New Years Eve with Vanessa Williams

New Years Eve could not have been better this year.

Michael and our friends John and Mykel joined us for Vanessa Williams' fantastic concert at The Riviera here in Las Vegas.

The crowd at the concert was packed, and Vanessa - as always - was amazing. The audience clearly loved the great music and the energy of the evening.

Vanessa's band was terrific. Vanessa's daughter Jillian was on hand singing backup - looking and sounding like a star herself.  And Vanessa had Broadway's Darius de Haas with her for backup, duets and a Stevie Wonder solo that rocked.

Vanessa sang to perfection, and looked just as glamorous as expected. I love that she knows her fans not only look forward to great singing but serious glam. She sang for almost two hours, getting done about 11:20pm so everyone could get out in time to see the fireworks over the Strip.

Then we joined Vanessa upstairs in her suite to toast the New Year and enjoy the fireworks from a great vantage point above the Strip.

Sorry to gush, but normally I do not "do" New Years Eve. It's just not my holiday. But this couldn't have been better. As Vanessa said, "Fireworks, friends and fun!"

Check out some pics from the evening below (click the pics to view larger).

These were all over The Riviera

Vanessa in concert

Vanessa and daughter Jillian right after the concert

With Vanessa and Michael upstairs for fireworks

Broadway actor and recording artist, the amazing Darius de Haas

With Vanessa, still in concert gown, on the balcony watching the Las Vegas fireworks

Michael and I right after the fireworks ended over the Strip

Our group (John, me, Mykel, Michael) with Vanessa at the end of the night

Celebrate New Year's Eve with Vanessa Williams in Vegas

Whoo-hoo!  Looking forward to New Year's Eve with Vanessa Williams at The Riviera in Las Vegas.

For those of you in Las Vegas who haven't firmed up your plans, join Vanessa for her 9:30pm concert at the Riviera and help support The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada.  Not only do you get a terrific discount, but a portion of ticket sales through this offer will go to The Center.

Click here for the details.  You must print out the flyer at this link to get the discount AND help The Center.

Vanessa Williams - New Year's Eve, Las Vegas

For the past 27 years, Vanessa Williams has been a successful model, a television, stage and film actress, a producer and a singer.

Perhaps you saw her in Kiss of the Spiderwoman on Broadway in 1994, Into The Woods in 2002, Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010,  in Eraser with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1996, on Ugly Betty in 2006 or the past two years in Desperate Housewives. Or in ANY of the long list of credits she has amassed over a stellar career.

But it’s her singing career that brings her to Las Vegas this month. Williams is kicking off the New Year in Las Vegas, where fans can expect to hear her hits and more. She’s known in the singing arena for “The Way That You Love,” “Save the Best for Last,” perhaps her biggest hit, and “Colors of the Wind,” from the movie Pocahontas.

She has also been nominated and won more awards than I can count, and she's still making fantastic music.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a fabulous New Year’s Eve. That's where I'll be.  Singing along with a true diva.

The Riviera, 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31, $70-$150 plus tax and fee. 702-794-9433

Holiday CD: Vanessa Williams Holiday Collection

Easily one of my favorite CDs for Christmas - Vanessa Williams' Christmas Collection is the perfect thing to put you in the mood for the holidays.

With a perfect balance of traditional versions of carols blended with soulful, gospel tinged interpretations, Vanessa brings the Christmas spirit to your holiday library.  This is a real singer.

Vanessa Williams sings George Green's "Higher Ground"

George Green, who wrote this song - "Higher Ground" - with Steve Dorff and Kent Agee, recently passed away.

Vanessa recorded the song for her CD "The Sweetest Days." It was later covered by other artists like Barbra Streisand.

I always loved the song. I think the lyric and melody speak of a life that's been lived.

Happy Independence Weekend kids...

Have a great, relaxing holiday weekend kids...

"Lazy Afternoon" by Vanessa Williams

Nice cocktail, float by the pool, great music from Vanessa Williams,... ahhh.

Interview: Vanessa Williams - "Icon of Style" Gala

As people who read this blog know, a few weeks ago I attended a terrific evening event in NYC honoring Vanessa Williams as a "Fashion Icon" and graduate of Syracuse University.

I went to college with Vanessa and we had a bit of a mini-class reunion the night of the event.

Watch the interview as Vanessa talks about being honored for the first time for fashion and her advice to the young designers of the evening who were showcased in a fashion show. Several pictures of the designers work are featured in the interview as well.

Vanessa Williams video supporting marriage equality

Very proud that I have known Vanessa for 30 years. She's the real deal, and a great friend to the LGBT community.

Citing five states and the District of Columbia where same-sex marriage is already legal, Williams said, “It’s time for New York to lead again.”

I couldn't agree more.

Weekend Chill: Comfort Zone - Vanessa Williams

Gorgeous, talented, does it all...
(including really sings her own vocals live in concert)