VV2

Wes Winters Delights Fans
By: Dianne Davis / That’s Entertainment
Do you want to relax, enjoy good music, maybe
dance a bit, and certainly laugh too? Then
go see the talented, animated, irrepressible Wes
Winters.
You have ten opportunities per month to
share his joy. I know that he loves what he
does and it shows. The guy is charismatic,
a bit corny sometimes, but just so lovable
because of his enthusiasm which shines
through.
Of course to make it in Vegas, you’ve got
to have more than charisma and good looks
– which he has. You need talent and Wes has
that for sure.
He’s honed his craft since he first sat down
at a piano at the age of six. The piano wouldn’t fit through the door
of the house, so young Wes was in the garage every day with records
playing as he taught himself and mastered the craft.
After years of working in his home state of Kansas, Wes took the leap
of faith which landed him in the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas.
And now, you don’t have to go “Up on the Roof (the Drifters) to enjoy
everything from “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” ( Jerry Lee Lewis) to
“Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbison) or the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of
Fire” and Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to The Moon.”
Or you might be treated to “American in Paris” or “Rhapsody in
Blue” or music from “Phantom of the Opera.”
If you’re thinking that some of these tunes make you feel like
dancing, then great. That’s what a lot of folks do at his shows.
Wes entertains at The Grandview Lounge
at South Point Hotel and Casino on Friday
and Saturday evenings from 6 – 9 pm No
cover. No minimum. And free parking!
If those evenings don’t work for you, then
you’ll find Wes every other Tuesday night at
the newly opened Composers Room at 953
East Sahara in the Old Commercial District.
Free parking there too.
The show begins at 7 pm and you can
order drinks and or food while you enjoy his
charm, personality and talent. Go see Wes. I
know you’ll enjoy.
To learn more about Wes Winters, check out my Vegas Voice Out
& About YouTube interview with him. You can also watch it on our
website: vegasvoicetv.net.
Dianne Davis specializes in “senior entertainment” and is the
Las Vegas Associate Editor of lasvegassplash.com. She hikes, works on
her stand-up comedy, and looks forward to more travels with her
husband Burt.
By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations
Based on the
Broadway musical
adaptation of Alice
Walker’s novel, this film “The Color Purple”
has a very different tone to Spielberg’s 1985
drama.
Because of the songs, the story is now
infused with sunny hopefulness, which
outshines the dark narrative. While the
violence and racism are present, they fade
into the background along with character
sexuality.
“The Color Purple” is an intimate and
stirring work. While the music and drama
don’t mesh perfectly, the songs make the film
feel more like a spiritual event as it explores
themes of sisterhood, love, and forgiveness to
poignant effect.
Director Blitz Bazawule has chosen an outstanding cast of; Taraji
P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle
Bailey, and Fantasia Barrino. The dynamic ensemble deeply feels their
experiences, but the film finds its emotional center in the musical
16
The Color Purple
February 2024
numbers.
I found an interview with Oprah Winfrey, in People Magazine, who
starred in this 1985. To quote her, “Gratitude
really is my religion. The character I played,
Sofia, was my breakout performance;
Oscar nominated 1985 classic. It changed
everything for me. It was an opening to my
life in a different way. That movie was a
spiritual grounding for me.”
The movie is lively and fun, without
betraying its subject matter. It’s a reclamation,
but a buoyant rather than a somber one.
It features a gorgeous visual look, strong
cast, and well mounted musical numbers.
One critic says” the movie is magical
entertainment that shimmers like a rainbow”.
I rank “The Color Purple” a “4”, one of the
best year’s films - but you may have heard
this before, “The book was better.” The film is a classic you won’t want
to miss.
Renee Riendeau is the movie reviewer for The Vegas Voice. Renee
can be reached at rriendeau@aol.com and is anxious to hear
from you.