Lounge’s New Act

Things have really changed at the Moonlight, the popular night spot in Sherman Oaks.

First off, there’s the name: It used to have that long handle, the Moonlight Tango Cafe.

Then there’s the look. Several months ago, owners Lenetta Kidd and Guy Burgain, who both sing regularly at the Moonlight, remodeled their establishment. They changed the neon sign and awning in front; tore down a wall or two, opening up the back end; moved the bandstand; redid the bar area, and repainted everything, accenting with mauve and fuchsia tones.

The pair hoped the room would have a new feel, and Kidd said it does.

“I wanted the Moonlight to have a ‘50s, early-’60s Las Vegas lounge look,” said Kidd, a San Diego native who now lives in Los Angeles. “I did research, looking at the designs of Morris Lapidus, who designed the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas and the Eden Roc in Miami. His rooms had a lot of curved shapes.”

To cite one change that drew on Lapidus’ concepts, the owners had a large, back-lit kidney-shaped piece installed over the revamped bar. “People never really spent much time there,” Kidd said. “Now they do.”

In conjunction with the remodel, Kidd and Burgain changed the Moonlight’s musical menu. Before, one heard everything from big-band jazz to rock classics. Now the focus is on the ‘50s-’60s lounge trend. This can range from jump swing, a hearty jazz offshoot popularized by Louis Jordan in the ‘40s, to catchy standards such as those that might have been performed by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, a top ‘50s Vegas lounge act. All in all, these changes have resulted in a younger crowd that likes to dance.

Thursday at the Moonlight is now swing night and it has really taken off, Kidd said. Appearing tonight: “The Late Show” swing band, with ace singer Mark Winkler.

On Fridays, Kidd joins pianist-vocalist Pat Tuzzolino’s band for their version of such choice Prima-Smith ditties as “That Old Black Magic.”

On Sundays, Kidd does a switch and appears with Trio Moonlight, which features drummer Paul Turner’s band. Here the fare ranges from swing-era numbers that were first sung by the likes of Helen O’Connell and Doris Day to songs from Motown.

Tuesdays remain big-band night at the Moonlight. This Tuesday, hear trumpeter Buddy Childers’ band with singer Tierny Sutton. “We still get a great response to the bands,” said Kidd. “People know that they can come and meet friends that they won’t see anywhere else,” Kidd said.

* Lenetta Kidd performs Friday, 8 p.m., with Pat Tuzzolino’s quartet at the Moonlight, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. $5 cover, $9.95 food or drink minimum. Information: (818)-788-2000. She also sings Sunday, 6:30 p.m., with Trio Moonlight. Cover, $2.

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Get That Conga Beat: Tonight’s the night for radio station KLON’s (88.1 FM) second Latin Jazz Caravan, which offers a trio of acts in the Valley. At the Moonlight, there’s the splendid trumpeter Bobby Rodriguez, while at the Baked Potato (3787 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood), there’s that red-hot combo, Cecilia Noel and the Wildest Clams. And over at Chadney’s (3000 W. Olive, Burbank), it’s renowned conga drummer Francisco Aguabella. Buses to these and other L.A. area clubs cost $15, $10 for KLON members, and run 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Call (562) 895-7117.