NiteKings Inducted into the Entertainment Consumers Exchange Hall of Fame.

 

 

Photos by Nikki Artale

For 50 years the NiteKings have kept the Doo Wop music alive and they are still going strong. On November 17, 2014 the group was inducted into the entertainment Consumer’s Exchange Hall of Fame and they celebrated that evening at Rhythms Kitchen in Las Vegas. It was a huge turnout of friends, family and fans that came out to honor the Nitekings. www.nitekings.com

Tony Cedola, Skip Petronzio, Victor Moea, Eddie B, Angelo Mastreio, Red Michaels, Chris Jacobs and John Falbo are the current NiteKings who entertain and mesmerize the fans that come out to see them perform. Rich Perez is the founder of the NiteKings, and fills in periodically and concentrates on managing the group, along with Skip Petronzio who co-produces the show with Rich Perez.

Rich was born in Pontiac, Michigan and had a large family consisting of six sisters, one brother and a mother and father who loved all of them. His father played the saxophone and those musical notes have remained with him for decades and that was the foundation of his musical career. Their lives were filled with music as they grew up. His life story is beautifully written in detail by Arlene Krieger, as narrated by Rich Perez in “The NiteKings a Legendary Band”. I encourage everyone to read this heartwarming, loving story of the wonderful Rich Perez. Rich is an amazing talented man and people love to be around him. He will be happy to personally autograph his book at his gigs at the Bourban Street Cabaret at The Orleans and at Sam’s Town. 

 

Arlene Krieger has recently written books on Tony Sacca Las Vegas Ambassador of Entertainment and a book on Little Anthony. The books can be purchased on www.amazon.com 

Rich Perez         Arlene Krieger

 

The NiteKings have appeared in many major Las Vegas Casino’s and are currently playing at Sam’s Town every Sunday 7:00-11:00 pm and at The Orleans on Wednesdays 4:00-8:00 pm. I went to see them at The Orleans and not only did the Doo Wop sound sweet, their outfits were beautifully tailored and they were the picture of perfection.           Video         http://youtu.be/ytcelP3QRc0

The showroom was filled with people dancing and you could see the nostalgic reminiscing of the audience as the soulful singing of the NiteKings filled the Casino showroom. The music brings back many good memories of the past.

Eddie B

 

 

  

Magical Forest Shines Bright in Opportunity Village

 

 

Photos by Nikki Artale

Get in the holiday spirit by visiting the Magical Forest in Opportunity Village and bring out the inner child in you as you walk through the park surrounded by millions of lights. It is an enchanted wonderland that is not only magical for children, but for adults as well.

 

 

There are a lot of animal characters walking around and taking pictures with many of the children. The displays are awesome and beautiful, especially the ginger bread houses, the castle, the polar bears, Santa’s reindeers, the decorated trees and hundreds of displays. It is a magical experience walking through the twinkling lights and hearing the Christmas music playing.

 

 

The express passenger train ride is popular for both the children and adults and the train goes through the entire park surrounded by the twinkling lights. There is also the Carousel, Avalanche Slide, and Mini Golf, Photos with Santa and Hot Chocolate and fennel cakes.

 

One display I loved was from the movie “The Christmas Story” with Ralphie (you’re going to shoot your eye out) that is shown for 24 hours every Christmas day. I have watched that movie faithfully for many, many years and I love it.

All the proceeds go to Opportunity Village, a non-profit agency that serves the people with intellectual disabilities by providing them with training and employment that improves the quality of their lives. The Magical Forest opens for the season November 21, 2014-January 4, 2015 Sunday-Thursday 5:30-9:00 pm Friday –Saturday 5:30-10:00 pm. and is located at Opportunity Village 6300 W. Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas NV.  It is the highlight of the holiday season and I enjoyed it with my family. www.opportunityvillage.org  

 

 

 

 

Terry Fator’s Country Themed Christmas with His Amazing Cast

Terry Fator  Taylor Makakoa

Photos by Nikki Artale

A Country Christmas featured country themed performances by Terry Fator and all his lovable characters. The media was once again invited on December 1, 2014 at The Mirage in Las Vegas to see Terry Fator, as he entertained everyone with his celebrity impressions. www.terryfator.com  

 

 

The show started with Terry singing many favorite Christmas songs before he welcomed his amazing cast on stage. As the doorbell rang he brought in his lovable characters. Some of the classic carols included O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland and the duet with Bing Crosby, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, was special. The likeness of the puppet and the music was reminiscent of Bing.

 

Terry is brilliant bringing his puppets alive and has mastered their voices perfectly. We loved seeing Winston, the Impersonating Turtle, Maynard, Berry Fabulous, Garth Brooks and Walter T. Airdale. Terry’s wife, Taylor Makakoa adds beauty and class to the show as she assists by taking the characters off stage when they are done.  

 

 

 

The interaction with Elvis was funny and every show needs an Elvis.

 

 

I love when audience members are brought up on stage and become part of the show. A nice agreeable man said yes when called upon to come on stage and he did a duet with Terry Fator, as Dolly Parton, and it was funny and enjoyable. http://youtu.be/D2wXkaNjQ5M

I am a loyal fan of the show America’s Got Talent and I was excited when Terry Fator won Season two. He was unique and talented and won the hearts of America and then won the hearts of Las Vegas when he got a multi-million dollar deal with The Mirage in Las Vegas. He has thrilled audiences at The Mirage since 2009 and there will be many more years to come. Terry deserves all the fortune and fame he has and it took over 25 years of performing in venues across the states to perfect his talent, so when he appeared and won on AGT show it truly was deserving. He has the heart of gold and is so wonderful with his fans and shows his love for them. I am always happy to see someone who has struggled and worked hard for so many years to finally find fame and happiness. Terry is one of our favorite entertainers.

 

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by phone 702-792-7777 or 800-963-9634

Terry Fator             Nikki Artale

 

Fabulous Eating at Crazy Pita, 5 Brothers Burgers, Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt and Dunkin Donuts.

The Toy Box Grand opening at Downtown Summerlin.

 

Crazy Pita Rotisserie & Grill has opened its third location in Downtown Summerlin, featuring their delicious Mediterranean cuisine.  The media was invited to attend on Nov. 16, 2014 to taste all the mouthwatering delicious food, especially the Kefta Pita which is marinated seasoned ground beef. www.crazypita.com

 

We were greeted by Chief Pita/Owner Executive Mehdi Zarhloul who has two other locations in Southern Nevada, The District at Green Valley Ranch and Town Square.  The signature dishes include Shrimp, salmon, falafel, steak, lamb along with the hummus and pita.

Mehdi Zarhloul

 

 

Crazy Pita is located at 10975 Sage Park Drive #100, Las Vegas NV. www.crazypita.com 702 750-2118

5 Brothers Burgers and Fries is located at 01965 Lavender Hills Drive in the new Downtown Summerlin Mall and they are the first franchise to offer milkshakes with their juicy burgers and the fresh cut fries. Only fresh, never frozen ground beef is served with the many possibilities of toppings on their hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers and hot dogs. I love the boxes of peanuts that are offered free to all the customers.www.fiveguys.com

 

 

 

Brad Carlson and his brother own 10 store franchises, eight in the valley, one in Reno and 1 in Carson City. 5 Brothers Burgers and Fries was voted Best Burger by the WA magazine readers and named the number one burger restaurant in America by Playboy Magazine.

 

Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt is a unique recipe that tastes like ice cream with no sugar added and is fat free with 85 to 100 calories per serving. It is packed with live and active culture probiotics in the 55 flavors.

 

 

Matt Thelander, co-founder of Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt is proud to give his customers healthy options with the Greek frozen yogurt that feature benefits of seven percent protein in each serving.

The store is located at 6135 S. Fort Apache Rd Suite 400, Las Vegas, NV. Store hours are from 11:00am to 10:00pm Sunday-Thursday, 11:00am-11:00pm Fridays and Saturdays. www.yumzfrozenyogurt.com 702 201-1155

Dunkin Donuts is Everyone’s Favorite Donut and a reminder of my east coast roots in New Jersey when I frequented the Dunkin Donuts on a regular basis to buy dozen of my favorite donuts. You can imagine what a thrill it was for me when Dunkin Donuts finally came to Las Vegas and for seven years running it has earned the number one ranking for customer loyalty. www.dunkindonuts.com

 

Kerri Escabar, manager of Dunkin Donuts was on hand recently when the actors from Fright Dome at Circus, Circus visited the store on at 3481 S. Durango, Las Vegas NV to serve the public guests. Jason Egan is the creator of the Fright Dome, one of the top haunted attractions that features haunted houses, scare zones and real life ghoulish professional actors.

 

 

 

 

Stop by and taste the new “Cronut” and the new apple and pumpkin pies for the holidays.

 

The Toy Box Opened in Downtown Summerlin with a special media event to introduce the owners to America. It is their first venture here and they are loving it and are excited in the opening of their first store The Toy Box.

 

There are many collectables and wonderful toys and gifts for children of all ages. It was a joy to see all the children going up and down the aisle picking out the toys that they wanted. They also enjoyed the face paintings they received.

 

Angela          Balloons with a Twist

 

It was a pleasure to see Kevin Burke “Caveman” at the media event and also Scott Commings, who won Hell’s Kitchen, Season 12, with his children Gavin and Gweneth. Scott won a one year contract at the Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

Kevin Burke

 

Stop in and say hello to Justin at The Toy Box, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, Las Vegas, NV.