Show Features Vegas Talent Every Thursday at 2 pm

“This Joint is Jumping.” That foot-tapping song set the mood for the spirited entertaining new Thursday afternoon 2 p.m. show, Variety Toast of the Town, at Sam’s Town. Hosts Jack Walker and Robin Vincent entertained individually and together and introduced the variety acts. Vincent, a member of the Swing City Dolls, wowed the audience with her beautiful rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”. Walker delighted the mainly senior population with his impersonation of Tom Jones, working the room as he orchestrated a spirited sing a long. Jubilee! Dancers Sarah Sutter and Robert Selvin introduced an additional dimension with their beautiful ballet to the music of the Hawaiian version of “Over The Rainbow”.

Robin Vincent and Jack Walker

Next, we saw and heard the impressive talent of 13 year old Ellie Smith who serenaded with “Johnny One Note.” This poised young girl is certainly on her way to stardom. Comedian. “Big John” Mickelson followed, filling the 750 seat room with laughter.

Fans embraced the songs of Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters who sang oldies that he described as “songs you turned into gold” including “Only You” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” The show is produced by Ed Mathews’ Desert Productions will feature well-known and up and coming Las Vegas entertainers in a 75-minute variety show format. Musicians, singers, dancers, impressionists, magicians and comedians will rotate week-to-week at Sam’s Town Live! to entertain audiences.

“We are delighted to present this weekly variety show to our Sam’s Town guests,” said Terry Jenkins, Corporate Director of Entertainment for Boyd Gaming. “This format has been exceptionally successful at our Sun Coast property and our collaboration with Desert Productions will bring the best in Las Vegas talent to the Sam’s Town Live! stage.”

“My true love lies with recreating the vintage Vegas lounge experience. In Variety Toast of the Town. we are able to bring in a diverse and exciting group of performers every week,” said Ed Mathews of Desert Productions. “There is nothing like the afternoon crowd and they are an extremely devoted audience. ”

Upcoming special guests for Variety Toast of the Town include Ronnie Rose from House of Blues Las Vegas, Mollie Tenant of Jubilee!, Tina Walsh from Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular, Robin Vincent and The Swing City Dolls, George De Mott of Voce Vegas, Michael Laygo of Society of Seven, Mark Giovi from the popular show Bite, Genevieve Dew who regularly performs with The Platters, Michelle Johnson who has performed with the likes of Gladys Knight and Sonny Turner, Teddy Davey of Las Vegas Tenors Zowie Bowie and the comedy of Cork Proctor. Musical director for Variety Toast of the Town is Bill Fayne and Philip Mathews is co-producer.

The best news of all is that there is no charge for the show for those with Sam’s Town players cards, know as B Connected Club members. Non-member entry is dependant on space availability. For further information call 702.456.7777 or visit www.samstownlv.com.

Story and photos by Dianne R. Davis

Dianne R. Davis has been writing as long as she can remember. She is a columnist/photographer for Judy Thorburn’s www.lasvegasroundtheclock.com and for the Vegas Voice newspaper. Dianne is a reporter on Anthem Alive on Sun City Anthem’s own Channel 99, specializing in entertainment. She can be contacted at DianneRD@aol.com.