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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Revel definitely hit the nail on its $2.4 billion dollar head with its holiday-weekend booking of super-duperstar Beyonce.

The four-show run that concludes Monday—the singer’s first and only performances since the birth of her daughter, Ivy Blue Carter (pop, of course, is hip-hop overlord Jay-Z)--is an exclusive that instantly confers upon Revel world-class status. But in Beyonce, the mega-resort has a headliner whose theatricality matches that of her host property.

Saturday, the sold-out, 5,050-seat Ovation Hall was packed with enthusiastic devotees (many of whom paid hundreds of dollars for the privilege of attending)—as well as such VVIPs as First Lady Michele Obama and her two daughters, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Norristown-bred actress Maria Bello. Royalty and commoner alike were obviously dazzled and delighted as Beyonce and her small army of supporting singers, dancers and musicians (who comprised an eight-piece, all-female band) conjured an impressive onslaught of sight, sound and motion.

Beyonce's name might have been the one on the ticket for the two-hour, 27-song program, but those responsible for its design and staging deserve as much credit as anyone. The show's visual centerpiece was a stage-spanning video display screen offering an endless array of multi-hued shapes and geometric patterns, not to mention crystal-clear wide shots and close-ups of the star. The result was a dramatic presentation befitting a performer of Beyonce’s magnitude.

Among the most stunning examples of the optical wizardry were the blue-and-white columns of light that framed the curtain-raising “End of Time” and the electronic backdrop for “I Miss You,” in which a male dancer was silhouetted in kinetic, black-and-white stripes.

Throughout, the evening was animated by athletic choreography that animated a large percentage of the more than two dozen songs on the set list. It is testament to Beyonce’s star-power that her stage incandescent presence never allowed the visual pyrotechnics behind her or the hyperkinetic dancers beside her to rise above the peripheral.

Nor, it should be added, did Beyonce need to call attention to herself with the kind of sartorial extremism that Lady Gaga (and Madonna before her) require. As a matter of fact, the series of shape-hugging, leg-baring costumes in which she was garbed were, by today’s standards, almost demure.

As for the music, Beyonce kept the needle in the red zone for much of the show, dealing primarily in such full-throttle, groove-intensive signature tracks as “Love on Top,” “Get Me Bodied” and the concert-closing “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” And she showed off a nice sense of historical debt by paying loving tribute to two of her antecedents who recently passed away, Donna Summer (“Naughty Girl”) and Whitney Houston (“I Will Always Love You’).

But the most interesting moments may have been those in the mid-set segment during which she dialed it back and removed most of the sonic and visual distractions. Her versions of the ballad, “1+1,” “Resentment” and Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor”—the latter two relying on the strum of an acoustic guitar for its musical backbone--proved a nice respite from the relentless thump-thump-thump of the many dance-pop numbers. It also gave Beyonce a break with having to compete with the wall of sound provided by the band, as well as a chance to show off the breadth and depth of her vocal abilities.

In all, a performance worthy—and then some--of the two-months of hype that preceded this weekend, and a fitting climax to Revel’s long-awaited grand opening.  

 

 



Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 6:15 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
Friday, May 25, 2012
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The latest iteration of the legendary reggae group, The Wailers, performs a free concert Friday at 8 p.m. at Sammy's Beach Bar at Bally's Atlantic City. Photo: www.ballysac.com

If it’s Memorial Day weekend, it must be time for some outdoor rockin’ and revelry down AyCee way.

Friday will see all four casino-operated al fresco saloons—three of them beach bars--up and running. While it had a special sneak-peak last weekend, Sammy’s Beach Bar at Bally’s Atlantic City officially kicks off the Summer of ’12 Friday with a free 8 p.m. performance by reggae titans The Wailers.

Sandwiching The Wailers’ appearance will be sets by DJ Sonatra (3 to 8 p.m.) and DJ Aiden Scott (post-show to 3 a.m.).

Also welcoming the unofficial start of summer are Trump Plaza Beach Bar and The Atlantic Club Beach Bar. All three surfside clubs offer various food and beverage specials, live music (generally cover bands) and DJs.

For those who prefer a bay view rather than ocean vistas, The Deck at Golden Nugget is the place for music, Margaritas and munchies. Located on the Frank Farley Marina, The Deck is pretty much the only remaining piece of what was Trump Marina (virtually everything else, inside and out, was lost in the recently completed, $150 million renovation project).

Freebie at Showboat

If the great indoors is your preferred musical venue, be advised alt-rockers Alien Ant Farm (where do these young people get these wacky names?)—which sort-of specializes in Michael Jackson covers--is staging a free show Friday in the Party Pit of the House of Blues casino inside Showboat Atlantic City. The tuneage starts at 10 p.m., but as always, it is recommended you get there early in order to score comfy seats on the Pit’s sofas. And, of course, you must be 21 to attend.

‘Legend’ary lineup

Friday is also the day the latest edition of the popular musical mimic-fest, “Legends in Concert” kicks off at Bally’s.

Through July 11, what is now known as the Legends in Concert Theater (formerly the Palace Theater in the Claridge Tower) will host a cast paying homage to Whitney Houston, Adele, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Justin Timberlake and Marilyn Monroe.

Show times are 8 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Wednesday (matinees end June 27) and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $32.50 (adults) and $16.25 (kids 12 and under). For tickets, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

‘MIPW’ at Harrah’s

As the Most Important Person in the World (well, she must be, based on how frequently she is mentioned in the media), Kim Kardashian could spend her holiday weekend anywhere talent, grace and intellectual heft are welcome. She has chosen to spend part of it at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

Sunday afternnon, Her Fabulousness will be hosting the "Daydream" splash party at the Pool at Harrah's. Also on hand will be DJs Nicky Romero, Victor Calderone and Serge Devat. If you want to bask in her celestial glow, it'll cost you $47.50 (for the only tix still remaining). To oder, go to www.Harrah's Resort.com.

Mountains of holiday fun

If you’re heading to the Poconos for the weekend, you can check out the holiday festivities at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Pocono Township.

Friday at 9 p.m., the gaming hall will offer a free screening of the iconic 1984 movie, “Footloose.” Saturday at 9 p.m., a fireworks display will fill the skies.  Sunday at 8 p.m., Parrot Beach, a (what else?) Jimmy Buffett tribute unit, is scheduled to perform. The weekend wraps up Monday at noon with the Memorial Day Backyard Barbecue, which will feature vendors hawking a variety of traditional picnic fare.

 

 

 

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 4:27 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Atlantic City certainly has enough legitimate hurdles to jump in order for it to become the world-class resort destination it aspires to be. And some of those hurdles—like an aging and aesthetically unappealing building stock that gives AyCee a vibe more in line with Camden than Miami Beach—may ultimately prove to be insurmountable.

But it is difficult to quantify how unfair the latest media-delivered black eye is to the seaside gambling capital.

Monday’s brutal and random stabbing deaths of two Canadian women in the heart of midtown are being played nationwide (if not worldwide) as just another day in Hell East. A perfect example is the Daily News’ Tuesday front page, which is dominated by the headline, “TOURIST DEATH TRAP.”

This is simply unfair. There is absolutely nothing in this tragedy that identifies it as an only-an-AyCee event. The perpetrator of the heinous crimes, a 44-year-old Philadelphia woman who reportedly suffers from mental illness, could have committed them anywhere—from New York’s Times Square, to the Las Vegas Strip to our own City Hall courtyard. That she did so at Michigan and Pacific avenues in Atlantic City was simply a function of coincidence, random chance, or, if you are so inclined to believe, the fates.

But instead of the murders being accepted as just an inexplicable and horrific tragedy, they are being held up as two more indictments of a city that has become a punching bag for a cross-section of Americans including anti-gambling zealots and reporters and editors looking for an easy “hook.”

When the Columbine, Colo. high school attack occurred in 1998, nobody blamed the suburban town in which it transpired. And I haven’t heard anyone condemn Norway for the 2011 massacre of innocent young people by a right-wing fanatic. So why is Atlantic City deemed a co-conspirator in a random and unavoidable event?

It could have happened anywhere—and, in fact does, all the time: How often do we see or hear reports of a mentally unstable person committing acts of horrible violence in cities large and small? But only Atlantic City is forced to bear the blame.

And that is not just unfair. It’s also as insane as someone who would randomly stab to death two innocent women in broad daylight in the heart of a bustling resort town. 

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 1:50 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
Friday, May 18, 2012
Penn Jillette (left) and Teller perform Friday and Saturday at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. (Photo: pennandteller.com)

It's been more than a decade since Penn & Teller established their still-thriving residency at the Rio hotel in Las Vegas. Since then they have been seen on a variety of television shows (including their own Showtime cynic-fest "Bull----"), while Penn Jillette, the verbal half of the magic-comedy duo, is a New York Times bestselling author (last year's "God No! Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales").

The point is that after almost 40 years together, the pair have earned the right to rest on their laurels and coast a little bit. But that doesn't appear to be an option. To hear Jillette tell it, he'd rather burn his face off with the torches he uses in his fire-eating bit than to simply phone in a performance.

During a recent phone call, the leather-lunged entertainer who, with the mono-monikered, Center City-raised Teller, returns to Harrah's Resort Atlantic City Friday and Saturday, spoke of Las Vegas headliners who "worked so hard to have a certain amount of success in show business and then use that success to kind of sort of do nothing.

"The number of people who work up an act and go to Vegas and continue to do that (same) act until they die…so they have more time to what? Play golf? I don't even know what they do.

"Teller and I always marvel at the fact that--with a little bit of exaggeration-every other show in Vegas is exactly the same as every other show in Vegas was 10 years ago. Our show is two-thirds new. Since we moved to Vegas (in 2001) we've written about five hours of new material."

Over the course of time, explained Jillette, the duo's singular act-a hilarious and mind-bending blend of magic and wise-guy humor-has changed in other ways besides content, including the addition of John Thompson, who has long been considered "the magician's magician," by those in the business, as a creative consultant and show director. The format, in terms of how the individual segments are executed, has also evolved.

"We used to think, 'We have this nice trick that we kind of like, how can we make this into 10 minutes?'" offered the garrulous, 57-year-old Jillette. "Now we think, 'We've got this incredibly complicated thing, how can we get it done in two minutes?'

"We finished up working on this one particular trick-sawing a woman in half-and (Thompson) just said, 'Any other magic act in history, after this much work, would have made this the second half of the show, after 35 minutes of build-up and hype and celebration. And you guys get through it in 2½ minutes. And people will get home and go, 'Wait a minute, that was f-----' impossible!'

"We have so much material now we can be very promiscuous with it. Stuff that we would have, even 15 years ago, put as a centerpiece and held on to, we can now slide right over."

Usually when Penn & Teller play Atlantic City, they tend to stick to more of a "greatest hits" menu. This weekend, however, audiences will see illusions of a more recent vintage.

"We're doing a few new things in Atlantic City because we've fallen into the habit of doing the new things in Vegas," he said. "We've played Atlantic City enough recently that we want to change that. We're doing the opener from our Vegas show, called 'Cellfish,' which is a magician-killer. It destroys magicians. And (audience members) know it's a wicked good trick, they just don't know (how good).

"We're also doing 'Helium.' It's one of those impossible tricks we get through in about 3½ minutes that we worked on for two years."

Because they spend most of their time in Vegas, many Americans know Penn & Teller through their joint and individual TV appearances. In recent years, Jillette has been a contestant on two of the highest-rated celebrity-competition shows, "Dancing With The Stars" and "Celebrity Apprentice" (where he can still be seen in the current run. Although he was fired by Donald Trump a few weeks ago, he is a key member of finalist Clay Aiken's team).

According to Jillette, The Donald terminated him because he refused to be a part of the trumped-up (pardon the pun) drama that is part-and-parcel of any reality show worth its ratings. And that, he admitted, is probably why he doesn't see himself being the star of a program that would focus on his personal life.

"It's been talked about a little bit; I'm not enthusiastic about it," he said. "What I'm mostly trying to do is get attention for our live shows so people will come out and see it, and we can keep writing new stuff and doing new stuff and have people come and enjoy it. I think if I got into something ongoing like that it would be a slight change in what I really, really want to do.

"If you woke me up in the middle of the night and asked me what I do for a living, I would say,' I'm a writer who works in the Penn & Teller show.' If you ask me to list how I see myself, I don't think "celebrity" comes up in the top 100. I understand I've been on (celebrity-oriented) shows - but it's not my self-image.

"There's a part of reality shows that just feels like the same as gossip. And that's the part I really don't enjoy. My happiest moment on 'Celebrity Apprentice' is when people comment on the idea I got for the (public service announcement he did for Aiken's charity fundraiser). The rest of that show was talking about things I considered to be akin to gossip. And that moment was talking about an idea.

"How much Clay (Aiken) or Lou (Ferrigno) got on my nerves just isn't something I'm very interested in."

Show time is 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $75. Call 800-735-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Helping hand from Hagar

Rocker Sammy Hagar will be on hand Friday afternoon to open Sammy's Beach Bar at Bally's Atlantic City. The golden-maned former (and possibly future, for all we know) Van Halen front man isn't just making the scene on the strand to beat the drum about the al fresco saloon that is named in his honor. He'll also be handing over a check for $10,000 to St. Nicholas of Tolentine R.C. Church, which has fed the homeless for years.

After the ceremony, Hagar will head up the Boardwalk to Showboat Atlantic City where he'll gig at House of Blues with his band, Chickenfoot, which also includes six-string deity Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chilli Peppers' drummer, Chad Smith and former Van Halen bass man, Michael Anthony.

Show time is 9 p.m. Admission is $62.50, $54.50 and $49.50. For tickets, call 609-236-2583, or go to www.hob.com/atlanticcity.

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 8:07 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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Philly-based "Iron Chef" Jose Garces is among the top culinary talent participating in the first "Taste of Revel" weekend. Photo: www.revelresorts.com

It’s not even officially opening for another two-plus weeks, but Revel is wasting no time flaunting its culinary clout.

This weekend, the first “Taste of Revel” event will be showing off the mega-resort’s embarrassment of gustatory riches. All five chef/restaurateurs who have eateries at the $2.4 billion pleasure dome—including Philly-based Jose Garces—will be participating in a number of wine-and-dine activities. The schedule is as follows (all prices are per person):

FRIDAY

* Maroon 5 Concert Pre-Drink at Lugo Cucina e Vino

Present your Maroon 5 stub and receive a free glass of prosecco with a minimum food purchase of $10.

 * The Taste of Revel Weekend Kickoff; O2; 7 p.m.

Chefs Garces, Marc Forgione, Robert Wiedmaier, Alain Allegretti and Michel Richard serve up their versions of classic American foods including crab cakes, lobster corn dogs, mac-and- cheese and cotton candy. Also offered will be “Reveltinis” made with Belvedere Vodka and Moet Champagne. $95.

* Pastry Party with Michel Richard; The Row; 9 p.m.

Richard (Central) conjures a variety of decadent desserts—perfect accompaniment for the dancers from Ivan Kane’s Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub who will perform. $75.

SATURDAY

* Liquid Brunch; The Social; 11 a.m.

An eye-opening bash featuring Bloody Marys, Mimosas and a DJ. Cash bar.

* The Big Fish Breakdown with Chef Alain Allegretti and Samuel & Sons; Azure; 11 a.m.   

Allegretti (Azure) shares his secrets for preparing a whole Blue Fin Tuna. The four-dish meal includes Rose Champagne from Paul Georg. $100.

* Conquer the Steak with Chef Marc Forgione;  American Cut; noon.  

Iron Chef and three-time Michelin star winner Forgione (American Cut) offers a master class on various types of beef and their preparations. The different cuts offered will be paired with selected wines. $85.

* Art of Paella with Chef Jose Garces, Amada, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Iron Chef Garces (Amada, Village Whiskey, Distrito Cantina) shares his blueprint for lobster-and-seafood paella. Guests will also sample sangria and tapas, including Serrano ham and fig salad, tortilla española, ham croquettes, and escalivada (a vegetable dish). $85.

* Beer and Cheese Pairing with Chef Robert Wiedmaier; The Mezz, 2 p.m.

Wiedmaier (Mussel Bar) will teach how to best match Belgian beer with four artisanal cheeses. $65.

* World Cup Wine Tasting with Anthony Giglio; The Row; 5:30 p.m. 

Sample a selection of eight wines hand selected by Revel chefs at this tasting hosted by sommelier and educator Giglio. The program will end with a vote to determine the program’s best wine. $85.

SUNDAY

* Pig Out; The Cabanas; noon.

The Revel chefs offer their take on pork. Menu includes Garces’ whole roasted suckling pig and Wiedmaier’s pork belly. They’ll be paired with a selection of Pinots chosen Giglio and cocktails made with Jameson and Chivas. $100.

For “Taste of Revel” tickets, go to www.revelresorts.

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 1:31 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Friday, May 11, 2012
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Lynyrd Skynyrd's Saturday concert will be the first staged at its racetrack by the newly re-branded Harrah's Philadelphia. Photo: Harrah's Philadelphia

Friday’s ceremony officially marking the name change of Harrah’s Chester to Harrah’s Philadelphia (see below) is only one of two major events set for the riverside gaming hall this weekend. Saturday’s performance by Southern-rock avatars Lynyrd Skynyrd is, in the overall scheme of things, pretty important, too.

That’s because the gig, which takes place at the racetrack portion of the complex, marks the introduction of the casino as a significant show biz player.

Although Harrah’s has been aggressively booking big (or semi-big) name entertainment since January, promotion has been low-key. Now, it’s ready to establish itself as a regional venue.

“We did it as a result of customer research,” explained Ron Baumann, the property’s senior vice president and general manager. “We asked them what would compel them to come to the property.”

To facilitate the move to a regular schedule of performances, the existing ballroom was converted into the kind of multi-use Event Center that is increasingly the industry norm. “We are looking to do 20 shows this year, half are already booked,” said Baumann.

Currently, the casino’s Web site (which as of Thursday still had www.harrahschester.com as its URL) lists 10 concerts, mostly featuring R&B and classic rock acts (e.g. Tony! Toni! Tone! May 25, Keyshia Cole, July 14 and Creedence Clearwater Revisted July 6. Though not yet on sale, Foreigner is booked Oct. 20). Those looking for something even more vintage for their sonic palates can catch “Great American Songbook” acolyte Michael Feinstein May 27.

There will also be some boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events in the Event Center.

While the Event Center’s seating capacity maxes out at 950 (less for in-the-round sporting events), the racetrack holds 3,000. Ticketholders will be seated in the grandstand with the stage set up on the track’s infield and the Delaware River in the background. “It doesn’t get any better than ‘Freebird’ by the river,” noted Baumann, in reference to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song.

In addition to Saturday’s concert, Baumann said he hopes to do two to four more outdoor shows this year.

Speaking of al fresco music, the younger crowd will be catered to primarily by The Patio, an outdoor bar located on the grandstand’s terrace. The club will showcase the region’s top bar bands, among them Don’t Call Me Francis, Mr. Greengenes and Lefty Lucy.

For a complete list of concerts, go to www.harrahschester.com.

Who cut the cheesesteak?

That would be former Eagles (the football team, not the band) stars Brian Westbrook and Jeremiah Trotter, fast food impresario Tony Luke Jr. (who is opening an outlet at Harrah’s) and world-class competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi. They’ll be joining Baumann for the cutting of a 12-foot cheesesteak Friday at 2:30 p.m. to officially re-christen the gaming hall.

The festivities will also include live music and free cheesesteak sampling.

Two more new venues

This is a big-make that historic—week for the region’s casino entertainment scene. In addition to Harrah’s, both Sands Casino-Resort in Bethlehem and revel will be debuting their performance spaces.

Wednesday, the Sands’ Event Center begins a four-shows-in-four-nights run with alt-metalists Incubus christening the auditorium that will seat up to 3,500 for concerts, boxing and the like. They’ll be followed Thursday by The Beach Boys' reunion tour (featuring guiding genius Brian Wilson on board for the first time since right after the Civil War). Glen Frey of The Eagles (the band, not the football team) on May 18 and country stalwart Alan Jackson May 19 round out the premier-week.

And downnashore, Revel’s 5,050-seat Ovation Hall opens May 18 with Maroon 5. The following night, The Black Keys headline. For Sands and Revel tix, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Wine tasting on a budget

Carmine’s, the popular Italian eatery at The Quarter inside Tropicana Atlantic City, is staging a wine-tasting event Tuesday. While such events are fairly common in AyCee, the twist here is the price.

From 5 to 7 p.m., the restaurant will offer a flight of five different wines paired with samples of Southern Italian cuisine for a mere $12. Featured wineries include White Haven from New Zealand, Apothic and Louis M. Martini from California and La Marca from Italy.

Reservations (required) can be had by calling 609-572-9300.

 

 

 

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 5:39 AM  Permalink | 5 comments
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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Dennis Gomes. Photo: www.gomesgaming.com

Former Atlantic City gaming industry titan Dennis Gomes has been named one of the 2012 inductees of the American Gaming Association’s Gaming Hall of Fame.

Gomes, who died at age 67 in February of complications from dialysis treatment, was, at the time of his death, co-owner and CEO of Resorts Atlantic City, which he and his partner, real estate tycoon Morris Bailey, purchased in December, 2010.

Gomes came to the casino realm in the early 1980s after a stint with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. During his time in law enforcement, he headed up the investigation of mob ownership of Las Vegas casinos that was the basis for the hit Martin Scorsese film, “Casino.”

Gomes, who also ran two other Atlantic City properties, Trump Taj Mahal and Tropicana, as well as casinos in Las Vegas and Indiana., is one of four Hall of Fame honorees. Another is Guy Laliberté, the one-time Montreal street performer who created the “Cirque du Soleil” entertainment empire. The induction ceremony is set for Oct. 24 in Las Vegas.

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 12:26 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Monday, May 7, 2012

Revel has added a fourth Beyonce concert to its Memorial Day weekend schedule.

Ticket pre-sale for the May 28th set is this Friday at 10 a.m. exclusively at www.beyonce.com. If any tix remain, they will be available at 10 a.m. May 14 from Ticketmaster (800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com).

The fourth gig was added because the May 25-27 shows sold out in less than a minute, according to a Revel press release. Actually, some $700 VIP packages (that include a pre-party at Revel's One steak house and Beyonce swag) can be purchased at beyonce.com.

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Beyonce has added a fourth Revel concert Memorial Day weekend. Photo: www.revelresorts.com
Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 11:28 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Friday, May 4, 2012
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Its owner says the new Boogie Nights at Tropicana won rave reviews during last week's sneak-peak events. Photo: Tom Briglia

Tonight’s the night the wraps officially come off the new Boogie Nights disco at Tropicana Atlantic City.

“I’m freakin’ pumped!” proclaimed club creator David Pena. “We did a dry run [last] Thursday with an employee party and a VIP party last Saturday and people loved the room.”

Joining in the celebration, which is open to the public beginning at 9 p.m., are ‘80s popster Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now”), comedian J.J. Walker (“Good Times”) and Randy Jones, better known as the original “cowboy” in The Village People.

To refresh your memory, Boogie Nights is a danceteria that pays homage to the pop culture of the 1970s and ‘80s. It began life in November, 2007 in the space that for decades was the Camelot steak house at Resorts Casino Hotel. Initially, the plan was for it to operate on a selected-nights (e.g. holiday weekends) basis. But the out-of-the-gate success of the nitery--whose clientele tends to be older (30-plus) than that of such casino danceterias as Mixx at Borgata and The Pool at Harrah’s Resort--led to an every-Friday-and-Saturday operating schedule.

Late last year, Pena cut a deal with the Trop to move the club to a space that has been carved out of what was a slot area on the casino floor.

According to Pena, whose burgeoning Boogie Nights empire has expanded to casinos in Baton Rouge, La. and Lawrenceburg, Ind., at 9,000 square feet, the new Boogie Nights is 80 percent larger than its predecessor. The room, like the original, is a veritable shrine to the music, film and TV of the era it celebrates.

The décor includes a wall containing numerous celebrity photographs. Another will trumpet inductees of the “Boogie Nights Hall of Fame” (the first honorees will be disco chart-toppers K.C. & The Sunshine Band). Then there is the wall about which Pena is particularly excited.

“I had a graffiti artist do a ‘Boogie Nights’ wall,” said Pena, who also co-owns the popular Planet Rose Karaoke bar at The Quarter, the Trop’s retail, dining and entertainment complex. “It’s a real reflection of the ‘80s graffiti style.” He added this will be where visiting celebs will post their autographs.

Unlike the Resorts club which, by necessity, had limited seating, the new Boogie Nights has a series of themed seating areas. Among them is the “That ‘70s Suite,” whose accoutrements include an authentic, circa-1977 “Charlie’s Angels” pinball machine, and numerous photos of pop culture heroes from the decade including Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel and Mike Schmidt. There is also an all-pink “Awesome ‘80s Lounge” Pena anticipates will be a hit with those planning bachelorette parties.

The Boogie Nights experience will actually begin before people even enter the club. The space leading to the entrance has been reconfigured as a “party pit” boasting Boogie Nights-themed slot machines and table-game layouts, as well as a DJ.

Another week, another grand opening

For the second time in a week, a local casino will celebrate its official opening with a weekend filled with special events and promotions.

This time, it’s Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia that is partying. The “Tour de Valley” festivities include $5,000 drawings held hourly between 4 and 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday’s performance by comedian Sinbad and Sunday’s Playboy Sweepstakes in which slot players will be eligible to win $1,000 in cash every 15 minutes from 6 to 9 p.m. Playmate Michelle McLaughlin will pose for photos with every winner, and all winners will be given a VIP discount admission pass to 7 the Nightclub.

It was just last weekend that Golden Nugget Atlantic City (formerly Trump Marina) marked its official opening.

Pro Bar milestone

From the Time Flies Department comes word that Resorts is spending the weekend celebrating the first anniversary of Pro Bar, which remains the only casino nightclub—anywhere--catering to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered demographic.

A slew of celebratory events are on tap for the disco that was christened Prohibition when it opened on the casino’s 13th floor last spring. Highlights include Friday’s debut of the Piano Bar, an intimate boite, adjacent to Pro Bar and a performance by whacky Judy Tenuta in the Screening Room, which is also located on the 13th floor (9 p.m., $20, 800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com).

Saturday will see the official Pro Bar party that includes an appearance by actor Jason Dottley of “Sordid Wives” and a musical performance by Crystal Waters (“100% Pure Love,” “Gypsy Woman”).

The party wraps Sunday with the “Diva’s Bingo Brunch” at noon in the Ballroom.  The event features performances by the boys-will-be-girls cast of “Believe: Divas In A Man’s World” (which also celebrates its first birthday this weekend) in between the bingo games.

It’s gold, Jerry

Revel may be offering a slew of one-of-a-kind attractions and amenities, but even the $2.4 billion behemoth on the eastern end of the AyCee Boardwalk doesn’t have what Golden Nugget has installed in its main lobby. Nugget customers can actually purchase real gold from, of all things, a vending machine called “Gold to Go.”

We’re not talking souvenir tchotkes, but honest-to-goodness gold (and silver) coins and bars. The gold pieces run from five grams to one troy ounce, which recently had a price tag of just under $2,000. The prices are based on the global gold market and are updated electronically every 10 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 10:16 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Talk about an odd coupling: Trump Plaza has created a summer-long partnership with The Franklin Institute that will bring an exhibit to the gaming hall.

“Identity: An Exhibition of You” is described as an entertaining and informative look at how science is used to determine the physical, psychological and social elements that make humans who and what they are. It begins May 25 and runs through Sept. 3 (Labor Day). It is the first such collaboration between the venerable Parkway museum and an Atlantic City casino.

“The Franklin Institute has gathered some of the best scientific experts and research on the topic of identity, and transformed it into an experience the entire family can enjoy,” said Dennis M. Wint, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute in a statement released to the media. “This is a very entertaining way to demonstrate the science behind various concepts of the ‘self.’" and we invite everyone to attend.”

Visitors will be able to peruse displays that examine the reasons we look and think as we do, as well as how external forces help shape our personalities.

One interactive station will allow people to see how they would look if their gender and/or ethnicity were different. Another offers a “rapid implicit association test” which can determine an individual’s biases, or if one is better-wired for science or the humanities

“Identity” will be located in the Exhibit Area of Trump Plaza’s East Tower. Admission is $12 (adults) and $8 (kids 12 and younger). For tickets, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com

Posted by Chuck Darrow @ 2:59 PM  Permalink | 4 comments
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About Chuck Darrow
Philly native Chuck Darrow has literally covered Atlantic City’s casino scene since Day One: He was there on assignment the night in November 1976 when voters approved legalized casinos.

Since then, Chuck has covered the town and its gaming industry for several area newspapers -- which is why, in some circles, he’s known as “Boardwalk Charlie.”

You can reach Chuck at darrowc@phillynews.com.

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