Powerhouse vocalists Nelia Ross, Angela Teek, and Cookie Watkins usher in a harvest of female talent this fall.
Angela Teek, Nelia Ross, and Cookie Watkins
Update 10/5/23 – Nelia Ross has postponed her appearance at Italian American Club. New date is forthcoming. Ticket purchases will be automatically refunded.
You’ve heard the buzz and seen the hype. As summer turns to fall, female celebrities like Kylie Minogue, Erika Jayne, and Dito Von Teese are heading up new Las Vegas Strip productions. They promise everything from disco to burlesque, with provocative dance numbers and costume changes galore. But three Sin City locals are creating their own kind of heat, and their pedigrees are as impressive as their vocals.
Angela Teek, Nelia Ross, and Cookie Watkins are three very different performers, yet each exudes class and sass in equal volume. Ms. Ross is the new gal on the block, so let’s introduce you to her first. Raised in Abruzzo, Italy, Nelia is already popular in her native country. The singer/songwriter/musician/producer quickly made a big splash when she arrived last year.
Already a regular guest on programs like Ron Garrett’s “Vegas Live Entertainment Radio“, Ms. Ross hosts her own CW show entitled “A Vegas Beginning Starring Nelia Ross“. Ms. Ross returned to Italy this summer, but not before delivering her take on “Proud Mary” (below) at The Dennis Bono Show.
This October 13th, Nelia Ross will premiere a new show at the iconic Italian American Club. Promoted as her official American debut, “A Star Is Born – Italy to Vegas with Amore” will perform at 8 pm. Featuring Grady Harrell and American Idol’s Lou Gazzara, the musical showcase will be hosted by none other than Ron Garrett. Tickets are $65 and include a pre-show dinner. Doors open at 6 pm, buffet dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets can be reserved here.
Dennis Bono may have been surprised when Nelia Ross performed “Proud Mary”, but that’s just another “day at the office” for Cookie Watkins. An accomplished Tina Turner tribute artist, Ms. Watkins is fresh from three sold-out shows opposite John Anthony as Rod Stewart. “It Takes Two” was a non-stop evening of high-energy hits that packed the gorgeous South Point Showroom this past June.
No other tribute artist can capture the look, sound, and moves of Tina Turner like Ms. Watkins. A solid recording artist in her own right, the dancer/singer has been performing as Tina for decades. An alumnus of LEGENDS IN CONCERT, she has toured the world, thrilling audiences with amazing versions of “The Best”, “Proud Mary”, and “Let’s Stay Together” (below).
“Cookie Watkins brings more than a celebrity impersonation to her performance. An international touring Tribute Artist, Cookie has entertained hundreds of thousands of Tina Turner fans around the world. Critics and fans alike consider her as the number one tribute to Tina Turner in the world.”
“Music has been Cookie’s mainstay since Duke Ellington brought her onstage to warble out a few tunes at the ripe age of fourteen. The Duke gave Cookie a coming-out party at the Rainbow Room when she turned eighteen. She even warranted a special mention in his book “Music Is My Mistress.”
Ms. Watkins will take to the Suncoast Casino Showroom stage on September 29th for “Tina – A Tribute to the Queen of Rock and Roll“. Showtime is 8 pm and tickets start at $24.95. You can order yours by clicking here.
In an industry where people come and go with shocking regularity, few can match the longevity of Angela Teek. A treasured veteran of Sin City’s Golden Era, Ms. Teek has performed alongside such legends as Red Foxx. Her career has spanned everything from a production of “Ain’t Misbehavin'” at Sahara Hotel to a live recording of Cole Porter’s “You Never Know” with Kristin Chenoweth in 2001.
Like this writer, she’s a native of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area and is a former winner of the famed “Star Search” talent competition. Ms. Teek is represented by the well-known Nick Alan and has performed on Broadway and in big-screen films. She’s worked with names like Robert Townsend, Don Rickles, and Vegas legend Blair Farrington.
Never one to slow down, Ms. Teek is still a favorite on the Vegas entertainment scene. Her sultry vocals have charmed audiences at Bootlegger’s Bistro, Piazza Lounge at Tuscany Resort, Myron’s Cabaret at the Smith Center, and Delilah Supper Club at Wynn.
“It’s extremely rare that we get the chance to present talent this exceptional. If you haven’t heard the name ANGELA TEEK, take notice of this dynamic vocalist extraordinaire! The Broadway Star, Vegas Headliner, recording artist, supper-club sensation, winner of Star Search (Top Female Vocalist), and film-television actress will now grace the stage with her sensational live show.”
This Friday, September 1st, Mistinguett Productions presents Dennis Blair’s “The Rendezvous – From Garland to Gershwin” with Angela Teek. Showtime is at 6pm inside Summerlin’s Starbright Theater. Tickets start at $25 and can be ordered here.
