Celtic Thunder
at Harrah's Resort
WHO ARE THEY: Celtic Thunder is an Irish group comprised of five male vocalists: Damian McGinty, Keith Harkin, Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly and George Donaldson. They've released seven albums since 2008, including their self-titled debut. The vocalists of Celtic Thunder perform as both soloists and as an ensemble during their performances.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Backed by the Celtic Concert Orchestra, Celtic Thunder is one of the hottest acts in Irish music. Live shows include dramatic lighting, an incredible stage and a show that is professionally choreographed. They offer an eclectic mix of material including "Raggle Taggle Gypsy," "The Mountains of Mourne," "Nights in White Satin," "Puppy Love." "Ireland's Call," "She," and "Caledonia."
WHAT'S NEW: Their latest release is a CD and DVD titled "Storm," which was released in September. An edited version has aired on PBS.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35, $55 and $70, and the show begins 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at The Concert Venue, Harrah's Resort.
Ekin Cheng
at Trump Taj Mahal
WHO IS HE: Ekin Cheng is an actor and singer from Hong Kong whose career began in the early 1990s in the film "Girls Without Tomorrow 1992." His breakout role was in the 1996 film "Young and Dangerous" and Cheng went on to star in all six sequels. Cheng has been able to maintain a successful music career while continuing to take acting roles. His most famous song, "Age of Friendship," was the theme song for "Young and Dangerous."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Cheng comes to the Trump Taj Mahal on Thursday afternoon for a matinee performance. Although he may be more well-known for his movies, Cheng has also been a successful recording artist. Despite a lack of performing in the 2000s due to various record label disputes, Cheng came back with a vengeance.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $38, $68, $88, $118 and $138, and the show begins 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Arena, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
Chris Cornell
at Borgata
WHO IS HE: As lead singer for the Seattle hard rock band Soundgarden, Chris Cornell helped pioneer the sounds and attitude that became classified as grunge music. By combining elements of punk, heavy metal and classic rock, Soundgarden became one of the most successful and influential bands on the scene, scoring hit albums such as "Badmotorfinger," "Superunkown" and "Down on the Upside." Cornell's first solo album, "Euphoria Morning," was released in 1999. In late 2000, Cornell joined the former members of Rage Against the Machine to form the supergroup Audioslave. The band's self-titled debut was released in 2002 and was a multi-platinum success. His second solo album, "Carry On," was released in June 2007. Two years later he released "Scream."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Few vocalists possess the range and raw power of Cornell. As lead singer for Soundgarden, Cornell perfected the art of high-octave heavy metal-style wailing, but was able to temper his style with a soothing, low-range baritone that gave his music depth. Armed with a career of monster songs from two of hard rock's greatest bands and several albums worth of solo material, Cornell is likely to give the Borgata crowd a little bit of everything Friday night. His setlists often include Soundgarden hits such as "Outshined," "Spoonman" and "Black Hole Sun," Audioslave favorites "Cochise," "Doesn't Remind Me," "Out of Exile," "Like A Stone," "Show Me How To Live" and "What You Are," Temple of the Dog tracks "Say Hello to Heaven" and "All Night Thing" as well as solo numbers such as "You Know My Name," "Seasons" and "Can't Change Me." He also has performed covers such as Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," John Lennon's "Imagine" and Led Zeppelin's "Thank You." If you're a fan of Cornell's work across the board, this is a phenomenal show that will not disappoint.
WHAT'S NEW: Cornell's new acoustic live album, "Songbook," was released on Nov. 21. It includes material recorded during a stretch between March and May.
WEBSITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $51.50, and the shows begin
9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26 at the Music Box, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto at House of Blues
WHO ARE THEY: Reel Big Fish is a southern California-based ska-punk band that gained popularity in the 1990s in the wake of successful bands such as No Doubt and Sublime. The band's first big-label release was 1996's "Turn The Radio Off." In 1997, the band scored a big hit with "Sell Out," which was successful on both the radio and MTV. An EP titled "Keep Your Receipt" was released in July 1997 and was followed by the full-length "They Rock So Hard" in 1998.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Reel Big Fish's southern California style of ska punk proved to be a big hit in the late 1990s. Expect them to perform hit songs such as "Sell Out" with an unforgettable stage show. One of the best things that makes the band so appealing, and much of ska music in general for that matter, is the inclusion of the horn section. It provides a certain triumphant power that can't be matched. Opening the show will be New Brunswick natives Streetlight Manifesto, which brings a catchy sound and an infectious attitude.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $20 and $25, and the show begins 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, at the House of Blues at Showboat.
Straight No Chaser
at Caesars
WHO ARE THEY: Straight No Chaser is a 10-piece male a cappella group that formed in the mid 1990s when the members were students at Indiana University. The group became a sensation with its two holiday albums and is finding more success with the recent release "With a Twist," which includes Oasis' "Wonderwall," the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under the Bridge" and Coldplay's "Fix You."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Straight No Chaser has taken the simple concept of a cappella vocal harmonies and made it into a hugely successful career.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35, $45 and $55. The show begins at 9 p.m. on November 25 and 26 at the Circus Maximus Theater, Caesars.
Bellator Fighting Championship 59 at Caesars
WHO ARE THEY: Bellator Fighting Championships is a mixed martial arts organization which formed in 2008 and organizes its events into different seasons. The fights are broadcast live on MTV2 and Tr3. Past champions include Hector Lombard, Eddie Alvarez, Pat Curran and Cole Konrad.
WEBSITE: www.bellator.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $45, $85, $125 and $150. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. on November 26 at the Circus Maximus Theatre, Caesars.
Brand New
at House of Blues
WHO ARE THEY: Hailing from Long Island, N.Y., Brand New released its first album, "Your Favorite Weapon," in 2001 after amassing a strong following on the local scene. The band's sophomore album, "Deja Entendu," was released in the summer of 2003 and received excellent reviews. After moving to Interscope, the band released "The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me" in 2006. It contained the alternative hit single "Jesus." Three years later, "Daisy" reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 thanks in part to "At the Bottom."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $28.50, and the show begins 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the House of Blues.
Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller at Borgata
WHO ARE THEY: Bill O'Reilly is a conservative television host, author and political commentator best known for his Fox News Channel show "The O'Reilly Factor." The New York native worked as a television news reporter and anchor during the 1970s and '80s before becoming the host of "Inside Edition" in 1991. He began hosting "The O'Reilly Factor" in 1996. Although O'Reilly is immensely popular with a certain faction of the right-wing public, he is among television's most controversial figures.
Dennis Miller rose to fame in the late 1980s as the "Weekend Update" anchor on "Saturday Night Live." His sarcastic wit added an sophistication and intelligence to the show. Miller was featured in several successful HBO stand-up comedy specials and hosted his own HBO show, "Dennis Miller Live," from 1994 to 2002. In a rather unusual move, the Pittsburgh native took a job as a color commentator for ABC's "Monday Night Football" in 2000. The comic's dry wit and arcane references didn't exactly go over well and Miller left the broadcast in 2002. Miller's comedy began to take on a conservative slant following the events of 9/11, which alienated a significant portion of his audience. His CNBC show "Dennis Miller" was cancelled in 2005.
WHAT TO EXPECT: It's no secret that O'Reilly is one of the most polarizing figures in American television. Often blurring the lines between entertainment and political commentary, O'Reilly is somebody who it's tough not to have an opinion on. Much like O'Reilly, Miller's ranting style - complete with obscure references - makes him one of those guys you either love or hate. Politics have long been a part of Miller's act and his recent leanings toward the right may have some long time liberal fans feeling a bit queasy.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $95, $125, $150 and $500. The show begins 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Event Center, Borgata.
Legends in Concert
WHAT IS IT: Since beginning in Las Vegas in 1983, Legends in Concert has been one the most successful and longest-running tribute shows around.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The popular Legends in Concert tribute show returns to Bally's for a special holiday run from now until Jan. 1 that features Christmas songs.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $30, and the shows begin 8 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays to Fridays and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturdays at the Palace Theater, Bally's. The show runs Nov. 25 to Jan. 1.
The Price is Right
at Bally's
WHAT TO EXPECT: This live version of "The Price is Right" offers contestants a chance to win cash and prizes by playing games.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $20 and $25, and the shows begin 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at the Palace Theater, Bally's Claridge Tower.
Kozak the Magician
at Tropicana
WHO ARE THEY: Kozak the Magician offers a night of magic blended with wit suitable for all ages.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $23 for the show only and $32 for the show and dinner. Performances begin 6 p.m. with 5 p.m. seating for dinner Thursdays to Wednesdays at the Comedy Stop in The Quarter, Tropicana.
Divas in a Man's World at Resorts
WHO ARE THEY: "Believe: Divas in a Man's World" features seven male entertainers portraying female celebrities.
WHAT TO EXPECT: "Believe. Divas in a Man's World" is a dream come true for producer Steven Andrade, who put the show together and stars as Cher. "I have entertained nationally and internationally - so too has the rest of the cast," said Andrade. Resorts Casino Hotel owner, president and C.E.O. Dennis Gomes is also excited about what this show has to offer. "It's a one-of-a-kind cast with remarkable talent that is a welcome addition to our entertainment calendar," said Gomes in a press release. "We believe in the show and love that we are able to bring truly top-notch entertainment back to the Screening Room at Resorts."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the shows begin 9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 8 p.m. on Sundays at the Screening Room, Resorts.
