Columnist Joe Delaney: Agassi fund-raiser back in the spotlight

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 | 8:48 a.m.

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

The "2001 Grand Slam for Children," hosted by Andre Agassi Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the MGM Grand Arena, features performances by Don Henley, Elton John, Tim McGraw, Brian McKnight, Dennis Miller and Ray Romano ... This is the sixth in a series of Grand Slams, which have raised more than $14 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which benefits at-risk youngsters in this area.

This is the main event in a weekend that will also include the start of the UNLV's Performing Arts Center's 2001-2002 Charles Vanda Masters Series Season with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch conducting, Saturday at 8 p.m. in Artemus Ham Hall ... Call 895-2787, there are still seats available.

A digression

The year was 1937, I was a sophomore in Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Camden, N.J. ... It cost 25 cents for the bus ride to Philadelphia and attendance for a special program by the Philadelphia Orchestra, then under the direction of the great Leopold Stokowski ... I remember vividly "Carnival of the Animals" with the maestro describing the various animals.

During the 1980s I had the honor of narrating "Carnival of the Animals" at Ham Hall with a symphony orchestra made up of local musicians under the direction of Virko Baley ... When in high school the musician who occupied the first trumpet chair in the Philadelphia Orchestra, name no longer remembered, would visit our high school orchestra.

When I played trumpet, sitting next to him, I played so much better ... We all did ... After he would leave, we were back to normal but better off for the experience ... Forgive the digression, but the Philadelphia Orchestra was my first exposure to live classical music, a cherished memory, an event that was a factor in making music my life-long endeavor.

Star-policy rundown

It's Alice Cooper, Friday only (Aladdin); David Brenner at 8 p.m., the Amazing Johnathan, 10 p.m. (Golden Nugget); Mac King, afternoons; Clint Holmes, evenings (Harrah's); Trisha Yearwood-Keith Urban, plus Society of Seven in another theater (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); Paul Anka, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand).

There's more: Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans, in separate theaters (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Rita Rudner (New York-New York); Frankie Avalon-Bobby Rydell (Orleans); Ronn Lucas, afternoons; Scintas, evenings (Rio); Michael Holly, afternoons; Steve Wyrick, evenings (Sahara); Wayne Newton (Stardust); the Lettermen (Suncoast); Rick Thomas (Tropicana); and Melinda, First Lady of Magic (Venetian).

Off the Strip, "Memories and Melodies" commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late well-known Las Vegan Curtis Capelle. His daughter, internationally known opera singer Madeline Capelle, and Cynthia Harris and her Piano Trio perform tonight at 7:30 (Winchester Community Center).

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," with a professional New York cast, directed by UNLV's Robert Brewer, this weekend and next, opening Friday at 8 p.m. (Judy Bayley Theatre) ... UNLV's McDermott Complex will be the site of Mayor Oscar Goodman's Memory Walk & Run, 7 a.m. registration Saturday, benefitting the local Alzheimer's Chapter.

There will be an Afternoon of Stars, 3-5 p.m. Sunday in the Orleans showroom, a fund-raising benefit for State Trooper Bobby Kintzel, severely infured by a stolen speeding car on U.S. 95 ... Bob Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Serena Henry, the Lettermen, Bobby Rydell, Rita Rudner, Sgt. Randy Sutton, Larry White and the Newport Jazz Connection are scheduled to appear; KJUL 93.1-FM's Duke Morgan emcees.

The Nevada Jazz Society presents a tribute to legendary jazz pianist Russ Freeman with top jazz stars playing in duos and trios, 2 p.m. Sunday (Charleston Heights Center) ... Freeman will be present in the audience ... Friday's jazz is at Pogo's, and on Mondays it's at the Riviera.

The announcement that the Riviera's "Splash" will do just 10 performances a week, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays (dark on Fridays and Saturdays), came as a surprise ... All performances will be topless and those attending must be 18 or older ... We were told that Fridays and Saturdays were the most expendable days ... See you Friday.