Columnist Joe Delaney: Madness of March — on and off court — underway

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 11, 1999 | 11:44 a.m.

March Madness starts today, as the 64 NCAA college basketball teams spend the next three weekends striving to be one of the Final Four the third weekend. ... We can also be pleased that the UNLV Rebels basketball team is in the National Invitational Tournament ... Their first game was with Nebraska Wednesday. ... Hats off as well to the UNLV women's basketball team that deserved an invitation to the Women's N.I.T.

Sports can be great entertainment, even for nonbettors. ... Look at the resurgence of the L.A. Lakers NBA team, with Kurt Rambis as the new coach and the addition of Dennis Rodman. ... On the court, Rodman makes a game worth watching; he is an entertainer as well.

Back to college hoops, Duke seems to be the class of the NCAA tournament. ... I'm rooting for Rick Majerus and his Utah Utes, but the rest of the Delaney family is for North Carolina, of course.

More madness

The other March Madness concludes on Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day. ... It begins Friday when Brendan Boyer & The Royal Irish Show Band start a six-day stand at the Maxim. ... Monday evening, the action will be at Arizona Charlie's for Doyle's Irish Cabaret, direct from Dublin. ... The Sons and Daughters of Erin annual dinner-dance is Saturday at the Maxim, and the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is Wednesday.

The government of Ireland has announced the appointment of its first honorary counsel for Nevada. ... The new honorary counsel is Dr. Bernard Brady, born in County Donegal, Ireland, and a resident of Reno for the past 20 years.

The honorary consulate will be based in Reno and have jurisdiction for Nevada. ... Dr. Brady will be at 6186 Squires Lane, Reno, NV, 89509; telephone and fax: (775) 827-0221.

Star-policy rundown

It's the Pointer Sisters, Friday and Saturday (Bally's); Wynonna, through Sunday (Caesars); Dennis Miller (D.I.); Patsy Cline tribute (Gold Coast); Chris Isaak, tonight (House of Blues); John Lee Hooker, Friday only (Hard Rock); Sheryl Crow, Saturday (House of Blues); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Rodney Dangerfield (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo): Willie Nelson (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio).

More stars: Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Ute Lemper and Marcia Lewis appear in "Chicago" (Mandalay Bay); and Tommy Tune, in an updated and freshened "EFX" (MGM Grand); make your reservations early.

Comedian-magician Nick Lewin's afternoon Comedy Magic at the Maxim, now in its fourth year, has been renewed through February 2001. ... Lewin is an active community contributor as well, lending his time and considerable talents to Variety Club, among others.

Local happenings

Author-composer Harry Lyden's demonstration of Joseph Schillinger's mathematical musical art form takes place at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Room 212, UNLV's Alta Ham Fine Arts building. ... It will be taped for inclusion in UNLV's Arnold Shaw Research Center for Popular Music archives with Executive Director Bill Willard. Admission is free.

Comedian Sandy Hackett will host a TV talk show, 9-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, starting Monday on KTVY (Cox Cable Channel 61). ... Bobby Vinton and Peter Anthony will be his guests on March 18.

Cheryl Justice is a recent arrival, a blues guitarist and lead singer, playing Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Palace Station with Red, White and Blue. ... When one hears her, they'll think Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt. ... She is also a songwriter and arranger.

Thursday addenda

Our favorite ballad singer, blues legend Joe Williams, will perform at the Sheraton in Santa Monica, Calif., Saturday. ... It's a party for four honorees: actor Francis Lederer, who is 100; Penny "Blondie" Singleton, 90; Joe, who is 80; and Jane Powell, 70. ... Williams opens in Seattle's Jazz Alley for a week, starting Tuesday . ... Why not at the Bellagio?

"Henry VI, Part III" is being performed in UNLV's Black Box Theatre this weekend and next, check for times. ... This Sunday at 8 p.m., UNLV's Charles Vanda Master Series presents The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in Ham Hall; the season's finale. ... Tickets are available, call 895-3801. ... The Ernie George Four now plays Sundays only, 6-8 p.m., at Carollo's Restaurant. ... See you Friday.