Columnist Jerry Fink: Showroom springs up in Chinatown

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 8:32 a.m.

Not many locals are familiar with the Las Vegas Chinatown district.

It's relatively small, a few square blocks of restaurants and other businesses located about a mile west of the Strip on Spring Mountain Road.

It certainly isn't a rival to the Chinatown of San Francisco. But it is becoming a distinctive area as businesses expand and as office buildings and high rises begin to grow.

And now it has its own showroom, thanks to longtime Las Vegas producer Jerry Schafer.

"Some people take the attitude that we need another showroom like we need a hole in the head," Schafer said. "I think the more opportunities we put together for people in the entertainment industry to show their wares, the better.

"Why not in Chinatown? It has been proven to me that it's growing by leaps and bounds and it's going to continue to grow."

Schafer said the room will attract locals.

"In my opinion locals hate to go to the Strip," said Schafer, who for years has visited Chinatown to buy herbs.

In March the impresario was at a swap meet in a large room on the second floor of the Chinatown Mall when it struck him that the space was ideal for a showroom.

The 75-year-old Schafer isn't a daydreamer. He has opened many showrooms during his career, at properties such as the Sahara and the defunct hotels Thunderbird, Lucky Casino and The Mint.

When he learned the room where the swap meet was being held was empty most of the time, he struck a deal with the owner and went to work.

A few months and a few hundred thousand dollars later, the Chinatown Showroom was completed.

The 300-seat venue is comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

"It's the most comfortable in the city," Schafer said. "We're not cramming them in like sardines, the way they do in a lot of showrooms."

Tonight, the venue will premiere "NO MSG -- A Musical Variety Show in Good Taste."

The production features the New Dynasty Chinese Acrobats from China, China face mask artist Qi Jian Guo, the Janien Valentine Singers, impressionist Craig Canter, ventriloquist Sammy King and the Jamie Townsend Band.

The family shows are at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. The price of admission is $75, but that includes a dinner. For information call 369-2600.

Patrons may choose to have dinner at one of six Chinatown restaurants: Sushi Moto, Harbor Palace Seafood Restaurant, Capital Seafood Chinese Restaurant, New Shanghai Restaurant, the Chinatown Empress Restaurant or the new Korean Barbeque Restaurant.

They can eat before or after a show, or even on another day. Drinks will be served in the showroom.

The showroom features a matire d', open seating (including a VIP section) and an elevator to accommodate those who need assistance getting to the second floor.

Schafer's interest in things Chinese isn't a mere passing fancy. He was married to a woman of Chinese heritage, Mary Anne Marks, for 27 years. She died in 2002.

One son teaches English in China. Another son adopted two Chinese girls.

And so Schafer has blended his affection for the Chinese and their culture with his experience in producing shows and building showrooms to create a new venue in Las Vegas.

Schafer, a native of Los Angeles, first visited Las Vegas in 1959 to shoot a television pilot, "The Legend of Billy the Kid."

Schafer was fascinated by the Strip, and in 1962 bought a house in Las Vegas. He has considered Vegas home ever since.

Over the years he has produced a number of shows locally -- his last was in 1984 when he helped John Stuart launch "Legends in Concert" at the Imperial Palace.

Since then, Schafer has concentrated on TV production -- until he was inspired to create another showroom and produce another revue.

Schafer says he isn't sure what to expect from future shows.

"My plan is to see how it's going to work," he said. "If the show works, we will keep it, although we may change acts and production numbers from time to time.

"I've been around a long time. I have to wait and see how things go."

'American Storm'

At this rate male revues for women will soon catch up with the female revues for men on the Strip.

"American Storm" premieres July 29 at the Riviera, joining its brethren hunksters "Thunder from Down Under" (Excalibur), "Chippendales" (Rio), "Men the Show" (Seven) and "Men of Russia" (Krave).

The premise of the new revue is a journey through U.S. history, from Columbus to the Wild West to the Mafia to the swinging '60s to the present.

Performances will be in the Crazy Girls Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, with additional 11 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $39.95.

Muscle bound

Muscle seems to be in at the Riviera.

In addition to "American Storm," a TV pilot for a reality series featuring strong men will be taped at the casino's Le Bistro Theatre on Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

John Wooten (billed as "The World's Strongest Man") will host the show, which will be co-hosted by Kieran Kidder (president of the World Powerlifting Organization).

The premiere will feature special guests Ernie France, international power lifting champion; Floridian Pat Fugate, the world's strongest senior citizen; "The Great Omar," Hawaii's strongest man, and Gary Frank, the 2005 world power lifting champion.

Las Vegas entertainer/TV producer Tony Sacca is directing the pilot, which is open to the public on a first-come basis. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Hollywood bound

The five top contenders in the the Miss Latina Star contest, hosted by Charo on May 20 at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall, are in Los Angeles this week getting their first taste of Hollywood.

Executive producer Marie Frances (head of The Marie Frances Foundation) is escorting the aspiring stars, who will be audition for casting director Bob Morones.

"I was only going to take the winner of the contest, but then Bob said he was casting for a movie and than I could bring more," Frances said.

And so five of the 30 entrants were chosen to meet with film executives and to tour Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures.

This was the first year of the Miss Latina Stars contest. Frances says she isn't sure if she will do it again next year.

"Actually, this was supposed to be a Miss Centennial Contest, not a Miss Latina Star Contest," she said. "But the Mayor decided he only wanted Clear Channel to handle all of the centennial-related events and so we weren't allowed to participate.

"Now, Clear Channel has done nothing, when so many producers had so many big plans they weren't able to carry out."

Frances, who was involved in helping produce Miss Universe pageants for more than 30 years, says whether she repeats the star-search contest next year will depend on whether she finds sponsors.

"We're going to give it a try," she said.

Disneyland at 50

In case you missed it, Disneyland celebrated its 50th anniversary Sunday. There were celebrities, fireworks and gold-colored Mickey Mouse ears galore.

When Walt Disney ushered in the modern era of amusement parks, the world was a different place -- a kinder world where Las Vegans could sit on their back porch and watch the distant mushroom clouds from nuclear explosions.

It also was a less expensive world.

Disneyland cost about $17 million -- which today will hardly build a decent showroom at one of Las Vegas' megaresorts.

You could get into the park for a dollar. Today, it costs $56 for an all-inclusive entry ticket.

Almost 30,000 fans attended the opening ceremony on July 17, 1955 -- which was almost the same number of Vegas residents (45,000).

Vegas was little more than a dusty town in the desert when that first fan crossed the bridge into Fantasyland, stepped into the Mad Hatters Tea Cup and went for a spin.

But in Vegas, that year was a portend of things to come.

Before 1955, the Strip had only a handful of significant resorts, including El Rancho (which opened in 1941), the Last Frontier ('42), the Flamingo ('46), the Desert Inn ('50), the Sahara ('52) and the Sands ('52).

The action was downtown on and around Fremont Street, where more than 20 gaming venues had been built after gambling was legalized in the state in 1931.

But in 1955 the Strip saw the opening of the Riviera (April), the Royal Nevada Hotel (April) and the Dunes (May)

The Moulin Rouge, the first casino catering to all races, also opened in May of '55, but closed five months later.

There was no Tropicana. It wouldn't open until '57. The Stardust opened in '58 and Caesars Palace didn't come along until 1966.

Since Mickey, Goofy and Cinderella made their debut in Anaheim, Calif., "Folies Bergere," "Crazy Girls." "Jubilee!" and numerous other topless productions have premiered in Vegas -- which has become known around the world as the adult Disneyland.

Burton benefit

Magician Lance Burton will host his annual benefit for the Zelzah Shrine Temple in Las Vegas at 5 p.m. July 31 at his theater in the Monte Carlo.

The lineup of entertainers who will perform includes Burton, comic magician Fielding West, magician Nathan Burton, Drew & Angela Dicostanzo and puppeteer Anthony Rais.

Tickets range from $27.50 to $35.

Burton will emcee "Lance Burton & Friends."

All of the money raised will be donated to the transportation fund to aid children who are clients of the Shriners in Vegas.

To purchase tickets call 382-5554 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or stop in the Zelzah Shrine Temple office at 222 W. Mesquite Ave. at Rancho Road and Mesquite south of U.S. 95.

Cirque du 5K

Cirque du Soleil hosts the fifth annual Run Away with Cirque du Soleil 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk at Paseo Verde Park in Henderson on Labor Day (Sept. 5).

All proceeds from the event benefit the Center for Independent Living.

Race-day registration begins at 6 a.m. with the 1 Mile Fun Walk starting at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K Run at 8:15 a.m.

Pre-registration will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Findlay Volkswagon in Henderson on Sept. 4.

You also may register on-line at active.com (search word: Cirque).

Pre-registration entry fees are $20 for the 5K run and $15 for the 1 mile fun walk. There is a $2 early bird discount if registering before Aug. 26.

On the day of, both events are $40.

The Center for Independent Living is a residential facility for at-risk youths ages 16 to 20.

DJ honored

Former Los Angeles DJ Ted Quillin was one of the original legendary "Seven Swingin' Gentlemen," who took Rock 'n' Roll into one of its first major markets in 1958 on KFWB radio in Hollywood, Calif.

Quillin, a Las Vegas resident since 1964, will be inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Aug. 20.

He was a DJ on KORK-AM for several years. He also had a show on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network.

Quillin's wife, Eve, recently published her autobiography, "My Life In Shorts."

Vegas views

The performance of mentalist Gerry McCambridge has been extended through August at the Rampart's Addison's Lounge.

Admission is free with a one-drink minimum. His mind-reading act is at 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Hypnotist Justin Tranz has moved his "Hip-nosis: The Funniest Show in the World" to the Lady Luck for an indefinite run.

After five years at O'Sheas, he jumped ship earlier this year for a brief stay at the Sahara before debuting at the downtown casino on July 15.

The R-rated show is at 10:30 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays.

Tickets are $34.95 and $44.95. For information call 292-7555.

Geoff and George Stults, the brothers and actors from the popular WB series, "Seventh Heaven," will appear at Blondies Sports Bar & Grill, inside The Shops in the Desert Passage mall at the Aladdin, as celebrity guest bartenders to raise money for a local family from 8 p.m. until midnight Saturday.

Money raised by the event will benefit the young sons of Blondies employee Taryn Stigall whose young sons, Kaleb and Karter, who suffer from Cerebral Palsy and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), respectively.

'Splash!' special

A special free performance of "Splash!" will be held after midnight Tuesday for employees of Vegas' entertainment industry.

After your show, come to the Riviera's Splash Theater for the 12:30 a.m. performance -- late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning.

The event is part of the revue's 20th anniversary celebration. RSVP by Friday to Preferred Public Relations & Marketing, 221-0323 or emailsplash@ preferredpublicrelations.com.

archive