Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

There was wine, opera, and two very different shows along with a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, and a sample of what took place at this year’s ShoWest movie industry convention.

On Sunday was a wonderful tasting of opera as Opera Las Vegas presented a program of vignettes to wet the appetite of those who attended the brief business meeting. The wonderful mezzo soprano, Hayden DeWitt emceed and participated in the program which included singers Robert Tota, Judy Moore, Angela Casino, Marco Varela and pianist Marek Rachelski. A wonderful buffet of cheeses and fruit with a delicious carrot cake was served as an aside to the incredible entertainment.

Then there was the second annual Afternoon Irish High Tea to benefit Opera Las Vegas on Sunday, March 19 held in the Palm Room at the Four Seasons. Guest artists Robert Tota, Matthew Edwardson and Hayden DeWitt provided the entertainment by performing selections from world-renowned operas with Marek Rachelski accompanying them on piano. While the artists sang, guests dined on lunch that featured wild mushroom salad with sherry vinaigrette, country cole slaw with honey peanut dressing, chicken breast with red wine and sage, three cheese ravioli with basil pesto, rice pilaf, and a choice of sweets for dessert. Afterwards, Matthew Edwardson announced that he was going to Los Angeles while Hayden DeWitt was all packed and ready to drive cross-country to Florida. But, both opera singers, who are immensely talented and dedicated to their art, promised to return to Opera Las Vegas when called again to perform for this wonderful company. Next on the schedule for Opera Las Vegas is an April 30 concert at Charleston Heights featuring other young artists singing selections from Salzburg, Paris and Rome. For more information on this event or to find out about you can support Opera Las Vegas call 451-9101.

Media Diva Debbie had the unique opportunity to sample wines from the entire Duckhorn Wine Company portfolio and meet the winemakers, Mark Beringer, Duckhorn Vineyards; Bill Nancarrow, Paraduxx; and Zach Rasmuson, Goldeneye for a relaxing and educational tasting experience. Some of the wines featured included 2004 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003 Three Palms Vineyard Merlot, 2003 Estate Grown Napa Valley Merlot, 2003 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2004 Migration Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2003 Napa Valley Merlot, 2002 Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2003 and 2002 Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine. Also served were three library wines from magnum: 1993 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard, 2001 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, and 2000 Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine. Held at Panevino Ristorante, light finger foods were served to enhance the wine tasting experience and Media Diva Debbie’s personal favorite was Paraduxx Napa Valley. These wines are rich in flavor, deep in color and grown to be enjoyed with food and friends.

While Media Diva Judy was covering Showest, Media Diva Debbie enjoyed the return of Earl Turner to Las Vegas. He was headlining in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina struck and devastated the area. Turner was among those who were deeply affected and decided to reunite his band to return to Las Vegas, where he has performed for over 15 years. Now at Sound Trax at Palace Station, Turner has an energetic style that transcends time and age. The night began with a party offering scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and drinks before heading to Sound Trax to experience Earl Turner’s intriguing musical style. What a talent! He is funny, charming, and can sing a range from 70s country to rap to R&B with a few ballads to soften the mood. He featured his son as singer and dancer while telling the audience, “the kid moves out when he is 18,” and spoke about his experience as a parent of a 16-year-old and 17-year-old. Earl performs Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm and an additional show on Saturday at 11 pm.

Earl Turner photo by Lindsay Hebberd

About ShoWest….For those who may not know, the annual ShoWest trade show and convention is the largest gathering of motion picture industry professionals and theatre owners from all over the world. And, it takes place every March at Bally’s and Paris Hotel, right here in Las Vegas. For Media Diva Judy, who is also the Flick Chick movie critic, this four-day event held March 13-16 was not to be missed. If only Judy could be cloned than she wouldn’t have missed all the other great media events that coincided with ShoWest. Nevertheless, it was a busy week for Judy, with lots to cover from morning to night. The daily schedule consists of trade show exhibitors and vendors showing off everything from concession goodies, state of the art comfy seating, the latest technical innovations and everything in between to enhance the movie going experience. But, the icing on the cake is being in the presence and listening to studio bigwigs, directors and movie stars talk about their work and latest films at various functions. Every day there was a variety of events on the roster: starting with breakfast receptions, luncheons, seminars, exclusive movie preview screenings and clips of upcoming studio releases, and Diva Judy’s favorite event, the Final Night Gala Banquet and Award Ceremonies where some of the biggest Hollywood stars and filmmakers are honored in various categories for their art achievement and contribution in bringing in the box office bucks. For Judy’s extensive report on ShoWest, and to find out what stars attended, read her coverage in this issue or go to www.theflickchicks.com where it is posted.

Ever hear of the Kinsey Sicks? This group is a Dragapella beauty shop quartet-combining award winning a cappella singing, sharp satire and over-the-top drag personas. Now appearing at the Hilton in “The Kinsey Sticks in Dragapella,” this foursome of “beauties” includes Rachel (the “rough” girl), Winnie (the “lesbian” prissy), Trampolina (the sweet slut) and Trixie (the marrying “man” trap). With sharp lyrics such as, “We Armed The World,” “I’ve been to Parasite but I’ve Never Had VD,” and others, this is a very edgy show that has played off Broadway, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Aspen and other cities around the country.

A biting commentary is made about homosexuality, politics, religion, and relationships, and just about anything that is certain to make you think, gasp, laugh and ponder. If you like going outside the box yourself, then you will love this show. Media Diva Debbie did. Dragapella performs Tuesday through Saturday at the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton at 9:30 pm.

Who could forget Saint Patrick’s Day? This is the day where everyone is Irish and Media Diva Debbie enjoyed the grandest of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations hosted at J.C. Wooloughan’s Irish Pub at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. As Media Diva Debbie enjoyed her corned beef and cabbage, the bagpipes launched the festivities at Noon. Entertainment included Thompson/O’Keefe, John Windsor, Bill Craig and Pop Culture entertaining revelers throughout the day. Media Diva Debbie returned to huge crowds when the second venue, The Backyard, opened with local favorites, Pop Culture and the feature acted of Zoo Station, The U2 Tribute Band. Courtney Dawn, host of “Inside Poker” and a reporter for “Backstage Pass,” and Brook Roberts, host of “Vegas Meets Hollywood,” also reveled in green beer, Irish jigs, loud music and fun for everyone. Thank you St. Patrick!

For our cultural outing, Nevada Ballet Theater presented “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedic play of the same name. With eye popping, colorful, stunning costumes, impressive scenery and a cast of wonderful dancers the ballet tells the convoluted love story between four people and how an impish wood elf brings everyone together to realize their true love. This three-act ballet may not have the easiest narrative to follow. But like opera, which is performed in languages that are foreign to a great deal of the audience, it’s the magnificent performances that touch the audiences and beings them back over and over again. Once you experience the beauty and grace of a ballet, you are forever hooked.

Read our column next time where we share our upcoming ventures in Las Vegas entertainment.

Remember, The Media Divas make entertainment news DIVALICIOUS!