The Martin and Lewis Tribute Appears Sunday, September 2 By Sandy Zimmerman (Photos by the Martin and Lewis Tribute Show)
I had the opportunity to interview Tom Stevens, a talented performer living in Las Vegas. Tony Lewis, the other half of the Martin and Lewis Tribute, lives in Australia and will be flying in next week for their appearance at the Suncoast Hotel.
It is amazing how Tony Lewis, from as far away as Australia, and another man, Tom Stevens, from across the globe living in the United States, could get together to produce a show!
For 27 years, Tony Lewis had been seeking a Dean Martin partner to join him and was blown away when seeing Tom Steven’s Dean Martin video. Tony knew Tom would be perfect!Tony and Tom met on the telephone and afterwards Tom enthusiastically photo-shopped his “Dean” picture next to Tony’s and the response was phenomenal.
The duo were booked in Australia before meeting in person! They only had a few months to create an act and sent everything back and forth until Tom arrived with only three days to rehearse their new act.
As two professionals, their success united the pair. Tony Lewis has 30 years of experience as Jerry Lewis in Australia while Tom Stevens appeared in Las Vegas celebrating more than 15 years and over 1,000 shows performing his tribute to Dean Martin.
Since Tom Stevens’ first appearance at the Dean Martin Festival in 1998, he received the “Best Dean Martin Tribute Artist” and Dean’s daughter agreed.
They both have amazed audiences and are known for their own shows yet together they truly are the essence of the famous duo. Tom and Tony chose some of the classic comic routines and have even added new ones to their show.
Many of the tribute artists don’t look like the celebrities but the resemblance is uncanny the way Tony and Tom really do! Tom is a singer and Tony, a comedian, just like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
The public loves these tribute shows and they are very popular today as a way to hear the songs and enjoy the tributes to their favorite performers.
I reviewed Dean Martin at Bally’s Hotel when he performed by himself and Jerry Lewis the same at the South Point Hotel,
and am looking forward to seeing the Martin and Lewis Tribute,
Sunday, September 2, at 3 PM, in the Suncoast Hotel,
9090 Alta Drive and South Rampart.
Showtime is 3 p.m. Tickets start at $14.95 plus taxes and fees,
and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000;
online at www.suncoastcasino.com or in-person at Suncoast,
The Orleans, Gold Coast and Sam’s Town. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the show (depending upon availability) at the venue box office. www.martinandlewistribute.comwww.suncoastcasino.com
Sandy Zimmerman, CEO of Sandy Zimmerman Productions, is selecting entertainer of the month for the next 6 months. Winners will be reviewed in articles in multiple publications and multi-media coverage. sandyzimm2003@yahoo.com
URL:
http://www.discovertheultimate.com/?page=entertainment
Marty Ingels, Sandy and Academy Award winner/Emmy and Golden Globe Nominee Shirley Jones (Photo by Jerry O'Neal)
(Sandy’s gown by E! Live from the Red
Carpet Designer Adrianna Papell from
Dillards- Photos Above and below.)
America's Got Talent Murray SawChuck, Sandy and Friend (Photo by Jerry O'Neal)
Marc Savard, Comedy Hypnotist (V Theater, Planet Hollywood)
The proceeds of Oscar Night® in Las Vegas support Variety, the Children’s Charity of Southern Nevada, which has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for special needs children since 1950. www.onalv.orgdenna.atkinson@gmail.com
Sandy Zimmerman is a syndicated Show/Movie & Dining Reviewer, Travel Writer, and talk show host of the Las Vegas Today Show and Discover the Ultimate Vacation travel specials.
Emmy® and Tony award® winner, Golden Globe® nominee Hal Linden
Comedian Marty Ingels allowed Sandy to hold his wife Shirley Jones' Oscar! (Photo by Jerry O'Neal)
(Sandy’s gown by E! Live at the
Red Carpet by Designer Adrianna
Papell at Dillards.)
Kevin Burke stars in Defending the Caveman (Harrahs) & Fitz of Laughter (Fitzgerald)
Daniel Puder-WWE Armagddon & Smackdown
Sandy Zimmerman is a syndicated Show/Film & Dining Reviewer, Travel Writer, Photographer, and Talk Show Host of the Las Vegas Today Show programs and Discover the Ultimate Vacation travel specials.
Sedona is a very special place of beauty and enchantment. Their flaming red mountains and unique rock formations brighten the sky.
When you visit Sedona, the experience is unforgettable!
BELL ROCK
Almost immediately as you drive along the highway entering Sedona the colors suddenly change to different shades of red and the scenery seems to sparkle.
The road into Sedona begins the different shade of red.
CATHEDRAL ROCK
(SEE the Sacred Eagle Estate’s VIDEO, LOOK ABOVE at
Multi-Platinum winner/ Co-Host of the American Country Awards
(Photos shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the red carpet and in the Garden Arena studio.)
I love attending the Academy Awards and all of the other major professional recognitions of excellence in their crafts. This was my first time covering the American Country Awards as I went to interview the celebrities on the Red Carpet.
Carrie Underwood, Artist of the Year-Female.
The excitement began as the celebrities arrived. Even though it was unusually cold this afternoon, the females walked the red carpet in their beautiful gowns along with the males in western attire.
Craig Campbell, ACA Performer, 3 time Nominee,
There were some new names in country music and many of countries’ superstars. Multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins, co-host with Tony award winner Kristin Chenoweth, admitted he had not followed instructions when he hosted last year’s ACA awards but now perhaps Kristin will keep him in line. During the duo’s hilarious scene, Kristin was hanging by her specially designed jeans which fit around both of them while Trace swung her back and forth. Trace’s well built body stands 6’6” with Kristin’s small 4’11” made this even wilder.
American Idol's Scotty McCreery, New Artist of the Year,
The audience enjoyed the featured performances by Alabama, Toby Keith, Eli Young Band, The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery, Pistol Annies, Blake Shelton, Thompson Square and Chris Young.
Chris Young, Breakthrough Artist, Single of the Year Award
(Photos shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the live show except for two as indicated.)
French-born Stephane Vanel brought a different type of magic to the Paris Resort. Stephane’s “The Magic of Paris” show is a perfect match, oh, la, la, as French as they get!
Stephane’s smooth card manipulations were amazing. Some of his classic movements were mixed with new innovations while others were his own creations. Switching from cards to coins and balls, Stephane took slight-of-hand magic to another level.
Stephane’s White Box illusion finale deserves rave reviews. The White Box is small and narrow only big enough for his petite female assistant. Once she enters the box the audience only sees her hands continuously moving. After he keeps making the box smaller and smaller, the audience wonders, “What happened to the girl?” You really have to experience this illusion for yourself.
Even though I was photographing the show near the stage, I couldn’t see how he did it!
Besides making objects or people appear and disappear at will, Stephane’s dancing talents are also demonstrated in his very sensual, hot tango that would probably win on “Dancing with the Stars”.
(Photo by Holden Jay)
Although Stephane has appeared in several Las Vegas shows, this is his first time as headliner. His credits include a seven-year run in MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris, as well as appearances in “Crazy Girls” at the Riviera. In France, Vanel gained fame hosting his own television series “Fun TV Magic” and soon became a worldwide success noted for his charm and magical skills.
But there is more than magic and illusions, you will be happy to see the show is also packed with a variety of acts-
Mark Kornhauser-
comedian Mark Kornhauser’s comedy, puppeteer Anthony Rais and a pair of beautiful female dancers.
(Photos were shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the White Carpet and at Nikki Beach.)
Imagine the most fabulous beach designed for your pleasure. It’s more than just a beach but a complete luxurious lifestyle filled with nightclubs, restaurants, pool parties, shopping, entertainment, a beach club, and everything else to enhance your stay.
After spending over 180 million dollars on the transformation of the legendary Tropicana Hotel, Nikki Beach sparkles as the latest spectacular addition.
With so many choices, once you visit Nikki Beach you will long to repeat this incredible experience.
It is important to identify which Nikki Beach because there are so many of them. Most of the guests I interviewed this evening never had the thrill of being at any of the Nikki Beaches. The famous Nikki Beach group have thrilled guests in eleven cities in nine countries: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St. Tropez, France; St. Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Cabaret, Dominican Republic; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; and also at the Cannes Film Festival, France, and the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada.
When I finally had a chance to take a tour, the entrance led into an enormous night club, and then finally, there in its white splendor was the dazzlingly radiant Nikki Beach.
Like a movie set, the action flowed from one tiered section to the next. You can watch from the pool, have privacy in the Teepee Cabanas, or try the extra large elevated Opium Beds, and special lounging areas everywhere.
Dine . . . Drink . . . Play . . . and Continue the Party Day and Night.
During the opening festivities, girls wore tables around their waste that were filled with food like human tables.
The entertainment is all around you! With stilt-walkers dancing on top of railings and any other space available, the infectious music continued to entice the crowd to dance.
In 1998, Nikki Beach introduced the world to the ultimate beach club concept, bringing together dining, fashion, art, music and entertainment.
Over a decade later, Nikki Beach continues to make its mark in the world’s hottest addresses and trendsetting locales, “It’s going to be a mix between Miami and St. Tropez,” says Nikki Beach’s Mike Penrod.
Adds his father and Nikki Beach owner Jack Penrod, “What we’re doing is taking the best of all of the Nikki Beach locations and bringing parts here.
This will be the largest venue in the Nikki Beach family at The Tropicana Hotel, in Las Vegas, recently claiming the #1 spot on The Travel Channel’s “World’s Sexiest Beach Bars.”
Looking for fun places to go where you can meet people and have a great time?
An attractive patio leads into the store with each room specializing in a different musical instrument. Whatever you want, it is probably in one of the rooms.
During the tour of the center, I stopped to watch their organ class and it was obvious they were enjoying themselves. The teacher made learning to play the organ fun. The feeling continued at their get together afterwards with snacks and soft drinks for everyone.
Jim Mason, the owner, explained, “It is almost like a social club tied to music. That’s the way to do it. We introduced so many people to music over the years and developed the love of music and friendship outside music.”
Maybe romance!
Jim is proud of their lessons. “The ages range from 4 up to 85 years old. Everybody loves music, it is universal. Whether they are rich or poor, young or old, music transcends everything. Some people have no experience they cannot play a single note and you should see their progress. They have over 50 teachers providing from 6-8,000 private and group lessons every month on organs, pianos, guitars, violins, and all types of instruments. With the American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and all of the other shows, young budding stars can get that clarinet or trombone and take lessons. Our store has the largest private lesson program in Nevada.
I saw a unique Steinway Square Grand piano which is now obsolete, (Continued)
(Photos shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the live show.)
RICH LITTLE- THE KING OF IMPRESSIONS
I have enjoyed reviewing Rich Little’s show beginning in the 80’s and throughout the years to his most recent opening night for “Laugh a Little”, at the Starlight Theater, inside the Riviera Hotel.
A master of impressions, Rich has led the way with his spoofs and good natured satirical sketches.
It’s nothing personal; the impressions are all very funny.
With a little singing and a little dancing, Rich sparks up his new material and old favorites.
And there’s always some new impressions keeping up with the recent news and events.
One shtick that is always funny is his “Political” commentary.
Whenever he is going to “talk politics”, Rich suddenly burst into his special number, “Sing a Little song about Washington” pausing for impressions of Clinton,
President Bush- senior and junior, Carter, Reagan, and Nixon.
Rich understands politicians with an ability to choose the funny side of politics.
He dances around and sometimes marches to the beat of the music.
I was happy to see Murray Sawchuck again and followed my GPS directions to his home.
Before entering I asked, “Murray, you perform illusions with tigers and other wild animals, do you keep any wild animals in your home?” I didn’t know what to expect.
Murray laughed, “No, only two Chihuahuas, that’s as dangerous as it gets.
It was a charming home with exceptionally big rooms, high ceilings, and plenty of space for comfort but not for disappearing a train or any of his other grand illusions. Murray’s memorabilia and souvenirs of his trips filled the walls. Upstairs he had a great balcony-style view of the living room. Outside there was a golf tee and garden.
Murray, “I love living here in Las Vegas. The yard is my yoga, a place for me to relax.
Sandy, “You have a new title as Historical Magic Consultant for the Pawn Stars television program on the History Channel.”
Murray, “People bring items in to be pawned, whenever the Pawn Stars have memorabilia or anything that is magic related they bring it to me. I examine the memorabilia to determine whether the item is real and authenticate it.”
(Photos shot by Sandy Zimmerman during the live show.)
Ricky Martin brought all of the passion of his “Musica + Alma + Sexo” show to Caesars Palace’s Colosseum Theater. From the moment the show opened with a video of Ricky bound in chains struggling to free himself to the frantic beat of his finale, Ricky’s show was Hot . . . Hot . . . Hot!
The excitement built into a frenzy of sensual dancing and pulsating music. With such a high energy performance and seemingly non-stop action, each number became more explicit than the last. They named the show “Musica + Alma + Sexo” (Music, Soul and Sex), a perfect description of what to expect. The stage was “on-fire” with Ricky and his dancers in their daring interpretations of each song.
I enjoyed the uncontrollable, frantic emotion of the dancing combined with Ricky’s raw animal magnetism. His performance touched the audience and I think Ricky will gain many new fans. He really took command of the stage.
It seemed like a simple three tiered metallic scaffold bridge setting divided into nine squares but Ricky can make anything exciting. Ricky and his dancers slid down poles and moved about the squares using them as props for their choreography. Even the shirtless guitarists joined in the dancing while playing.
When you visit Del Friscos, do not miss seeing the most amazing $1.2 million dollar James Bond table. Looking like a normal table at first, Jacque touched her remote control pad and the table suddenly opened to present the James Bond OO7 Films Wine Collection. Eighteen magnums of Cabernet wine from Napa Valley wineries each represent different Bond films. These one- of-a kind bottles are each laser-edged.