Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

Photo by Kyle Thowsen [audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Diana_Brier_091321.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Diana Brier, owner and director of cheese for Valley Cheese and Wine (and one of only 45 certified cheese sensory evaluators in the United States). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brier talks about her journey to cheese; moving to Las Vegas and making her dream come true; why she is also studying to be a sommelier; how chocolate pairs nicely with cheese; why she pays homage to old world cheese while also touting new world cheese; how a different version of a cheese you dislike may actually train your palate to eventually like that cheese; and how some types of cheese have more protein than eggs!

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Mark_Shunock_090621.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Mark Shunock, founder of The Space, Vegas’ community driven, charity-based arts complex. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Shunock talks about The Space’s new event, Wine Wednesdays, featuring a variety of programming complete with wine tastings (sommelier-led tasting experiences) from Foley Family Wines; the 8th anniversary of Mondays Dark,Vegas’ premiere variety show for a cause (twice a month a local non-profit benefits from an eclectic cast of performing guests, including musical acts and stars from Hollywood and The Strip); how the complex was built and became a magnet for all kinds of shows; why they were able to live stream during the pandemic and keep performers working; and its future plans, including possible expansion.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Art_Alexakis_083021.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Art Alexakis, singer/songwriter and front-man for Everclear, performing at the M Resort Pavilion, September 4 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Alexakis talks about why the Beatles (and Ed Sullivan) were responsible his decision to make music his career; the challenges (and opportunities) of dealing with MS; why he is retraining his mind; his most memorable experiences in Las Vegas; why he is grateful to still be performing rock & roll with Everclear and living his dream at age 59; the importance of being present in performance and in life; and why tenacity helps lead to success.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Alan_Snel_082321.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Alan Snel, whose popular website, LVSportsBiz.com, reports the business side of Las Vegas’ expanding sports industry. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Snel talks about the effect of requiring vaccinations for fans attending Raiders games at Allegiant Stadium; why the first fans to see a sports event at Allegiant Stadium were not Raiders fans; how a major soccer team could conceivably happen in Las Vegas; why parking at Allegiant Stadium is a work in progress; the mystery behind Marc Badain, the Raiders president, stepping down; the emotional connection of the Vegas Golden Knights with Las Vegas and the departure of Marc-Andre Fleury; and how Snel’s news site is dedicated to writing compelling stories without an agenda.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Michael_Mack_081621.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Michael Mack, a fourth generation pawnbroker and owner of Max Pawn, a pawn & jewelry store specializing in luxury designer goods. He was recognized in July as “Pawnbroker of the Year” by the National Pawnbrokers Association. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mack talks about challenging the old image and “stigma of pawn”; how he considers his business “the people’s bank”; why he specializes in luxury goods; where he stores his large items, such as automobiles; what is the most expensive item he has sold; why the industry is highly regulated in Las Vegas; how technology has transformed the buying and selling of goods, which includes maintaining a large online presence; and why he thinks Rick Harrison and the “Pawn Stars” show is great for everybody in the business.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Brian_Newman_080921.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Trumpeter and singer Brian Newman, back with his late-night Vegas residency, “Brian Newman: AFTER DARK, “ at the NoMAD Library (August 12-14 and August 19-21). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brian talks about his passion for live performing; having a good time in life and music; opening jazz to the world; why he loves the late-night hang; how he met his wife Angie Pontani, the Italian Stallionette, dancer and burlesque sensation; why he surrounds himself with people who are better than himself; when he realized he could create his own melodies; why he considers The Great American Songbook an essential part of his performances; his amazement about working with great singers and musicians; and being part of the historic Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett show at Radio City Music Hall for Bennett’s last public performance.

This week, Ira spoke with caricature artist Neal Portnoy. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Portnoy talks about his move (along with his wife, Dorothy) to Las Vegas, working for the Las Vegas Review-Journal as a cartoonist; his decision to go full time as an artist, including portrait illustration; his acceptance by the Las Vegas entertainment community; how “Portnoyed” became a verb; his unique style of drawing caricatures of local and national celebrities using only felt-tip magic markers; his involvement with the Las Vegas Raiders and working with non-profit organizations; and his plans for the future.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Bill_Blagg_072621.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Illusionist Bill Blagg, performing “The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!” at the South Point Casino, July 30 - August 1. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Blagg talks about his early interest in magic; his breakthrough, winning the Abbott Magic Get Together as the youngest contestant to enter the competition; his approach to magic; why this is his first time performing in Las Vegas; and why his dad is his secret weapon.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Miljenko_Matijevic_071921.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Miljenko Matijevic, lead singer and founder of Steelheart. The band is on their 30th anniversary tour and will be performing this Friday, July 23 at The Golden Nugget Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Miljenko talks about the fire inside of him and his work ethic; his new song for World Peace Day (with a chorus of 350 fans); his massive popularity in Asia; his hunt for a recording studio; the accident that sidelined him for months; re-recording some of the the group’s hits in an acoustic setting; and accepting who he is as an artist.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Anthony_DiMaria_071221.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Anthony DiMaria, producer of "Jay Sebring....Cutting to the Truth," a feature-length documentary about his uncle, famed hair stylist Jay Sebring. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, DiMaria (born and raised in Las Vegas) talks about the the horrific murders of Sebring, Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent and the subsequent diminishing of his uncle’s reputation by the media and the glorification of the killers by pop culture; his long journey in making the documentary; the surprising material he found about his uncle’s life; his influence on what is now a multi-billion dollar industry; and why he felt it important to remind people about his uncle and bring some comfort to living family members.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Eve_Golden_070521.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Eve Golden, author of the new book, Jayne Mansfield, The Girl Couldn’t Help It, published by the University Press of Kentucky. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Golden talks about the unique life of Jayne Mansfield, the larger-than-life sex symbol and actress; her determination to succeed in films (using Broadway as a stepping stone; her starring role in “The Girl Can’t Help It ; her decision to take roles that her advisers warned her about accepting; her marriages; her relationship with Las Vegas entertainer (and resident) Nelson Sardelli; her performances in Las Vegas; and her impact on American pop culture.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Shin_Lim_062821.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Shin Lim, currently performing in “LIMITLESS” at The Mirage (Mondays & Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lim talks about his journey from music to magic; his challenges with carpal tunnel syndrome and dyslexia; his close family ties, both in his personal life and his career; his dream to perform in a residency on the Las Vegas Strip; how he developed his magic after first being shown an illusion by his older brother; and why he continues to learn and loves performing.

This week, Ira spoke with Eric Gladstone, author of Anything But Nirvana: Other Heroes & Happenings From Rock's Last Great Era. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Gladstone talks about his former career as a music journalist, covering bands in the 90’s and writing about them on a national level; getting inside bands’ experiences and interviewing them on the road; his big story on Smashing Pumpkins; why he tried to interview bands he was genuinely interested in; why the project took six years to compile, organize and edit from his interviews from that time; how the bands interacted with each other; why some of the stories don’t have happy endings; his reasons for writing about the bands; how he looks back at these stories from today’s vantage point (slightly cynically, but positively) ; his Las Vegas story (it involves Imagine Dragons!), which capped his music journalism career; the bands from that era that still survive (and thrive) today and why he doesn’t trust computers!

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Oliver_Lovat_061421.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Oliver Lovat, a leading academic, researcher, writer and strategy consultant. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lovat talks about the challenges facing Las Vegas coming out of the COVID era; the study he and others put together about the future of Las Vegas (see below); why Downtown Las Vegas was able to cope better than the Strip when it came to operating during COVID; one of the biggest mistakes that Las Vegas resorts made prior to COVID; the importance of knowing your customer base; and why Las Vegas always seems to win in the end.


[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Jen_Kramer_060721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Magician Jen Kramer, performing “The Magic of Jen Kramer” at Westgate Las Vegas (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m.). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Kramer talks about how she began her magical journey at the age of 10 and knew she wanted to perform in Las Vegas; graduating Yale and negotiating with Las Vegas showrooms from her dorm room; interning with magician Nathan Burton and learning the ropes; how she feels she connects with people through magic; why every show is different because every audience is different; why she likes to inspire girls and women to find a career in magic; and fulfilling her dream of a residency in Las Vegas.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Ruta_Lee_053121.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Hollywood legend Ruta Lee, who has written her memoir, “Consider Your Ass Kissed" (released through Briton Publishing). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lee talks about her first movie job (which she says she got either due to polka or her mother’s prayers; bringing her grandmother to America from the Soviet Union (and the lesson she learned about not being afraid to try the wildest thing in the world to achieve what you need; her strong work ethic; why she always likes keeping the flame of glamour burning in Hollywood; whether Hollywood is real or not; the four people who impressed her the most in Hollywood (Frank Sinatra; Phyllis Diller; Charles Laughton, and Clint Eastwood; why humor has disappeared in America; and why she had a long and successful marriage in Hollywood.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Vicki_Barbolak_052421.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Comedian Vicki Barbolak, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas May 27-30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Vicki talks about her late start in comedy and why her act stems from her life experience; why she’s grateful to be in comedy; the best career advice she ever received (and it came from comedian Vinnie Favorito); why she enjoys performing on tour (in Hollywood they get nervous about your age); the amazing story of getting a hug from Howie Mandell; how she was one of the last comics to come under the wing of Mitzi Shore of The Comedy Store; and why she loves the trailer life!

This week, Ira spoke with Jonathan Karrant, who along with Joshua White, will be performing in his “Shadows Fall” Album Release Show at the Summerlin Library Performing Arts Theater, May 27-28. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Karrant talks about knowing his future in show business from age five or six; how his grandparents turned him on to the great American songbook; how he didn’t pick jazz - jazz picked him; why he delights in bringing obscure songs to his audience; the advice he received that “it’s not about you, it’s about the audience”; his collaboration with pianist Joshua White; why live music is healing; the energy between the audience and live music; and a shout out to the legendary pianist Vinnie Falcone, who was the former musical director for Frank Sinatra.

This week, Ira spoke with impressionist/comedian Gordie Brown, starring in “Lasting Impressions” at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brown talks about his journey from from Canadian political cartoonist to Las Vegas impressionist-comedian; how the lightbulb went off as he performed as the lead in “West Sidc Story” and he knew he wanted a life as a performer; how the second lightbulb went off, confirming his choice due to a fortuitous encounter with Rich Little; the satisfaction of moving an audience with performance; his most fun impression; and the hardest impression; and why he keeps “Elvis hours.”