From: Norm Johnson
For: Column for 09-23-2021
Las Vegas performance icon, Kelly Clinton, began the official residency of her new show, “The Sit In With Kelly Clinton,” to a sold-out house at The Nevada Room in Historic Commercial Center on Thursday, September 9.
Aptly named “The Sit In,” the premiere of Clinton’s new show featured a plethora of talented Las Vegas performers, including the hilarious entertainer Tony Arias, composer and musical director Bill Fayne, long-time Prince protégé Elisa Fiorillo, comedy magician Mac King, multi-cabaret-award-winner Phillip Officer, dazzling singers Christine Shebeck and Eric Sean, saxophonist Justin Young, Composers’ Showcase creator Keith Thompson, and Clinton’s husband, Clint Holmes. In addition, she performed throughout the show with songs and comedy sketches.
Clinton commented, “It was both thrilling and exhilarating to be back on stage for the premiere of this new residency. It was also so exciting to have the support and camaraderie of all of the great Las Vegas entertainers displayed their incredible talents in front of the packed house last night. Additionally, the energy in the room – helped by the big sound from the band headed by Mike Clark and accented by The Nevada Room Showroom’s vintage décor – was surreal. Finally, it felt so good to see all of the people who came out last night, and who were so excited to be there.”
When asked about what she is most looking forward to with her future shows, Clinton commented, “I’m really looking forward to continuing to share the stage with so many of our great entertainers and friends in Las Vegas. Supplying exposure to undiscovered talent will also be an important part of the show as it moves along. And, of course, at its core, it’s all about fun and sharing it with everyone!”
“My partner, Chef David [James Robinson], and I are honored that Kelly has made The Nevada Room her new home. She truly epitomizes what we love most about Las Vegas: great energy, fabulous talent, incredible live entertainment, and a vivacious personality that is coupled with a big heart all at the same time,” said Tom Michel[NJ1] , President of The Vegas Nevada Rooms.
While handcrafted food and beverages are featured, there is no cover or entertainment charge for guests wishing to attend “The Sit In.” The Nevada Room offers an a la carte menu created by Executive Chef and owner David James Robinson, featuring popular appetizers such as bacon-wrapped gorgonzola blue cheese stuffed dates and chilled poached shrimp with sweet onion relish. It also offers hand-crafted entrées, including hearty shrimp creole, signature Nevada Room Pasta, and Chef David’s own classic meatloaf. Desserts include warm bread pudding, orange crème Brulé, and Espresso Cheesecake with chocolate whipped cream. The Nevada Room’s menu also has many vegan options.
In addition to the handcrafted food items, The Nevada Room offers many specialty cocktails created by head bartender/mixologist Michael Schaus. That includes his latest drink The Kelly Cocktail invented in honor of Clinton made with lemon vodka, sweet and sour mix, Cointreau, Chambord Raspberry Liqueur, and fresh raspberries served in a sugar-rimmed martini glass.
Kelly will be performing “The Sit In with Kelly Clinton” at The Nevada Room Showroom every Thursday night from 7 to 10 p.m. Dinner service is available starting at 6 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended by visiting www.vegasnevadarooms.com or by calling 702.500.1813.
The Nevada Room is located at 953 E. Sahara Ave. in Historic Commercial Center, where there is always free and easy parking.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
On Friday, September 17, 2021, an accidental fire claimed the beloved Mt. Charleston Lodge. Thankfully, due to the quick response and dedication of the first responders, including the Clark County Fire Department, the Mt. Charleston Fire Department and volunteer firefighters, the fire was contained, and no one was hurt.
For as long as most Las Vegas residents can remember, the Mt. Charleston Lodge served as a scenic escape from the intense Las Vegas heat. It was a wonderful place to enjoy their famous Mt. Charleston Coffee or Hot Chocolate. Weddings were held there; epic snowball fights took place on the deck and families gathered for meals around the massive stone fireplace. Countless visitors have made memories at The Lodge, and the owners, the Ellis family, are dedicated to rebuilding and recreating the atmosphere and charm that so many were able to enjoy throughout the years. In the immediate future, though, the family and team are focused on taking care of their team members and guests.
“The outpouring of love and memories has been incredible,” said Christina Ellis, General Manager for Ellis Island Hotel, Casino &Brewery, and additional family holdings. “And while we are committed to rebuilding, our first priorities are to take care of the team members and guests who helped make The Lodge feel like a second home to so many.”
Just hours after the fire broke out, management sent a companywide memo regarding an internal job fair, to be held Wednesday, September 22, where the Mt. Charleston Lodge team members were given new employment opportunities at sister properties including Ellis Island Hotel, Casino & Brewery and Village Pub locations. As this is a fast turnaround, the leadership team is also working to accommodate any individual needs, in terms of timing, location issues and special requests. With the goal of keeping the complete team, management is committed to providing positions within the company that align with their team members’ current titles and skills.
The Mt. Charleston Cabins will reopen on Friday, September 24. The team will provide guests with continental breakfast, and those staying in the event cabin will receive an in-room happy hour experience with wine and cheese. Management is currently working on more permanent food solutions and is looking to have finalized options in the coming weeks. For more information, visit mtcharlestonlodge.com.
Since its opening, the Mt. Charleston Lodge has been an extremely popular destination for various events, and while many went on hold during 2020, the Lodge had recently been able to open back up to events. Unfortunately, now those must be moved, rescheduled, or canceled once more. Management has reached out to all event hosts and brides for the foreseeable future with a few solutions: The team is offering to move the event to another location in the Ellis portfolio, or they are connecting events hosts and brides to other venues on the mountain. Management is also committed to returning all deposits in a timely matter.
“The loss of The Lodge has been heartbreaking, but our team recognizes how horrible it is to lose the location of an event you’ve been planning for months or possibly years,” Christina Ellis said. “We want to do our best to assist our guests during this time.”
Piero’s Italian Cuisine, a treasured Las Vegas fine dining restaurant, and a favorite of this reporter, will open its doors seven days a week starting on Tuesday, Sept. 28. This marks the award-winning restaurant’s return to pre-COVID operations from 5:30-10 p.m., daily.
“With the return of Las Vegas conventions, we are thrilled to now reopen Piero’s seven days per week,” said Evan Glusman, General Manager of Piero’s Italian Cuisine, a Las Vegas favorite since opening in 1982. “We look forward to continuing to serve our regulars, as well as welcome new guests to Piero’s for exceptional cuisine in our one-of-a-kind, welcoming atmosphere.”
In addition to Piero’s signature classics, Executive Chef Chris Conlon regularly introduces new seasonal and featured dishes to the menu. Favorites include the osso buco, which has been on the menu since 1982, bone-in veal parmigiana, homemade agnolotti with ricotta and spinach, and Piero’s signature garbage Caesar salad made with tomatoes, avocado, grilled shrimp, and hearts of palm.
Featured dishes have included bone-in 24 oz. prime ribeye grilled or blackened; Dover sole filleted tableside and served with a lemon butter white wine sauce; and fresh Florida stone crab claws cracked, chilled served with Piero’s housemade champagne mustard sauce.
In addition to one of the city’s largest wine collections, Piero’s serves exceptional specialty cocktails, including key lime pie martini, lemon drop martini and Spark Plug, a chilled shot combining vanilla vodka, espresso and Kahlúa. Piero’s also offers a selection of fresh sorbets and gelati to complete the dining experience, plus a variety of pastries made fresh and in-house daily by Chef Antonio Martinez, including New York-style raspberry cheesecake with an almond crust and Nutella crème brûlée topped with chocolate biscottis.
With 345 seats and six separate dining rooms in the restaurant, Piero’s can customize private and unique events and is a popular spot for groups, from large corporate dinners to rehearsal dinners, holiday parties and graduation parties.
Founded by Freddie Glusman and now run by his son, Evan, Piero’s Italian Cuisine has remained a treasured Las Vegas institution where celebrities and public figures gather for great food and company. Located directly off of the Las Vegas Strip next to the Convention Center, the stand-alone restaurant is Las Vegas’ longest running, family-owned Italian restaurant.
Since opening, fine dining and exceptional service have remained at the forefront of the guest experience. With its award-winning Italian cuisine overseen by Conlon and flawless service under Evan’s meticulous eye, Piero’s continues to uphold its founding traditions: family, extraordinary food, and unmatched service.
For reservations, please call (702) 369-2305 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information can be found on the website at www.PierosCuisine.com.
Downtown Summerlin, a development of The Howard Hughes Corporation located in the heart of the Summerlin master planned community, is pleased to announce the return of the Halloween parade “Parade of Mischief,” presented by SelectHealth and produced by BESTAgency, this October.
The frightfully fun, family-friendly parade will fill the streets of Downtown Summerlin with mischievous mayhem every Friday and Saturday night in October (Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30) starting at 7:00p.m. The event is free, open to the public and takes place along Park Centre Drive.
“Parade of Mischief was a fan favorite in 2019 and we are thrilled to welcome it back this year,” said Halee Mason, marketing director, Downtown Summerlin. “The parade will feature an all-star line-up of local youth including dancing zombies, ghosts, witches, wizards, wild creatures, a rockin’ dead skeleton band and more.”
Don’t miss the Dynamic Productions and Dance Dynamics presentation of “The Addams Family a New Musical” live on The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin Oct. 28 - 31.Enjoy this spooky family-friendly musical theater production of acting, singing and dancing by local performers ages 12+. All showings are free and open to the public. Visithttp://www.ddshowtickets.com/ for details. For additional information, visit summerlin.com.