Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

This week, Ira spoke with Wayne Nelson, lead singer, bass player and band leader for The Little River Band, performing at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino August 5. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Wayne talks about the long-time connection between the band and its fans; why they never “phone in" a show; why the band works with so many charities; the fondest memory he has of performing with the group over 43 years; why Little River Band has introduced new music as well as play their favorite hits; and what surprising job he has added to his work with the group.

This week, Ira spoke with Banachek, “the world’s greatest mind reader,” who performs “Banachek’s Mind Games Live” at the Strat Hotel, Casino and Skypod. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Banachek talks about coming from a mentalism background first and a magic background second; his experiences as a kid fooling scientists; his friendship with The Amazing Randi; his meeting with Uri Geller (and how he fooled him); his ethical approach to his act; why he enjoys working with kids on stage; why he performs “jazz” mentalism; why mentalism as entertainment is so different from magic; and his most dramatic effect.

This week, Ira spoke with Chef Alicia Shevetone, Las Vegas pop-up chef, television personality, and creator of Dink Cuisine, a food and entertainment organization that curates culinary experiences across print, digital, social, and live media. She is also author of " Italian Cookbook for Two" and "Vegetarian Ketogenic Cookbook for Beginners." In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Alicia talks about her transition from high-tech Silicon Valley to food in Las Vegas; how Dink Cuisine works; her decision to write recipes for DINK (dual income, no kids) based on “eating for the moment”; where she developed a taste for cooking; how she puts together her line of spirit-infused seasonings that are available nationwide; and what her new cookbook, "Food with Spirit," will deliver.

This week, Ira spoke with pianist, composer, producer and two-time Grammy Nominee Greg Manning, performing at Gambit in Henderson July 15. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Greg talks about his decision to pick jazz as his musical path; how life influences music; his musical heroes; why improvisers are composers in real time; the love and mystery of art; and how he defines “smooth jazz.”

This week, Ira spoke with Jeffrey Bryan, bringing “The Totally 70s Show” (starring The K-Tel All-Stars) to Notoriety Live in Neonopolis, July 6 at 7:30. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jeffrey talks about why the 70’s were a unique blend of songwriting, vocals, lyrics and production; how he came up with the name for the group; why he wanted to create a rock concert that was an immersive experience; and why everyone in the band has to be a lead singer.

This week, Ira spoke with Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, author of "Love in the Time of Corona." In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Rabbi Akselrad talks about the impact of the virus on his congregation and his decision to write a sermon each week about it (of which 100 turned into this book); why he believes his book has a message about both the time of Corona and simultaneously is timeless and universal; the contribution of technology to both spread the message and comfort people; the lessons he learned while writing each week and why the book spoke to him as well as to other people; and why it’s important to choose life, choose love.

This week, Ira spoke with Michelle Danner, whose courtroom drama, “Miranda’s Victim,” will screen at the 9th Annual Nevada Women’s Film Festival in Las Vegas June 22-25. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Michelle talks about why the story interested her; why nobody had explored this victim of a rape, whose torment continued with the Miranda Decision; what the process was for making the film; her philosophy of “art with a heart”; and her securing the cooperation of “Miranda’s Victim” in the making of the film.

This week, Ira spoke with Eric P. Endy, author of "Paul S. Endy Jr. Las Vegas Casino Gaming Legend " In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Eric talks about why he wrote the book about his father’s legacy; how his research included both internal documents and speaking with old-timers who worked with his dad; why his book also includes the history of gaming products that his father produced, including dice and casino chips; how his father standardized the colors of chips; and why casino chip collectors are an important part of the gaming economy.

This week, Ira spoke with Alan Snel, whose popular website, LVSportsBiz.com, reports the business side of Las Vegas’ expanding sports industry. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Alan talks about the probable move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas and the ramifications of building a stadium here; the financing involved (including partial public funding); the effects on tourism; and the competition of the ballpark with other venues (nonsports) on the Las Vegas Strip.

This week, Ira spoke with Giada Valenti, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center May 24 at 7 p.m. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Giada talks about why her grandmother was her guide through life; how cooking is part of her life, along with performing; why some songs that are thought to be American or British are actually Italian; how she ended up living in Las Vegas, but performing around the world; why she sees herself as a storyteller; and the surprising country artist she idolizes.

This week, Ira spoke with three-time Grammy nominee Kevin Sucher, leader of Las Vegas' favorite yacht rock band, The Docksiders (performing every Thursday night at 7 at Notoriety Live in Neonopolis, Downtown Las Vegas). In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Kevin talks about defining yacht rock; why he loves the genre; what establishing a residency in Las Vegas means to him; why he only wanted top-notch musicians for his band; and his favorite song (hint: Kenny Loggins).

This week, Ira spoke with Jack Russell, who performs with his group, Jack Russell’s Great White, this Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m. in The Golden Nugget Las Vegas. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jack talks about his early years in rock; how the band found its niche; what has happened to rock; what drives him to perform; the importance of loyalty and his long-time fans; and using humor to survive.

This week, Ira spoke with architect Windom Kimsey, who has opened Azzurra Cucina Italiana on Henderson’s reimagined Water Street. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas,” Windom talks about his background as an architect; moving to Las Vegas and working on major projects here; his discovery of historic Water Street in Henderson; developing a multi-use facility there and opening the Public Works Coffee Bar; his decision to open an Italian restaurant with some unique features and cuisine; and his favorite dish.

This week, Ira spoke with Scott Roeben, founder of the “Vital Vegas” blog. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Scott talks about his start in Las Vegas blogging; how he gets his scoops (many of which make the national media); his nontraditional approach to writing about Las Vegas news; how he cultivates sources; his biggest scoops; and the importance of having fun.

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!