RE-CREATING MAGIC IN LAS VEGAS IS DICEY – BUT WE WERE ABLE TO RING THE BELL!

Note:  I know I've already written about this... but we thought it deserved a 2nd entry!

Several years ago we had a magical night of great jazz, good cards (well at least for half of us!) and great friends at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle.  Sue Bell, the songstress of the evening immediately became our group’s favorite jazz singer and joined our i-pods and car cd players.  So, when the group found that we would be together out West again in Las Vegas for a wedding and anniversary, Dave decided to try to re-create the evening for our friend Keith.  That is always dicey.  How can you re-create the intimate setting and warm wood tones of the Sorrento Lounge?  Would Las Vegas’ glitz over-power Sue’s smooth jazz notes? And let’s face it, you just can’t go back in time!  (Dave and Deb had just finished Stephen King’s 11-22-63 and now know that time travel is scary!!) But Sue Bell overcame all of these factors and brought our group, along with family from both sides of the wedding yet another night to remember. 

The best part was pulling off a surprise on Keith!  Especially considering both of his daughters, all our friends, and his family were in on it!  He literally had to “hold his head together” to comprehend what we had done when he heard and saw Sue Bell!  He danced and gushed all night!

 But the biggest thanks goes to Sue Bell, her pianist Chris and “the other Chris” bassist from Las Vegas.  They provided the catalyst once again for the magic to happen.  Her music and smile were the highlight of the evening and provided us with just the perfect venue to celebrate Keith and

Diane’s 35^th and Dick and Mary Lou’s 28^th Wedding Anniversaries.  There’s nothing better than having an evening of great music and great friends (and good wine!).

Along the way we discovered some new talents….  Dave learned that he is both a producer and promoter as he worked tirelessly to find a venue and put Sue and  TheHotel at Mandalay Bay together.  And Deb learned that she has to be careful about what she writes in her journals…. It just might show up as a press release for the entertainer!

 Hey!  I wonder what David will pull off for our 40^th Anniversary in March?