Vegas Entertainer Wayne Newton Plays Palace; Jim Donovan Leads Sun King Warriors Into Hard Rock (Sat., 11/26/16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpSv4WiJXyI

1) One of Las Vegas’ top acts is in town this month, Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton. A talent scout discovered Wayne Newton while he was playing with his brother Jerry and signed them to come play a two week stint in Vegas. That two week gig turned into a lifetime of entertaining people. Wayne Newton started to open for many top acts including Jack Benny and appeared on “The Jackie Gleason Show” many times. He even had a TV part for a while when he acted and sang as Andy, the young Ponderosa ranch hand on the classic western series, “Bonanza.” Newton asked for and received his own headliner in residence contract at the Flamingo Hotel in Vegas. One of the first of its kind. He scored a big hit in 1963 with “Danke Schoen” which hit No. 3 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart and No. 13 overall.  The song was even used in the classic 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which was lip synced by Bueller.

There’s always been a little bit of mystery surrounding Newton and possible mafia ties, which Newton has always denied. Another curious happening in Newton’s life was when in ’92 his Elvis inspired song “The Letter” went to No. 1 on the Cashbox pop and country song charts but failed to register on the Billboard Hot 100. The first and only time this ever happened. Newton has done numerous charitable works and succeeded Bob Hope in ’02 as the chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle. He is currently touring his Wayne Newton Up Close and Personal show where he sings, plays the 13 instruments he has mastered, tells stories, and takes questions from the audience. This is a great opportunity to see a legendary Vegas entertainer. 7:30 p.m. The Palace Theatre, 21 West Otterman St., Greensburg.

2) 80’s group The Go Go’s once sang “We got the beat” and that can also truly be said of the highly talented Pittsburgh percussionist Jim Donovan. The original drummer for the multi-platinum album selling Pittsburgh group Rusted Root, Donovan co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” which was used in the films Matilda and Ice Age. He retired from Rusted Root to concentrate on his young family and work as a college professor. After a long hiatus he now fronts his own jam band—Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors. One of the ways that he has achieved this high level of percussive performance is through studying the rhythms and drumming of other cultures. Donovan has studied and performed African rhythms with various drum masters including Congolese drummer Elie Kihonia, Mamady Keita, and Mbemba Bangoura. Another mentor in African music for him was the well-known Kwabena Nketia from Ghana. Donovan is a scholar himself, earning a B.A. in Music Performance from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Saint Francis University where he’s an instructor in the Fine Arts department. He’s even published a book, Drum Circle Leadership: Learn to Create and Lead Your Own Transformational Drum Circles, and believes drum circles can be used to enhance social connectivity and wellness. 2008 was a big year for Donovan, he was the winner of the Best Drum Circle Facilitator award, and was nominated for Best Percussion Performance in Drum! Magazine.

2016 is also a good year for Donovan and the Sun King Warriors having played some big local shows recently. In September they opened for his former band Rusted Root at the Allegheny County Music Festival and a few weeks ago opened for The Clarks at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. The Sun Kings also have their first album out, a self-titled one, which Donovan worked on for five years in between his duties as a father, husband, and college professor. Now you can catch the groove rock group at the Hard Rock Cafe in Station Square. 10 p.m. 230 W. Station Square Dr., South Side.

3) Today the Pitt Panthers football team take on the Syracuse Orange in a 12:30 p.m. game. This game is Senior Day. The seniors have been a remarkable group, staying together through several coaching changes and kept fighting back. Get a good look at no. 24 Pitt running back James Conner as this might be his last game before turning pro. Let’s get down there and cheer on the squad. Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

4) Dancing Queen will put people on the dance floor at Baja Bar & Grill. The disco/funk band takes the stage at 9 p.m. 1366 Old Freeport Rd., O’Hara Township.

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