Toast of the Town - Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret

There's not a show in town like Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. For starters, Monday night’s sensational show opened with an entrance by the one and only Kelvis, who is none other than the star herself, the artist with many faces, Kelly Clinton. Kelly’s flowing hair is down, she’s wearing her custom-made red embellished “Elvis” suit with her “Kelvis” cape and big shades when she asks the crowd to (mimic voice) “Imagine this…Imagine…Imagine Ann Margret and Elvis had a love child.” That’s Kelvis…a name Kelly was tagged with in high school when she first started performing her Elvis impression.  Kelly Clinton took the crowd into her imaginary world with the shimmy and shake-it number by the King himself, "Jailhouse Rock." Wow, can this girl sing, move and excite a crowd!!! Kelvis even did the silk scarf wrap for several fans before she wound up her opening act with the tune "Caught in a Trap."  Oh what fun and a great way to launch another fantastic evening of entertainment!

On special occasions, Kelly Clinton performs as a full-fledged ‘Elvis impersonator.’ She is the only female member of the exclusive Elvis Choir. The group performs at special events and conventions in Las Vegas. She was named the number one Elvis impressionist in town by writer John Katsilometes in  Las Vegas Weekly’s 2010 "List Edition."  Kelly was also featured on ABC’s Nightline in their Elvis tribute segment last January.

Before introducing the first artist of the evening, Kelly gave a big introduction to her fabulous band with special guest, the incredible Tony Drake on guitar, her awesome musical director Mike Clark on keys and the very dapper Billy Adams on drums. Along with the band Kelly introduced the rest of her A-Team, the fantastic DJ/Special effects guy, Kevin Cordova and Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson.

First up at the mic was the amazing Lisa Gay who wows the crowd at every one of her performances.
Lisa demonstrated her incredible range and vocal style as she presented her first tune of the night, "Old Friend." With her husband Tony Drake leading the band, Lisa took us into another dimension on her second number, the up-tune "You Know How to Love Me." Lisa has all the moves to go with the music. She even enticed a couple of guy fans to dance with her and then had Kelly join her on vocals and dance just before closing her exhilarating show. Lisa Gay and Tony Drake are fantastic!!!

Next up was Musical Director/Songwriter and awesome singer, Mike Shane.  Mike sat at the grand piano to sing and play with the band on his first number, "I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You"  by Ray Charles. The crowd yelled for more, more, so Mike followed up with a piano and vocal solo of "She’s Got a Way." Mike Shane gave a really fabulous show of talent.

By the way, Mike made a grand fashion statement with his really cool new look!

The lovely Laurie Cook, a terrific talent with a wonderful raspy sound in her voice stepped up to show her style with "Something to Talk About" by Bonnie Raitt....Laurie Cook sings a wide range of music from Country, to R&B and Rock and Roll. Laurie was terrific.  She took a moment to flash her ring when Kelly announced Laurie’s recent engagement. Congratulations!!! 
Laurie Cook will headline Kelly Clinton’s Celebrity Spotlight on Sunday, June 27, at the Bootlegger Bistro. Showtime 8:30 PM.  Dinner Reservations: from 7 PM. 702-736-4939.

As always, there was a non-stop line-up of very talented entertainers this evening and we were very 'lucky' to have the fabulous Mark O’Toole back at the open mic to perform "Lady Luck," the popular tune from the musical Guys and Dolls. Mark had a surprise for a couple of “Moms” in the audience, his dear mother, Helen O’Toole, and Kelly Clinton’s mom, Ellie Clinton Issa. The two fine ladies were brought up on the stage for a special moment when the crooner sang them a favorite bluesy tune, "Dream a Little Dream."  Most of us know and love the song which was recorded by many artists as far back as 1931. The most popular version and the one we are most familiar with is the hit recording by Cass Elliot with the Mamas & The Papas in 1968. Mark O’Toole did a terrific rendition of this beautiful romantic tune. Thank you Mark. Thank you Kelly.

Mark O’Toole headlines at the M Resort every Saturday from 6:30 - 8 PM in the Ravello Lounge.

He also appears at the Stirling Club at Turnberry Towers on Wednesday evenings.

It’s always a wonderful treat when headliner Clint Holmes makes an appearance at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret. “He’s the real deal” Kelly said when she introduced her husband Clint. When we talk ‘great’ performers, Clint Holmes is definitely 'the real deal.'  His super-talented musical director Jeff Neiman played piano while Clint performed one of his original playful tunes, "Conundrum.'  The crowd went wild and demanded more!! The fans can never get enough of this phenomenal entertainer!! Clint did another of his original songs, "If Not Now When"  which was later written into his musical production, My Own Song. What a talent!!! Clint Holmes is the best, he’s awesome!
Clint Holmes is headlining at the Suncoast Hotel Casino on July 10 & 11.  Book your reservations now @ 702-736-7111.

Adding to the evening of outstanding entertainment was the next act, Jazz Utopia. This was the quartet’s first appearance at Kelly’s Cabaret and they did a fabulous performance of "I Love Being Here With You" followed by the popular Jazz standard "On Green Dolphin Street." The Jazz Utopia quartet features Marlene Coker on vocals and piano, Henry Uechi on guitar, John Plows on drums and Enrico Santarelli on bass.

Jazz Utopia appeared weekly at Frediani’s in Henderson for about two years and have performed at the Captain’s Cove, Flamingo Library, Ferraro’s, The Happening --- and lots of gigs around town and casuals for events.

We’d love to see them back at Kelly’s  Cabaret soon!

The extraordinary vocalist Lannie Counts was up next to give yet another great performance of the Stevie Wonder tune, Sunshine of My Life. His incredible vocal range and presentation style brings the crowd to its feet every time Lannie Counts performs on this stage. He’s so fabulous the crowd always demands more from Lannie. With the great band behind him, the phenomenal Lannie Counts gave a knock-out performance on his second number, Can’t Get You Out of My Mind. Wow!!!!

The next performer, Kevin Washington, who bills himself as Aquarius, strolled the entire room during his performance of "Ascension," by the very popular neo-soul artist, Maxwell.... Aquarius has a new CD coming out soon and we expect he will be back in the near future for another performance at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret.

Kelly Clinton was “on” all night long with her gift for witty improvisation and spontaneous antics that she's forever coming up with between acts.

At this point in the show the DJ/Kevin Cordova hit the button and Kelly broke out into one of her impulsive and amazing dance routines.
Kelly Clinton is simply sensational!!

It was great to see Isaiah Mercado, the fabulous Michael Jackson impersonator ---and a terrific singer/musician in his own right--- back at the open mic after weeks of touring his MJ act. This night Isaiah picked up his acoustic guitar, one of the five instruments he plays, for his wonderful solo performance of  "Everything."

The very talented Isaiah Mercado is hitting the road again this month for a special one-week performance in Anaheim, California.

Wow what a night this was!!!! Kelly introduced the next artist as the sensational Tim Wells, the lead vocalist who sang with the Army Field Band for four years. Tim opened his act with an astonishing A cappella version of the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."  He blew the standing crowd away with his opening number then went on with his killer performance of "Oh My Love."  Tim Wells is one great artist to keep an eye on. Watch him soar!!!

Kelly Clinton’s Celebrity Spotlight presents Tim Wells this Sunday night, June 20, at the Bootlegger Bistro.
Get your reservations now at 702-736-4939. Dining reservations start at 7 PM.
Showtime 8:30 PM.

Bobby Darin fans were all ears when first-time performer at the open mic, Emile LaCampagne sang "Beyond the Sea."
Emile stops by to see Kelly Clinton perform every few months when he is in town on business.  This time he took the opportunity to give us a show of his own.
We hope to see Emile LaCampagne back at the Cabaret soon.

Kelly surprised the crowd with her intro of the great Soul and R&B singer, Johnny Butler, a former member of the world renown group The Coasters.  Until recently, Johnny performed with The Coasters at the Sahara Hotel for 10 years.  Johnny Butler has the most awesome baritone voice ---the crowd was thrilled with the star’s wonderful performance of "Rainy Night In Georgia."

Please come back soon Johnny Butler!!!




After a night of setting the advance stage lighting, working with his new portable wireless spotlights, spinning CD’s --and so much more--  high-tech DJ/Special effects master/ singer Kevin Cordova  stepped up to the mic to perform his wonderful rendition of a favorite Billy Joel tune, "New York State of Mind."   Loved it Kevin!!!





Closing out the night's talent line-up, Bootlegger host and singer, J.T. Thompson did a terrific performance of the song Moon Dance with the awesome Kelly Clinton band and special guest, guitarist Tony Drake.

One more sensational Monday night of entertainment at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro came to a close. Thanks to the incredible artist Kelly Clinton and her A-Team ---and the terrific lineup of talent she presents--- no other show in all of Vegas can compare to this one!!!
It's the Toast of the Town!!!!



Come on Down! It's Always a Blast!

Perform, Promote Your Gig, Dine In, Chill Out

Every Monday Night: Showtime 9 PM
Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Dining reservations starting from 7:30 PM: 702-736-4939

See You Monday Night!!!!

The Buzz: Photoplay - 1st Anniversary Celebration!!!

It was a standing room only crowd that gathered at the Bootlegger Bistro on Monday night, May 31, 2010, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the very popular Las Vegas show, Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret.

The date coincided with Memorial Day, a day of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. That event was acknowledged via a wonderful presentation by Clint Holmes of his musical video of Who Will Stand, an original song he co-wrote with Pat Caddick, and the title of a full-length documentary honoring the men and women of the military.

 

Next came a full-screen video presentation of the Many Faces of Kelly Clinton that showed Kelly Clinton performing many of the characters she has opened her weekly Cabaret show with over the past year. Last on the screen was a vision of Kelly's popular portrayal of Joe Joe Spaghetti Moretti, the Italian-American horn player who worked Vegas in the good old Rat Pack days. Then J.T. Thompson introduced the live Joe Joe, the very character Kelly Clinton opened with exactly one year ago when she launched her Open Mic Cabaret. It was the start of a great evening of entertainment and a big celebration of the one year mark of the always awesome Monday night Cabaret.

The photo story here shows highlights of that spectacular event. Among the list of entertainers who performed that night are Clint Holmes (Kelly’s husband), Kelly Clinton as Joe Joe, Mark Giovi, Reggie Brown, Lannie Counts, Dominick Allen, Jeff Neiman, Dennis Blair, Mark O’Toole, Kelly Clinton as Dorothy and Lena Prima as Scarecrow, Lorraine Hunt Bono, Kevin Turner, John Clinton, Annetta Bonner, Andrew Lopez and Cassie Finley-Jones, J.T. Thompson, Kevin Cordova, Kelly Clinton as Chip ‘N Dale, Lisa Gay and Tony Drake, Barbara Pasqui, Louis Sebastian and the band with Mike Clark on keys and Billy Adams on drums.

Several of Kelly’s biggest fans including Jonathan Bollas and Dr. Warren Wheeler, Perry and Diane Paschall, and Bill Bane presented flowers and gifts to honor the star of the show. The fabulous anniversary cake was custom ordered by the Bootlegger and it was decorated with various photos of Kelly and her A-Team members taken over the past year.

 

All in all, the evening was a tremendous celebration of Kelly Clinton and all the phenomenal entertainers who have performed at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret over the past year.

Here’s to the awesome entertainer Kelly Clinton, to the fabulous talent she welcomes to her open mic show every Monday night, to her A-Team members and to the Bootlegger Bistro for keeping “Vintage Vegas” going strong in the city known as the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Come On Down!!  Perform, Promote Your Gig, Dine In, Chill Out, It's Always a Blast!!!
Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Reservations:  703-736-4939