Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

This week was Swing, Broadway, classical Piano, Opera, Steaks, Mexican Food and a celebration of hair (a new show and a salon) thrown in!

First, big thanks go to Richard Langlois and the entire staff of Hooters Casino and Hotel. Media Diva Debbie got to enjoy dinner at Dan Marino’s Fine Food and Spirits at Hooters Casino and what a treat! The steaks were thick, the drinks were cold and the service was excellent. Media Diva Debbie is happy to report the place was jumping. Congratulations on a good start to Hooters Casino.

Weekends will never be the same with the Sunday Swing Show held at Italian American Club (2333 East Sahara Avenue just east of Eastern) from 2 pm to 5 pm every Sunday. Backed by a 17-piece band, Derek David takes the crowd down memory lane with standards and ballads from a past time and place. The Media Divas were amazed at the swing dancing by many over 50. When a slow, romantic song was played, the dance floor was crowded with people who were dressed in style, obviously love to dance, and miss these kinds of clubs. With ballroom dancing regaining its popularity with shows such as “Dancing with the Stars,” people of all ages need to come here to become part of a national movement.

On Sunday February 12, the Media Divas attended another one of Opera Las Vegas’ presentations that included a fine French buffet style dinner consisting of a spinach and cheese quiche, lettuce and pasta salad and enormous, scrumptious éclairs for dessert. This was Media Diva Judy and photog Stephen’s second time experiencing this wonderful company of up and coming talented vocal artists and it proved to be equally enjoyable for Media Diva Debbie who was unable to attend their last performance. The evening’s program at the furniture warehouse (located off of Post Road near Patrick) that is transformed into an intimate dinner theatre setting was aptly entitled “A Night To Remember”, which it truly was. In addition to the company’s group of regular young artists, guest artists Hayden DeWitt, Judy Moore, Kellie Friedmutter, Robert Tota and Marco Varela lent their amazing voices to the show that was broken down into two acts. The first featured “classic” opera with solo or duet performances from legendary operas such as Die Fledermaus by Strauss, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, Aida by Verdi, Fedora by Cilea, and Bizet’s Carmen. The second act showcased Broadway with outstanding renditions of songs from such award winning musicals such as Paint Your Wagon, Kiss Me Kate, Les Miserables, Candide, and The Merry Widow. All the singers indeed possess wonderful voices, but Robert Tota stood out with his beautiful, emotionally riveting medley from Man of La Mancha. It is hard to believe that with such a vocal gift, Tota does not seek a career in opera and does this only as a sideline hobby. We were also impressed by pretty Kellie Friedmutter for her saucy, engaging performances and the expressive, animated and very talented Hayden DeWitt who told Judy that her eclectic singing career has taken her from work aboard cruise ships to a soon to be performance on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York. A big thanks goes out to Opera Las Vegas President Joyce La Grange for inviting us to share in another splendid evening of beautiful music. With offerings of great food and fabulous voices, it was “A Night to Remember” in more ways than one. If you would like to support Opera Las Vegas or attend one of their future performances call 459-6353 for more information.

The biggest show to come to Las Vegas is “Hairspray” at the Luxor Casino and Hotel. The Media Divas got to attend a sneak peak at rehearsals on Tuesday, January 24 as well as the opening night on Monday, February 13. For those of you living in a cave, the play is based on the John Walter’s 1986 film of the same name starring Divine (best known as a John Water’s favorite Drag Queen), Rikki Lake, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and Ruth Brown. The storyline takes place in 1962 Baltimore when an overweight teenager auditions and wins a spot on a local dance show (based on American Bandstand). But there is the underlying theme of a difficult time in American history of integration and race relationships. Hard to believe now, but at that time, segregation was the rule. The play looks at issues of weight, race, acceptance and the coming together of people.

Harvey Fierstein portrays Edna Turnblad, the rule originated by Divine. But unlike Divine, Harvey is known as a versatile male performer who performs both as male and female characters. He told us during the press conference, “I don’t think of it as being in drag. I just act.”

What a set of pipes Katrina Rose Dideriksen (playing the role of Tracy) has to share with the audience! Can this girl sing! Dick Latessa is Wilbur Turnblad, reprising his role from his Broadway run in Hairspray. There is quite the partnership between Dick and Harvey as he admitted during the press conference, “I won’t go to bed with anyone but Harvey.” He obviously meant on stage and he does have quite the presence.

We can’t forget to mention the still beautiful Susan Anton in the role created by Debbie Harry in the film. We saw this woman up close and personal (who is very gracious and also a big movie fan as Flick Chick Judy will tell you) and she looks fabulous. She needs to share her beauty secrets with us. Corney, based on Dick Clark, is played by Kevin Spirtas, best known as Dr. Craig Wesley on “Days of Our Lives.” He can sing, dance and be sleazy at the same time. It is that soap opera training?

The talented cast delivers a 90 minute show that is fast paced, high energy and light hearted despite the underlying themes of racism and trying to force conformity on people.

The party after the premiere of “Hairspray” was held at RA the Nightclub and it was incredible. There was food galore, wonderful drinks and we got to mingle with the cast of “Hairspray.” Did we have fun!

What is a musical without a piano? Jie Bu, member and former Vice President of Nevada Music Teachers Association has joined with two other partners to open the 4,300 square foot Piano Gallery of America at Flamingo and 215. But this is not your average piano store. They are one of five stores nationally to carry upscale models such as Sauter’s Peter Maly designer line of pianos. The prices range from $2,000 to $100,000 and Media Diva Debbie can attest to their style and beauty. Lessons are also offered and some very talented young students entertained the crowd as we all dined on wonderful food and desserts. This is truly a wonderful addition to Las Vegas.

Then on Thursday, Media Divas Judy and Debbie enjoyed the best in Mexican Food at Paradise Cantina on the Northeast corner of Paradise and Harmon. Samplings from the very affordable menu (at $4.50 to $10 it can’t be beat) included trays filled with generous portions of chicken, cheese and vegetable burritos, cheese and steak quesadillas, guacamole and sour cream, which we gobbled down like we hadn’t eaten in days. Also on the menu is a wide variety of tasty Mexican entrees, soups, salads, and side orders to satisfy any hungry palate. Young, good looking and amiable co-owners Brad Gold and Lee Guice were on hand to greet everyone and make sure everything was up to speed, which no doubt it was. The drinks including their “South of the Border” margaritas and “Classic Concoctions” are fabulous. What’s more you can enjoy any one of these drinks for “half price” during Happy Hour from 4PM to 8PM, seven days a week. The atmosphere is loud and rambunctious, so this is not meant to be an intimate place to talk but someplace to go to yell, drink and have fun with 28 plasma TVs, and music. Plus the service by pretty and friendly waitresses and handsome bartenders is excellent. This is one place to let loose.
On Friday night, it was party time at one of Las Vegas’s hottest nightclubs, Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel, with the One Year Anniversary celebration of Brannon Hair, the stylish upscale salon that is located inside this hotel/casino venue. Celebrity Hair stylist Brannon, who has cut and styled the locks of such famous clients from Britney Spears to Carey Hart was in attendance to honor the occasion, along with Hard Rock Hotel VP of Marketing Phil Shalala. Joining in the festivities was a bevy of sexy celebrities, including the hot co-star of TV’s My Name is Earl, Jamie Pressley, looking gorgeous and stylish in her new blonde bob as she arrived with friends and proceeded to dance the night away. Porn star Britttaney Starr and Quiet Riot singer Kevin Dubrow were also among the hip and beautiful people celebrating this event. It was a fun evening and a wonderful way to celebrate the presence of Brannon Hair in Las Vegas, one of the ways to look and stay beautiful!

On Friday, February 17, the 4th Annual ALS All Star Benefit was held at the V Theater inside Desert Passage to benefit ALS of Nevada, the only not-for-profit voluntary health organization that provides hands on assistance for those suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Produced by David Saxe (also known for so many shows such as Buck Wild), in honor of his father who was diagnosed with ALS in 2001, the VIP cocktail hour featured smoked salmon, fresh and coconut shrimp, mini burritos and potato skins from Paradise Cantina, and the most decadent desserts ever. The chocolate cake was just divaliscous.

During the cocktail party, participants could bid on a number of items in the silent such as a signed movie poster of Striptease with Demi Moore, a signed poster by Stevie Nicks, bright red boxing gloves worn and autographed by Muhammad Ali and an original painting by Thomas Kincaid. Before the show, emcee Dave Courvoisier conducted the live auction. He first offered a hunting trip with Vice President Dick Cheney with an opening bid of $20,000. After the laughter died down, he offered a day at the newsroom with him and then dinner with him and his wife. The winning bid was $700. The next auction was a “Boot camp for Wine Lovers” in Napa Valley with a winning bid was $2,300. The show featured a variety of song and laughter with host comedian Jeff Hobson (who could be a stand in for Liberace) with George Wallace, the Scintas, Bear Hobb’s the Difters, from the TV show “The Entertainer,” Joe Trammel, L.D. Miller (from Buck Wild) and Sirens of TI just to name a few. Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaimed this day as Mark Walker Day in honor of his work with ALS. This is a special event promises to be even bigger and better for their 5th Annual All Star Benefit.

Remember, the Media Divas make the news divaliciscous!