The Casino File By Chuck Darrow
“Garden State Live,” the first casino-era concert series to showcase original, homegrown talent, is returning to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Feb. 27.
“GSL!,” which was introduced last August, is designed to spotlight New Jersey-based musical artists representing a variety of genres, from country to rock to R&B. It debuted with a rip-snorting turn by Low Cut Connie, the gritty rock ‘n’ roll band led by the hyperkinetic, piano-pounding Cherry Hill native, Adam Weiner. Before that gig, Michael Woodside, Hard Rock’s vice-president of entertainment, told this column that the idea behind the series co-produced by the North2Shore Festival folks was inspired by the state’s long history of musical innovation and how some of the biggest names in pop music were once unknown and simply seeking an audience. He also noted that casinos have never embraced these aspiring performers.
“There was a moment in time when Bruce Springsteen was playing in a bar in Asbury and no one knew who he was,” said Woodside. “And as an industry, [casinos] haven’t really supported the up-and-coming artists. There’s so much great talent, but we’d never give them a chance to show their true creativity with their original content.”
Obviously, Woodside’s instincts that a casino (especially Hard Rock, whose brand is rooted in popular music) is a fitting venue for such acts was on point. Had last year’s monthly series not resonated with music fans (and added to the property’s bottom line), it’s highly unlikely there would be another slate of shows last year.
So far, four dates are on the books, including this Friday, Feb. 27, which will spotlight three bands whose musical recipes all begin with a heaping helping of reggae: LNJ Sessions, P-Funk North and the wonderfully named Cheesy & The Crackers.
On March 20, rock is on the agenda courtesy of Gab Cinque Band, The Brothers Union and Anthony Krizan Band, while the April 17 bill features soul/R&B acts 120 (aka Village Bridge), Show Tyme Brooks & Da Traffic and Lem Turner. And May 8 is alt-rock night with CJ Sooy Band, Molly Ringworm and Surfing For Daisy.
While only four “GSL!” nights are currently on the books, it’s expected more shows will be added.
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Coincidence?
We recently pointed out that following our January column in which we suggested local casinos offer free parking, Resorts Casino-Hotel instituted a free-parking program which, while it comes with some restrictions, was certainly a step in the right direction.
And then it happened again.
Another one of our suggestions was that more casinos should program production shows. Well, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City has announced it will soon be diving into the revue-show pool.
April 12 will see the opening of “’80s Live,” which, as the title suggests, features the music of some of that decade’s biggest stars, including Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna. The program, which is being produced by AyCee-based impresario Allen Valentine, will run at the bayside pleasure dome’s Concert Venue Sundays at 4 p.m. through June 28. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Penn & Teller returning to AyCee
Let the celebration begin! Penn & Teller are headed back to the Boardwalk.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for the pair’s shows on May 14 and 15 at the Sound Waves theater inside Hard Rock. This isn’t just another engagement for P&T, as Atlantic City has been crucial to the team’s decades-long career as magic-and-comedy megastars: Their first casino gigs occurred at the long-gone Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in the late 1980s and ultimately led to their ongoing, and unprecedented-in-terms-of-length, residency at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Ocean residencies announced
Classic rock will once again be the sound of summer at Ocean Casino Resort thanks to two upcoming residencies.
Thursdays at 8 p.m. from June 25 to Sept. 3, Ocean faves Magical Mystery Doors returns to Ovation Hall with its unique twist on the tribute band concept.
The Reading, Pa. quintet dedicates itself to recreations of signature tunes by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Doors. Their gimmick is mashing up some songs; for example, the lyrics to Zep’s revered “Stairway to Heaven” are sung over the chord progression of The Fab Four’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
And from July 2 to Sept. 6, the Sunday, 4 p.m. shift will be handled by Boat House Row, which deals in “yacht rock” (that is soft-rock created by the likes of Michael McDonald, Steely Dan and Toto).
For tickets to all Ocean shows, go to ticketmaster.com.
Bon Jovi tribute at Boogie Nights
Last fall, Boogie Nights, the retro-themed disco inside Tropicana Atlantic City, broke format by hosting Bark At the Moon, an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band. Well, it must have been a success, because Saturday night, Wild Night, which pays homage to Bon Jovi, will set up shop there.
Show time is 8 p.m. Admission (including post-gig nightclub access) is $20 (available at the door). You must be 21 or older to attend.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
