Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

This week, Ira spoke with Brad Sherwood, who (along with Colin Mochrie) will be performing in “Scared Scriptless” at the Pavilion Theater at Tropicana Laughlin June 25. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brad talks about why he liked being funny as a kid as a way to adjust to new circumstances; taking his first improv class and realizing he had found his career; why it’s important to establish a relationship with the audience; why he doesn’t have nerves before going on stage, but instead has “focused adrenaline”; how he was hired for “Whose Line Is It Anyway”; when he met Colin and how they became an act together; why their act appeals to a wide demographic: and why he considers improv a combination comedy show and a magic act.

This week, Ira spoke with Comedy-magician Adam London, performing in the Laughternoon show in the Venue at the Orleans (Thursdays - Sundays at 4 p.m.). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Adam talks about his start in magic, inspired by his grandfather; his decision to move to Las Vegas; why he chose to work clean and have a family-friendly show; why humor comes before magic; his process for writing material; and his take on the magic competition in Las Vegas.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rocky_LaPorte_060622.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with comedian Rocky Laporte, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas (through June 12). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rocky talks about about his style of comedy, which is considered unique but organic; how the negative reaction from family and friends about starting his comedy career drove him to success; how he dealt with COVID as a comedian; why his observations about bits of stuff in everyday life leads him to comedy material; and his decision to work clean.

This week, Ira spoke with Mike Nigro, one of the principals of Nigro Construction, which specializes in non-gaming construction in Las Vegas (including hotels and taverns). Its current project, just completed, is the extended-stay hotel, TownePlace Suites by Marriott®, located in North Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mike talks about the history of the company as it grew over the decades; finding a non-gaming niche in the valley; why the company both owns and operates its limited-service hotels; why location is key; how the company looks for pockets in the valley that have built-up demand, but limited supply; and how taverns are a different business model.

Photo by John Hichborn [audio mp3="https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Roger_Earl_052322.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Roger Earl, a founding member of the legendary British rock band, Foghat (performing May 27 at The Golden Nugget Las Vegas). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Roger talks about how the band was formed; the enduring popularity of Foghat; why he reveres Buddy Rich and Miles Davis; the link between bass and drums; and why you need a sense of humor to survive in a rock band.

[audio mp3=“https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/talkaboutlasvegas/talkaboutlv/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tom_Zaller_051622.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, a leader in global traveling entertainment. The company’s latest exhibition, National Geographic’s “Rarely Seen” (at Bally’s Las Vegas) features 50 striking images shot by some of the world’s finest photographers of places, events, natural phenomena, and man-made heirlooms seldom seen by human eyes. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Tom talks about how the project was launched in partnership with National Geographic; the unique staging features of this exhibit, which creates an immersive experience for visitors; the importance of capturing a moment in time by world-class professional photographers; why some of the images were enhanced (but not changed by technology); and the reaction of people to these dynamic photographs.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Henry_Cho_050922.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with comedian Henry Cho, who will be performing at the South Point Casino Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14 at 7:30. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Henry talks about how he discovered he was unique as a comedian, growing up of Korean descent in Knoxville, Tennessee; why he took ten years off from his comedy career; how you can be funny without being neurotic; why his disability insurance is so high (as it is for other comedians); how he ended up performing at the Grand Ole Opry; why he’s never been a worrier; and why he can work anywhere because of the type of comedy he performs.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mallory_Gott_050222.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Mallory Gott, one of the finalists (along with her partner, Chef Aaron Lee) of The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway, and popping up at the Vegas Test Kitchen May 6 & 7. Their concept, called Winnie and Ethel’s Downtown Diner, is based on a 1940s diner offering all the classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mallory talks about her first get meeting Chef Lee on a social basis, resulting in both a personal and professional relationship; their decision to enter the giveaway with their concept, named after relatives from both sides; their division of labor (Chef Lee, the food and Mallory, the tablescapes, the branding and graphics); her background in design and her plan to create the arc of an experience for the diner; and how the location of the diner is organically connected to the neighborhood.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Makana_Makana_042522.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Makana, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center in “The Gift of Slack Key Guitar” April 29 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Makana talks about how he was introduced to slack key guitar as a boy by his father; how his mother set the wheels in motion for his to learn slack key guitar from a master; what slack key guitar style is (and tuning to a chord); how he started playing gigs at 14; why some rock guitar musicians fall in love with slack key guitar; how he tours the world; and why he’s a story teller and loves to educate through his performances.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Dray_Gardner_041122.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Dray Gardner (whose back pain led him to Yoga), who teaches “Yoga & Wellness with Dray” at Area 15 (an immersive playground experience in Las Vegas) on select Saturdays. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Dray talks about his life-threatening automobile accident and his desire to avoid back surgery; his discovery of hot yoga; his journey through many types of yoga; why he calls himself the “peaceful pugilist”; how yoga needs to have its “operating system” updated; the importance of persistence and patience; why he teaches from experience, not books; how he is able to relate to all kinds of people; the meaning of 365 “Drayisms.”; and the importance of breath.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mariana_Alvarado_040422.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Chef Mariana Alvarado, founder of Masazul in Las Vegas (which features artisanal heirloom corn tortillas), who is In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chef Mariana talks about growing up in Mexico and learning the traditional art of making tortillas; moving to Las Vegas to work in the gaming industry and honing her culinary skills; why the pandemic pushed her to strike out on her own; the niche she created in Las Vegas for her organic corn tortillas; why she likes to source food from local suppliers; and how she got involved with the Food Network and its “Big Restaurant Bet.”

Photo by Edward Foster [audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Pete_Barbutti_031422.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with comedy legend Pete Barbutti. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Pete talks about how he started in music and added comedy to his act; Shecky Greene’s influence on his thinking; why he decided to move to Las Vegas; his first experience on a Las Vegas stage; life on the road; and his relationship with Johnny Carson (and the impact of his Tonight Show appearances) and Steve Allen.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Brian_Forsythe_030722.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Brian "Damage" Forsythe from KIX (who’s performing in The Club at The Cannery Casino March 12). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Brian talks about getting the rock & roll bug after watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show; looking to Keith Richards for style influence; struggling as KIX in the early years with record labels and management; how the group came up with its name; leaving KIX in the 90’s because of a change in the music scene; reuniting with Steve Whiteman ten years later; the challenges of touring and getting clean and sober in 1998; and the release of Midnite Dynamite Re-Lit.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with comedian Jocelyn Chia, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino through March 6. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jocelyn talks about her journey from lawyer to comedian; her parents’ reactions to her decision; growing up in Singapore and realizing she was funny as a teenager; her conflict with left brain vs. right brain in writing and performing comedy; developing her comedic voice; who she looked to for inspiration; and performing in her first Las Vegas gig.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Michael_Shnayerson_022122.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Michael Shnayerson, author of Bugsy Siegel: The Dark Side of the American Dream. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Michael talks about how Siegel grew up on the lower East Side of New York; the beginning of his friendshhip with Meyer Lansky when they were kids; the reason Siegel became a major crime figure; the importance of loyalty to Siegel; his life in three parts: the lower East Side of New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas; how he beat back two government agencies while building the Flamingo; his greatest demon; and his biggest mistake with his prized Las Vegas hotel.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Steven_Leckart_021422.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with veteran investigative journalist and Emmy winning filmmaker, Steven Leckart, who wrote, narrated and executive produced a new eight-part podcast series, “Wild Things: Siegfried & Roy,” available now as an Apple Original on Apple Podcasts. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Steven talks about his early interest in Siegfried & Roy as a child; how he jumped at the chance to be involved in this project ,which investigates how and and why Roy Horn was injured on stage during the duo’s performance in 2003 by Montecore the tiger; how the podcast team tracked down witnesses who have never been publicly interviewed and provided information and insight; why Siegfried & Roy still have an impact on Las Vegas and beyond; how the duo’s childhoods had an impact on their lives and careers; how the podcast was structured and why Apple decided to go with the series; and the lesson Steven lear

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lee_Lanier_020722.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Las Vegas artist Lee Lanier (whose show, “Bold & Beautiful” is at the Sahara West Library through March 5). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lee talks about his transition from full-time computer animation to seriously pursuing painting; moving to Boulder City to start a new life; co-founding the Dam Short Film Festival, (which opens February 10); the challenge of films to focus on story rather that just visual elements; how he approaches his art; and how his current exhibit features augmented reality.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ismo_Leikola_013122.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Finnish comedian (and ultimate observer) Ismo, performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, February 4-5 at 9 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ismo talks about his obsession with jokes as a kid and mishearing lyrics; how Finns are more sarcastic than Americans; how he learned English at an early age; why his accent is great for his comedy career, but not so great for daily life; performing in English as opposed to Finnish; why he would like to rant, but finds it hard to rant with an accent; how he’s amazed at his success in America; and why he doesn’t think he will go Hollywood!

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Rick_Michel_012422.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Impressionist Rick Michel, who performs "Sinatra Forever” with an all star 12-piece orchestra, February 6 at the Italian American Club. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his earliest memories of wanting to become a performer; developing his talent for mimicking the voices of legendary entertainers; beginning his Las Vegas career; the importance of material in creating an act (impressions by themselves are not enough); his belief that you never stop paying your dues and learning; why he focused on Frank Sinatra and his immense catalog of classics; and why he considers the musicians who work with him as equal partners.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Chris_Barrett_011721.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with interior designer Chris Barrett, who will be a panelist at Design West at the Las Vegas Market in Las Vegas January 23. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chris talks about her view of Las Vegas design; the future of design (more reusable and digital); how she works with clients; the first commission she received after transitioning from being an actor; her favorite celebrity client; and how COVID has affected thee world of design.