The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira chats with comedy-magician Adam London, star of the delightfully quirky “Laughter-noon” show at the Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel, running Thursdays through Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m.
Adam shares how his journey began on a farm, where helping his grandfather came with a magical reward—literally. His grandfather taught him magic tricks in exchange for chores, sparking a lifelong passion. Adam reveals the one trick that captivated him as a kid, the teachers who cheered him on, and how he went from a small farming town to the big stage in Las Vegas—with a stop at UNLV along the way.
In this lively episode, Adam talks about being a “clean” comedian, how he keeps his act fresh with a balance of structure and improvisation, and why his kids are fans of his career. He also dishes on the duck-filled twist that became a hallmark of his show, the joy of making audiences laugh, and whether being a magician gets you first in line at the buffet.
Engaging, heartfelt, and hilariously insightful, Adam London proves that magic—and laughter—can come from the most unexpected places.
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Talking With Andrew Davies Gans– June 16, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Andrew Davies Gans, director of the new documentary, "Voices: The Danny Gans Story," premiering June 20 at the 28th Annual Dances With Films festival at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The film honors the remarkable yet often overlooked legacy of Danny Gans, a legendary Las Vegas entertainer whose name was once synonymous with the Strip. Though his star burned brightly during his lifetime, his passing on May 1, 2009, left only a fleeting memory in the city he helped define.
Andrew shares why now—over a decade later—felt like the right time to tell his father’s story. He opens up about the emotional journey behind the camera, the challenges of wrangling a complex production delayed by COVID, and how a project he thought would take two years turned into a nearly five-year labor of love. Featuring heartfelt interviews with Louie Anderson, Donny Osmond, and Las Vegas entertainment columnists Norm Clarke and John Katsilometes, the film sheds light on Danny’s extraordinary talent, unmatched work ethic, and the pain he kept hidden behind his smile.
From Danny’s deep admiration for Sammy Davis Jr. to his relentless drive, athletic mind-set, and close relationship with his own father, Voices explores the man behind the Vegas marquee. Despite his enormous popularity within Las Vegas, Danny remained a relative unknown beyond it—largely by choice, relying on word-of-mouth rather than flashy marketing. Now, this powerful and intimate documentary aims to restore Danny Gans to his rightful place in entertainment history—and introduce him to a global audience for the first time.
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Talking With Pam Ashlund, ‘Queen of Swizzle’ – June 9, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira chats with Pam Ashlund, affectionately known as the “Queen of Swizzle.” Pam will be featured at the Casino Collectibles Association’s 32nd Annual Show, June 12–14 at South Point. In this colorful episode, she stirs up stories about her lifelong fascination—and yes, slight obsession—with swizzle sticks. What began with her mother’s lone swizzle stick from a Chicago lounge has become a sentimental and historic quest to preserve a once-overlooked piece of cocktail culture.
Pam dives into the unexpected depth of swizzle stick collecting: from rare airline and alcohol-branded sticks to mid-century Las Vegas treasures that transitioned from (unfortunately) whimsical 3D forms to flat (and cheaply made) designs. She opens up about her passion for preservation, the ingenious ways she stores and categorizes her vast collection (which includes thousands of sticks that “used to be in someone’s drink”), and how she manages the “household rule” that keeps her collecting in check—sort of. Pam also shares her dream of starting a swizzle stick museum, helping researchers, and why the Tiki revival is giving these tiny stirrers a new spotlight. A fun, nostalgic, and truly unique conversation not to be missed!
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Talking With Ryan Duff – June 2, 2025

This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira catches up with Ryan Duff, the passionate artistic director of the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus. The group is gearing up for its Season 32 finale, “Broadway Our Way,” at UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on June 29.

In this episode, Ryan shares how 100 powerful voices will come together to reimagine beloved Broadway classics—with a twist only the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus can deliver. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the legendary composers whose work has shaped the stage and stirred souls from Broadway to the world.

Ryan opens up about his career—from globe-trotting performer to high school music director, and ultimately, to leading one of Las Vegas’ most celebrated vocal ensembles. He dives into what it takes to organize a hundred singers, manage weekly rehearsals, and cultivate harmony among a chorus of dedicated volunteers.

He also reflects on how the group navigated an identity crisis when he first came on board, the chorus’ unique buddy system to welcome new members, and the dynamic programming behind their shows—including both familiar showstoppers and surprising selections. “Broadway Our Way” features 15–20 fully memorized numbers (no reading!), choreography, and a powerful emotional core.

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