It's The Norm 4-7-10

There are a couple of people in our little village, who have been working their butts off to promote the sounds of Jazz and Big Bands: Gary Anderson and Michaelina Bellamy. Often times, when these two were staging events and only charging, like, $10 to get to listen, I watched as they took money out of their pocket (or purse) to pay the musicians for their tireless work.

To me, that’s not fair. This town supports all kinds of events, ranging from a Greek Festival to Helldorado, and a bunch of other events in between. Anderson is an Emmy Award-winning saxophonist of the top caliber. Over the years, Gary had the good fortune to play and write music for some of the great American band leaders—from Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Charles Mingus and Gerry Mulligan. He also toured with “The Man,” Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and Sarah Vaughan to name a few.

Michaelina has been a lead singer for a bunch of orchestras, and was the headliner in the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana for a couple of years. She has a long list of people for whom she has either opened for, or headlined with including Engelbert Humperdinck, and most recently, Bob Newhart to name a couple. Neither of these two fine musicians needs to work their butts off to promote their careers along—they’ve already proven that! But, because they believe so darn hard in the music of the Big Band era and their love of Jazz, they do what they are doing—promoting, promoting, promoting!

“We plan on keeping this music alive and swinging in Las Vegas and around the World,” Anderson said. “Consider dropping by one of our venues when you are out and about. You’ll hear 16 to 20 musicians and vocalists put their hearts, souls and incredible talent on display, and do we have talent in this town!”

This Saturday, April 10, from 2-5 p.m., The Bruce Harper Big Band will be at E String Grill, 2031 W. Sunset Road, Henderson. For $10 you get to hear some great music, which will be hosted by Marsha K & Norm Ross.

Sunday, April 11, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m., Matt Johnson’s LV Superband will be at the Brazilian Grill at 9640 S. Eastern Ave. Michaelina is your host, and a $10 donation requested.

Monday, April 12, from Midnight to 1 a.m., The Bruce Harper Big Band will be at the Tropicana Hotel. This is free and hosted by Santa Fe and Michaelina.

And, every Tuesday in April, from 7 to 11 p.m., Gary Anderson and Friends will be at the new Las Vegas Rocks Café, in downtown Las Vegas (located on the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd). There is no cover charge and parking is free in the Neonopolis Garage, with a one drink minimum.

Do yourself a favor and try to take in one of these events. Once you do, you’ll be hooked, and pretty soon it could very well work out to be SRO for these events. I sure hope so!

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:

Appearing this weekend at the Comedy Stop at the Sahara Hotel are stand up comedians Paul Lyons, Michael Gelbart and Quinn Dahle. Booked for next week, by producer Bob Kephart, are Peaches Rodriquez, Mike Burton and Macio. Showtime is 9:00 p.m. nightly. Tickets begin at $24.95 plus tax and fees. Call 737-2878 for reservations

Entertainment legends, Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland, are “re-united” through award-winning portrayals by Suzanne Goulet (no relation to Robert Goulet) as Liza and Denise Rose as Judy, in “Judy & Liza…Together Again” at the Suncoast Showroom, April 17-18.

The phenomenally popular off-Broadway production “Girls Night: The Musical,” will make its Las Vegas debut in the Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand Hotel for a limited run, May 6-12. Tickets start at $57.40.

One of best little shows in the Village (my opinion) is in the Le Bistro Showroom at the Riviera Hotel. “The Concert That Never Was,” starring Sharon Owens as Barbra Streisand and Sebastian Anzaldo as Frank Sinatra, is, without question, as near perfection as you’ll find anywhere. Not only do they look like the stars, their voices are nearly flawless. This is a show I strongly recommend to one-and-all.

That’s about it for another week. I’m outa here!