Columnist Jerry Fink: This duo started at the top

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 9:41 a.m.

Jerry Fink's lounge column appears on Fridays. Reach him at jerry@lasvegassun.com at (702) 259-4058.

Where do you go after you start at the top of the world?

International vocalists Santino Virga and Grace Abarca wonder. And Candy Kaye is gambling her two proteges will be able to go anywhere.

But for now, Virga and Abarca are fine-tuning their act at Stratosphere's Top of the World Lounge.

"They have a chemistry that you can't fake," Kaye, of Smash Productions, said.

Virga and Abarca sing in perfect harmony and possess voices too powerful for the small room above Las Vegas, where they must compete against one of the most spectacular views in town and the din of a crowd that might not appreciate the elegance of the singers.

The duo had individual careers until fate brought them together, fate being Kaye, who was managing Abarca, and Don Tunnell, who was managing Virga.

Earlier this year Tunnell hired Kaye to shoot a demo video of Virga.

"When I found out Santino could sing in five different languages, I had a meeting with Don to discuss the possibility of putting Santino and Grace together."

Abarca also sings in five languages.

"We wanted to do something totally different from anything else you will find in this town, with all the different languages," Kaye said.

Abarca and Virga have been performing at the Stratosphere since September, their first engagement together. They will be there until Nov. 17.

"They are a team now," Kaye said. "We're looking for a Las Vegas home for them. We feel this town has a place for them because of the style of music they do and the people who come to Vegas -- international, older, sophisticated. They are not your standard lounge act."

Abarca, 32, is a native of Costa Rica, where she began singing professionally while in college.

"I have been singing since I was 3 years old, but I got my first job while studying at the university and one of the singers in a band at a nightclub got pregnant," said Abarca, who sings in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian

She auditioned for the vacancy, was chosen and sang with the group for eight months.

When that gig ended she easily found more with other bands in nightclubs throughout Central and South America. Four years ago her husband convinced her to bring her talent to the United States.

She first performed in California at hotels and other venues. Then, 18 months ago, a friend put her in contact with Kaye in Las Vegas and Kaye has been representing her ever since.

Virga, 36, was born in Paris to Italian parents. A few months after his birth the family returned to Sicily and then immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, where Virga's father owned a cabinet-making factory.

"I firmly believe the desire to sing is something you are born with," Virga said. "When I was in the fifth grade, my friends and I put a band together."

His first professional gig was at age 11, when his garage band was hired to perform at a New Year's party in Edmonton.

That gig led to performances at weddings, christenings, birthday parties and other events. After high school, Vigra continued to perform at night but ran several businesses during the day -- including an import-export company, video rental store, wedding store and limousine service.

But the desire to pursue his music got the best of him 11 years ago and he brought his eight-piece band to Las Vegas to perform for a showcase at Palace Station, which was a regular Monday-night event.

"We were just going to come down, perform and drive back to Canada the next day," Virga said.

Tunnell caught the act and convinced the group to stay.

Eventually, Virga and his group began touring Northern Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and other Western states.

"Everywhere but Vegas," Virga said.

The band toured for almost five years until they were hired by the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taiwan for a three-month engagement.

"I've been in Asia the past five years," said Virga, who sings in Italian, English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Earlier this year Virga decided he wanted to take another shot at Las Vegas. At the time, he had been performing in Spain for six months.

"I was getting tired," Virga said. "I decided to take a break for a year or so."

He came to Vegas in February and started another group. He decided to make a video, which was when he met Kaye.

"Everything else came to a halt," Virga said. "She said she had this girl she wanted to put me with."

He misses performing in front of a band. At the cubbyhole of a lounge at the Top of the World there's barely enough room for a keyboardist and the two singers.

"This is a stepping stone for us," Virga said. "Someday, we will have a real show with a real band, not just a keyboard behind us. But we have to start somewhere."

And the top of the world isn't bad.

Lounging around

Bellagio's Allegro Lounge was scheduled to close for remodeling recently, but will remain open for another month. That should be good news for the fans of the Steven Lee Group featuring Rocco Barbato, one of the best jazz groups in town. They can be heard at the Allegro Fridays and Saturdays from 10:15 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. The band also performs Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Fontana Lounge.

John Earl & The Boogie Man Band will perform at a benefit Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. at Micahael's Pub. Joining them will be Sweet Al's American Band, The Rufnecks, The Shuffle-Aires, Jimmy Mack's Blues Attack and Dr. Duck's Prescription. Admission is either canned goods or warm clothing for those in need.

The Bootlegger should be hopping Friday night. Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, owner of the popular restaurant/lounge, won re-election Tuesday. All of her fans have a good reason to party.

Circle Tueasday on your calendar. Some lounge legends will be performing at The Orleans in "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." Nelson Sardelli will emcee the show, which begins at 8 p.m. in the Showroom. Featured entertainers include the Treniers, Earl Turner and Freddie Bell.

The Nevada Jazz Orchestra will perform Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Winchester Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Admission is $7, $10 and $15.

University Jazz Jam, featuring students and alumi of the UNLV Jazz studies program, can be heard Sundays from 9:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the Boston Bar & Grill.