The Vegas Voice 6-20

Looking Back, Planning
Ahead
By: Evan Davis / Entertainment Editor
As we ponder how we’re going to get back
to reality, I’ve spent the last two months
planning how to bring shows back to our
communities. I’ve also spent time reminiscing on the past shows and
where are they now.
One of the first shows I produced for The Vegas Voice was the Spirit
of 45 at the Silverton and about 1,200 people attended. From there I
introduced “soon to be stars.”
Our host, Bob Anderson, was so much fun to work with. We had
performers such as, Clint Holmes, Frankie Scinta, Chadwick
Johnson, Ronnie Rose, Genevieve Dew, Mark Giovi, Michelle
Johnson, Bill Fayne, Rich Natole and a dozen other local
performers along with musical director Ned Mills.
I was going to pat myself on the back and tell you some of the
entertainers that I helped get off the ground here in Vegas, but instead,
I’m going to tell you about the on-line shows you can watch from the
comfort of your living room or kitchen table. All are just about free,
but don’t be afraid to donate a few bucks if they have a donation link.
Most of the performers are doing this because they love to perform.
Let me run down some of the performances going on daily.
Brooks Crafts Emerald
Island’s Relaunch
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
The best casino in Henderson, as voted by the
readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal,
locked their doors at midnight March 17 to comply with the governor’s
order. “I had a premonition this was coming,” said Tim Brooks who,
with twin brother Mike, opened Emerald Island Casino in 2003 after
three others failed in the abandoned and converted Post Office.
Next, he was forced to let his staff know, “many who had been with us
for 10-15 years,” that they were being furloughed. “It was the hardest
thing I ever did, emotionally. It still stings today.”
For those 135 employees, the brothers distributed approximately
$50,000 worth of food and dug deep into their pockets to keep them on
the payroll and cover health insurance costs through the end of March.
Brooks is encouraged, looking forward to welcoming back Emerald
Island’s team and the loyal customer base they’ve built over 17 years.
Most of them are from Vegas but some are from out of town, such as
Billy Stritch and Linda Lavin from their apartment in Manhattan.
Chadwick Johnson, Craig Canter, Rita Lim & Dave Siegel,
Joey Melotti, Jimmy Hopper, Frankie Scinta, Sally Olson
& Ned Mills, Chris Jason & Drew Anthony, Chase Brown,
Jonathan Karrant, Randy Anderson, Gary Anthony, Bill
Fayne, Jamie Hosmer, Donato Cabrera (music director of the Las
Vegas Philharmonic) along with others are there for special shows and
fundraisers including Earl Turner on Mondays Dark.
All the days and times will be listed in my Wednesday emails. If you’re
not receiving my emails and would like to, send me your email address
and I will include you in my weekly email blast.
* As the pandemic (hopefully) winds down and Las Vegas opens up,
just a reminder that our Vegas Voice “Celebrity Corner” program hosted
by yours truly will resume. Catch us on our YouTube channel and on
Golden Network TV.
You can read Evan’s entertainment blog and sign up to receive
his free email weekly Calendar of Events at www.EvanDavisJazz.
com. Email him at: evan@thevegasvoice.net.
18
June 2020
The shutdown demanded aggressive and detailed planning for the
brothers. “Every time we formulate a plan, it changes.” In 2017 for
example, they increased floor space and the number of machines from
400 to 454. Only half of those machines are permitted to operate when
Emerald Island reopens.
The staff has been issued protective equipment; the casino will be
misted regularly with NSF and EPA-approved Vital Oxide, a sanitizer
used in hospitals; glass partitions have been installed where face-toface
communication occurs. Brooks is anticipating that Emerald
Island will be the first casino to sanitize using UV technology.
The award-winning café will operate at 50% capacity. “Because
gaming is our economic driver, I think casinos are going to be one of
the cleanest places.”
Brooks expects the smaller, local casinos to recover more quickly
than the Strip properties. “We’re more nimble. We can make quick
decisions. We use our size to our advantage.”
At press time, the brothers, who purchased the neighboring Rainbow
Casino, expected to receive the keys June 1 and reopen September 1
after extensive remodeling. “We anticipate hiring the employees back.”
The family-friendly casino is known for regularly surprising guests
with complimentary hotdogs, donuts, cookies, and more. They promise
its customers “you’re going to be treated well.”
Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves to
hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:
LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.