A Musical Tribute to Bobby Darin

“Dream Lover” A Musical Tribute to Bobby Darin was produced by Lori Slinn as a benefit with proceeds going to Nevada Conservatory Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the American Heart Association. The program was presented Saturday October 13 2007 at UNLV’S Judy Bayley Theatre.

Darin died in 1973 of Heart Disease as a result of many bouts of Rheumatic Fever as a child. An early Public Service Announcement Ad from the early 1960’s with Bobby Darin and Connie Frances respectively shown as King and Queen of Hearts was shown at the beginning of the show. Popular Radio personality Scott O’Neil who co-hosts the very popular Dennis Bono Show served as announcer for the musical tribute.

Bob Rozario fulfilled the role of musical Director and pianist. Among Rozario’s credits in his 48 years as a professional composer, arranger, conductor and pianist was serving as musical director for the worldwide live performances and television show for Bobby Darin. Tony Orlando, Shirley McLaine, Englebert Humperdink and Suzanne Somers are some of just a few others that Rozario served as musical director. Currently he is the musical director for Dennis Bono.

The musical numbers were sung by Dennis Bono, Denise Clemente, Teddy Davey, Carmine Mandia and Frankie Moreno. Commentaries about the significant of each song to Darin career were contributed by O’Neil and the vocalists. Teddy Davey best known as one of the Las Vegas Tenors opened the show with “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. He also sang “If I Were a Carpenter” and “Simple Song of Freedom”.

Next Frankie Moreno a young talented, very good looking singer and pianist said “Bobby Darin was one of my influences and he was one of the performers who lead me into becoming a performer myself”. He opened his portion of the s how with a rousing rendition of “Splish Splash” that was a huge rock n roll hit for Darin. “Dream Lover” and “Mack the Knife” were also performed by Moreno.

Multiple performing contributions were also done by Dennis Bono and Denise Clemente. Dennis Bono opened his portion of the show by saying, “Bobby Darin took command of the stage”. “Beyond The Sea”, “Once In A Lifetime”, “Eighteen Yellow Roses” and “Happy” were the musical numbers sung by Bono. Denise Clemente was the only female performer in the show. She sang four songs inkling a very sultry and sexy “Some of These Days” Her other songs were “Artificial Flowers”, “Things” and “About A Quarter to Nine.”

Denise Clemente

Carmine Mandia lone contribution to the show was the very emotional song “The Curtain Falls”. The song was beautifully done by Mandia. It brought tears to many people in the audience. The whole ensemble closed the show with

 The One Book Program brings “An Afternoon with Deepak Chopra” to Henderson

Deepak Chopra spoke to a near capacity crowd that came to the Henderson Pavilion Sunday October 21 to hear the best-selling author and motivational speaker The first thing most people noticed about him when he entered the stage was his red gym shoes. But once he started speaking everyone was attentive to his words.

The central theme of his talk centered on the meaning of happiness as viewed through Buddhism and Eastern thought. Chopra said “the whys in life always come back to the need to be happy”. But he explained that what we think makes us happy is perceived by the mind and often the human’s soul is forgotten. He said “Happiness was there at birth. It was love. It was total authentic to find our own soul”.

Deepak Chopra

He spoke of the difference of pleasure vs. gratification. That pleasure brings a short spurt of happiness where gratification or fulfillment gives purpose in life. Human beings are constantly in search of these purposes of life in order to find happiness. Finding fulfillment does bring longer periods of happiness. However, once ones purpose in life is fulfilled and because it is a perception of the mind as a way to find happiness, people then seek new fulfillments to bring new happiness.

However Chopra suggests meditation that focuses on you in the present moment is the first step to finding our own soul. When the soul is content then the mind finds true fulfillment and people find true happiness. He also gave a short meditation exercise. Chopra did book signing during a half-hour intermission and following the completion of his talk.

Deepak Chopra signs book for fan

“An Afternoon with Deepak Chopra” was one of 30 events inspired by the “One Book” program sponsored by the Henderson Libraries in partnership with The City of Henderson. Mitch Alborn’s first novel “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” was chosen as its inaugural book selection. The One Book programs encourages the entire Henderson community to read one book at the same time. Deepak Chopra’s talk inspired many of those who came to hear him with fulfillment to both the mind and their soul.

Deepak Chopra