Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

Last week we were busy checking out conventions, conventions, conventions with cocktails, plus wine, jewelry, and NASCAR racing topped off by a high-energy show.

There were two major conventions that required our attention. At the Las Vegas Convention Center was The Nightclub and Bar Convention. The ASD/AMD Trade Show took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sands Expo and the Mirage, which consists of the Variety and Special Show; Discount and General Merchandise Show; Gift Expo and Jewelry Show.

The Nightclub and Bar Convention showcases the latest in alcoholic beverages and mixers, equipment, furnishings and entertainment. The Museum of the American Cocktail at Commander’s Palace at Desert Passage opened March 5 through March 8 with over two hundred years of cocktail history with artifacts such as cocktail shakers, tools, books, music and other memorabilia. Commander’s Palace also hosted the Cocktail Dinner with Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff and Executive Chef Carlos H. Gula with an incredible menu of Gulf Shrimp and Louisiana Crawfish, Foie Gras Torchon, Scallops, Drambuie Quail, and incredible dessert of Baked Alaska. Cocktails included Blood and Sand with Dewar’s Scotch whisky, Epiphany Martini, Whiskey Smash and Espresso Martini to match the courses.

The next morning was the Anatomy of the Cocktail seminar, also at Commander’s Palace, with Francesco Lafranconi and Dale DeGroff demonstrating the latest trends of the perfect cocktail with a blend of spirits, flavors and mixes for anyone to create, whether in business or entertaining at home. As Lafranconi told the attendants, “Mixology is concerned with chemistry, presentation and flavor. Mixologists show a commitment to the both the sellers and customers, knowledge of the products and a desire to inspire new creations.” The trend in cocktails in 2006 is a fruity taste or a sweet/sour blend. The Media Divas want to thank Mike Smith, General Manager, of Commander’s Palace and all of the sponsors for this wonderful opportunity to explore the past, present and future of the American Cocktail and we are looking forward to the next event.

The Media Divas have a little secret to share with you. We don’t buy retail. We attend the ASD/AMD Gift Show to shop for all of our jewelry, gifts, and household goods. Think about this fact. We all have birthdays, weddings, new babies, anniversaries, graduation, mothers’ day, fathers’ day, boss’ day (we LOVE you Rolando), Christmas, Hanukah, Valentine’s Day and other occasions where we buys presents. We buy in bulk for those occasions. Also, SO many people are earning an extra income with internet stores and auction sites such as EBay. You buy wholesale and sell retail. One of the wonderful wholesalers whose booth we visited was D.M. Merchandising out of Elmhurst, Il, who had an assortment of beautiful costume jewelry and other small, but great gift items. At this booth we picked up two of the most gorgeous Initial Impact Genuine European Crystal necklaces, one with the hanging initial “J” and the other a “D” charm that hangs from a silver chain. For any woman who likes bling around her neck, this piece of jewelry ranks high on the chart for glitter and beauty, for sure. Another booth we were drawn to was Linpeng’s with Fiona, one of the most charming, sweetest young woman you will ever meet. Linpeng features wonderful watches with beaded bands, beaded bracelets, necklaces and earrings and a very popular piece, the “Evil Eye” bracelet. Now before you cringe, this is a popular item that repels evil from you, if you believe in such things. These bracelets retail up to $25 and more, but you can buy them in lots for considerably less. The jewelry offered by Linpeng is incredible with glass beads of all colors, wonderful designs that pop out at you and a style that will have people stopping and asking, “Where did you get that piece of jewelry?” Many of her gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and watchbands are one of a kind and beautiful designs made by hand, that you won’t find anywhere else. Also, all pieces come in a wonderful chiffon bag perfect for gift giving. Check out www.JewelMegaStore.com or call 909-923-9881 for more info for Linpeng. To find out more about D.M. Merchandising’s line of gift items call toll free 1-800-548-6784.

To help pay bills while building his career, NASCAR Driver Kurt Busch worked the midnight shift at the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Now a NASCAR Champion, Kurt has teamed with Water Works Industry Solutions, a Las Vegas based company, to help train waterworks persons with a Step-by-Step DVD series. Kurt is grateful for all of the opportunities afforded him and as he said, “I am living the American Dream. I was a fan in the stands when I was working at the water district and now I am a NASCAR Driver.” At a press conference at the NASCAR Café at the Sahara Hotel and Casino, the DVD Series created by Water Works Industry Solutions called “Training and Installation,” The Basics, was released.

Nick Raviglio, WWIS President and co-founder, said, “We saw a great need to harness today’s technology to create a comprehensive training series. This is truly a new standard in training for the industry and we are thrilled to be taking the lead on it.” Kurt was gracious as he took photographs and signed autographs for his fans at the NASCAR Café (as we dined on Pull Pork Sandwich for Diva Debbie, Chef Salad for Diva Judy and the most moist, decadent chocolate cake EVER!)

Later, we attended the Monterey Wine Country Wine Tasting held at RM Seafood Restaurant at Mandalay Place. Various members of the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association participated in this event where wine aficionados and buyers attending were offered sample tastes from an assortment of the best wines made from grapes that luxuriate in just the right conditions in the growing regions of the Northern California coastal valleys. Whether you have a flavor preference for dry, sweet or anything in between there was something for everyone included in the classy Chardonnays, Merlot, rich Cabernet, Syrah and elegant Pinot Noirs and other fine wines that would perfectly complement any dinner entrée or to simply savor in a glass by itself. In fact we want to thank Dan Tudor of Tudor Wines (www.tudorwines.com) for the best Pinot Noir wine we have ever tasted. Kudos go out to RM Seafood Restaurant, for being the perfect host venue for the event and supplying a delicious buffet that included penne primavera, tempura shrimp, a variety of sushi, cheeses, seafood sandwiches, and an assortment of breads and desserts from their menu to enhance the wine tasting experience.

Friday night at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, we were entertained by Matsuri, the first Japanese musical production to originate in Japan. Presented as the “Muscle Musical” based on the unique concept of playing music with muscles, the show has made such an impact on Japanese audiences since its 2001 debut, that the continual sellout has set the #1 record for ticket sales. Before we took our seat in the Splash showroom we were treated to a wonderful reception in the Penthouse on top of the Monaco Towers, which offers a stunning view. During the welcome remarks, Ryoji Nakamura director and choreographer said, “After seeing Godspell performed on a New York stage in 1973. …I fell in love with the European and American concept of the musical. We didn’t have any musicals like that in Japan. All my life…[I wanted] to create an original Japanese musical.” As the tag line says, “Hearts will pound as well as hands, feet and entire bodies.

What an incredible musical it is. “Matsuri”, which means “Festival”, lives up to its name delivering a tremendously festive evening of non-stop high energy from beginning to end with a spirited cast of more than 30 young dancers, professional athletes, stuntmen and cheerleaders performing innovative dance routines, extreme sports and amazing mix of martial arts and acrobatics. Dancers fly through the air, run through the audience and engage everyone with their rendition of MUSCLE with movements reminiscent of the Village People’s YMCA. The colors and traditions of Japan merge with driving music, acrobats and dancers as it all blurs into breathtaking dance numbers intermixed with humor. The cast is young, fresh and all Japanese with agile bodies and wide, infectious smiles. Like any exciting festival, it is hard to stay put and not join in.

Matsuri is in the Splash showroom 4 pm Saturday through Thursday and 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm Friday nights. This is a limited run; so take advantage of a different musical for the entire family that transcends all cultures and countries.

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