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Vegas Stratosphere Headliner Frankie Moreno's 2012 Release is Albums within Albums

Photo by John Knopf After seeing the Frankie Moreno Live show at the Stratosphere Thanksgiving Eve, I became a new fan of the man and the band. A writer, a thinker, a ridiculously intuitive entertainer, and someone that can give you the chills many times in one night from sheer talent, I buckled into the task of reviewing his first self-titled album. No pressure. The album is a completely different experience and feeling than seeing the band live. The album also totally captures the feeling of the band live. Let me explain.

"Groovin' High Orchestra" at House of Blues Mandalay Bay Dec. 4, 2012

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

Tidbits and Teasers: Rock of Ages Dec. Open, Swingin' Holiday Cheer at Chandelier, Springs Reserve L.E.D. Festivities

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

Teaser Quotes from "The Best of Frankie Tease Magazine Vol. 1" - New eBook Vol.2 Update

Well hello readers. It's been a while since we've talked about the eBook series I launched this year. Lets take a second to chat about what you've missed if you haven't read the book yet, via some favorite interview quotes from Vol. 1: Lisa Lampanelli: When asked if people understand her comedy: "I have this thing: never complain, never explain." Dirty Martini   When asked about how she got into Burlesque: "From the time I was in college, I was working with some of these ideas. Even before college, my choreographic pieces and some of my solo and group work pieces were very Burlesque." Director Mark Mori of "Bettie Page Reveals All"  When asked what it was like for Bettie fans viewing his film:  " When I saw  their reaction, how emotional they were when  they saw the film and how connected - they felt  connected with Bettie before the film - but then  to actually basically come as close as you can  to meeting and e

Tidbits and Teasers: Faux Ice Rink at The Venetian, The Cosmo Gets Iced, Hangover III on Fremont St.

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

Las Vegas Has Art? An Interview with Demecina Gray of the Las Vegas CAC

by Frankie Tease Photo transfer and mixed media on wood  by  Todd Duane Miller - "Tips Appreicated" now showing through Dec. 1 at Las Vegas CAC A November 2012 Saturday in Las Vegas was a beautiful time for me to start exploring the Arts District in my new town. I have known about several walks and events and of course, the famous First Friday event which is in the Old Vegas and Fremont Street area. There seem to be many points of origin for the art scene in Vegas, but are there really? I got lucky in stumbling on one of the oldest institutions in the art community here, and also lucky in speaking with and meeting a very informative Gallery Assistant one Demecina Gray of the Las Vegas  Contemporary Arts Center Downtown. The Downtown area has really grown recently, and so has the arts community. Gray stopped to answer a newbies questions of the Vegas art terrain, and to give me the best tips for where and when to see resident or visiting artists. But wouldn't

Tidbits and Teasers: Evlis Has Left the Building, Legends Leaves Harrah's, Taylor Exits Zowie Bowie

Elvis Has Left the Building That's right folks, "Viva Elvis" the flop of Cirque De Soleil has left the building. Did anyone notice? Probably not as the glitz and glam of the new spectacular $22 Billion budget show "Zarkana" has taken it's place at Aria. Viva Elvis' last performance ran Aug. 31, while Zarkana openened at Aria last weekend. I guess flying Elvis's isn't what audiences were after. Looks like it's good that Cirque is sticking with what it knows best: fantasy-world acrobats and circus. Legends Leaves Harrah's The "Legends" show enjoyed a record-breaking four years at Harrah's and has announced this will be the end of its run. Though the Legends show is a franchise that may show up elsewhere the last date played at Harrah's for the show will be Dec. 30, 2012. Catch impersonators of everyone who's anyone on the Legends stage, with live-music and vivacious singer-impersonators. From Nov. 23 you will s