September to bring plenty of entertainment to remember
Doo-wop was our music, so let's celebrate our musical heritage Sept. 8 when Sam's Town presents Another Evening of Pop and Doo Wop. The evening features Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters; The Contours and Fifth Avenue.
Turner arrived on the national music scene in 1959 at age 19 when he was chosen from among 100 prospects to replace The Platters' original lead singer, Tony Williams. The Contours charted eight songs in the '60s, including Motown's first million-seller, "Do You Love Me." Fifth Avenue, a quartet from Las Vegas, blends jazz, swing, pop, doo-wop, classic rock and barbershop. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20. 284-7777. www.samstownlv.com.
Remembering Marilyn
It's hard to believe it's been 50 years (Aug. 5, 1962) since the death of Marilyn Monroe. However, her star still shines for millions of fans around the world who continue to be fascinated by her life, her talent and her beauty. Those unique features are being celebrated at Martin Lawrence Galleries at The Forum Shops at Caesars through a one-of-a-kind art show. This display complements the works of Warhol, Picasso, Chagall and Erté that are also being exhibited. Martin Lawrence Galleries is near the Atlantis Fountain Show and Aquarium. Hours are 10 a.m-11 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-midnight weekends. 991-5990 or vegas@
martinlawrence.com.
Remembering Tito
The great Latin music legend Tito Puente passed away in 2000 at age 77. He won seven Grammy Awards, released 158 albums and performed thousands of shows around the world. "My father's music was vibrant, exciting, and magical," said his son Tito Puente Jr. "It made people happy, and my goal is to keep it alive and expose it to a whole new generation."
Tito Jr. is bringing his father's music to the Cannery Hotel at 8 p.m. Sept. 22, when he will lead his 11-piece band through songs such as "Oy Como Va," "I Like It Like That" and "Macarena." Tickets start at $24.95. 856-5300. www.cannerycasino.com.Remembering The Titanic
"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the Luxor keeps on giving. Just when we thought we had seen everything that could be gleaned from this historic vessel, new and never-before-seen artifacts have been put on display. They include two postcards from Tonopah that were sent to Howard Irwin and Henry Sutehall. One shows "The Can House," a house built entirely out of oil cans in the mining town; the other features a poem intended as an apology for not writing when letters were expected. Also on display are long cotton underwear labeled "unshrinkable" and a Selvyt polishing cloth from the well-known British company that has manufactured high-end polishing cloths for more than 100 years. Tickets are $32 for adults, $30 for seniors and $24 for children 4-12. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 262-4400 or 800-557-7428.
Praise the Showgirl
The longest-running show on the Strip, Donn Arden's "Jubilee!" at Bally's, is celebrating its 31st anniversary as the last-standing quintessential showgirl show in Las Vegas. Synonymous with Las Vegas, the intrigue surrounding the iconic and ultra-glamorous showgirl remains as true today as when the show opened in 1981. Were you there?
" 'Jubilee!' has a staying power unlike that of any other show," said Diane Palm, company manager. "There is something both intriguing and iconic about the showgirl, even in today's day and age. People are drawn to the gorgeous, larger-than-life rhinestone and feather costumes."
"Jubilee!," conceived, staged and directed by the legendary Arden, is an elaborate retro-glam extravaganza featuring lavish costumes, dazzling scenery, dynamic music, graceful pageantry and of course, showgirls wearing their trademark bright shade of red lipstick. "Jubilee!" plays nightly at
7:30 and 10:30. The show is dark on Fridays. 967-4222 or 800-237-7469.
Awesome '80s Music
The only time I ever used the word "awesome" was watching Mickey Mantle blast a home run over the right- field fence in the old Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. My children used the word all the time when describing groups such as Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Gos, A Flock of Seagulls and Men Without Hats, whose hit, "The Safety Dance," is kind of awesome. These three groups will be at the Henderson Pavilion (200 S. Green Valley Parkway) performing awesome hits such as "Our Lips Are Sealed," "We Got the Beat," "Heaven Is a Place on Earth," "Pop Goes the World," and "I Ran (So Far Away)" The concert is at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. Tickets are $20 at www.hendersonlive.com.
And Finally
Every year Morris and Sylvia went to the State Fair, and every year Morris would say how he would like to ride in the airplane. And every year Sylvia would say, "I know, Morris, but the airplane ride costs $10, and $10 is $10."
One year they went to the fair and Morris said, "Sylvia, I'm 71 years old, and if I don't ride the airplane this year, I may never get another chance."
"I know," said Sylvia, "but that airplane ride costs $10, and $10 is $10."
The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you up for a free ride on one condition. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won't charge you the $10."
Morris and Sylvia agreed. The pilot does all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word is heard. He does all his tricks again but still not one word. The pilot lands and turns to Morris and says, "By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't."
Morris replied, "Well, I was going to say something when Sylvia fell out, but $10 is $10."
Jack Bulavsky is a 35-year Nevadan and has covered the entertainment, dining and gaming industries for local and national publications. Contact him at jackbulavskky@yahoo.com.
