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Hitzville the Show

Hitzville The Show


Story & Photos by Nikki Artale

If you have always loved the music of Motown, then you must go and see Hitzville the Show at the V Theatre inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. They take the stage nightly at 5:30 pm Monday-Saturday. Jin Jin Reeves is the producer, choreographer and star of the high energy production which shows her great talent. www.hitzvilletheshow.com

Jin Jin Reeves


The cast includes three sexy female singers, a male quartet and the seven piece Hitzville band that brings you along for a Soul Train ride and journey of a fabulous Motown revue.


The best of Motown songs, “I heard it Through the Grapevine”, “Midnight Train to Georgia”, “A Natural Woman”, “Heatwave” and “My Guy”, were some of the songs that had the audience moving and clapping and ended with a standing ovation.


The show was fast paced as the performers alternated on stage between the quartet, the ladies and Jin Jin, and that kept the energy high. The costumes were colorful and there were plenty of wardrobe changes that added to the show. There was a lot of singing power in the showroom.


Taking us on a journey through time was the music of some of the best of Motown, featuring Gladys Knight, The Supremes, The Four Tops and Tina Turner.


Singer, dancer, songwriter and dancer, Jin Jin, the total package of beauty and talent has performed all over the world, including Japan, Korea, Spain and Hawaii and she now graces the stage on the Las Vegas Strip. Hitzville is a must show to see. Jin Jin did a meet and greet with her fans after the show.



Erotikos at Pussycat Dolls Lounge

Erotikos at Pussycat Dolls Lounge

Story & Photos by Nikki Artale

Pussycat Dolls Lounge in Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas was the place to be on August 9, 2012 for the sexiest party in the Planet. The party launched the introduction and celebration for the Erotikos Film Festival, to be held September 15-22, 2012 in Negril Jamaica. www.erotikosfilmfestival.com



Jamaica was brought to the Pussycat Lounge with complimentary exotic drinks and previews of the Official Selections for the Erotikos Film Festival. Hosting the party was the creator of the event Nancy Sutton Pierce and curator Michael Hawks.

Nancy Sutton Pierce

Filmmakers from all over the world will be submitting films for the first Erotikos Film Festival that will be held at Hedonism 11 Resort & Spa, inmaica. Negril, Jamaica. The films will tell stories of love, sex, passion and seduction. Nancy first got the idea of the film festival during a weekly coffee date with her husband Mark.



Erotic film previews were shown during a “Goddess Hour” at the Pussycat Dolls Lounge with hundreds in attendance. It definitely was an Erotikos Teaser”.



The next day a topless pool party was held at Venus Pool at Caesars Palace and erotic cocktails flowed and everyone enjoyed reggae music.

Erotikos Film Festival will showcase feature films, music videos and short films and the winner will win a Erotikos Film Statue and cash. A people’s choice award for the best picture will be selected by the festival guests.
Judges for the film festival are Laurie Handlers, author and intimacy coach, Dr. Ava Codell, doctorate in human sexuality, Dr. Marc Mani, plastic surgeon and Dorian Gomez, resident curator of the Erotic Museum Las Vegas. The winning films will be shown at the Erotic Museum in October 2012.

Inquiry@erotikosfilmfestival.com
 or www.castawaystravel.com

800 470-2020

Hope to see you there.

Tanyalee Davis

Tanyalee Davis


Story & Photos by: Nikki Artale

Tanyalee Davis may be small in stature but she is big as a standup comedian in her shows. Standing at 3’6” she is a bundle of endless stories that ring true for many fans. Tanyalee has performed on stages all over the world, receiving four star reviews, as she entertains her audiences. Tanyalee has headlined in shows across the US, Canada and the UK. She has a keen perception of people and that becomes part of the stories she tells on stage.


Tanyalee gets big laughs from the audience when she tells the bathroom story, which is hilarious and outrageous. She tells a lot of stories about her life and how there is sexy in everyone and sexy comes from within. Tanyalee is down to earth and a delight to talk as she meets and greets everyone after the show. I loved watching Tanyalee on stage and I encourage everyone to see her show. www.tanyaleedavis.com


The show was opened by comedian Cozy Stone who had a great sense of humor and who loves to promote up and coming comedians. Cozy says she is a “Lifetime Student of Life” and a motivational speaker, so we can learn a lot from her. Cozy always has a smile on her face and she is genuinely loving and sincere and a loyal friend.


Cozy Stone
http://lasvegas.informermg.com/2011/11/30/cozys-comedy-corner/

Appearing on the show with Tanyalee was Heath Harmison who warmed up the crowd with his humor and energy. Heath has appeared in numerous comedy clubs, festivals, and colleges and in Edinburgh Scotland at the Fringe Festival, the world’s largest performing arts festival. Heath has a new DVD that is available at all his shows “Live Funny or Die Laughing”. www.heathharmison.com


Heath is very animated as he delivers the punch lines to a very receptive audience. His energy level is extremely high and he holds everyone’s attention during his performance. Heath is very funny and everyone should see his show.

Heath Harmison

Rolan Whitt has been performing in Las Vegas for over 20 years and he has quite a resume. He not only is a standup comic, he is also a writer, hypnotist, actor, comic, karaoke DJ and others, which of course stands for his logo W.H.A.C.K.O. Roland is very natural on stage and a joy to watch. He has written for many comics, including Jay Leno of the Tonight Show and shared shows with many top notch comedians. Rolan appeared with Tanyalee, Cozy and Heath and they were all great. www.rolanwhitt.com

Rolan Whitt

This was another great night at Big Al’s Comedy Club at The Orleans that featured outstanding comics. I suggest you check out the shows featured at The Orleans.

Cozy, Rolan, Tanyalee & Heath

Erotikos Film Festival

Erotikos Film Festival

Nancy Sutton Pierce & Michael Hawks

The Erotikos Film Festival will take place September 15-22, 2012 at the Hedonism Resorts in Negril, Jamaica with over 12 countries submitting films for judging. Filmmakers will be vying for cash and prizes and showcasing their erotic feature films, short films and music videos. International filmmakers will be holding special roundtable sessions. www.erotikosfilmfestival.com


Michael Hawks, Executive Director/Curator and Nancy Sutton Pierce, Executive director/creator have put together the first Erotikos Film Festival where festival attendees will watch and judge erotic films from all over the world.

An induction ceremony event will be in October in Las Vegas at the Erotic Heritage Museum. Dorian Gomez, curator of the Erotic Heritage Museum will be one of the panel judges for the Film Festival.

For more information email mhawks@erotikosfilms.com



















































































For more information email mhawks@erotikosfilms.com









nancy@erotikosfilms.com
Las Vegas Film Fest 2012



Voula Konstantarakis
Photos by Nikki Artale

My favorite thing to do is go to the movies so you can imagine how excited and thrilled I was to attend four day of the Las Vegas Film Fest at the LVH, which is in its fifth year. On July 19, 2012 five films from the Asian-American film block, by the San Diego Asian Film Festival were shown and the most powerful one was “Afterschock” which told the story of the 1976 Great Tangshan Earthquake. “Bang Bang” was the 2011 Best First Feature film and the cast came on stage to perform after the screening.


There was an after party every night after the last film of the day was shown. Benihana at the LVH hosted Thursday’s party, Central at Caesars Palace hosted Fridays party, the Royal Resorts on Saturday night and the Tempo Lounge at the LVH held the closing night awards after party. There were red carpet and VIP parties, screenwriters, producers and filmmaker’s panels and a closing night award ceremony. www.lvfilmfest.com

July 20th opening night premiere film was “The Trouble with the Truth” starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. Later that evening Lea Thompson was presented with the 2012 Female Indie Icon Award by actor/director Adam Ash. Lea is known for her roles in many movies, some of which were Back to the Future 1, 11 and 111.

Ash Adams & Lea Thompson

Lea Thompson & Jim Hemphill, Director

Following the red carpet and screening, Lea Thompson held a press conference and everyone had the opportunity to spend time with her in the filmmakers lounge. Lea was warm and welcoming and it felt as if we were sitting in her living room talking with her. Her personality and beauty is overwhelming and she is truly a joy to be with.

Nikki Artale & Lea Thompson

Lea Thompson and her husband film director Howard Deutch have two daughters Madelyn Deutch, 21 years old and Zoey Deutch, 17 years old and are both actresses and they have performed on stage together. Lea said she loves working with her daughters. Zoe is in “Beautiful Creatures” and Madeline is in “Twister Warning”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Thompson


Louis Gossett, Jr. was also presented with the 2012 Male Indie Icon Award and a special screening of the feature film “An Officer and a Gentleman” was shown to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the movie. I saw the movie 30 years ago and it was just as exciting to see it again. A special treat was in store for everyone as the writer Douglas Stewart joined Louis Gossett on stage for a question and answer period after the screening. The film won best song and best score and a total of seven nominations. Louis said he would love to work with Richard Gere again and both said that Richard should have won the academy award for his starring role in the film.
http://youtu.be/qrcEDMwZL2w
Louis Gossett, Jr. & Douglas Stewart

A special moment to see was Lea Thompson and Louis Gossett, Jr. seated together in the theater getting ready to watch the movie.They are old friends and you can see the love and respect they have for each other.

Louis Gosset, Jr. won the best supporting actor in his Academy Award winning role as Drill Sergeant Emil Foley. Louis has appeared in hundreds of movies and Television shows, notably “Roots”, a television miniseries which got everyone’s attention. A press conference was held with Milo Kostelecky, Festival Director, and Louis shared some memories of his life in the book “An Actor and a Gentleman”. www.louisgossett.com


Milo Kostelecky & Lou Gossett, Jr.

Louis Gossett, Jr. & Nikki Artale

A Rock & Roll documentary “Louder than Love: The Grandee Ballroom Story” was told by musicians and people that lived it. This was the first film produced and directed by Tony D’Annunzio and edited by Karl Rausch. Tony made a compelling 74 minute film with photos and archival footage of the rock and roll greats of the 1920’s that played at the Grandee Ballroom. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Who were some of the bands that played there. The film was released in April in Detroit and had 10 sold out screenings in Eight Cities with great reviews. www.thegrandeballroomstory.com

Karl Rausch & Tony D'Annunzio
Steven R. Monroe wrote and directed a great thriller “MoniKa” that was filmed here in Las Vegas and stars Cerina Vincent, who is a Las Vegas native. Also starring is Jason Wiles who meets MoniKa after her death and then tries to put the pieces together to avenge her death. It is suspenseful and a must see movie. http://www.facebook.com/MoniKa.TheMovie

Jason Wiles, Jeff Branson, Cerina Vincent & Steven R. Monroe

An interesting event was attending the round table discussion of the original gangsters of Las Vegas. Featured on the panel was Frank Cullotta who talked about the making of “Casino”. Cullotta has been in hiding for over 25 years but occasionally comes out to various events. I guess no one is looking for him any longer. I found him to be a very interesting man and his book “Cullotta the Life of a Chicago Criminal” is a no holds barred biography of his life of crime.

Frank Culotta