BestOfVegas.com – Page 5 – VEGAS UNFILTERED

Wayne Skivington of NBC’s ‘The Titan Games’ Talks Fitness and Family

Cirque du Soleil performer and his young son inspire others through fitness…

UPDATE 7/2/20 – It’s been a week of incredible highs and lows for Wayne Skivington. After his thrilling appearance on NBC’s ‘The Titan Games’, Skivington learned that he was one of 3,500 Cirque du Soleil performers to be laid off during bankruptcy-protection proceedings.

Wayne uploaded a video thanking people for their support:

A lot of you have reached out and asked if I needed any help with the recent news of Cirque and stuff, and honestly, times have been hard. But I did create a business, and if you want to help me, help me by subscribing so I can help you.

A concept I created during the Covid-19 lockdown. With no access to gyms or training facilities a few of my friends, followers and fellow Cirque Du Soleil artists asked me to create workouts.

Taking into consideration a lack of space and zero equipment I created these HIIT bodyweight workouts which, vary daily and are fun to complete, they can be as challenging as you want them! My parents and my son complete them at their own level. I tell my classes use me as a pacesetter and on average I burn close to 1000+ calories each session.

In addition I consulted with my partner Ekaterina Bazarova and fellow Great Britain gymnast Jack Atherton and between us we created this amazing online fitness platform. Where we offer a variety of live fitness classes with extremely talented expert coaches in their respective areas of performance which can include chair ballet, martial arts and unique skills.

These classes are for all abilities and can be completed anywhere providing there is access to wifi. Come support us and get into shape. Yoga fitness and other skill classes from not your average coach. Interactive social before and after every class.

Free week trial for all classes easy to manage subscription

Subscribe to receive the weekly schedule

Live workouts everyday and recordings of every class

World class performance coaches

www.workoutwith.org

UPDATE 5/25/20 – Wayne is currently competing on the NBC show The Titan Games, Mondays on NBC. Click this link for more information.

Raising a child in any large city can be a challenge. You want to be a great role model, provide for your children yet still make their formative years memorable, fun and happy. Now imagine being a single father in “Sin City”…and you’re a performer working late nights in an adult-themed production. That’s the reality of ZUMANITY heartthrob Wayne Skivington.

Skivington was born in a British Military Hospital in Germany. He began formal gymnastics instruction at the age of four and his natural talents were quickly recognized. When his family returned to Great Britain in 1994, Wayne performed in many exhibitions. While representing the nation at an international competition in Palm Springs, his troupe stopped in Las Vegas, visited Treasure Island’s Mystere….and Wayne’s love affair with Cirque du Soleil began.

Mesmerized by the renowned Alexis Brothers’ balancing act, Wayne sent his show reel to Cirque du Soleil along with an employment application. In 2008, as he was about to turn twenty-one, the handsome athlete was invited to join the Montreal-based entertainment company.

To his surprise, Wayne was hired for their Las Vegas division and placed in Mystere, the very show that had inspired him to apply. Accepting the position required leaving his sports coaching/conditioning studies at University of Leeds, but it’s a decision that Wayne has never regretted.

After his stint at Mystere, Skivington became the coach for Criss Angel BeLIEve and joined the cast onstage as a fellow performer. Now thirty-one, he’s a fitness coach at Rebound Vigour during the day and ZUMANITY‘s sexy Scotsman at night. His sensual acrobatic routine raises temperatures ten times each week at New York NY Hotel Casino.

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Family fitness program! Encourage a healthy family lifestyle! #cirqueitfit CHECK OUT FULL TRAILER link in our bio

A post shared by IP Fit LLC (@ipfitfun) on Jul 27, 2017 at 9:51pm PDT

Fatherhood has taken Skivington’s personal life to greater heights than a trapeze. Six-year-old son Rowan shares Wayne’s blonde hair and gift for gymnastics and acrobatics. The two have become a worldwide sensation thanks to a series of father/son workout videos that Wayne shares on social media platforms.

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Photos: Marco Poker via IP FIT Facebook page…

Being a single parent with two jobs, I don’t have a great deal of spare time. So, my son is always with me. It was by sheer fluke that one day whilst videoing, like most parents do, I realized my son was copying me working out. He loves attempting to do what daddy does!

Wayne stresses that his time with Rowan isn’t what he considers to be a formal exercise regime. He saves that for personal training sessions, garage and gym workouts…and of course, rehearsals at the theater with show partner Katerina. When Rowan and his dad do their amazing feats, it’s just father-and-son fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaGm2pi7tGM

I think my videos have become popular because I am including my son in my active lifestyle, demonstrating the possibilities that lie with the greatest tool we own… our bodies! They can also see the trust my son has in me and the confidence I am building in him, all achieved through bonding during our playtime.

There’s no question that raising a little one in a city-wide adult playground poses its own challenges. Wayne has the unique added complexity of being in a production meant for mature eyes only. But this son of a military officer grew up quickly on a worldwide stage. He’s gained a lifetime of practical experience that most parents would never have exposure to.

Now Wayne is sharing his knowledge and perspectives by bringing fitness to families. He’s created a program called IP FIT FUN, which combines time-management principals with exercises that utilize your most valuable equipment – your own body.

IP FIT FUN helps parents teach basic fundamentals of movement (to their children) through interaction and bonding. (They learn) to work out at home using body-weight exercises. Kids just soak up everything they see and realize anything is possible with a little dedication.

I want to encourage people to be a good role model, live a healthier lifestyle whilst having fun with the family, enriching relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.

As for the possibility of a father-son acrobatics act? Only time will tell if Rowan follows his dad’s footsteps into acrobatics and performance. But for now, he’s off to an amazing start. And his father will be there every step of the way.

“You are my motivation, my inspiration and my drive! I do it all for you”…

– Wayne Skivington

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Pics courtesy Wayne Skivington social media, individual photographers credited there…

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Must-Visit Vegas: Q & A with Golden Tiki’s Branden Powers

It’s Disneyland for grownups at Chinatown’s throwback lounge…

Tucked away in charming Las Vegas Chinatown is a magical little place. Fairly hidden between a jewelry store and a Korean BBQ restaurant, the quaint little storefront is deceptively unobtrusive. But one step inside the heavy wooden doors leads you to a world of wonders. Welcome, explorers, to The Golden Tiki.

Under a fiber-optic sky replete with shooting stars, a three-sided long bar serves visitors a vast array of specialty cocktails from a delightfully-endearing line-up. Bamboo, palm fronds and trickling water enhance the Caribbean-inspired stylings. Behind a team of costumed bartenders, video loops from vintage films will make you feel like you’ve embarked on a three-hour tour of the islands.

Explore a little further into the dimly-lit corners, behind the giant seashell and beyond the cave-like private booths. There you’ll discover a stunning collection of curiosities, memorabilia…and a cabinet filled with the shrunken heads of numerous Vegas celebrities.

There’s never a cover charge at The Golden Tiki. Nightly live bands fill the air with frivolity like a Don Ho Tribute Happy Hour. Humorous themed events like Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving Dinner have fans returning time after time.

Powers (right) presenting the late Robin Leach with his own “shrunken head”…

How Branden Powers‘ salute to kitschy Vegas came to be is a story unto itself. He was more than willing to share the journey in a recent interview:

When did you first come up with the concept for Golden Tiki and how long did it take from inspiration until opening day?

One day in 1992 I stumbled upon a wonderful tiki paradise inside Islands Restaurant and Lounge at the old Hanalei Hotel in Mission Valley San Diego (now home to the yearly Tiki Oasis gathering). I immediately fell in love and began to promote two weekly events under the name “Taboo” and my production company Cocktail Nation. I had thousands of people each week, all dressed to the nines with aloha shirts, Fez hats, smoking jackets and cocktail dresses.

The events, some of the first in America, were instant hits. One day I’m called in for a meeting. I enter to the remnants of what was once paradise to find that all of the priceless artifacts were removed, the walls painted white and the fish that had been there for forty years gone! My heart sank.

Three years ago I was approached by Jeff Fine, Joe Cain and Seth Schorr. They owned a bar that needed help. I wasn’t even thinking tiki. That part of my life died in the 90’s. I was wanting to call it Madame Wongs and make it a punk rock bar. Jeff said “How about tiki?” I thought it was a brilliant idea but only if I could build it the right way.

It needed to have multiple layers and a strong back story. I wanted an “adult Disneyland”, so I hired a team of hardworking Tiki tradesmen and we went to work nonstop. Sixty days later we opened our doors to a packed house and a broken air conditioner.

It was a success but not without the blood, sweat and tears of many GM’s, bartenders and servers who helped mold The Golden Tiki into what was recently awarded The Best Bar in all of Las Vegas. I owe all of them and my patient wonderful partners a debt of gratitude.

We’re celebrating our 3-year anniversary August 26th but we really opened in June 2015. Once we opened we’ve never closed. There are no locks on our doors.

Have you always been a collector of the curiosities that you proudly display there?

I have been. My love is collecting street art, outsider art. A few years ago I gave away over 100 pieces of art on the streets of Las Vegas in what was a city side scavenger hunt. I’m also a huge record collector, but I mostly collect interesting people. I have the most awesome group of friends.

Did you deliberately model the atmosphere and service to replicate “old Vegas”?

Yes. I have been coming to Vegas since I was a kid in the 70’s. I loved that era. My star-filled ceiling at The Golden Tiki was inspired by my love for Benihana and their ceiling at the former Las Vegas Hilton (now Westgate).

I moved here in 1999 and was saddened that so many icons were shutting down only to be replaced by soulless glass boxes that looked like airports. Our company’s goal is to open many themed environments that bring back the early Vegas visionary magic of Jay Sarno and Steve Wynn.

I am the creator and managing partner of The Golden Tiki. I have three partners in this venture (Jeff Fine, Seth Schorr and Joe Cain) and our main parent company is High Horse, which we’re changing to Food Fight Inc.

Tell us about the specialty cocktails that make up your drink menu?

We’re very proud to announce that we just brought on an award-winning USBG mixologist Adam Rains who will be taking our cocktail program to the next level. We want to compete on the world stage. Adam is assembling a team to do just that.

Do you have a personal other favorite Tiki lounge, past or present

My heart will always be with the Islands Restaurant and Lounge. My giant clam waterfalls are an homage to that tiki bar. I honestly appreciate all tiki bars. I’m a lover of escapism. People try and pit Frankie’s Tiki Room against us but honestly I love them.

We’re two different experiences. They call us Disneyland and that’s okay by me. I think they’re small and dive-y but that’s equally as awesome. Their drinks are great and people should definitely explore them. Why limit yourself or the good times and adventures you can have?

Who would be your dream celebrity to present with their own shrunken head?

If I could present anyone alive or dead. It would have been….

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The Golden Tiki is located at 3939 Spring Mountain Road in Chinatown. It never closes. For more information call 702-222-3196.

All photos courtesy of The Golden Tiki

“Rise and Shine” Brings the Sun To Your Table

Delightful brunch place is a hidden treasure waiting for you to discover…

One of the great things about visiting Sin City is the endless supply of new and exciting restaurants. Just when you think you’ve decided on a favorite, another pops up to demand your attention. And quite often, they’re off the beaten path.

Such is the case with Rise and Shine: A Steak and Egg Place. This wonderful little treasure features made-to-order meals served with a side of whimsy. You’ll know you’ve left the ordinary behind from the moment you walk in the door. Dozens of flower-festooned umbrellas hang upside-down from the ceiling, making it clear that the weather inside is always bright and sunny.

Beneath those colorful inverted parasols, cast members carry out their tasks while clad in adorable sleepwear and fashionably-unfashionable flannel robes. No matter the hour, your server will be perky and alert, perhaps due to heavy doses of Rise and Shine‘s outstanding bottomless cups of LavAzza Italian house coffee.

A variety of comical photos adorn the menu, which covers the gamut of breakfast and brunch favorites, albeit with many unique qualities. Several of those twists go into preparing freshly-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. Build-your-own fruit and yogurt parfaits join French Press coffee, herbal teas, flavored lattes, cappuccino and iced coffees as wonderful starters.

While perusing the menu, you can indulge in a Rise and Shine specialty – Pot of Bread with butter and jelly. You may need to ask for a second helping, as the list of specialties seems to go on and on forever. If you’re the kind to stick with basics, their list of omelettes runs from healthy (Grilled Chicken & Egg White) to indulgent (Fancy Steakhouse). And of course, you can design your own with a choice of three from a list that includes avocado, banger sausage, turkey kielbasa and bell pepper.

The “Classics Done Better” section presents goodies like Homemade Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, Smoked Salmon-N-Eggs Benedict and Oatmeal with Toasted Pecans. Sweet-lovers may wish to dive into a stack of Banana Frosted Flake Pancakes, S’Mores Campfire Waffles or Peanut Butter & Blueberry French Toast.

Feeling a little “South of the Border”? Why not order up a Grilled Steak & Chorizo Burrito? You can substitute chicken for steak…either way comes with a side of refried beans. New Yorkers should love the Two-Fisted Bagel Sandwiches. Luscious selections like Roast Turkey California and 3 Little Pigs (bacon, ham and banger sausage) are sure to fill you up.

Since Rise and Shine has “A Steak and Eggs Place” in the title, you can probably guess what’s front and center in the menu presentation. What you may not expect is the wide variety of steaks to choose from. Bacon-Wrapped Tender Steak, Philly-Style Cheese Steak, island-inspired “Loco Moco” Steak Burger, Chicken-Fried NY Steak and much more.

Traditional steak offerings are grilled to perfection with a spice rub that sears in flavor. If memory serves, those spices include actual coffee with gives a bit of blackened taste to the meat. Is your mouth watering yet?

Lunchtime kicks in at 11:30 am (don’t worry, breakfast is served from open until close). Garden salads like the NY Steak Caesar and Grilled Chicken Cobb compete with a list of steak burgers and chicken sandwiches for your love. Wraps like the Spicy Tuna & Spinach and Crispy Fried Chicken w/provolone and avocado come with either fries or the outstanding wasabi broccoli slaw.

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Photos: Sam Novak, Rise and Shine

Postmodern Jukebox Is A Musical Time Machine

The group’s vintage remixes are pitch-perfect for Vegas…

You may have heard of Postmodern Jukebox, the genre-busting collective of musicians and singers. But have you actually heard them? One song into Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Hideway, their new production at The Mirage, and you’ll become a lifelong fan.

Postmodern Jukebox is a brilliantly entertaining concept. An ever-changing line-up of performers and songs, PMJ (as they’re affectionately known) has become a sensation thanks to the power of YouTube. Founded in Queens just eight years ago by pianist Scott Bradlee, Postmodern Jukebox takes your favorite contemporary songs, puts them into a time-machine blender and gives them a whole new spin.

Imagine hearing a familiar rap single performed in a roaring 20’s style. How about an electronica dance hit re-imagined as swing or Motown? Perhaps a country ballad doled out as a cool jazz session or a doo-wop ditty? That’s what PMJ does…and they do it oh so well. Every song is a thrill to experience, and you’ll marvel at how well it all works.

PMJ has been enjoying a love affair with Sin City for quite some time. Their short-term gigs around the city and in a 2016 New Year’s Eve performance at Cosmopolitan were such successes that it was only a matter of time before they landed a residency here. And why not? Las Vegas attracts music lovers of all generations and tastes, as does the group itself.

The new Hideaway stint has already been hailed by Mark Shunock (Rock of Ages, voice of Las Vegas Golden Knights) as “The best show in Las Vegas right now…period!”. Presented as an evening at an early 1900’s nightclub, Hideaway gathers the best singers, dancers and musicians you may ever see on a stage. And each performance is unique to that particular evening.

Fans of Palazzo’s glorious BAZ: A Musical Mash-up will be thrilled by the return of its stars Nicci Claspell and Jaclyn McSpadden. Revisiting BAZ’s infectious vintage-pop fusion, Claspell delivers and cool and bouncy take on Portugal The Man’s “Feel It Still”. Dazzling Vegas local McSpadden brings down the house with a torch rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep”.

Lead vocalist/host Ariana Savalas (daughter of Kojak actor Telly Savalas) and award-winning tap dancer Aaron Turner (son of Vegas legend Earl Turner) rip up the floor with a stunning “Bad Romance”. They’re supported by an electrifying five-piece band and a hot cast of dancers that take the excitement to every corner of the club.

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Blond Invasion – The Ultimate Pop-Diva Experience

New production gathers pop’s biggest female superstars for the dream concert that never was…

Superstar headliner residencies are the biggest draw on the Strip right now. We’ve got Mariah, Janet, Gwen and more with Christina on the way (Pink and Katy Perry are rumored to be eyeing gigs as well). Can you imagine how awesome it would be if Madonna, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears somehow teamed up for the megawatt show of a lifetime? Now you can stop dreaming, because Blond Invasion is here.

Blond Invasion is the latest show to open at V Theater inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops. A stunningly clever yet simple concept, Blond Invasion is a beautifully executed salute to the ladies who keep us dancing. Unlike other tribute shows you may have seen, Blond Invasion doesn’t have lip-syncing or a rotating roster of celebrity acts. It’s a live performance created especially for fans of Madonna/Britney/Gaga by people who adore them.

In the crazy world of entertainment, you never know if or when you’ll ever get the chance (or finances) to see your favorite headliner. Britney lovers were blind-sided last November when her upcoming Park MGM residency was abruptly cancelled. Things turned even more dire just this month when the troubled pop tart’s manager stated that she may never perform again.

Britney’s devoted fan base will be thrilled when performer Katie Murdock blasts through the Planet Hollywood ceiling with uncanny live vocals and spot-on Britney moves. Flanked by an explosive male dance troupe, Katie opens with the fabulous “Circus”, followed by sensational interpretations of “Toxic”, “Womanizer” and of course, “Work B*tch”.

At the grand opening celebration, guests literally gasped when Ms. Murdock strolled into the party…the likeness was absolutely breathtaking. I later learned that Katie has already wowed thousands through her portrayal of Spears in the record-setting Legends In Concert. With fourteen years of Britney experience and a lifetime of singing and performing, Murdock’s act alone is worth the price of admission. But she’s just one of three powerhouse performances that make Blond Invasion such a treat.

The 90-minute production opens with Coty Alexander striking a pose to Madonna’s “Vogue”, followed by “Into The Groove”, “Papa Don’t Preach”, “Human Nature” and more. A multi-faceted artist who’s also a Legends in Concert alumnus, Alexander has thrilled with her interpretations of Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga, too.

Speaking of Gaga, prepare to be floored when Philadelphia native Christina Shaw and the boys let loose with “Bad Romance”. Clad in a blue wig and glittery spandex, Christina shows off her own real keyboard skills at a lush red piano for a ballad-style rendition of “Poker Face”. She and the boys celebrate diversity with “Born This Way”, bring the party directly to your seat for “Just Dance” and wrap up with a fabulous round of “Applause”.

Christina Shaw’s Lady Gaga raises the roof with “Applause”…

Along with their individual sets, Blond Invasion‘s three stars come together for something you’ll never see anywhere else…Madonna, Britney and Lady Gaga on one stage. Together they unleash a career-spanning medley that’s a concert event like no other.

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ELVIS IS BACK IN VEGAS WITH ‘HEARTBREAK HOTEL IN CONCERT’

Concert-style Elvis retrospective is satisfying, solid entertainment…

Just when you thought there couldn’t be any new ways to celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley, along comes Heartbreak Hotel In Concert. The new production at Harrah’s Las Vegas is an extravaganza of swiveling hips, legendary blues and rock-a-billy guitar hits that will have you rising from your seats with cheers.

Unlike other Elvis tribute shows, Heartbreak Hotel In Concert isn’t a typical impersonation act. Instead, its talented cast of singers and a live band present a chronological journey of The King’s career in word, song and style. A carefully-crafted set list visits his earliest church gospel days to recordings in Memphis through his army stint and Hollywood breakout, culminating in that historic record-setting residency at the International Hotel (now Westgate Las Vegas).

Bursting onstage with “All Shook Up”, front man Eddie Clendening is an accomplished rock-a-billy powerhouse. His personal love for Presley’s music shines through with every chord of “That’s Alright”, “Baby Let’s Play House” and the title tune. Having previously portrayed the late superstar on Broadway in Million Dollar Quartet as well as touring around the world with his Blue Ribbon Boys band, Eddie knows instinctively how to channel Presley’s persona and style. Rather than mimicking Elvis, the Denver Colorado native allows the music to flow through him, infusing his vocals and body language with Presley’s signature heart and soul.

Musical director Colte Julian tickles the ivories and has a great time as Jerry Lee Lewis in a sequence saluting the Million Dollar Quartet jam sessions. Julian’s spot on, having played the wild piano man in several productions of the long-running hit based on that gathering. He’s also hysterical in a “White Pop” medley that dramatically emphasizes how daring Presley’s “black” music was perceived by listeners of the day.

Once a two-act musical drama, Heartbreak Hotel has been re-imagined for Vegas audiences by Ivan Menchell and staged by Jeff Calhoun as a concert experience. Each performer gets their moment to recount a historic milestone and share personal reflections of The King’s songbook. Lovely singers Jackie Wiatrowski, Tymara Walker and Fana Hughes take center stage (and the keyboards) for “Handyman”, “Love Me Tender” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”. Broadway vet Geno Henderson (guitarist for B.B King and Ike Turner) captivates the audience with a soul-filled rendition of “Are You Lonesome Tonight”.

In addition to lush costumes, precise staging and slick choreography, Heartbreak Hotel has invaluable and unprecedented access to thousands of rare photographs and video footage through Elvis Presley Enterprises.

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Satisfy Your Inner Foodie at “Vegas Unstripped”

Outdoor festival gathers on-the-rise Chefs for a new take on Sin City dining…

After an extremely unusual winter of snowstorms, downpours and chilly temps, the visitors and citizens of Las Vegas are taking to the streets. What better way to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine than an outdoor food festival?

In recent years, Downtown Las Vegas and the valley’s surrounding areas have become a hotbed of culinary talent. Places like EDO Gastro, Flock & Fowl, Patrage and Esther’s Kitchen have allowed innovative chefs the opportunity for more daring ventures. They’re able to stretch their creative muscles, free from the confines of mega-resorts and brand names. While those celebrity chefs have done wonders to bring attention to the culinary landscape of Sin City, at “Vegas Unstripped”, it’s simply all about making and serving great food.

After a successful inaugural run, “Vegas Unstripped 2019: Second Helping” will again fill the sidewalks of Downtown’s Arts District with a tempting array of dishes, drinks and fun. “Second Helping” boasts nineteen chefs and teams that have been challenged to “create unique dishes for the night reflecting their culinary passions”.

To enhance an independent spirit, all participants and organizers volunteer their time and efforts. In addition, the announced chefs and restaurateurs have their expenses covered by the event’s ticket sales. The goal is to make Vegas Unstripped as affordable as it is fun. Any remaining proceeds will then be donated to charities that assist the local homeless population.

Last year’s launch gathered ten culinary teams to strut their stuff. “Second Helping” ups the ante by nearly doubling that number and adding a collaboration from six beloved local bars. Expect unique cocktails from the famed Golden Tiki Lounge, Velveteen Rabbit and Herbs & Rye. Beers will be provided by CraftHaus and Trumer Pils, wines by Bin 702 of Downtown Container Park.

With all of the activities being planned, Master of Ceremonies Chef Gary Lamorte (founder of Honest Hospitality) will have his talented hands full keeping things flowing smoothly. He’ll be joined onstage by a number of live bands including Super Lemon, Johnny Hazard Trio and The Rhyolite Sound. Socio-political artist Recycled Propaganda will be on hand to present a “live activation” of his intriguing and often controversial work.

The line-up of Vegas Unstripped 2019 chefs is a veritable who’s who of culinary wizards:

Oscar Amador (EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine)
Brian Howard (Sparrow + Wolf)
Chris Decker (Metro Pizza/Lulus Bread & Breakfast)
Johnny Church (Cookfast LLC)
Geno Bernardo (The Summit Club)
Gina Marinelli (La Strega)
James Trees (Esther’s Kitchen)
Ralph Perrazzo (BBDs)
Justin Kingsley Hall (Main St. Provisions)
Khai Vu & Tony Nguyen (District One/Le Pho/Mordeo Boutique Wine Bar)
Sonia El-Nawal (Rooster Boy Cafe)
Marc Marrone (Graffiti Italian, Graffiti Bao)
Sheridan Su (Flock & Fowl/Fat Choy)
Jamie Tran (The Black Sheep)
Michael Stamm & Emily Brubaker (Cured & Whey/MGP)
Saipin Chutima (Lotus of Siam)
Shaun King (ex-Momofuku Las Vegas)
Yuri Szarzewski (Partage/Eatt)

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Photos provided by The Feast of Friends

“Donny and Marie” Turn It Up To Eleven

Famed duo hits new heights for final year of Flamingo residency….

Donny Osmond loves making jokes. Even when the gag seems to go over the audience’s head, he still keeps chuckling. “Did you get that one?” he asked, referencing This Is Spinal Tap‘s famous “up to eleven” quote. “I think you were one of the few who did” he laughed as we spoke after a recent performance of Donny and Marie Show at Flamingo Hotel Casino.

The beloved brother and sister of the famed Osmond clan have indeed turned up the dial to maximum setting. Not only is their revamped show better than ever, but the Utah natives are about to wrap up an amazing eleven years on the Strip. “You know, we were only supposed to be here for six weeks. And now we’re in our eleventh year” Donny exclaimed. “Can you believe it?”

While other nostalgia-based Vegas productions have had mixed success of late, Donny and Marie continue to pack the house, perhaps now more than ever. Derrick Boyce, one of the production’s award-winning dancers, is excited about their continued success. “I was in the casino before showtime and was stunned at the long line stretching around the corner. We’re sold out on a Tuesday night. It’s amazing!”.

“Amazing” is also the perfect word to describe the show itself. A perfect blend of their original hits and chart-toppers by other artists, Donny and Marie leave everyone wanting more. While their legacy is certainly the catalyst in attracting longtime fans, it’s the charisma of the two leads combined with their fantastic voices, dance skills and production numbers that lure in audiences of all ages.

Opening with a high-energy medley of Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got A Feeling” and B-52’s “Love Shack”, the siblings thrill the crowd with non-stop banter and good-natured rivalry. Despite the passage of more than four decades, it feels like you’ve stepped into a live taping of their beloved 70’s TV variety show.

After that raucous opener, the Osmonds stroll down memory lane with their successful individual careers. Marie makes a visit to Broadway, then slips on a pair of cowgirl boots for country favorites. Duo Des Fleurs (from the French opera Lakme) is a beautiful sequence in which Marie performs a duet with herself via special effects. The segment closes with Music Is Medicine (from the album of the same name). That release features a collaboration with Olivia Newton-John and benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which Marie helped to establish in 1983.

There’s definitely no opera or country when brother Donny takes over the stage. He unleashes serious rock and roll amidst hardcore pyrotechnics for Crazy Horses and Soldier of Love. The former heartthrob boasts about his recent Dancing With the Stars and The Masked Singer successes, revisits those teen idol days with Puppy Love and reunites with the legendary Osmond Brothers (via video) for Love Me For A Reason.

It’s worth noting that when this writer attended Donny and Marie the previous week, Marie had to abruptly cancel due to illness. Always the consummate professional, the 61-year-old Donny turned the evening into a stellar showcase and career retrospective. “Yeah, we really scrambled to put that one together. I hope it turned out alright,” he told me. Indeed it did.

When prodded about the possibility of a solo Vegas residency, the ageless father of five leaned in and revealed, “We’re already working on that.” Did Donny just give me a Vegas Unfiltered Blog exclusive? It certainly sounds that way, but don’t take any chances – experience the award-winning Donny and Marie Show before it becomes a part of Las Vegas history.

Update 11/20/20 – Donny Osmond has announced a residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas beginning August 2021. You read it here first. Thanks to my colleague at VegasFool.com for the news…

SkinnyFATS – Fun, Hip and Healthy Dining

Vegas-born restaurants will change your ideas of “Good-For-You” food…

The fitness culture of Sin City is big….and growing. Of course we’ve got hundreds (if not thousands) of models, athletes, acrobats, dancers and other performers who call Las Vegas “home”. If you think these fine physical specimens get by on a boring diet of broccoli and smoothies, you’d be wrong. For exciting meals that fit their demanding lifestyle, the hip and health-conscious have embraced SkinnyFATS. Now this locally-born collection of exciting restaurants is going national.

The slogan for SkinnyFATS is “Live healthy. Live happy”. That second phrase is what sets SkinnyFATS apart from stodgy “clean eating” establishments. You’ll know you’re in for fun the moment you walk in the door and are greeted with a chorus of “hello!” and “welcome!”. That positive attitude is enhanced with colorful decor, carefully-selected music and a relaxing, inviting design. The restaurants are counter-service style but you’ll still feel pampered from the ordering process to your final bite.

Everything at SkinnyFATS represents their business philosophy….especially the very affordable menu. Certain choices are considered to be indulgent, so the menu is divided between a “Healthy Side” (selections under 600 calories) and a “Happy Side”, i.e. those that aren’t. Yet even those supposedly naughty choices are whipped up with beneficial twists.

SkinnyFATS starts each day with luscious breakfasts. The ScramBowl ($8.95) is an egg-white scramble made with turkey bacon, zucchini, mushrooms, carmelized onion and cherry tomatoes. Packed with flavor and protein, this hearty bowl has only 295 calories. Healthy Side choices include Cluck Moo, an egg white omelette with shaved NY steak, carmelized onion and avo pico ($11.95) and Berry Strong, a protein waffle topped with berries, strawberry chia jam, orange agave and turkey bacon ($8.95).

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Happy Side breakfasts include S’motherload, a burrito filled with filet mignon, sausage, fajita peppers, potato and eggs, then smothered with cajun cheddar sauce and pico ($11.95). Perhaps the meat-lover in you catches a glimpse of Steak Eyes 2.0, an intriguing plate of country-fried filet medallions and two eggs served with jalapeno cornbread and gravy ($12.95).

For lunch, you’ve gotta try TOMato Cruise ($3.95), an amazing soup that’s the freshest and richest you’ll ever slide your spoon into. This vegan delight is topped with 9-grain croutons and boasts a calorie count of only 230. You can add a Grilled Cheese Sandwich for $4.20 more.

If you’d like to whet your appetite with crunch and heat, try CauliFIRE, a spicy vegan/gluten-free shareable of cauliflower, buffalo sauce, pico and cilantro ($5.95). Gobballs ($5.95) are turkey meatballs flavored with spicy arrabiata sauce, pesto and roasted tomatoes. Seafood lovers will adore Pimp Shrimp ($9.95) a cucumber boat filled with tempura shrimp, cilantro slaw and avo pico.

Once you’re ready for the main course, dive into dozens of sandwiches, burgers, tacos and “Things In Bowls”. Remember….nothing here is ever ordinary. Turnip Tacos ($7.95) serve an insane combination of filet mignon, jicima, pico and habanero lime crema inside two wheat tortillas. Gluten-free Smoke In A Bowl ($9.95) piles agave barbecued chicken, peppers, onions, black bean salsa, pineapple and cilantro yo over a bowl of jasmine rice. T.A.T.S. ($9.95) reimagines the BLT as a low-cal winner with turkey bacon, avocado, tomato, spinach and spicy yo on 9-grain bread.

If you’re on the way to the gym or just need a kick, fresh juices like Liquid Defense, Hangover Remedy and Green Mile will have you at your best in no time. Of course, naughty grab-and-go cookies like Chocolate Chunk, Salted Caramel and Lemon Blueberry (all $2.95) are also ready for your eager hands.

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FANTASY Prepares to Celebrate Its 20th Anniversary In Style

The Strip’s biggest tease prepares to enter its third decade…

In most states, the legal age of consent is 18 years old. Using that guideline, FANTASY, the topless revue at Luxor, is barely an adult. Yet in the realm of Vegas production shows, twenty years definitely ranks as “senior status”. With expensive start-up costs and high overhead, new productions that aren’t instant hits often become forgotten in a matter of months. And yet, Fantasy continues to entice men, women and couples seven nights a week.

Producer/Director/Creator Anita Mann is very proud of the longevity of her show. She proudly shares credit with the many who have contributed to FANTASY from its inception:

I own and produce FANTASY. When I created it the show was originally called MIDNIGHT FANTASY as it started at midnight. When MGM took over the property we all agreed to drop the “Midnight” since we were no longer a midnight show. Beverly Jeanne has remained executive producer since its inception and Mariah Riviera has now joined the production team as Associate Producer.

We have been blessed to have several different choreographers over years. Tiger Martina was the very first, we have had Cris Judd and most recently Mandy Moore. I have also choreographed throughout the run along with several of our dancers including the most current, Yesi Burgess.

Naturally the cast is the main reason that guests choose to explore their fantasies at Luxor’s Atrium Theater each evening. An alluring group that runs the gamut from girl-next-door Abby to sultry Mariah, the ladies of FANTASY appeal to just about every taste. Members hail from all over the world, like Geraldine of France, Isabella from South Africa and Alex from England. Of course there are plenty of all-American girls like Alabama’s Jennifer and California-born Soolin.

California is also where host Lorena Peril hails from. Born in San Francisco, Ms. Peril is an electrifying singer with a solid history of Sin City entertainment. Formerly of Vegas! The Show and Sin City Bad Girls, Lorena stunned audiences at American Superstars with her impersonation of Christina Aguilera. She left FANTASY in 2013 after being cast as “Sandy” in the European tour of Grease. Now she’s back and entrancing audiences with her powerful voice and engaging style.

FANTASY is much more than a sexy dance spectacular. There is plenty of singing, audience interaction and loads of fun. Comedic impersonator Sean E. Cooper has been with the show for most of its run. As the sole male cast member, Cooper can’t help boasting that he has the best job in the world.

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