Casinos

03/16/2010

Tic-tac-toe-playing chicken stumps challengers at Spotlight 29 Casino
Some people take it quite personally when a chicken beats them at tic-tac-toe.

That's what folks at Spotlight 29 Casino are discovering this month as Ginger the Chicken takes on challengers from within her brass-and-neon booth.

March Madness is a good hook to draw gamblers into casinos with sports books. This promotion is more like March silliness.

03/15/2010

Carlos Mencia tells Inland audiences don't worry, it's only standup
Carlos Mencia's edgy ethnic humor may ruffle some feathers, but he does it to make a point.

Mencia performs Thursday night at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland.

"I really want to be a good reflector, a mirror of society and what we're thinking," Mencia said in a phone interview. "I want to say the things that people are thinking but can't say."

03/12/2010

Gambling experts question online poker, an idea promoted by Inland tribe
Compulsive gambling experts had a ready opinion Thursday on whether California should legalize online poker to raise money along the lines of what an Inland tribe proposes: Bad idea.

Annie Duke triumphs in Heads-Up championship


There were two firsts for women this past Sunday.

Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar in the director category Sunday evening.

At about the same time in Las Vegas, Annie Duke became the first woman to win the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

03/11/2010

Bellagio installs docents in gallery
Gallery guides

Docents (trained guides) have been added in the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art to educate visitors about the art on display.

The docents are available from Wednesdays through Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Each group is limited to the first 20 attendees. The docent led group tour lasts about 45 minutes and are complimentary with the purchase of any Gallery admission.

What are your odds at blackjack?
Now deal

Most people have played it but few know where the name came from and other facts about the game.

Here are a few bits of information from author and columnist Henry Tamburin.

Martin Short makes 'em laugh at The Show
SHORT FUN

Martin Short brings a one-man party to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage tonight.

The man made people laugh as Ed Grimley and creeped out celebs as Jiminy Glick and should have won some kind of award for his fine work in "Three Amigos" and "Captain Ron." In his show, he has a mix of comedy, songs, dance and more.

Paul Anka does it his way at Fantasy Springs
Paul Anka has gone from teen idol to living legend.

He's worked with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson, among dozens of others.

Construction advances on Las Vegas performing arts center
New center

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts recently celebrated its topping out of Reynolds Hall. The world-class center will be the home of the Nevada Ballet Theater, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and first-run touring attractions.

Reynolds Hall is 170 feet tall.

Construction of the center began in May of last year. Completion is planned for early 2012.

Las Vegas is awash with wine and dining events
Taste of wine

The downtown Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino will host the second annual Spring Wine & Jazz Fest on March 26-28.

The Fenians bring the luck of the Irish to Pechanga
IRISH LISTENING

The Fenians play Pechanga Resort and Casino on St. Patrick's Day, bringing a blend of contemporary and traditional Irish music.

The band mixes folk, rock, jazz and blues with Celtic influences. In 1999, The Fenians were inducted into the Guinness Wall of Fame.

Cheers!

Natalie Cole to sing at Morongo resort
Still unforgettable

It seems like it was just yesterday that Natalie Cole was headed to the Inland region. Wait, it was just last month when she was at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside.

This time she will be without the backing of the Corona Pops, but Cole will bring a show of hits to Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa on March 19.

03/05/2010

Festival of native film and culture at Agua Caliente
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum's "Festival of Native Film & Culture" runs from Mar. 10 - 14, and will kick off with a screening of the documentary "Sing Birds: Following the Paths of Cahuilla Power."

03/04/2010

Poker series comes to Rincon
Two local casinos are hosting big time poker tournament is March.

The World Series of Poker comes to Harrah's Rincon in Valley Center in a Circuit Event for the fifth year in a row and the Coachella Valley Poker Championship will be held at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella.

WSOP CIRCUIT EVENT

Another Lake Las Vegas casino is closing
The only remaining casino in Lake Las Vegas is scheduled to close on March 14, according to its owners.

Although the U.S. Department of Labor requires a 60-day notice by employers to employees, the casino owners, CIRI Lakeside Gaming, is using an exception to the labor code to cut the notice time in half.

TV-themed slot machines generate play in Las Vegas
Two new slot machine games have started to appear in the casinos and have been drawing a lot of interest and a lot of play.

Both new games are based on TV series. Sex in the City and The Amazing Race slots have been very popular, according to the manufacturers. Some casinos have even reported that players have actually been standing in line for a chance to play the machines.

Tony Bennett picks up his heart in Rancho Mirage on Thursday
STEPPIN' OUT

Tony Bennett left his heart in Rancho Mirage and might pick it up during his performance at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Thursday.

Bennett was one of the first artists to perform at The Show when it opened last year, and he sold it out then, as well as this week.

Martin Short to play Agua Caliente Casino
For a one-man performance, the stage at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage is going to be pretty full when Martin Short performs March 12.

Ed Grimley will be there. Jiminy Glick will be, too.

03/03/2010

The Commodores zoom into San Manuel
William King of The Commodores doesn't remember one night where he didn't get that rush of performing before an audience.

"When the lights come on, it's time to go," he said in a recent telephone interview.

King and The Commodores, Charlie Wilson and Kool & the Gang will feel that rush again when they perform at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland Thursday night.

Photo Gallery: Kool & The Gang at San Manuel Casino

Sinbad will perform at Morongo casino on Saturday
Family. Politics. Marriage. The economy.

Stand-up comedian Sinbad looks for - and finds - something funny in all of them.

This Saturday, Sinbad brings his show to Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon.

Sinbad's good-natured, clean humor has brought comparisons to Bill Cosby, but he takes mild exception to that.

03/02/2010

Teena Marie celebrates her birthday with a concert at Pechanga
Birthday bash

Teena Marie celebrates her birthday tonight at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula.

So, if you're celebrating your birthday during a show, do you lead the crowd in a chorus of "Happy Birthday" or do you have to just hope a bandmate or an audience member does?

Find out as Teena Marie plays her hits.

02/28/2010

Young at heart--Adam Lambert's 89-year-old fan
Isabel Paquette wasn't able to travel more than 10 feet at a time at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio without someone stopping her to chat, take a photo or give her a hug.

The 89-year-old from Marinette, Wis. smiled under her glasses and curly white hair and obliged every time.

Paquette is the newest Internet celebrity, at least in the Adam Lambert community.

Photo Gallery: Adam Lambert and his 89-year-old fan

Former 'Idol' winner David Cook draws a crowd at Morongo Casino
David Cook's fans will brave lightning, thunder, hail and rain for his shows, and that's just what happened at a Saturday night show at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon.

The seventh-season "American Idol" winner last played the Inland region for a New Year's Eve celebration at Pechanga Casino in Temecula.

Tracy Runco traveled from Michigan to see Cook for the 46th show.

Photo Gallery: David Cook at Morongo

02/25/2010

Weekly Casino Digest
Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil "O," 7:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $93.50-$150, 888-987-6667.

Cirque Du Soleil "Zumanity," 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, New York - New York Hotel & Casino, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $60-$129, 866-815-4365.

Cheap Trick wants you to want them in Rancho Mirage
TRICKY ROCK

Mommy's all right, daddy's all right, Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick seems a little weird, or at least, eclectic.

The guitarist will bring out his fancy axes for a show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage tonight.

Expect the big hits, such as "Surrender," "I Want You to Want Me," "Dream Police" and "Hello There."

San Manuel concert is a summit of funk
San Manuel books a boogie night

San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino will be celebrating all things funky next week with that "Celebration" group Kool and the Gang (above), Charlie Wilson ("Uncle Charlie") and the Commodores ("Brick House").

The R&B summit takes place next Thursday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Martin Lawrence brings laughs to Pala
HE'S SO CRAZY

Actor and comedian Martin Lawrence makes his way to Pala Casino Spa Resort on March 5.

Lawrence became a household name after his hit sitcom, "Martin," skyrocketed in the early and mid-1990s.

'American Idol' winner David Cook performs at Morongo on Saturday
David Cook doesn't want to settle.

The musician, who won season seven of "American Idol," is working on the follow-up album to the platinum-selling self-titled album and he wants it to be the best that it can be. However, that requires some patience, too.

"I'm an impatient man," Cook admitted in a telephone interview earlier this week.

David Cook and Adam Lambert spend their Saturday nights in the Inland region
The Idols are invading the Inland region this weekend with two big shows on Saturday night.

In one corner, "American Idol" season seven winner David Cook brings his guitar and nice guy ways to Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon.

In the other corner, season eight runner-up and fashion plate Adam Lambert packs up his mascara and powerful voice and heads to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.

02/19/2010

Blues Brothers wow in rare performance at San Manuel casino
Jim Belushi danced through the aisles of the showroom at a Blues Brothers concert Thursday, jumping up on chairs and proclaiming "I love my job!"

Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, in the guise of Zee and Elwood Blues, had fans on their feet when they came on stage at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino near Highland in San Bernardino County.

Photo Gallery: The Blues Brothers

02/18/2010

Gary Farmer brings trouble to Soboba
THE FARMER TAKES A BAND

Actor and musician Gary Farmer will be getting into some trouble at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto on Wednesday, but there's no need to worry.

Farmer and his band, the Troublemakers, will bring a bluesy set to AC's Lounge in the casino.

Cheap Trick's axe man Rick Nielsen shares the rules of rock
Cheap Trick wants you to want them at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage on Feb. 26.

With hits like "Dream Police," "I Want You to Want Me" and "Surrender," Cheap Trick might be the greatest power pop band to ever walk the Earth.

A lot of that has to do with the guitar work (and the crazy guitars) of Rick Nielsen.

Weekly Casino Digest
Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil "O," 7:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $93.50-$150, 888-987-6667.

Cirque Du Soleil "Zumanity," 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, New York - New York Hotel & Casino, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $60-$129, 866-815-4365.

Country legend George Jones rides to Pechanga
POSSUM AT PECHANGA

Want to see a country legend? Head down to Pechanga Resort and Casino where George Jones will tell you about how he stopped loving her today, how she thinks he still cares and more songs that will brighten up your post-Valentine's Day spirits.

Luckily, the man known as "The Possum" shrugged off his old nickname of "No Show Jones."

New system of 'counting' in blackjack gets a push
"Counting" has always been a "system" that is said to be a way to beat the casino at the blackjack tables. It has a few varieties but all are fairly cumbersome for the average player.

Basically "counting" means keeping track of high and low cards so the player knows when the odds of a winning hand are best. It is no guarantee of winning but does give the player an edge over the house.

Digging in at Inland area casinos' buffets
Visiting a casino buffet is like revisiting the best part of your childhood.

No mother to tell you to clean your plate (unless you bring her).

No one to force you to eat your vegetables.

All the plates you want; if you don't like your foods touching, they don't have to.

More desserts than in "Hansel and Gretel" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" combined.

Shrimp is big on the menu at Agua Caliente buffet
Agua Caliente Casino



What: Grand Palms Buffet

Where: 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage

San Manuel buffet makes midweek special
San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino



What: Serrano Buffet

Where: 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland

Layout: The buffet is on the ground floor of the two-story casino.

Stand-out features: Specialty nights midweek as well as weekends.

Went there for: Specialty nights.

Morongo action is in the buffet as well as the casino
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa



What: Potrero Canyon Buffet

Where: 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon

Layout: Long, serpentine serving area with lots of dining tables near the action.

Stand-out features: Lower prices than usual.

Pala's buffet goes for size
Pala Casino Spa & Resort



What: Choices, The Buffet

Where: 11154 Highway 76, Pala

Layout: The 20,000-square foot dining room seems to go on forever, and the south wall offers a picture-window view of the rock-covered mountains that surround the resort.

Pechanga buffet provides a long dining experience
Pechanga Resort & Casino



What: The Buffet

Where: 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula

Spa Resort buffet satisfies meat lovers
Spa Resort Casino



What: Oasis Buffet

Where: 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs

Layout: Serving stations take up the back wall, plus an island for salads, desserts and cold items.

Spotlight 29 café doubles as a buffet
Spotlight 29 Casino



What: Café Capitata

Where: 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella

Layout: Casino's casual restaurant doubles as a buffet for lunch and dinner, with the regular menu also available. Food service is from a raised island in the middle of the dining.

Dine inside or out at Fantasy Springs buffet
Fantasy Springs Resort Hotel & Casino

What: The Fresh Grill Buffet

Where: 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

02/11/2010

Super Bowl created winners, losers and weirdness in Las Vegas
Super bets

Well, its over and the Saints are the unlikely champions. The books had the Colts as a 4 ½-point to 5 ½-point favorite and a total score exceeding 50. If the proposition bets didn't end up on the plus side by a huge margin, the books will have suffered a disastrous end of season.

Casinos offer dining specials for Valentine's Day
Most Inland casinos are observing Valentine's Day in their restaurants this weekend. Here are some specials they told us about.

To learn more about February promotions, see Bruce Camenga's article on S13.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Chances are you'll hear a love song at Johnny Mathis' Feb. 13 concert
This Saturday, the headliner at The Show is Johnny Mathis. On Feb. 20, it's Larry the Cable Guy.

That's like the difference between love and marriage.

Mathis, the smooth singer responsible for "Chances Are," "Wonderful, Wonderful" and a slew of other wistful ballads, performs at 8 p.m. Tickets: $50-$100.

Get Romantic with The Romantics at Pala
There's probably no better time to see 1980s band The Romantics than on Valentine's Day.

Weekly Casino Digest
Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil "O," 7:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $93.50-$150, 888-987-6667.

Jersey Boys, 7 p.m. Monday, Thursday-Friday, Sunday, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino, 3255 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $62.70-$150.70, 702-607-7777.

Inland casinos build promotions around Lunar New Year
Sunday is Valentine's Day and the start of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger.

Several local casinos are hosting celebrations for each of the special days.

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Blues Brothers are coming to San Manuel
Some people go to Blues Brothers concerts to see Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi.

But Belushi, in a phone interview, was talking about the rest of the band.

"They're all just big-deal guys. Hot shots," he said.

02/10/2010

Get cozy with John Legend at Fantasy Springs
Visit the Coachella Valley on Sunday and you might be John Legend's valentine.

The R&B and soul singer performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Sunday for his second year of Valentine's Day weekend shows.

So what is the main quality that a love song needs to be great?

02/05/2010

Cupid swoops down on Las Vegas
For those looking for a romantic place to dine while in Las Vegas over the Valentines Day weekend, I have a couple of divergent suggestions for downtown.

Hugo's Cellar in the basement of the Four Queens Hotel is a romantic setting and the restaurant will be giving a rose to every woman who enters on Feb. 14.

02/04/2010

Inland casinos bring big laughs
The entertainment landscape at Inland casinos is dotted with a lot of laughs these days.

"Comedy and casinos have been hand in hand since casinos were built," said David Swift, entertainment director at Pala Casino Spa & Resort, mentioning the comic greats who have passed through Las Vegas over the years.

Casinos alive with comedy
The Show



Larry the Cable Guy: 8 p.m. Feb. 20, $65, $95, $125

Martin Short: 9 p.m. March 12, $30, $45, $65

Gabriel Iglesias: 8 p.m. May 5, $25, $35, $45, $55

Jay Leno: 8 p.m. June 12, $50, $85, $125

Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage

Christopher Titus brings new material to Morongo
Comedian Christopher Titus thinks the American people are never going to revolt.

"We all have big-screen TVs now," he said in a recent telephone interview. "We may talk about revolution but it's never going to happen because 'Oooh, what's on channel 312?' "

Joel McHale brings tasty sarcasm to Pechanga
How could anyone this mean be so nice?

You see Joel McHale each week on the E network's "The Soup," that weekly carpet bombing of all things TV, burst loose with rude quips that make you wonder if the censor was stuck somewhere in traffic. And all with that wry little "oh, yes I did" smirk of his.

Valentine's Day at the casinos
Here's what's going on Valentine's Day at Inland casinos.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Fantasy Springs is doing its best to be the kind of place where love is like breathing.

That's where John Legend will supply the romance on Valentine's Day.

Weekly Casino Digest
Las Vegas

New York - New York Hotel & Casino, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $60-$129, 866-815-4365.

Criss Angel "Believe," 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Luxor Resort Hotel and Casino, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $86.90-$176, 702-262-4444.

02/01/2010

Super Bowl Sunday at Inland casinos
Here's what's going on Super Bowl Sunday at Inland casinos.

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa

The Show: Football party complete with AstroTurf, couches and recliner chairs on the orchestra floor. Giveaways at the end of each quarter plus halftime. Prizes include 37-inch LCD high-def televisions.

Pala Casino Spa & Resort

01/28/2010

Weekly Casino Digest
Las Vegas

Mario Lopez, 10 p.m. today, Planet Hollywood -- Privé, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $20-$30, 702-523-6002.

George Strait, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $73.50-$125, 702-891-1111.

To San Diego County and beyond
Tim Allen, soon to be featured as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Pixar's "Toy Story 3," will tell his own stories this weekend at Pala Casino Spa & Resort.

Nelson twins play Spotlight 29
FAMILY AFFAIR

Twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson are the third generation of the Nelson family to have a No. 1 hit single, following grandparents Ozzie and Harriet and father Rick.

01/21/2010

A weekend of chocolate, wine
What could be better than a chance to sample luxurious nibbles and fine wine? How about doing it two days in a row?

Pechanga Resort & Casino will showcase its cuisine and wines from around the world at back-to-back festivals later this month, the Chocolate Decadence tasting event on Jan. 29 and the Pechanga Wine Festival the next day.

This Week's Casino Digest
Las Vegas

Cirque du Soleil "Viva Elvis," 7 p.m. Sunday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 22-28, Aria Resort & Casino, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd., $99-$175, 866-359-7757.

Cirque du Soleil "O," 7:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Bellagio Hotel & Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, $93.50-$150, 888-987-6667.

01/18/2010

Come sail away with Styx
The philosophy of Styx's live show is to have fun, according to bassist Ricky Phillips

"It's fun for us to go out there and be the center of the party," he said in a recent telephone interview. "That's a big thing with Styx. And what's so fun about this band is that it isn't, 'Dig us. Check us out' -- we're there for everybody to join in the party."

01/14/2010

Casinos cash in on WSOP
Local casinos are catering to poker players to keep the flow going.

Even though the World Series of Poker is several months away, some local casinos are already offering special tournaments with top prizes being seats at the WSOP.

01/13/2010

Aaron Lewis makes a plan for Pechanga
Aaron Lewis has finally given in to making a set list.

The Staind frontman, who comes to Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula tonight, has taken requests at his solo acoustic shows and sometimes has played longer than three hours.

Now he has a set list for those times when he is limited to a 90-minute performance, he explained in a recent telephone interview.

01/07/2010

Headliners visit Inland for shows
Casinos are a big part of the concert landscape throughout the region. Take a look at the acts that will be playing a few walls away from a slot machine near you. Tickets for most of the shows are on sale now.

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage

Jan. 22, Styx, $40-$80

Feb. 13, Johnny Mathis, $50-$100

World Series of Poker kicks off May 27
It was only two months ago that Joe Cada played his way to the Championship in the Main Event of the 2009 World Series of Poker, becoming the youngest player to do so, while pocketing $8.5 million.

Side action transforms game of blackjack
Casino have different blackjack rules

Blackjack has been such a standard in casinos since there have been casinos that many think the rules are the same everywhere.

Merle Haggard brings hits to Pechanga
MUSKOGEE, MEET PECHANGA

Merle Haggard, one of the original outlaws of country music, takes a trip to Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula tonight.

Haggard doesn't actually write a set list for his shows. He has about 250 tunes ready so he can see where the night takes him.

8 p.m. Jan. 8, Pechanga Resort and Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, 877-711-2946, $55-$85.

Ronnie Milsap lands at San Manuel
Runnin' with Ronnie

Ronnie Milsap performs in Highland on Thursday. If you're a country music fan, you won't want to miss it.

Milsap is right behind George Jones and Conway Twitty in accomplishments topping the country charts. His hits include "What Goes On When the Sun Goes Down," "Smoky Mountain Rain" and "Any Day Now."

01/01/2010

Merle Haggard gets real
The Taylor Swifts, the Carrie Underwoods, Keith Urbans and Rascal Flatts popularizing the country music universe on the pop radio dial are a far twang from the Outlaw country of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and Merle Haggard.

However, Haggard still thinks there's rebellion in country music.

Restaurant review: Waters Café hot fudge sundae orders have domino effect
I had a surprising and perhaps unrepeatable experience at the Waters Café a few weekends ago.

The Waters Café is one of the restaurants in Rancho Mirage's Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa.

I was attending a Brian Wilson concert in the casino's theater, The Show, and decided to dine in the café's bar rather than wait 15 minutes for a table on a busy Friday night.

12/25/2009

New Year's Eve: San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino
SAN MANUEL INDIAN BINGO AND CASINO

777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland, 800-359-2464, www.sanmanuel.com

New Year's Eve: Pala Casino & Resort
PALA CASINO SPA & RESORT

11154 Highway 76, Pala, 877-946-7252, www.palacasino.com

New Year's Eve: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO

84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, 800-827-2946, www.fantasyspringsresort.com

The Penthouse, a luxe cocktail lounge and wine bar on the twelfth floor, will host the cool jazz sounds of El Amin Collective from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

New Year's Eve: Agua Caliente
AGUA CALIENTE CASINO RESORT SPA

32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, 888-999-1995, www.hotwatercasino.com

Looking for variety on New Year's Eve? Check out Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, where there are three major parties going on.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?
What are you doing New Year's Eve?

There's no reason to sit at home watching Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest talking about how cold it is in Times Square, ringing in 2010 three hours early.

There are plenty of alternatives where you can celebrate the new decade on the West Coast with big time entertainment in Inland casinos.

12/17/2009

Robert Wagner to talk about memoir
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is launching a celebrity authors series with Robert Wagner, who has starred in three TV series and appeared in notable films from the 1953 "Titanic" to "Austin Powers."

Wagner will discuss his 2008 memoir, "Pieces of My Heart" at 2 p.m. Saturday. His daughter Katie Wagner will join him.

New Year's Eve calendar, Dec. 18, 2009
RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Riverside

Decadent New Year's Eve Bash, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Club Sevilla, 3252 Mission Inn, Riverside, $25. 951-778-0611.

Harvest New Years Eve Car Show, Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Harvest Christian Fellowship, 6115 Arlington Ave., Riverside, Free entry, 909-687-6902.

12/10/2009

Casino Listings - 12/11
Las Vegas

World Stars Of Magic, 7 p.m. today and Sunday, $19, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111.

Blue Man Group, 7 and 10 p.m. nightly; Wayne Brady, 9 p.m. Thursday-Monday; Jersey Boys, Thursday-Tuesday; Venetian Hotel and Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 877-883-6423 or 866-641-7469.

Inland casinos tempt gamers with New Year's winnings
The holiday season means casino promotions and New Year's Eve parties.

CASINO PAUMA

Say you, say me, say Lionel Ritchie at Fantasy Springs
Hello, it's Lionel

Hopefully Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio has dance-proofed their ceiling at the Special Events Center because Lionel Richie is coming on Jan. 15.

So say "Hello" to Richie because "You Are" a fan who will be partying "All Night Long."

Former Starship guitarist lands in Rancho Mirage
FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR

Craig Chaquico is playing The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa tonight.

He's probably most famous for his work with Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship, but he has also released a number of solo albums.

Dave Koz counts his blessings
Saxophonist Dave Koz figures he has good reason to smile as he closes out the year with the latest edition of his annual "Smooth Jazz Christmas" tour.

In one respect, he's smiling because this year's outing reunites a familiar lineup for his tour, as he is joined by singer Brenda Russell, pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White and trumpeter Rick Braun.

Boogie Woogie Christmas with Brian Setzer
Who's that rockin' Santa Claus?

Why it's Brian Setzer, back again for his Christmas show at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella on Wednesday.

The guitarist and bandleader, who first found fame with '80s rockers the Stray Cats and then with khakis from the Gap and a cover of Louis Prima's "Jump Jive An' Wail."

12/09/2009

Nelsons share musical bond
Willie Nelson and family are hitting the road and their appropriately titled tour "On the Road Again" is making a stop at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino for a night of country music goodness.

Calling from their tour bus, where they were headed to a show in Arizona, Willie's sister Bobbie recalled her and Willie's childhood and the special musical bond they share.

12/07/2009

The Show gets applause from concert industry
The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage has been nominated for the prestigious award "Best New Major Concert Venue" by concert trade publication Pollstar Magazine.

The 2,000-seat showroom opened in February with a concert by Billy Joel. In the months since, it has sold out shows with a wide range of musicians and comedians, from Social Distortion to Tony Bennett to Jay Leno.

12/03/2009

The soundtrack of your life, according to Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson, as a member of the Beach Boys, defined California culture for the rest of the country in the 1960s. His production techniques brought him critical acclaim. He also wrote some of the most perfect pop songs of all time.

Motown in Coachella
Motown moves

Motown giants The Supremes and The Temptations are playing Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella on Saturday. Sort of.

In a show billed as "Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards and Scherrie Payne & Lynda Laurence Formerly of The Supremes," the casino's showroom will become a time warp to some of the biggest hits of the 1960s.

Morissey is coming to Fantasy Springs
This charming man

The master of mope himself, Morrissey, makes a triumphant, er, sulking return the Coachella Valley this weekend.

The ex-frontman of seminal 1980s British band The Smiths played the 2009 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and complained about the smell of burning flesh, creating one of the best underscored hissy-fit moments in concert history.

11/25/2009

Halls ringing with versions of 'Jingle Bells'
The holidays are the time of the year when artists trot out albums they recorded in July, and halls are filled with the ringing reinterpretations of "Jingle Bells."

Here are the big-name holiday concerts to catch in the Inland region.

Sara Evans

CASINO CALENDAR
Las Vegas Variety Live! 7 p.m. today-Sunday, $19; HNLV Band, 10 p.m. today-Saturday; Sonny Turner, Former Lead Singer Of The Platters, 7 p.m. Dec. 4-6, $19, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111.

11/20/2009

Casino calendar
Las Vegas Brandon Bennett, 7 p.m. today-Sunday, $19; Chaze, 10 p.m. today-Saturday, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111.

Hiroshima "30th Anniversary Tour," 8 p.m. Saturday, Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, 4949 N. Rancho Drive, $27-$39, 702-658-4900.

11/17/2009

Bennett, Etheridge, Leno top Agua Caliente schedule
Just in time for Christmas, Agua Caliente Casino has released its 2010 concert schedule.

Think of it like the "Twelve Days of Christmas," but instead of six geese a-laying, five golden rings and a partridge in a pear tree, this is 12 days of showbiz with six musicians musing, five comedians laughing and a "Mr. Roboto" rock band.

11/10/2009

Julio Iglesias brings velvet voice to Pechanga
Latin lover

The last time we talked to Julio Iglesias, in advance of his summer tour stop in San Jacinto, he expounded about living in the moonlight and how his voice comes from the sound of the sea.

With talk like that, it's no wonder he had to dedicate a song to all of the girls he loved before.

Joe Perry has a guitar, will travel
Have guitar, will travel

Guitarist Joe Perry wrote his new album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel," as the backbone of a live show. Some of the songs were intended for Aerosmith to record, but when the classic rock band put its recording process on hiatus, Perry took the songs for himself.

11/05/2009

Poker player, host Sexton elected to Hall of Fame
Mike Sexton, poker player and host and analyst of the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel, has been elected to the Poker Hall of Fame. He was the only nominee receiving enough votes by the election committee to qualify for induction.

In his 30-year career of playing poker, Sexton has won more than $3.7 million.

Casino offers cocktail recipe book
It's the great pumpkin martini, Charlie Brown

Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino is celebrating the season with a pumpkin martini. The resort will be serving it through Thanksgiving. It goes for $9 in three restaurants: POM, the Bistro and Players Steakhouse. However, the resort is sharing the recipe:

1½ ounces Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

3 ounces apple cider

Casino Listings - 11/06
Las Vegas

Martin Niviera, 7 p.m. today-Sunday, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, $19, 702-636-7111.

Blue Man Group, 7 and 10 p.m. nightly; Wayne Brady, 9 p.m. Thursday-Monday; Jersey Boys, Thursday-Tuesday Venetian Hotel and Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 877-883-6423 or 866-641-7469.

311 gears up for fall tour
For 311's latest tour, the alternative rock band is getting all mixed up.

On its summer jaunt, the group played similar set lists each night.

"When you do a set list, it allows for a show," explained guitarist Tim Mahoney in a recent telephone interview.

10/30/2009

Celebs, poker pros come to Highland for charity tournament
Nearly two dozen celebrities and professional poker players came to Highland on Thursday to participate in the Ante Up for Africa charity tournament.

It was the second time hosts Don Cheadle and pro player Annie Duke brought their event to San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, and the second time the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has chipped in $500,000 for the cause.

Video: Ante up for Africa

Photo Gallery: Ante up for Africa

10/29/2009

Morongo casino Halloween costume contests have big payouts
The Horns & Halos Slot Tournament is today and Saturday at Morongo Casino with seven sessions each day. The top prize is $1,300, and prizes are awarded immediately after the sessions. The buy-in is $20, with a $10 discount for seniors. Each entry receives a free wild-card drawing ticket.

Southland gamblers rate local casinos
There are 23 Native American casinos in Southern California ranging from Highland to the north to Winter haven in the southeast corner of the state.

Recently the Southern California Gaming Guide, a monthly publication distributed free throughout Southern California in markets and other retail stores, asked its readers to participate in a survey of the best of the casinos in 22 categories.

Casino Listings - 10/30
Las Vegas The Scintas, 8 p.m. today-Sunday, $29; HNLV Band, 10 p.m. today-Saturday, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111.

Rio Suites wants guests to tweet
twitter for rewards

The Rio has a Twitter promotion that has a goal of enrolling 20,000 tweeters by Dec. 4. Entries must include #riovegas in tweets to qualify. The Rio will reward up to 500 Wild Weekends at the Rio to qualifiers. If the goal is reached, it will award one randomly selected tweeter a grand prize of a VIP Rio New Year's Eve package.

Exhibit captures famous entertainers
Caught on film

'Shot in the Dark" is a photo show by Ed Foster and is on exhibit at the Whitney Library on Tropicana Ave. at Nellis Road through Dec. 6.

Photos in the exhibit include shots of Robert Goulet, Jack Jones, Buddy Greco and Joe Williams.

Vegas has got 'America's Got Talent'
"America's Got Talent Live" is midway through a 10-week run at Planet Hollywood. It is hosted by Jerry Springer and features this season's winner Kevin Skinner and runner-up opera singer Barbara Padilla.

It's the truth! Lily Tomlin is coming to MGM Grand
Lily Tomlin is coming to town. The recipient of Emmy, Tony, Peabody and Mark Twain awards is bringing her comedy act to the MGM Grand Hollywood Theater Nov. 10-18.

Tickets are $58.50 and $80.50, $168.50 for "Golden Circle" meet-and-greet.

Alice Cooper to make Rockaoke appearance
Alice Cooper isn't just going to die four times on stage at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio tonight; he's also going to make the rock-star dreams of someone come true.

After Cooper's gig, he'll head over to the Rock Yard outdoor party area for the "Rockaoke" competition finale.

There are four finalists left, and Cooper is going to announce the winner.

10/23/2009

Stone Temple Pilots bring intense show to Highland
Stone Temple Pilots' show at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland on Thursday night can be summed up in one word: intense.

The alternative rock band, which broke out of San Diego amid the grunge era of the early 1990s, packed the showroom at the casino and had Inland rock fans shouting "S.T.P." during breaks between songs.

Photo Gallery: Stone Temple Pilots concert

10/22/2009

Alice Cooper brings Halloween to Indio
In his latest stage show, shock-rock superstar Alice Cooper is going to die four times.

Cooper said the show, which comes to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Oct. 30, will go through the phases of Alice Cooper the character, including one segment where Cooper is put to death by a giant hypodermic needle.

10/20/2009

Rob Thomas looks for honesty in music
Some nights when he's on stage, Rob Thomas taps into an energy with the audience he said is almost spiritual.

And on the nights when the audience isn't feeling it?

10/22/2009

Casino Listings - 10/23
Las Vegas

Blue Man Group, 7 and 10 p.m. nightly; Wayne Brady, 9 p.m. Thursday-Monday; Jersey Boys, Thursday-Tuesday Venetian Hotel and Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 877-883-6423 or 866-641-7469.

10/14/2009

Roger Daltrey sure plays a mean solo concert
There were plenty of Who T-shirts and Union Jacks on display at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino for Roger Daltrey’s concert. There were also plenty of empty seats. But the audience was filled with fans, and Daltrey, usually the Who’s front man, said he liked the vibe.

Photo Gallery: Roger Daltrey at San Manuel

10/15/2009

Tickets for Garth Brooks in Las Vegas go on sale Oct. 24
Garth Brooks is getting back in the dance.

The 47-year-old country star held a press conference Thursday morning to announce he's coming out of retirement.

Casino resort developer Steve Wynn made the news official that afternoon with the announcement that Brooks will "present a series of special engagements" in the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas beginning Dec. 11.

Casino Listings - 10/16
Las Vegas

Billy Dean, 8 p.m. Saturday, $19-$29; Michael Lington, 8 p.m. Oct. 23, $15-$25, Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino, 4949 N. Rancho Drive, 702-658-4900.

Clint Holmes, 8 p.m. Oct. 23-25, $29; San Fernando Band, 10 p.m. Oct. 23-24, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 9090 Alta Drive, 702-636-7111.

Las Vegas Advisor: Manilow wraps up 5-year run at Vegas Hilton this December
Barry Manilow will conclude his five-year run at the Las Vegas Hilton at the end of December. There is speculation that he'll perform at another casino, but nothing has been announced.

Casino plans

At a time when most analysts contend no new projects will be initiated in Las Vegas for several years, a new casino may be in store for Harmon Avenue, just east of the Strip.

Laughlin rocks rock-lovers' world with petroglyphs
Those who trek to Laughlin for a few days often go for fun on the Colorado River.

But there is more to Laughlin than boating, fishing and swimming.

There are, of course, a dozen casinos in the area with the normal staples of gambling, dining and entertainment. But there is still more.

Laughlin is like The Strip, only with water
Laughlin was not always Laughlin.

When the only access to this spot on the river was by dirt roads, Don Laughlin spotted it from the air and later visited, then purchased the six-room motel and restaurant.

Here are the best routes to Laughlin
the back way to Laughlin

The standard way to get to Laughlin, Nev., is to head north on Interstate 15 to Barstow, then east on Interstate 40 to Highway 95, then north to Highway 163, then east again to Laughlin. It's a boring drive competing with Las Vegas-bound traffic and lots of trucks.

Options aplenty among Laughlin's casinos
There are casinos along Laughlin's Casino Drive and more along the river side of the road, all but two with hotels.

Wild burros make their home in Oatman
Oatman is burrotastic

Before heading to Oatman, Ariz., about 30 miles southeast of Laughlin, stop by the grocery store for a few carrots. They will be much appreciated by the wild burros of Oatman.

London Bridge is at home in Lake Havasu
No need to go to England to see the famed London Bridge. It is located about 65 miles south of Laughlin. The bridge was dismantled in London, with each part labeled, and reassembled in Lake Havasu in 1964. An English village compliments the bridge with plenty of shops and restaurants in which to spend some time. Access to London Bridge and the English Village is by London Bridge Jet Boat Tours from Laughlin or by auto on Highway 95 on the Arizona side of the river.

Scott Weiland's extreme makeovers
Stone Temple Pilots, which formed in San Diego and had major hits with songs such as "Plush," "Interstate Love Song" and "Big Empty," will perform at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland on Thursday.

Expect some kind of stage getup from front man Scott Weiland, whose various looks have only rivaled Boy George and Madonna over the course of his career.

Add San Manuel to the list of players in the fight to save Sudan
Poker champ Annie Duke and actor Don Cheadle are bringing back the "Ante Up for Africa" tournament on Oct. 29 to San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino.

Their non-profit organization, also named Ante Up for Africa, has put on seven major events, Duke said Wednesday at the casino. Among them are on three big tournaments in Las Vegas, one in Monte Carlo, and a prior one at San Manuel in May 2008.

10/14/2009

Steely Dan keeps coming back to its old school sound
Music is the best thing that ever happened to Walter Becker.

"It's so full of feeling ... It's a really unique mode of expression and enjoyment. It's just so powerful, the ability to communicate musically with people is so strongly wired into us, as though it was our first language or something," the guitarist said in a recent telephone interview.

Get excitement at Roger Daltrey's feet
If you're in the front row at Roger Daltrey's show Thursday at San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, you might want to duck.

Daltrey, voice of The Who, will be practicing his wild microphone swinging in a performance at the casino.

Daltrey has announced that he will present tunes from his solo catalog as well as some tracks The Who doesn't often play live.

Rob Thomas goes solo in Temecula
Matchbox on the 23rd

Rob Thomas is a busy guy. He has his success with Matchbox Twenty, he's touring to support his solo career (with a stop at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula on Oct. 23), and he seems to be dealing with a Twitter addiction.

Willie Nelson on the road again to Indio
American country music icon Willie Nelson will perform at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Dec. 4.

10/09/2009

MGM Grand packages discount the resort's shows
MGM Grand discount

The Signature Suites at MGM Grand is offering a Naughty or Nice package for visitors. Both packages offer a 40 percent discount on Crazy Horse Paris show or KA by Cirque du Soleil.

The Naughty package also includes two entries to Studio 54 and Tabu nightclubs, a $75 beverage credit, an in-suite vodka station, and a special surprise turndown romantic gift.

Promotions tie in to World Series of Poker
Play poker, win a trip

Even though the Final Table of the World Series of Poker Main Event does not begin for another month, there are current events tying into the 2010 games.

One of the main sponsors of the WSOP, Milwaukee's Best Light, is offering two seats for the 2010 Main Event for the winners of a poker competition online.

The Strip gets scary for Halloween
Las Vegas is turning into Spooky Town for the rest of October.

If you are looking to be scared, there are a number of places to go.

Circus Circus has its Fright Dome. That is five acres of extreme scare zones with fog, strobe lights, multicolored lasers, five haunted houses, 23 rides and attractions, and roaming mutant creatures.

New resorts' restaurants plan their menus
New menus

With openings slated for December, chefs for the restaurants at Vdara and Mandarin Oriental hotels have been busy getting ready.

Chef Martin Heierling, is preparing the menus at Silk, a modernistic restaurant with private dining booths, BarVdara, a lounge with an outdoor patio, and Sky Pool and Lounge. The Pool offers food with a fantastic view of the city.

Balloon takes passengers 500 feet above the Las Vegas Strip
Get a lifT

If you want to get high while still being a law-abiding person, check out Cloud Nine, across Las Vegas Boulevard from Mandalay Bay.

Fall season brings incentives
Fall is a time casinos find it necessary to add extra incentives for players to frequent their establishments.

Although, from my observation, weekends seem to have a good turnout at the casinos, weekdays are off quite a bit.

Some of the promotions of the casinos are:

Regional casinos offer incentives
PALA CASINO: Pick your pigs for cash and free-play awards in the casino's Squealing for Cash promotion. Every slot club member can swipe their card at special kiosks in the casino once every 24 hours and select the pigs of their choice for prizes and entries into a Dec. 2 drawing for a total of $100,000.

Deal gives feds role in casino oversight
California tribes and casino regulators are close to ending a long-running disagreement over safeguards in the state's $8 billion tribal-casino industry.