The Crystal Lounge

For the past couple of weeks, we've frequented the Grand Sierra Resort.

Since purchasing the property from The Hilton Corporation, GSR has completely renovated the interior of the hotel/casino.

In an area that was never utilized by the former Hilton, GSR has built a new lounge called The Crystal Lounge. There is a nightly performer named Chris Costa -- a vibrant and talented musician.

Costa sticks to the classics -- to artists and bands that actually made good music. Not today's crap.

You've got to see his Ray Charles impersonation -- it is unbelievable.

There is a 20' x 20' dance floor, which is busy for Costa's entire 4 hour set.

What struck me the most about the lounge is during our visits, we've noticed that we are the only people under the age of 40, let alone 30 in the entire lounge area. We watch the dance floor with awe as the other visitors dance the night away. Most of the people dancing are beyond their 40s and most seem to be in their late 50s early 60s. These people can "cut a rug" -- we've seen the Tango, the Fox Trot, the Waltz, and even Swing Dancing.

Two things have been impressed upon me by spending time in the lounge.

1. Our culture has radically changed in the past 50 years. Prior to today's synthetic beats and hip hop bass, youth had music they could dance to -- I'm not talking about the dancing we see on MTV -- I'm talking about dancing...with a partner that knows how to dance. Youth are no longer taught how to dance with another person, let alone the waltz, because appreciation for that music mostly doesn't exist in the youth culture today.

2. I'm appreciative of my upbringing. My parents introduced me to music at a young age and expanded my cultural horizons. I enjoy being able to know about and enjoy the music of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. I enjoy being able to bop along to the Glenn Miller Orchestra or get a kick out of "Run Around Sue."

In the end, Costa's show is a lively one-man act that is very entertaining. I recommend you check it out -- he appears 5 days a week from 7 - 11 p.m.

Now...if I only knew how to dance...