Saturday, May 21, 2016 brought forth the 2nd Annual VIVA Awards (Vegas Icon Visionary Awards) presented by Forgotten Song Foundation. It was a joyous night from the moment you stepped through the doors of the splendid, renowned Fifth Street School into a cheerful room filled with music, colorful art work and raffle gifts. It was a place where friends gathered, excited to talk and re-connect, and perhaps place a bid on the beautiful pieces available for auction while dining in the auditorium. Featured vocalists were Toscha Comeaux, Lisa Gay and Sophia Lelis. Musicians were Rick Vittallo and Cook County: Rick Vittallo, Paul Testa, Bill Callahan, and Gary Anderson.

Featured artists were Beti Kristof, Jennifer Main, Terry Ritter, Tanja Nikolic Norbert, Mary Santos, Jim Sammarco, Marilyn St-Pierre, Nikki Sands, Jane Israel and Zinovy Shersher.

For the second year, Clint Holmes was the honorable host for this event, joined by his wife, Kelly Clinton-Holmes as the hostess. Since moving to Las Vegas, Clint was known as its “best kept secret” by the Las Vegas Magazine and voted “Best Singer” for 2 years in a row and now serves as Artist-In-Residence at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. He was inducted into the Buffalo Musical Hall of Fame and into the Casino Legends of Fame. Kelly Clinton-Holmes lightens any scene with her beauty and humor. She was a winner on ABC’s “America’s Funniest People,” and in 2011 and 2012 Broadwayworld.com nominated her as “Best Comedic Actress.” The Nevada Woman’s Chamber of Congress awarded her “Entertainer of the Year” in 2015. One of her greatest passions is mentoring young entertainers. She and Clint performed together at this event and were a smash hit as usual

Each year, two people who have helped keep and expand music and the arts alive here in Las Vegas are chosen. This year, Ken Hanlon and Keith Thompson were honored for all they do. Ken Hanlon has played trombone in many venues since earning his Bachelor, Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Ken served a total of 16 years as Chair of the UNLV Music Department and is now completing his 47th year at UNLV, currently on a five-year retirement program, teaching 50% of the time and directing the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Center. Keith Thompson is known as a musical director and conductor for many venues, such as “Las Vegas Jersey Boys,” “The Producers,” “Hair Spray,” “We Will Rock You” and recently, “Mamma Mia.” Keith won the 2000 Dora Award as Musical Director for the Cabaret in Toronto and so many more touring shows. Keith is co-composer and musical arranger for the new comedy-musical, IDAHO, which won “Best of Fest” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and is slated for full scale production at the Smith Center this summer.

As part of the Annual VIVA Awards, scholarships are awarded by Forgotten Song Foundation to music and art students from UNLV and CSN. This year’s recipients are Joseph Schaben (CSN), Jose Silva (UNLV) and Jason Vazquez (UNLV). WHAT A NIGHT!