Columnist Joe Delaney: Comedy has long been the center of Wayans’ world

Joe Delaney

Friday, Aug. 4, 2000 | 8:44 a.m.

Joe Delaney's columns appear on Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259- 4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com.

Damon Wayans, a multiple-threat comedic actor, will be performing tonight and Saturday at 9 o'clock in the Flamingo Las Vegas' Sunset Ballroom ... Wayans developed his gift for performing as a means of competing for attention as one of 10 siblings ... Together with one of his siblings, brother Keenan Ivory Wayans, the duo enjoyed success, critically and ratings-wise, on Fox for three years with "In Living Color," which also co-starred Jim Carrey.

In 1982 Wayans started his stand-up comedy career, playing various comedy clubs ... His Las Vegas debut was in the late 1980s at the Dunes, now the site of the Bellagio, as part of Mitzi Shore's Comedy Store.

His Comedy Store appearances led to a stint on NBC "Saturday Night Live" and then to a career as a film actor with a featured role in "Beverly Hills Cop," starring Eddie Murphy ... He also provided one of the voices in the film "Look Who's Talking Too."

Wayans, continued

His film career includes starring roles in "Major Payne," "Blankman," "Bulletproof" and "Mo' Money" ... Other film credits include "The Great White Hype," "Celtic Pride," "The Last Boy Scout," "Earth Girls Are Easy," Keenan Ivory Wayans' "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka," "Colors," "Punchline," "Hollywood Shuffle" and "Roxanne," starring Steve Martin.

His critically acclaimed cable specials include "One Night Stand," "The Last Stand" and "Still Standing" ... He served as executive producer for "Waynehead," a WB network animated Saturday morning show featuring voices by siblings Kim, Shawn and Marlon Wayans.

Wayans, a renaissance man, has expanded his talents to include writing, producing and directing ... Check for his book, "Word of Mouth," dealing irreverently with marriage, family, children and politics ... You are in for a special treat this weekend with Damon Wayans at the Flamingo.

Anent Les Brown

Saturday night will be "Dance Night" as well as "Good Listening Night," with Les Brown and his Band of Renown playing in the Stardust Ballroom, 7-10 p.m. ... Brown, an octogenarian, has enjoyed nearly seven decades of uninterrupted acclaim as a band leader ... We knew of him first when it was Les Brown and the Duke (University) Blue Devils, then as an arranger for Isham Jones, Red Nichols and Larry Clinton, in the late 1930s.

Butch Stone has been with Brown as band manager, musician, singer and performer for six of those nearly seven decades ... He'll be there Saturday ... Those attending will hear the many hits including "Sentimental Journey," "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and "Leap Frog."

Real Brown fans will remember his most famous girl singer, Doris Day, nee Kappelhoff, whose recording with the band of "Sentimental Journey" was a No. 1 best seller.

Weekend wrap-up

Seniors can still enroll for "Senior Adult Theatre" classes at UNLV's Dept. of Theatre ... Contact Dr. Ann McDonough at 895-1079 for details on the wide range of theater courses available ... Classes start in a few weeks ... Dancer extraordinaire Norma Miller will be the special guest at the Swing & Lindy Desert Dance Camp at the Riviera, today through Sunday.

Please give what you can to the Sun Summer Camp Fund ... See you next Thursday.