51°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

NOW ON STAGE: Vegas-style debut helps arts council

he first fundraiser for the Pahrump Arts Council youth program dazzled audiences with a Las Vegas-style show at the Saddle West Hotel and Casino Saturday night, complete with a seven-piece band backing up Vegas legend Dondino, the Liz Lieberman Ovation Dancers and Charlie Duncan, a celebrity singer from Cornell Gunther’s Coasters.

The fundraiser titled “Come to the Cabaret” raised money for youth programs like the Missoula Children’s Theater and scholarships for students pursuing a secondary education in the arts. Dondino put together the show in which performers donated their time. The arts council would like to fund Art for Young People, Summer Art Camp, Artists in Schools and Poetry Out Loud at the high school in a time of dwindling grant funds.

“We feel the arts are for everyone but we would like to concentrate on the kids, because no matter what economic strata in this area they’re under-served,” event co-organizer Loretta Lindell said. She said the event raised about $600.

Dondino was the featured act, a 17-year Las Vegas performer at the Four Queens for 12 years and other venues like The Flamingo and Caesar’s Palace, who left his home for an eight-year stint in Branson, Mo. only to return to Las Vegas. He reveled the audience, belting out popular old times like “Old Black Magic Called Love,” Engelbert Humperdink’s “Please Release Me”, closing with a finale of Elvis Presley’s medley, “How Great Thou Art/America The Beautiful.” The Michael Tramonti Band provided brass, guitar and drum accompaniment.

Duncan entertained with 1950s classics like Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” and donned Pahrump Town Board member Bill Dolan’s cowboy hat to perform George Strait’s “The Chair.”

In opening remarks, Jeff Geihs, Clark County School District assistant chief student achievement officer of the Turnaround Zone Schools, said arts develop neural systems which foster creativity, emotional balance and fine motor skills.

“Art encourages creativity and innovation which are two critical skills for academic and career success. An art class or art program at a school is often the only reason a student shows up to school at all. We have to do whatever we can to continue to promote the continuation of art programs in our schools and communities, not just in Clark County, but in the State of Nevada,” Geihs said.

Kids have to be encouraged to graduate from high school, he said, noting a dropout earns $200,000 less over his lifetime and almost $1 million less than a college graduate; high school dropouts commit about 75 percent of the crimes and comprise 80 percent of death row inmates.

“The Pahrump Arts Council believes that the arts build connections between people. The arts encourage interaction, art often challenges perception and this is vital to healthy communities. The arts are important at every level. Cultural tourism, festivals, museums, community-based arts organizations and a host of other groups and individual artists are central to the vitality of cities, towns and rural areas. The arts also have a strong economic impact,” Geihs said.

Geihs read proclamations from Gov. Brian Sandoval honoring Sharon Cahlan for her remarkable achievements and dedication to Pahrump citizens, charities and Nevada organizations. Cahlan, a 2006 Ms. Senior Golden Years, has been active in the Nathan Adelson Hospice building program, organized a USO show recently to benefit veterans, was a co-organizer of the arts council benefit and her dance group, the Ovation Dancers, have performed at other local fundraisers.

Dondino was also given a governor’s proclamation. He began the Read to Me Foundation promoting literacy which donates books to Ronald McDonald houses, Head Start programs, hospitals and other charities. Sandoval noted Dondino hosted a successful musical variety show on television “The Dondino Show” and after performing all around the world, declared his home, his heart, will always be in Las Vegas. Sandoval said Dondino also donated his time and talent to charitable causes like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics.

Dondino said he enjoyed performing here.

“I love it and I think Pahrump needs more shows like this, I really believe that,” Dondino said. “I think the arts are important and I know the structure of the foundation because I have one of my own. Mine is a little different, but foundations are the same, trying to raise money to do good for someone and what Loretta’s done so far, it’s unbelievable.”

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

How an injured and abandoned dog in Pahrump overcame the odds

A stray dog that was homeless, hospitalized and facing euthanasia earlier this month is now on the mend thanks to several in the community who helped raise thousands for its life-saving care.

End of an era: 50-year-old Beatty business closing

Owner Jane Cottonwood, who made ribbons, trophies and awards for organizations all over the country, plans to retire and close her shop at the end of February.

PHOTOS: How Pahrump helped dozens facing homelessness

Every three months, the Community Crisis Intervention Committee puts together the Homeless Wraparound, quarterly happenings geared specifically toward serving those experiencing homelessness in Pahrump.

PHOTOS: Wild horses come home for the holidays

The wild horse herds that were removed from the Pahrump Valley earlier this year are finally home, and just in time for Christmas. Here’s how the community came together and made it happen.

Community Christmas Dinner set for Dec. 23

Christmas is just around the corner and it’s all hands on deck for the Pahrump Holiday Task Force as the nonprofit prepares to celebrate the season with the entire community.

A night of cookies with Santa

This past Saturday, the valley was invited to enjoy some cookies with Santa and dozens of families turned out for an evening filled with festive fun.