GAMING
COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 23, 2012 1S
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‘LEGENDS’ OF THE FALL
Lookalikes portray popular performers in autumn concert at Bally’s
Chris Van Dahl (above and right) portrays Steve Tyler of Aerosmith during ‘Legends in Concerts’ show at Bally’s. PHOTO PROVIDED
IF YOU GO ‘Legends in Concert’ plays Sept. 5 to Nov. 18 in the Legends in Concert Theater in Bally’s Atlantic City, Boardwalk and Park Place. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday as well as 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Saturday and a special matinee each Wednesday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $32.50 for adults and $16.25 for children and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, calling (800) 7361420 or at Bally’s Box Office.
When Chris Van Dahl met Steven Tyler, it was one of those Marx Brothers moments. Van Dahl, who has portrayed the Aerosmith front man for much of his adult life, co-hosted the red- carpet portion of a sobriety event where Tyler gave guitarist Slash an award. “Steven walked half way down the carpet, turned and looked at me. It was definitely a moment. We were nose to nose. He said, ‘It feels good, doesn’t it.’ I never got it until we were face to face.” The ‘‘it’’ was the uncanny resemblance Van Dahl bears to Tyler. The long hair. The big lips. When Van Dahl hit junior high in Michigan, the comparisons poured in. “That kid looks like Steven Tyler,” they said. But anyone can grow their hair long. The resemblance that landed Van Dahl a spot in “Legends in Concert” at Bally’s was the voice. “We have a lot in common to begin with, so it was not a real stretch. It’s been a natural evolution rather than me sitting down and studying Tyler,” he said. Van Dahl as Steven Tyler debuts at Bally’s on Sept. 6, joining more lookalike performers portraying Elvis, Michael Jackson, Donna Summer and Lady Gaga for a fall run through mid November. All performers sing with their own natural voices to a live band in this show, which has established a residency in Bally’s. The show features a new state-of-theart set and production elements including sound, lighting and signature video projection that replicates the iconic superstars. “ ‘Legends in Concert’ has continued to captivate guests and deliver top-notch entertainment to Bally’s Atlantic City. I’m extremely excited to see the Steven Tyler tribute and watch as this new cast dazzles audiences,” said Kevin Ortzman, senior vice president and general manager for
Bally’s and Showboat Atlantic City. Unlike Bostonian Tyler, Van Dahl grew up in Detroit and other parts of Michigan. He’s been an Aerosmith fan since childhood, listening to the band on his older brother’s records. While Van Dahl used his Tyleresque stature to front Aeromyth, an Aerosmith tribute band, he had more on his plate than tribute artist. He has written, recorded and toured with a number of successful bands including Cherry Street, L.A. Guns and Pack of Wolves, which he co-founded with former Kid Rock lead guitarist Kenny Olson. He also played with Aerosmith alumnus Jimmy Crespo. “When I got the phone call to do Aeromyth, I was in Michigan doing an album as part of Pack of Wolves,” he said. Aeromyth has toured internationally, but stateside, the tribute band played frequently in Las Vegas, picking up corporate gigs as well as casino ones. At one such corporate event, Van Dahl met Damian Brantley, who does Michael Jackson in Legends.
HOT LIVE MUSIC & COOL DRINK SPECIALS Friday, August 24 LUCKY YOU
DJ Sonatra | DJ Q Ball Coors Light $3 | Heineken or Heineken Light $4 Belvedere Lemon Tea Cocktails $5 | Sammy’s Maui Mama $5
Saturday, August 25 JOHNNY DRAMA
DADDY POP DJ D Nial | DJ Xtina Miller Lite $3 | Heineken $4 Jack and Colas $5 | Sammy’s Maui Libre $5
Sunday, August 26
The Vigilantes | DJ Alisha Monique Industry Night with Regional DJs 8pm – 3am Miller High Life $3 Cruzan Strawberry Rum Cocktails $5 SKYY Infusions Cherry Limeades $5
Shows subject to change or cancellation. 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-0010483561