Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 | 8:18 a.m.
Bootlegger Bistro manager Ruth Catalano has a good ear for talent.
"I can't play an instrument, and I can't sing, but I have an ear for what's good and what isn't," Catalano said. "And I'm very critical."
She hears all kinds of performers during Bootlegger's Monday Night Celebrity Karaoke, hosted by Kelly Clinton -- professionals and amateurs; good and not so good.
The weekly event has become sort of a showcase of talent for Catalano, who also acts as assistant entertainment coordinator to Ronnie Mancuso.
Some of the entertainers may be good enough for a gig at the Bootlegger.
"I watch for good stage presence as well as talent," Catalano said. "It all makes for a good package.
"I look for an entertainer that can really relate to the audience -- you can see that the audience likes them; I try to book likable entertainers."
Her most prized discovery to date actually consists of a group of three -- and sometimes four -- tenors.
She heard each of them at different times on different Monday nights and was impressed by them individually that about a year ago she suggested they get together and perform a concert at the Bootlegger on a Sunday night.
Which they did -- forming a group called the Las Vegas Tenors -- and they have performed together occasionally since.
Their most recent engagement was a one-night concert at the Golden Nugget.
Their next appearance will be at a dinner show at the Bootlegger on Sunday.
Dinner seating begins at 8 p.m. The show begins about 9 p.m. The cost of the dinner and show is about $20.
For reservations, call 736-4939.
The tenors are Bill Fayne, musical director for Clint Holmes; Mark Giovi, a cast member of "Bite" at the Stratosphere; Ted Davey, who performs evenings at Maggiano's Little Italy, a restaurant at the Fashion Show mall; and Bobby Black, a vocalist who performs on cruise ships.
When Black is in town, the group has four tenors. However, this weekend, he will be away on a cruise.
Black, Fayne and Giovi were the first members. Davey joined up when Black was out of town.
"The first night the tenors performed here last year, the place was entirely sold out," Catalano said. "I had to turn people away."
And they usually fill the room wherever they perform and have become so popular they have released a CD that is sold at their performances.
"What is unique about them is that they mix pop and show tunes in with opera," Catalano said.
Now that Catalano has launched a career for the tenors, she is looking at a young performer from Toronto who does a tribute to Elvis.
"He's the closest thing to the real Elvis I have ever seen," Catalano said.
She's hoping to put Gino Monopoli into a Sunday night showcase.
"He looks exactly like the real Elvis, the nicest most polite kid you'd ever want to meet," Catalano said. "He's not your run-of-the-mill Elvis impersonator -- he's very good. He has a lot of potential."
Meanwhile, Bootlegger continues to offer a full plate of entertainment throughout the week.
Celebrity Karaoke is on Mondays; on Tuesdays pianists and vocalists perform for the dinner crowd; Wednesdays are for R&B, with such entertainers as Roy Hamilton Jr., Moody Scott and Kim Seay; and on Thursdays legendary R&B vocalist Ruth Brown performs.
"Off the Cuff," a revue that has been ongoing since the restaurant opened at its present location almost six years ago, continues on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sonny King hosted the show until illness forced him to slow down. He is recovering from cancer treatment. Different hosts have emceed "Off the Cuff" since King's illness.
For the next few weeks Dennis Bono will be hosting shows on Saturdays, and Corrie Sachs will host on Fridays.
Local legend Freddie Bell, who has substituted as host, will become permanent host with a revue that will begin New Year's Eve.
It isn't too soon to make reservations for the Dec. 31 show.
Charity events
Two charitable events will take place simultaneously, in different rooms, at Turnberry Place's Stirling Club on Thursday night.
"Stars and Art" will raise funds for the Clint Holmes Foundation, which the Strip headliner created to promote the arts in the Clark County School District.
The event, which begins at 9 p.m., will include a silent and live auction of work by artist K.C. Reiter.
The second fundraiser is the third annual "Night of a Thousand Stars," which begins at 8 p.m. and will feature such entertainers as cast members from the show "X" at the Aladdin, Neil Diamond tribute artist Jay White and magician Steve Dacri.
Money raised during the revue will benefit the Diabetic Life Foundation of Las Vegas.
Tickets, a $50 donation, must be purchased in advance. They are available online at tobaccomart.com or call (630) 244-6101.
Music for the show will be provided by John Kaye and The Sensations (formerly the Overlords), including guitarist/vocalist Kaye; lead vocalist Barbara DeMarco; lead guitarist Charlie Liles; vocalist/bassist Faust Ruggiero; and drummer/vocalist David White.
Events will include an auction and raffle.
Jonathan Scott produces the event.
"Coming from a diabetic family I am very lucky that neither me, nor my children have diabetes," Scott said.
VIP tables are available online as well as a limited number of general-admission tickets.
Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by the Charlie Palmer Steak House.
Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or at [email protected].
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