Liberace tribute artist is in the house at maestro's museum

Wes Winters performs at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Photo/Special to View

Entertainer Wes Winters, 42, was only 5 years old when he first heard Liberace play the piano on television. Smitten with his playing and exuberance, Winters spent the next seven years tickling the ivories in the style of his newfound mentor.

"There was an incredible amount of joy in everything he did on stage," Winters said. "Pure happiness and joy oozing out of every cell."

A self-taught pianist, Winters, as a child, did not read music and to this day plays by ear. He honed his art to the accompaniment of Liberace records. After years as a nightclub singer in Kansas City, Mo., by 2003 Winters moved to Las Vegas and worked his way into his dream job -- Liberace tribute artist at The Liberace Museum.

"It's fun music," Winters said. "If it touches you, it's a good thing. It brings back lovely memories."

A Winters performance is a mix of accomplished piano playing, vocal impersonation and comedy that is delivered with an effervescent pop. Winters' new one-hour show opens Thursday and will include the upbeat Liberace standards "Beer Barrel Polka," "Bumble Boogie" and his closer, "I'll Be Seeing You." Audience participation is strongly encouraged.

To Winters' delight, his repeat customers include children. He declared, "Children have no concept of Liberace. You educate them a little bit. Then, later, at the museum this stuff clicks."

"A Musical Tribute to Liberace -- On With the Show," starring Wes Winters, runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 1 p.m. inside the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Admission is $17.50. Reservations are recommended. Call 798-5595, ext. 14.

Headliners

Singer Crystal Gayle heats up the Silverton Lodge's poolside concert series with her timeless country tunes Saturday at 8 p.m.

You may remember her signature song "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" or her No. 1 single "I'll Get Over You." Admission is $25. For tickets, call 914-8557.

Little Anthony & The Imperials bring their stage show to the Cannery Casino's The Club on Saturday at 8 p.m. They are best known for their hits "Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop" and "Tears On My Pillow." Cost is $9.95-$25.95. Call 507-5900.

If you missed comic Bill Maher's politically satiric shows here earlier this summer, you have another opportunity. Maher moves to the Hard Rock Hotel, Aug. 10-11 at 9 p.m. Seats are $35.50-$95.50. For information, call 474-4000.

Book preview

More than 400 people turned up at Mandalay Place last month when actor Kirk Douglas visited The Reading Room in support of his new book "Let's Face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving and Learning." With this tome, Douglas shared new insights into his marriage and famous family.

"Romance begins at 80," he said. "Let's Face It' is currently available in bookstores throughout Las Vegas.

Theater

Musical Actors Theatre presents the Broadway musical "Sweet Charity" at the Summerlin Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. The curtain will rise Thursday through Saturday and Aug. 9-11 at 7 p.m. Saturday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18-$24. Call 278-3143.

Song

Ensemble Vocalis, a classical singing troupe, will enact selections from popular theatrical works such as "West Side Story" and "Oklahoma."

The group sings on Saturday at 7 p.m. inside Summerlin's Starbright Theatre, 2225 Thomas Ryan Blvd. Admission is $15-$17. Call 240-1301.

Storytelling

Eric and Kristy Price present "Family Yarns" on Aug. 9 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod. Their audience participation tales hit home with all those young at heart. Shows are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All seats are general admission and cost $3. For information, call 455-7340.

Freebie

The family movie "Charlotte's Web" will be screened outside Brinley Community School, 6150 Smoke Ranch Road, on Friday. Bring your family, friends and a blanket. The movie will begin at 7:45 p.m. For directions, call 229-2642.

Barbara Scherzer is an entertainment writer who lives in Las Vegas. You may contact her at BeeBeeLee@cox.net.