Laughlin Correspondence – December 2016

Bill Engvall Headlines Edgewater’s E Center

Top comedian Bill Engvall will be center stage at the E Center on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $85.

Engvall’s first album, “Here’s Your Sign,” was certified platinum and held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 weeks. His second album, “Dorkfish,” and subsequent comedy albums also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Comedy Chart.

Engvall has explored other ventures. He’s written several books, including his 2007 autobiography “Bill Engvall –Just A Guy.” More recently, he was a contestant on season 17 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and made it to the finals. Engvall lent his voice to the animated comedy series “Bounty Hunters” on CMT.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Engvall moved to Dallas and worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher until he tried his hand at stand-up comedy one night. He moved to Los Angeles and in 1992 and after that won the American Comedy Award for “Best Male Stand-up Comedian.” He appeared in several episodes of “Designing Women” and co-starred in “Delta” and “The Jeff Foxworthy Show.” Engvall was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold more than nine million units and received a Grammy nomination. In 2012, he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the “Them Idiots Whirled Tour,” which aired as a special on CMT.

Ben and Noel Haggard with the Strangers Visit the AVI

Ben and Noel Haggard are carrying on the family legacy with a limited number of tour dates in 2016 as they hit the road with their father Merle Haggard’s legendary band, The Strangers. They will appear in the Avi Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. Ticket range is $30-$55.

Currently, Ben Haggard tours with his older brother Noel paying tribute to their father, singing his songs and playing the dates Merle had planned before his passing. The Haggard brothers have recently opened for Willie Nelson and have upcoming shows with Jamey Johnson and The Oakridge Boys.

Gladys Knight Visits the Edgewater

Seven-time Grammy winning Gladys Knight considered the “Empress of Soul” will perform one night at the Edgewater E Center on Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. Over the last 50 years, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums, including four solo albums during the past decade: “Good Woman,” “Just for You,” the inspirational “Many Different Roads,” and “At Last.” She has earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and membership into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Tickets are $35 to $95.

Quick Items

The holiday isn’t complete if you don’t take in a performance of the “Nutcracker Ballet” performed by the Anaheim Ballet at the Riverside in Don’s Celebrity Theatre Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 8-11 at 7 p.m. plus at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The classic heartwarming tale of Clara and her Nutcracker doll will have audiences experiencing battling toy soldiers and menacing mice, athletic Russian dancers, prancing Bon Bons and Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers.” Tickets are $30 and $12 for ages 12 and under.

The Diamonds’ new holiday show Silver Bells and Diamonds will take place at the Riverside in Don’s Celebrity Theater Dec. 20-24 at 7 p.m. The production combines the best of The Diamonds classic tunes from the ’50s and ’60s with holiday favorites like “Let It Snow” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Tickets are $30.

At year’s end, there will be four days of shopping, Dec. 29-Jan.1, at the International Gift & Craft Show being held in the Taos Room at the Edgewater. The show will open daily at 10 a.m. and feature vendors showcasing such handmade items as exotic Indian skirts and tops, belly dancing and Zumba apparel, jewelry, scarves, Native American jewelry and pottery, pain relieving oils and sea salts, home decorations, candles, keepsake boxes, picture frames and more.

Tom & Sharon’s Dance Party will happen again on Saturdays, Dec.3 and 17 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at The Karaoke Dance Club in the Riverside. For information about admission fee, call Tom and Sharon Craddock at 928-444-4067.

—Jackie Brett