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.
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