Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

Photo by Shervin Lainez This week, Ira spoke with Elizabeth Bougerol and Evan Palazzo from The Hot Sardines, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center January 25-26. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Elizabeth and Evan talk about how they first met as fellow musicians and then formed the group; why they didn’t set out to play professionally; their “go for it” moment; how they came up with the band’s name; the importance of jazz to the culture; the Great American Songbook and why musicians give their own interpretation of that music; the group’s golden mix of connection and timing; the importance of the “vibe”; how they view themselves as collaborators, not competitors; the audience coming together for a shared experience; and the enduring nature of the songs they play.

This week, Ira spoke with Oliver Lovat. a leading academic, researcher, writer and president of Denstone Group (which offers consultancy in the fields of strategy, asset management and development, specializing in customer facing real estate). In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Oliver talks about why Las Vegas is built for fun; why, at the end of every recession, something new happens in Las Vegas; the industry’s marketing strategies of tandem experiences and revenue buckets; how Las Vegas holds perishable inventory; the effect of the opening of the Fontainebleau on the North end of the Strip; why the property makes the destination; the effects of paid parking; the latest trend that he sees in Las Vegas; and why he is optimistic about its future.

This week, Ira spoke with Alan Snel, whose popular website, LVSportsBiz.com, reports the business side of Las Vegas’ expanding sports industry. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Alan talks about the biggest sports story of 2023, F1 and its public cost; the restructuring of Endeavor, with UFC and WWE working side by side; more on the A’s stadium plan; the VGK Stanley Cup win; why his website will no longer publish economic impact figures without first meeting with the sports organization to review the methodology and the math; how the Sphere will be hosting a sports event; and why every new major sports venue requires the needs of the public side to be considered.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Leslie Norris Townsend, performing in the Ahern Live Comedy Showroom at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel January 4-7. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Leslie talks about her Hollywood career (including working for Disney), prior to moving to the family farm in Ohio; how she started in stand-up comedy; why she decided to work “clean”; the Six Degrees of (not) Kevin Bacon (but with Ira); the challenges and rewards on working “clean”; her secret to a long marriage; and why she wouldn’t kiss until the seventh dinner date!

This week, Ira spoke with singer, songwriter, and producer Dave Damiani, performing in the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at Vic’s Las Vegas. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Dave talks about how he came to embrace jazz; the musicians who inspired him; his friendship with Joe Piscopo; how he made “bending the standard” his trademark; and what music and musicians mean to him.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Bob Zany, performing in Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM through December 23. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Bob talks about growing up in a funny family; the two comedians he looked to for inspiration; why he adds three new jokes every time he performs; how he and Brad Garrett started out at the Ice House together as emcees; his Dry Bar comedy special; and what he’s doing on Cameo.

This week, Ira spoke with Latin GRAMMY® Award winner, Brazilian guitarist, composer, and arranger Sérgio Assad and GRAMMY®-nominated composer Clarice Assad, performing (along with Third Coast Percussion) at the UNLV Performing Arts Center December 13. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” the Assads talk about their family’s deep history with music; Sergio’s surprising view of jazz; how performing as a father and daughter on stage reflects their closeness as family members; their performance, “Archetypes,” a work inspired by timeless character types that appear in stories, legends, and myths throughout the world; and why connection is what they want the au-dience to take away from their performance.

This week, Ira spoke with veteran journalist Ron Futrell, 8NewsNow sports anchor/reporter. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ron talks about the burgeoning sports tourism in Las Vegas; the success of Formula 1 in its first year; the A’s coming to Las Vegas; future prospects of Rebel football; can an NBA team find a home here?; and prospects for a third championship for the Las Vegas Aces.

This week, Ira spoke with country artist Craig Campbell, performing in Gilley's Saloon, Dance Hall & BBQ at Treasure Island December 7-8. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Craig talks about his early years in music; moving to Nashville; what he sees as the worst side of country music; going independent as an artist; working with some of his idols; what The Grand Ole Opry means to him; and the one song that fans expect to hear at all of his live shows.

This week, Ira spoke with Murray Langston, “The Unknown Comic,” performing in the Ahern Live Comedy Showroom at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel November 24-25. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Murray talks about why he caught the bug to get into show business by watching Jerry Lewis films as a kid; how he became “The Unknown Comic”; why this may be his last gig; how he learned to leave life modestly; and his prescription for happiness.

This week, Ira spoke with Sky Directs, director of the Las Vegas based urban thriller, “Run Nixon” (which follows a determined mother as she takes drastic measures to save her son's life), releasing in AMC Theaters on November 22. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Sky talks about how he got his start in the film industry; how he came up with the idea for the movie; the crazy challenge of raising money for his film; location scouting in Las Vegas; and the unique deal he worked out with AMC Theaters.

This week, Ira spoke with award-winning writer and nationally touring headliner Noah Gardenswartz, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio through November 11. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Noah talks about starting his career doing open mikes in Atlanta before his senior year in college; his years on the road and ironically not becoming cynical; meeting his future wife on a podcast; joining the writing team of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; and balancing writing and performing.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with John Bentham, founder of Ivory Star Productions. In this episode of “The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast” John talks about his early career as a performer before deciding to work behind the scenes; working with David Copperfield before starting his own production company; juggling several shows at one time (the secret is a good staff); working on the upcoming return of “Jersey Boys”; how he involves his whole family in producing the yearly “Glittering Lights”; and how he survives and prospers in a tough Las Vegas entertainment environment.

This week, Ira spoke with singer, songwriter and musician Oleta Adams, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center October 27-28. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Oleta talks about why passion makes the music worthwhile; how self-respect (as well as her talent) sustains her career over the decades; what the most influential person in her life has done for her over several decades; and how growing up in the church kept her balanced while prospering in the entertainment business.

This week, Ira spoke with saxophonist, recording artist, and composer Dee Lucas, performing in the Copa Room at the Bootlegger Italian Bistro October 20. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Dee talks about his love of the saxophone along with his self-taught approach; how both saxophone giants and local musicians inspired his artistic spirit; why he believes in “protecting” the music; what he communicates when he plays; and why he is cited as “the hardest working indie artist in the music industry.”

This week, Ira spoke with international award-winning vocalist Nicole Henry, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center October 14 at 5 and 8 p.m. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Nicole talks about why her first opportunity to sing on a regular basis was on a drag show; why she first chose the wrong instrument to practice on; when she fell in love with jazz; how she was influenced by many artists but always focuses on her own voice in performance; and why music is part of her family history.

This week, Ira spoke with Brent Barrett, performing “Brent Barrett - My 40 Years On Broadway” in Myron’s at The Smith Center October 4. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Brent talks about his first role on Broadway; meeting some of the legendary Broadway composers and lyricists; performing in award-winning musicals; transitioning away from Broadway but keeping the music; how he has structured his “40-year” show; and what he plans for the future.

This week, Ira spoke with multi-award-winning guitar virtuoso Ricardo Cobo and Parsa Sabet, the guitar duo known as Rio Sueño, performing in the Judy Bayley Theatre at the UNLV Performing Arts Center, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” the duo talk about why they named themselves Rio Sueño; what brought them together as musicians; what Ricardo saw in Parsa as a student and their similar outlooks on life; why rehearsal is always a learning experience; and why classical guitar is important in artistic expression.

This week, Ira spoke with Jana Wimer, director and co-writer of “Abandon” at the Vegas Theatre Company in the Las Vegas Arts District, with performances beginning October 5. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Jana talks about the production, a scary journey through an asylum in 1800s Paris; why horror and theatre are her two loves; why she loves to add humor to her productions; how “Abandon” reflects on the issues of mental health and persecution; and why theatre is always a work in progress.

This week, Ira spoke with John Katsilometes (KATS!), the man-about-town whose column runs daily in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” John talks about the most important changes in Las Vegas entertainment; his podcast series, “Mobbed Up”; his goal of eventually writing a book; getting sleep when he can; why what he does is a “participation sport”; and some of his favorite performers.