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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
VEGAS HAPPENINGS
By Judy Thorburn
17th
Annual Reel Awards Honors World’s Top Celebrity Look-alikes
If there is an event which causes heads to turn it is the Celebrity
Impersonators Convention that convenes annually this time of year at the
Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. I must say it is blast watching people’s
reactions as they do a double take (and I do mean “double”) thinking
they’ve just rubbed shoulders with or passed by such superstars as
Richard Gere, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson,
Britney Spears, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Elizabeth Taylor, Sean
Connery or dozens of other celebrities from the world of entertainment
and politics who happened to be strolling through the hotel/casino.
While some are dead ringers, others are, well, you will have to check
out the photo gallery for yourself to decide if there is some who offer
even a hint of resemblance to a famous face. But for the standouts,
awards are given out annually honoring the top celebrity impersonators
and tribute artists in the world who not only look like, but sound like
the real thing. It’s called the Reel Awards, the only show of its kind,
featuring the world’s largest gathering of performers from the celebrity
impersonation and look-alike industry.
Having relocated from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 2007, this year’s 17th
Annual Reel Award ceremonies, which is produced and directed by the
sister team of Janna and Alana Joos, was held on May 25 in the Legends
showroom at the Imperial Palace, in conjunction with the Celebrity
Impersonators Convention that began the following day.
Before the evening’s live entertainment filled awards ceremonies got
underway, dozens of celebrity look-alikes gathered in front of the
Imperial Palace for passersby to meet, greet and have their photo taken
with the celebrity doubles. Then it was on to the Red Carpet affair
upstairs, near the showroom, as look-alikes posed for the cameras and
granted interviews before heading into the showroom for the
entertainment filled main event that opened with the stage filled with
two dozen Elvis impersonators of all types and sizes including an Asian
man, and Irish import, two women, and a little boy, belting out an
uneven rendition of CC Rider and Jailhouse Rock.
Photo credit: Stephen
and Judy Thorburn
   
   
  
   
  
Hosted by Bill Peterson as Rodney Dangerfield,
hostess Dawn Behrens as Anna Nicole Smith, and co-host Stephen
Sorrentino, the acclaimed impressionist who possesses a gamut of dead on
impressions in his vocal repertoire, sixteen awards as voted on by
industry members were presented at this year’s Reel Awards with such
categories as “Best Actor and Actress,” “Rising Star” and “Lifetime
Achievement Award” as well as live vocal (as in absolutely no lip
syncing) performances by several of the best tribute artists in the
field of celebrity impersonators.
You would think you were at a Hollywood Awards show with all the famous
star faces that graced the stage as well as in the audience. From where
I was seated, nearby, if I didn’t know better, appeared to be the likes
of Mick Jagger, Drew Carey, and Dr. Phil McGraw, just to name a few of
the many faux celebrities within my view.
Among the bevy of this year’s presenters were Chris Conway as Simon
Cowell; Bernadottae Larson as Whoopi Goldberg; Suzanne Goulet as Liza
Minelli; Donald Mincey as Chevy Chase; Lynsey Nordstrom as Jessica
Simpson; Ron Rodriquez as Johnny Depp; Deborah Smith Ford as
Trinity;Teresa Barnwell as Hillary Clinton, David Born as Robin
Williams; Hollie Vest as Tina Turner; Neil Tudor as Paul McCartney; plus
two Oprahs, Sean Connerys, and Robert deNiros (talk about seeing
double).
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn and Dianne
R. Davis
 
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
Performers included this year’s Comedy Award Winner
Ann Kissel as Rosanne; The Swing Dolls consisting of Robin Kelly,
Christina Challey and Andrea Lee Davis as The Andrew Sisters; Ikenna
Beney Amaechi (in drag) as Whitney Houston; Kathy Shelby and Dean
Simmons as Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks; and my personal all around
dead ringer favorites: Sandra Wood, a virtual clone of present day Cher,
singing “Half Breed” and “If You Could Turn Back Time”; Leonard
Quenneville and Ronnie Lee Keel as Brooks and Dunn with an outstanding
rendition of “I Believe”; Pavel Sfera as Bono singing “With or Without
You”; and Andy Wood as a young Tom Jones belting out “You Can Leave Your
Hat On” and “It’s Not Unusual” with all the requisite pelvic gyrations
and facial expressions. Local entertainer, Larry G. Jones left a lasting
impression with his takes on Johnny Cash, George Bush, Michael Jackson,
Ray Charles, Ricky Martin, Cher and other impersonations.
As prestigious as these awards are in the world of celebrity
impersonators, it came as a surprise that several of the winners were a
no show for unknown reasons. Not present were News Hound Award winner
Natalie Reed as Paris Hilton; R & B Feeling Good Award winners Eric and
Carmen Romano as the Blues Brothers; Country Hottest Hitter Award winner
Sandy Anderson as Dolly Parton; Best Actor Award winner John Morgan as
George Bush; and Susan Griffith as Marilyn Monroe, who was the night’s
big winner with two honors, The Most Professional Impersonator Award and
Best Actress Award. Griffiths close friend, Bette Midler impersonator,
Sherie Rae Parker, who walked away with the Lifetime Achievement Award
accepted the awards on Griffith’s behalf.
Other honorees included Johnny Depp impersonator, Ron Rodriguez who
accepted his Rising Star Award; Carlene Mitchell, member of the trio The
Dream Girls for Best Tribute Band Award and Pop N Rock For Reel Award
Winner Samira as Tina Turner. On a sad note, beloved Austin Powers
impersonator, Peter Banks, died last year. But, in his honor, the newly
named Peter Banks Humanitarian Award was presented to Bea Fogelman by
Banks’ close friend, John Allen as Sean Connery and Bobbie Winslow as
Fran Drescher.
The Reel Awards are certainly not the Oscars, but the recipients deserve
to be honored for their outstanding work as celebrity impersonators. As
crowd pleasing entertainers, they are the next best thing to the real
deal. And, as a tribute to tribute artists, the Reel Awards seems
perfectly fitting.
Additional
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Saturday May 24, as a clever publicity stunt to introduce Red Bull Cola
in the United States, Red Bull Air Force members Shane McConkey, Miles
Daisher, Charles Bryan and Othar Lawrence amazed onlookers at WET
REPUBLIC as they performed four consecutive BASE jumps from The
Signature at MGM Grand. Las Vegas is the first city in the United States
where the first new product from Red Bull in 20 years will be on sale
starting June 1.
Not only did they leap from the top of the 400-foot tall building, but
they pushed the limits with gainers and double back flips before pulling
their parachutes, adding even more excitement to the already-thrilling
event.
On Sunday, May 25, in his first-ever run for national office, Las Vegas
businessman and media personality, Wayne Allan Root won the Vice
Presidential nomination at the Libertarian Party National Convention in
Denver, Colorado. U.S. Congressman Bob Barr, a former
nationally-recognized leader of the conservative political movement and
one of the lead prosecutors of the Congressional impeachment of
President Bill Clinton, won the Presidential nomination.
Flamingo Las Vegas has announced that the remaining dates of Toni
Braxton: Revealed have been canceled due to issues concerning Ms.
Braxton’s health. The production show was scheduled to run through
mid-Aug. 2008. Tickets purchased to the show are fully refundable by
contacting the Flamingo box office at (702) 733-3333.
On May 29 at 7 p.m., The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino debuted its new
Show in the Sky (formerly known as Masquerade Show in the Sky). As Las
Vegas’s most popular free entertainment offering, Show in the Sky takes
audience members on an edgy and stylish journey featuring stunning
dancers in eye-popping fashions as fantasy floats glide above the crowd
creating an energetic and dynamic musical celebration. Latin costume
styles created by Designs To Shine, bring a high fashion style to the
show featuring top name designers such as DKNY, bebe and Victoria
Secret.
With three different shows, guests are encouraged to stay a while for an
all new experience to see a unique show each time. The bedroom style
performance features a 17 foot-long bed with high-energy performers of
seduction. The bath/spa style performance will encompass a glamorous
stage with sexy girls in towels. The modern-day club performance brings
the feeling of old Hollywood glamour meets classic burlesque with
accents of rhinestones and feathers throughout. Edgy music will allure
guests with songs such as Please Don’t Stop the Music by Rihanna, Sexy
Back by Justin Timberlake and Buttons by Pussycat Dolls. The music,
stage elements and fantasy floats will truly display to audience members
a hot and sexy show.
The exhilarating Show in the Sky performs in the Masquerade Village
Thursday through Sunday from 7pm to 12midnight on the hour and is free
and open to the public.
On Thursday, June 5, The Springs Preserve will host its June Untold
Stories lecture, “Viva Las Vegas Neon” with legendary neon sign
designers, Betty Willis and Brian “Buzz” Leming, and neon photographer
William Hanapple sharing stories about the evolution and importance of
neon signs in Las Vegas. Visitors will not only learn about the history
of Las Vegas, but also talk to the renowned designers who created neon
signs such as the “Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, original Aladdin sign, and
Moulin Rouge sign. The cost is $12 for non-members, $10 for members,
$6.50 for children ages 5-17, and children 5 and under are free.
Beginning June 5, Company American Bistro introduces BlackBerry
Thursdays. Every Thursday at 6 p.m. Company lounge features good drinks,
eats and conversation for local Las Vegas business men and women as they
mingle with fellow Las Vegas movers and shakers. Each week guests will
be able to sample an array of Company appetizers and enjoy superb
cocktails on the house in addition to entering a drawing for the chance
to win a complimentary dinner for two. The inaugural Blackberry Thursday
will offer drink specials from Ketel One Vodka including “The Ultimate”
– Ketel One Lemonade, the perfect cocktail to keep cool as the
temperatures rise.
The Fremont Street Experience will host their annual Vegas Cruise event
Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8. The weekend will feature free live
concerts, a free car show and plenty of ‘50’s-themed fun. Entertainment
will include performances by Jimmy Bond, The Temptation Review, Mitch
Ryder & the Detroit Wheels and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters. For classic
car enthusiasts, a free car show stretching over the five blocks of the
Fremont Street Experience featuring over 200 classic cars, will take
place all weekend long from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and
from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. The Fremont Street Experience can be
found online at
www.vegasexperience.com.
Monday, June 9th, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites patrons to enter
in the $10,000 Double Your Stimulus drawing. Participants may cash their
stimulus check at the Bank of Hard Rock and receive fifty free entries.
Players will receive an additional entry for every 100 points earned
while playing their favorite slot and table games and for each sports
bet valued at $100 or more. The big drawing will be held Monday, June
9th at 7pm.
For additional information and complete rules visit the Rockstar Players
Club or visit
www.hardrockhotel.com .
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay presents An Evening with Erykah Badu
Friday, June 13, 2008 @ 8:00pm. Tickets start at just $45.
Singer/parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic returns to Henderson to open his
Straight Outta Lynwood 2008 Summer Tour .at the Henderson Pavilion,
located at 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, on Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. The
new action-packed show is filled with a medley of comedy and music.
Ticket prices for this all ages show range from $26 to $50.
Celebrity
Sightings:
Tuesday (May 27) actor and WWE superstar "The Rock" (Dwayne Johnson)
enjoyed dinner once again at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort
& Casino.
Also on Tuesday night actor Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds and Young & The
Restless) was spotted trying his luck at a blackjack table. Meanwhile,
Mindfreak illusionist Criss Angel and a female friend enjoyed dinner at
Pink Taco restaurant.
Last Friday (May 30) actress Shannon Elizabeth was spotted in various
locations inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a photo shoot. La Toya
Jackson was seen enjoying dinner at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood
Resort & Casino
Lauren Conrad, Lauren “Lo” Bosworth, Brody Jenner, Frankie Delgado and
Stephanie Pratt of the MTV hit series The Hills along with Lindsay
Schoneweis and Doug Reinhardt gathered at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, located
inside The Palazzo on Friday evening (5.30.08) for a late dinner to
celebrate Frankie Delgado’s birthday. The group was spotted sitting in
the center of the main dining room sipping cocktails and wine following
a champagne toast for Delgado. Onlookers said the group was energetic
and laughing during the course of the meal. The dinner came to a close
when the group sang "Happy Birthday" to Delgado while Jenner presented
him with a large chocolate birthday cake.
On Saturday night Lauren Conrad, Lauren “Lo” Bosworth and another cast
member of The Hills, Stephen Colletti were spotted partying at Body
English inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The group sat at a private
VIP table on the dance floor where they sipped cocktails and danced all
night at the nightclub’s weekly SmashTime party hosted by the Daily 10’s
Ben Lyons and Sal Maskekela with DJ Clinton Sparks. Three 6 Mafia was
also in the house at a table near the dance floor. They took the stage
for a surprise performance and were joined by Bosworth and Lyons. The
SmashTime hosts were also joined by E! President Ted Harbert at their
table. Later in the evening Khloe Kardashian from E!’s series Keeping Up
with the Kardashians joined Conrad, Bosworth and Colletti at their
table. Also at Body English was boxer Zab Judah.
Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso was spotted enjoying
lunch at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops on Saturday, May
31.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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