The fresh perspective on Las Vegas
Esmeralda Padilla-Gould’s official wardrobe sponsor for VegasVibes is Anne Fontaine. Anne Fontaine is located at the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace Las Vegas. A special thanks to Ms. Anna Stewart Vian Billings, General Manager at Anne Fontaine.
On today’s episode of VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould, we feature Deborah Alexander, the widow of Frank Alexander, the former bodyguard of the late rap star, Tupac Shakur. On April 28, 2013, Frank Alexander sadly took his own life. This traumatic event was witnessed by Deborah. She’s back on VegasVibes to talk about the book she has recently published, The Private Life of Big Frank, and her journey living with grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould Season 10 Episode 1 proudly features Jef Flores, a Filipino-American singer-songwriter and an award-winning theatre actor.
VegasVibes 2021 Season 9 Episode 13 hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould proudly features Reese Idica. Coach Reese was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii. He started his career in Martial Arts at the tender age of 13 and mastered the arts of Kenpo, Muay Thai, Kali, Jun Fan JKD, wrestling, boxing, and shootfighting.
In 1997 he was influenced by the early days of UFC fighting by a friend to try out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He also began competing in in-house MMA gym competitions (since Mixed Martial Arts at the time was not well received in the communities and the public.)
Thank you for joining us, Reese, it’s a pleasure having you today. When did you move to Las Vegas and start your journey with martial arts?
“In 2001, I moved to Las Vegas. I became a student of the First Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/MMA school of Las Vegas called “Jsect” owned by former UFC fighter John Lewis (also known as a pioneer of MMA and the owner of the MMA show called World Fighting Alliance). John was instrumental in the merging of the Fertittas buying the UFC. He was also their first Jiu Jitsu Teacher.”
Are there any well known or exceptional fighters you’ve had trained/fought with?
“I’ve trained with world class MMA Fighters and Grapplers such as John Lewis, Marc Laimon, Sim Go, Sonny Nohara, Kimo Leopoldo, Marvin Eastman, Rafael Lovato, Carlos Newton, Gilbert Yvel, Jeff Glover, Frank Trigg, Razor Rob McCullough, Vitor Shaolin” says Idica.
You seem to be quite involved and well rounded with several styles. Have ever considered teaching?
“I am also certified as a Black Belt and affiliated under the powerhouse team in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the UFC called “Nova Uniao” aka New Union. I assisted teaching at Fight Capital Gym (formerly JSect) in June of 2013 and began my Journey as a Black Belt in January of 2015. “ Reese continues….
“Since then I have opened up under my own BJJ academy called Nova Uniao Las Vegas/Rivals BJJ.”
Reese is a multi-faceted individual, to say the least. He continues, “I have also been a Law Enforcement Official for 1 5 years. I instruct my own Defensive Tactics Lesson Plan For Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies and have the only Jiu Jitsu based P.O.ST. Approved Certification in Nevada.”
VegasVibes Season 9 Episode 12 hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould proudly features, Sterling Buckley. Mr. Buckley is a great chef who is very passionate about food and cooking since he was a child. He has worked as the executive chef in many of Las Vegas’ top restaurants like Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse where he was inspired to elevate his talents while working for one of the top chefs in the world. He has also worked for David Chang at Momofuku, Michael Morton at La Cave, and Michael Mina at Strip Steak and Hakkasan Group. He’s currently the executive chef at the exclusive Honey Salt restaurant in the Rampart Commons in Las Vegas. VegasVibes is very pleased to interview the singing chef, the remarkable, Chef Sterling Buckley.
VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould Season 9 Episode 11 proudly features Kevin “KB” Brewer. Mr. Brewer is the co-creator and one of the original members of Jabbawockeez, a world-renowned dance group currently performing at the MGM Resorts International in the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. Kevin is also the founder of Beat Kune Do which he describes as “A way of intercepting beats, a journey into freestyle dance utilizing movement ideology and martial arts as the inspiration for development.”
Calvin Gribble a.k.a. Coach Cal is a World Champion in Sport Karate and Kickboxing, who has fallen in love with its art and wanted to spread its life changing impact to others by his missionary-like drive to teach. Mr. Gribble is truly a World Champion with a gift of sharing his knowledge and techniques with his students.
VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-GOULD proudly features Zenna Ira. Zenna is a 13-year-old Filipino-American singer and dancer from Daly City, California. She is a National Anthem Singer and a front act of celebrities like the American legendary singer David Pomeranz, as well as other international singers. Zenna was the Golden State Showcase People’s Choice Champion in 2020 and was also The Filipino Channel (TFC) Tawag Ng Entablado 1st Runner Up. She had appeared in numerous Bay Area Festivals, virtual shows, Barangay USA show, and other radio programs. She wants to be a pop star and a lawyer in the future.
VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould proudly features Rabby Yang. Mr. Yang is an extraordinary and internationally awarded magician from China who recently graduated from the University of California Berkeley’s School of Business. He participated and won the hit television show “Penn & Teller Fool Us” and was awarded the Junior Achievement Award from the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He can be seen on television in both the United States and China.
VegasVibes hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould proudly features Chris Ihle. Mr. Ihle is a uniquely talented man excited to share his inspiring story about a crazy dream turned into his vision, then through sacrifice and unparalleled determination realized and brought to life, a remarkable business fabricating one of a kind facsimiles of loved ones, pets, historical figures… you name it. All from those little plastic building blocks we’ve all played with as children, and stepped on, barefoot as adults.
VegasVibes Season 9 Episode 5 hosted by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould proudly features Enzo Morales, a native of the Philippines. Mr. Morales is a great vocalist whose talents bring pride and prestige not only to his family but to his country as well. His incredible voice has earned many awards during the World Championships of Performing Arts singing competition back in 2014. Enzo is also a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
