Friday, May 20, 2005 | 8:33 a.m.
Entertainer T. Fox is back at his hallway in the Tropicana after a successful three-month engagement at a 250-seat lounge/theater in Atlantic City -- and the Fox is restless.
"I'm shopping for a bigger venue," he said.
After six years, the 41-year-old Fox has outgrown the hallway -- where the 180-seat Tropics Lounge is located.
"I really want to take it to the next level," Fox said. "I want to take you on a magical, musical journey of songs -- and when I sing 'I Can Fly,' I really want to fly.
"And I have access to a 12-piece orchestra, depending on what the rooms are looking for -- I have that route, and my show with the Fox City Dancers."
The six female dancers include co-choreographers Imani (his wife) and Ashtalea (a belly dancer). They join him Saturdays.
Fox returned to work in Vegas on Wednesday, and performs from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. It's a free show, with a one-drink minimum.
His stint at the Tropicana in Atlantic City garnered him high praise, not to mention a whole new fan base, and has inspired him to renew his effort to find the right venue that will accommodate his high-energy performances that include a mix of standards, jazz, soul, R&B, funk and rock 'n' roll.
"You truly make for an entertaining evening of song and dance," Tropicana Atlantic City entertainment director Bill Gaydos wrote when the engagement ended.
"You have received many accolades from both customers and employees ... you are truly an entertainer and in addition to your title, 'The Spirit of the Las Vegas Strip,' we should also call you 'The Spirit of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.' "
Fox is scheduled to return to Atlantic City for a second engagement Aug. 1 through Oct. 6.
"I had a fabulous, wonderful time in Atlantic City," he said. "It was one of the greatest experiences I ever had."
Fox said he packed the room every night. One 81-year-old fan attended at least one performance every night for three months straight.
"By the time the engagement ended in April the bell captains, the waitresses and other personnel signed a petition for me not to leave," Fox said.
Fox said the Tropicana in Atlantic City is a world apart from the one in Las Vegas.
"It's closer to the size of the MGM Grand," he said. "It's in a class that's a cross between Caesars Palace and the Bellagio."
While in Atlantic City he visited New York.
"Going back, being in Times Square, seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, it was just like being back home," Fox said. "I felt like I was in touch with my roots."
He also spent time in Philadelphia.
"It blew me away," he said. "I had a chance to see the Liberty Bell, the Declaration of Independence -- I held up a $100 bill and when I looked at the back of it I saw the building that is right across the street from the Liberty Bell."
Fox said one of his reasons for taking the Atlantic City gig was to get some film footage for his life story.
"I'm doing a film of my life," he said. "So far I have over 97 hours.
"Eventually it will be on DVD -- I'm calling it 'Here for A Reason -- 5/15.' "
Fox's birthday is May 15, the same as Las Vegas'. Saturday he rode on a float in the Centennial parade reserved for Vegas residents who share the same birthday.
Documenting his life in Vegas has been wild, Fox said.
He came to town more than six years ago and landed a job performing at the now-defunct Cafe Nicolle. A few weeks later the Tropicana hired him for a 25-day engagement that has turned into six years.
"It has truly been a blessing," Fox said.
But it's time to move on.
"My three favorite words are passion, faith and patience," he said. "You have to have the passion to do things in your live; you have to have faith that it will happen -- and you have to have the patience to make the right decisions."
Lounging around
"The Three Tenors of Las Vegas" make their debut at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bootlegger. The vocalists include Bill Fayne (musical director for Clint Holmes), Mark Giovi and Bobby Black.
The evening will feature a wide range of songs from opera, to pop to country to Broadway. The songs will include "La Donna Mobile," "Let the Good Times Roll," "Santa Lucia," "Unchained Melody," a Barry Manilow medley and more.
Former Marvelette lead singer Loni Clark (she was with a reincarnated version of the Motown legends) will perform at Steven David's, 545 E. Sahara Ave., at 9 p.m. Thursday.
The original Marvelettes were most well known for their 1961 No. 1 hit, "Please Mr. Postman."
A full-Monti welcome occasionally will await guests of Paul Devitt's Beauty Bar at 517 Fremont St. -- Vegas personality Monti Rock III (a former hairdresser and a friend of Devitt's) will host the party scene at the salon saloon once a week. Monti's night has not yet been announced.
Jazz fans should check out Murphy's Pub in Henderson. The club at 3985 E. Sunset Road features The Jazz Police (8 p.m. to midnight Sundays), Bruce Harper Big Band (9 p.m. to midnight Mondays) and Quintessence (9 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays).
Carnaval Court, the popular nightclub at Harrah's, is now open from noon to 3 a.m. daily. Bands perform throughout the day, beginning at noon and continuing until 1 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 12:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sundays and Thursdays.
archive
