Dangerous Curves “Women in Music” Show, FREE Outdoor Concert at Lorenzi Park!

Hi Gang,

Just wanted to add a quick note to let you know about an upcoming FREE CONCERT my vocal trio Dangerous Curves is giving for the Las Vegas community, sponsored by the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs. It’ll be a full 90-minute show (with one 15-min intermission) and will feature many of the Dangerous Curves’ tunes you’ve come to know and love, as well as several brand NEW arrangements. In this new show, we’ll be celebrating the women of JAZZ, past & present, and paying tribute to some of the BEST female singer/songwriters and arrangers of today. It is an outdoor concert, so bring your blankets and low-back chairs. There will even be REFRESHMENTS, WINE and other “Curvy Concessions” available for purchase…perfect for a DATE NIGHT or GIRLS NIGHT OUT (of course, families are welcome too)! :-) See below for other details:

• WHEN: Saturday, Sept 19th, 7:00pm (gates open at 6:30pm)
• WHERE: Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, Lorenzi Park, 720 Twin Lakes Drive (located on the west side of Lorenzi Park at West Washington Avenue between Rancho Drive and Valley View Boulevard. )

Hope to see you there! :-)

To learn more about Dangerous Curves, visit our website here! www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com

Dangerous Curves Has Been BUSY!

Dangerous Curves at Flamingo Library, April 19, 2pm

Wow, it’s been a CRAZY month for Dangerous Curves…crazy in a GOOD way.  Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to:

• Rehearsing and writing new material for our upcoming show at the Flamingo Library, April 19th, at 2:00pm.  We’re really excited about this show…lots of new songs, some cool multi-media effects we’re adding for the opening number and the Judy Garland section, an old-time radio medley (complete with vintage radio commercials and great Andrews Sisters songs) and NEW DRESSES!  Woohoo!!!  It’s been a TON of work putting it all together, but it’s going to be worth it!
• We also did a 20-minute guest spot at the “Hit Parade Show” a few weeks ago at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino. What a GREAT audience.  They are always so sweet and appreciative! Our show included the following songs: Sentimental Journey, Love Being Here With You, Faithless Love, How You Live, I’m A Woman, Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens.
• The following Sunday, we were invited to do a quick guest spot in the Kellie Wright & Friends show, hosted by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada. We sang Moon River and got a terrific response from the audience! Plus it was great to be accompanied by Tony Bronco again…Tony played piano for us when Dangerous Curves first appeared at the Bootlegger, back in September of 2007…great guy, great friend!
• This past Thursday, we had a guest appearance on the “Dennis Bono Show” at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.  It was a live taping of “Sam’s Town Live” for 91.5FM & 720AM radio. We sang our 3-part harmony version of Cloudburst and it turned out REALLY great (well, after they fixed the microphone problems, that is…we actually ended up having to tape it a second time because the first time only Karen’s mic was on…all ALTO, all the time…very funny).  The show aired at 6:00pm on 91.5FM Friday evening, and I actually got to hear it on the radio…so cool!
• We’ve also been preparing for our upcoming appearance at the Annual Awards Presentation & Barbecue for the Nevada State Veterans Home on the 25th.  We’ll be the featured entertainment for the event, and will be doing about an hour’s worth of music for them. Can’t wait to do our new “Old-Time Radio” Medley for THEM…they are going to love it!

So, while it has been crazy…it has also been great!  Very fun stuff…very rewarding.

To fnd out more about Dangerous Curves, and to hear preview tracks from our NEW CD, please visit our website at www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com.

“Swing City Dolls” at Bootlegger Bistro…

Connie, Robin, Natalie

On Sunday night, March 15th, Dangerous Curves headed out to the Bootlegger Bistro to see our friend Robin Vincent perform with her vintage swing trio called “Swing City Dolls.” How fun!!!  They put on a really entertaining show from start to finish.  Very vintage, very cute.

The trio of girls (Connie Murray, Robin Vincent, and Natalie Carson) have been together for over 10 years (some of you may have known them previously as “The Swing Sisters.”)  Their repertoire for this 90-minute show consisted of several of the ‘classic’ trio songs that you would expect (songs like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy & Apple Blossom Time) and a few which came as a complete surprise (like a medley of hits from QUEEN, done vintage-swing style… I’m not kidding…really!).  I have to hand it to their musical director and drummer, Jim Belk…he has written some incredibly clever arrangements for them! Plus, I really want to compliment them on their patter between the songs…very cute, and very natural sounding.

"Dangerous Curves" with the "Dolls" after their show...

It’s always so much fun for us to go check out and support other entertainers and groups in town… seriously, there is SOOOO much talent here in Las Vegas! Every time we get to see someone else perform, we learn something new…and this was no exception.

Overall, a very fun evening…Congrats Girls!

PS> By the way, you need to check out the Swing City Dolls‘ new website… TOTALLY CUTE!  Their adorable logo was designed by the great John Magness and their photos (like the one at the top) were taken by Jim Warfel. They are definitely on the right track with their marketing!

Swing City Dolls will be performing at the Eastside Cannery (5255 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas, NV 89122) in Marilyn’s Lounge on March 22, July 31 and August 1, from 4:00pm-8:00pm. For tickets, call 702-856-5300.

New Year’s Eve: Gigs, Gigs, and more Gigs!!!

New Year’s Eve was a VERY busy day from start to finish!  Ron and I headed to the Suncoast Casino at 7AM for soundcheck/rehearsal for my “Shades of Sinatra” gig at NOON first.  It was such an early call because it had been since July that the entire cast and band had performed the full 1.5 hour show together…so obviously we needed a bit of rehearsal (plus we added a couple of new songs, especially for New Year’s Eve, that needed some run-through).  Turned out to be a GREAT show!!!  Very fun, and we had a FULL house!  Of course many of our “regulars” were in the audience, but it was fun to also have so many newcomers in the audience who had never seen the show before.  Lots of great compliments and many new fans!

1) "Shades of Sinatra" Promotional Photo; 2) With the family AFTER the show!

Following the show, we grabbed some lunch at Wendy’s (chili and baked potato….Mmm, Mmm good!) and headed over to the Rampart Casino for another gig…this time as special guest singer with the Gary Olds Trio at Addison’s Lounge. What a GREAT band….can’t wait to work with them again in the future!

Following that gig, we drove downtown and the family dropped ME off at the Four Seasons/Mandalay Bay for my DIVAS UNDERCOVER gig and dropped Ron off at the Paris Hotel for his special event (he was hired as a host/announcer for their special Rewards Members’ New Year’s Eve Party…he got paid WAY too much money for WAY too little work…but I’m certainly not complaining! :) ).   My gig on the other hand was a bit more work, but lots of fun and also very good money.

1) DIVAS UNDERCOVER: Emily Thrasher, Margaret Menzies, Lisa Smith; 2) Our DIVAS Poster; 3) Champagne at Mandalay Bay with Gret AFTER the gig

I was filling in for their regular DIVA Jennifer Joseph (some of you may remember her from Wayne Newton’s “The Entertainer”…I was filling in because she had a gig at the RIO Hotel NYE night) and Gret (from “Dangerous Curves”) was filling in for DIVA’s regular Kellie Wright (who was busy with a band gig in Primm that night).  Considering 2 of the 3 DIVAS were subs, I have to say we kicked A–!  The audience loved our show, and it was so much fun to perform with Emily again (we used to work together at Le Provencal Restaurant years ago…girl can SING!!!!!!). Plus, it was great to work with Blair Farrington (producer/director/choreographer) again…he is such a great guy and an awesome talent!

After the show (which fortunately got done early, by 9pm!!), Gret and I walked over to Mandalay Bay for some champagne and to wait for Ron to finish his gig (since Gret’s husband, Michael, was performing with “Rich and Famous” at Blue Martini that evening, Gret didn’t have to be anywhere right away).  At about 10:30pm, I met Ron and his brother Gary and we drove back to my folk’s house for more champagne and to watch the New Year’s fireworks on TV.

Overall, a thoroughly EXHAUSTING  but wonderfully FABULOUS day!  Very fun from start to finish.  Idon’t know about the rest of you, but I am certainly looking forward to 2009.  I really feel like this is going to be a GREAT and SUCCESSFUL year for all us…no where to go but up!

HAPPY 2009 EVERYONE!  God bless…

To find our more about “Shades of Sinatra” please visit our website at www.ShadesOfSinatra.com

To read about DIVAS UNDERCOVER and Farrington Productions, visit their website at www.FarringtonProductions.com

Dangerous Curves CD Release Party!

Margaret Menzies, Karen Merstik-Michaels, Lisa Smith

Last Saturday “Dangerous Curves” had our first CD Release Party to celebrate the official release of “Girl Talk!”  We had so much fun!!  And what a GREAT turn-out we had…so many wonderful friends and fans came out to celebrate with us. Being the last weekend before Christmas, and knowing what a busy time of year it would be, we decided to simply do the party as an open-house, from 12-5pm…which turned out to be the perfect idea.  We had people coming and going all day long!  Lots of food, lots of champagne, and lots of FUN!

And speaking of food, Karen and Gret did an absolutely AMAZING job preparing all the food.  Check out the olive and cream cheese PENGUINS Gret and her husband, Michael, made…talk about adorable!

We had our CD playing on the stereo all throughout the afternoon, and ended up selling WAY more copies than we even anticipated…everyone was SO complimentary.  We also made a few special presentations of gift CDs to some of those who were extremely instrumental in getting this CD produced: Stewart Daylida (who wrote out several of the vocal arrangements on our CD), Wayne Young (of Jon Wayne Productions, who did all the photography for our CD), and Rob Hyatt & Jerry Jones (who co-wrote the song “The Girl Who Used To Be Me” featured on the CD…plus we recorded everything for the CD at Rob’s recording studio, E3 Studios).

Pictured With "Dangerous Curves" Clockwise: Stewart Daylida, Sharon Owens, Amanda Brossman, Jerry Jones, Rob Hyatt, Wayne Young, Kellie Wright

Margaret (Menzies) and Michael Gonzalez, Karen (Merstik) and Dennis Michaels, Lisa and Ron Smith

Many, many thanks go out to all who attended, AND to all those who were invited because they have supported us in one way or another but were unable to make it due to prior obligations. We could not have accomplished this without ALL of your help throughout this past year! And, of course, a HUGE thank you to our sweet husbands, Michael, Dennis, and Ron. Without your constant love and support, we could not have done any of this…

We are looking forward to a WONDERFUL and SUCCESSFUL 2009 and beyond.  We wish you all the best, and a very Happy Holiday season!

Visit our website at www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com to hear a PREVIEW of our new CD and to order YOUR copy today!

Then send us an email at dangerouscurves@cox.net to let us know what you think!!!  We look forward to hearing from you…

Love, The Girls of “Dangerous Curves”

“Dangerous Curves!” Our NEW CD Release and Gig at The Orleans!!!!!!

Wednesday was a FABULOUS day for the fabulous girls of “Dangerous Curves!”  First of all, it was the day that our new CD “Girl Talk” was officially released!  Woohoooooo….FINALLY!

In fact, you can visit our website at www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com to hear a preview of what’s on the album and to order your copy today (as an added BONUS, you can even get FREE shipping if you order soon)!

Dangerous Curves "Girl Talk" CD!

Getting ready to do our show at the Orleans!

Also on Wednesday, Dangerous Curves had an awesome gig at The Orleans Hotel & Casino for the “Westside Newcomers Club of Las Vegas.”  Very, very fun!  It was a holiday party for about 200 women, and they were such an appreciative audience!!  In fact, Karin (the Vice President of the group) even called me the next day expressing her gratitude AND sent us a note afterward saying how thrilled she was, writing…

…I could not have been more pleased and received far more positive feedback from attendees than for any other event I’ve arranged. Thank you so much.

Karin Loverud, Vice President, Westside Newcomers Club

Isn’t that nice???  Yay…  We did approximately 45-minutes worth of music, and we had a blast!  A big thanks to my wonderful hubby, Ron, for helping to set up and run the sound for the show, and to Michael (Gret’s sweet husband) for running to pick up the CD’s, hot-off-the-presses that morning, so we could have them to sell at the gig!

Dangerous Curves next event is our CD Release Party, next Saturday, December 20th, at Karen’s house. We’re having an “open house” from 12pm-5pm.  If you are in the area, please join us for champagne, hors d’oeuvres, conversation and CDs!  Make this holiday a curvaceous one by enjoying some real live “girl talk.”

Visit our website’s calendar section for address and more information on our CD Release Party: www.DangerousCurvesLasVegas.com

Do You Believe In The Law of Attraction?

Karen Merstik, Lisa Smith, Gret Menzies - Our Business Lunch at Maggiano's

Last Tuesday, the girls of “Dangerous Curves” got together for lunch at Maggiano’s, at the Fashion Show Mall, to discuss our business plan for this next year.  First of all, what a great meal!  The chef at Maggiano’s is so amazing and he always creates this INCREDIBLE Gluten-Free version of their Chicken Parmesan and Pasta with Meat Sauce for me (he uses potato chips for the coating instead of bread crumbs).  I absolutely LOVE eating there!

Anyway, we talked through what we’ve accomplished so far since Gret joined the group and brainstormed a bunch of ideas about where we’d like to go in the future.  One of the possibilities we discussed was getting into the Symphony Gig scene.  Almost 2 years ago, when Kai was still part of the group, we were approached by someone from the Riverside Symphony Orchestra following one of our performances, asking if we had a symphony show and would we be interested in working with them.  At the time, however, we were not in a position to even consider it.  But, it has been in the back of our minds ever since…and now we feel like we are finally ready to start considering it seriously.  But where to begin? Putting together a symphony show is a HUGE deal and a lot of work…not to mention a lot of money.  How do we make the contacts…how do we know what exactly they are looking for?  A lot of questions…not sure where to find the answers yet…but we decide to put it out there in the Universe.

Jung-Ho Pak - Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra Conductor

Well, how much do you believe in the Law of Attraction?  Later that night, I get home from rehearsal with the guys (“Shades of Sinatra” has a gig we’re preparing for at the Gold Coast Casino at the end of October) and I find that I have a Gigmasters notification email.  It’s from someone named Jung-Ho Pak, the conductor/artistic director for the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, and he’s asking if I happen to have a symphony show prepared and if not, would I ever be interested in working with an orchestra.  Um…how weird is that?  So I email him back and let him that know that I am definitely interested, and that I also happen to have a female vocal-jazz trio if he’s interested in finding out more about that as well.  So we spend the next couple of days exchanging emails and talking on the phone…what a GREAT guy!  Seriously, one of the nicest people I have talked with in a long time.  Not sure where it will lead…we are discussing the possibility of me going there to sing with the orchestra for either a POPS Concert next summer, or possibly a Gershwin Show in a year or two.  As for “Dangerous Curves,” our biggest obstacle at this point is that we don’t have a lot of great video on us with Gret yet.  And in order to be considered by any of the larger symphonies, you need great video…or at least decent video.  So, for now, that’s one of the first things we need to get together.  In the meantime, we’ll keep getting more gigs here in town (trying to get some video from all of them), concentrate on finishing up our CD, and know that’s the type of gigs we are working toward in the near future.

As for me, I am really excited about the possibility of working with Jung-Ho.  He has a lot of great ideas and says he’s willing to sit down with me over the phone and talk through what would be involved in putting together my own symphony show…which is all new to me.  I know what to do here in Las Vegas…I already understand what the casinos and lounges here like (at least most of the time)…I know what Corporate shows need…but the symphony gigs are a whole different game.  Not sure yet where I fit into that…but I’m excited to learn!

To learn more about Jun-Ho Pak and the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, click on the following link: www.capesymphony.org/cape-symphony-orchestra-meet-the-conductor.asp

Bad Dress Rehearsal, Great Show!

Thursday's rehearsal at New Song Church...things were not going well.

Isn’t that the saying?

Well, we sure proved that one right.  To be totally honest, following Thursday’s rehearsal at the church, I was really worried whether or not we were going to be able to pull this show off at all (we were all forgetting lyrics like crazy, none of the talk spots had been rehearsed yet, I was personally having some voice problems, the song list was feeling VERY ballad-heavy, etc…).  But as it turned out, I worried for nothing… :)

In fact, the show ended up being a HUGE success on Friday night! Lyrics were tight, talk spots well-rehearsed, and the audience ended up LOVING all the ballads! And the church was extremely happy with the amount of people they had in attendance…between ticket sales, the several advanced copies of our CD that were purchased following the show, and additional donations that were made, we were able to raise a really good amount for the Alliance for Lupus Research! It was definitely a “feel-good” kind of evening…full of inspiration, tears and lots of heart-felt gratitude.  That’s what it’s all about!

THE GIRLS! Taken minutes before the show...

SOME SONGS FROM THE SHOW (not in order):

INSPIRATIONAL SONGS: How You Live, When You Believe, Jesus Take the Wheel, Children Will Listen, Grateful

BROADWAY SONGS: Come To Your Senses, I’m Not That Girl, I’m Not Afraid Of Anything, For Good

DANGEROUS CURVES TRIO SONGS: Natural Woman, Love Being Here With You, Cape Cod, Cloudburst, Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Is This Anyway To Fall In Love, Faithless Love, I’m A Woman, Moon River

OTHER SOLOS: I’ve Got The Music In Me, Out Here On My Own, By The Way

To find out more about Dangerous Curves, please visit our website by clicking here!

 

Rehearsal with the Girls!

Just finished a great rehearsal with “Dangerous Curves.”  On October 3rd, at 6:30pm, we will be the guest performers for the SWAN (Successful Women Actively Networking) Anniversary Event at the Stirling Club, Turnberry Place.

Stirling Club, Las Vegas

We will be doing a really short 20-minute set, all on track.  Today, we finalized which songs we’ll be singing and figured out all the blocking and patter.  Here’s the run-down:

• Natural Woman
• Cloudburst
• Is This Anyway To Fall In Love
• Faithless Love
• Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens
• I’m A Woman (with customized SWAN lyrics)

It should be a really fun event!  It is open to the public and will be a great opportunity to network with men and women in business all over Las Vegas.  Admission to the event is $20 (or $15 if you are a SWAN member) in advance, or $25 after September 19 and at the door that evening.  There will be a cash bar that evening, and the entrance price includes appetizers, networking opportunities, and of course FABULOUS entertainment!  Hope to see you there!!!!