The Talk About Las Vegas Podcast | a podcast by Ira Sternberg

In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Tom talks about how the project was launched in partnership with National Geographic; the unique staging features of this exhibit, which creates an immersive experience for visitors; the importance of capturing a moment in time by world-class professional photographers; why some of the images were enhanced (but not changed by technology); and the reaction of people to these dynamic photographs.

This week, Ira spoke with comedian Henry Cho, who will be performing at the South Point Casino Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14 at 7:30. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Henry talks about how he discovered he was unique as a comedian, growing up of Korean descent in Knoxville, Tennessee; why he took ten years off from his comedy career; how you can be funny without being neurotic; why his disability insurance is so high (as it is for other comedians); how he ended up performing at the Grand Ole Opry; why he’s never been a worrier; and why he can work anywhere because of the type of comedy he performs.

This week, Ira spoke with Mallory Gott, one of the finalists (along with her partner, Chef Aaron Lee) of The Great Las Vegas Coffee Shop Giveaway, and popping up at the Vegas Test Kitchen May 6 & 7. Their concept, called Winnie and Ethel’s Downtown Diner, is based on a 1940s diner offering all the classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Mallory talks about her first get meeting Chef Lee on a social basis, resulting in both a personal and professional relationship; their decision to enter the giveaway with their concept, named after relatives from both sides; their division of labor (Chef Lee, the food and Mallory, the tablescapes, the branding and graphics); her background in design and her plan to create the arc of an experience for the diner; and how the location of the diner is organically connected to the neighborhood.

This week, Ira spoke with Makana, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center in “The Gift of Slack Key Guitar” April 29 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Makana talks about how he was introduced to slack key guitar as a boy by his father; how his mother set the wheels in motion for his to learn slack key guitar from a master; what slack key guitar style is (and tuning to a chord); how he started playing gigs at 14; why some rock guitar musicians fall in love with slack key guitar; how he tours the world; and why he’s a story teller and loves to educate through his performances.

https://thesmithcenter.com

https://www.makanamusic.com

https://twitter.com/makanamusic

https://www.facebook.com/makanamusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5cP5AByXG70KVZlVQsAMOD

This week, Ira spoke with Makana, performing in Myron’s at The Smith Center in “The Gift of Slack Key Guitar” April 29 at 7 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Makana talks about how he was introduced to slack key guitar as a boy by his father; how his mother set the wheels in motion for his to learn slack key guitar from a master; what slack key guitar style is (and tuning to a chord); how he started playing gigs at 14; why some rock guitar musicians fall in love with slack key guitar; how he tours the world; and why he’s a story teller and loves to educate through his performances.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Ms. Michelle, founder of the Las Vegas Black Film Festival, April 21-24 at the Suncoast Hotel. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Ms. Michelle talks about her challenges in starting the festival nine years ago; how her tenacity overcame the negative advice from her university adviser; why she decided Las Vegas was the perfect location for the festival; creating a welcoming environment for filmmakers; what categories are used for films; how films are submitted from around the world; why she is able to attract top talent to submit films and appear; and why there is no red carpet…but an orange one!

This week, Ira spoke with Dray Gardner (whose back pain led him to Yoga), who teaches “Yoga & Wellness with Dray” at Area 15 (an immersive playground experience in Las Vegas) on select Saturdays. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Dray talks about his life-threatening automobile accident and his desire to avoid back surgery; his discovery of hot yoga; his journey through many types of yoga; why he calls himself the “peaceful pugilist”; how yoga needs to have its “operating system” updated; the importance of persistence and patience; why he teaches from experience, not books; how he is able to relate to all kinds of people; the meaning of 365 “Drayisms.”; and the importance of breath.

https://yogadg.com

https://www.facebook.com/drayg

https://www.instagram.com/draygardner/

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Dray Gardner (whose back pain led him to Yoga), who teaches “Yoga & Wellness with Dray” at Area 15 (an immersive playground experience in Las Vegas) on select Saturdays. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Dray talks about his life-threatening automobile accident and his desire to avoid back surgery; his discovery of hot yoga; his journey through many types of yoga; why he calls himself the “peaceful pugilist”; how yoga needs to have its “operating system” updated; the importance of persistence and patience; why he teaches from experience, not books; how he is able to relate to all kinds of people; the meaning of 365 “Drayisms.”; and the importance of breath.

This week, Ira spoke with Chef Mariana Alvarado, founder of Masazul in Las Vegas (which features artisanal heirloom corn tortillas), who is making her debut in the premiere of Food Network’s “Big Restaurant Bet” April 5 at 10 p.m. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chef Mariana talks about growing up in Mexico and learning the traditional art of making tortillas; moving to Las Vegas to work in the gaming industry and honing her culinary skills; why the pandemic pushed her to strike out on her own; the niche she created in Las Vegas for her organic corn tortillas; why she likes to source food from local suppliers; and how she got involved with the Food Network and its “Big Restaurant Bet.”

Chef Mariana was born and raised in the busy streets of Mexico City, with vivid memories of my childhood, gazing in awe at the hand-pressed tortillas ballooning on the hot Comal.

She started her formal gastronomical education at the age of 13, attended Universidad del Caribe in Cancun and earned a degree in Culinary Arts from the University of Las Vegas Nevada.

https://www.instagram.com/masazul_/

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Chef Mariana Alvarado, founder of Masazul in Las Vegas (which features artisanal heirloom corn tortillas), who is In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Chef Mariana talks about growing up in Mexico and learning the traditional art of making tortillas; moving to Las Vegas to work in the gaming industry and honing her culinary skills; why the pandemic pushed her to strike out on her own; the niche she created in Las Vegas for her organic corn tortillas; why she likes to source food from local suppliers; and how she got involved with the Food Network and its “Big Restaurant Bet.”