SPECIAL TO VIEWBryant Olender is one of the finalists in the showmanship category of the Liberace Foundation?s 14th annual Liberace Piano Competition.
SPECIAL TO VIEWBryant Olender is one of the finalists in the showmanship category of the Liberace Foundation?s 14th annual Liberace Piano Competition.
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Classically trained amateur and professional pianists from around the world flocked to the Liberace Museum's Winters Showroom in early August, not just for a shot at playing the master's rhinestone-encrusted Baldwin piano, but to compete in the Liberace Foundation's 14th annual Liberace Piano Competition.
Twenty-two competitors performed in front of more than 500 people in hopes of earning a spot in the final competition on Sunday. They competed in four categories ranging from showmanship to classical divisions.
"In honor of Liberace, we invited musicians from around the world to join us in this competition," volunteer Karen Rubel said. "And we had a great response. Every year, we try and do something that will allow us to maintain a presence in this community, and this competition is a huge part of that."
According to Rubel, this year's prizes will be cash and a trophy.
"Part of the proceeds from the evening's event will be donated to Family Promise, a local charity that helps local homeless families get on their feet," Rubel said. "As well as the Liberace Foundation Scholarship Fund, and the Liberace Adopt the Collection fund."
Among the competition's 14 finalists were professional piano teacher Carolyn Grossman and entertainer Bryant Olender.
Grossman, who placed in the classical adult division, said she heard about the competition last year, but missed the entry deadline.
"I thought about it just in time this year," Grossman said. "I really wanted to be a part of something this big."
Grossman, a Green Valley resident, performed "Reflections on the Water," saying that the classical piece both met the three-minute time requirement and allowed her to display a keen sense of control over the instrument.
"I also love that the piece has such impressionistic undertones," Grossman said. "It's very beautiful, and I wanted to share that with everyone."
Grossman said that entering the competition was never about winning a prize.
"The exposure is my reward," Grossman said. "As a musician, finding an audience is half the battle. I was happy to be able to connect and perform."
Olender, a native of Vancouver who was recruited to perform at Hank's at Green Valley Ranch, competed in the showmanship category.
"In my own show, I do a bit of everything," Olender said. "Sinatra, Green Day, Fitzgerald. You want to try and please everyone. I haven't competed in two years, but when I heard about this, I thought, 'Why not?' I love Liberace. He had such showmanship and pizzazz."
Olender said he studied under one of Liberace's last pupils in the mid-1980s, and that was, in part, the catalyst for entering the competition.
"Liberace's music had such an effect on me, and I wanted to do a tribute to him. I'm not in it for a prize. In fact, I don't even know what the prize is. I am just in it for the fun."
LOUNGE SCENE
ARIZONA CHARLIE'S BOULDER
Lounge: 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Ovation: Live music 9 p.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
JOKERS WILD CASINO
Lounge: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
LOEWS LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT
Arabesque Lounge: Live entertainment at 6:30 p.m. daily.
SAM'S TOWN
Roxy's: Wrecking Crew, 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Strange Brew, 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Latin Dance Party, 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday; Snailhead, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday; The Fab Unplugged, 8 p.m. Wednesday.
SUNSET STATION
Club Madrid: Wes Winters, 6 p.m. Thursdays; Evenflow, 9 p.m. Friday; Bonafide, 9 p.m., Saturday; You're the Star Karaoke, 7 p.m. Sunday. Gaudi Bar: Guitar soloists, 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; More & Gendel, 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
SOUTH POINT
Del Mar Lounge: Del Mar Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday; Rock This Town, 9 p.m. Tuesday.
'HOT L BALTIMORE' OPENS AT LAS VEGAS LITTLE THEATRE
The Las Vegas Little Theatre, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, presents "The Hot L Baltimore," a show about a hotel so seedy that it has lost the "e" from its marquee.
The show contains adult language and brief nudity.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 30. The theater is at 3920 Schiff Drive.
Tickets are $22. Visit www.lvlt.org or call 362-7996.
OPERA LAS VEGAS PRESENTS 'PAGLIACCI'
Opera Las Vegas will present its production of "Pagliacci" with a new twist. The classic story has been reset in the summer of love - 1967.
Opening night ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., with an encore at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and $25 for members of the military and students. To learn more or purchase tickets, call 651-5483.
PERFORMERS TURN OUT TO RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS
The Sons of Erin and the Premier Adoption Agency announce a fundraising show, "That's What Friends Are For," to benefit children in Southern Nevada.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the South Point.
The show will feature musical acts the Goodfellas. Genevieve, Phil Flowers and George Dare, as well as world champion Irish dancer Sharon Lynn.
Tickets start at $35 and are available through the South Point box office or by calling 796-7111.
For information, call Bob Feeney at 897-2283.
STARBRIGHT THEATRE TO FEATURE THE PLATTERS
The Platters, featuring Monroe Powell, will perform with Chico Lamar, Debra Sherman, Don Gloude and Robbie Robinson at Starbright Theater, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 23.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Starbright box office. To purchase tickets via credit card, visit www.sfsentertainment.org or call 800-595-4849.
Author Mitch Albom to speak Oct. 14
The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada Cultural Arts Committee is proud to present One Morning With ... Mitch Albom.
A continental breakfast featuring conversation, discussion and a book-signing with author Mitch Albom will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 at the Canyon Gate Country Club, 2001 Canyon Gate Drive.
The best-selling author of "Tuesdays With Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" will talk about those books.
The program costs $18 for Jewish Community Center members and $25 for nonmembers. For information, and reservations, call 794-0090.
Jillian's Las Vegas announces shows for September
Jillian's Las Vegas, 450 S. Fremont St., is the entertainment destination for all ages. Jillian's features live music, bowling, a billiards lounge, a large arcade with new and classic favorites, and food and drink outlets.
On Friday, Jillian's will feature bands Against Me!, Matt & Kim and David Dondero. There will be a $15 to $18 cover charge.
On Sunday, 107.5-FM presents The Cab, Fletch, The Strip, Verbatym and Love It Or Leave It. There will be a $13 to $15 cover charge.
All shows are all ages and start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.ticketmaster.com, www.jillianslasvegas.com or at Jillian's.
For more information, call 759-0450.
OPERA LAS VEGAS PRESENTS 'PAGLIACCI'
Opera Las Vegas is proud to present its production of "Pagliacci" with a new twist. The classic story has been reset in the summer of love - 1967.
Opening night ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., with an encore showing Saturday.
Guests also are invited to meet and toast Clint Holmes.
The evening will be filled with libations at a no-host wine bar before the performance, during intermission and during a reception after the performance.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and $25 for members of the military and students. To learn more or purchase tickets, call 651-5483.
NEW WEST GUITAR QUARTET TO PERFORM AT WINCHESTER
The Guitar Society of Las Vegas, in partnership with the Clark County Parks and Recreation's Cultural Division, presents the New West Guitar Quartet at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Winchester Cultural Center Theater, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors. Members of the Guitar Society and Jazz Society pay $8.
The California-based quartet consists of Perry Smith, John Storie, Brady Cohan and Matt Roberts. Together, they arrange classical jazz standards while exploring original compositions with the improvisational elements of jazz and the performance standards of a chamber group.
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