Las Vegas Mixtape v7: A Reconverted Historic Motel, Rat Pack-Era Eatery, and Hearty New Food Hall — Track #2: “Michael Ross Nugent, A Tribute To Michael Buble Christmas,” @ the Italian American Club

Track #2: “Michael Ross Nugent, A Tribute To Michael Buble Christmas,” @ the Italian American Club

Michael Nugent performing his Michael Buble tribute Christmas show at the Italian American Club. (Image by Vegas 411)

Having grown up in a predominantly Italian neighborhood in the Bronx, I always feel comfortable in the warm old-school ambiance of the Italian American Club. It’s a restaurant, showroom, and “non-profit social club that remains the hub of the Italian American community.” Knowing that the IAC was a Rat Pack-era hangout sweetens the experience of walking into this still-thriving 60-plus-year-old institution.

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Thanks to the hospitality of Vegas producer/designer Cheryl Irwin, I was invited to the “Michael Ross Nugent, A Tribute To Michael Buble Christmas” packed-out show and buffet dinner, which included the IAC’s so-good meatballs. Nugent (no relation to Ted, as he pointed out onstage) held court in the sprawling restaurant’s extensive showroom and was backed by an ace seven-piece band with three horn players.

With his warm, smooth vocals and easy charm, the Buffalo, NY-raised and relatively new Vegas resident mixed Buble originals with holiday classics that Buble is known for singing. Nugent also performed songs Buble has covered, like Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” and Billy Paul’s cheaters’ anthem “Me and Mrs. Jones.”