Where are you going to watch fireworks on July 4? Well, if you want to go into Atlantic City, you certainly won't be disappointed if you check out the demonstration presented by Harrah's Resort and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, which will once again illuminate the marina between the two casinos at 9 p.m.
The two casino powerhouses claim that its display will be the largest fireworks display south of New York City and one of the largest on the East Coast.
The fireworks are presented by Grucci, a New York company that is known for producing some of the most spectacular displays in the country, including programs that included New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York, and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The display is expected to last more than 20 minutes, and the show will take more than five days to set up.
The show is open to the public with viewing areas opening at 6 p.m. at both properties. Weather and wind conditions may affect the timing of the show. If you can't get close enough to Borgata and Harrah's on July 4 because of the crowds, I checked them out last year on the north end of the Boardwalk near Showboat Casino-Hotel, and was still very impressed.
Look in next week's At The Shore for a full list of where you can see fireworks around southern New Jersey.
Fornelletto opening;
Roma already open
Fornelletto Cucino Italiano, the new upscale, fun, Italian restaurant from acclaimed chef Stephen Kalt will accept walk-in customers on Saturday, June 27, as part of a soft opening. Its grand opening will be Wednesday, July 1.
Fornelletto, located in the former Ombra location, will offer a mix of classic and contemporary Italian cuisine in a newly renovated space. Kalt, best known for his appearances on "Martha Stewart Living" and as executive chef of Corsa Cucina, a gourmet Mediterranean and Italian restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas, will retain Ombra's popular cheese station, push tables closer together to give the room more energy, add a mozzarella bar and feature a menu that will encourage diners to share and have fun.
Danny Veltri, who won last season's "Hell's Kitchen" on Fox, will serve as one of the restaurant's five sous chefs.
Its sister eatery, Roma, is already open in the former Risi-Bisi location. Roma offers pizza, pasta, paninis and more. It's a great and convenient way to experience Kalt's cuisine.
The Roots takes
residency at Borgata
The Roots - also knows as The Legendary Roots Crew - has been getting a lot of press lately for becoming the house band for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on NBC. Now, the Grammy-winning group has decided to take residency at Borgata, too.
The casino and band recently reached an agreement to perform a series of shows in Borgata's Music Box that begins 10 p.m. Friday, July 24.
After each show, which will feature a special musical guest, the band will host an official Borgata Nightlife afterparty, the first to be held in mixx, with music by guest DJ and Roots member Questlove.
"We've long looked at artists that we felt would be a natural fit for a residency at our 1,000-seat Music Box theater, but also had the unique ability to transcend into our nightlife offering and represent the multi-dimensional entertainment experience Borgata offers," says Joe Lupo, Borgata senior vice president. "The Roots are a special band that unequivocally embodies these qualities - with a longstanding, highly successful career and deep roots in this region - and we could not be more pleased to welcome them to their exclusive home in Atlantic City."
Tickets for the first show are $49.50 and go on sale 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27. They can be purchased at the Borgata box office, www.theborgata.com or by calling 866-900-4849. The mixx cover charge is $10.
Celebrity sightings
ABC lead singer Martin Fry, who performed in the "Regeneration Tour" at Resorts Atlantic City last weekend, dropped in to Boogie Nights after the show, where he performed a few songs for the packed house.
Over at Borgata's mur.mur nightclub, Kristin Cavallari partied on Saturday night. "The Hills" latest cast member dined at Bobby Flay Steak, choosing lobster, before hosting the mur.mur party, where DJ Samantha Ronson was spinning music. The next day, Cavallari relaxed at The Water Club's Immersion Spa before heading back to the Hills.
Also on Saturday, B.J. Novak, who performed in The Music Box, stopped by mur.mur after his show. "The Office" star is longtime friends with Ronson.
At The Pool at Harrah's, actress America Olivo hung out in a cabana after hosting an afterparty for the "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," in which she plays "Frisbee Girl."
'Biggest Loser'
trainer at Showboat
If you're a fan of "The Biggest Loser," you know who Bob Harper is. The renowned fitness expert and trainer on the popular NBC reality series will offer a free, hour-long health and fitness lecture and meet and greet on Saturday, June 27.
The appearance is part of the casino's "Gear Up for a Big Easy Summer" campaign, and Harper will host several elements of the promotion that will culminate with a $50,000 sweepstakes at the end of the night.
At 2 p.m., Harper will deliver his health and fitness lecture in the Club Harlem Ballroom on the second floor near the House of Blues. The event is free, but reservations are required by going to www.showboatac.com.
Harper will then emcee the sweepstakes every hour from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by a book signing in the hotel lobby from 7 to 8 p.m. At 8 p.m., the final winner will be announced, and Harper will then host an afterparty at 9 p.m. in the Foundation Room at the House of Blues, which is also free and open to the public.
Harper, who is one of the most popular trainers on "The Biggest Loser," has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Ellen DeGeneres and Jenny McCarthy, among others.
'Transformers' on IMAX at the Trop
Speaking of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," the sequel to the hit "Transformers" flick opened in area theaters earlier this week, including IMAX at The Quarter at the Tropicana Casino and Resort.
The sequel features select scenes filmed with IMAX cameras by Director Michael Bay. The portions of the film shot in traditional 35mm will be digitally remastered into The IMAX Experience. With IMAX DMR (Digital Remastering) technology. The IMAX DMR scene will appear in traditional letterbox shape, while the scenes shot with IMAX cameras will expand vertically on the huge screen.
Tickets can be purchased at the IMAX box office or Ticketmaster at 800-736-1420 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Trump sets up
Ray Kot Memorial Fund
Trump Entertainment Resorts recently announced that it set up the Ray Kot Memorial Fun in honor of the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort assistant casino manager who was killed in May.
"It has been an exceptionally difficult and heart wrenching time as we mourn and honor our friend and colleague Ray Kot," says Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts in a press release. "It also has been extremely gratifying to have personally witnessed the tremendous outpouring of love and devotion that Ray's life inspired in so many."
Donations to the fund will benefit his only son, Drew, and used for his education and support. Donations can be made to: Trump Taj Mahal Ray Kot Memorial Fund,To Benefit Drew Kot, c/o TD Bank, 15 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401, attention Tara Hill.
'Nude' poker tourney
Shannon Elizabeth and Andy Dick, who will appear in the "Live Nude Comedy" show in the Tropicana showroom on Saturday, June 27, will host a No Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament 7:15 p.m. Friday, June 26, in the Poker Room. Buy-in is $100 plus $22 entry fee. All entrants will receive $15,000 in chips.
Players will have a chance to win the final cash grand prize as well as additional prizes that include tickets to the comedy show that also features Greg Giraldo and The Whitest Kids U'Know.
