Las Vegas
Colorful Characters
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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HENDERSON. On any given Sunday at Central Christian Church, you can count on being uplifted by its magnificent house band. This is largely due to multi-talented music director, Aaron Stewart, who, besides lending his vocals, plays the keyboard (often two at once) flawlessly. On the occasion when he sings a solo, his voice will give you goose bumps.
EAST OF THE STRIP. The owner of one of Las Vegas's most beloved bars (which has one of the best beer selections in the country, incidentally), Adam Carmer is a regular at his own place. He can readily be seen chatting up patrons or imparting his passion for – and knowledge of – all things beer. And he knows his stuff: He's also the professor of UNLV's beer and wine classes.
DOWNTOWN. With restaurants in three locations and a presence in the city since 1980, renowned chef Andre Rochat is well-known in Las Vegas for his culinary contributions. Consistently voted as having the best French cuisine in the city, Rochat's restaurants have attracted a devoted local following. While his newest locations are more tourist-oriented, his first restaurant (Andre's, on South Sixth Street) sits in a quiet, off-Strip residential area.
THE STRIP. Without a doubt one of the most famous headliners on the Strip, Danny Gans – the "Man of Many Voices" – has been entertaining sold-out crowds for years. The one-time pro baseball player, now a comedic impressionist, has a remarkable repertoire of over 300 characters, all of whom he imitates with perfection. His combination of singing, acting, and poking fun at people makes for an unforgettable show.
THE STRIP. He may be a man, but Frank Marino is more ladylike than most women – his show, "La Cage," depends on it. When it first opened at the Riviera in 1985, it was booked only for a three-month run, but Marino's fantastic female impersonations (Judy Garland, Joan Rivers, and Britney Spears, to name but a few) have made it a Vegas mainstay.
WEST LAS VEGAS. If you don't hear her on the radio, you probably see her on the tube, which is why Lark Williams is one of Las Vegas's most recognizable faces (errr...voices). From 7pm to midnight, her dulcet-toned voice can be heard on 97.1 "The Point," and you can see her seven days a week on "The Home Show with Lark Williams."
DOWNTOWN. The first all-night dining establishment in Vegas, 60-year-old Tiffany's Café inside White Cross Drugs is a nod to vintage drugstore luncheonettes – except it's still open 24 hours a day. On the swing shift is where you'll find Lou, Tiffany's long-time cook, dressed in traditional chef's garb and always ready to engage in a lengthy counter conversation or throw out a wisecrack or two.
DOWNTOWN. The self-proclaimed "Happiest Mayor in the Universe," Oscar Goodman is an ex-mob lawyer from Philadelphia who relocated here in 1964 with a mere $87. Lady Luck must've smiled on him, because he has been mayor of Las Vegas for the past eight years. His willingness to mingle with the people and his "tell it like it is" attitude have made him not just a mayor but a local pop-culture icon.
DOWNTOWN. When you hear the term "spray paint artist," you may think of a juvenile delinquent tagging the side of a building – but go down to Vegas's famous Fremont Street, and your perception might just change. Constant participants in the street's activity, these talented artists create beautiful artwork with amazing speed, in a spectacle that always draws an appreciative crowd.
While you're traveling in the vicinity of Ft. Apache and Sahara, you'll probably be lucky enough to spot The Dancing Guy. Little is known about this Las Vegas staple except that he is consistently in the neighborhood, grooving and talking (about what, who knows?) in the midst of traffic. Unless the person next to you is singing car-radio karaoke, there's no better stoplight entertainment. We all love to people-watch, to catch glimpses of celebs, and to brag that we saw so-and-so. This category showcases citizens who've made their mark on a town. Here, you'll uncover coffee shops where local politicians gather, corners where quirky street performers show off, and places that have lively shop keepers or dynamic chefs on staff. Discover where these famous folks hang out, where they work, what they eat, and even more that you didn't even know you'd want to know!
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We all love to people-watch, to catch glimpses of celebs, and to brag that we saw so-and-so. This category showcases citizens who've made their mark on a town. Here, you'll uncover coffee shops where local politicians gather, corners where quirky street performers show off, and places that have lively shop keepers or dynamic chefs on staff. Discover where these famous folks hang out, where they work, what they eat, and even more that you didn't even know you'd want to know!
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