The Cabaret = Mega Doses of Laughter & Music

They say laughter is the best medicine and music soothes the soul. People in the know get their power-packed dosage of both every Monday night at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro. The super doses of laughter start taking effect right at the beginning of the show  --- very often from the amazing parody
ensemble of characters created by the marvelous entertainer Kelly  Clinton ---and always from the witty improv she comes up with all night long. Kelly and the wonderful lineup of musicians and singers bring on 'the music that's guaranteed to soothe the soul.' The huge doses of laughter and music dispensed on stage at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret is a proven cure-all for the body and soul. Just look around the packed house any Monday night and you will see a room full of people all wearing an expression that says “I feel good " ...We knew that they would!!

This week the sensational Kelly Clinton kicked off the show with the upbeat tune, “Hot Stuff.” She belted that one out, added plenty of moves then took herself into the audience to sing to one of her biggest fans, Steve Primak.

Kelly Clinton is a magnetic performer who loves the crowd and the Cabaret performers as much as they love her!!! She shares the stage with the other entertainers with generous affection. This night she invited an impromptu group of backup singers to join in on the opening number. Kaci Machacyk, Lannie Counts and Michael Cagle were ready, willing and able to jump in. What a fun loving launch to another great night of entertainment!

The awesome singer Malia Civetz was the first one up at the mic. The popular young lady announced she had added to her long list of credits by performing the National Anthem for President Barack Obama when he was in town recently campaigning for U.S. Senator Harry Reid!!! Apparently Malia has a great sense of humor too. This Monday night she followed up that big news with the  popular tune from the Marilyn Monroe film, “Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend!” This girl is hot! With a demand from the crowd and some fabulous backing from Mike Clark on keys and Billy Adams on drums, Malia did a terrific rendition of the Louis Armstrong tune, “What a Wonderful World.” Way to go Malia Civetz!

Up next was the phenomenal vocalist/entertainer Lannie Counts. Lannie has such a fantastic vocal range he knocks the crowd out with his every performance. This night Lannie put plenty of soul into his first number “Stand By Me.”  The crowd loves Lannie and they weren’t about to let him go after just one awesome number, they wanted more!! So Lannie took a little detour and gave us his beautiful version of the tune “On and On” using his spectacular voice in high range. That called for a standing ovation!! Lannie Counts is a genuine pro!!!

Lannie Counts appeared with Kelly Clinton at the Stirling Club on Saturday night, July 10.

Kaci Machacyk, the talented young singer/actress and web TV host was back this week to give us a sample of what to expect at her upcoming show “The Soprano.” Kaci did an excellent presentation of what’s to come while performing the show tune “I Could Have Danced All Night.”

The fabulous musician/singer, Bill Fayne will accompany Kaci Machacyk at her show “The Soprano” on July 21 at the Liberace Museum.

The powerhouse singer, Michael Cagle went for it big time singing a tune for the first time live with the band ---and it was the first time the band ever played the song!!! Michael and the boys in the band did a fantastic performance of the heart touching ballad, “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” Way to go Michael Cagle!!!

While we are awaiting some really big career news from Michael Cagle, (should be released at any moment) rumor has it that some rather big name artists are involved in the project….Whatever, the news will be good!

Kelly took some time out to bring up one of our favorite guys from the Bootlegger Vito Marinelli for a special moment with his family members who were dining in and seeing the show.

Singer Linda Tanzetta was up next with a wonderful version of the old standard, “What a Difference a Day Makes.” Linda met her husband Rudy Ricci right here at the Bootlegger Bistro.    The romantic couple story continued on when singer Rudy Ricci stepped up next to send out the tune, “Lady Love” to Linda……..Ah! Ain’t love grand!!!

As the stage was being set for the next entertainer, Kelly stepped in with dose of her comedic wit before introducing the guy we all know as the remarkable musician, Martin Mancuso. Martin is also a fantastic dancer who performed with the The Foot Lockers, the dance group that won first place on the TV show Star Search back in the 1980’s. This night Martin portrayed a cast of characters backed by music themes from popular television and radio shows and the movies. You really had to be there to experience Martin’s very entertaining ride. The talented Martin Mancuso had the audience in stitches as he sped from one crazy character to the next using props and making quick costume changes as the fast-paced music altered from one theme to another. He can be a danger too!!  Of course it's all in fun but for a moment there, a fan named Perry Paschall looked like he was in real trouble!!!  Wow, what a performance!!!
The word on the beat is, Martin Mancuso will be taking his comedic act to a venue in Downtown Vegas in the very near future. We’ll let you know when.

The line up of talent that comes to perform each week at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret is so awesome it’s almost unbelievable!!!

Next up was the incredible high-energy musician/songwriter/musical director and singer Jeff Neiman who sat at the grand piano and gave an amazing performance of “Walking in Memphis.” Jeff is the musical director for headliner Clint Holmes. Last weekend Jeff Neiman opened Clint’s show at the Suncoast with an outstanding piano solo.

Wow --and to think we caught Jeff's very first performance of that opening number right here a couple of weeks ago at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret!!!!

Many of us saw the next singer perform years ago at Kelly’s former Monday night show at the Bootlegger. Carmine Mandia, from the show group Shades of Sinatra and the Carmine Mandia Show, gave us his fine rendition of the Sinatra tune, the “Lady is a Tramp.”

Kelly Clinton Productions presents Carmine Mandia with Ned Mills in the Celebrity Spotlight at the Bootlegger Bistro on Sunday, July 18. …….Carmine Mandia also performs a Bobby Darin tribute show -- and on occasion, is a featured performer at the exclusive Stirling Club.

Sometimes it takes a few tries to get a spot at the open mic but patience paid off for the next performer Erik Moore. After a fine presentation of his first tune “L. O. V. E.”  Kelly asked Erik to go with a second number. With band members Mike Clark on keys and drummer L.J. Harness sitting in for Erik’s performance, the singer took off with a terrific rendition of the Dean Martin tune, “Kick in the Head.” .......Welcome Erik Moore.

The beautiful singer with the wonderful raspy voice, Laurie Cook was up next. Laurie had her band members, drummer L.J. Harness and sax player, Scott Webb along with Mike Clark on the keys backing her on the tune, “End of the World.” Laurie’s fantastic vocal style is a little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll and a lot of soul. Laurie got together with Kelly Clinton for her second number. The couple of hot chick singers rocked the house on “New Orleans“!!!

Laurie Cook and her band will perform with about 30 other bands during Hot August Nights, a fund raising event designed to keep the arts going for kids. The three-day event will be held in Town Square on August 20th, 21st and 22nd. For more info go to www.hotaugustnightsinlasvegas.com

Kelly introduced the extraordinary singer Geena Mattox who stepped up to give a wonderful performance of “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life.”  Welcome back Geena!!
Geena Mattox starred in the Las Vegas cast of Phantom of the Opera.
She is also a music teacher at a middle school and a private vocal coach as well.
Geena was invited to perform some of her latest work at Kelly Clinton’s show at the Stirling Club this past weekend.

Newcomer to the Cabaret, singer Mandi Lo brought in a table full of friends for her debut performance.

Mandi delivered a fine presentation of the Pop ballad, “Underneath Your Clothes” by Columbian singer-songwriter, Shakira.

Welcome Mandi Lo.

Now officially back on the music scene, Yvonne Silva was up next --this time she accompanied herself on guitar. The beautiful and talented singer gave a wonderful performance of the Lady Gaga tune, “Telephone.”

Yvonne Silva can really sing it!! Her large following of fans cheered her on along with the rest of the crowd......Great job!!!!

The stage was set for yet another fantastic performance by Lisa Gay with Tony Drake and Lannie Counts.  Lisa said she wanted to “bring back the duets” so she invited Lannie to join her for what turned out to be an awesome duet performance of “The Closer I Get To You.” Wow, what a show of talent!!! Lisa and Tony went on to do a knock out rendition of a Lena Horne tune, “Watch What Happens.” The crowd loved it as Tony Drake rocked on the guitar while Lisa Gay sent out her powerful vocals. As Kelly said about the talented couple, “That’s the real deal right there!”

Wrapping up the night was singer J.T. Thompson with the latest Michael Buble` tune, "High Adventure."

The charming J.T. did a wonderful closing show performance. 

Before the show actually closed, the thank you's went out to all who participated.

Kelly thanked everyone involved in making her Open Mic Cabaret such a great success. Thanks went out to her A-Team, musical director Mike Clark, drummer Billy Adams, Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson and sitting in this week for Kevin Cordova, DJ Jake Klein. Thanks also went out to the fabulous Cabaret performers, the wonderful fans and to all the people who work at the Bootlegger Bistro.

Join us next Monday Night for another multi-milligram dose of laughter and music at Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro!!! Showtime 9 PM. 
Perform, Promote Your Gig, Dine In, Chill Out! 
It's Always a Blast!!!
7700 Las Vegas Blvd. So.
Dining Room Reservations:  702-736-4939