The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast

The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast talks with the celebrities, entertainers, writers, and personalities who make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world!

Welcome to The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast! Each week, the host Ira Sternberg, talks with the celebrities, entertainers, writers, and personalities who make Las Vegas the most exciting city in the world!

Talking With ArcoStrum – November 11, 2024

This week, Ira spoke with ArcoStrum (Strauss Shi - violin, erhu, dizi; TY Zhang - classical guitar, electric guitar) performing November 15 in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at the UNLV Performing Arts Center. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” TY and Strauss talk about how they met and became friends before becoming a mu-sical duo; how they came from soloist backgrounds; why they decided on no limits to their musical choices and elements; how it all starts with excitement; combining fun with perfor-mance; calling it a show but with a professional level; why everything artistic has a goal (be entertaining); how Strauss got his name; their first concert in China as a duo; how they developed the name ArcoStrum; why their approach (core genre) is “modern traditional”; de-veloping the “ArcoStrum Experience”; and how artist competitions encouraged them to think out of the box. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

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Talking With Vinnie Favorito – November 4, 2024

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Vinnie Favorito, headlining at Notoriety Live, November 8-9 at 9 p.m. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Vinnie talks about his new show at Notoriety Live; his long career in Las Vegas; moving back to Boston; why he’s an “intimate-type crowd comic”; how he is politically incorrect, but with like-ability; his 24-hour energy; how his memory is an integral part of his act; why Jerry Lewis always made him laugh; and why people love to see people “ragged on.” (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

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Talking With Maren Wade – October 28, 2024

Photo by Jerry Metellus

This week, Ira spoke with singer, writer and producer Maren Wade, starring in “Confessions of a Showgirl” in Myron’s at The Smith Center November 6. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Maren talks about using the term “Showgirl” in the “modern” sense (for example, she doesn’t meet the height requirements!); how she started her “Confessions” column in the Las Vegas Weekly; why it took her longer than she thought to write the show; why she has had some fun experiences she wanted to share, as well as emotional ones; collaborating with Keith Thompson, award-winning musical director, arranger, composer and producer; why her show is autobiographical; her personal confessions; taking it on the road; her inspiration for the show, which is that you can create a role for yourself; connecting to your “inner showgirl”; what brought her to Las Vegas; why Vegas is a town like no other; and why it’s a “very tailored show” for the city.
(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

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Talking With Frank Sidoris – October 21, 2024

This week, Ira spoke with Vegas-born guitarist Frank Sidoris, owner of Las Vegas’ iconic dive bar, Hard Hat Lounge, which hosts its free 3rd annual block party November 1. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Frank talks about the definition of a dive bar (“comes with a bit more grit”); growing up in Las Vegas in a show business family (his mom was part of “Crazy Girls”); changing out his skateboard for a guitar; how he ended up owning the bar; the Slash surprise performance there; maintaining the tradition of the Hard Hat Lounge; how “Elvis” played a part in his decision to go on tour; what people will experience at the block party (including live music); the “local love” vibe; and his future plans for businesses in Las Vegas.
(Also Watch Full Podcast Video)

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