Gaming Section 4/19/12

COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012 1S

courierpostonline.com

Stones’ Wood goes solo

Ronnie Wood is known for his stellar guitar skills, but he’s also become quite the visual artist.

BRIAN RASIC/REX FEATURES

See his work on stage, on the walls What a month guitarist Ronnie Wood has had.

On April 9, he appeared at an art exhibition of his own work called “Faces, Time and Places” at the Broome Street Gallery in New York City. The exhibit is open for a three-month run.

On April 14, he was inducted for a second time into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this time as a member of Faces (1969-75). His first time was with The Rolling Stones, which he joined in 1975, replacing Mick Taylor.

In conjunction with the art exhibit in New York, Golden Nugget will open a satellite gallery Friday in the Chairman’s Club on the fourth floor, featuring nothing but Wood’s artwork.

“We are committed to the exhibit indefinitely,” said Golden Nugget Vice President and General Manager Tom Pohlman.

“But we’ll play it by ear.”

Because of the commitment to the exhibit, the guitarist is set for a solo gig at the casino hotel on Saturday night.

Expect to hear such hits as “Stay With Me,” a song he co-wrote with Rod Stewart, and “Ooh La La.” Art has become as much a part of Wood’s life as music. While touring and recording, Wood frequently sketched in notebooks. Through his artwork, he cre-

ated an illustrated history of rock ‘n’ roll, chronicling his life and music career in drawings of his band mates, musical influences, friends and family. With each piece, he gives people a glimpse into the private life of public figures.

On ronniewood.com, Wood posted this about his art career. “I have been painting on my iPhone and iPad for a while now and will be keeping you all in the loop by showing you some on my site. Now I can paint on the move, in the back of a cab, at home or on a plane and I don’t have to get my hands dirty or clean any brushes.”

Between art and music, Wood has his own radio show in England. He’s quite good at it; he picked up the Best Newcomer and Specialist Programme of the Year at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards in London.

IF YOU GO Ronnie Wood plays Saturday in The Grand at Golden Nugget, Brigantine Boulevard and Huron Avenue. Show time is 9 p.m. Tickets are $56.50 to $169.50 and can be purchased at the Golden Nugget box office, (866) 746-5336 or https://shop.prestigeticketing.com/goldennuggetac/ store.jsp

RONNIEWOOD OF THE ROLLING STONES AND FRIENDS

APRIL 21

EXCLUSIVE GRAND OPENING WEEKEND

THIRDEYEBLIND APRIL 27

CAKEBOSS:LIVE BUDDY VALASTRO APRIL 28

For tickets and information go to goldennugget.com or call 866.746.5336.

G R E B D L O G I P O O H W APRIL 28

OAKRIDGEBOYS APRIL 29

goldennugget.com | Everything Gold Is New Again

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino | Huron Ave. and Brigantine Blvd.

Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | 800.777.1177 Management reserves all rights. Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

THURSDAYS-FRIDAYS

WHEEL OF FORTUNE ®

SLOT TOURNAMENT SERIES

NOW-MAY 5 goldennugget.com CP-0010472430

2S COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012

courierpostonline.com

On a roll

Some of these fun chairs are getting a much-needed makeover

By WILLIAM SOKOLIC Courier-Post Staff

Atlantic City has produced so much that is singular to the resort. The list includes salt-water taffy, boardwalks, Miss America, Monopoly, jitneys and more. One of the more unique contributions the city has made to Americana is the rolling chair. Essentially a wicker basket on wheels, the chairs have become synonymous with the boardwalk since their introduction in the 1880s.

The up-and-down history of rolling chairs in Atlantic City has mirrored that of the resort itself. The chairs survived competition from a motorized version and trams. When the city went into a tailspin, so did the rolling-chair business. But in the aftermath of casino gaming, they returned .

But where do they fit into the new model for Atlantic City with the development of the tourism district? Critics have accused the chair pushers and chair owners of failing to create an appealing look.

Enter Bill Boland, owner of Royal Rolling Chairs. Boland has taken a proactive approach.

He has remodeled his chairs with new

tops, new seats and new plastic covers.

Each of his independent chair pushers wear the same jacket and shirt.

“I wanted to stand out more,” he said of the changes. The city licenses 305 rolling chairs, of which Boland owns 103. “There have been a lot of complaints about the chairs. (The district) wants to improve business. This is a nice service that’s had problems over the years. They want people to be more like ambassadors on the boardwalk.”

Certainly, the chairs fit in with the Tourism District Master Plan, which urges concepts that provide a fun, unique experience for the visitor, said John Palmieri, executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which oversees the district. “But in order for the rolling chairs to meet that threshold, owners and operators have to consistently adhere to a higher level of professionalism.

We’re very encouraged by at least one of the operators — Boland — who has refurbished his fleet of rolling chairs and taken responsibility for his drivers from uniforms to licensing. We are working to have that message resonate across the board.”

Boland rents the chairs to operators, who charge $1 a block. Chair pushers have

The rolling chair has been on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk since the 1880s. At least one chair company owner, Bill Boland of Royal Rolling Chairs, has recently revamped the look of his products to be more appealing to visitors. PHOTO PROVIDED no set route. They go where they want on the boardwalk. “They have their favorite places,” he said.

The city has so far been unsuccessful in turning chair pushers from independent contractors to employees, he said. As for other issues, the city has all the laws it needs, it just needs to enforce them, he said.

Boland works with casinos to offer ride coupons and to participate in room packages. But a lot of what drives business is nostalgia, he said.

“My mother and grandmother used them. More people use them now, which is why I fixed them up. I have nice and clean chairs, with no tears and rips. And I like the bright colors.”

Will you Do AC?

City banks on new ad campaign

By WILLIAM SOKOLIC Courier-Post Staff

You wanna Do AC? The casino-run Atlantic City Alliance hopes you do. It’s betting $20 million this year that a multimedia advertising campaign aimed at travelers from Boston to Washington, D.C., with annual incomes more than $100,000, will pay off. The hope is to increase the number of visitors to Atlantic City by 1 million a year for the next five years.

The promotions, which began Monday, feature two 30-second television commercials called “Do Anything” and “Do Proximity,” full-page print advertisements and two radio spots. All the ads play off the catchphrase “Do AC.” As in: Do Anything.

Do Everything. Do AC. Or Do Stilettos. Do Flip Flops. Do Barefoot. Do AC. “We want people to stop in their tracks when they see these ads,” said Alliance President Liza Cartmell.

If successful, the annual number of visitors could return to its pre-recession levels of 35 million at the end of five years.

The targeted visitors rarely if ever think about Atlantic City as a destination except to gamble, Cartmell said. “They say, ‘I don’t gamble, so why should I go.’”

The campaign, created by Euro RSCG, an advertising firm out of New York, is designed to convince such doubters that Atlantic City is not just about casinos. In fact, not a single image mentions gambling or the casinos. That’s all the more surprising given that the casinos are paying the tab to

A new ad campaign for Atlantic City started this week. The catchphrase? Do AC. PHOTO PROVIDED

the tune of $30 million a year over the five years, far more than was ever available to promote Atlantic City.

“We don’t need to tell anyone we offer gaming,” Cartmell said. “It’s for those looking for something else fun to do.”

Offerings highlighted include entertainment, fine dining, luxury accommoda-

Under the Big Top

Animal acts are big draw for Barnum Bash

By WILLIAM SOKOLIC Courier-Post Staff

IF YOU GO

See animal trainer Cathy Carden and her elephants delight crowds at Barnum Bash, which stops at Boardwalk Hall today through Sunday. PHOTO PROVIDED

Barnum Bash sets up shop today through Sunday at Boardwalk Hall, Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk. Show time is 7 p.m. today and Friday; 1 and 5 p.m.

Saturday; and 1 p.m. Sunday. Arrive 90 minutes before the show and meet the performers. Get to be part of the show, Tickets are $20 to $80 and available at Ticketmaster locations, (800) 736-1420, ticketmaster.com or the Boardwalk Hall Box Office.

It was a no-brainer that Cathy Carden became a circus animal trainer.

Her dad rode bareback; her mother was an aerialist. Her mom also raised three baby elephants, bottle feeding them. Two of those, Carol and Patty, are in the show Cathy and her husband, Brett, perform at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Barnum Bash, which stops at Boardwalk Hall today through Sunday, The Cardens put on shows with three Asian elephants; camels, Arabian horses, Shetland ponies and a miniature horse; and terriers, poodles and other dogs.

Cathy’s parents owned the Hanneford Family Circus, and she performed as a ballerina on horseback in her parents’ Cossack act at the age of 5. By 7, she began working with her parents to care for animals, including her family’s three young elephants.

“I took elephants to the backyard and we played together. We did imaginary routines,” she said in a phone interview.

At age 12, Cathy was training elephants and liberty horses. At 18, she received six horses as a high school graduation gift so she could perform in the family’s circus.

She later began to take interest in working with camels and dogs.

“All animals respond to the same things: kindness, love, repetition and reward. They’re all trained in the same manner as far as I am concerned. Cue them up and give them a treat,” said Cathy, who also has skills as an acrobat and aerialist, a vocalist and dancer.

While she incorporates what she learned as far as dance, her love is for the animal act.

Sometimes her animals invent their own routines. “My dog spins around, when barking while playing. Our dogs look like they’re having a blast and they are. They can’t wait to go out and perform.”

tions, nightlife, the beach and boardwalk.

What separates this campaign from others is the broad appeal, she said. “In the past, it was more about casinos and individual locations. Like ‘I am going to Borgata or Harrah’s,’” she said.

The advertising blitz is accompanied by the website doatlanticcity.com.

Tourism continues to look up

By WILLIAM SOKOLIC Courier-Post Staff

Great weather and more weekend days helped March continue the resort’s upward trend in tourism data, according to the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.

The average temperature for March in Atlantic City was nine degrees warmer than March of last year. That was a contributing factor to more than 13,000 people stopping for information, maps and reservations at the two visitors centers in March, a 72 percent jump from last March. Yearto-date, the numbers are up 42 percent.

Year-to-date business is up 18 percent at the Atlantic City Convention Center and the number of delegates attending those shows increased 29 percent. More than 80,000 delegates attended trade shows in the first quarter, spending about $37.3 million.

More overnight bus passengers visited Atlantic City , swelling 45 percent over last March and 14 percent year-to-date.

“These trends are pointing to a busy summer and a solid business climate for Atlantic City’s hotels, motels, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, events and beaches,” said Jeff Vasser, president of the ACCVA. “With the grand opening of Revel, grand reopening of Golden Nugget, new attractions at Steel Pier and changes at many other properties throughout Atlantic City, this should send a positive message to both visitors and investors.”

COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012 3S

courierpostonline.com

Soulful sounds of Smokey Legendary singer at Caesars Saturday

Last Saturday, Smokey Robinson inducted the Miracles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That the Miracles — the group Robinson fronted from the late 1950s to 1972 — didn’t get the nod before now seemed a glaring oversight, even though Robinson entered the hall in 1987.

The Miracles were one of six such overlooked groups the Hall of Fame honored this year. The others were: The Crickets, who backed Buddy Holly; Bill Haley’s Comets; The Midnighters, who performed with Hank Ballard; Gene Vincent’s the Blue Caps; and the backup band for James Brown, the Famous Flames.

“I always thought that the Miracles should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am absolutely elated this is actually happening,” Robinson told Reuters. Robinson, who has enjoyed a career that has spanned more than 50 years, will bring his still-soaring tenor to Caesars Atlantic City on Saturday night.

Once pronounced by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” Robinson will likely sing his early hits with The Miracles, among them, Motown’s first No. 1 R&B hit, “Shop Around,” and “You Really Got a Hold on Me.” Expect to hear mid-’60s classics such as “Tracks of My Tears” and “Ooh Baby Baby” to his late ’60s output, songs such as “Tears of a Clown.” And he’ll probably do his solo hits “Cruisin’” and “Being with You.” If past performances are an indication, Robinson, who founded The Miracles while in high school, will also sing tunes he’s written for other artists, such as The Temptations’ “My Girl” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” In all, he has more than 4,000 songs to his credit. Robinson’s last album, 2009’s “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun,” reached No. 10 on the R&B charts.

The Detroit native, who also wrote and produced hits for Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and Marvin Gaye, has received numerous awards. Among them: the Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award from the president of the United States.

IF YOU GO Smokey Robinson will perform Saturday at the Circus Maximus Theater in Caesars Atlantic City, 2100 Pacific Ave. Show time is 9 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $85 and can be purchased at the Caesars Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 736-1420.

Smokey Robinson recently had the honor of inducting the Miracles, the musical group he led throughout the 1960s, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This weekend, he’s at Caesars. WME ENTERTAINMENT

BREAK FREE From BORING GET A FREE BUFFET Play 30 Minutes* With Your Total Rewards® Card & Get A Free Buffet Every Day In April

BallysAC.com

Taxes and gratuity not included. Must earn 10 tier credits to qualify for free buffet offer. Earning period for buffet is from 6am – 6:30pm. Must have 30 minutes of rated play in one day to qualify for free buffet offer. Not valid on Buffet of Buffets or Buy a Buy a Buffet Get $10 Slot Play offers. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Bally’s promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem?

Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2012, Caesars License Company, LLC. CP-0010472432

4S COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012

courierpostonline.com

ESCAPE TO AC. NEW MEMBERS ESCAPE TO REWARDS SIGN UP AND RECEIVE • FREE SLOT PLAY • FREE COMPS • FREE ROOM

ESCAPE TO MILLIONS IN PRIZES!

SUNDAYS PLAY & EARN HOME DEPOT GIFT CARDS! THURSDAYS SWIPE TO WIN TRIPS TO VEGAS, GIFT CARDS AND MORE! TOTALREWARDS.COM

Show schedule subject to change or cancellation without notice. Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Caesars Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2012, Caesars License Company, LLC.

CP-0010472434

COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012 5S

courierpostonline.com

ON SALE

DAUGHTRY Aug. 12 at Borgata. Tickets, $85, on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

HARRY SCULL JR./ASSOCIATED PRESS

AZIZ ANSARI July 13 at Borgata. Tickets, $49.50-$55. TRACY BENNETT/UNIVERSAL

JETHRO TULL'S IAN ANDERSON Oct. 6 at Caesars. Tickets, $75-$105. NEW JERSEY PRESS MEDIA FILE

EVENTS CALENDAR Friday, April 20

JOSH TURNER 9 PM, Harrah’s >> Young country singer comes to town. $30-$40 ALISON KRAUSS AND UNION STATION 9 PM, Caesars >> Country and bluegrass in the Circus Maximus Theater $55-$95.

BADFISH 8 PM, House of Blues >> Rock band pays tribute to Sublime at the Music Hall. $18 to $25 SHUT UP, SIT DOWN & EAT 9 PM, Borgata >> A Comedy Club special event features Tina Giorgi, Joe Moffa, Chris Monty and Eric Tartaglione in The Music Box. $25.

BARNUM BASH 7 PM, Boardwalk Hall >> Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey brings a contemporary circus. $20-$80 LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return for another stand in The Palace Theater. $32.50 21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

DUSK Caesars >> Global Fridays.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE POOL AFTER DARK 10 PM, Harrah’s >> featuring DJ Camilo and DJ Milky Mike provide the music. Admission starts at $10.

FRIDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB 6-9 PM., Foundation Room, House of Blues >> Choose from four seatings, a four-course dinner, wine and admission to a live music show at 10 p.m. $50.

EDEN LOUNGE 8:15 PM Harrah’s >> Don't Call Me Francis opens the night with Anna and the Vigilantes coming on at midnight.

HOUSE OF BLUES PARTY PIT 10 PM >> Split Decision rocks with DJ B. Lee on deck from 9 p.m. with dancers as an added attraction.

RUSH LOUNGE 6 PM, Golden Nugget >> Jim Shaw opens up the entertainment followed at 10 p.m. by Please Please Me LIVE BAR 10 PM, Golden Nugget >> Karma rocks the house.

Alison Krauss and Union Station bring country and bluegrass to Caesars on Friday night. Tickets are $55 to $95.

PETER NASH/ROUNDER RECORDS FILE

Wednesday, April 25

Saturday, April 21

RONNIE WOOD 9 PM, Golden Nugget >> Longtime Rolling Stones guitarist and Hall of Famer rocks the Grand, $56.50-$169.50 AVALANCHE TOUR FEATURING SHINEDOWN 6 PM, House of Blues >> Rockers deliver in the Music Hall. $35-$50 MERLE HAGGARD 9 PM, Harrah’s >> Country legend shows he still can cut it. $45-$65 SMOKEY ROBINSON 9 PM, Caesars >> Legendary Motown singer-songwriter plays his extensive catalog in the Circus Maximus Theater. $55 to $85 SHUT UP, SIT DOWN & EAT 9 PM, Borgata >> A Comedy Club special event features Tina Giorgi, Joe Moffa, Chris Monty and Eric Tartaglione in The Music Box. $25 BARNUM BASH 1 and 5 PM, Boardwalk Hall >> Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey brings a contemporary circus. $20-$80 EPIC SATURDAY AT THE POOL AFTER DARK 10 PM, Harrah’s >> featuring DJ Vito G and James Strzz. Hosted by Dennis Haskins, aka "Mr. Belding." Admission starts at $20.

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 7:30, 10 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return for another stand in The Palace Theater. $32.50 GYPSY BAR 7 PM Borgata >> Modern Bliss performs early, followed by Johnny Drama.

MIXX 10 PM Borgata >> Music by Jermaine Dupri with DJ DL in this bi-level lounge that provides an intimate experience with plush seating and private table service areas.

PARTY PIT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES 10 PM >> Hitmaker Trapt rocks with DJ Aiden Scott on deck from 9 p.m.

TOGA BAR 10 PM, Caesars >> VJ Bizz spins the music with the Toga Dancers providing the visuals.

RUSH LOUNGE 6 PM, Golden Nugget >> Jagged opens the evening's entertainment. Juicy comes on at 10 p.m.

LIVE BAR 10 PM, Golden Nugget >> Eleven 11 shakes things up.

MIA 10 PM, Caesars >> DJ Lu'AP spins the music.

AFTER HOURS FOUNDATION ROOM 2 AM, Showboat >> DJ Patrice McBride entertains till 2 a.m. That's when the Epiphany Promotions Party kicks in with DJ Vito G and "School's Out." Hosted

by Mr. Belding.

Sunday, April 22

SHUT UP, SIT DOWN & EAT 9 PM, Borgata >> A Comedy Club special event features Tina Giorgi, Joe Moffa, Chris Monty and Eric Tartaglione in The

Tear it up on Monday night with DJ Steve Aoki at Borgata’s mur.mur starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are $20.

NEW JERSEY PRESS MEDIA FILE

Music Box. $25 LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return. $32.50 EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns rock the room.

GYPSY BAR 8:30 PM Borgata >> Lost in Paris perform in this eclectic setting with all manner of tequila.

MIXX SUNDAYS 10 PM Borgata >> DJ Scene with Paul Castro provide music in this bi-level lounge with plush seating and private table service areas.

RUSH LOUNGE 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Doug Jennings performs in this intimate lounge.

21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

Monday, April 23

mur.mur 10 PM Borgata >> International superstar DJ Steve Aoki spins the music with PS-1, $20 RUSH LOUNGE 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Beth Tinnon performs in this intimate lounge.

21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

EDEN LOUNGE 7 PM Harrah’s >> Quizzo entertains.

Tuesday, April 24

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return for another stand in Legends in Concert Theater. $32.50 DUSK TUESDAYS Caesars >> An adult playground awaits. DJ Baby Yu plays.

21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

RUSH LOUNGE 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Double Play provides music in this intimate lounge.

EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Funkybone rocks the room.

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 3 and 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return. $32.50 GYPSY BAR 9 PM Borgata >> Big Bang Duo entertain in an eclectic setting known for its variety of tequilas.

XHIBITION BAR 10 PM, Harrah’s >> DJ Kay Jay provides the entertainment.

BLUE MARTINI 10 PM, Bally's >> Latin Night with DJ Jaime and DJ Cano EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Rock Star Karaoke with Big Ragu SINDUSTRY WEDNESDAY 10 PM Harrah’s >> The Pool After Dark features featuring DJ Vito G with DJ Ms. Thang RUSH LOUNGE 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Lisa Bouchelle plays in this intimate lounge.

21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

Thursday, April 26

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return for another stand in Legends in Concert Theater. $32.50 GYPSY BAR 10 PM Borgata >> Please Please Me plays in this eclectic setting noted for its tequila selections.

XHIBITION BAR 10 PM Harrah’s >> DJ Ed Smooth provides the musical entertainment EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Little Deuce Coupe: A Beach Boys Tribute rocks the house.

21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

RUSH LOUNGE 2 PM, Golden Nugget >> Grand Opening with Drew Stevyens Juicy plays at 6 PM and Karma at 10 PM LIVE BAR 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Grand Opening with DJ Mike James. Don't Call Me Francis plays at 9 PM. LUKE PALLADINO’S 8 PM Harrah’s >> Love and Branca play.

Friday, April 27

MIKE MARINO 9 PM, Borgata >> Sitcom star returns with his stand-up routine in the Comedy Club presentation in The Music Box. $25 THIRD EYE BLIND 9 PM, Golden Nugget >> San Francisco rockers ride on with three best selling albums. $45.20-$62.15.

LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return. $32.50 21 BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this new lounge off the casino floor.

DUSK Caesars >> Global Fridays.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE POOL AFTER DARK 10 PM, Harrah’s >> featuring DJ Toro and DJ Vito G provide the music. Admission starts at $10.

GYPSY BAR 7 PM Borgata >> The Loop and Split Decision rock the house throughout the night.

TOGA BAR 10 PM Caesars >> VJ Kontrol plays the music with the Toga Dancers providing the visuals.

MIXX 10 PM Borgata >> The bi-level lounge provides an intimate experience with plush seating and private table service areas.

mur mur 10 PM Borgata >> Eli Escobar okays the music for a club that may keep you up all night.

FRIDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB 6-9 PM Foundation Room, House of Blues >> Choose from four seatings, a four-course dinner, wine and admission to a live music show at 10 p.m. $50.

EDEN LOUNGE 8:15 PM Harrah’s >> Sensational Soul Cruisers open the night with Bobby Lynch Band coming on at midnight.

XHIBITION BAR 10 PM Harrah’s >> Music provided till 5 AM by DJ Licious and DJ April LOBBY BAR 10 PM Bally’s >> Erika Schiff Duo entertains.

HOUSE OF BLUES PARTY PIT 10 PM >> The Next rocks with DJ B. Lee on deck from 9 p.m. with dancers as an added attraction.

MOUNTAIN BAR 9 PM, Wild Wild West, Bally's >> DJ Nicky D spins the records. Shorty the Sheriff and Vixens entertain from 10 PM BLUE MARTINI 9 PM Bally’s >> Reservoir Doggs rocks the house with DJ Sonatra joining in at 10 p.m.

RUSH LOUNGE 6 PM, Golden Nugget >> Grand Opening with Evolution followed at 10 PM. by Second To None LIVE BAR 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> Grand Opening with DJ Mike James. Star 69 rocks at 10 PM MIA 10 PM, Caesars >> DJ Lu'AP spins the music.

Saturday, April 28

WHOOPI GOLDBERG 9 PM, Golden Nugget >> Whoopi brings her eclectic stand-up to The Grand. $66.67-$89.27 COUNTING CROWS 8 PM, Borgata >> Alt-rockers play "Mr. Jones" and other hits in The Event Center. Sold out.

KIX BROOKS, House of Blues >> One half of Brooks & Dunn shows he can make it on his own at the Music Hall. $27.50-$37.50 CHICAGO 9 PM, Caesars >> Legendary jazz rock band plays the Circus Maximus Theater $56-$86 THE MACHINE 9 PM, Golden Nugget >> Pink Floyd tribute show, $22.55-$30.46 CAKE BOSS BUDDY VALASTRO 2 PM, Golden Nugget >> Enjoy an evening of cakes, stories, and a live, interactive demonstration on making cakes In The Grand. $39.50-$62.10 LEGENDS IN CONCERT 7:30, 10 PM, Bally's >> The best tribute artists return. $32.50 EPIC SATURDAY AT THE POOL AFTER DARK 10 PM, Harrah’s >> Half-way to Halloween Party featuring DJ Pauly D, DJ Hollywood and DJ Konfliky. Admission starts at $20.

Sunday, April 29

OAK RIDGE BOYS 2 PM, Golden Nugget >> Country harmonizers run through their four decades of hits, included "Elvira." $32.77-$55.37 .

6S COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012

courierpostonline.com

Almost reel

Caesars did it, on the gaming floor Four casinos offer linked ‘Clue’ slot machines

Badfish, a Sublime tribute band, is up to something Friday: A performance at the House of Blues. PHOTO PROVIDED

Badfish lures fans with the music of Sublime Concert after concert, Pat Downes and his Badfish band mates play from the same catalog of songs. Not once do they play their own material. Or someone else’s for that matter — other than the music of Sublime.

Formed in 2001, Badfish has become one of the biggest club and theater acts in the Northeast and Midwest. Promoters are shocked that a tribute band turns away several hundred fans many nights. On Friday, the group will play the House of Blues.

Being in a tribute band requires members to be faithful to the original group’s style, Downes said. “You really get embedded in one style rather than a band that plays a lot of different stuff,” he said. “You see what the writer was thinking when you play one artist’s catalog.”

What separates Badfish from other

tribute bands is the way it has replicated Sublime’s essence, developing a scene and dedicated following usually reserved for mainstream acts.

Downes attributes his band’s following partly to to deep connection Sublime has with its fans.

The band does not always play a note-for-note version of Sublime songs, Downes said. On any given night, the band may play off the cuff.

“We get to have our fun doing that,” he said. “That’s all part of a live show.”

IF YOU GO Badfish performs Friday at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk. Show time is 8:50 p.m. Tickets are $18-$25 and can be purchased at the House of Blues box office, Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 736-1420.

“Clue” gained traction as a popular board game. Then an all-star cast adapted it into a movie. Now “Clue” has resurfaced as a wide-area progressive slot machine, which can be linked from casino to casino.

And Caesars Entertainment Corporation's four Atlantic City casinos have an exclusive to offer the machine in the resort.

For a limited time, the game also integrates a casino website with the slot machine on the gaming floor and promotes a tournament.

The “Clue”-themed slot, from WMS Gaming Inc., allows players to select their character from among the board game’s cast and start solving the whodunit in the famous game mansion. Like the board version, players try to guess the murderer, weapon and which room the crime was committed in. They have a chance to solve the mystery at the end of each bonus round to win a progressive award.

During the game, players can encounter seven bonus rounds — two of which are unlocked from the start — as they attempt to win the progressive. Caesars’ Total Rewards members can log into the game using their cards to save their progress.

Members can also go to totalrewards .com/clue to play the Quick Clue casual game, which is linked to the slot.

The casual game has three levels, which each unlock “Clue” rooms or bonuses to be played in the casino for a period of time. For example, players who solve 10 mysteries clear Level 1 and unlock two rooms. Each time a player completes a new level, more rooms are unlocked for potential bonuses at the casino. In addition, Total Rewards members have the advantage of extended time to visit a casino and play their unlocked bonuses before they expire.

There is also a Mystery Challenge Tournament, which is a leader board-based tourney. Anyone playing at the casino with a Total Rewards card at certain times is eligible to get on the leader board. At the tournament’s end, rooms are unlocked for limited times and other prizes are awarded.

ROOMS FOR MORE The bonus rounds on the ‘Clue’ slot game, named for rooms on the board game, include: » Ballroom Bonus: seven free spins are awarded and the lowest symbol is removed after each spin. » Kitchen Bonus: a free spin bonus round where knife or poison symbols award expanded wild reels and multipliers and where players collecting five knife or poison symbols are offered the chance to re-trigger or end the bonus round. » Conservatory Bonus: where five free spins enable dart symbols on the reels to award a pick for credits or additional free spins.

Dining Room Bonus: where players can choose three courses to serve each guest until a guest is poisoned or all six guests are served. » Billiard Room Bonus: a free spin bonus where WILD symbols are accumulated for a final super spin; and, the Library Bonus, which picks award credits, additional picks or a secret passage to another room bonus. » Library Bonus: a picking bonus during which players may uncover credit awards or secret passages that trigger additional Room Bonuses within the Library Bonus. » Lights Out Bonus: a bonus round randomly triggered on any spin that awards one lucky player on the bank credits or a Room Bonus, regardless of whether the chosen player has yet unlocked that room.

THE RESIDENCY

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Doors Open at 9pm For bottle service, cabana & table reservations, call 609.441.5585

ThePoolAfterDark.com

CP-0010472436

COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012 7S

courierpostonline.com

Summer showstoppers Borgata’s concert lineup is star-studded Joan Rivers sold out two shows. The Beach Boys sold out one show. Florence + the Machine sold out in five minutes.

As these sell-outs indicate, Borgata offers something successful for every demographic in its lineup of shows for the spring, summer and early fall. Country, rock, R & B, comedy – it’s all there.

“We are excited,” said Joe Lupo, senior vice president of operations at the hotel casino and spa.

Rivers appeals to an older audience, but with her presence on TV, the red carpet and style shows, she speaks to a younger demographic as well, Lupo said.

“She hits a few demographics. Having her at Borgata is a statement to some of her fan base who had not considered us in years past.”

Lupo wishes he had the opportunity to add a second Beach Boys show. “They did well last year in The Music Box, but with Brian Wilson added to the mix, it means a lot more.”

Like the Beach Boys, a lot of the upcoming bookings – Stevie Nicks, James Taylor, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Santana, Sting – appeal to a middle-aged population. Robbie Krieger and Ray Manzarek have a September date to speak about The Doors and play music, which should find an audience with baby boomers.

On the younger side, the hot Brit group fronted by Florence Welch is one of newer artists who hasn’t played Borgata before,

he said. “Florence + The Machine are one of the hottest acts in the spring. Pitbull (set for Memorial Day weekend) speaks to that audience as well.”

Headline entertainment has long been a major component of a Borgata experience.

“The entertainment lineup flows into the other elements we have to offer like nightlife and opportunities for after-parties,” he said.

The opening of Revel and its already announced list of performances has not had an impact on Borgata. “We continue to have variety and large number of acts to drive business. And if Revel brings more people to town, that can only be a positive.

There’s enough entertainment to go around.”

Live Nation books 99 percent of Borgata’s shows. “They’re a great partner and the real reason why we are able to provide the best artists. There is a synergy between what we try to do and what they try to do.”

BORGATA SHOW HIGHLIGHTS April 27: Mike Marino

April 28: Counting Crows* May 4, 5: Russell Brand May 5: George Lopez May 12: Florence + The Machine* May 19: Joan Rivers* May 19: Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour* May 25: Pitbull May 26, 27: John Pinette June 1: Weezer June 8, 9: Frankie Valli June 9: Sting*

Florence + The Machine, May 12. PHOTO PROVIDED Santana will be appearing July 20, 21.

GARY MILLER

June 15, 16: Wanda Sykes June 23: Jim Gaffigan June 29: The Jacksons June 29: John Oates Band June 30: Crosby, Stills & Nash July 1: Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent July 6, 7: James Taylor* July 6: Bob Saget July 8: Sarah McLachlan July 13: Squeeze & B-52s July 14: Jerry Seinfeld July 15: Stevie Nicks July 20, 21: Santana July 21: Howie Mandel Aug. 3, 4: Frank Caliendo Aug. 11: Jay Leno Aug. 12: Daughtry

Joan Rivers plays two sold-out shows May 19.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Armando ‘Pitbull’ Perez will be appearing May 25.

Aug. 25: Keith Urban* Aug. 26: Kathy Griffin Sept. 1: Train Sept. 21, 22: Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors *Sold out

DAVID BECKER/GETTY IMAGES

Two spas. One special.

$99

The

Signature Treatments.

Enjoy a spa special of $99 for a massage, facial or mani and pedi. Offers come with a spa day pass which includes access to the pool, garden area, gym, sauna, and jacuzzi, plus complimentary parking (a $50 value).

CP-0010472439

Call 609.317.7555 to book your appointment.

Now through May, Mondays -Thursdays.

Must live within 60 miles of Borgata to qualify for complimentary parking. Daily availability subject to change. Blackout dates may apply. Booking restrictions limit customers to no more than one treatment type per day. Must be 18 years of age or older to book spa, salon or barbershop appointments. May not be combined with any other offer. ©2012 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.All rights reserved.

8S COURIER-POST, Thursday, April 19, 2012

courierpostonline.com

ESCAPE TO TOTAL REWARDS

FREE PLAY, FREE COMPS AND FREE ROOM IN AC.

TotalRewards.com

Get all of this and earn a free room in Las Vegas when you sign up and use your Total Rewards card at Harrah’s Chester. And don’t miss your chance to win a share of millions in prizes on Mondays and Fridays in April.

Mondays: Total Escape Kiosk Game Collect virtual game codes between 9am and 8pm that can be used to play in our online Escape to Total Rewards game.

You could also win instant prizes.

Fridays:

Receive a $5 The Home Depot® gift card for every 200 base Reward Credits® earned. Earn between 6am and 7pm.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) AND CANADA 21 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID IN QC AND WHERE PROHIBITED. Promotion ends 5/31/12. For official rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit TotalRewards.com/Escape. Sponsor: Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, Inc., One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, NV, 89109, U.S.A. Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2012, Caesars License Company, LLC.

CP-0010472442

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.