Las Vegas...charismatic Scotty Alexander a country-rock sensation! In Concert tonight @ 8 pm on Fremont Street...

Last night I managed to capture some dazzling finger work on the fiddle when I happened across a live concert on a stage at the Fremont Street experience featuring handsome country-rock sensation Scotty Alexander.

The toe-tapping feel-good musical prompted a handful of tourists on the strip to dance the two-step around the front of the stage as Alexander's band got down and played out a roster of popular country tunes (and personal requests) which were well-received by the appreciative audience.

Yup, they clapped and hooted and hollered, in all the right places!

When I return home this weekend, I intend to edit and upload the footage I nabbed impromptu on the downtown strip so everyone can enjoy the riffs I caught on video.

In the meantime, music enthusiasts in the Las Vegas area may want to saunter down to Fremont Street and catch his next show (free) at 8 p.m. tonight on the stage next to Binion's Casino.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...festive partying in streets! Americans letting off steam...

Judging by the wild party atmosphere rampant last night at the Fremont Street Experience, it appears that Americans have been chomping at the bit to let off a little steam!

In front of Binion's Casino, for instance, enthusiastic music-lovers swayed to the jazzy upbeat sounds of soulful sax player Carl Ferris. (Post: 01/16/09)

And, at one point, a handful of exuberant bystanders were inclined to spontaneously slip into the spotlight alongside the charismatic musician, and break into a funky dance move or two.

Others sipped on exotic cocktails or guzzled a beer (bartenders served up quite a few non-stop in oversize containers shaped like a football) as they strolled along the strip to catch all the action.

As a feisty gang of motorcycle enthusiasts stood around the gold-colored "Globe of Death" waiting for the "Riders of the Thunderdome" to perform their death-defying feats, slightly-tipsy guests at the Golden Nugget tossed beads from a 2nd floor balcony to fun-loving revellers who grovelled for the shiny baubles below.

Probably, the funniest moment for me occurred when three boys - about 7 - 8 years old - lifted up their shirts teasingly in a bold-faced effort to entice a string or two their way.

There was quite a diverse turn-out, too.

Young lovers in romantic moods held hands and smooched openly in the packed street without a care in the world alongside elderly couples out for a night stroll.

Quite a few married couples, with wee tots in tow, also braved the tangled exuberant masses on Fremont, to catch the entertaining street performers, too.

I even spied a few members of the military maneuvering their way through the crowds, in full dress uniform.

Fleet's in!

The upbeat crowd roared approval every hour on the hour when the fantastic "light show" sprang to life on the world's biggest wide screen on the planet overhead.

And like me, sighed a little, when the warm and fuzzy awesome eve came to an end.

But, the party is not over yet!

Tonight, the dare-devil bikers will perform in two closing shows.

(8:15 p.m & 10:15 p.m.)

World-renowned acrobats from Tangiers will wow the tourists & locals once again on Stage 1.

And, the scintillating sax sounds of Carl Ferris, will touch souls under the romantic canopy.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...Golden Gate slogan hits funnybone!

As I trotted into the Golden Gate Casino to snap up one of my favorite appetizers - Shrimp Cocktail (99 cents a shot with a player's card) - I caught sight of a promo for the delectable treat which made me laugh out loud.



It read:



"The best tail in town."



You betcha!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...deep-fried oreos at Mermaids! Tropical Margaritas for 99 cents...

At Mermaids, pretty hostesses gussied up in Carmen Miranda-style outfits, greet dudes (and dudettes) on a pub crawl with a string of festive rainbow colored beads and offer up a ticket for a cash draw.

This hole-in-the-wall watering spot may be a bit of an eyesore, without much innovation in the slot-machine department, but tourists in-the-know are sauntering into the funky bar to throw down some cash for a handful of delectable finger foods and cheap drinks.

The deep-fried oreos - though packed with a zillion calories and artery-clogging trans-fats - are a big hit for those with a sweet tooth.

I gobbled one down and was ready to cough up 99 cents for an encore performance in spite of the waistline consequences.

I expect the deep-fried twinkie is just as wicked!

As the old TV slogan used to taunt:

"Bet you can't eat just one!"

Another favorite is the chocolate-dipped banana (frozen).

Yummy!

For those looking for a traditional snack over the holiday weekend - who are stifled by a tight budget - the "All American Hot Dog" at 99 cents (plus tax) is sure to squelch any craving for mouth-watering food without breaking the bank.

Then, wash it down with a 99 cent Margarita.

Strawberry is the hot flavor right now among the locals.

And now, for a little slot play on the penny machines.

You know what they say, watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...Queen light & sound show tribute dazzles tourists at Fremont Experience!

The sky turned pitch black, a bolt of lightning zig-zagged across the night heavens, and a crack of thunder sent shivers up and down the spine.

Should Vegas tourists dash for cover before wild torrential rains descended upon 'em?

Naw.

The stormy outburst was simply an intro - albeit a spectacular one - to an awesome light & sound show on Fremont Street paying tribute to the legendary rock band "Queen".

A montage of captivating images - juxtaposed with the words and music of the gargantuan hit - "We are the Champions" - kept a rapt audience in thrall on the packed street below.

An earlier presentation - built upon a Classic hit - "American Pie" - was just as mesmerizing.

In fact - when shots of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King were seamlessly spliced with images of the turbulent sixties - the visual montage broke free from the realm of entertainment and transformed into a powerful social and political statement that truly reflected the era.

The overhead canopy - which is billed as the largest wide screen on the planet, was constructed in 1995.

Fremont Street officials boast there are not only 12 million LED lights firing up the screen nightly, but up a rousing 550,000 watt sound system to rock your world, too.

In addition to the must-see VIVA VISION extravaganza - which pays tribute to top-notch recording artists - a myriad of stage performers entertain tourists nightly for free.

When you consider that a handful of the local bars on the strip offer up drinks at bargain-basement prices (99 cent Margaritas, for instance) and snacks at cost (All American Hot Dogs at Mermaids are $1.07 with tax) that makes the Fremont Street experience a destination nightspot for naughty boys (and girls) out on a budget.

See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Carl Ferris...glorious sax playing nightly at Fremont St. experience!

The sensual notes drifted up to my open window and lured me out in the street below - where throngs of delighted music fans were being treated to the soulful sounds of savvy sax player - Carl Ferris.

Ferris (aka Carl "safe sax" Ferris) is a regular performer at the Fremont Street experience who appears nightly on the strip with a lot of music in his heart and a humble hat in hand.

Unlike many who toy with an instrument to rustle up a few bucks for a square meal a day, Ferris is truly a masterful musical artist, surely on his way.

I just betcha folks will be snapping up his CD's in the near future and shelling out big bucks to catch him perform LIVE one day at the Hollywood Bowl or Carnegie Hall.

The sky is the limit, if you ask me!

For now, saunter up to the strip and treat your ear to song stylings that will not only lull you into a warm and fuzzy state - but likewise - touch your very soul!

Info: www.safe-sax.com

http://www.julianayrs.com