Queen, Tatyana and Jan, owners of the Bettie Page
Boutique in the Miracle Mile, and The Pitbull of Comedy, Bobby Slayton.
Bobby Slayton with Charlie Callas
What a great time I had talking to Charlie Callas and his wife of almost
56 years, Even. I asked him who he considers the best entertainer of all
times and he named the legendary Al Jolson. The best one alive today he
believes is Jerry Lewis. It’s always fun to chat with Bobby Slayton.
I’ve seen his show at Hooter’s twice and will have to go back and see it
again. Jimmy Castor appeared with Frankie Lyman. He was in attendance
with his lovely wife Sandy.
For more information on the Entertainer’s Consumer Exchange, visit the
website at
http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/lvrj/ece.
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