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07-03-2002
Pete Allman's Birthday Bash Benefits Variety Children's Fundraiser
By
Dee Parker
Tribune Media Group
Friends
and celebrities came together for two very good reasons Saturday night at the
banquet room in Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on Paradise Road.
Celebrities and guests participated in a fundraiser for Variety the Children's
Charity of Southern Nevada and to celebrate the 60th birthday of Pete Allman,
local celebrity scene writer and media personality.
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The combination
fundraiser and birthday bash benefited the charity that has served
Southern Nevada for more than two decades providing assistance for
children with challenges in need of special equipment, medical care and
educational programs.
Jason Smith, director
of the local chapter of Variety said, "This is a great evening, we
raised over $800."
Smith
said the money will allow the organization to buy a couple of
wheelchairs and other things needed for the children with a wide range
of developmental, physical and other challenges. "I was happy to see
there was standing room only and that Variety's local chapter received
its well-deserved publicity," Pete Allman said. "I'm working with
Variety on a new project with Jason [Smith]," he added. |
Allen
Fawcett - singer, actor, producer and former host of Dick Clark's 1980's smash
TV lip-sync music show "Puttin' on the Hits"- opened the high-energy evening.
The
audience participated in a sing-a-long and impression sessions.
Performers included blues entertainer Moody Scott's rich vocal sounds. He was
joined by Frank Scinta of the performing family, the Scintas, known for their
amazing impressions and stylized vocals. He did vocal impressions of Ray
Charles.
"I'm
honored to be here tonight," Scinta said and explained Variety's growing
outreach and local needs to the audience.
Other
performers included C. J. Decker doing his tribute to Frank Sinatra and an
astounding impersonation of Judy Garland by Denise Rose.
Vocalist
Antonio Macheri entertained' and singer Sasha, who worked with Wayne Newton,
serenaded Pete Allman. Young Elvis impersonator Michael "M.C." Carter Jr.
performed like "the King."
Special
guests included Joe Jackson, father of the singing family including Michael and
Janet, and Majestic, a magician, promoter and a longtime friend of the Jackson
family.
Pete
Allman received many accolades for his work in supporting the entertainment
industry and artists, and he received a standing ovation from friends and
supporters.
One of
the highlights was a fashion show moderated by Perri Davis, a local model and
actress.
The
production company Boulevard Beats provided sound and their unique video visual
effects. Allman later said the event was a success all night, drew about 200
attendees and "ended with a bang."
Funds
were raised from a silent auction featuring a week of restaurant dining, gift
certificates, gift baskets and other valuable gifts. Marie's Gourmet Bakery
designed the custom multi-tiered birthday cake.
"All the
money raised by Variety goes directly to the children for their special needs,"
Allman said, adding that the gifts in the auction were donated by local
merchants and other donors.
Promoters Say Boxing Will Hold Its Own
by Pete Allman, Celebrity Scene News
Recently the National Association of Black Journalists held a
convention at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas. During the convention, one of the
press conferences included a meeting of the minds about boxing with Don King,
Bob Arum, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and executives from Showtime.
During the course of their conversation, mixed martial arts
was discussed. The question was asked if mixed martial arts would overshadow
boxing.
Showtime is promoting mixed marital arts and it is also
reinvesting in boxing. This, indeed, doesn't mean that boxing will have the
same popularity as it once did, but it's not going anywhere.
Promoter Don King and Bob Arum both agree that there needs
to be a new revitalization in the heavyweight division. Bob Arum said that when
the Internet is perfected there will be more boxing cards. He said that when "we
don't have to pay the big money for television" and we can broadcast on the Internet,
you'll see more boxing.
Top Rank, on the other hand, is promoting club fights on the
Versus Network. The most recent fight was at the Hard Rock Hotel, which featured
heavyweight Tye Fields (38-1, 34 KOs), who won a unanimous decision over Dominic
"The Spoiler" Jenkins (12-7, 3 KOs).
Fields, ranked No. 6
by the National Association of Boxing Federation and former United States
Boxing Association, the former U.S. heavyweight champion came off a 10-round,
unanimous decision win against Kendrick Releford before he fought Jenkins.
Although Fields' boxing style is awkward, he is a natural left-handed puncher,
which gives him the edge against his opponents.
The undercard at the Hard Rock displayed a very promising Bantamweight
with Josef Agbeko, who fought Fidencio Reyes and TKO'd him in 1:37 of round
four.
According to Bob Arum, it's just a matter of time before
boxing moves up the scale of popularity that it once had. Furthermore, Mexican
fighters will continue to be a part of that popularity in the lower weight
classes.
Recently the National Association of Black Journalists held a
convention at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas. During the convention, one of the
press conferences included a meeting of the minds about boxing with Don King,
Bob Arum, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and executives from Showtime.
During the course of their conversation, mixed martial arts
was discussed. The question was asked if mixed martial arts would overshadow
boxing.
Showtime is promoting mixed marital arts and it is also
reinvesting in boxing. This, indeed, doesn't mean that boxing will have the
same popularity as it once did, but it's not going anywhere.
Below are
videos from the evening
(They are in
time order - Filmed by Mark Richards)
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