21 Italian American Club JUNE 2014 News from the Italian American Club “The Swankiest Club on community in Las Vegas and will begin at 7pm. Members making it easy to obtain your the Planet” it continues to shape Las Ve- may invite a guest to join us at member discount and points. Las Vegas Sun entertain- gas and help make it one of the no cost. Please go to the Club’s Membership cards associated ment reporter John Katsilom- seven great cities of the world. website, www.iacvegas.com, with lapsed memberships are etes said in his May 5th story Because Las Vegas is visited and click on the Membership deactivated within 60 days of on the Bob Anderson’s Frank by almost 40 million people we Dinner Reservation link. Ev- the member’s membership an- the Man, the Music, “After the are uniquely qualified to be- eryone interested in joining is niversary date. The Board has show at the Venetian, we all come one of the nation’s lead- welcome to attend. RSVP is indicated that we may freeze went to the Italian American ing voices in the Italian Ameri- NOT necessary, but you have membership at 1,000 in order to Supper Club, because, that’s can community. Why join the to be on the list if you are not provide members with the best what you do after seeing Sina- Club? Because at the Club, we intending to pay. Arrive early, possible experience and ben- tra on the Strip. The Club is the are all family. Bocce Leagues, have a drink in the lounge, meet efits of membership; so, if you swankiest club on the planet.” golf tournaments, educational new people. And when dinner know someone who is interest- The after show party Bob threw scholarships, and our newslet- is over, please stay to enjoy live ed in joining, bring them to the music. Please make sure to at the Club was attended by ter all help to create a bond be- Club so they can experience the about 350 people and the who’s tween all of us who are proud to have your hand stamped in or- der to eat. love and good times. who of Las Vegas. The food, be Italian. We offer non-Italian Here are some other impor- drink and entertainment was a memberships as well. We are Membership Committee tant things to remember: night to remember. open to the public. Please go to News • Membership applications: Italian Americans, there is www.iacvegas.com. no better investment than to be- Good News!!! The new New members can apply sev- come a member of the Club. In- General Monthly cards are in and by now you eral ways: at the Club, online vestment? Yes, it is an invest- Membership Meeting should have received your Ita- at www.iacvegas.com, online ly blue card. If you have not, ment in your health and your Wednesday, June 4th, through our weekly email heart; it’s an investment in your please call 765-537-8480 and 6pm we’ll get it straightened out. newsletter, or completing the happiness and the happiness of The evening will start those you care about. Life is Remember to use your application in Ciao Tutti. with our special Italian buffet often tough, and we all need a card whenever you come to • Join the membership com- place where we can go that will ($10.00). The general meeting the Club. It is important for mittee: If you are interested relieve life’s heartache and nat- in joining the excitement of ural shock. being on the membership We feature the oldest Ital- ian restaurant in Las Vegas, in committee, please call 760- the same building that the long 547-4547 or send an email to list of famous, infamous and MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ANGELO A. CASSARO [email protected]. influential Italian Americans CIAO PAESANI, • Invite a guest for free din- visiting or living in Las Ve- ner to our “first Wednesday gas – including our benefactor MANY OF OUR NEWER MEMBERS, AND THE LAS VEGAS COmmUNITY IN GEN- ERAL, ARE UNAWARE OF OUR 54 YEAR HISTORY. I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE of the month membership Frank Sinatra and his pal Dean INTERESTED IN SOME FACTS. THE IAC IS THE OLDEST ITALIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATION IN LAS VEGAS. meeting/dinner”. Remember Martin. Jimmy Durante, Perry THE INFORMATION IN THIS FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THIS MESSAGE WAS TAKEN Como, Rocky Marciano and Joe FROM PROFESSOR, AND PH.D., ALAN BALBONI’S BOOK, BEYOND THE MAFIA. I that you must make a reser- DiMaggio also visited the Club ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT. IN 1960 A GROUP OF ITALIAN AND ITALIAN AMERICAN MEN STARTED vation at www.iacvegas.com to relax, have a nice bowl of pas- MEETING AT VARIOUS ITALIAN AMERICAN RESTAURANT LOCATIONS TO DEVELOP one week before so we can ta or a big thick steak. And we AN ORGANIZATION TO PRESERVE THEIR HERITAGE. THE GROUP INITIALLY BECAME KNOWN AS THE JOHN DELUCA ITALIAN AMERICAN SOCIAL CLUB. IN make adequate preparations can enjoy that history too. It’s a MAY OF 1961, THE “CLUB” HELD ITS FIRST ANNUAL BALL AT THE RIV- blast having dinner at the Club, IERA HOTEL AND WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 2500 PEOPLE. THE ITALIAN for everyone, or you can AMERICAN STRIP ENTERTAINERS GREATLY AIDED THE CLUB’S FUND-RAISING call 765-537-8480. There dining near people you know; EFFORTS. FRANK SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN, TONY BENNETT, VIC DAMONE, served by waiters who know JImmY DURANTE, FRANKIE LANE, SONNY KING, TO MENTION A FEW, HELPED will be a list at the front you, and treated special by Jim- RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PURCHASE THE LAND AT THE CLUB’S PRESENT LOCA- TION. AL BOSSI, MY DEAR FRIEND AND FIRST IAC PRESIDENT, ORGANIZED desk. Please make sure your my Gerard and Ben Spano. IAC MEMBERS AND LOCAL CONTRACTORS DOMINIC BIANCHI AND TONY MARNELL name is on it. If it is not, The Club is a nonprofit or- TO HELP BUILD OUR 12,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING. FAST FORWARD TO 1988, WHICH WAS MY FIRST TERM AS IAC PRESIDENT. please see Edward Bevilac- ganization that earned its char- THERE WERE MANY CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING THE CLUB’S BUSINESS, IN- ter in April 1960. As expected, CLUDING ATTRACTING NEW MEMBERS. THERE HAD ALWAYS BEEN A SEPARATE qua, or our president, Angelo IAC WOMEN’S AUXILIARY. BY 1990, WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO MERGE it was founded by local Italian THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT YOUNGER MEN AND WOMEN. Cassaro, to get things fixed. Americans in order to celebrate ALTHOUGH MANY WERE RELUCTANT TO THE MERGER, “ALLOWING WOMEN” TO our Italian heritage, help the BECOME MEMBERS WAS THE THING TO DO. AFTER ALL, IT WAS THE ‘90’S. IAC Congratulates Cindy NEXT, AROUND THAT SAME TIME, THE CLUB THOUGHT WE SHOULD TRY SLOT less fortunate and those moving MACHINES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS AND ADDED REVENUE. THAT Doumani as she was to Las Vegas, and most impor- MEANT WE HAD TO BE “OPEN” TO THE PUBLIC. PRIOR TO THAT, FOR THE honored this week by the FIRST 30 YEARS, WE WERE A “MEN ONLY, PRIVATE SOCIAL CLUB”. ALTHOUGH tantly, to have lots of fun. The THE SLOTS WERE NOT REALLY POPULAR, OR PARTICULARLY MONEY MAKERS, THE Nevada Opera Theater Club features fabulous Italian RESULTS OF BEING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HELPED ELIMINATE THE “MYSTERY” cuisine, with only the freshest ABOUT THE CLUB AND HAS LED US TO THE POPULARITY WE EXPERIENCE TODAY. Association at their annual WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE NON-ITALIAN AMERICANS ENJOY OUR CLUB, EXPERI- choice meats, fish and pasta ENCE OUR CULTURE, OUR HERITAGE, OUR FOOD, AND OUR ENTERTAINMENT. awards banquet, held at dinners, full service bar and I EXPECT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, I WILL SHARE A FEW STORIES the Club with over 200 in OF OUR HISTORY AT THE CLUB. live entertainment Wednes- LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE. attendance, for her life day through Sunday staring at time achievements and 5pm. Now, in 2014 --54 years ANGELO later, the Club is still the key- continued support. stone of the Italian American Continued on page 24 24 JUNE 2014 Italian American Club News from the Italian reer of Legendary Saxophon- American Club ist Don Hill, which is available Continued from page 21 on Amazon, eBay and at “The Jazzin’ Jeanne Brei and Swanky Supper Club Soiree” the Speakeasy Swingers for purchase and signing. Cov- June 5th er is $10 for those not having Jazzin’ Jeanne Brei and the Speakeasy Swingers An Evening with Paul Weekly e-blast: All mem- Campanella, June 28th, bers should be receiving an The monthly Swanky Sup- the buffet and includes 3 raffle 8pm email each Friday by 3pm. If per Club Soiree with Jazzin’ tickets for a 9pm drawing for Paul Campanella is an you are not, please call. Our Jeanne Brei and the Speak- complimentary tickets to Las actor, singer, and entertainer goal is to provide relevant in- easy Swingers has heard your Vegas shows, a free hair salon who will be playing classic formation and give our mem- requests! This month, on the visit, a free massage, free per- Motown, Memphis Soul, and bers an opportunity to par- first Thursday, June 5, we’ll ticipate. Please send emails sonal training, and more! R&B, with special guest com- be instituting a delicious Ital- ic Louie Cardone and female to [email protected]. ian American Club buffet for F.I.O.R.E. (Fun Italians vocalist Rockie Brown, This Circulation is up to almost those dining in the Ballroom 1,000 per week.