Columnist Jerry Fink: Greece is the word for partiers at Romy’s

Friday, Oct. 29, 2004 | 8:32 a.m.

Vocalists Maria Kanaki and Patricia (she uses only one name onstage) are keeping Greek traditions alive at Romy's at 8565 W. Sahara Ave. on the southeast corner of West Sahara Avenue and Durango Drive.

As the two powerful singers perform songs from their native Greece, inspiring fans to crowd onto the small dance floor, dollar bills rain upon them and plates are shattered at their feet.

Men and women sometimes dance alone, sometimes with others of the same sex and sometimes with others of the opposite sex.

Think "Zorba the Greek."

Kanaki, who was born on an island off the northern Greek mainland, first came to the United States in the 1980s to tour with a group of singers who performed at Greek restaurants and other venues around the country.

When the tour ended she returned to Greece to continue her career as a singer there.

"My grandfather played the violin," Kanaki said. "Music is in my blood. It is family tradition. In my mother's family, everybody was singers. Mom plays the mandolin."

Kanaki says she sang with all of the top singers in Greece, performing at festivals and nightclubs.

She has been to the United States a couple of times since that first visit. The second time around 1990, staying for 10 years, pursuing her singing career.

Then, she returned to her homeland until about three years ago, when she moved back to the United States. She came to Las Vegas about a year ago.

"I love it here," Kanaki said. "I love the night life and everything else. It is the best place to live for many reasons."

Nine months ago Kanaki began singing at City Lights Bistro (formerly the Kitchen Cafe), 4850 W. Flamingo Road, shortly after Michael Karafantis bought the property. Her husband, keyboardist John Anastasopoulos, still performs there.

A month ago Kanaki began singing at Romy's (aka Teddy's Bistro), 8565 W. Sahara Ave. Romy's is owned by Teddy Daginis, who started the Kitchen Cafe more than 15 years ago.

"My husband is a musician," Kanaki said. "It is hard for him to move. I am a singer, I like to change places. It's good for my performing."

When Kanaki isn't busy singing -- from 11 a.m. until early morning Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays -- she's taking care of her family and their home.

"And I'm working on a new CD," she said.

Her first one, "Travel Around the World," is available wherever she performs.

Patricia left her native Athens to come to the United States in 1971.

"I came here to study film directing," said Patricia, who was in the theater in Greece. "I wanted to expand my involvement in show business."

While studying film, she started a restaurant in New York.

"It was a little restaurant," Patricia said.

She continued to pursue an acting career, but when the casting call finally came she was pregnant and couldn't go.

The restaurant business kept Patricia tied down, forcing here to give up her show business aspirations for awhile.

"I had a lot of options, but because of the restaurant business it was very hard for me to pursue show business," Patricia said. "I couldn't leave for Los Angeles at the time."

Eventually she opened a restaurant in Phoenix.

"I was the chef, and also the entertainment," Patricia said.

After she and her husband separated, she moved around -- to California and Florida, among other places.

She has been singing at Teddy's for almost two years. Her sets are at 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

When she isn't singing, Patricia is busy working on a couple of books -- one metaphysical and one spiritual.

Lounging around

Kelly Clinton's Celebrity Karaoke, Monday nights at the Bootlegger, is always a blast, even more so this week. The legendary Cook E. Jarr (at Harrah's Carnaval Court at 11 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesday) dropped by and sang a couple of numbers.

Frankie Scinta sang and danced. Michael Cagle was his usual crazy self.

Among the fans in the overflow audience were professional golfer Ray Floyd and Turnberry Place founder Don Sofer. Floyd, 62, has 22 PGA victories to his credit. He joined the senior PGA Tour in '92 and has won the Masters (1976), the U.S. Open (1986), the PGA twice (1969 and '92), and the PGA Seniors Championship.

It's a tribute to Loretta St. John's talent that more than 100 fans turned out to hear her in an outdoor concert last Friday at the Boulder City park/library. There was a high school football game in a stadium a couple of blocks away, and the weather was chilly, but that didn't stop St. John. She heated up the audience with her sexy red dress and her jazzy vocals.

The daughter of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan performed at the Palms' The Lounge on Tuesday night. Vocalist Brooke Hogan's debut album, featuring pop rock and R&B, is scheduled to be released in a few weeks.

The Hulkster introduced his daughter to the audience.

Bahama Breeze, 375 Hughes Center Drive, will feature vocalists Rich Chaves (4:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m.) and Harris Todman (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.) Nov. 5-6.