By Chuck Darrow
The time period between the December holidays and the advent of more temperate weather (otherwise known as “winter”) is traditionally the slowest time of the year when it comes to the region’s main-stage casino entertainment. So, it should come as no surprise at all that the pickings are generally slim (in terms of quality and quantity) for the next three months or so.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some noteworthy events on the books, including one that is somewhat historic (because it appears the gig will be the last local performance by an international super-duperstar). Below (and in chronological order) are some of the more interesting engagements set for the first quarter of 2025 (tickets to events are available at ticketmaster.com except where noted).
Dancing With the Stars Live 2025 (Jan. 18; Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa).
The latest live iteration of ABC-TV’s phenomenally popular competition series doesn’t boast any real stars (that is, TV, film or sports celebs), but the cast does feature a slew of familiar faces (and legs) from the show, including those of Season 33 standout Stephen Nedoroscik, who will serve as the program’s co-host.
A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett featuring The Coral Reefer Band (Jan. 24; Hard Rock).
As tribute bands go, it doesn’t get any more legit than this one: It’s comprised of members of the late singer-songwriter-hospitality-industry-tycoon’s beloved backing band. It’s near-impossible to believe this show will be anything other than a heartfelt and satisfying testament to Buffett’s musical legacy.
Martin Lawrence (Jan. 25; Hard Rock).
The TV and movie star brings his “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour to the Boardwalk. Those who attend the show can expect Lawrence’s stock-in-trade observational comedy zeroing in on such topics as racism and family dynamics.
Billy Gibbons (Feb. 8; Borgata).
This booking is one of the most interesting classic-rock attractions of the winter: For the past half-century-plus, Gibbons has been the guitarist/primary lead singer of rock-’n’-boogie avatars ZZ Top. It’s probably not off-base to assume his set will contain a heaping helping of Top hits, as well as solo material.
Nikki Glaser (Feb. 1; Hard Rock).
The multi-hyphenate Glaser has become a veritable comedy brand, thanks to her podcast (“The Nikki Glaser Podcast”), various TV projects (including the CW’s “Lovers and Liars, of which she is host and executive producer) multiple standup specials), satellite radio stints and standup-comedy tours. Her material is strictly of the “leave the kids at home” variety, but she definitely connects with her takes on such subjects as sexual fantasies, aging and death.
Tom Papa (Feb. 14 and 15; Borgata).
Papa’s gentle-ish observational comedy (a lot of which centers on his domestic life) is a much-needed antidote to the harshness that informs so much contemporary standup.
Sinatra Meets The Sopranos (Feb. 15; Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City).
Two Italian-American pop-culture touchstones will be celebrated with story and song. “Sopranos” cast members Vincent Curatola (“Johnny Sack”), Jason Cerbone (“Jackie Aprile Jr.”) and Frederico Castelluccio (“Furio Giunta”) will tell tales from the landmark HBO series while crooner Michael Martocci will handle the musical end of things.
Rod Stewart (Feb. 22; Hard Rock).
This is by far the biggest booking of the winter, and of major significance: If “Rod the Mod” is on the level, the Hard Rock show is part of what will be the soon-to-be-80-years-old megastar’s final tour. As such, it’s arguably the one “must-see” show of the season.
Tony Hinchcliffe (March 1; Ocean Casino Resort).
Hinchcliffe is hardly a standup-comedy giant, but this booking stands out because he dominated the 24-hour news cycle (and then some) back in October after he made a series of controversial (and disparaging) remarks about Puerto Rico at a Donald Trump rally in New York City.
Smokey Robinson (March 8; Hard Rock).
Anytime this national treasure comes to the area it’s a reason to celebrate.
Burton Cummings (March 14; Ocean).
The singer-composer was responsible for such Guess Who signatures as “American Woman,” “These Eyes” and “Laughing.” He’ll surely perform these and other of his former band’s hits, as well as tracks from his acclaimed, recently released album, “A Few Good Moments.”
‘Yachts’ of fun set for Hard Rock
Winter 2025 is still a couple weeks away, but the folks at Hard Rock are already looking to next summer, specifically Aug. 1. That’s when the Rock will host a “yacht-rock” extravaganza featuring two acknowledged founding fathers of the increasingly popular pop-music subgenre, Toto (“Africa,” “Roseanna”) and Christopher Cross (“Sailing,” “Arthur’s Theme”).
Joining Toto and Cross on their upcoming cross-country road trip is Men At Work, the early-1980s Australian pop powerhouse whose signatures include “Down Under” and “Who Could It Be Now?” Although the original group made much of its hailing from “the land down under,” three of the current band members are actually from Cuba, with singer-guitarist Colin Hay being the sole charter member still in the band.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.