Blub Blub

Date: February 6, 2015

Destination: Mrs. Fish

Cost: $13.00 plus gas

I descended down the staircase into the heart of the new DTLA. Surrounding me were the pretty people of the city, and above me hung a large aquarium - its bright inhabitants gliding through water like the dolled-up guests in the club I'd just entered. Lush gold-fringed curtains lined the walls and kitschy furniture was placed strategically. It felt like a movie set.

I had come to Mrs. Fish to hear a musician-friend play. I love opportunities like these to visit venues I'd normally not seek out. Located in Pershing Square, adjacent to the popular bar, Perch, all that's noticeable from the street are large black double doors and a small sign, attended by a bouncer and a velvet rope. It was early in the evening - the set was to start at eight - and I'd had the good fortune to find free street parking right around the corner.

Once inside, I was relieved to find a mixed crowd (even two seniors), but patrons skewed toward young professionals. Many men were attired in suits and most women donned the current uniform of skintight short knit dresses and staggering pumps. I hung out at the bar, nursing a Mirror Pond from Deschutes Brewery and listening to a band fronted by Mina Ledesma, which did not include my friend.

I swam through the three-leveled club, like the fish above me, and found a nice seat at the downstairs bar with a view of the stage. I pulled out my phone, double checked facebook posts and realized my friend had performed here the night before. Oops. As consolation, the friendly bartender introduced himself, thanked me for "gracing his bar," and offered up a free refill of my brew. The night had been slow so far, he explained.

I stayed and people-watched for a while and then took a stroll outside around Pershing Square. Wandering into the Biltmore Hotel, I enjoyed the glorious architecture and  the historical photos of Academy Award ceremonies long past. The lounge was grooving with a jazz combo and lots of patrons, which gave me ideas for a future Saturday night. I was able to walk in to the grand ballrooms and remember the elegant weddings and events I'd been fortunate to attend there decades ago.

Before too long, it was time to jump back on the 101, happy in the knowledge that I would no longer be intimidated by the downtown club scene. 

Elvis is in the Building

Dates:  November 29, 2014 & January 23, 2015

Destination: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas

Cost: $8 plus gas            

I was in Las Vegas with a bunch of guy friends. After a tasty dinner at Culinary Dropout at the Hard Rock Hotel, the boys decided to go to Ellis Island Casino to play craps. I chose to stick around and peruse the rock and roll memorabilia. Is Mick Jagger really that small? His suit sure looked tiny. Likewise for David Bowie. And the Kiss getups featured some incredible needlecraft. I enjoyed studying old posters from British music festivals located in the elevator banks.

As I wandered past Vinyl, I could see a band playing inside and a sign outside saying "no cover." For me, that's code for "check it out."  On stage was a group with mixed personas: a lead singer in black leather with a starched faux-hawk, a dapper bass player wearing a tailored vest and slacks topped with a fedora, and a fiddle player in a cowboy hat. A friend later dubbed them the Vegas Village People. Their music was a little mixed up, too - strong classic rock melodies with some country twang thrown in.

It didn’t take long to be drawn in to the world of Elvis Monroe. Their musicianship was at a higher level than the average Vegas lounge act. When lead singer, Bryan Hopkins, began introducing his band mates: guitarist Ben Carey (formerly of Lifehouse), drummer Ryan MacMillan (from Matchbox Twenty) and violinist David Pichette (from country band Emerson Drive), I understood why.

This event was the release party for their new single "Rebel" and the audience included the local Fox News team, other local musicians and Bryan's mom. I blended right in with the all-ages crowd, which was a mix of locals and tourists. The mid-sized club was comfortable with an industrial edge. I stayed for the entire show and had a great time.

Curious if I had been seduced by Elvis Monroe at Hard Rock, I decided to catch another concert when I returned to Sin City for a meeting last weekend. It didn't take long to acknowledge that they were the real deal. Yeah, they're slick and commercial, but their melodies are undeniably catchy, delivered with a high level of showmanship. They deliver a "feel good" show with a warm heart and plenty of spirit - perfect for a night when you want to call a friend, grab a Stella and chill for a while. A woman in the audience freaked out when she realized Bryan Hopkins was her former waiter at a Toluca Lake restaurant. He handled this discovery with grace and good humor, but then again, his mom was in the room.