Columnist Jerry Fink: Entertainment takes center stage at Center Stage

Friday, June 11, 2004 | 9:07 a.m.

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

The Plaza has added entertainment to its Sunday brunch menu.

Now as you enjoy a sumptuous meal at the second-floor Center Stage restaurant, you will be entertained by host Joey Villa (a comedian for more than 50 years) and a rotating cast of his show business friends and acquaintances.

The $20 buffet begins around 10:30 a.m. The free show starts at noon.

Music is provided by keyboardist/vocalist Joe Darro, drummer Clyde Duell and bassist Jay Cave.

"We wanted to use CDs instead of live music, but the CDs cost too much," Villa told the audience.

Among the entertainers on hand Sunday for the weekly revue were singer/comedian Nelson Sardelli (just back from an engagement in Europe), vocalist Mark Giovi (a Vegas newcomer who is rapidly making a name for himself), actor/comedian Pat Morita ("Happy Days," "The Karate Kid") and vocalist Dennis Bono (who hosts a radio variety/talk show on KJUL 104.3-FM).

There were a dozen or so performers taking turns at the mike.

Comedian Steve Bluestein, who just finished a gig at the Riviera Comedy Club, did a couple of quick jokes.

"I recently went to the 99 Cent Store for the first time," he said. "It's like I was on crack cocaine. I bought $83 worth of (expletive deleted). I didn't know what I was buying, but I didn't care. It's only 99 cents. I can take it home and recycle it and I'll make 49 cents."

Bluestein said one item wouldn't scan and the clerk called for a price check.

"The guy comes out with a book, looks down the list and says, '99 cents.' I'm saying, 'Does anyone see the humor in this?' "

Others who have appeared at the brunch are Al Martino, Clint Holmes, Wayne Newton and Frank Scinta. Retired actor Dale Robertson (a spokesman for the Plaza) was in the audience Sunday.

The revue has evolved over the past couple of months.

Plaza Vice President Larry Manetti, who is in charge of entertainment, hired Villa (a friend of his for many years) to perform stand-up comedy in the lounge at the Center Stage on Friday and Saturday nights.

Then Manetti, who co-starred as Orville Wright in "Magnum P.I.," wanted to expand the Center Stage entertainment and added the Sunday brunch performance.

Villa couldn't be happier, even though his venue is brunch.

"When I met the new owner of the hotel (David Barrick), I asked him where I was going to work," Villa said. "He says, 'A restaurant.' I say, 'I've worked a lot of places, but never a restaurant.'

"He says he's going to turn it into a nightclub."

The idea seems to be working.

With Villa at the helm, there is a rich source of entertainment to draw from.

Villa goes back to the early days of the Rat Pack. He was close friends with Frank Sinatra and with Sinatra's closest friend, Jilly Rizzo. Villa gave a eulogy at Rizzo's funeral when the restaurateur and Sinatra ally was killed in a car crash in 1992 in Palm Springs, Calif.

The comedian, who appeared at the Riviera in "Splash" for nine years, has performed from one end of Vegas to the other. For a while he performed on cruise ships, and for the past 34 years he has booked acts for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

And now he is performing in downtown Vegas, which, with the help of new property owners such as Barrick and Tim Poster and Tom Breitling of the Golden Nugget, appears to be shaking off its cobwebs and on the verge of a re-awakening.

It is an interesting coincidence that Villa now works at the Plaza, located a block from the Nugget, where his pal Sinatra often performed from 1984 to '87.

"It's like the old days," Villa said. "Caesars Palace hired (former boxing champion) Joe Louis as a host. Frank Sinatra was a host at the Golden Nugget."

Villa said Manetti started bringing in celebrities to host the brunches -- Tom Selleck, Mike Connors, Ernest Borgnine and others.

"I took it over from there."

Lounging around

The Cannery kicks off summer with its second annual Blues, Brews and Barbecue Festival at The Club from June 18-20.

The festival hours are from 5 p.m. to midnight June 18; noon to midnight on June 19; and noon to 8 p.m. on June 20. Admission is $5 and includes applicable fees. Among the entertainers will by Moody Scott (blues and zydeco); Chris Hiatt & Cold Shot in a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Little Chris and the Nightcrawlers, a high-energy, six-member blues band.

Also, BluesStorm, a contemporary rhythm and blues band, and Blowin Smoke Rhythm & Blues will perform.

The Monte Carlo Pub & Brewery has started late-night entertainment. Billed as Club at the Pub, the venue features live bands, DJs, dancers and hospitality industry nights. Call 730-7420.

All this month the AVA Lounge at The Mirage will feature the dynamic band Replay (jazz, soft rock, classic rock and retro); ISIS (classic rock to psychedelic funk and originals); the vocalist Darcus and the all-purpose band Clockwork. Call 791-7111.

The Las Vegas Guitar Society will host a concert tonight at 7 at the Winchester Community Center Theater featuring outstanding jazz guitarist Raj Rathor and the Raj Rathor Trio. Rathor's trio, which includes his wife, vocalist Diane Smith, performs Wednesday evenings at the Jazzed Cafe, 8615 W. Sahara Ave.

The Aladdin's Curve Ultra Lounge now features live jazz from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. The Smooth Jazz Club is hosted by Curve and Oasis 105.7 FM. The two hours of live performances are followed by recorded jazz played by a DJ. There is no charge for admission. Upcoming performers include The Tommy Thompson Project on June 16.

Upcoming performers in June at The Lounge in The Palms include UnderCover (9 p.m. to midnight Thursdays); Vibe, featuring Guest DJs (9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays); Acoustic Jam (10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays); Acoustic Asylum (10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays) and Wired (10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays).

Addison's Lounge at the Rampart Casino at the JW Marriott in Summerlin features Forward Motion from 11 p.m. until midnight tonight and Saturday. Pianist/vocalist Bobby Dickerson performs in the Round Bar from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays and Mondays and Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The Hurricane Bar and Grill, 10420 S. Bermuda Road, has a jam session starting at 8 p.m. Sundays, hosted by saxophonist Tommy Alvarado.