Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

This week, Ira spoke with Douglas “Lefty” Leferovich, producer and host of “Late Night Magic,” an adults only magic show, at the Alexis Park All-Suite Resort (Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m.). “Late Night Magic” is a magical variety show that features sideshow stunts, mentalism, visual and optical illusions, dirty jokes, and amazing manipulation. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Douglas talks about magic coming to him at an early age; why he’s learned more from defeat than success; how his first foray into Las Vegas was a “Zoomanitizing” experience; how “Late Night Magic” evolved as a show for locals into a show for both visitors and locals; how it succeeded during COVID; and the future of magic in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with country artist Sam Riddle, performing at The Space LV September 3, with tailgate at 6:30 and the show at 8 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Sam talks about growing up around music (including Broadway); choosing to become a country artist and finding his voice; how his earliest memories are of playing the piano; why his first years in Las Vegas playing the piano were important years; how he uses all of the influences in his life for his music; why the only thing his dad is mad at him about is not what you think; and why he believes that if you’re real, the commercial success will come.

This week, Ira spoke with Brooklyn Bluesman Emanuel Casablanca, whose debut album "Blood On My Hands," will be featured in an album release show at The Sand Dollar Lounge on Spring Mountain in Las Vegas August 25, and The Sand Dollar Downtown Las Vegas on August 26. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Emanuel talks about his early start in music and financial career; why he decided to follow his heart and go full time into music and performing; why he is a calculated risk taker; the Ronnie Wood influence; the other Wood influence; why he believes in always being a student to your craft; how he views the blues boys club; and why he wants to help bring back blues to the popularity it once enjoyed.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Brittany Schmitt, performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, August 19-20. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brittany talks about why comedy is cheaper than therapy; conquering her addictions; the best lesson her dad taught her; why comedy saved her; her creative north star and why she doesn’t always listen to advice; and why performing on the road is a necessary evil.

This week, Ira spoke with Singer-songwriter Mark O’Toole, “Singing with the Big Bands” at the South Point Casino August 12-13. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mark talks about appearing on “Star Search” and how it changed his life; how COVID made him rethink his career; why he took a chance on his career and never regretted it; how he made a choice to live and work in Las Vegas; why he includes the audience in his act more than most entertainers; what the “big bands” represent; the importance of being yourself on stage; and why he is grateful.

This week, Ira spoke with Rick Michel, co-producer/writer of the new show, “Jew Man Group,” at the Tuscany Suites and Casino. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about the show paying homage to the Borscht Belt, but not limiting itself to Jewish humor; why it’s important to be politically incorrect for the sake of comedy; why, if you can’t laugh at yourself, laugh at everybody else; the feature of the show, which are the acts; and the science behind jokes.

This week, Ira spoke with Scotty Barnhart, director of the Grammy Award -Winning Count Basie Orchestra (performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center July 29-30). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Scotty talks about why a long line launched his trumpet career instead of a violin career; how jazz came through the church; when he first saw County Basie live when he was 12; how he met the whole orchestra and knew he would be part of the group (and eventually lead them); why the spirit of Count Basie is always with the orchestra; the importance of treating musicians as human beings; how to run a master class for aspiring musicians; and the key reason why the group is successful after the passing of Count Basie (hint: the orchestra is the star).

This week, Ira spoke with comedian/musician Hal Sparks, performing in Nerd Halen at Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill as part of “Punchlines and Backline” on July 21.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Traci Skene, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (through July 17). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Traci talks about discovering sophisticated humor at age ten; being encouraged by her mother to become a comedian; going to comedy clubs at an early age; using humor to cope with pain; why her goal on stage is to make the audience forget its problems; knowing the audience isn’t her therapist; why she and her husband, comedian Brian McKim, like the technical aspect of writing jokes; and writing her new book during COVID.

This week, Ira spoke with Piff the Magic Dragon (performing at the Flamingo Thursdays through Mondays at 7 p.m.) who just premiered his first one hour special, “Reptile Dysfunction,” on his YouTube channel. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Piff talks about his new YouTube show (filmed at the Flamingo and around Las Vegas); his decision to perform magic after getting a degree in computer science; performing in Las Vegas and then staying in Las Vegas to headline his own show, thanks to an appearance on “America’s Got Talent”; who he looked to for magical inspiration; why show business is made up of lucky breaks and he got his biggest break in America; the challenges of moving into a bigger showroom at the Flamingo; and being the first headliner back on the Las Vegas Strip as COVID receded.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Tom Thakkar, performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, July 1-2 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Tom talks about growing up in Indiana and making the decision to become a comedian; the challenges of performing comedy during the pandemic; his approach to comedy and audiences; and his decision to move to Los Angeles and get married.

This week, Ira spoke with Brad Sherwood, who (along with Colin Mochrie) will be performing in “Scared Scriptless” at the Pavilion Theater at Tropicana Laughlin June 25. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brad talks about why he liked being funny as a kid as a way to adjust to new circumstances; taking his first improv class and realizing he had found his career; why it’s important to establish a relationship with the audience; why he doesn’t have nerves before going on stage, but instead has “focused adrenaline”; how he was hired for “Whose Line Is It Anyway”; when he met Colin and how they became an act together; why their act appeals to a wide demographic: and why he considers improv a combination comedy show and a magic act.

This week, Ira spoke with Comedy-magician Adam London, performing in the Laughternoon show in the Venue at the Orleans (Thursdays - Sundays at 4 p.m.). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Adam talks about his start in magic, inspired by his grandfather; his decision to move to Las Vegas; why he chose to work clean and have a family-friendly show; why humor comes before magic; his process for writing material; and his take on the magic competition in Las Vegas.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rocky_LaPorte_060622.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with comedian Rocky Laporte, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas (through June 12). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rocky talks about about his style of comedy, which is considered unique but organic; how the negative reaction from family and friends about starting his comedy career drove him to success; how he dealt with COVID as a comedian; why his observations about bits of stuff in everyday life leads him to comedy material; and his decision to work clean.

This week, Ira spoke with Mike Nigro, one of the principals of Nigro Construction, which specializes in non-gaming construction in Las Vegas (including hotels and taverns). Its current project, just completed, is the extended-stay hotel, TownePlace Suites by Marriott®, located in North Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mike talks about the history of the company as it grew over the decades; finding a non-gaming niche in the valley; why the company both owns and operates its limited-service hotels; why location is key; how the company looks for pockets in the valley that have built-up demand, but limited supply; and how taverns are a different business model.

Photo by John Hichborn [audio mp3="https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Roger_Earl_052322.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Roger Earl, a founding member of the legendary British rock band, Foghat (performing May 27 at The Golden Nugget Las Vegas). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Roger talks about how the band was formed; the enduring popularity of Foghat; why he reveres Buddy Rich and Miles Davis; the link between bass and drums; and why you need a sense of humor to survive in a rock band.

[audio mp3=“https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/talkaboutlasvegas/talkaboutlv/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tom_Zaller_051622.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, a leader in global traveling entertainment. The company’s latest exhibition, National Geographic’s “Rarely Seen” (at Bally’s Las Vegas) features 50 striking images shot by some of the world’s finest photographers of places, events, natural phenomena, and man-made heirlooms seldom seen by human eyes. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Tom talks about how the project was launched in partnership with National Geographic; the unique staging features of this exhibit, which creates an immersive experience for visitors; the importance of capturing a moment in time by world-class professional photographers; why some of the images were enhanced (but not changed by technology); and the reaction of people to these dynamic photographs.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Henry_Cho_050922.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with comedian Henry Cho, who will be performing at the South Point Casino Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14 at 7:30. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Henry talks about how he discovered he was unique as a comedian, growing up of Korean descent in Knoxville, Tennessee; why he took ten years off from his comedy career; how you can be funny without being neurotic; why his disability insurance is so high (as it is for other comedians); how he ended up performing at the Grand Ole Opry; why he’s never been a worrier; and why he can work anywhere because of the type of comedy he performs.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mallory_Gott_050222.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Mallory Gott, one of the finalists (along with her partner, Chef Aaron Lee) of The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway, and popping up at the Vegas Test Kitchen May 6 & 7. Their concept, called Winnie and Ethel’s Downtown Diner, is based on a 1940s diner offering all the classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mallory talks about her first get meeting Chef Lee on a social basis, resulting in both a personal and professional relationship; their decision to enter the giveaway with their concept, named after relatives from both sides; their division of labor (Chef Lee, the food and Mallory, the tablescapes, the branding and graphics); her background in design and her plan to create the arc of an experience for the diner; and how the location of the diner is organically connected to the neighborhood.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Makana_Makana_042522.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Makana, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center in “The Gift of Slack Key Guitar” April 29 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Makana talks about how he was introduced to slack key guitar as a boy by his father; how his mother set the wheels in motion for his to learn slack key guitar from a master; what slack key guitar style is (and tuning to a chord); how he started playing gigs at 14; why some rock guitar musicians fall in love with slack key guitar; how he tours the world; and why he’s a story teller and loves to educate through his performances.