Liberace Lovers Can Celebrate Valentines Day in Vegas with Special Wes Winters Show

Wes Winters keeps the Liberace spirit alive in Las Vegas. You can still see him perform even though the show room bearing his name at the Liberace museum is now closed.

If you are driving in from California on a busy Friday or Saturday night you can skip the I-15 back up and stop over at the South Point Casino to see Wes for free in the Grandview lounge.  Unwind from your drive and toast Liberace!

A great bet is the every Sunday brunch at Envy Steakhouse 11-3pm for $29.95 a person with bottomless mimosas. It is a great relaxing end to your busy Vegas weekend.

If you are coming to Vegas for Valentines there is not better Liberace themed bet than Wes’ show.

“Wes Winters Valentines Supper Club” is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at Sam’s Town Live in Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway. Tickets are $50. For information and reservations, visit samstownlv.com or call 284-7777.

Take the Liberace Master Class from the Comfort of Your Own Home!

What a fitting tribute 25 years after the world lost Liberace.

Check out the Liberace Master Class and perhaps even those most devoted fans among us will learn a thing or two!

Thank you to Dave Frank  Director, Dave Frank School of Jazz, NYC for this great presentation. He keeps it swinging from 52nd street for our New York readers.

February 4, 2012 Marks 25 Years Without Liberace

If Liberace could see today I am sure he would be thrilled. His biggest fear that he would be remembered for what killed him, over his talent, never came true. Lee is remembered as the man with a big heart and a marvelous personality. He was both an artist and a humanitarian. Today Lee brings a smile to our face empowering a world to be just that much more glamorous.

I wish that Lee were alive today to see  a world where his sexual identity would not have caused him to be afraid of what people would think of him. Today if Lee were still alive we would love him more for being entirely who he was publicly.

Lee lives on through my dear friend Steve Garey. Steve was his acknowledged protege and the training he received from Lee propelled his own career which included work as Frank Sinatra’s pianist. Most importantly Lee was his best friend. I know that February 4th will be a hard day for Steve remembering that day when he had to go out and tell the world his friend had passed.

This has been a hard year for Steve. Sending his friend a few kind words and knowing that he is in your prayers is another thing Lee would have wanted on this anniversary.

This February 4th in memory of Lee do something to make the world just a little more beautiful. Roll down the windows in your car and play one of his tunes be it the Kitten Rag or Ave Maria.  Do something nice for animals.

If you are in Las Vegas how about putting some roses on the grave of his pets. If you are in Hollywood about putting some roses on his grave. 

Most of all embrace the marvelous person that you are and know in the immortal words of Liberace:

Nobody will believe in you unless you believe in yourself.

Eighty Boxes of Liberace Artifacts Found in San Diego Attic

Eighty boxes of Liberace artifacts, which turned up in a California attic, have been shipped to upstate New York for sifting.   Read the New York Times Article  

The collection has been sent to New York for a future auction and includes unique items both personal and gifts from other celebrities during his life.

 “Some of them still have the spaghetti sauce or whatever on them,” Mr. Agee said.

Follow the auction on the official website with Mid-Hudson Galleries. The gallery indicates detailed lot information will be available after November 1st.

 MID-HUDSON AUCTION GALLERIES

ADVANCE NOTICE!

December 3, 2011 — THE LIBERACE AUCTION. The most magnificent jewelry and personal posessions of the famed pianist! For more information contact the gallery at 914-882-7356 or check this website after November 1st.

P.O. Box 305 Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 914-882-7356

 

 

 

Elvis Passed Away 34 Years Ago Today – Enjoy Liberace and Elvis Clips

It seems not quite so long ago that the world and Liberace were shocked by the passing of Elvis Presley.

In memory of their friendship that included Lee sending Elvis flowers every time he performed in Vegas enjoy some great classic clips of Elvis and Liberace.

London is Still in Love with Liberace! Bobby Crush Show On Stage!

London may be ablaze in riots but fans have still come out to see Bobby Crush’s show Liberace Live From Heaven.

Check out the review from West End Whingers about this show. The reviewer provides the premise:

Liberace is poised at the gates of heaven and has to convince St Peter (voiced by Stephen Fry) and God (voiced by Victoria Wood) why he should be admitted through the Pearly Gates or take the elevator to hell. And then we the audience ultimately vote to seal his fate.

You will have to read the review to see if they voted Lee into heaven or not!

Liberace lives on internationally! He would be so pleased!

The Fabulous Facebook World of Liberace!

I think Liberace would have loved Facebook. He truly appreciated his fans. He never threw away a fan letter. His former business office now owned by a private collector in Los Angeles has every fan letter he ever received. If he were alive today I think Lee would have been among the performers who hire full time social media staff to keep close contact with the fans.

Today Las Vegas chatter mentioned that the Liberace Foundation has a Facebook page. It appears to be new and with only 48 friends as of the time I am writing this article it could sure use some more support. This however is not the only Liberace themed Facebook page so below I have listed some of my favorites you may just want to take a visit and perhaps even LIKE.

The Liberace Foundation Page – This is the official page of the Liberace Foundation for the performing arts. Get the official word on what is happening with the foundation.

Liberace: This is a knowledge base page that shows articles about Liberace that post onto Facebook from any member of the group. 2700+ members makes it the most popular Liberace Facebook page.

 

The Liberace Puppet Page: The puppet from Vegas the show and other magic events from Joseph Gabriel tells you where you can find him.

A Liberace Christmas Page: Though inactive this page does have cute Liberace Christmas memories

Martin Preston as Liberace: This is a Liberace tribute artist whom resembles Lee so much that even the national media  has used his picture by accident for stories about Liberace. Follow this page to find out when he will be coming to your town.

Show the Liberace Collection at MoMa: Liberace’s collection should go for a spin at the Museum of Modern Art – connect here to see what you can do to help.

 

Vegas Still Chatters about Liberace!

I love it! Vegas Chatter celebrates the Flickr stream for the Liberace Museum. Check out their article:

The Liberace Museum Still Shines On…On Flickr

For my pre-digital age readers (I love you so much!)

What is a Flickr? This is a way to share photos in albums with multiple people all contributing who may not even know each other. Any group of folks can share pictures to Flickr in a collection. You can enjoy Flickr to view photos from many different people. The pictures are shared on the computer, or from a cell phone.

Terry Fator’s Strip Show Models Character After Liberace

Check out this article in Las Vegas Weekly by Don Chareunsy about the Terry Fator show at the Mirage.

Terry Fator provides insight into the anatomy of a Las Vegas show

Now I have a reason to head down to the Terry Fator show again! I hope that Berry Fabulous is part of his holiday matinee shows that are such a treat for the whole family.

Check out this clip below from when Terry brought both his Elvis inspired character and Berry Fabulous inspired by Liberace to the George Lopez show.

 

 

Download Liberace’s Hits FREE from the Library District!

Here is another great FREE service for families on a budget in Las Vegas!

Freegal is a free music download service that allows you (with a library card in good standing) to download and KEEP up to 3 songs a week – choose from hundreds of popular artists.

Once in Freegal you will be able to keep track of your downloads in the upper right corner of the site. Every song has a sample clip you can listen to before you download.

The downloads on this site are all in MP3 format. This service will work with any MP3 player, including iPod, and can be loaded into iTunes. It works on both PCs and Macs.

Be sure to check out the browsing areas, especially Artists A to Z (bottom of page) and the genre lists (menu bar). Click on see all genres to view dozens of categories.

I found four whole pages of Liberace music ready to download.  Makes it hard to pick only 3! This week I downloaded Kitten on the Keys you just can’t help but get giddy rolling around town with that on the stereo!

If you have more questions or need help troubleshooting an issue please visit FAQs, Tips & Tricks page and select the Freegal tab.

Try it today from our local library! 

If you live outside of Las Vegas check out your local library district website to see if they are on FreeGal too.

 

 

Pizza in Las Vegas with a Liberace Connection!

I am taking my husband here this weekend to check out pizza with a Liberace connection as reported in Las Vegas Weekly.  Click link below to get the details:

Delicious pizza, with thanks to Liberace

Radio City Pizzeria offers pies with a backstory

Check out Liberace’s part of the story of this new Las Vegas restaurant from the official website: 

One day, Marilyn met a customer that was auditioning to become a Radio City Rockette.  After chatting with her, Marilyn informed her daughter Jody that the Rockette’s were looking for new performers and after auditioning in 1974, Jody became a Radio City Rockette.  She met Elias’ father, Dr. Ghanem, in 1979 when the Rockette’s were performing with Liberace at the Las Vegas Hilton.  The legendary pianist introduced the couple to each other and the family has called Las Vegas home ever since.

 The legendary pianist introduced the couple to each other and the family has called Las Vegas home ever since.

Liberace and Christopher Walken

I love this new picture posted on the blog Terry Richardson’s Diary. Please click the image below to see it in full size from the owner of the image website.

I bet Lee would have loved Christopher Walken’s moves in this video:

Midlife Road Trip Visited the Liberace Museum

Check out their great blog post about visiting the Liberace Museum here. 

I hope when they make it back from the road everyone has a chance to send the United States Postal Service a note or even a postcard that Liberace belongs on a postage stamp.

Quick and Easy Instructions to Tell the USPS Why Liberace Deserves a Stamp! 

Mental Floss Celebrates Liberace’s Most Lavish Possessions!

As a lover of otherwise useless information and trivia Mental Floss is the magazine I never fly without.  I always feel just that much smarter having flossed by brain during the no electronics portion of the flight.

If you are ever looking for a great magazine for the smarty pants who has everything from age 12 and up – consider a subscription. It is a favorite in my house. What better way to promote cultural literacy than having real facts presented in beautifully snarky reverence.

This is not their first bit of information about Liberace but certainly one of my favorites.

Take a read at their blog post in honor of Liberace’s birthday:

Liberace’s 15 Most Extravagant Possessions
by Jill Harness – May 16, 2011 – 9:33 PM

I would have to add that any item of jewelry from the heist in his hotel room in 1974 should have made the list.

New Film: Liberaceón (Liberating Liberace) by Chris Vargas is a Creative Interpretation of a Liberace Who Never Was

The tweets today about Liberace are about this new film by Chris Vargas.

Liberaceón, a three-channel video installation with a 16 minute narrative

Catch the detailed story here from the East Bay Press.

Chris Vargas teases his treatment of Lee’s life as:

In this project, I rescript portions of the late showman’s biography in order to insert him into a queer history of radical AIDS/HIV activism, but that’s all I’m going to say (for now).

I hope to one day see this film. While I celebrate all things Liberace, I know his dying wish was not to go down in history remembered only as a person who had AIDS. In fact his living protege Steve Garey has compelling evidence that Lee did not die of AIDS at all that the forced autopsy by the Riverside county California coroner was politically motivated. Liberace had emphysema which was the primary cause of his death hastened perhaps by HIV but his health would have failed regardless of the virus.

Celebrate Liberace for all that he was and his enduring legacy. Mr. Showmanship was a person so uniquely special to our world that I have trouble believing any re-imagination of his spirit would ever be necessary.

I sent Chris Vargas an email offering that perhaps my research or contacts may have information that would be helpful to his project.

OutFest Los Angeles Screens Liberace’s Mothers Day Show – May 8, 2011

The Legacy Project Screening Series: LIBERACE and THE CASE OF MR. LIN[Legacy Event] May 8, 2011

LIBERACE and THE CASE OF MR. LIN Sunday, May 8, 2011 7:00pm Billy Wilder Theater (courtyard level of the Hammer Museum) 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA THE CASE OF MR. LIN Dir: Dr. Reuben H. Segel, 1955, 55 min. THE LIBERACE SHOW: “TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS” Dir: Duke Goldstone, 30 min. THE CASE OF MR. LIN and the episode of THE LIBERACE SHOW selected for this evening, both presented in prints recently donated to the Outfest Legacy Collection by archivist Jenni Olson, form a strange, matched set. THE CASE OF MR. LIN is a documented psychotherapy session between professor of psychology, Carl Rogers, and a client who, having granted his permission to be filmed, goes on to reveal his homosexual feelings on camera. His deeply personal revelations about self-image and family life make this a rarity of exceeding interest. In a very different type of self-revelation, Liberace devotes this episode of his popular television show to his “favorite person,” Mom, crooning sentimental ballads to mothers everywhere. Campy and downright eerie, the program outpaces THE CASE OF MR. LIN as a therapy session extraordinaire. Happy Mother’s Day! Click here for Tickets // Outfest Members receive 2-for-1 tickets at the box office! THE LEGACY PROJECT SCREENING SERIES The Legacy Project is a collaborative effort bringing together Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive to preserve and restore queer film and video. We will screen prints from this valuable and unique collection on a bimonthly basis. For more information, visit outfest.org/legacy.

Daryl Wagner is on Stage at Harrah’s as Liberace with Legends in Concert Through May 15th

You can catch Daryl Wagner on stage at Harrah’s performing as Liberace now through May 15th with the Legends in Concert show. The Legends show alternates multiple acts to keep the performance exciting each and every time you visit Las Vegas. Link to purchase tickets here.

I hope that Liberace’s living protege Steve Garey has a chance to see the show when he comes to town this month.

As we celebrate the joy Mr. Showmanship brought to our lives in tributes that live today, please support the enduring legacy by lending your name to the effort to recognize him on a postage stamp.

Liberace’s Devoted Friend and Costumer Anna Nateece Needs Your Prayers

Example of the fine fur work that Anna did for Liberace

Reading this story today about the violent attack on Liberace’s devoted friend Anna Nateece broke my heart. Please read this story about her in the Las Vegas Sun from just six months ago.

Read about her wonderful work from Las Vegas Luxury Magazine.

Now vow that for a woman so talented and giving that the tragedy below not be what defines her legacy.

Family of elderly attack victim optimistic about recovery

Link to video about this terrible crime

 

Remembering attack, Anna Nateece says, ‘I didn’t know whether I was alive or dead’ – Read this story by Sun reporter John Katsilometes

 

I immediately called Lee’s friend Steve Garey of Palm Springs California to inform him of the unfortunate news. Steve explained that Anna was among the most devoted, sincere, dedicated friends of Liberace’s life. He believes Anna will make a full recovery because in heaven Lee is pulling for her.

Steve would like us all to join with him in prayer that Anna will recover from this horrific attack and that the terrible person who did this to her is brought to justice. He will personally come to Las Vegas and sit in the trial to ensure that a monster who would hurt someone so loving and sincere who brought great comfort to his best friend pays for what he has done.

The family has not asked the public for support in any way. Steve is contacting Anna and her family to extend any help that he can to them through those who are still around who know first hand the loving devoted friend she was to Lee who would never have wanted her to suffer in this senseless way.

I received the great news from Rod Russell that he and Wes Winters have both spoken to Anna Nateece and she is doing well on her path to recovery.

Crime Stoppers (702) 385-5555 in Las Vegas is seeking information leading to the arrest of the person who did this to her.

I am tremendously disappointed that after all of the work Anna has done on behalf of the Liberace foundation no mention is made of this tragedy nor any well wishes from any of its social media outlets to help bring her attacker to justice. This is not following through on preserving Lee’s legacy. If Lee were alive today he would be putting funds toward ensuring that Anna is comfortable and a special fund set up to ensure her attacker is brought to justice!

Baltimore Sun Names Liberace Number 7 WrestleMania Celebrity of All Time!

Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun recognized Liberace as the number 7 WrestleMania celebrity of all time!

Nice to know that a professional expert on all things wrestling is giving Mr. Showmanship his due for coming on the show as time keeper. The footage of Liberace is NOW AVAILABLE on YouTube see below.

Read Kevin Eck’s blog post about Liberace by clicking here or the image above.

Check out my earlier post about Liberace’s WrestleMania appearance.

Lee’s appearance starts at 7:25 in the clip to 9:06 captures the priceless commentary that this is a “happening” and Lee dancing with the Rockettes! The crowd was on its feet! Mr. Showmanship conquered WrestleMania!

YouTube requires that to view this video you click on it a second time to view it on the YouTube website.

Pinchy, the Rare and Adorable Clasper Monkey from Hawaii Traveled to Vegas in Search of Liberace!

You have great taste Pinchy! He traveled all the way from Hawaii in search of Liberace. Found him at Madame Tussuad Wax Museum.

Poor Pinchy! Traveled all the way from Hawaii to find the Liberace museum was closed!

Carluccios Tivoli Gardens originally opened by Liberace is still open for dinner service and Pinchy can go in there to sit at the Liberace autographed piano in the most marvelous uniquely kitsch dining room in Vegas. 

They say the place is haunted by Liberace and mobsters, but I am sure they would all love Pinchy.

Check out Pinchy’s other adventures on his blog.

1955 Liberace Sent to Bed for Two Months for Exhaustion

I found this cute little story from the Tonawanda News – January 4, 1955

Fans Feeling Much Worse than Liberace

It is a cute story about how fans are heartbroken and he is healing with the aid of sequined playing cards! Ah the love the world had for him!

Catch a Small Piece of Liberace History in St Louis

St Louis Missouri news station KSDK has a sweet story about its Fox Theater a venue you can certainly imagine Lee at home in.

You can tour the wall of famous signatures and see the iconic Liberace autograph. Enjoy!

Click here to see this adorable story.

VMagazine.com Conducts Psychic Interview with Liberace

Lee would be thrilled the world is still talking about him and that we all want to know what he thinks of popular music.

It gave me a chuckle this week to find this new article by VMagazine.com a publication dedicated to fashion.

So read with tongue firmly implanted in cheek:

Catching Up with Liberace

THE LEGENDARY PIANIST AND COMPETITIVE DRESSER PASSED AWAY OVER 24 YEARS AGO, BUT HE NEVER REALLY CHECKED OUT. LIBERACE STILL HAS PLENTY TO SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF MUSIC, HIS WAR ON LYRICS, AND THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD IN GENERAL. WE HELD A SÉANCE TO GET IT ALL DOWN.

(Article is two pages long – make sure you look for page 2)

Liberace: King of Glitz Gallery on Life Magazine Website

For my 100th post about Liberace on this blog please take a moment to celebrate his genius and fabulousness.

Photo from Bobs Liberace World - the ORIGINAL - Online Virtual Liberace Gallery. Please visit.

If you are a Liberace photo lover you will not want to miss this great gallery of photographs from Life Magazine on their website.

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Please honor the legacy of Lee Liberace by asking that a stamp be commissioned in his honor.

To get Lee on a stamp – it will take a stamp! The stamp committee does not accept email, electronic petitions, or any form of non-mail communication.

The official address to send this request to including why you believe Liberace should be honored with a stamp goes to:

Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432

Many of us no longer go to the post office on a regular basis or even buy stamps. There is another non-email option that will get your message in the hands of the USPS for just $1.00.

Easy letter sender which is linked from USPS will take your message, print it out, put it in an envelope, put on postage, and mail it for you – for just $1.00. So you can be just 10 minutes away from sharing with USPS Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee why Liberace should be on a stamp!

Click here to send an easy letter for just $1.00.

Either way – your snail mail or automated mail – getting the word out that Liberace a true American Icon should be honored with a stamp is easy and you will feel great having taken the time to promote his cultural legacy.

Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens presents: “A Night of Music to Love by…” Affordable Unique Valentines Day Date Feb 12th:

Carluccios Tivoli Gardens is treating to an evening in one of Las Vegas’ most unique ambiances. This restaurant is not to be missed and was just this week featured in the South Shore Florida News and Tribune in an article by Lynn Kessel.

This is also the ONLY place still open in Las Vegas to celebrate the legacy of Liberace.

Carluccios has an excellent menu with prices for both tourists and locals to love! Affordable fine dining in one of most unique dining rooms ever. You can’t beat the bartenders who mix classic cocktails the way they were intended.

Visit Carluccios and you will be returning to show off Vegas style, at hometown prices to all of your out of town visitors.

Don’t miss the music by Rebecca Olschewski and Brett Barnes performed on the piano autographed by Liberace. Listen to her interview on our podcast. As a former employee of the museum she is inspired by his music and it is truly a dream come true to get to perform in this unique venue.

Call John for reservations before this place fills up! Seating is limited. Call (702) 795-3236

The nice people they are at this restaurant you may be able to get seating on Valentines Day (I see how many people check this from their phones on the day) so still give them a call. This performance is for Saturday night, so call ahead for Monday Valentines Day if you choose to celebrate that day.

A Las Vegas Landmark Designed by Liberace

Carluccio’s presents: “A night of music to love by…”

Saturday, February 12, 2011, 7-10 PM

Rebecca Olschewski and Brett Barnes team up for an unforgettable Valentine’s Special

featuring songs written exclusively for lovers. You’ll fall in love all over again when you hear the selections we’ve chosen to share with you during this very special performance in the Piano Lounge at Carluccio’s Italian Restaurant!

“Romance without finance is a nuisance…”

Come on out and take advantage of Carluccio’s Sweetheart Stimulus Special!

On this night only, receive your first glass of house red or white wine complimentary with the purchase of your dinner.  We are pleased to extend our Happy Hour special which includes half-priced drinks and appetizers until 10 PM.

Seating is limited. Call (702) 795-3236 for more information or visit: www.carlucciosvegas.com (Also on Facebook)

Carluccio’s is located at: 1775 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119

(corner of Tropicana & Spencer)