Shopping: (Best Kept Secret) Boutique

Photo courtesy of (Best Kept Secret) Boutique

It’s a fashion fact of life—for those who want to keep up with trends and purchase quality pieces, a big chunk of the monthly budget must be sacrificed. At least, that’s the way it used to be.

Lauren Feather, 19-year-old proprietor of the (Best Kept Secret)Boutique at 1930 Village Center Circle in Summerlin, felt it was time
for a paradigm shift.

“My friends and I were tired of spending the majority of our money on clothes,” she said. “Then it hit me. An affordable, boutique-feeling store would be an awesome place for us to go.”

While others her age were working on their tans, Feather spent this past summer researching and putting together a business plan. With an initial investment from her father, the (Best Kept Secret) Boutique opened its doors in August.

Shoppers shouldn’t let the high-end décor or trendy displays fool them into thinking their wallets might suffer. For the price of a typical department store piece, customers can walk away with three or
four new looks.

“The most expensive item I’ve ever had in the store was a $48 adorable dress,” Feather pointed out. “Keeping the price point reasonable keeps the store unique.”

Unlike other low-cost fashion retailers, loyal customers shouldn’t worry about showing up in the same ensemble at a party.

“Once I’m out of something, you will never see it in the store again,” Feather said. “New inventory comes every week, so there will always be something new in the store.”

Potential customers should also know that the store doesn’t cater to just young, skinny girls.
“Not only do I cater to more sizes, I also cater to different age groups,” Feather said. “The best is when we get a grandmother, her daughter, and her granddaughter in and all three of them find
something.”

Already drawing a large following on Facebook and Twitter, (Best Kept Secret) includes among its fans local radio personality Lauren Michaels Bernard, who co-hosts the morning show on 98.5 KLUC.

By and large, this is the biggest source of the boutique’s publicity, social networking and word-of-mouth.

“(My friend) found it and told my boyfriend to go there for Christmas gifts,” said Kim Blackburn. “I loved my (outfit) so much I went and took two friends with me to check it out. We love it because it’s really cute, the clothes are cute and it’s not like the usual places we shop.”

“(Best Kept Secret) provides quality, adorable, affordable clothing,” Feather said. “The secret is you don’t have to spend an unlawful amount of money to look fashionable.”

Published on bestoflasvegas.com

Tuesday 13 - Shanna Moakler

Shanna Moakler isn’t just another pretty face. Yes, she was a beauty queen (four times over,) and yes she has modeled and appeared on television in roles that accentuated her physical features, but people shouldn’t write her off as merely window dressing. This feisty blonde has fascinated viewers as half of one of reality TV’s pioneering couples on “Meet the Barkers” with husband Travis Barker, did the foxtrot on season 3 of “Dancing with the Stars,” has hosted reality specials such as E!’s “Bridalplasty” and, in her spare time, started a cosmetics line called Smoak.

Recently, Moakler brought her experience with the Miss Universe and various Miss USA state pageants to the role of creative director for the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Nevada Teen USA organization. The Miss Nevada USA organization will be crowning its 2012 winners at the Palms Resort and Casino this weekend, which Moakler will be hosting with Sarah Chapman, Miss Nevada USA 2011. The Best of Las Vegas spoke with Moakler recently and got the scoop on her pageant duties, beauty secrets and what’s in the cards for her future.

BOLV: You reigned as Miss USA in 1995. What was the best part of that experience?
SM: Being able to travel the country, see all the different states and meet all the different people. I worked with so many incredible charities, foundations and organizations. One of the more special memories for me was working with the Special Olympics. I attended the World Games, and it was just a really, really special moment for me.

BOLV: Where do you keep your crown?
SM: I have four crowns. I was Miss Rhode Island Teen USA, Miss Teen All American, Miss New York USA and Miss USA. I have them in my bedroom, they’re all together in a pretty bookshelf. They sparkle.

BOLV: So we’re familiar with what Miss USA does. What does a pageant creative director do?
SM: I’m in charge of everything creative, from handling the visuals to the production, but I also recruit girls, help find the panel of judges, help style the opening number… And when we do crown the actual winners, I help prep them for Miss USA. I teach them how to walk and talk and do make-up, and help them build their wardrobes–all that good stuff! It’s a lot of work, but you change someone’s life, so it’s worth it.

BOLV: Which is more true-to-life: “Miss Congeniality” or “Toddlers and Tiaras?”
SM: “Toddlers and Tiaras!” Definitely more realistic! No, I’m being facetious. I think “Miss Congeniality.” I’ve met a lot of incredible, amazing young women through the pageants. There are a lot of unbelievably cool and talented women in pageants. They get a lot of stereotyping, but I’m hoping to break that.

BOLV: Why do you think pageants are something young girls should get involved with?
SM: They’re a great stepping stone. I think that pageants get a bad rap with shows like “Toddlers and Tiaras,” but I think the Miss USA system is pretty awesome. After winning a state or national title, (winners) get to travel all over their state or even the country. They get to meet heads of state, work with different charities that might be important to them personally, so it’s fantastic.

BOLV: How do these skills help contestants in life?
SM: (Being in a pageant) teaches young girls and teens poise, interviewing skills. It’s really life building. I think when you’ve stood in front of a panel of judges and have been asked tons of questions, that gives you a sense of confidence that you can use later in a job interview.

BOLV: Your stint on “Dancing with the Stars” was only two episodes long, but were there any lessons you carried from that experience into your life?
SM: I should have lasted longer, but whatever! I had fun, I really did. It’s a live show, and dancing is not a natural skill, so I’ve got to say that was the one show where I felt I had an out-of-body experience because I was so nervous. I had never been so nervous where my limbs didn’t even move! Even when I got voted off, I was so proud of myself for going out and doing the two dances that I was able to do. I felt like if I could do that, if I could go out there and dance in front of millions of people in such a scary atmosphere, I can do anything!

BOLV: From “Meet the Barkers” to “Dancing with the Stars” to “Bridalplasty,” what’s one “real” aspect of your personality that never made it to reality TV?
SM: I think on “Meet the Barkers” they showed me sleeping all the time! I’m not narcoleptic. I do like to sleep, but not all the time! I’m very driven. I don’t think people really see that side of me, that I don’t really take no for an answer, and I don’t let rejection bother me. I constantly persevere, whether it’s starting a cosmetics company, working with pageants or doing reality shows. I’m constantly trying to reinvent myself and become a better person.

BOLV: Speaking of Smoak, what’s it like to develop your own cosmetics line?
SM: It’s so much fun! Cosmetics are a passion of mine. The thing that I love about make-up is that women can put on even the smallest thing, even just some mascara or some light lip gloss, and it changes their confidence, the way that they walk and how they talk to people. That’s what I love about them. Starting the company, this was one of those times where I wanted something that I love and that I’m proud of and that’s me. In Hollywood, when you’re hired to do someone else’s shows, you’re being hired to bring to life someone else’s vision. I wanted to do something creative with my own vision, to give women the knowledge I’ve acquired through all the years of pageantry and modeling and acting. I felt like I had a really good education on it and I could really give something back.

BOLV: Your own skin is so beautiful even without cosmetics. How do you stay so ageless?
SM: Well, thank you. My mom is Portugese, and she’s olive-skinned and just stunning, she looks like Sophia Loren. When I was about 11 or so, she said the secret is that you have to take care of your skin from a really young age. Ever since then, even if it was just a three-step program of cleanser, toner and moisturizer, I kept up with it. As I get older, I just try to put the right things on my skin and get regular facials. I have to stay up on it because I think women get busy with their jobs and kids and life, and we just sort of forget to take that me time.

BOLV: You’ve learned a great many things over the years. What’s the lesson you wish you didn’t have to learn so publicly?
SM: I wish I never blogged some of the things I blogged! You know, when I was younger, (our generation) was pretty public. I don’t think we realized that what we were saying and doing was being put out there to such an extent. I wish I maybe didn’t allow so many people into my personal life. I think maybe young girls in this day and age are learning not to send naked pictures of themselves to their boyfriends, that sort of thing. We weren’t raised with the Internet, and the ethics or codes or unsaid laws, we kinda made them as we went along. I look at my children, and they’re learning that whatever they put out there, whether it’s pictures or words, could really follow them. There is a record now.

BOLV: Speaking of things enduring on the Internet, you still maintain a MySpace page?
SM: You know, I have it there and I’ve never taken it down. It’s like a relic! I go to it every once in a while, and I have no clue how to navigate it, I don’t understand what they did to it now. It used to be fun, how you could make it your own and do fun little things, but I have no clue how to do it anymore. It just sort of sits there in a great graveyard of MySpace pages. It’s an internet artifact.

BOLV: What are some of your favorite things to do in Las Vegas?
SM: Gosh, there’s so many places there that I so dearly love, but you’ll most likely find me in all the different spas! And I do love sitting in Michael Boychuck’s salon over at Colors or Amp, he makes me feel fabulous. He’s incredible!

BOLV: You’re also a poker player?
SM: Yes, I love to play poker. I play all the different charity events, and the celeb events. I’d love to play even more, get involved in tournaments and stuff. My partner and I were hoping to open an online poker site, so we’re kind of in talks right now for that. I think it could be really fun and exciting, because I’m definitely a gamer! 

BOLV: Along with everything else on your plate, you’re also a mom (to daughters Atiana, 12, and Alabama, 6, and son Landon, 8.) How do you balance motherhood with all your other projects?
SM: Well, the good thing is the main pageants, state and national, are only once a year, so when prepping in between, you just have to schedule smartly. I’m not necessarily the morning person, but I do all the evening stuff with my kids, the homework and bedtimes, bath times and all that fun stuff. I make it work somehow.

The Miss Nevada USA pageant will take place in the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Resort and Casino. The preliminary competitions are on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $16 each. The final event on Sunday begins at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $32.60. Tickets may be purchased online, at the box office or by calling 702.944.3200.

Published on bestoflasvegas.com

Shopping: Couponing offers extreme savings



Total cost: $51, an over 70% savings! (by Sarah McDuffie)

 To anyone who has ever felt faint upon seeing the final total on a grocery bill, shows like TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” can be downright irresistible. Watching a shopper exit a store with two carts full of merchandise paid for with the change from her sofa cushions seems inspirational, but is it worth the hours per week spent digging up the deals?

For Las Vegas’ Sarah McDuffie, the answer is definitely yes. The mother of five, who has actually made money on trips to the store, recalled how she got involved.

“I have a family member in California that has been bugging me for years about saving and couponing. She sent me a huge stack of coupons and pointed me in the right direction,” she said.

Experts say the best way to realize big savings is to match coupons with in-store sales. McDuffie used this strategy when she first started couponing to buy tissue paper at Walgreens.

“Who the heck needs an abundance of that, but it was what we call an MM, or a money maker,” she said. “I bought the tissue and (the store) gave me my money back plus $2. From that point on I was hooked–and will never lack tissue paper.”

There are a number of resources for beginners who want to save more than a quarter on a loaf of bread at checkout. TLC’s website offers 10 extreme coupon tips and Couponing101.com gives newbies tips on managing their expectations. Closer to home, bloggers such as Frugal Ferret and Homemaking Expert are offering a free couponing class at the Centennial Hills Library on Jan. 14 (sign up here.)

Although the savers on shows like “Extreme Couponing” can spend up to 30 hours a week planning their shopping sprees, McDuffie admitted that she doesn’t obsess over clipping coupons.

“I don’t have the time, with five kids, a husband, a job, school and a small petting zoo of animals to devote my life to,” she said.

Organization is key to saving big, according to the Coupons 101 section of the yVegasMommy.com blog. “My preferred method is keeping a file folder for the weekly inserts by insert type and then by date,” wrote site owner Jackie Landy.
“Another method is to keep a binder of all your coupons by category.”

Almost as important is knowing where to shop.

“My very favorite place to shop is Wal-Mart. They’re by far the most coupon friendly, in my opinion,” McDuffie said, citing their
price-matching policy and the fact that, if savings run over the cost, a cashier will hand the customer cash.

“I’ve saved over 100 percent before, which means they paid me to come to their store,” McDuffie said. “I try to always shoot for at least 50 percent, but really I’m very happy when I hit the 70-percent-off mark.”

Shoppers who hope to cash in on the best deals shouldn’t wait.

“So many times I have gone (to a store) and the shelf has been cleared,” McDuffie said. “We have a lot of couponers in Las Vegas, so you have to be on top of it.”

Published on bestoflasvegas.com

Tuesday 13: Angel Porrino

It’s always exciting to see a hometown girl achieve success, and doubly so when that girl is Las Vegas native Angel Porrino. The former cheerleader-turned-personal assistant to Holly Madison-turned-Strip headliner has had her rise to fame chronicled on E!’s “The Girls Next Door” and “Holly’s World,” but the blonde bombshell isn’t finished yet. The young mom juggles parenting her 2-year-old son, Roman; single life; and performing both in “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace and as understudy to Madison in “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood with ease…or at least she makes it look that way.

The Best of Las Vegas caught up with Porrino on New Year’s Day, where she answered questions about motherhood, the ups and downs of reality TV and Las Vegas’ best-kept secret.

BOLV: Happy New Year to you! Have you made any resolutions?
AP: My New Year’s resolution right now is just to spend more time with
Roman and keep in shape. Not really spending all day at the gym, but
just staying healthy. That is my goal.

BOLV: Have you started filming season 3 of “Holly’s World” yet?
AP: We’re not sure (when that will start,) we’re still kinda waiting
to hear from our manager about it. It should be pretty soon.
BOLV: How does Roman react to all the cameras being around when you’re filming?
AP: Oh, he loves it! He’s such a ham. If he knows he’s being recorded
or a photo is taken, he wants to see it right after. He’s such a diva
already.

BOLV: Your Twitter profile says you‘re a single mom trying to take
over the world. What might a spin-off series starring Angel Porrino
look like?
AP: Oh, man! It would be so crazy. It would maybe just be a day in the
life, (so viewers could) see how crazy hectic it is to wake up at six
in the morning with a two year old, and have to be wide awake with
energy to play with him all day. Then there’s running errands with
him, which can be hard because of getting him in and out of the car
and because he gets hungry and tired and wants to play. Then I have to
drop him off at the babysitter before going to work, then pick him
back up and take him home (afterward,) hopefully getting a couple
hours’ sleep before he’s awake again! I think a lot of single moms and
young moms would be able to relate to it. It could be called “Angel in
Wonderland.”

BOLV: You famously blew up at Jayde Nicole during a modeling shoot on
“Holly’s World,” but more or less made up in the finale. Where does
that stand now?
AP: It’s not like we call each other to go out, but if we see each
other we’ll say “Hi,” give each other a hug. We’re civil, everything’s
good. It takes a lot to gain somebody’s trust back, but there’s no
reason to be nasty. We’re fine.

BOLV: Have there been any downsides to reality TV for you or your family?
AP: You know, there’s not really a downside, it’s just the way you
look at it. I mean your personal life is out there for the world to
see, but that’s something that you know going into it. I love it.

BOLV: You’re a Las Vegas native. What do you think is Las Vegas’ best
kept secret?
AP: I don’t know if this is really a secret, but I feel like most
people just stay on the Strip, when downtown Las Vegas, like
old-school Fremont Street and even the Charleston Arts District, is
where all the cool stuff really is, like the Artisan. It’s really fun
and chill. It’s off the Strip, it’s not a club but it’s still a bar so
you can have a drink and hang out with your friends. I feel it’s
really sort of overlooked because the Strip is so popular.

BOLV: Your act in “Absinthe” is fairly unique. Tell us, what’s it like
to tap dance inside a giant latex balloon?
AP: Tap dancing has been my favorite thing to do since I was really
little, so I get to do what I love every night. The whole balloon
situation is a little tough, because it’s hard working with an
inanimate object you have no control over. It’s not like a chair,
where you know the chair is going to be there the whole time. My
balloons pop all the time, while I’m blowing them up or while I’m
onstage, and you’ve just gotta go with it. That keeps things fresh,
for sure. Keeps me on my toes.

BOLV: How have you enjoyed being the understudy for Holly Madison in “Peepshow?”
AP: It’s awesome. I get a lot of stage time and people come just to
see me. I feel like I’m headlining two shows at once on the Strip,
which is pretty awesome since I’m only 22. It’s kind of like a dream
come true.

BOLV: You’ve tested for “Playboy,” are topless in “Peepshow” and have
only pasties on by the end of your act in “Absinthe.” How will you
explain this exposure to Roman when he’s older?
AP: I kind of feel like you have to do what you have to do. I mean,
it’s not like girls grow up thinking “I want to dance topless when I’m
older.” Well, maybe some girls do! But if you love dancing and that’s
the only way to do it, then you’ll do it. I’m really happy about my
accomplishments thus far and I think he’ll be proud of me too.

BOLV: When you are covered, which style is more you: Jeans and
T-shirts, or dresses and heels?
AP: Jeans and T-shirts! I’ve been to so many clubs in sweat pants and
boots, it’s ridiculous. I don’t hate getting dressed up, but I would
so much rather be comfortable and casual and just myself than getting
dolled up for everyone to just look at and catcall. It’s fun to get
dressed up, don’t get me wrong, but if I had a choice between wearing
heels and wearing a pair of Uggs, Uggs would be my choice any day!

BOLV: Fantasy time! If you could be involved in another Las Vegas
production, which would you pick?
AP: That’s a hard one, because I haven’t seen all the ones that I’ve
wanted to see. I guess anything that I could be dancing in would be
awesome. I’d have to say “LOVE,” because I’m really into The Beatles.

BOLV: Do blondes really have more fun?
AP: Of course blondes have more fun, come on!

“Absinthe” performs Tuesday through Sunday in the Speigeltent in front
of Caesars Palace. Tickets start at $79. Catch Angel as Bo Peep in
“Peepshow” from Jan. 2-8 and Jan. 30-Feb. 5. Tickets start at $72.60.
Tickets for both shows can be purchased at their box offices, via
ticketmaster.com or by calling 800.745.3000.

Published on bestoflasveags.com

Tuesday 13! Laura Croft on her weakness and New Year plans

Courtesy Photo

She’s not a bad girl, but she plays one on TV. Fans of E!’s “Holly’s World” should be familiar with the fun-loving brunette who isn’t afraid to stir up a little trouble—as long as it’s in the name of fun.

Known primarily for her modeling (she was Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in July 2008) and her reality TV appearances, the Jacksonville,
Fla., native has now lent her name and considerable knowledge of the party lifestyle to the  burlesque/pole dance/striptease class at the Excalibur, “Night School 4 Girls.” Croft opened up to Best of Las Vegas about keeping fit in the New Year, her weaknesses and her hopes for the future.

BOLV: What do you like best about living in Las Vegas?
LC: I like that you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, basically. I don’t like having limitations.

BOLV: No limitations can lead to overindulgence. How do you manage to stay fit?
LC: Well, you have to go to the gym to work off all the food and the alcohol. It’s hard to resist going to all of the nice restaurants and trying all the new drinks and things, so you just have to have a consistent fitness schedule.

BOLV: Speaking of which, what is your favorite restaurant in Las Vegas?
LC: I’ve got to say the Circus Circus steakhouse. I like steak houses because you know what you’re going to get. If you go somewhere that tries to fancy things up, it doesn’t always turn out very good. I like to know what I’m getting.

BOLV: It’s hard to eat healthy all the time. What guilty pleasure do you indulge in on cheat day?
LC: Doritos, definitely. Doritos, and beer.

BOLV: What is the one workout essential for a bikini body?
LC: Cardio, because it’s going to make everything smaller in a good way, and you have to get a layer (of fat) off before you can see what’s underneath when you do your strength training.

BOLV: Of all the places to show off that bikini in Las Vegas, what is your favorite?
LC: Go to Wet Republic, definitely. That’s the most fun pool party in the world. I call it the office over the summer because I’m there so much.

BOLV: What about Night School 4 Girls? How does that play into a fitness regime?
LC: When girls are coming into town for a girls’ weekend, I don’t think they’re expecting to go to the gym because they’ll probably be too hung over. But if they go to Night School 4 Girls, they can
party and burn calories at the same time, and they get to drink.

BOLV: Aside from burlesque, striptease and pole dance moves, you also offer tips on partying for those taking the class. Can you share your No. 1 tip with us?
LC: Definitely how to cure a hangover–and that is to start drinking again. It’s the only thing that’s going to make you feel better.

BOLV: Your career has taken a number of unexpected twists and turns. What did you want to be when you grew up?
LC: Well, I still want to be on “The Young and the Restless.” It’s my favorite soap opera. I’ve been watching it for years. Other than that, I used to want to be a weather girl. I went to college for the
wrong thing, basically. I should have just gone for meteorology instead of public relations.

BOLV: You portrayed Randy Orton’s wife on an episode of WWE “Raw” in 2009. Do you follow wrestling at all?
LC: I never followed it, but I knew who some of the wrestlers were. Basically, a job came up and I took it. I had fun. They had the best catering for a TV show I’ve ever seen. They had Domino’s pizza on one side and then Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. I mean, I’ve never seen craft services be so fancy!

BOLV: Is there anyone in Las Vegas you would really like to meet?
LC: Oh, Elton John! I love him.

BOLV: After the success of “Holly’s World,” is there any other reality TV you might attempt? Perhaps a spin-off series?

LC: I don’t know if I would have my own spin-off, I don’t really think that would happen. But I wouldn’t mind doing a “Real Housewives” or something like that.

BOLV: So does that mean that marriage and kids are in the future for you?
LC: I mean, anything could happen. I don’t know about kids, though. I don’t know if I’m cut out for it.

“Night School 4 Girls” classes are held Friday through Sunday in the “Thunder From Down Under” showroom at Excalibur. Classes start at $39. Visit the Excalibur box office or call 702.597.7600 for exact dates and times. Watch for new episodes of “Holly’s World” on E!.

Published on BestofLasVegas.com

Last-minute shopping ideas for the finicky foodie

When it comes to gift-giving, some people are easier to shop for than others. If shoppers still have a few foodies on their list to buy for, here are a few suggestions that say “season’s eatings.”

For the future “Top Chefs”

Friends with a yen for cooking should enjoy the Cooking Healthy Mexican cooking class with Chef Mike Minor at Border Grill ($75). The demonstration-style cooking class takes place Jan. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino-based restaurant and will teach participants how to prepare light and healthful modern Mexican fare, enhanced with vegetables, whole grains, beans and handmade tortillas. The class includes a multi-course lunch, signature cocktails and a recipe booklet.

To reserve a spot at the Cooking Healthy Mexican cooking class inside Border Grill inside Mandalay Bay, call 702.632.7403.

For the confectionery connoisseur

For those whose taste in candy is more refined than the drugstore box of chocolates, the Vosges 32-piece Exotic Truffle collection ($75) just might fit the bill. Each box contains truffles, which mix a variety of chocolates and caramels with such unusual ingredients as Ancho chili powder, pumpkin seeds, wasabi or curry.

Vosges Haut Chocolat, inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, is open from Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight. 702.836.9866.

For the molecular gastronomist

For some people, cooking and eating food just isn’t enough—they aren’t happy unless the laws of physics are being tested. Wow them with a gift certificate to Popped, perhaps accompanied by a bag of popcorn in Dill Pickle or Marilyn Monroe ($3 to $7). The crafty kernels will entice the lucky recipient to head to the shop and check out their ever-changing variety of flavors, while the gift certificate will allow him or her to experience frozen popcorn ($3 to $6), freshly blasted with liquid nitrogen.

Popped, 9480 S Eastern Ave, Suite 110, is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 702.998.9234.

For the aspiring brewmaster

Some guys like to buy beer; others would rather make it themselves. Help launch his (or her) new hobby with a trip to Big Dog’s Brew School 9 ($99), held January 7. Brewmaster Dave Otto shows his students how to brew up a batch of Tyrone! My Man! Black IPA, then the class gets lunch and two pints of beer. A diploma and a class picture round out the course, which graduates Feb. 2, with a dinner starring the class project.

Big Dog’s Brewing Company, 4543 N. Rancho Drive. Call 702.940.2739 or visit www.bigdogsbrews.com/brewschool for more information.

For the sophisticated sports fan

Chips and pretzels won’t cut it for this unusual breed of sports fanatic, unless it’s the chips of chili-dusted applewood smoked bacon found in Chipotle Bacon Brittle or the beer and pretzel caramels in Glitter City Sweets’ Man Candy collection (each $8 per half pound).

Visit www.glittercitysweets.com for ordering information.

Published on bestoflasvegas.com

Tuesday 13 with the Smithereens' Pat DiNizio

Courtesy Photo

Everyone knows rock stars are cool. The rock star mystique has captivated writers, filmmakers, entertainers and even gamers, spurring generations of youth to seek fame and fortune in a band. However, there are multiple sides to every story, and Pat DiNizio, front man of the power pop group The Smithereens, shares the good, the bad and the ugly with audiences during his “Confessions of a Rock Star” show at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.

Responsible for such hits as “Blood and Roses,” “A Girl Like You” and “Only A Memory,” The Smithereens have been plugging away for decades, both in and out of the spotlight, which has left DiNizio with a wealth of anecdotes and behind-the-scenes dish mixed in with live music, video footage, photos and audience participation. Ticket holders arrive ready to watch a show, but may leave feeling as though they just made a friend.

The Best of Las Vegas recently spoke with DiNizio about his background, The Smithereens and a few of his favorite Las Vegas things.

BOLV: Why do you think “Confessions of a Rock Star” is a good fit for Las Vegas?
DiNizio: I think the show offers the audience something they can find nowhere else. It’s real rock and roll, not watered down by any stretch of the imagination, in addition to being the story of a guy who was a garbage man for his whole life and then woke up one morning and had a hit song on the radio.

BOLV: What confessions do you have to make since coming to Las Vegas?
DiNizio: I’ve never left my hotel room! I’m not much interested in gambling or carousing, I got all that out of my system many years ago when I was on the road 300 days a year for a decade or more with the Smithereens. So my confession is that I am emulating the life of Howard Hughes.

BOLV: Have you ever wanted to do anything else besides music?
DiNizio: I always wanted to be in a rock and roll band and I wanted to make motion pictures. The closest I’ve come directing and producing an ESPN TV special called “Seventh Inning Stretch.” It was about my attempt to play minor league baseball at age 49. I would like to eventually write and direct movies.

BOLV: What was your first job?
DiNizio: The first job I actually had was in the winter of 1963. I was probably 8 years old, and we were snowed in. I was sitting inside the house watching cartoons and my dad said to me, “Grab a snow shovel and go make some money.” So my first job was shoveling out sidewalks and driveways for some folks. I made about $3.

BOLV: Name the last thing you crossed off your bucket list.
DiNizio: I recently retrieved a guitar that I had to sell many years ago to pay the rent. It took 25 or 30 years, but I was able to get it back. It was always in the back of my mind, the sadness of having to sell something I really loved, something that was really important to me, in order to survive in New York City.

BOLV: It’s the holiday season. What song off “Christmas with The Smithereens” best suits Las Vegas?
DiNizio: It has to be our punk/surf-rock version of “Auld Lang Syne,” because of one of the movies that sparked my fascination with Vegas, “Ocean’s 11.” I saw it with my parents at a drive-in movie theater in New Jersey. There was this scene where they’re counting down, and Sinatra and his ex-Army cohorts rob the five biggest casinos in Las Vegas, including the Riviera, when everyone is singing Auld Lang Syne. We named our third album “Smithereens 11” after “Ocean’s 11” and we even worked in imagery from the movie posters on the original album cover. We were into the Rat Pack in Las Vegas decades before George Clooney remade “Ocean’s 11.”

BOLV: Speaking of which, the number 11 has been prominent in your career. The album “11” produced “A Girl Like You;” the latest album of new music is called “2011,” and your show began in November of 2011. That being said, how did you mark 11/11/11?
DiNizio: It’s possible that the day completely passed me by. No, wait, that was Veteran’s Day. I was posting on Facebook to remind people about our veterans who protect us, because we have so many of these poor kids coming back from these wars that we’re currently involved in, and they tend to be forgotten about.

BOLV: What’s the most embarrassing MP3 in your iPod?
DiNizio: For me, or for someone else? Let me open up my iTunes player, because I don’t have an iPod. I don’t even have a cell phone. It’s not embarrassing, but my favorite album is Bing Crosby’s Christmas album. It’s a sentimental favorite. Ironically, there are no Smithereens songs on here. When I had to put together the CDs for the grand opening cocktail party, the folks here at the Riviera asked me to burn a few CDs with Smithereens songs and material from my solo albums, the Buddy Holly tribute and The Beatles tributes, and I said OK. I didn’t tell them that I had to buy my own albums off of Amazon.com, because I didn’t own them. So you can say that was an embarrassing moment for me.

BOLV: As you mentioned, The Smithereens have covered The Beatles, and you produced a tribute to Buddy Holly. Which Las Vegas impersonator or tribute show would you most like to see?
DiNizio: Everyone tells me that I have to go see “The Beatles LOVE” show, but I bought the album and I wasn’t really all that crazy about it. I don’t really see how Cirque du Soleil and the Beatles go together. Everyone loves it that goes to see it, though. I’m not interested in “Jersey Boys,” because it’s too similar to the story of the Smithereens. I read that Shecky Green is working, and he’s telling stories about what it was like being with Sinatra and the Rat Pack and old Las Vegas. I’m intrigued by that, because I like to hear stories. I’m just trying to find a way to see Schecky, because we’re working at the same time on the same days. And as much as I love him, I’m not going to take a day off work.

BOLV: What Las Vegas landmark would you most like to blow to Smithereens?
DiNizio: This is a very tight community, I’d better watch what I say here. What I would rather do is resurrect some of the buildings I remember, or rather elements of the Las Vegas that I enjoyed when I first came here in 1973. We’d never seen such entertainment, it was everywhere you turned. And it still is.

BOLV: What has surprised you most about Las Vegas?
DiNizio: How nice everyone is here. Everyone that I’ve encountered, whether they write for a living about Las Vegas, or they work for the hotels, or whether they’re in shows themselves, everyone is tremendously gracious. Everyone has been absolutely delightful here. A lot of locals are coming to the show, and this is tremendously gratifying to me, heartening in fact. I love meeting people that have relocated here. There’s something about this town that everybody loves, and I’m starting to believe that it’s the people.

BOLV: What is the most surprising request a fan has ever made?
DiNizio: We’ve had people that we never met before, and of which we know nothing of their capabilities, request to play guitar solos on our most famous songs–and we let them do it. And most of the time, they’re great. This hasn’t happened in Vegas yet, but I expect it will happen at any moment–perhaps tonight. I think everyone out here has either been an entertainer or wants to be, you know? I’d better be careful, or someone might steal the show from me.

BOLV: Why do you think the Riviera is one of Las Vegas’ best-kept secrets?
DiNizio: I just think the Riviera is a treasure that people should come and see, to experience what vintage, historic Las Vegas hotel casinos are like. The Riviera, I believe, is intent on preserving that old school feeling, in the best sense of the word, and bringing in interesting new entertainment, the type of which we’re doing in “Confessions of a Rock Star.” They’re very forward-thinking in that regard, but they also respect and realize that the history of this particular hotel is something that to be treasured.

“Confessions of a Rock Star” plays in the “Crazy Girls” Theater, at the Riviera Hotel and Casino, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. Tickets are $29.95 for general admission and can be purchased at the Riviera box office or on Ticketmaster.com.
Published on bestoflasvegas.com

The Rocketeer - 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review

  Before superhero movies were churned out like butter, there was a time when comic book adaptations were an event—something to look forward to with anticipation. Just such a movie was released in 1991: Disney’s The Rocketeer. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, fans can relive the magic with a digitally remastered Blu-ray release.

Set in glamorous 1930s California, The Rocketeer wastes no time taking off. No sooner has test pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) taken off in his new experimental plane that viewers are treated to a car chase between gangsters and the Feds that ultimately ends with cars—and the plane—crashing all around.

After the gangsters have been hauled away by the FBI, Cliff and his buddy Peevy (Alan Arkin) discover a rocket-propelled backpack stashed in an old plane. At first unclear about what they found, it soon becomes blazingly obvious what they’ve stumbled onto.

Peevy is all for turning the device, a prototype stolen from millionaire eccentric Howard Hughes (Terry O’Quinn), in to the authorities, but Cliff has other plans. They’ll use it for a few weeks to do some shows, he reasons, just until they dig themselves out of the debt caused by the plane crash. What could go wrong?

Long before Iron Man zoomed out of Stark Industries to save the country from terrorists, Cliff donned a rocket pack (spruced up by Peevy) and a gold helmet to amaze the locals. Unbeknownst to them, interest in the fiery flying machine is widespread. Soon gangsters, the FBI, hit men and a movie-star-turned-Nazi-spy named Neville Sinclair (the perfectly cast Timothy Dalton) are all trying to track down the mysterious Rocketeer, suddenly a media darling.

Tempering all the testosterone-fueled hijinks is Jennifer Connelly, radiant and feisty as Cliff’s longtime love, Jenny. Though comics of the time would have relegated her character to a “stand there and look pretty” role, Connelly brings just the right amount of steel to her portrayal of a young starlet caught up in the crossfire. When Neville Sinclair attempts to seduce the young beauty, she plays along—until she can knock him over the head.

The film rockets toward a conclusion full of twists, turns and lots of guns, plus a thrilling battle atop a zeppelin. Allegiances change, new alliances form and Howard Hughes becomes buddies with Peevy, all incidentally while saving America.

It’s fun to sit back and count all of the soon-to-be notable actors in the film, realizing that, in those days, minus Arkin and Connelly, most were relatively unknown. Look! There’s Locke from “Lost!” Isn’t that James Bond? Hey, it’s Mira Sorvino’s dad! The Rocketeer could be a drinking game in the making.

Fixing the deficiencies that plagued the DVD version of this film, The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $26.50) is gorgeous in high definition. The colors and sounds that made the film pop on the big screen have been recreated beautifully for home theaters (in some cases, too well—the late 20th century makeup limitations and clumsy stunt work are all the more painfully obvious). The sound is soaring, however, and every rocket blast and gunshot will echo through the living room as if evil Nazis were battling the FBI behind the sofa.

There was much care taken by director Joe Johnston to ensure the film’s pace kept burning steady, all the way to the explosive finish. Now a veteran of many movies (including Captain America: The First Avenger), The Rocketeer was only Johnston’s second feature film. Nevertheless, he approaches the material as a fan might, rather than just a moviemaker.

Visually, the movie is a love letter to the golden age of Hollywood, when colors were sumptuous and bright. The entire film seems to have a warmth that nostalgia alone can’t impart and that modern technology sometimes lacks.

The most disappointing thing about this disc is definitely the lack of special features. Admittedly, filmmakers in the 1990s didn’t yet document their every move in anticipation of a DVD release (indeed, DVDs were still four years in the future when The Rocketeer was released), but surely there was something other than the original theatrical trailer to add. A commentary track, retrospective with the cast today, even a bio about the source comic material would have been a welcome addition.

Although The Rocketeer will most likely find its way into the collections of adults in the grip of nostalgia, even youngsters weaned on the current crop of tech-heavy superheroes should find something to enjoy in this rip-roaring tale.

The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition is now available on Blu-ray.

Published on SoCal.com

Kung Fu Panda 2 - Blu-ray + DVD Review

Although they’re a staple among summer releases, sequels generally, well, suck. The list of second (or third) acts that stand up to the quality of the original material is short, but Kung Fu Panda 2 deserves to be on it. Fans of the 2008 original will recall that the movie ended with the titular panda, Po (voiced by Jack Black), attaining Dragon Warrior status and the respect of the Furious Five, but while knowing the back story would certainly enhance the enjoyment of this film, Kung Fu Panda 2 stands on its own four paws. The film picks up a short time after the first. Still lacking a few graces, Po has nonetheless become a Master of Kung Fu and fights alongside his friends wherever trouble strikes. This time around, trouble comes in the form of an exiled peacock, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman). Shen has developed a new weapon that cannot be defeated by kung fu and has plans to take over China—unless Po, Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Mantis (Seth Rogen) can stop him. What makes this mission more than the everyday run-of-the-mill “going to save China” day at the office is the revelation that Shen played a major role in Po’s past. With Po distracted and the Masters in Gongmen City refusing to help the cause, things look bleak. “How do you stop a weapon that stops kung fu?” Po wonders. The answer to that question lies in the gorgeously animated journey. The animators have imparted a sense of the beauty and scope of China, using light and shadow in a way that helps this film rise above a mere cartoon. The writing by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger (Kung Fu Panda) maintains just the right blend of humor and drama. Tigress, especially, has some funny bits. (For example: “I just found out my dad isn’t really my dad,” Po laments. “Your father…the goose?” Tigress deadpans. “That must have been quite a shock.”) Ultimately, Po finds inner peace, but at what cost? The film ends with the setup for the next installment in the franchise, which now has an even higher bar to meet than this sequel did. Now available as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack with digital copy (DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment, MSRP: $49.99) or an Awesome Double DVD Pack (MSRP: $40.99; single-disc DVD MSRP: $29.99), Kung Fu Panda 2 is well worth the price. No one documents the movie-making experience quite like DreamWorks, and the abundance of features on the two-disc sets prove it. Along with the usual deleted scenes (always fun to watch in an animated movie, as they’re usually sketches with fill-in voices), there are no less than three ways to enhance the movie for Blu-ray owners. “The Animators’ Corner,” a Blu-ray exclusive, traces the development of the movie from sketch to screen picture-in-picture style so the interviews and vignettes flow over the top of the feature film. This peek behind the curtain reveals the many hours of work that go into something as simple as the introduction, among other things. Fact collectors will love the trivia track, another Blu-ray exclusive, while film buffs will enjoy the filmmakers’ commentary (available on both the DVD and Blu-ray releases), which covers more of the directorial decisions and anecdotes about filming via director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden. A second mini-movie, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, is a nice complement to the main story. In this short film, viewers learn the history of Masters Croc (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Rhino (Victor Garber) and Ox (Dennis Haysbert), and how they came to rise above their street-fighter beginnings to earn Master status. Viewers are taken on quite an emotional journey for such a short film, and the cast is pitch-perfect in their voice roles. The beautiful interactive feature “Animation Inspiration,” the final Blu-ray exclusive, allows viewers to take a trip to China alongside the filmmakers and see photos and video of some of the places that influenced the rich visual environment of Kung Fu Panda 2, such as the Valley of Peace, Gongmen City and the Musician’s Village. The map menu is gorgeous, and the locations are breathtaking. “Kickin' It with the Cast” showcases the many voice talents involved with the movie, showing them both in the process of recording and in interviews, explaining their character motivations, inspirations and the way the characters have impacted their lives. Watching James Hong, who voices Po’s father Mr. Ping, attack his relatively small part with the enthusiasm of a star is particularly fun to watch. Nature lovers should love “Panda Stories: Inside the World of the Giant Panda.” This mini-documentary follows the birth of a real-life baby panda at the Atlanta Zoo, even including the traditional Chinese naming ceremony as the baby reaches 100 days old (watching Jack Black reveal the panda’s new name at the event is a highlight). Among the lighthearted antics, however, is the message that these lovable bears are very much endangered and need the support of animal lovers the world over. Also included is a full-length episode of the Nickelodeon TV series “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.” “Has Been Hero” pits the TV version of Po (voiced here by Mick Wingert) against an aging idol who is now out for revenge. The series is a nice spin-off of the movies, despite only Liu and Hong returning to voice their characters. There are a few cute interactive sections, too, that are suitable for kids. The Kung Fu Shuffle game allows users to choose between a bunny or baby Po, then keeping their eyes on the prize as three baskets or crates are shuffled. Parents who are tired of kids speaking in just one language can flip to the Nǐ Hǎo feature, where they can learn to say (and write!) some simple Chinese phrases. In addition to the features on the discs, those who purchase the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack should watch out for the digital dopy download code (used in conjunction with the DVD disc) among the package inserts, while those who purchase either the two-disc Blu-ray or DVD release should be on the lookout for a code for two free memberships to the Kung Fu Panda World online virtual game. Overall, the two-disc releases of Kung Fu Panda 2 contain hours of enjoyment for the whole family. Kung Fu Panda 2 is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Save $5 on your purchase of Kung Fu Panda 2. Click here for more details. Published on SoCal.com

Procrastinators can get crafty to fill Christmas lists

Photo Courtesy of Pat Martinez

Time is running out and shoppers are starting to feel the pressure as the holidays are just around the corner. Fortunately, the South Point Hotel and Casino is hosting the second annual Holiday Craft and Gift Festival Friday through Sunday, featuring something for everyone’s gift-giving needs.

If shoppers are bringing kids or significant others along, there are a few other entertainment options, such as a Christmas train display with locomotives dating as far back as the early 1900s.

“They’re working, running trains and are actually set up with little villages and everything,” said Linda Orr, show manager of the railway that’s more than 5,000 feet long. “There’s a little bit of everything under the sun. We have over 120 exhibitors, coming from all over.”

One of those vendors, Pat Martinez of RockMyBeads, said she is very excited to be among so many crafters and artisans. “It’s a massive show with a lot of participants, and people can find great gifts they wouldn’t find in a Wal-Mart or at a Macy’s,” she said.

Santa and his elves will also be on hand for kids with last-minute gift requests, and photos are available for purchase. The first 200 guests at the festival will receive a free digital photo. The event will also feature a free gift-wrapping service while supplies are available.

With more than 60,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing everything from Christmas decorations and holiday-themed gifts to clothing, jewelry, artwork and specialty foods, visitors should spend their first few minutes perusing the offerings, Martinez suggested.

“Otherwise, (shoppers can) end up a little bit confused, because there is so much they want right away,” she said.

Prices are expected to range from a budget-friendly $5 for an ornament to $65 and up for artwork and custom pieces.

Martinez, who creates everything from jewelry to purse bling, is sharing her space with Michaela VanDyke, another local crafter at booth 518. Aside from offering a wider variety of choices, the two also support each other.

“She is the veteran of these shows, but I’m better at talking to people and helping them find what they’re looking for,” Martinez said. Consumers and vendors alike benefit from craft shows such as this one, Martinez said.

“We’re trying to encourage people to buy local and support small businesses and this gives shoppers the ability to find gift options that have been handcrafted to give to someone special.”
Another factor that makes the event desirable for vendors is the timing.

“We decided to do it the weekend before Christmas, because there’s really nothing after the first of December for (crafters to sell their merchandise),” Orr said.

The Holiday Craft and Gift Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at the South Point box office. Parking is free in the South Point garage. For more information and discount coupons, visit www.lvcraftfestival.com.

Published on BestOfLasVegas.com