Frankie Tease Blog

Shawn Halpin Headlined LA Comedy Club 6/20/13  Photo by Frankie Tease Joaquin Trujillo and Matt Chavez have had the LA Comedy Club (Las Vegas) brand since 2007. In those six years they have danced through many worthy venues in town, always keeping a great lineup of local, regional, and national talent. Why else would they be able to pull off six shows a week? It all started at Palace Station, moved to Trader Vics and when Trader Vics closed down, they went on to the Four Queens for two years downtown, then moved back to Cabo Wabo to reclaim their spot (same spot at Trader Vics, different operator). Now it's traversed to Bally's. Trujillo stated "We are kind of a hybrid, we cater to tourists, but we have always catered to locals as well. They always get a two for one ticket price, and we issue special tickets to locals who have always supported us when we invite them on down". It's also worth mentioning that they have an all-you-can-drink special at every

Walking the Strip by Frankie Tease Entertainment Tax Bill Shot Down There are many who've been following the recent proposed entertainment bill that would add a tax of between 8-10% for all Nevadans in the industry. Kirkpatrick re-wrote and presented the bill, and it still got shot down. There are small and huge festivals sighing a huge breath of relief including the annual Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) and the National Bullriding Convention (NBR) to name a couple of ginormous ones. Something tells me that won't be heard about anytime soon, and to think they even were considering taxing gyms as entertainment. Film Incentive Tax Score Nevada went a step in the direction of entering the modern world this month when Senator Aaron D. Ford (District 11) successfully got a bill giving anyone who films in Nevada a financial incentive. Find out about the details and how it can create new jobs on this video by the Senator himself.  http://youtu.be/AcBMYy0vOuw . Nevada w

Catherine d'Lish by bluehairmedia.com The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend  held its 56th annual all-star Burlesque Showcase and Tournament of Tease Weekender Event, May 30 - June 2, 2013 at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, which was established as a fundraiser for the Burlesque Hall of Fame's at what is now a tiny little museum storefront in Downtown Las Vegas. The event has been held at many locations in the past since 2006 when it moved from Los Angeles to Vegas. Venues for the event have included the Palms, The Celebrity Theater, and The Plaza Hotel. The Hall's Weekender has experienced a lot of drama among organizers including during 2011, rivalry among board members [ Wall St. Journal ]. But there was no sign of any of strife at this year's event held during the first week of June as is its tradition featuring a competition, awards, and showcases. Icons and Allstars at BHOF by Blue Hair Media A highlight of the 2013 event was when Dita V

Diaz Mackie at Sapphire Comedy Hour Vegas  now on "Bad Decisions" Tour - Photo by Frankie Tease A little over a year ago I saw a couple sets from Diaz Mackie and saw how much he was versatile with every audience. He had been in Vegas working hard for over seven years. Recently he came back to do a week, and I caught up with him at the Sapphire Comedy Hour at Sapphire Strip Club on Industrial. The room was pretty great, and his set was hilarious. I caught some video, photos, and later caught some patio time with this now very national headlining touring comedian. One of the questions is "what is Diaz Mackie's porn name"? Need I say more? FT: How do you keep your material original, fresh? DM:They come from me. I come off of my own experiences and exaggerate it. I take something from every day and make notes. FT:Do you write a lot down? DM:I don't. I take mental notes. FT:You don't write your ideas down? Do you have a photographic

Eric Wilson (L-bass Original Sublime member), Josh Freese (C-drums since '12), Rome Rameriz (R-vocals and guitar since '09). Sublime with Rome fans got a treat for Rehab's 10 year anniversary at Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas. Full event coverage will follow on this site, stay tuned. Photo by Frankie Tease. SEE FULL COLLECTION OF  EVENT PHOTOS OF SUBLIME WITH ROME AT REHAB 10 YR. ANNIVERSARY PARTY, HARD ROCK HOTEL LAS VEGAS 

The Sunday portion of Viva Las Vegas commenced with those who could still walk and operate all of their bodily functions. Miles of walking, drinks, mingling with old friends, seeing more shows than you could in a month, were taking their toll on members attending VLV16 by Sunday. But the coveted dance contest hadn't yet taken place, the Satin Dollz weekend closing show, nor had I taken pictures of the VIP cars which had the coveted spots as you enter the Orleans Hotel. Here it all is. Not all really, just a sampling by photo and video. Full reviews of VLV16 are forthcoming on this website and our ebook series. Check out the other two books with Viva interviews and reviews at  http://www.frankietease.com/p/ebooks.html   , ebooks that is.  The classic car VIP section had many styles of oldies represented.  The last show in the Orleans Showroom to take place had a great attendence, and after seeing the show, I now know why. It was the surprise of the weekend for me.

The sticky floors and crowded conditions faded away from the moment the first cord was sung. Reverend Horton Heat just played here in Vegas in December, and somehow we got him again a few months later. LVCS (@lvsaloon on Twitter) was holding a Bee Bop A Lula weekend to run along side of Viva Las Vegas 16. I loved hearing Reverend Horton Heat perform "Bales of Cocain" from the early days, and the crowd sing along to almost every word. Many fans of the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender were present. After the finale' Rev was mobbed for photos and autographs. There were many true fans there that night. The concert wrapped with a drum solo from long-time member Scott Churilla. Wow, drum juggling? I've never seen that. Check for the ever constant tour dates at reverendhortonheat.com Read my exclusive one hour interview with Reverend Horton Heat http://www.frankietease.com/2013/09/reverend-horton-turns-up-heat-in-2013.html FOLSOM PRISON FINALE

After the Viva Las Vegas 16 Weekender car show greatness ended, the party continued inside. Topping his performance from last year was Si Cranstoun. Commotion arose during his set and singing of his original tune "Right Girl", a doo wop splendor. Turns out someone was proposing to his 'right girl' in the middle of the dance floor. A moment we all shared. Si packed the Ballroom at the Orleans Hotel with standing room, massive swing dancers, and people gathering to listen in the hall outside. I believe the ballroom holds about 1,000. Lots of us remember Si from 2012 when he stole our hearts with his first U.S. performance. Read my complete in-depth exclusive stateside interview from this London-based entertainer who brings Jackie Wilson to life in our ebook the  Best of Frankie Tease Magazine Vol. 1 . To see the full collection of Si at Viva 16 photos, click the below link. VIEW FULL SI CRANSTOUN VIVA LAS VEGAS 16  PHOTO ALBUM BY FRANKIE TEASE

Pin Up Springs into Stratosphere The newest show addition to the Las Vegas strip is called Pin Up . The cast and crew are star studded, and so are the producers. Stratosphere Entertainment Director Matt Mascali says the new lighting for the show was delayed in shipping and has happily pushed the opening date from Feb. 25 to Mar. 2, 2013.  "We owe it to our performers to make sure every component matches the massive talent on stage" he stated. Who's involved in the creation of the show? Co-Producer and Best Strip Headliner Frankie Moreno, Trumpeter and the show's music composer Dave Perrico (six piece live backing band), choreographer Lacey Schwimmer of DWTS and SYTYCD. The show will also feature many singers and backing dancers who've been in rehearsal for months at the Stratosphere Showroom, where it will be housed. The show is said to be inspired by classic pin up calendars and stars Claire Sinclair who was Miss October 2010 in Playboy Magazine, a

photos and article by Frankie Tease The band are four. The band are powerful. The band are merciless in demanding you participate with them in celebrating great music. The show was Feb. 9, 2013 at Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, and was one of several shows they did that weekend. For the one I attended, they opened for Band of Skulls, but I would not have known they were the opener were it not billed so. They owned this room and owned this stage. And the fact that the music is written by all members of the band shows its sustainability. During their stent at Hard Rock they opened for legendary UK Rock Gods the Who, which presented the Quadraphenia album in its entirety. Not bad. They've toured England and back, and are an L.A. based band who have been creating " trouble  makers" (as their fans are known) for over two years. They've released one studio album entitled "The Bomb Shelter Sessions" featuring 14 original rock and soul songs. The b

Rosanne Barr Now at Tropicana Rosanne Barr comes to the Laugh Factory at Tropicana creating a new schedule for Celebrity Magician Murray who'll be moved to the 5pm slot check murraysawchuck.com for his new schedule. Barr is famous for her TV shows, and will now be holding the dinner slot at the newly renovated Hotel's comedy club. Visiting headliner shows will remain at 8 and 10pm at Vegas Laugh Factory. It is indeed getting busier for the club since its 2012 open. Bill's Gambling Hall Closes for Improvement Bill's Gambling Hall has been closed for renovation to be reopened in 2014 (Bill's is across from Bally's, Bellagio, and Ceaser's at Flamingo). It is slated to be a 'lifestyle boutique' hotel with a 65,000 foot rooftop pool being installed and Drai Management overseeing the new day and night clubs. As a Ceaser's property, patrons are being referred to cross the street for their entertainment and hotel stay needs in Vegas. Good Luck

Photo Credit: Scott Shuster As I entered the LVBC studio, I saw about 15 female students filling up the seats as New York City's Jo Weldon lectured. The topic they came to learn was two-fold. One: How to Be Prepared for Press, Producers, and Festival Applications was available during the first segment and Two: Striptease Expertise for the latter half which is billed as Weldon's signature class. An amazingly low rate of $30 was asked for the two classes combined, or $20 taken separately. The award-winning founder of the New York School of Burlesque, Weldon has written the first known 'how to' book on Burlesque entitled The Burlesque Handbook [HarperCollins/ItBooks 2010]. Widely recognized as a leading expert in today's modern world of Strip Tease and Burlesque, this is Weldon's first time teaching at any Vegas studio. The students were varied: young, old, tall, thin, heavy, casual, to fixed-up pin-ups, just proving Burlesque and Weldon's w

I encountered Mark Giovo while on assignment photographing Ann Marie's 90th birthday party at the world famous old style Vegas Italian restaurant "Casa Di Amore". The unassuming restaurant is hidden way off-strip on East Tropicana. The 150 or so capacity dinner house has a small stage and sound system as well as more seating at the bar, where you can also take in dinner. This particular night was full of about 100 guests for the birthday party, and there was also a just-married couple who chose to spend their night at Casa Di Amore. I was so busy with the party photography that only part of me was focused on the singer on stage backed by the house drummer Clyde Dual and keyboardist Ronnie Payne. The singer in question? Mark Giovi. Mark is disabled, (his left arm is shorter than his right) but you only notice it for about the first 15 seconds of seeing him. After that, all you'll ever notice is his boyish good looks (at age 44) and that voice. Possessing th

We're hard at work editing and finalizing the amazing 25 or so articles and interviews for the Best of Frankie Tease Magazine Vol. 2 . Do us one favor and tell all your friends about the candid and spectacular interviews with today's stage stars who've come through Vegas during July - Dec. of 2012, which will be in the book. What a half year it's been! Here is a couple teaser photos from the multi-part Reverend Horton Heat interview and show review, which will be featured in the new eBook "Best of Frankie Tease Magazine Vol.2". Enjoy, and thanks for your understanding as we scurry to deadline. The Reverend Horton Heat is a trio out of Dallas, Texas, that tours through the U.S. constantly. They play all types of music, but mainly Rockabilly. Photo by Frankie Tease. Pictured: L- Jim Heath (aka Reverend Horton Heat), C- Scott Churilla, R- Jimbo Wallace.

Melody Sweets has had music featured on MTV, VH1, A&E and National Geographic on hit shows such as Celebrity Fit Club and PUNK’D. She is also the first performer in the history of burlesque to have produced, written and starred in her own music video for “Slice of Heaven.” A lover of the arts, Melody Sweets has had the privilege of performing for and collaborating with such acclaimed artists including STING, Björk, Moby, Alice Cooper, The Bravery, Marc Jacobs, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Adriana Lima and Harvey Keitel." Since 2011 fans and tourists in Vegas have enjoyed the starring role Melody Sweets plays in the top-notch production Absinthe. As promised during my 2012 interview with her (in Best of Frankie Tease Magazine Vol.1 eBook) the star has brought an entire album of her original brand of music to us entitled "Burlesque in the Black" . Enchanted by her voice and style, many fanatic fans have been waiting more than a year as the artist worked t

The Chandler Judkins Groovin' High Orchestra Well I've heard there was swing dancing in Vegas, but so far never found it.  Until now, I thought swing dancing in Vegas might be just a desert mirage. Alas, it is not so thanks to Swingin' Tuesdays at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. I wouldn't have known about it in my circles unless I had attended the Frankie Moreno Live show at the Stratosphere last week. In chatting with the Trumpet player, I found out there were regular nights in Vegas to dance and see Swing to, and one is coming up in December. You'll be in good hands with The "Groovin' High Orchestra". A free show with a Burlesque dancer, and continuous open dance floor to swing on. I have it on good authority that dancers show up too. Well, at least the trumpet player who I mentioned earlier says so. His name is Chandler Judkins .  Mandalay Bay is a large hotel and casino in Vegas located near the Luxor on Las Vegas Blvd. and Mandal

Rock of Ages Dec. Open at the Venetian Hairbands are all the rage in this 80's extravaganza Broadway Show hitting the Strip which opens Dec. 18, 8pm at Rock of Ages Theater at Venetian. Live music accompaniment (yeah not recorded!) brings the Tony-award winning Broadway hit to Vegas. The show is described as a party, and what better place to party than the Vegas Strip? New Jazz Testament at Cosmopolitans Chandelier Bar Thurs. and Fri. Nov. 29-30, catch "New Jazz Testament" at the Cosmopolitan Chandelier Bar. A free-to-attend five-piece straight-ahead Jazz band that's described as a "very cool hang". Ironic description since they're playing the Chandelier Bar. You may recognize the trumpet player from the hit Vegas Strip show at the Stratosphere, as he plays the horn for Frankie Moreno Live four days a week. Holiday Show at Springs Reserve Take-in the city lights with friends and family with a per-car rate at the Springs Reserve. Bathed in

The Venetian's Faux Ice Rink is Back The second year of Winter in Venice is getting under way this week at the Venetian. Enjoy ice skating, gondola rides, and live outdoor and indoor free events as well as glowing L.E.D spectacularness during the most wonderful time of the year. What's unique is that the skate rink atop the water in front of the Italian-themed resort is actually recycled polymer (no ice was created in the making of this rink). The rubber-like surface is treated with oil to remain slick for skating. I saw the rehearsal for the skate shows which will be offered free twice per night Nov. 18 - Jan. 6, 2012. Skate rentals will be available for willing participants. Real Ice Skating Rink at the Cosmopolitan Looks like the Cosmopolitan is getting in on the skate rink action this year, only with real ice in place of their Boulevard Pool . The Cosmo starts their festivities Nov. 30 post Thanksgiving Day, through Jan. 20, well past the New Year. Children over a

photo courtesy of lasvegas-nv.com What's it take for a local professional comedian to get a gig in the town of Las Vegas? It takes talent and hard work. Spending over a year opening for Louie Anderson at his own club, this stand-up gent finally has his own gig. Anthony Padilla headlines the new show (a few months old) called Comedy After Dark  Thursday through Sunday at the Shimmer Lounge at LVH , just off-strip. Now he gets to make fun of the times he spent with Louie Anderson, and to bring his compadres and travelling mega-comedians from all over the country. Though he introduces other guests this doesn't diminish the talent he brings including his famous biting wit and story-telling. Padilla has previously appeared on The CW Network, A&E, The History Channel, and Lifetime to name a few. Now, he has his own headliner show and also does a radio show weekly with Scott Prichard on Vegas Video Network (a show about sports betting). Padilla knows a thing or two abo