Dangerous Curves at The Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas

On Tuesday, my vocal trio “Dangerous Curves” had the wonderful opportunity to provide the entertainment for the Las Vegas Towne Club luncheon at the BEAUTIFUL Four Seasons Hotel! It was truly a fantastic experience from start to finish. To begin with, the staff at the Four Seasons was so helpful and accommodating to us…particularly Lauren (group sales), Dan (audio/visual), and Max (bellman). A big thank you to them for all their help!

We arrived around 10am to set up our sound equipment and do a quick run-through with our incredible sound man, Wayne Rogers (my Dad!), and then took a break to get some coffee and relax while the ladies gathered and had their lunch. Then, about 1pm, we began our performance. The show went GREAT! The ladies were so responsive and complimentary of our program (which we customized specifically for them):

• SING / IS THIS ANYWAY TO FALL IN LOVE
• OLD TIME RADIO MEDLEY (Sentimental Journey, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Old Cape Cod)
• CLOUDBURST
• JUDY GARLAND MEDLEY (Get Happy, You Made Me Love You, Trolley Song, San Francisco, Rock-A-Bye My Baby With a Dixie Melody, Smile, Mr. Monotony, Man That Got Away, Over the Rainbow)
• MOON RIVER
• LULLABY OF BROADWAY
• AIN’T NOBODY HERE BUT US CHICKENS
• I’M A WOMAN
• I LOVE BEING HERE WITH YOU

Following our 45 minute show, we were able to talk with many of the ladies as they were leaving, and several of them took business cards from us, saying that they would like to pass our information along to other groups who might be looking for entertainment. Always a good sign!!! I also received a wonderful note in the mail yesterday from June Schule (Vice President of Programs, Las Vegas Towne Club)…she wrote the following:

“Dear Lisa…On behalf of the Las Vegas Towne Club, and myself, I thank you very much for a great performance at our recent luncheon. You and the ladies gave us such a good time. We appreciated your talent, your energy, your professionalism and your ability to fit the program to the audience. I received so many pats on the back because I was smart enough to book you. As I told you before, I wish I could book you every month…I look forward to seeing you perform again!”

Wasn’t that sweet of her???? Yay…makes me happy to get such great feedback!

If you’d like to find out more about Dangerous Curves, please visit our website at www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com. You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

DISNEYLAND Great for Gluten-Free!

A couple of weeks ago, Ron and I headed down to California to celebrate our friend Dennis’ birthday at “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland! I’d heard recently that Disney had been making some changes to their menu offerings in order to accommodate their Gluten-Free guests, but I had no idea just how MUCH they were doing. Boy, were we ever impressed!!!

To begin with, we met Dennis and his family at Downtown Disney for dinner on Sunday evening. As I usually do, I called ahead to the restaurant to check on the menu and make sure there would be something I could eat, and I was told by the hostess that all I needed to do was inform our server that I needed to eat gluten-free and that they would absolutely be able to accommodate me. Good answer! When we arrived at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, we were seated in a FABULOUS little private dining room upstairs (there were about 15 of us in the party) and I talked with our server about my options. There were a TON of choices for me! I decided on the Barbecue Gulf Shrimp (minus the French bread croutons) appetizer and the Seafood Jambalaya for dinner. Wow….talk about delicious! The Jambalaya was absolutely AMAZING!!!  I highly recommend this restaurant.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen: Located in the Downtown Disney® District, our two story replica of traditional French Quarter architecture includes a ground floor, interior, open-air courtyard flanked by a quick service dining facility (Creole Cafe) and a New Orleans-style jazz club (Flambeaux’s) Upstairs in the Carnival Club you’ll find traditional New Orleans dining rooms and an outdoor ‘Jazz balcony’ with seating that overlooks the revelry of Downtown Disney. For over fifty years, Ralph Brennan and his family have proudly served the finest Louisiana ingredients and our Chef, Darrin Finkel, has peppered those celebrated flavors throughout our menus. The Jazz Kitchen boasts festive, ‘Big Easy themed’ private party facilities and comprehensive event planning services. From our mouthwatering Louisiana cuisine to the live jazz played at Flambeaux’s every night, every detail of the Jazz Kitchen delivers on the promise of New Orleans. Pricing is moderate with entrees at lunch in the $7 – $15 dollar range and at dinner in the $13 – $25 dollar range. A full wine list, wine by the glass and a full bar are available throughout the day.

The next morning we caught the shuttle from our hotel (got a GREAT deal, once again, from Priceline.com…had a fabulous SUITE, with microwave and refrigerator included, at the Hilton Suites Anaheim/Orange for only $60 per night!) to the Disneyland resort. After picking up our 1-Day Park Hopper tickets from will-call (a BIG thank you to Dave Overcash for the tickets!!!!), we stopped by the Disneyland City Hall to pick up our complimentary Gluten-Free Guide to the Disneyland Parks & Resorts (an 11 page print-out describing all of the places you can eat gluten-free at Disneyland, California Adventure, and their 3 hotels!) and met up with our friends for a fabulously FUN day!

Oh my goodness, I can’t even begin to describe how many restaurants and vendors at Disneyland and California Adventure offer gluten-free options now…it was amazing! I was actually able to get a Hamburger with a DELICIOUS Gluten-Free Bun and French Fries (cooked in a separate fryer) at the Village Haus Restaurant in Adventureland. To be honest, I can’t even REMEMBER how long it’s been since I’ve had a hamburger WITH bun! I felt just like a “regular” person!!! :) Some of the other options available at different restaurants were Gluten-Free Cheese & Pepperoni Pizza and Gluten-Free Pasta (at Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland), Quesadillas made with Corn Tortillas (Rancho Del Zocalo in Frontierland), Gluten-Free Waffles (Plaza Inn), Hot-Dogs with Gluten-Free Buns (Coke Corner) and SO MUCH MORE!

Kudos to Disneyland for all they are doing to accommodate their guests with dietary issues, like those of us with Celiac Disease. It’s so wonderful to know that we can enjoy a vacation somewhere without having to worry if there’s going to something to eat! Thanks Disney!!!!!!!

Gig at Addison’s Lounge, Rampart Casino

Last weekend, Friday, February 5th, I had the opportunity to sing with the wonderful Gary Olds Trio (Chuck Hoover on keyboards; Jeff Davis on bass; Gary Olds on drums/vocals) at Addison’s Lounge, Rampart Casino, over in Summerlin. What a great night we had! The room was absolutely packed and the crowd was awesome. To be honest, I was a bit worried going in because the casino had accidentally switched the dates in their advertising and some people came expecting to the group “Sixties Sensation” (who were actually there THIS weekend instead), but it turned out to be a really good thing. Mostly because it gave us the opportunity to play a HUGE range of styles (Jazz Standards & Big Band Music, R&B & Motown, Country & Blues, 1950’s-60’s Pop Oldies, etc.)…they loved everything we did, which was GREAT!

Here’s a little video I put together from that night:

As you can see, it was a lot of fun. And what a FABULOUS little venue that Addison’s Lounge is! The drinks are very reasonable, and they have LIVE music in there every Friday and Saturday night (can’t say that for very many places anymore). You can see a schedule of upcoming groups by clicking HERE.

The other really great thing about that night is that Ron got off work early enough to come and join my mother and me there (Ron did all the video-taping…so sweet :)). Just want to say a REALLY BIG thanks to the extremely TALENTED Gary Olds for bringing me in on the gig. I had an AMAZING time…you guys were a blast to play with! Um, let’s do it again real soon, okay??? Hee, hee…

Sin City Confidential!

Wednesday evening, my mom and I had the wonderful privilege of attending the invited dress rehearsal of Las Vegas’ newest Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, “Sin City Confidential.” We were invited by good friend Margaret Menzies of Dangerous Curves, who is one of six cast members making up this very fun, talented ensemble.

Here’s some information about the show from their website:

Sin City Confidential, written and directed by David Sebastian Bach and produced by BOTA Entertainment Int’l, provides a unique forum for audiences of all ages, and the cast, to interact with each other. The show takes theater goers through non-stop, side-splitting laughter, delicious food, and an unsolved mystery whose solution can win you a prize.

Barb Grant, Vice President of NV SAG Council, Stage Manager and Costume Designer, once again weaves her magic in this outstandingly funny show, performed “in the round.”

“The political situation in this country has become so terribly serious that I just couldn’t resist poking fun at some of its sacred cows”, says Writer/Director David Sebastian Bach. “Regardless of your political bent, or not, you will enjoy this tongue in cheek production”.

“We’ve also got an unbelievably talented and professional cast with natural comedic talent, and I’m honored and excited to work with them.”

Add to the mix a number of outrageously funny characters whose antics will leave you in stitches, and Sin City Confidential promises to thrill anyone in search of an evening of unforgettable fun, and a world class meal, just 5 minutes from the Strip.

Writer & Director David Sebastian Bach celebrates more than a half-century of experience in the entertainment industry internationally as a singer, song writer, actor, playwright, and director. His dinner theater productions won “Best of Phoenix” 5 years in a row.

The Tillerman is one of Nevada’s best known and most loved eating establishments.  Zagat rated, the Tillerman offers a menu to die for, with show attendees offered 4 delicious entrees to choose from, as a part of the four-course gourmet dinner served during the performance.

Sin City Confidential runs weekly, Thursday through Saturday, at The Tillerman, 2245 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV, 89119.

Ticket Price: $89.95 (includes tax)

Includes 4-course gourmet meal and show!

Doors open at 6:00pm. Show begins promptly at 7:00pm

THE CAST

John Hanks (as Senator Paul Bosun): John Hanks, a 20 “native” of Las Vegas, is co-producer and marketing director for the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company. He has appeared on stage in OKLAHOMA, THE MUSIC MAN, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS, and OUR TOWN.  He’s done numerous reality shows, game shows and commercials and impersonates Elvis, Gerry Garcia and Santa Claus. He says, “Dinner Theater is as good as it gets for an actor – close, intimate, total connection with the audience.  I love it.”

Trixie Lovett (as Abigail Bosun): While Trixie is a newcomer to Dinner Theater, she’s no novice to the stage, having 13 years dance experience.  She is a wife, and mother of two teenagers.  In her free time, Trixie enjoys practicing yoga and taking care of her pet pigs.

Mike Mackenzie (as Joe “Sparky” Lewis): From a modest start performing magic shows in his hometown of Bethlehem PA, to becoming a regular weekend radio air talent by age 14, Mike Mackenzie has been a performer for as long as he can remember.  In addition to acting here in Las Vegas he is also a professional voice over artist, voice actor and radio personality.  Mike is the voice of several radio stations around the country and has been heard on CBS, NBC, SPIKE TV and most recently for a pilot series for The National Geographic Channel.  His website is www.mikevoice.com.

Margaret Menzies (as Chastity Morgan): Margaret, a New England native, has made Vegas her home for the past 5 years.  She came west to co-write and Asst. Direct the Delisco Show (Winner, E! TV’s The Entertainer with Wayne Newton) at the Las Vegas Hilton.  She appeared in Tony & Tina’s Wedding for three years and has appeared in numerous TV, film and musical projects, and sings with the vocal jazz trio, Dangerous Curves.  She is a founding member and Musical Director for Atlas Theater Ensemble’s sketch comedy troupe “Feed the Monkey” and teaches voice, acting and piano.

Grace Kelly (as Sally Nolan): Grace served in the United States Marine corps for 4 years. For two of those years she was a Boxer for the Marine corps. At one point, she became the number 1 female amateur boxer in the USA.  She aspires to become an opera singer, and love to do Shakespearean plays. Currently she teaches drama/theater to children in “after school” programs.

Anthony Mingilino (as  Detective Sgt. Geovanni “Geo” Martini): – Anthony, originally from the town of Cicero outside of Chicago has been a resident of Las Vegas for over 10 years.  He is a five year member of the Screen Actors Guild, having worked in television, film and commercials.  He has also appeared in the comedy Joey & Maria’s Italian Wedding on the Las Vegas strip.  Anthony is the proud parent of two teenagers, a boy and a girl.  In his spare time he loves to play sports with his favorites being hockey and baseball. His favorite teams are the Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks and Da Bears.

For more info contact David Bach at 702-372-0400, www.sincityconfidential.com or to purchase tickets call the box office at 702-991-8550.