Columnist Jerry Fink: Distinctive act still soaring at Tropics Lounge

Friday, Nov. 5, 2004 | 8:48 a.m.

Some lounges are for the birds.

At the Tropicana, the birds are for the lounge -- Tropics Lounge.

For almost two years bird trainer Tiana Carroll has been drawing a flock of fans to the out-in-the-open lounge in a broad hallway adjacent to the Hawaiian Buffet and a bar.

For 13 years before Carroll, Joe Krathwohl (the Birdman of Las Vegas) and his feathered performers had been the featured attractions.

The surroundings may be humble, but the free shows (11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays through Wednesdays) are exciting and draw lots of families to the second-floor venue that overlooks the hotel's swimming pools.

Carroll, a former model, has been a bird enthusiast for 11 years.

"I got into it by accident," the Dallas native said. "I was hired by GMAC to do an event and there were these incredible, amazing exotic birds there."

The birds were being handled by trainer Clint Carvalho, who has performed with Jay Leno, Jimmy Buffett and a host of other entertainers.

"I went to work for him and he taught me everything I know about birds," Carroll said.

Eventually they married.

Together they operate a business that provides birds for conventions and other venues -- they have bird-handling models at Mandalay Bay, where Carvalho operates a Center for Abused and Unwanted Parrots.

They have furnished mascots for the Rio, Caesars Palace and other venues.

The couple provide convention models, bird girls for special events, birds for film, television and commercial work and they have an education program for those interested in finding out more about birds.

Their main goal, they say, is to take in abused or unwanted birds, rehabilitate them and give them a second chance.

Once a bird is donated, it has a home for life. The animals are never sold or traded.

"We take in abused birds and birds that somebody can't handle," Carroll said. "Sometimes a military person is sent overseas and can't take an animal with them."

The birds often are stressed out for one reason or another.

"We work with the birds, taming them, socializing them," Carroll said.

She says the birds end up having a good time and many join their shows.

"We never train a bird to do anything they don't want to do," Carroll said. "We find out about the bird's personality, the things they enjoy doing. We watch them, see how they react in front of people."

And then they sort them by their talents. Some are sweet and cuddly, good for photo shoots.

And ...

"Some want to be the class clown," Carroll said.

Lounging around

Longtime Vegas lounge entertainer Howie Gold is at the Chianti Cafe, 2985 N. Green Valley Parkway. Starting at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays the crooner/pianist provides dance music, and on Thursdays he hosts a showcase for singers and musicians.

A number of celebrities have been spotted at the Chianti, among them Robert Goulet, Amazing Johnathan and Lance Burton.

Saxophonist Tommy Alvarado continues to draw large crowds for his 9 p.m. Sunday jazz jam sessions at the Hurricane Bar & Grill, 10420 S. Bermuda Road.

Regular jammers recently have been musicians from "Havana Night Club," the production at the Stardust (it's on hiatus until Nov. 16). They join Alvarado's combo, which includes drummer Joel Richman, bassist Daryl Williams and keyboardist Frank Zapia.

Blue Diamond Saloon (at the corner of Rainbow Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road) will feature the four-piece, rock and blues band Blues Storm from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. tonight and Saturday.

For more information check out www.bluesstorm.com.

San Remo's Bonne Chance Lounge is a small bar with big aspirations.

The club has a great lineup of singers over the next couple of weeks, beginning with the classic Checkmates, from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. tonight and Saturday and 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday.

Lorenzo will perform from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and Chyna from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 13.

Tim Ballard is ongoing. His shows are 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sundays and 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.