There is much more to Vegas than I realized. Check it Out! 😁
Being a person who lives in Vegas, people in Vegas and those who are coming to Vegas, ask me, “What’s Happening in Vegas this week, this weekend or when I come.” If you live in Vegas, has anyone ever asked you too?
I did some research to see if there was sources to find out what was happening in Off Strip Black Events. I googled, and found nothing. So I started to go through the different social medias that I am apart of. I became excited to see there was much more to Black Events in Vegas than I realized. I talked to an industry colleague about my thoughts and was encouraged to do it.
As, I was drawn to the challenge of exploration on what I would find…I saved fliers and uploaded them to my “What’s Happening in Vegas” calendar page on Lady Flava News. This is fun for me. I began advertising the page and offering to post events if someone wanted to email it to me.
I have come across events that I wanted to explore. Events that I would never have known about if I had never chosen to take on this self designed project 😁
Now, I invite you to explore what’s happening in Black Events (People of Color) in Vegas.
Kalimba-The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire at Seattle’s Historical Royal Esquire Club brings the energy, true essence and sound of the Legend EWF that we know and love.
I have heard of this group from a variety of sources from those in the Pacific Northwest to even across the country and even other entertainers have told me how great Kalimba was. So I had hoped that I would get the opportunity to see their performance before I make that move down to Vegas. I just happened to see an advertisement that they would be performing at the Royal Esquire Club, one of the last historical black owned and run club in Seattle’s Columbia City Community. I was blessed that one of the Esquires purchased a ticket for me. My excitement and anticipation was ignited.
Arriving early to the Esquire on the evening of Saturday, December 3,2016 gave me an opportunity to witness the sound check and short rehearsal of this Earth, Wind & Fire tribute group. This gave me my special time of saying hello to the members, with hugging those I knew to introducing myself to those I didn’t. I experienced just a glimpse of how they bring it all together and watched the gentleman that controls the sound…now that was amazing for me to watch that…his ear along with instruction from the members showed the professionalism of this group.
When the doors opened, it didn’t take long for the Royal Esquire Club to become full with people struggling to find a seat. The energy was high and the crowd was ready to dance and have a good time. It was a great feeling for me to be apart. To see people from a variety of ages and ethnicity, ready to PARTY.
Kalimba The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire
Kalimba hit the stage full force ready to give the audience more than they might have anticipation. From the first song to the last, you could close your eyes and believe that it was the original EWF on the stage but for me it went beyond that…Kalimba truly presents the spirit of EWF with a flava of their own, displaying smiles and an energy that they are passionate about the music they play. From Shining Star, Serpentine Fire to That’s The Way of The World to Reasons…Kalimba was on point, on FIRE. The audience had smiles on their faces to chair dancing such as myself to hitting the dance floor and groovin’ with vibe. I believe everyone knew the words to each song, okay a good portion of the room, I knew the words.
This was a great night for me and I hear wonderful feedback from those around me to even the members of the Esquire Club expressing how pleased they were in this experience. This is what Seattle needs to allow to take place and support. Everyone that loves the music of Earth, Wind & Fire needs to request to experience Seattle’s “Kalimba-The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire. You will not be disappointed. They will put on a show that will surpass the money you will pay to attend.
The last Saturday of every month there is this amazing, topnotch R&B/Soul showcase that takes place in NYC. One day I plan to be there in person to experience “Soul Factory Presents,” but the beautiful thing is when they host it at the DROM NYC, Gander TV records it LIVE and archives the shows so I can watch it from the comforts of my home.
Last night was a wonderful show that I particularly paid attention to. It was the Pre-Album Release party for Angela Johnson’s “Naturally Me” to come out mid August. Along with Angela, one of my favorite’s, Heston who hit the stage to open for her. Heston has been so busy performing around the globe so it was a pleasure to see him perform LIVE. Never is it a disappointment to that the oh so talented and charismatic, Darien Dean who played host and of course has to share his vocal talents.
I am drawn month after month to watch the show online due to the quality of the artists, band and presentation. It is run well from my experience over the internet. The show starts and ends on time. The crowd is engaged and made to feel that they are apart of the experience. From Darien introductions of the artist to his participation throughout the show makes for a perfect host.
Welcome to Flava’s Jazz Listening Party where I shared the jazziful sounds of: Patrick Yandall-Passion Avenue, Keyan Williams-Thought I Told You, Antonio Farao`-One Solution, Ava Lemert-Rhodelea, Chris Bitten-One Am, Monet-Vain, John Hopkins Jr-Enough Said, Michael Powers-Urban Ukulele, Norman Evans-Antiquities, Tony Bunn-Everywhere Fast, Stephen Jerome Ferguson-Strut, Paul Richardson-Summertime, Marc VanClaggett-Merald Drive closing out with Ian Villafana-Lazy In Love
Welcome to Morning Coffee with Flava where I share some thoughts and stories and wonderful Jazz Artists from around the World, like: Gino Goss-Funk It Up, Patrick Yandall-Passion Avenue, SJF Music-Leopard Jam, Sam Hankins-Nothing Between Us, Michael Walker-A Smoother You, Melvin Chenault-Indigo Children, Loyd Watson Jr-U Want 2 Know, Antonio Farao`-Inside closing out with Keyan Williams-Thought I Told You
This coming Sunday is the Finals for the Sherry Gordy Presents Stage2Stage Washington. Seattle come out and support along with participate in who will be heading to Vegas to Represent our City!
I want to Thank, Miss Sherry Gordy for stepping out and providing this great opportunity to our city along with other locations around the United States. Many times the local talents of regions all over go unheard and experienced by the masses or those outside their own hometown. We in Seattle, have a variety of top quality of talents that deserve this opportunity and you through Dionna Notes has provide 4 of our own to go head to head this coming Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the beautiful, Lucky Dragonz Casino’s Ballroom.
To My City of Seattle, WA…I want to invite you and impress upon you that if you love this city like I do and you want to see the arts community to grow, be recognized and respected….come be apart of this wonderful evening. Who ever wins, heads to Las Vegas to represent us on Sherry Gordy’s Stage at Fiesta Rancho Hotel & Casino’s “Club Tequila” Check out how Team Gordy does it in Vegas: http://www.sherrygordypresents.com/events.html
Sherry Gordy presents Stage 2 Stage Washington is proud to present and congratulate our 4 semi finalist;
Jay Mitchell, Arzelia Jr Jones, Merrydean Grant and Lawrence Moore.
Trust you don’t want to miss our finale June 29th where one of them will win it ALL! !!!
Going to Las Vegas and rep Washington on Sherry Gordy Take the Stage and 3days 2 nights for two !
Come support your favorite to win.
~Dionna Notes~
To the Finalists…Bring your “A Game” Dress to Impress as you dazzle us with a full fledged show that showcases your talents and why you should be the one that wins this amazing opportunity to perform in Vegas.
If you don’t know who Sherry Gordy is, she is the BabyGirl of Motown’s very own, Berry Gordy.
To find out more about Sherry Gordy and Sherry Gordy Presents, go to:
Last but not least, I want to give a big shout out to Miss Dionna Notes that is an amazing talent within your own right, who has worked endlessly to put this together for the Seattle talents to have this opportunity to go to Vegas. If it were not for her hard work and commitment and faith, this would not have come to our city. So Thank you so much Dionna!
Seattle, this one is for us, so come out and help us decide who will be the one that hits the stage in Vegas!
Waving My Leopard Pom Poms for all the Finalists, it is going to be a tough decision for us to make! See you at the Lucky Dragonz Ballroom this Sunday, June 29th!
Lady Flava
Flava News/FMarlex Radio/Marlex Records/Unity Through Arts Exchange
Welcoming to The Leopard Carpet, Author, B. Berry. This show was so much fun for me to do because we go way way back to the myspace days, first books to life changes up to her current NEW release, Clothesline Blues. If you missed this show life, it is worth taking a listen to in the archives!
Welcoming to The Leopard Carpet with Lady Flava, Singer, Song Writer and Producer- D. Millz. Take a listen to this story, thoughts and info on his up and come projects. I opened with his piece-So Glad We Met and during the show play his other pieces: Do Better, Holla Back closing out with Tell Me More. If you missed the show, it worth listening to in the archives. Get to know this amazing talent and man, follow him and remember his name. To find out more about D Millz, head over to his website: http://www.millzgotskillz.com/
Welcome to Seasoned Soulz on FMarlex Radio where I share the sounds that I believe my seasoned sisters and brothers will love. Sharing the flava of: Korla Wygal-Shoulda Been Me, Kevin Flint Jackson-Go With Me, Ashanti Munir, Marc VanClaggett-If I Could Hold You, Nancy Ruth-Love Denied, Calvin Richardson-We Gon’ Love Tonite, Paris Toon/MFC-Sick ft CeCe Peniston, Dave Tolliver-Home, Monica Monet-Slow Jam, Morris Alan-Ready For Love, Twin Spirit-Naked, D’Maurice &Armageddon-Hear My Cry, Promise Marks-Whatever Happened and closing out with Randy Gill-Marry Me
An opportunity came for me to go to Las Vegas and see the group, “Tribute To The Temptations” and I was determined to make it happen. Arriving on Thursday, June 5th from Seattle to a heat that I was not used to, took this Pacific Northwest girl out of commission for the first night but to recover fine the following day. Meeting up with my business partner of 2.5 years, Marc VanClaggett who is a member of this amazing “Tribute To The Temptations” group was a great experience since most of our business is done by phone and internet. He is on tour year around traveling with this musical brothers to places, I can only dream of.
While in Vegas we attend the show for Smokey Robinson’s group, “Human Nature” at The Venetian where my cousin, known as “Funky Z” plays the Bass for this amazing group. We were definitely treated to a great show of musical memories from Motown. Of course I enjoyed this evening but my purpose was to come to Vegas for the “Tribute To The Temptations.” I had only seen the online videos and had told Marc that on my “bucket list” was to one day see the group perform LIVE. Well, that day came sooner than I had anticipated and trust and believe I was not disappointed at all.
Saturday, June 7th we arrived at the event location, “Viva Las Vegas Event Center” for rehearsal and sound check. I wanted the full experience from start to finish. Stepping through the doors of this venue I felt the magic just by seeing the decor and set up. It was so beautiful and classy.
Meeting all the members, Chester, Sonny, Shevel and Don was a pleasure along with Doug who set up the gig for them to perform in Vegas. At first the Members were the only ones that had arrived, so they proceeded to do their sound check and warm up before the musicians showed up. Shortly after the musicians started arriving and it was on.
This is when I had a first hand experience in the professionalism of this group. They trained the musicians in just a matter of a few hours how they wanted their music to be played.
7pm the doors opened for business at “Viva Las Vegas Event Center” and the venue and staff was ready to receive what turned out to be a packed house. They even had to turn people away at the door because they were at capacity. This was a first for me to be a witness to. It was a mature crowd. Many appeared to know each other and greet one another with smiles, hand shakes and hugs. Strangers sat together sharing a table, but join in as one as they all enjoyed being in this space for the experience of, “Tribute To The Temptations.” We were taken down memory lane with music from one of Motown’s greatest groups!
9pm Ron Decar took the stage in his tuxedo as the Owner of “Viva Las Vegas Event Center” and Host for the evening. The house was packed, the staff attentive to the guests needs and the show was on as he introduces, “Tribute To The Temptations”
Opening up with “Superstar” brought a high energy to the atmosphere that never came down until way after the show ended. Taking us on a musical journey of the greatest hits by “The Temptations,” such as:
“Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”
“Don’t Let The Jones Get You Down”
“My Baby”
“Ball Of Confusion”
As the evening came to an end, I had the opportunity to sit back and witness the crowd wanting to hang out longer to meet and greet the gentlemen and take pictures. Several said that they needed to come back to Vegas to do a regular gig, that that was what Vegas was missing, good black entertainment. From being entertained by the”Tribute To The Temptations” to the crowd, the venues staff, the owner, Ron and promoter, Doug…this night was a great success.
It had been 13 years since “Tribute To The Temptations” has performed in Vegas, a place they got their start and call home. Let me tell you, they were well received.
This was why I came to Vegas, to fulfill my one of the things on my “bucket list,” seeing “Tribute To The Temptations” perform LIVE. It was a night to remember for me, but I sense that I am not the only one.
If you ever have the opportunity to see them perform, take advantage of it…you will not be disappointed. I am crossing my fingers that they land a gig in Vegas and can wow the crowds from near and far with their musical magic.
I first want to thank my business partner, Marc VanClaggett for inviting me to Vegas for this amazing experience and to the “Tribute To The Temptations” for not disappointing. Thank you for your hospitality Las Vegas, I will be back and better prepared for the heat…LOL
Kalimba-The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire at Seattle’s Historical Royal Esquire Club brings the energy, true essence and sound of the Legend EWF that we know and love.
Kalimba The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire
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