Columnist Jerry Fink: Lounge scene in Vegas busier than ever

Friday, Aug. 26, 2005 | 8:22 a.m.

So many lounges, so little time.

Having taken three weeks off, I feel out of the loop, lounge-wise.

I've been trying to catch up, but it's tough when there are so many places to hang out and listen to good music.

R&B guitarist Huck Daniels called recently to let me know that in addition to his Monday night gigs at the Stratosphere (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.), beginning at 8 p.m. on Sept. 4 he will have a similar celebrity jam session at Arizona Charlie's on Decatur Boulevard.

Daniels, a part of the local scene for more than 40 years, is one of the more popular musicians in town. He's at Roxy's at Sam's Town every other month; he's headed for Laughlin for a few days in September and he recently got a gig at a casino in Albuquerque.

Steven David also called to let me know he's mixing football with jazz.

His self-named nightclub/restaurant (545 E. Sahara Ave.) now features a 175-inch screen for "Monday Night Football" (beginning Sept. 12 on ABC, Channel 13).

There will be food and drink specials during the game, including $1 frozen margaritas, buckets of beer for $9 and $3.99 appetizers.

Jazz entertainment begins at 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays -- with keyboardist Dennis Mellen on Wednesdays; the Dick Fazio Trio with Red Michaels & Bobby Gills on Thursdays, and Steven David and the Band of Unusual Suspects (Dick Fazio, Red Michaels, Benny Bennet) with Susan Segall on Fridays and Saturdays.

Many readers called while I was away wondering about the venerable lounge act the Sunspots, who arrived in Vegas from the Philippines the same year Huck Daniels arrived from Reno -- 1964.

The Sunspots were at the Plaza for four years, but when the new owners of the venue took over the group lost its steady gig.

But the band will be returning there to perform on occasion -- the next days are Sept. 13-25 and then Nov. 8-20. Times have not been announced.

Meanwhile you can see the Sunspots at Roxy's at Sam's Town this weekend -- from 10:30 p.m. until 4 a.m. tonight and Saturday and from 9:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday

They also perform a concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Sun City Anthem.

The Larry "Wild" Rice Trio have been extended for the jazz brunch at the Artisan, 1501 W. Sahara Ave. The musical brunch is from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sundays.

Whatever lounge entertainer Kurtis May has, he should bottle it.

Fans have been standing shoulder-to-shoulder and crowding the dance floor at the Tuscany Lounge, where May performs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

I've heard older dance fans complaining there was no place for them to hang out and dance. Apparently they have found it.

And Adam Carmer, owner of the Freakin' Frog (4700 Maryland Parkway) called to let me know there is a jumping jazz scene at his place at 10 p.m. on Mondays.

The former manager of Kokomo's at the Mirage is pretty astute at running a business, so I have no reason to doubt him.

He says there is a younger feel to the jazz, since many of the musicians who perfrom there are students at nearby UNLV.

Lounging around

Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee is back, 80 pounds lighter, at the Barbary Coast Lounge. The gigantic Elvis tribute artist, who once tipped the scales at more than 500 pounds, took a month off to begin a nutrition and exercise program.

Vallee performs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays.

Johnny O hosts Friday Night Karaoke from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the downtown Vegas Club.

Music includes rock 'n' roll, Hawaiian, pop, rap and country.

Catch John Kaye & The Overlords at the Red Hawk Lounge (formerly Three Angry Wives), performing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.

The club is at 2634 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, east of Eastern Avenue.

The group includes lead singer Kaye, lead guitarist Charlie Liles, bassist Geoffrey Gelsing and drummer David White.

Lou Martinez performs at 10 p.m. Fridays at Zingers, 1000 E. Sahara Ave.