Joan Jett
and the Blackhearts
at Harrah's
WHO ARE THEY: Joan Jett's no-nonsense approach to rock 'n' roll made her not only a hit-maker, but an influential frontwoman for future generations. With her band The Blackhearts, Jett released the album "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" in 1981. The title track was a smash hit, reaching the top of the charts and staying there for seven weeks in the spring of 1982. The follow up single, "Crimson and Clover," was also a hit. In 1987, Jett starred alongside Michael J. Fox in the film "Light of Day" and scored a Top 40 hit with the title track. A year later, the single "I Hate Myself for Loving You," from the album "Up Your Alley," reached the Top 10.
WHAT TO EXPECT: For those who love rock 'n' roll, Saturday night's concert at Harrah's by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts should hit the spot. Jett burst on the scene in the early 1980s with a sound that was familiar but a style that was all her own. The 1982 hit single "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" has endured as a classic anthem and concertgoers can expect to hear this as well as other hits such as "I Hate Myself For Loving You," "Crimson and Clover" and "Light of Day." With the holiday season upon us, fans may also get a special treat with a song or two from the holiday album "A Blackheart Christmas."
WHAT'S NEW: Jett confirmed in a recent interview that a greatest hits album with two new tracks is on tap for 2010.
WEB SITE: www.joanjett.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35 and $45. The show begins at
9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Concert Venue, Harrah's Resort.
Kozak the Magician
at Tropicana
WHO IS HE: Kozak the Magician began his career as a street performer in Pittsburgh and quickly rose to become a successful comedian and magician. Kozak even got an opportunity to perform for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the Palladium Theater in London.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $23 and $30, and the $30 tickets include dinner. Dinner is 5 p.m. daily with the show following one hour later. at the Comedy Stop in The Quarter at the Tropicana.
Celebrate Christmas with Il Divo
at Trump Taj Mahal
WHAT IS IT: Il Divo is a male vocal quartet from London that has taken opera into the 21st century with its renditions of mainstream pop hits. The group is the brainchild of American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who searched for two years to find singers that sounded like The Three Tenors, sang pop songs and resembled European models. The group's debut album sold 5 million copies and it became the only group besides Led Zeppelin to achieve a No. 1 album without releasing a single. Some of their hits include covers of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," Mariah Carey's "Hero," and The Righteous Brothers'
"Unchained Melody."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Il Divo's notorious good looks and image have as much to do with the group's appeal as its music does. A sizeable portion of the quartet's fan base is comprised of giddy, shrieking young women enamored by the group's sexual appeal. But on Saturday night Christmas will take center stage as the group performs songs from the album "The Christmas Collection" in English, Spanish and Italian. Concert-goers can expect to hear holiday favorites such as "Silent Night," "O Holy Night" and "White Christmas" as well as the spiritual standards "Amazing Grace" and "Ave Maria." The performance will feature guest appearances from jazz vocalist Holly Cole and internationally-acclaimed violinist Anne Akiko Meyer.
WHAT'S NEW: A live album and DVD documenting the group's 2009 "An Evening with Il Divo" tour is slated for release in 2010. The tour included stops in 81 cities in 32 countries.
WEB SITE: www.ildivo.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $60.50, $85.50 and $145.50. The show begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Arena, Trump Taj Mahal.
'Yesterday -
A Tribute to the
Beatles' at Tropicana
WHAT IS IT: Yesterday is a Las Vegas-based Beatles tribute band that began performing as a unit in 1986. The band has appeared onstage with America, Chicago and The Moody Blues. Yesterday was invited to perform at the U.S. Postal Service's unveiling of the "Yellow Submarine" postage stamp. The band strives to achieve the utmost authenticity in every performance.
CRITIC'S CORNER: Press of Atlantic City critic Scott Cronick wrote: "While there are some more elaborate and even better Beatles tribute bands out there, Yesterday's enthusiasm and love for the music shines, and the guys sound as good as most Beatles tributes you will hear. 'The British Are Coming!' is a satisfying, fun and inexpensive night out that shouldn't be missed."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The shows begin 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays at the Liverpool Club, North Tower, Tropicana.
New Breed Fighters
at Resorts
WHAT IS IT: New Breed Fighters is an amateur mixed martial arts league that looks to help young fighters get started on the path to a professional career. The objective is to build a tight, local base that will support and nurture southern New Jersey athletes.
WHAT TO EXPECT: For the past three years, New Breed Fighters has been home to the best amateur mixed martial artists. On Saturday night, Resorts will host the league's first professional event, titled "One Step Closer." The main event is a lightweight title fight between Al "Mr. Big" Buck (10-10) and Brian DeMuro (4-5-1). Dan "K-9" Cion and Jason Patton will make their professional debuts in the featherweight matchup, while Dave Concepcion, who compiled an amateur record of 11-3, makes his pro debut battling Alexis Ramos in a welterweight bout. Mike "The Fightin Inferno" Andrillo makes his pro debut fighting Lewis Pascavage in a light heavyweight match. Other bouts on the fight card include Brian Danner (2-0) vs. Roger Mamedov (1-0-1) in a lightweight matchup and Brian "The Predator" Rogers (2-2) vs. Drew Puzon (1-2) in a middleweight bout.
WHAT'S NEW: New Breed Fighters will be going pro on Saturday night, with the mixed martial arts league expanding its scope to the professional level after three years of being strictly an amateur fight league.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $55, $75 and $135. The show begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Superstar Theater, Resorts.
'Spirit of Christmas'
at Atlantic City Hilton
WHAT IS IT: "Spirit of Christmas" is an Atlantic City Hilton holiday production. The show features a cast of numerous dancers, 23 singers and Radio City Rockette-style, high-kicking chorus girls.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Those looking to infuse themselves with holiday spirit should look no further than "Spirit of Christmas" at the Atlantic City Hilton. Santa Claus headlines a show full of holiday cheer and good tidings. Amidst the onstage virtual winter wonderland is a cast comprised of singers, dancers and chorus girls hick-kicking the Christmas season into full swing. "Spirit of Christmas" also includes a plethora of timeless Christmas songs such as "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "White Christmas." A show that is fun for the whole family, "Spirit of Christmas" is sure to have you singing Christmas carols for the next few weeks until the annual arrival of Jolly old St Nick.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The show begins at 7 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 p.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. Saturdays at the Hilton Theater. The show runs to Dec. 20.
'Miracle on 34th Street' at Tropicana
WHAT IS IT: "Miracle on 34th Street" was a classic holiday film released in 1947 that tells the story of a department store Santa Claus who turns out to be the real thing. There have been several remakes and theatrical versions over the years. The film, with its heart-warming story, has become one of the all-time holiday favorites. Tropicana will be presenting the live theatrical version throughout the holiday season.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Watching "Miracle on 34th Street" on television during the holiday season has become almost as much of a yuletide tradition as decorating a Christmas tree. This holiday season, Tropicana brings the film to life with performances at the Showroom. The classic tale of Macy's parade director Doris Walker, her 9-year old daughter and Kris Kringle is presented in all of its glory with scenes featuring marching bands, dancing movie and cartoon characters, and beloved holiday songs.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The show begins at 9 p.m. on Saturdays, 7 p.m. on Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays and 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The show runs to Dec. 19 at the Tropicana Showroom.
Cirque Dreams
'Holidaze'
at Trump Taj Mahal
WHO ARE THEY: Cirque Dreams Holidaze was created by director Neil Goldberg, who expanded on the successful Cirque Dreams franchise by incorporating some holiday magic. Over the past few years, several million people have attended a Cirque Dreams show. New York Magazine described Cirque Dreams as "The grandest circus spectacle east of Vegas."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Those who are tired of the same old traditional holiday shows should enjoy Cirque Dreams Holidaze, where 40 ornaments come to life with aerial, acrobatic, musical and dance productions. The show features a 20-foot tree around which gingerbread men perform flips, snowmen juggle and bounce their buttons off each other, and reindeer fly high over the rooftops of a city made of gifts.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25 and $35. The show begins at
8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 9 p.m. on Fridays and 3:30 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the Xanadu, Trump Taj Mahal.
Michael Turco's
'Wonder' at Bally's
WHO IS HE: New Jersey's own Michael Turco began performing magic tricks at the age of 5. Turco's shows include segments that pay tribute to the illusionists who inspired his own career, as well as a combination of tricks he's been developing since his youth and magic with a modern touch. Turco is also known for his storytelling and ability to engage an audience.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Incredible magic, engaging stories and illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief are all a part of Turco's "Wonder" at Bally's throughout the rest of 2009. The New Jersey native is a natural showman, at ease with any crowd, and brings his own personal touch to every performance through his storytelling. Turco, 26, has had a love affair with magic since he was a small child, and it shows. His enthusiasm is infectious and his mastery of tricks is top-notch. The show features music and dancers.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $30. The show begins at 3 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Monday to Wednesday. The show runs to January 2 at the Palace Theater, Bally's.
