One of the top chef’s from the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Oliver Dubreuil shares one of his best recipes.
THE VENETIAN’S OLIVIER DUBREUIL SHARES HIS BANANA WALNUT POUND CAKE RECIPE
Wanting to bring some comfort and joy to others during this hard time, chef Olivier Dubreuil, vice president of culinary operations at The Venetian, created a make-at-home kit for one of his family favorite recipes, banana walnut pound cake, included all the ingredients, and sent them off to his team members as a thank you during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“We hoped this kit would provide a bit of comfort during such an uncertain time,” the chef said in a statement. “To me, the smell of freshly baked cake brings up feelings of love. It brings us back to our childhood.”
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup softened butter
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup walnuts or chocolate chips (or both)
2 fresh eggs
4 peeled bananas
Process
Mix together the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract
Add eggs and mix until smooth
Add whole bananas and mix until mashed
Finish by adding the rest of the ingredients and mix together
Pour mixture into a standard loaf pan covered with parchment paper
Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees until a golden color (time may lightly vary due to oven calibration)
Chef’s advice
The darker the bananas, the more flavor you will get.
I see him at least twice a year. The show is always new and fresh.
VEGAS AT HOME: CARROT TOP
Scott Thompson, aka Carrot Top, has been a comedy force for more than three decades, and is currently the longest-running comic residency on the Las Vegas Strip (He was recently signed to a five-year extension at Luxor). And while his wildly successful show is on hiatus due to the coronavirus, Carrot Top is still there for his fans, recording a video exclusively for the latest edition of Vegas at Home. He’ll tell you a great book to read, a great show to watch, a great new drinking game, and how to make his very own signature drink (kinda). Yes, these are trying times, but thanks to entertainers like Carrot Top, we’re still able to laugh.
The classic “Ambitious Card” trick became extra ambitious, even viral, on March 31. Penn Jillette kicks off a nearly 20-minute video featuring many magicians from around the world — including Vegas performers Mat Franco, Jen Kramer, Matt Donnelly, Xavier Mortimer, Piff the Magic Dragon, Mac King, David Copperfield’s right-hand man Chris Kenner, and of course Teller, plus Penn’s daughter Moxie Jillette — passing along a virtual deck of cards and flashing some sleight-of-hand skills.
That video, viewed more than 85,000 times, is just one example of our local illusionist community keeping busy during the Vegas shutdown and sharing the fun online. Franco has turned his “Magic Reinvented Nightly” show at the Linq into “Magic Reinvented Weekly,” an interactive live streaming performance Wednesdays on Facebook and Instagram. Planet Hollywood headliner Criss Angel has been posting memorable clips from his “Mindfreak” TV show on his social accounts and Murray SawChuck, who already had 1.6 million subscribers on his Magic Murray YouTube channel before COVID-19 put a halt to his dual gigs at the Tropicana and Luxor, is teaming with his co-star Douglas “Lefty” Leferovich to perform and demonstrate how you can do some magic tricks at home later this month on Facebook and YouTube.
“I’ve always put stuff on social media just to connect, and I always try to do one [post] a day although having a show in Vegas makes it tough to multi-task” says Shin Lim, the headlining magician at the Mirage. “Since closing the show I have a lot of time to make content [for social media] and create new material for the show. I just don’t want to waste the time.”
Lim has been posting performance clips of some of his favorite international magicians, hoping to expose their artistry to his own audience. He’s also making videos of quick tricks and collaborating with Mortimer, whose “Magical Dream” production plays at the Magic Attic at Bally’s Las Vegas.
One of their masterfully edited videos has both magicians seemingly passing objects back and forth during a video call before Lim traps Mortimer on the other side of the computer screen.
“It took us around four hours to put it together, doing so many retakes. Those loops are tough to line up,” Lim says of Instagram videos that appear to circle into themselves infinitely. “I’ve known Xavier for a few years now. We first met at a convention in Switzerland and performed there together, and we’ve done a lot of show together. He just introduced me to Tik Tok.”
Mortimer, who celebrated 1,000 shows as a headliner on the Strip in January, had been surging on social media just before the pandemic interrupted everything.
“It’s funny because I was not on social for a long time. I’m a live performer, I like live performance and I really do what I do for a live audience,” he says. “I only recently took up the challenge of trying to create things for social media and change my vision and perception of magic and how I can be more creative. Now that I’m stuck at home, I have no other choice but to do videos and rethink my magic and how I can do it in other ways.”
Like all of us, Mortimer had a difficult initial transition to quarantine life.
“I had one or two days where it was kind of like, I don’t want to do anything, I’ll just wait for this to pass, but then I knew I should keep [active],” he says. “This is not a job you can do if you’re not passionate. I can’t live without being creative. The essence of our job is that we do it because we love it.”
Mortimer has gone from creating videos where he’s doing tricks in public and getting the reaction from a spontaneous “audience” on the street or inside a Target store, to pranking his girlfriend with magic at home. He says just because he no longer has the “wow factor” of audience reaction doesn’t mean he can’t make his magic look real.
“You have the craftsman part and the entertainer part, in front of the audience. My craft is what I do with magic tricks, building illusions I can perform in front of a camera or an audience and then releasing that to the public when I go out to perform. That part is gone now, but the craftsman inside me has awakened now.”
Lim could certainly be characterized as a craftsman. He’s spent his career developing unique, theatrical sleight-of-hand routines that won him two titles on “America’s Got Talent” and earned him his own Vegas residency.
“I always view social media magic very differently, even before the coronavirus,” Lim says. “The way it’s portrayed and built is always very different from real-life performance. What works in social would rarely work in real life and vice versa. Online, it’s got to be fast and different and dynamic.”
By
William Natale
(author of “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then,” and “The Resurrection of Boraichee” — to be released May 17, 2020)
We all know about the bad things that COVID-19 has brought, what about the good?
Is there anything good that has come from this infectious nuisance and deadly disease?
To answer that question, one is inclined to automatically say NO – especially if you’ve lost someone or had someone close suffer from the effects of a virus that attacks the respiratory systems of the young and the old. However, there actually have been a few things that we in the U.S.A. can celebrate as a result of COVID-19 infecting our world, even if we hesitate to attribute anything GOOD to Coronavirus.
We have had to make our own fun despite TV viewership being up; even some fine examples of quality TV production from NETFLIX and AMAZON only go so far. Puzzle producers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for their products. People become engaged in the scope of a thousand piece puzzle, unlike a TV show, and actually forget their troubles due to the fact that their focus is now on the challenge laid out on a table before them.
Others have picked up their cell and called longtime friends and relatives they haven’t spoken to in months, maybe years, just to check up on them and ask about their safety; or how they’re feeling with all of the isolation affecting us humans who normally enjoy being gregarious. And for those who’ve always loved isolation, this has got to be heaven. I know of many writers who are using this quarantine to complete work they’ve been meaning to finalize for the chance at publication.
As a society, we have a newfound appreciation for many we may have neglected to value — not in spite but due to indifference…like the sanitation worker who hauls away your waste; or the grocery stock and clerk individuals who are essential in the food supply chain; or the truck drivers who haul that food and other necessary products we need to exist. And without question, we now value our first responders in a way that we might not have appreciated since 9/11. We also appreciate those on the front line of this war, the nurses, the doctors, the medical lab technicians, the janitors keeping our hospitals clean, and all the others who maintain our medical facilities and keep them running. And to those at the utilities who sanitize our water, keep our lights on, or provide the flame for us to cook — we say THANKS.
COVID-19 has brought families together at dinner time, possibly in a way this country hasn’t seen since Ward Cleaver and his family ruled the airwaves with “Leave It To Beaver,” still very much in the public eye with syndication re-runs.
And for those who believe in something greater than this life, people are finding their way via the miracle of LIVE STREAMING – a technological advance that now allows almost anyone with a computer and a minimal amount of video gear, to bring into households all over the world the word of GOD; or maybe the joy of music or the delight of meeting up as a group and sharing a recipe, an anecdote, or a sign of affection.
For me, I personally love the fact that I can wear my robe all day and not have a care in the world when it comes to dressing the part. For now, it’s best that I don’t dress the part and STAY HOME because that really is the only way we’re going to FLATTEN THAT CURVE – a phrase that will always be tied to 2020 and a reminder that somehow, we survived to live another day long after COVID-19 exited the stage.
HOPE is a wonderful thing and sometimes it takes a disaster to help us cherish that which we should always carry even in an abnormally normal world.
As I mentioned last week, these days we not only have a lot of time on our hands to watch new releases, but there is an abundance of movies and shows streaming on any number of streaming channels. This week’s movie, Big Time Adolescence, is a Hulu presentation starring SNL‘s own Pete Davidson. It’s Davidson’s presence that elevates this film to a surprisingly charming level, playing the man-child that befriends his ex-girlfriend’s little brother in this touching coming-of-age comedy.
Pete Davidson plays Zeke, a lovable goof and every parent’s nightmare. When Zeke’s girlfriend breaks up with him, for good reason, his little homey, Monroe, can’t find a reason to stop hanging out with him. They continue their bro-ship nearly through the young man’s high school years, much to the dismay of the boy’s parents.
Let’s face it, how many young kids nowadays wouldn’t want to hang out with Pete Davidson? His character seems to have been lifted right out of Pete’s playbook on life. Of course, perhaps that’s judging too harshly…or maybe I’m right on the button. Zeke’s only drive is to get high and have fun. He has his most fun with what has turned out to be his best friend, Monroe. The young man does not dabble in drugs as Zeke does, but does all the other “cooler” things like drinking, taking dares and playing video games.
Zeke has other buddies and his new girlfriend that have accepted Monroe into their fold with open arms. The closest to most level-headed is Zeke’s girlfriend, Holly, who tries to temper her boyfriend’s bad behavior and relationship suggestions to Monroe. Growing up with Zeke has made Monroe awkward and lacking in the friends department at school until he hooks up with a classmate that asks him to bring booze to a senior party. Zeke is happy to oblige and make Monroe the star of the party by supplying him the liquor and as an extra caveat – selling pot.
While at the party, Monroe meets a sarcastic, quick-witted girl his own age and immediately takes a liking to her. Monroe turns to Zeke for advice which leads to many more party invites, a quick rocky relationship, and eventually everything going downhill even with the warnings from his older sister and father. What was fun and cool becomes a world of regret or perhaps a good learning experience.
At first glance, Pete Davidson comes across like an extension of his SNL appearances. But, as the film delves deeper, Davidson invokes a sense of loneliness, hurt and sympathy for Zeke. In some ways, maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but Davidson pulls off the misunderstood bad boy that many can relate to in the way that James Dean made his characters relatable. The big difference here is, Davidson throws us off with his perfect, subtle comic timing.
The rest of the cast is just as engaging. Griffin Gluck captures the innocence and awkwardness of Monroe. Nothing forced here. We feel his joy, pain, and the genuine regret of some of his ill decision making. Oona Laurence is spot on as Sophie, the young girl that’s far too mature for Zeke and his cohorts’ shenanigans. Sydney Sweeney is perfectly charming as Zeke’s bubbly new girlfriend, Holly. And, watching Jon Cryer play a full fledged, straight-as-an-arrow adult as Monroe’s father can be a bit unsettling for those of us that remember his persona in the ’80s. But, he pulls it off with great sincerity.
Writer/director Jason Orley pulls off this high wire act of comedy, drama, and lessons learned. In the wrong hands, the film could have easily been another sophomoric adventure, but instead has a great deal of heart accompanied by some very smart writing. Orley appears to be in perfect sync with his actors, especially Davidson. He’s able to capture every nuance of Davidson’s character and has him shine at every turn.
Big Time Adolescence. The title captures the spirit, irresponsibility, pitfalls and reflective eye of the film itself. A movie that is relatable on so many levels yet is not heavy-handed or flippant about the subject matter. The kind of story we can look back on and say it was well worth the time spent.
One of the most recognizable presences in film, TV and stage has passed away at the age of 81, Brian Dennehy. Most of the time, Dennehy came across on screen like a man’s man, especially in one of his most famous roles as Sheriff Teasle in the first of Stallone’s Rambo series, First Blood. But, he also displayed a knack for comedy playing Chris Farley’s father in Tommy Boy.
You never forgot him once you saw him either playing the crooked sheriff you loved to hate in Silverado, replacing Kirk Douglas as Harrison in the sequel to the Australian hit movie The Man From Snowy River or as the rowdy football player in Semi-Tough. In fact, Dennehy played football and rugby in college, and served as a marine while playing football in Okinawa. The man was a hefty 6’ 3” and used that frame to his advantage as an intimidating factor on screen and stage.
He was nominated six times for Emmy awards for television movies he appeared in. Most notable was his role in Showtime’s Our Fathers about the Roman Catholic Church sex scandal. He would also be remembered as Elizabeth Keen’s grandfather on NBC’s The Blacklist. His distinctive voice narrated many TV programs, and voiced the rat, Django, in Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille. In fact, Dennehy was so popular he would be parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and in an episode of the animated hit series The Simpsons.
The man also won two Tony awards as Best Lead Actor. One was for Death of a Salesman, the other was Long Day’s Journey into Night. He won accolades for several performances in high profile productions including Inherit the Wind, Desire Under the Elms and The Iceman Cometh to name just a few. Whether it be stage, TV or the big screen, the man was highly respected.
One of my personal favorites is the 1987 indie adeptly directed by John Flynn with a very clever script by Larry Cohen, Best Seller. James Woods plays a hitman who wants his story told by a famous author and one time police officer played by Dennehy. The problem being, Dennehy’s character has doubts about the assassin’s illustrious history that he is so quick to brag about. Woods and Dennehy’s chemistry in the movie ignites the screen and keeps the film going in a dizzying pace.
Larry Cohen originally wrote the script with Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in mind. But, Woods and Dennehy proved to be great substitutions leaving the writer quite happy except for the ending that he completely disagreed with. Either way, the film is a must for any Dennehy, Woods or Larry Cohen fan.
Brian Dennehy worked all the way up to his passing with three productions listed to his credit for this year; Son of the South, Long Day Journey and The Adventures of Buddy Thunder. His daughter Elizabeth summed him up beautifully in a tweet, “Larger than life, generous to a fault, a proud and devoted father and grandfather, he will be missed by his wife Jennifer, family and many friends.” His legacy continues on with the brilliant performances he left us with.
Learning a new skill or taking up a hobby has become more accessible than ever, thanks to educators sharing resources that we can easily find on the Internet. From makeup and cooking tutorials on YouTube to online classes in vegetable gardening, the possibilities are endless for those who want to be productive in their spare time.
Moreover, those who want to take up creative pursuits — such as painting, drawing, or sculpting — have all the resources that they need to recreate masterpieces like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or any of Bob Ross’ paintings. If you’re thinking about learning art, you’ll need more than a strong Wi-Fi connection in order to master proper techniques and stay engaged. Here are a few simple ways to successfully take up art while staying at home.
Start with the basics
Before you can do amazing graffiti art like Banksy, you’ll need to master the basics first. For instance, if you’re thinking about learning to draw, you’ll need to have the essentials on hand, which are graphite pencils and a sketch pad.
Start building dexterity by drawing circles on one page of your pad, and make sure not to let the circles touch or overlap. After that, you can work on shading techniques so you can cast some light and shadows on your drawings. Once you’ve mastered this, you can try your hand at drawing figures such as a caricature of a pet dog, or perhaps a sketch of a bunch of flowers. Once you’ve got this down, you can look up online tutorials that will teach you to create angles, add texture, and create an illusion of depth and distance on your drawings. Learning the basics allows you to improve your craft day by day, and it helps you become a better artist.
Have a dedicated space to do your artwork
People who work from home know that having a dedicated space to do their tasks is essential for productivity. For those who want to take up art at home, having a place where you can unleash your creativity can also help you to be fully engaged in your craft. The garage, an attic, a garden shed, or the patio are all ideal places to paint, draw, sculpt, or make art installations as there’s a lot of room to spread out without getting in the way of your family’s everyday routine.
If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, consider creating a mini art studio in your bedroom. You’ll need a table for your materials, an easel, a chair, as well as a tarp to protect your floors from paint spatters. Keep your art studio clean and well lit, and make sure to work in a well-ventilated space as being constantly exposed to paint fumes can be hazardous to your health.
Don’t force it
Learning art means that you’ll have to invest some time, a bit of money, and some space in your creative outlet. As a result, some people may feel pressured to create artworks even if they’re not in the mood, and that’s when making art starts to feel like a task instead of a pleasurable activity. If your creative juices aren’t flowing, don’t force yourself to paint or draw–it’s actually a good idea to take a break now and then so you can get some fresh inspiration for your next masterpiece.
You can watch a movie or online concert, or maybe you’d rather listen to a playlist of soothing music. You can also check out online galleries and museum tours by institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, The British Museum, and The National Gallery of Art, among others. Inspiration can come from anywhere, take a breather so you can stay motivated.
Learning to create art is a pleasurable and productive way to spend your free time. Try these tips to stay motivated to create, and you’ll be on your way to making meaningful pieces of art.
As family-friendly entertainment goes, WOW—The Vegas Spectacular at Rio is darn near top of the list. Its wide array of talent—from dancers to jugglers, crossbow experts to acrobats—is truly something to behold. And its appeal to all age groups is apparent in the fact that the show recently celebrated its 1,000th performance!
The show is actually one long story, with Alex Traisci its connecting thread as his character weaves his way through this magical world with comedy, juggling, and more.
