Jazz Groupies?

Tanya Flanagan and Temako Roque

Two weeks ago was the Las Vegas Jazz Festival at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa. My mother had talked about going for weeks and since I consider myself a fan of jazz (all types of jazz) I decided I would go too and meet up with our sorority sister Tanya and her niece Temako. Plus, I was curious about the venue and how it would pull off a concert with limited space. It was tiny. It had a few vendor booths where I purchased a really cool huge butterfly necklace and tried on some big round black glasses which got a resounding “No!” from my 17-year-old niece Jassie when I text her asking if she liked them on me.

It was a three-day festival, but we decided to go on the last day and thank goodness we did because I don’t think I would have lasted for more than one day in that heat.  It started at 12:30 p.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m. We arrived around 2:30 p.m. and spent the day listening to Sax Pack, The Rippingtons, Eric Darius and Larry Braggs and finally Will Downing to close out the day. I have to say, I was completely caught off guard by the jazz groupies. It has been many years since I cared if I was in the front row at a concert because I had a crush on the artist, plus this is jazz and there are no back up dancers or elaborate stage sets to look at to keep you entertained; and the women didn’t care. They were in full effect in miniskirts, stilettos, biker shorts, and skin-tight jeans ready to pounce… and I couldn’t get enough people watching.

At one point, a musician, a saxophonist, went into the crowd and was mobbed as if he was Prince. It was hilarious. I was waiting for a security detail to start pushing people back. Needless to say it was a good grown up time.

Next up for Vegas:

• Flautist and urban jazz saxophonist Najee inside The Railhead at Boulder Station Hotel & Casino on Friday, October 5 at 8 p.m.
• Pianist Vernell Brown Jr.  at The Village Lake Las Vegas on Saturday, October 6 at 7 p.m.
• Smooth jazz singer/songwriter Michael Franks inside the Access Showroom at Aliante Station Casino + Hotel on Friday, October 19 at 8 p.m.
• Jazz fusion Hiroshima inside the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino on Saturday, October 27 at 8 p.m.
• Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2012 (David Benoit, winner of NBC’s The Voice Javier Colon, Sheila E., and Margo Rey) at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available now.

 

Thank you for reading.

Adrienne xo

Giving a Little Provides A Lot

Sunday, the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Starlight Chapter (Las Vegas) held their Third Annual “Paint the Town Red” Luncheon Tea Dance, a fundraising effort at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa. The societal group’s mission is to “Enhance and enrich the lives of youth and adults through national and community based programs and projects. We measure our success by the improved quality of life experienced by the people we serve.”

Carri, Me and Mom

I attended with my sister to support of our mother Patti who is a member of the organization. The afternoon consisted of a southern style buffet lunch, solo musical performances, “dancing to the oldies” with a mix of today’s popular line dancing hits, and a raffle and door prize giveaway (none of which we won.) I didn’t really care, although the 32 inch HDTV flat screen would have been nice, because my small $20 raffle tickets donation was for a great cause – in support of the following programs:

Top Teens of America: Provides opportunities for wholesome development of youth through activities that will enhance educational, social, moral, spiritual, cultural and economic development.

Senior Citizens: Supplies information and assistance in the promotion of wholesome and meaningful lives for senior citizens, and leadership to assist local senior citizens with empowerment techniques leading to increased advocacy of issues that impact their lives.

Guests Sylvia Milliner, Diane Mayfield, Lorita Printice

Status of Women: Enhances the status of women by helping to identify ways of utilizing the time, talents, skills and total resources of women.

Community Beautification: Creates and implements projects which enhance the quality of life and help preserve the physical beauty of our environment by providing a series of activities designed to emphasize the importance of a clean, green environment.

I believe giving is important whether it’s time, talent or money in my life personally and professionally (Get Involved Beyond the “Work” and Reap the Rewards) and it’s fun!

Thank you reading

Adrienne xo

I Was Just Re-Tweeted by Musician Tim McMorris

Everyone knows the current Sam Adams “For the Love of Beer” commercial with the great song lyrics

“Make me laugh and show me how

Just how good this life can be

And in our moments filled with joy is where I live

Where I am free

Lay in our arms, I’ll hold you tight

Just like you like, continually

And I am overwhelmed by you.”

From the first time I heard the song and saw the commercial I knew I had to find the name of the artist and support his music because of how those lyrics made me feel. Once I found him on YouTube I had to follow his channel and tweet about it.

So I posted “@timmcmorris youtube.com/user/timmcmorr… #joy #happiness #love” and to my delight, this morning he replied “@AdrienneNHester Thanks for spreading the word Adrienne :)”

 The real thank you is to him for beautiful music. Take a listen to the entire song and the actual video and I know you will agree.

Thank you for reading.

Adrienne xo

FNO 2012 – Caught Up for a Good Cause

 

Tanya Flanagan and Ronald Smith

Last night I attended Fashion Night Out at Crystals at City Center  to support my friend’s and their charities – Jenn is the PR Director for the Nevada Ballet Theatre and Tanya serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Las Vegas After–School All–Stars. Initially, I was there for moral support but once I arrived I was immediately caught up for a good cause. It’s been a while since I paid retail for anything, then I thought of a conversation I had the last week with my hair wizard Richie. He and I agreed that if you attend a charity event and freely imbibe and eat their food, it is morally appropriate to financially support their efforts … the free-flowing champagne helped me release my purse strings.

Melinda Sheckells

First stop was Bottega Veneta for Tanya to show face and take a look at some handbags. One of the things I love about events like this is running into my friends I haven’t seen in a long time like the super talented Melinda Sheckells, editor-in-chief of Vegas/Rated magazine. She and I used to work together at Greenspun Media Group. I was her publicist and she was editor of Las Vegas Home + Design. We chatted for a bit and vowed to have lunch soon. I hope we actually keep our word.

Jenn Kratochwill 3/15/12 Photo Credit: Denise Truscello

Next stop was upstairs to Stella McCartney to say hello to Jenn who looked fabulous in a purple sheer dress with a slim gold belt. As I walked around the boutique I fell in love with a pair of off white wide-legged embossed pants and then quickly fell out of love with the $1500 price tag. So I keep looking until I spotted the tiny kids section and the most adorable pink tulle skirt. I almost chose it until I turned around and saw a set of Stella McCartney Peonie girl organic cotton ‘days of the week’ panties.

Stella McCartney Peoni Panty Set

They screamed buy me for Brielle, my almost three-year old great-niece – sadly, I recently found out I am unable to have children – so I vowed to spoil her as if she were my own and the panties brought back memories of when I was a child and the days of the week sets my mother used to buy for me and my sister. As ridiculous as the price is I bought them anyway. It’s for a good cause I kept telling myself. I had another glass of champagne after that one.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau De Parfum

On to Tom Ford to say hello to Suzanne a friend of a friend, meet up with the extremely well dress Ronald Smith, and unknowingly purchase the second item which was a bottle of Tobacco Vanille Eau De Parfum for me. I have been without this scent for nearly a year and the moment I smelled it again I knew I had to have it. It exudes sensuality. I feel super sexy every time I wear it. It was also cause for another glass of champagne before buying it.

Tiffany Bow ring

The final stop was at Tiffany to try to find me a gift suggestion for my August 17 one year anniversary with my boyfriend James. Our special day was put on the back burner because he was in the process of moving to Texas to work for Chevron in their North American Exploration Division so I think I deserve something extra special. For our first Christmas he got me a Tiffany Elsa Peretti Letter “A” pendant in sterling silver with three little diamonds so I was hoping it came in a ring or earrings so I would have a set. Unfortunately it doesn’t, but I wasn’t deterred. It is Tiffany. I kept looking. I fell in love with their diamond platinum bow ring and sent a picture to him via text. I hope he understands I want him to buy it and not just look at it. I’ll keep you posted.

Adrienne xo

 

Fashion’s Night Out’s Fashion Pressure

I love fashion. Especially high-end unaffordable fashion (my Pinterest page is a testament to it.) If I could, I would always be dressed like any starlet on Turner Classic Movies.

Events like tonight’s Fashion’s Night Out Las Vegas at Crystals at City Center hosted by Patricia Field, the Emmy Award winning style genius of Confessions of a Shopaholic, Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada, and Sex in the City (movies and television shows I watch repeatedly), puts on the  pressure to be extra cute and make it look effortless.

I am invited to three events by dear friends who are opposites on the style spectrum. The first from Tanya Flanagan at Bottega Veneta with hostess Judi Perez, executive Vice- President of the Siegel Group, in support of the After-School All-Stars Las Vegas. The second is from Jenn Kratochwill at Stella McCartney for the Nevada Ballet Theatre, and the third from Adrienne Pearson at Tom Ford. There’s so much happening. If you are attending check the Las Vegas Weekly for the list of the Who, What, When and Wear!

After consulting with all three on what they will be sporting, I opted for a something I bought on sale months ago at Nordstrom Rack and pair of Jessica Simpson heels from last year. My reality has a different budget. My motto: ‘as long as it’s cute and I look good, wear it!’

Thanks for reading and see you tonight.

Adrienne xo