In one's life a person is really lucky if he can count his or her true friends on the fingers of both hands. The other night I was fortunate enough to be invited to celebrate the passing of a wonderful man: Dr. Sherman A. Karpen. I was one of about 80 friends who partook of some great wine and a fabulous dinner hosted by his companion for, oh, so many years, Joan Berry Karpen.
Her "Sherm Bear" fought a great battle against the Cancer that eventually took his smiling face from us. I only knew Sherm for about six years, but in that brief time I came to really know a great guy. Even when he was in pain he always would ask you (before you could ask him) "How are you feeling, kid?" He always called me kid, and you know what,. I liked that! After all I was six years younger than he. I met his two sons that evening at the Green Valley Ranch and what hero's they were to their dad. Larry Karpen and his brother Andrew are well educated, darn good-looking guys with tremendously bright futures. Sherm was very proud of them. What was neat at this little celebration is how everyone introduced themselfs, stood and told a special little story that was exclusive to them. But, in reality, everyone in that room had experienced Sherm in a wonderful, robust way. I know I write for everyone there that evening, and for those unable to attend, that Dr. Sherm A. Karpen, "aka Sherm Bear" will forever be missed... he departed with a tremendous amount of love.
Now on with the business of showbiz.
One of the best shows dedicated to the men who were once known as the "Rat Pack" will be displaying that talent this weekend, beginning tonight (Friday 13th) in The Club at the Cannery. Comprised of Steve Lippia as The Man, Doug Starks as Sam and Rick Michel as Dino. The show is titled "Frank, Sammy & Dean - Hear and Now!" and gets underway at 7 pm., with a 12-piece orchestra and an hour of ballroom dancing with the show set to start at 8 pm. Do any of you readers out there know who the original founder of the Rat Pack was? And what actress was a member of that group? I'll give you the answer at the end of this column! Anyhow, back to the guys. This is honestly a great show!
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The Imperial Palace Hotel has slowly but surely been out promoting a lot of the other properties along the strip. It started way back some 20 years ago when "Legends in Concert" first appeared on the stage of the new showroom. It was a gamble taken by then Entertainment Director Stephanie Lopes (Nielsen) and General Manager Ed Crispell, which has obviously worked quite well for everyone concerned. Ed is still at the hotel and doing a great job. Stephanie moved on to Atlantic City, went to work for Donald Trump and is still in showbiz today. Now Ed and his staff have added some very novel promotions. First they went out and found some people who wanted to deal "21" and looked like someone famous. After training the group of "Dealertainers" made their debut in a special celebrity pit working a single shift for a couple days a week. It has since been expanded to every night. Then they decided to put Karaoke in Tequila Joe's on specific evenings. This was followed up by a special "Be a Legend Karaoke" contest on the third Thursday of each month. The winner gets a nice check plus an audition to become a "Legend in Concert" performer. The latest is the opening of its new Imperial Palace Wedding Chapel and guess who just got married there? You'll never guess I promise you. Oh, okay, I'll let you in on a secret. Mr & Mrs Santa Clause are actually and legally married. It happened last Saturday during a conference in the hotel of about 70 professional Santa Clauses. How about that?
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: The Tropicana Hotel has kicked off 2004 with a complete make over of its award winning Folies Bergere" show. Jerry Jackson, director, choreographer and designer, has spent many hours enhancing the lighting and adding a sexy new 1940's number. I'm personally looking forward to seeing this great show again...
Ba-Da-Bing has successfully moved into the Ovation Showroom inside the Desert Passage at the Aladdin Hotel. We last caught this terrific interactive dinner show (a rarity these days) at Sazio's Restaurant at The Orleans Hotel and was truly impressed with the whole idea as produced by Ben Morgan (aka Cousin Vinnie). Showtimes are 7:30 pm., with door open at 6 pm...
Show Producer Sharon Haynes went to Florida with just her suitcase and came back with three fabulous trophies for her productions at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino. The three out of six awards were presented at The Entertainment Network's competition in Orlando. Universal Studio's executives judged her "Honky Tonk Angels" Best Small Show and her "Serendipity" took trophies for both Best Variety Show and Best Show Using The Most Celebrity Impersonators. Honky Tonk is playing every night at the Gold Coast...
As promised, the answers to the above "Rat Pack" trivia: Humphrey Bogat and Lauren Bacall.
Well, gang, that's it for another week. I'm outa here!.
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