Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lee_Lanier_020722.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Las Vegas artist Lee Lanier (whose show, “Bold & Beautiful” is at the Sahara West Library through March 5). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lee talks about his transition from full-time computer animation to seriously pursuing painting; moving to Boulder City to start a new life; co-founding the Dam Short Film Festival, (which opens February 10); the challenge of films to focus on story rather that just visual elements; how he approaches his art; and how his current exhibit features augmented reality.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ismo_Leikola_013122.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Finnish comedian (and ultimate observer) Ismo, performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, February 4-5 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ismo talks about his obsession with jokes as a kid and mishearing lyrics; how Finns are more sarcastic than Americans; how he learned English at an early age; why his accent is great for his comedy career, but not so great for daily life; performing in English as opposed to Finnish; why he would like to rant, but finds it hard to rant with an accent; how he’s amazed at his success in America; and why he doesn’t think he will go Hollywood!

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Rick_Michel_012422.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Impressionist Rick Michel, who performs "Sinatra Forever” with an all star 12-piece orchestra, February 6 at the Italian American Club. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his earliest memories of wanting to become a performer; developing his talent for mimicking the voices of legendary entertainers; beginning his Las Vegas career; the importance of material in creating an act (impressions by themselves are not enough); his belief that you never stop paying your dues and learning; why he focused on Frank Sinatra and his immense catalog of classics; and why he considers the musicians who work with him as equal partners.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Chris_Barrett_011721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with interior designer Chris Barrett, who will be a panelist at Design West at the Las Vegas Market in Las Vegas January 23. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chris talks about her view of Las Vegas design; the future of design (more reusable and digital); how she works with clients; the first commission she received after transitioning from being an actor; her favorite celebrity client; and how COVID has affected thee world of design.

(Photo courtesy of Frank Molnar/Red Rock City Lifestyle) [audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Karan_Feder_011022.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Karan Feder, curator of the new Barbie exhibition, Barbie®, A Cultural Icon: 60 Years of Fashion and Inspiration (located inside The Shops at Crystals). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Karan talks about how COVID (and her downtime from the Nevada State Museum led her to put the exhibition together; how she met and relied on Las Vegan David Porcello and his extensive collection of Barbie dolls; why the exhibit is a deep dive into fashion; why culture and fashion cannot be separated; why the Ken doll came on the scene; the evolution of Barbie dolls; her favorite fashion year; the surprising discovery about the Mattel archives; and what the 250 vintage Barbie artifacts represent.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Paco_Alvarez_122721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Brian "Paco" Álvarez, CEO of Psionic Art Works, a cultural and curatorial consultancy in Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Paco talks about how culture has evolved in Las Vegas; why art increases business; the new frontier of computers interacting with the human mind; how public art has a purpose, bringing a sense of place; the experiential appeal of new Las Vegas venues; and why Downtown Las Vegas is leading the way in the cultural revolution; and the future.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/George_Bugatti_120621.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with entertainer/producer George Bugatti, who has written “Trial on the Potomac, The Impeachment of Richard Nixon,” which was staged off Broadway and filmed. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, George talks about his obsession with presidents, and particularly Richard Nixon; his discovery of a book, The Real Watergate Scandal by Geoff Shepard; his decision to write the play based on that book that ponders what would have happened if Richard Nixon had a trial; how he chose Rich Little to play Richard Nixon in the play; the most important thing he learned from writing it; and why he is glad he wrote something that is “bigger than me.”

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Euge_Groove_112921.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Euge Groove, performing at the Santa Fe Station Hotel December 4 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Euge talks about his methodical approach to recording jazz and performing live sets; why he writes songs that are natural to him and not necessarily for the radio; how he got from classical music to King Curtis; why he enjoys playing music with other musicians, including Peter White; what the mark of a true artist is; how there is a negative connotation to “smooth jazz” and why he doesn’t object to the term; why he is drawn more to production these days; and the secret life of airline miles!

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Jason_Egan_112221.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Jason Egan, creator of the official SAW Escape Room and Escape Blair Witch Escape Room in Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jason talks about his earliest experience with horror, running out of a haunted house in the fifth grade; growing up in the Midwest; how he developed a passion for horror; his one true nightmare (it will surprise you!); why he decided to move to Las Vegas to create horror and immersive escape rooms; the psychology of escape rooms; and why he not only lives his dream, but works his dream.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Gunhild_Carling_111521.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Jazz star and multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling, performing at the Italian American Club, November 21 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Carling talks about her long family history in music (she started touring at age 7); why the Great America Songbook is her “bible”; how she approaches entertainment and wants the audience to be happy; why she always has to be inspired and why she wants her energy to be contagious; and her dream as a teenager to have a residency in Las Vegas.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Peter_Fand_110721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira had a quick chat with multi-instrumentalist, song writer, composer, performer and recording artist Peter Fand, who will be leading the Dixie Flats at a New Orleans Dixieland Brunch presented by Reflection Bay and Chef Scott Commings, November 14. Peter talks about performing around the world, including the Kremlin Palace in Moscow; moving to Las Vegas; forming the Dixie Flats to focus on Trad Jazz, and how he learned to appreciate the greats in music.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Rick_Braun_110821.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with trumpeter, composer and producer Rick Braun, performing (along with Richard Elliot) in the Chrome Showroom at the Santa Fe Station Hotel November 13. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his start in playing the trumpet, finding one left by his brother in the closet; attending the Eastman School of Music for a serious immersion in his future field; his mentors and the people he has encouraged; his professional relationship with saxophonist Richard Elliot; the wise advise given him by George Benson; the inspiration of Miles Davis (“know your limitations”); the “hot” set with a flugelhorn in Las Vegas; and honoring his father by playing at SteelStacks.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Anne_Martinez_110121.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with actor/singer/dancer/aerialist/ and showgirl, Anne Martinez, who (along with Red Penny Arcade) performs at The Space - for Wine Wednesdays - November 3 at 8 p.m. (wine tasting at 7:30). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Anne talks about getting the performing bug at an early age; the support of her mom (who was a teacher) for a broad and intense education, including obtaining a BFA in Acting from SUNY Fredonia and an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from London, UK's Central School of Speech and Drama; the hard thing about show business; learning accountability; why she loves the details and process of preparation of performing; and how she ended up as a performer in Las Vegas.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ross_Bennett_102521.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Ross Bennett, who will be performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, October 29-30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas (Ross originally appeared on the Ira’s Everything Bagel podcast May 27 https://iraseverythingbagel.com/noshing-with-ross-bennett-may-27-2021/), Ross talks about leaving West Point for a career in comedy; how “Saturday Night Live” and Steve Martin influenced his decision to perform comedy; why he knew at the beginning that the important thing was to get stage time; where his comedy journey began; why he was both blessed and cursed by the fact that he was naturally funny; why his goal was to become a headliner in a comedy club; and why he started teaching stand-up comedy and coaching (and why writing is just the beginning.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Angie_Pontani_101821.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with award-winning burlesque performer Angie Pontani, “The Italian Stallionette” (at the NoMad Library Oct. 21-24). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Angie talks about how she discovered burlesque; the art as “the journey of the tease”; the ability to be fearless on stage; why burlesque gives performers the ability to break the “fourth wall”; what brought the art back; why it’s inclusive and simultaneously a reclamation of femininity; some of her favorite Las Vegas stories; cooking as a passion project; burlesque’s roots in American history; and why ”burlesque is best served live.”

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Tim_Molyneux_101821.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with actor, producer, writer and director Tim Molyneux, performing in "Swoon, Croon, and Boom, The Songs of Love," at The Nevada Room, October 19 & 22. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Molyneux talks about his dream of becoming a producer in Las Vegas; creating Las Vegas’ first and only vampire show, “BITE”; why he is returning to singing; the importance of an intimate venue for performers; who he looked to as role models (the contrast between the two role models will surprise you!); and the importance of being vulnerable on stage and expressing who you are.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with John Katsilometes (KATS), the man-about-town, whose column runs daily on page 3A in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Katsilometes talks about the effect of COVID on the Las Vegas entertainment scene; how Las Vegas deals with the protocols and messaging for visitors; why small-capacity entertainers have found a way to continue to perform; how Las Vegas expands the rules for entrainment; why he believes it’s important to embrace pushing the boundaries; how entertainment is in transition; why Las Vegas allows you to grow as a professional and as a person; and why social media allows journalists another set of options to tell stories.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ron_Futrell_100421.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with veteran journalist Ron Futrell, 8NewsNow sports anchor/reporter. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Futrell talks about his love of sports and why he never gets bored; why the Vegas Golden Knights lost their heart with the departure of Marc-Andre Fleury and how to fix it; the three criteria that Las Vegas needed to meet in order to have professional major league sports here; why basketball and baseball will be the next big sports for Las Vegas; how the UNLV football team will fare in the new Allegiant stadium; the challenge of parking at the stadium; and the impact of COVID on all Las Vegas sports now and in the immediate future,.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rob_Paulsen_092721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with voice actor Rob Paulsen, appearing at Unicon in Las Vegas, Oct. 1-3. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Paulsen talks about becoming a voice artist and discovering the joy it gives to people; why he’s in “the happy business”; his battle with throat cancer and what he learned from his doctors, including the admonition to not discount the power of joy; his realization that the desire to create is no different at 65 than it was at 15; why humor is boundless; and why it’s important to maintain a sense of proportion.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Michelle_Johnson_092021.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Michelle Johnson, “Las Vegas’ First Lady of Jazz,” performing in “Home! – A Return to Broadway” in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, September 26 at 6 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Johnson talks about decision to become a performer full time and the deal she made with her parents; her move to Las Vegas, which started out as temporary and is now permanent (and the reasons why); the challenge of performing in the midst of COVID; and her decision to not only perform, but to operate a successful entertainment production company.