Columnist Joe Delaney: Feinstein performance entertaining; ‘SNL’ a sad display

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@vegas.com.

What a wonderful weekend -- almost. ... Friday evening we were fortunate to be present for the Michael Feinstein performance, an auspicious start for UNLV's Season of the Millennium, in Artemus Ham Hall. ... Approximately 1,400 people responded enthusiastically throughout his well-selected, perfectly paced program of great popular songs.

What set Feinstein apart was not only his enthusiasm but his changes of pace, throwing in an American version of an operatic aria from "The Barber of Seville," a hit by Louis Prima just after World War II. ... Another highlight was an impromptu duet with his father (Ed Feinstein), who was brought up from the audience. It garnered another standing ovation.

We rated his show a nine out of a possible 10. ... Next on UNLV's Best of New York Stage series is trumpeter Jon Faddis and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Ensemble, Nov. 13 followed by the New York Voices, Nov. 19.

Sports on TV

Football on television dominated most of Saturday and Sunday with incredible entertainment as tiny East Carolina upset big Miami and underdog Virginia held off a tenacious BYU. ... Sunday's pro football high point was Brett Favre's last-minute heroics for Green Bay to beat Minnesota. ... As exciting as all this was, the weekend's main event was the miraculous comeback win by the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Justin Leonard's 45-foot putt on the 17th hole, after being four holes down earlier, should be a yearlong sports highlight. ... You can just imagine the reaction to all this in our house and in sports books all over town. ... This, too, is entertainment.

Sunday evening was a huge letdown as the Delaneys suffered through "Saturday Night Live's" 25th anniversary program on NBC. ... It was so bad we couldn't believe it, then it got worse.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin (Bally's); Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme (Caesars Palace, see story on page 1E); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Penn & Teller plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Paul Anka (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Ray Charles (Orleans); Alain Choquette (Paris Las Vegas); and Danny Gans (Rio), an excellent selection.

Whatever else is scheduled locally this weekend, the toughest choice Sunday is whether to attend the annual 30-30 Dinner and Entertainment, also called the Old Timer's Reunion, at the Stardust, or the concert by Ireland's Golden Tenor, Frank Patterson, plus the Celtic Storm Irish Dance Company, 7 p.m. in Arizona Charlie's Palace Grand Theatre.

Jazz fans can enjoy Joe Darro & Allyn Gamble, weeknights (Ruth's Chris West), the Mike Breene Trio, Wednesday through Saturday (Santa Fe), Friday's Jazz at Pogo's or Monday nights at the Riviera.

Local happenings

The Nevada Theatre Company presents "Baltimore Waltz," starting Friday, Clark County Library on East Flamingo. ... UNLV's theater season also opens Friday with "Kiss of the Spider Woman -- The Musical" in the Judy Bayley Theatre. ... The third Friday premiere is Rainbow Company's "Jack and the Beanstalk," Reed Whipple Center. ... Check for dates and times.

Nevada Ballet Theatre presents "Coppelia," Saturday only at 8 p.m., Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza. ... The Nevada Ballet Theatre regular season starts Oct. 28-31 with performances of "Dracula," now back in the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus.

Boulder Station's Oktoberfestival continues through Sunday with free German bands, including the Dummkopfs, plus Vonda Shepard, who sings the theme from TV's "Ally McBeal," Friday at 9 p.m., and pop band Berlin, 9 p.m. Saturday. ... Country star Clay Walker performs 9 p.m. Friday, Sunset Station.

Thursday addenda

Admission is free for the Folklife Festival Saturday, 11 a.m. until dusk, Rainbow Library Amphitheater, and Aloha Shores Park, Buffalo and Cheyenne, featuring ethnic foods and handcrafts for sale. ... Oscar Carrescia conducts the Youth Camerata Orchestra, 2 p.m. Saturday, Winchester Community Center, admission is only $2.

The Saint Therese Center, an HIV/AIDS outreach center, will be the beneficiary of the Michael La Rocca Show 8 p.m. performance Saturday (World Trade Center). ... A donation of $10 is requested at the door with all proceeds going to the Saint Therese Center. ... Support all worthwhile community activities. ... See you Friday.