Las Vegas goes to ‘The A-List!’
November 6, 2013 by Las Vegas Black Image Magazine
Filed under Highlights
Las Vegas goes to ‘The A-List!’
BY KIMBERLY BAILEY-TUREAUD
There was a time when Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos greeted visitors with elite R&B musicians, but what has seemed like a decades long timeout from that practice appears to be ending thanks to the work of promoters such as Anthona McNeil, who has been filling the void with homegrown talent known collectively as The A-List. Recently, in collaboration with Sherry Gordy, they spotlighted some of Las Vegas’ finest performers with “The A-List Open Mic” at Station Casino’s Fiesta Rancho Club.
“‘The A-List Open Mic’ features local musical groups and artists, along with some international groups and artists — that is the focus,” McNeil said. “I have been doing this kind of promotion since 2004, when I started at Jerry’s Nugget. I try to assist performers with the promotion they need to be seen on the larger Las Vegas stages.”
Originally from Detroit, McNeil has been in the promotions business since 1983. Known also for promoting “Old School at the Pool” events over the summer at the LVH, McNeil acknowledged that local performers face challenges.
“I give performers a platform to perform here in Las Vegas,” she said. “It is very difficult to get a stage to perform on and show people what you can do. With our A-List productions, you get a built-in audience that attracts a minimum of 150 people to a maximum of 2,500.”
McNeil’s productions move around the valley to give performers opportunities to perform at various entertainment venues. “My last day of promoting ‘The A-List-Open Mic’ at Station Casino’s Fiesta Rancho Club was Oct. 31, and we have been offered a new location. But, I am really excited about promoting BET’s Soul Train Music Awards, which will be in Las Vegas on Nov. 8. I am getting situated because this is a pretty big job. I will announce the new showroom location for my ‘A-List’ musical performers very soon.”
McNeil’s company, The-A-List.Biz, also sends local R&B and jazz performers on all-expenses-paid trips to perform overseas. It has done so for each of the past five years, with a goal of showcasing professional entertainers to a broader audience.
“The-A-List offers the promotion for local professional performers to have a great audience to hear them perform,” McNeil said.
For additional information, contact Anthona McNeil at www.The-A-List.Biz or call (702) 204-7412.