Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

This week, Ira spoke with Master Magician Lance Burton and comedy magician Fielding West about the legacy of Siegfried & Roy in Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, the two magicians talk about the first time they met Siegfried & Roy; how the famous duo opened the door for magic in Las Vegas; how Siegfried & Roy wrote the book on how to do a magic show and created the business model; when Siegfried knew they had something special; Lance’s favorite S&R act; Fielding’s fun with “The Magic Box” and the duo’s book; and the future of magic in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with Marta Soligo, author of an original research article, “What Happens Here? Educating Las Vegas’s Guests During COVID-19,”  published in the UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Soligo talks about the need to raise the consciousness of Las Vegas visitors about their impact on the community; why some people think Las Vegas is not authentic; the optimal relationship between tourists and communities; utilizing the unique Las Vegas private-public partnership to get the message out to tourists about the destination’s new expectations; and long-term solutions to the challenge of visitors thinking anything goes here.

This week, Ira spoke with Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling, who for 18 years (1983-2001) was a fixture of Howard Stern’s radio & television shows and for seven years had his own radio show, “Jackie’s Joke Hunt” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Martling talks about his early career and who was responsible for naming him “The Joke Man”; how he was influenced by Red Skelton; why he doesn’t consider himself a comic, but just tells jokes; why he views his life as a pinball game; how he created a dirty joke line, “Use Your Finger! Dial (516) 922-WINE!,” which has been in uninterrupted operation since 1979; and his earliest memories of Las Vegas, as well as his three perspectives on the town.

This week, Ira spoke with producer, director, choreographer, entertainer, playwright and songwriter Eric Jordan Young, who takes the stage in “In This Moment” at the Space in Las Vegas (with renowned pianist Philip Fortenberry) March 13 at 6 p.m. (and also streamed live). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Young talks about his first performances in Las Vegas in the 90’s; why he chose to stay in Las Vegas as a artist; his admiration of Sammy Davis Jr. (which explains his signature piece in every show); why he likes to collaborate with others in creating shows; how he coped with a difficult year and saw it as an opportunity to decide what was important as a performer; his unique relationship with Philip Fortenberry that translates on stage; and his belief that it’s important to be vulnerable on stage, and that to receive love from the audience, you have to give love.

This week, Ira spoke with Claytee White, inaugural director of the Oral History Research Center for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, White talks about famed architect Paul Revere Williams and his contributions to and impact on Las Vegas; his projects, including Carver Park, the La Concha Motel, the Guardian Angel Cathedral, and Berkley Square; why his designs were so different from anything else in Las Vegas; and why, despite Williams being highly successful, there was her bittersweet awareness of the loss of potential due to racism.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Adam Hunter, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas February 18-21. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Hunter talks about how wrestling in school gave him a focus in life; how he began stand-up in New York (including performing in laundromats!); his experience as a finalist on season six of “Last Comic Standing”; why he likes old-school comics; his affinity with the MMA; his approach to comedy from the point of view of a Mexican boxer, as he delivers as many jokes as he can during his set; and the importance of tenaciousness.

This week, Ira spoke with award-winning “Best of Las Vegas” trumpeter, composer, producer, and conductor David Perrico, who fronts his Pop Strings Orchestra in a salute to Black History Month, February 26 at 6 p.m. in a live stream from The Space. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Perrico talks about his ongoing (for the last seven years) commitment to paying tribute and honoring the excellence behind the music of black artists; his love of live music and the interaction it provides; the challenges of performing when the audience is not in the room; how he balances all his roles in a given day; and the importance of live music to the future of Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with Tsvetelina Stefanova, executive director of the 17th Annual Dam Short Film Festival, which is going online as a virtual event beginning February 11. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Stefanova talks about the history of the festival and how they put it together each year; the unique aspects of presenting the festival online due to COVID; the entries that are based on genres and themes; the unique filmmakers lounge; and how films are submitted and reviewed for consideration.

This week, Ira spoke with John Krause, who will be performing in “Bit of Your Time,” a retrospective through the last eight years of his career, at The Space in Las Vegas January 29 at 6 p.m (and also streamed live). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Krause talks about why he got a little late start in show business; how his high school drama teacher saw the spark for creativity in him; why Las Vegas was where he discovered that he could have a career, and a Las Vegas show enabled him to get his Equity card; his Broadway debut in “Hadestown”; keeping a balance between focusing on one thing and creatively multi-tasking during COVID; and why he married Molly McCook at the Santa Barbara Zoo!

I met Larry King ten years ago in the elevator of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (ironically the same hospital where he died on January 23). He was down-to-earth and accepted my spontaneous invitation to appear on my radio show (then called Lunchtime With Ira). He had an upcoming performance at The Mirage in Las Vegas, part of a tour across America as part of his post-CNN career. In this episode, King was charming, curious, complimentary and direct (asking me if I was coming to see the show, which I did).The broadcasting icon talks about his new act; his unprecedented 25- year CNN career; the classic story about getting Frank Sinatra to appear on his show for the first time; the importance of luck; his unique interviewing style; his curiosity as a “why” guy; his 16th book (“Truth Be Told”), which he called his “goodbye book”; his fight with prostate cancer and his decision to get radiation treatment (and his occasional second thoughts about it); and the most significant people he interviewed, including the one h

This week, Ira spoke with Deana Martin, who has been performing during the pandemic in her Deana Martin LIVE! online shows for 45 consecutive weeks. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Martin talks about early memories of Las Vegas; adapting to performing during COVID; her global connection with fans online, including taking requests and, as a result, learning 50 new songs; recording one of her albums in the legendary Studio A at Capitol Records, the same studio where her dad, Dean Martin, performed; and her secret for successfully navigating show business and establishing her own performing persona.

On March 2, 1999, Ira spoke with Adelson prior to the opening of the Venetian Resort. This was the first time he appeared on a talk radio show. The program (then called Las Vegas Notebook) aired live on KDWN radio. Adelson talks about  his battles with the Culinary Union and government officials; the property’s sidewalk controversy;  his belief that he was forced into the local political arena;  his decision to go after the high-end market and his vision for its expansion; his doubts about the Las Vegas Monorail; and his belief in the quality of the soon-to-be opened property.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Al_Mancini_011121.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Al Mancini, who has covered the Las Vegas dining scene for numerous publications since 2003. He currently writes for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mancini talks about his journey to the culinary world in Las Vegas; why he believes the Vegas dining scene will bounce back after COVID; where the off-Strip restaurant action is heading; how the food and beverage industry impresses him with its innovation during the pandemic; why one of the messages that restaurants should send their customers as they fully reopen is: “We care about you”; and most important of all, what he sees as the future of the buffet.

This week, Ira spoke with actor, comic and writer Bill Dawes, headlining in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas, January 7-10. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Dawes talks about his early days and his decision to lead a creative life (capped by throwing his brief case in the Hudson River!); writing a successful play and receiving no credit; why comedy has been one of the keys to his success (and the serious side of comedy); how he started a podcast, “The Afterlaugh,” in his backyard; and why he finds success through trying new things.

This week, Ira spoke with Ori Spado, author of “The Accidental Gangster: From Insurance Salesman to Mob Boss of Hollywood.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Spado talks about his decision to live a life of crime; why, though he knew the top organized crime figures, he refused to become a “made man”; his reputation as a fixer in Hollywood; some of the famous people he met and befriended in the film business; his connection to Las Vegas; his decision to take a plea deal that sent him to prison; and why he decided to write the book as a message to young people.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Matt_OBrien_122120.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Matthew O’Brien, author of “Dark Days, Bright Nights, Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains,” published by Central Recovery Press. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, O’Brien talks about his decision to write a follow-up to his previous book on the tunnels and drains of Las Vegas, and the people who live there; how he has befriended some of the people who have returned to dealing with life above ground; why he decided to revisit these people and let them tell their stories; why he believes there is a connection between being homeless and being a great storyteller; and what he believes are the solutions to helping the homeless and mental health issues.

This week, Ira spoke with Murray The Magician, who is back performing in the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana Las Vegas, Thursdays through Sundays at 4 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Murray talks about his magical career and how he developed his look; why he sticks to his motto, “Don’t fool them, entertain them”; why it’s essential for performers (and especially magicians) to adapt to changing times and new practices and principles; who he considered his mentors while starting out in magic; why he’s not afraid of hard work; and why without Vegas, magic wouldn’t have advanced.

This week, Ira spoke with Internationally acclaimed guitarist Ricardo Cobo, who will be performing at the UNLV Performing Arts Center (as part of its "Live from" series Livestreamed from the Artemus Ham Concert Hall) December 11. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Cobo talks about his infatuation with the guitar as a child in Columbia; why he chose to move to the United States to pursue his studies and a musical career; his decision to move from New York to Las Vegas (coincidentally on the day that planes were hitting the World Trade Center) to perform and to teach; why he uses more than one guitar in performance; and how this new way of performing (due to Covid 19, there will be no audience) will affect his approach.

This week, Ira spoke with Richard A. Lertzman, author (along with Lon Davis) of "Deconstructing the Rat Pack: Joey, the Mob, and the Summit, ” published by Prestige Cinema Books. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Lertzman talks about the enduring legacy of “The Summit”; how a well-organized publicity stunt that created a show that lasted 28 days in 1960 continues to fascinate people today; how the show was put together and why the principals (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr) treated it as a business decision; the myth of the shows’ spontaneity; the mob’s influence in Las Vegas and the part it played in the Rat Pack’s formation; why Joey Bishop was chosen to be a part of the Rat Pack; and why he rose and fell in show business.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with award-winning comedy magician Fielding West, who not only performs in Las Vegas and around the world, but also is an instructor and keynote speaker. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, West talks about his career in magic; how Las Vegas became his base as a performer; his relationship with Master Magician Lance Burton; the future of magic; the importance of stagecraft and why it takes 1,000 shows to be a professional; and the one thing he learned about show business.