MOST LOCAL SENIORS avoid going to the Strip for entertainment as most local hotels have entertainment and seniors don't want the hassle of the traffic and parking situations. But in this case I highly recommend a visit to the Sahara Hotel to see and enjoy The Scintas. Even if you've seen their act at the Rio Hotel a new revamped show is there for your pleasure.

It was 6 years ago that the Scintas came to Las Vegas and were playing at the Hilton Hotel in a small venue and I was the first to interview them months before anybody else realized they were an act to see. The first part of this story are exerts from that interview, and the second part is an updated interview of a few days ago.

The Scintas (pronounced shin-tahs) is a family affair. Two brothers, their sister and a family friend rock the room. Generally when I create an interview after attending the performance, I include a question and answer segment, but that went out the window for this story. After watching the Scintas perform I was hoping I had enough story space to convey what I witnessed on the stage.

A much traveled show. They started in Buffalo, NY and have performed in most major cities throughout the country and before thousands, including Presidents Reagan and Clinton. They performed with many major celebrities before audiences, from a few hundred to 11,000, and received overwhelming accolades. I too join those crowds with outstanding praise for the enjoyable show the Scintas gave us. The show starts with brothers Joe and Frank, playing to and with the audience with banter, humor and song. Joe the eldest brother plays the bass guitar. With his rugged good looks, he is the straight man to Frank's jokes, but he contributes his own brand of comedy and is keen in observing the audience for what they can pull off.

Frank plays dozens of musical instruments, from keyboards to strings to brass, and he is self-taught. He does perfect imitations of other singers and his boundless energy is the focal point for most of the comedy routines. After about 20 minutes, their young sister Chrissi is brought to the center stage. Young, petite and blond, Chrissi is a gigantic talent. I could hear traces of Barbra Streisand in her voice, but with a more powerful range. Whatever her renditions, she captivates the audience and always catapults them out of their seats with thunderous applause. After her initial performance, the brothers take over with the able assistance of their friend and drummer extraordinaire Peter O'Donnell who adds his own brand of humor and talent.

This segment has the boys doing many fun and hilarious imitations. Now Chrissi returns to do a "tear the house down" duet with Frank. After this the boys do more "schtick," and just before the grand finale they pulled a surprise—the siblings and their families moved to Las Vegas as permanent residence and their mother, Mary, followed them here—Mary Scinta was introduced by Frank and called up to the stage to do her specialty—yodeling. The applause and cheers where deafening. I had the pleasure to be sitting with Momma Scinta and found her to be a lovely and friendly lady. When I asked them their goal in show business I was told they would like to do a half-hour TV family show.

Since then the Scintas moved to the Rio Hotel and performed there for 5 years. I've seen the show there at least a half a dozen times and most times sat with Momma Scinta, and each time I enjoyed the show as if it was my first time. Some changes were made along the way, all for the best. Momma Scinta got a part in a dinner show Tony 'N' Tina's Wedding where she performs 3 times a week.

Just some night ago I watched the Scintas at the Sahara Hotel, currently in previews as they are adding and changing routines. Every evening they add something new all in preparation for their new grand opening. Still I enjoyed the show and will probably see it many times more.

The entire Scinta group all reside here with their families and live only about 15 minutes apart. They do many benefits and personal appearances for needy causes. They feel that being on the strip at the Sahara is a step-up from the off-the-strip Rio Hotel even though they enjoyed performing there. When I asked them what they thought about "what's down the road" the reply was, we wait and see. Maybe another strip hotel in three years might want us or maybe one of the new hotels under construction.

They still have ambitions of having that TV show and I got a slight hint that one might be on the way. That would be great as they are hard workers and very talented. So for pure fun and great entertainment I suggest you take yourselves and your friends and relatives to see the Scintas, that for the money it is well worth it.