Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

Photo by Maurice Jerry Beznos This week, Ira spoke with GRAMMY® -Award winning pianist Emanuel Ax, performing in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at the UNLV Performing Arts Center April 20 at 7:30 p.m. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas,” Emanuel talks about when he decided to live the classical life; how to make classical music more accessible to people; why there is a misperception about classical music; why he’s a sports nut; how the listener is just as much a part of the performance as he is; the musical “battle” between the orchestra and the piano; and who he considers the greatest pianist of the 19th century.

This week, Ira spoke with jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Jumaane Smith (performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center April 15) as he celebrates the origins of jump blues and jazz in LOUIS! LOUIS! LOUIS! In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jumaane talks about why music was a source of inspiration to him after the trials and tribulations of his early years; his four years at Julliard; working with Michael Bublé for the last eighteen years; why live music is a shared moment with the audience and why he considers himself a vessel for the music; his fascination with the Great American Songbook; his albums as timestamps; why he chose to highlight Louis Armstrong, Louis Pri-ma, and Louis Jordan; and what he learned from Michael Phelps.

This week, Ira spoke with John O’Hurley, performing a 90-minute retrospective on songs from The Great American Songbook (along with musings from his eclectic life and ca-reer) at the Italian American Club April 13. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, John talks about growing up surrounded by the melodies of the Great American Songbook; how he knew he was an actor at age three; the most impactful song of his life; the night he met Frank Sinatra and what he learned from him about stage presence; why his one-man show has many laughs, but only one tear; how he has lived his career listening to his imagination; why he’s earned the right to be silent; and why he wants his audience to consider their time with him as well spent.

This week, Ira spoke with Keith Thompson, Founder/Host of The Composers Showcase, which is celebrating its 17th anniversary on April 5 in Myron’s at The Smith Center. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas,” Keith talks about the beginnings of the showcase; how it grew over the years; his process for auditioning talent; why the showcase has become an important part of his life; and how he balances it with his own career.

This week, Ira spoke with Las Vegas based comedian Lindsay Glazer. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lindsay talks about why she became an attorney and then decided to become a comedian; why she thinks she’s the only comic who didn’t move to Los Angeles for comedy; the recording of her new album, "Thanks, Dad."(which comes out April 14); her decision to make Las Vegas a permanent home; and how she got her 10,000 hours of performing done without staying at a comedy condo!

This week, Ira spoke with Colin Cloud, known as a “Real Life Sherlock Holmes,” starring with Shim Lim in “LIMITLESS” at The Mirage (Mondays and Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30PM). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Colin talks about why he developed an interest in Sherlock Holmes at an early age; how he realized that stand-up comedians are the real Sherlock Holmes; why he creates the illusion that he can read someone’s mind; his first mentors, who were comedians more than magicians; why his show is fast and high energy; his need to be challenged; and why he won’t enter the World Series of Poker!

This week, Ira spoke with Storm Large, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center March 10-11 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Storm talks about developing a sense of humor at an early age to cope with her environment; how she came to write her memoirs at a relatively young age; why performing gave her value (and was a form of self-defense); what is the king of all candy bars (and the first song she ever wrote); why she was told she would be a huge success “just as soon as you aren’t you”; her choice to be homeless a lot as a kid; what she likes about the great American songbook and what she doesn’t like about it; what she likes about Las Vegas audiences; why she doesn’t believe you have to suffer for your art; and who inspired her to perform by telling her she had value.

This week, Ira spoke with Rob McCoy, chief executive officer of the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rob talks about joining the museum (open since 2005) and beginning to repurpose, rebrand and reimagine it; creating the right mix of exhibits, artifacts, and programming; the history and importance of the Nevada Test Site (928 nuclear tests) and its role in the Cold War; why his mission is to expand the museum to include the atomic age and pop culture; the new exhibit, “Spy”; and the most significant exhibit since the opening of the museum.

This week, Ira spoke with award-winning illusionist Rick Thomas, who will be performing at the South Point Casino February 24-26. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his long career in magic; how he maintains his passion for performing; why he always aimed to perform in Las Vegas; how he sees the beginning of the show as the most nerve-wracking; why his show has a theme; why he has a fondness for the grand illusion; and his favorite Las Vegas story (hint: he married her!).

This week, Ira spoke with crooner Matt Dusk, performing “Matt Dusk Sings Sinatra” in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, February 18 (at 6 and 8:30 p.m.). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Matt talks about his earliest memories of hearing Sinatra; why Sinatra still matters; why the audience is what makes the show great; the challenges of touring; why COVID taught him plans are just a guide; and the best advice he ever re-ceived (and it came from Paul Anka!).

This week, Ira spoke with Andrew Kiraly, founder and publisher of TheList.Vegas, a new Las Vegas events calendar created by locals and curated for locals. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Andrew talks about why he wanted to create a website devoted to events in Las Vegas, especially in a post-COVID world; how he curates the information; why the key to the calendar is simplicity; the unique 24-hour nature of the town and the potential vibrant cultural life it offers; and future plans for the website.

This week, Ira spoke with The Cowsills (Bob, Susan, and Paul), performing January 27 at The Golden Nugget Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, the trio talk about the origins of the Cowsills name; why they recorded a new album, Rhythm Of the World, after waiting 30 years; why the group had such an impact in the 60’s; connecting with fans of multiple generations; and where they see themselves in pop music history.

This week, Ira spoke with Alain Nu, “The Man Who Knows” (Thursdays - Saturdays at the Notoriety Theater). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Alain talks about the area of the unexplained; the importance of hope; taking the preconceived notions of magic and turning it upside down; why connection is his message; and why his show is a new take on the classic mentalist act.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Greg Hahn, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas through January 15. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Greg talks about how the Marine Corps helped his comedy career; why he modeled his comedy ca-reer on a famous drummer; why he thinks getting older only makes you funnier; how he wins over an audience; and why “funny” is the prime directive.

This week, Ira spoke with Alex White, founder of Yukon Pizza. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Alex talks about the sourdough starter that has been in his family for five generations; how he took some of it to college when he left home; how it lead him down the pizza path; why he chose to make pizza making his life choice; why sourdough is good for the gut; how “feeding” the starter made him shorten his date nights (and yet he still got married!).

This week, Ira spoke with Richard N. “Rick” Velotta, gaming-tourism reporter and assistant business editor for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about why this is the best news town in the country; the impact of the Hard Rock coming to the Las Vegas Strip; the biggest change in Las Vegas; the develop-ment of an underground transit system; the impact of COVID; the most significant tech-nological advance to benefit the casino industry; and the top Las Vegas news story for 2022.

This week, Ira spoke with Leo Flowers, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino through December 18. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Leo talks about transitioning from inmate counseling to stand-up comedy; why story telling is integral to his comedy; how he became a life coach and works with high-achieving women; what it means to “get back to neutral”; his podcast and finding “your chicken”; his favorite comedian; and flying to close to the sun.

This week, Ira spoke with country artist Ned LeDoux, who will be performing a free concert in the Veil Pavilion at the Silverton December 1&2 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ned talks about being “bitten by the beat” as a kid; how he started playing drums at the age of six; why his dad, singer-songwriter and rodeo champion Chris LeDoux, had a big impact on his musical decisions; when he sang for the first time in public; his association with singer/songwriter/guitarist Mac McAnally; why Charlie Daniels was a big influence on him; when he decided to write songs; how he comes up with ideas for songs; and what he sees doing in the next five years.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian (and motivational speaker) Guy Fessenden, performing in the Delirious Comedy Club at the Downtown Grand. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Guy talks about the challenges of becoming a comedian at age 63; why he decided go go into comedy after years of pain and tears; how he runs a not-for-profit agency during the day and performs at night; the obligations of an “opener” in a comedy club; why, once you do stand up, you “don’t have to fear anything in life”; how he uses humor in his public speaking; why mental illness is an important subject for his public speaking as well as part of his family life.

This week, Ira spoke with Jim Caruso, bringing “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” (with Billy Stritch on piano) to Myron’s at The Smith Center November 18 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jim talks about his Cast Party that features an impromptu open mic/variety show where stars and up-and-comers deliver music and dazzle dazzle; his career in show business; how he came up with the idea of a cast party; why he loves traveling the world, celebrating talent; how the show is successful due to the high-end venues, Billy Stritch and the musicians, and great lighting and sound; why he’s not a snarky host; why it’s a very democratic show; and the party’s most unusual acts.