Spice added to second helping of Meatballs

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Friday, May 21, 2004 | 8:34 a.m.

The second Meatball Awards night, a quasi-gala honoring some of Las Vegas' legendary lounge entertainers and others who have enhanced the local entertainment scene, topped itself this year.

More fans attended this year than in 2002, when the affair made its debut at the Greek Isles. This year's awards show, held at The Orleans' 700-seat showroom Tuesday, had an estimated 500 guests, compared to 400 in 2002.

More awards were given this year, 22 compared to 16 in 2002.

And the ceremony lasted longer, going 3 1/2 hours and ending around 11:30 p.m.

Comedian Cork Proctor was his usual acerbic self, occasionally walking onstage with a "hook," threatening to pull presenters or entertainers off stage if they ran too long.

The legendary Sonny King held on to the bitter end.

Perhaps producers decided to save the best till last, but by then the show had lost much of its audience to both the lateness of the hour and to Sazio's restaurant, which sponsored a cocktail mixer preceding the event and meatball sampling following the ceremony.

King presented a special Meatball Award to another legend of the Las Vegas lounge scene, Freddie Bell, who put on an entertaining performance.

The late Don Manarina, who created the production in 2002, would have appreciated the ceremony.

The account executive lived to see his dream fulfilled, that of honoring the Las Vegas lounge entertainers he admired so much. But he died of a heart attack at age 55 last May, when he was preparing to produce the second annual awards show.

Grant Griffin, who worked with Manarina to put together the first production, decided to continue it. He and Marvin Lashever created the second show.

Griffin was among the entertainers during the ceremony, which featured the Lon Bronson Orchestra. Other performers included Carme, Michaelina Bellamy, vocalist Laurence T., guitarist Ricardo Greigo and Patricia Welch.

Among those who received awards were Cook E. Jarr (entertainer of the year), Corrie Sachs (female singer of the year), Jerry Tiffe (male singer of the year) and Maynard Sloate (best producer).

Also, Joey Villa (male comedian), Carol Siskind (female comedian), Deanna Milkie, daughter of Chrissi Scinta (Rising Star), Babe Pier (comedian impressionist), Mary Kaye Trio (entertainment group), Alan Stock (radio) and Tony Sacca (television).

Posthumous awards went to comedian Bernie Allen and columnist Forrest Duke.

Freelance writer and publicist Norm Johnson received the Special Columnist Award.

Presenters of the awards included Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Dennis Bono, Marlene Ricci, Steve Rossi, Clint Holmes, Les Kencaid, Bill Acosta and others.