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

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Brian "Paco" Álvarez, CEO of Psionic Art Works, a cultural and curatorial consultancy in Las Vegas. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Paco talks about how culture has evolved in Las Vegas; why art increases business; the new frontier of computers interacting with the human mind; how public art has a purpose, bringing a sense of place; the experiential appeal of new Las Vegas venues; and why Downtown Las Vegas is leading the way in the cultural revolution; and the future.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with entertainer/producer George Bugatti, who has written “Trial on the Potomac, The Impeachment of Richard Nixon,” which was staged off Broadway and filmed. In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, George talks about his obsession with presidents, and particularly Richard Nixon; his discovery of a book, The Real Watergate Scandal by Geoff Shepard; his decision to write the play based on that book that ponders what would have happened if Richard Nixon had a trial; how he chose Rich Little to play Richard Nixon in the play; the most important thing he learned from writing it; and why he is glad he wrote something that is “bigger than me.”

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Euge Groove, performing at the Santa Fe Station Hotel December 4 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Euge talks about his methodical approach to recording jazz and performing live sets; why he writes songs that are natural to him and not necessarily for the radio; how he got from classical music to King Curtis; why he enjoys playing music with other musicians, including Peter White; what the mark of a true artist is; how there is a negative connotation to “smooth jazz” and why he doesn’t object to the term; why he is drawn more to production these days; and the secret life of airline miles!

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Jason Egan, creator of the official SAW Escape Room and Escape Blair Witch Escape Room in Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jason talks about his earliest experience with horror, running out of a haunted house in the fifth grade; growing up in the Midwest; how he developed a passion for horror; his one true nightmare (it will surprise you!); why he decided to move to Las Vegas to create horror and immersive escape rooms; the psychology of escape rooms; and why he not only lives his dream, but works his dream.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Jazz star and multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling, performing at the Italian American Club, November 21 at 8 p.m. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Carling talks about her long family history in music (she started touring at age 7); why the Great America Songbook is her “bible”; how she approaches entertainment and wants the audience to be happy; why she always has to be inspired and why she wants her energy to be contagious; and her dream as a teenager to have a residency in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira had a quick chat with multi-instrumentalist, song writer, composer, performer and recording artist Peter Fand, who will be leading the Dixie Flats at a New Orleans Dixieland Brunch presented by Reflection Bay and Chef Scott Commings, November 14. Peter talks about performing around the world, including the Kremlin Palace in Moscow; moving to Las Vegas; forming the Dixie Flats to focus on Trad Jazz, and how he learned to appreciate the greats in music.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with trumpeter, composer and producer Rick Braun, performing (along with Richard Elliot) in the Chrome Showroom at the Santa Fe Station Hotel November 13. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rick talks about his start in playing the trumpet, finding one left by his brother in the closet; attending the Eastman School of Music for a serious immersion in his future field; his mentors and the people he has encouraged; his professional relationship with saxophonist Richard Elliot; the wise advice given him by George Benson; the inspiration of Miles Davis (“know your limitations”); the “hot” set with a flugelhorn in Las Vegas; and honoring his father by playing at SteelStacks.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with actor/singer/dancer/aerialist/ and showgirl, Anne Martinez, who (along with Red Penny Arcade) performs at The Space - for Wine Wednesdays - November 3 at 8 p.m. (wine tasting at 7:30). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Anne talks about getting the performing bug at an early age; the support of her mom (who was a teacher) for a broad and intense education, including obtaining a BFA in Acting from SUNY Fredonia and an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from London, UK's Central School of Speech and Drama; the hard thing about show business; learning accountability; why she loves the details and process of preparation of performing; and how she ended up as a performer in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with Ross Bennett, who will be performing in The Comedy Works at The Plaza, October 29-30. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas (Ross originally appeared on the Ira’s Everything Bagel podcast May 27 https://iraseverythingbagel.com/noshing-with-ross-bennett-may-27-2021/), Ross talks about leaving West Point for a career in comedy; how “Saturday Night Live” and Steve Martin influenced his decision to perform comedy; why he knew at the beginning that the important thing was to get stage time; where his comedy journey began; why he was both blessed and cursed by the fact that he was naturally funny; why his goal was to become a headliner in a comedy club; and why he started teaching stand-up comedy and coaching (and why writing is just the beginning.

This week, Ira Sternberg spoke with award-winning burlesque performer Angie Pontani, “The Italian Stallionette” (at the NoMad Library Oct. 21-24). In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Angie talks about how she discovered burlesque; the art as “the journey of the tease”; the ability to be fearless on stage; why burlesque gives performers the ability to break the “fourth wall”; what brought the art back; why it’s inclusive and simultaneously a reclamation of femininity; some of her favorite Las Vegas stories; cooking as a passion project; burlesque’s roots in American history; and why ”burlesque is best served live.”