Each week, Ira talks with the celebrities, entertainers, writers, and personalities who make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world!
This week, Ira spoke with Rick Michel, co-producer/writer of the new show, “Jew Man Group,” at the Tuscany Suites and Casino. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about the show paying homage to the Borscht Belt, but not limiting itself to Jewish humor; why it’s important to be politically incorrect for the sake of comedy; why, if you can’t laugh at yourself, laugh at everybody else; the feature of the show, which are the acts; and the science behind jokes.
This week, Ira spoke with Scotty Barnhart, director of the Grammy Award -Winning Count Basie Orchestra (performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center July 29-30). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Scotty talks about why a long line launched his trumpet career instead of a violin career; how jazz came through the church; when he first saw County Basie live when he was 12; how he met the whole orchestra and knew he would be part of the group (and eventually lead them); why the spirit of Count Basie is always with the orchestra; the importance of treating musicians as human beings; how to run a master class for aspiring musicians; and the key reason why the group is successful after the passing of Count Basie (hint: the orchestra is the star).
This week, Ira spoke with comedian/musician Hal Sparks, performing in Nerd Halen at Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill as part of “Punchlines and Backline” on July 21.
This week, Ira spoke with comedian Traci Skene, performing in the Comedy Cellar at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino (through July 17). In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Traci talks about discovering sophisticated humor at age ten; being encouraged by her mother to become a comedian; going to comedy clubs at an early age; using humor to cope with pain; why her goal on stage is to make the audience forget its problems; knowing the audience isn’t her therapist; why she and her husband, comedian Brian McKim, like the technical aspect of writing jokes; and writing her new book during COVID.
