According to Pollstar, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is about as good as it gets in this region for concerts.
For the fourth year, both of Borgata's concert venues - The Music Box and Event Center - ranked on Pollstar's Top Worldwide Concert Venues listings, and the 3,000-capacity Event Center even ranked on the Top 100 Theatres list, the only venue in the market to do so.
"We could not be more pleased to have both of our entertainment venues on Pollstar's Top Worldwide Venues lists," says Borgata Senior Vice President Joe Lupo. "Over the last six years, Borgata has been host to the biggest names in entertainment from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends to today's hottest acts. We would not have been able to bring such high-caliber entertainment to Atlantic City without the help of our friends at Live Nation, who have played an integral role in positioning Borgata as one of the country's leading entertainment destinations."
In 2009, some of The Music Box's top acts included David Cook, The Roots, Jewel, Roger Daltrey, Tracey Morgan, Chelsea Handler and Kathy Griffin. The Music Box ranked No. 93 on Pollstar's Top 100 Worldwide Club Rankings.
The Event Center ranked No. 71 on the Top 100 Theatres List because of 2009 bookings that included Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, John Legend and Maxwell. It also hosted 17 of the Top 100 Concert Tours of 2009, including No Doubt, Depeche Mode, blink-182, M�tley Cr�e, Il Divo, New Kids on the Block, Kid Rock and Journey.
Pollstar's list is based on worldwide ticket sales as reported to the magazine.
Valentine's weekend suggestions
Now that the snow has passed, it's time to get out, and Atlantic City certainly has enough to offer. There's more than a dozen headliners in town, and it seems every club and restaurant is really raising the bar this weekend. I helped weed through the offerings to make some suggestions.
Harrah's Entertainment has a bunch of events featuring Steve Ward from VH1's "Tough Love - see story on Page 8 - but the coolest offering is the "Rock 'n' Roll Wine" event at Club Worship at Showboat Casino-Hotel. Hosted by Ward and his mother JoAnn, the $40 ticket will include samplings of more than 30 wines that include Canella, Francis Coppola, Graffigna, House, Penfold's and Stellina Di Notte, as well as acoustic music by Jeremy Cornwell. The event goes 8 to 11 p.m. Call 609-236-BLUE.
If vodka is more your thing, head over to Red Square in The Quarter at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The Russian-themed restaurant will be offering its famous Chocolate Cherry Infusion drink made with vodka, cherries and milk chocolate. Couples can dressed up in Russian attire provided by the restaurant and have the drink served ice-cold in the restaurants freezing vodka locker for $25. The price also includes a picture. Stay for dinner: specials include lobster tail tempura, a veal chop and clams casino. Call 609-344-9100.
Also in The Quarter, The Palm will continue to offer its special of filet mignon and crab-stuffed lobster for $47.95 per person.
The Trop has lots of other romantic happenings.
Packages include the "I Do," which includes an overnight stay Sunday, Feb. 14, a message on the Palm Walk TV screen, a bottle of Moet and Chandon White Star champagne served at Tango's, a heart-shaped pendant provided by Accents and a box of Godiva chocolates for $388. A more inexpensive "Stay the Night - Spark the Romance" offer includes overnight stay on Sunday and two tickets to see the "Crocodile Rock" revue show for $249. Call 800-345-8767.
Throughout the weekend, "the lovely ladies" at the Rumba Lounge and the In Card Girls will don their "naughtiest nighties." And on Friday, Feb. 12, Providence will feature a lingerie contest with a $500 gift card to Victoria's Secret and bottle service for six being offered as the grand prize.
The Trump Entertainment properties have some good room deals. Trump Marina Hotel Casino's Lovefest Package" includes an overnight stay, a bottle of champagne and prix-fixe dinner at DJ's or Harborview restaurants for two starting at $119, exclusing Saturdays. Call 800-777-8477.
Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino's "Romantic Rendezvous" includes a one-night stay from Friday through Sunday, in-room champagne and strawberries, room service breakfast, two bath robes and a late checkout ranging from $279 to $459. Also at Trump Plaza, Max's Steakhouse is offering a special multi-course menu for $55 on Sunday. Call 609-441-6777.
Sonsie, located inside The Pier at Caesars, is rolling out a special Valentine's Day dinner with "romantic foods." A variety of courses will be offered that include specialty salads, small plates, dinners for two and assorted petifores for dessert.
Resorts Atlantic City's Valentine's Day hotel package includes a room in the Rendezvous Tower, a prix-fixe dining experience at Capriccio, entry into its retro Boogie Nights dance club for $270. The Capriccio menu can also be had for $100 per couple and includes: an appetizer of fried calamari with an assortment of meats, cheeses and vegetables: main-courses of filet mignon, jumbo shrimp and boursin cheese ravioli in a rosa sauce. And dessert is a strawberry mascarpone chiffon heart. Call 800-932-0734.
$2 blackjack debuts
Resorts will debut its long-awaited $2 blackjack games 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12. The "retro blackjack" games fit well into the casino's retro theme that was created around the opening of Boogie Nights, its '70s and '80s dance club.
The tables will offer minimum $2 bets plus a 25-cent fee per hand. There will be two $2 tables offered for a limited time. Players are allowed to wager in $1 increments after $2. If a player wagers more than $5, the 25-cent fee is waived.
Promo stuff
Marina and plaza
It's Back! Money Machine Madness
You wanted it, you got it! The Madness is back at Trump Plaza. Start racking up your entries for a chance to step into the Money Machine. Play your favorite games January 4-February 15 using your Trump One Card. Then join us on February 13, 14 and 15 in the 5th Avenue Slot Area for your chance to enter the Money Madness Machine. If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll step into the machine for 60 seconds and grab as much flying cash as you can. Whatever you catch, you keep! We're randomly selecting winners every 10 minutes, from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on February 15. Plus, we're letting you increase your chances by racking up triple the entries. Simply play at Trump Plaza on January 5, 13 and 21 and February 11, and you'll earn 3X entries. Be sure to activate your entries between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on February 15. There's a total of $150,000 flying through the air-grab your share!
trump marina, taj
Grab the Benjamin's -- Money Machine Madness is back!
It's a great way to spend President's Weekend-Money Machine Madness is back and better than before. Earn entries beginning January 4 for a chance to step into the Money Machine February 13 through 15. Play your favorite games January 4-February 15 using your Trump One Card. Then join us on February 13, 14 and 15 in the Grand Concourse area for your chance to enter the Money Madness Machine. If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll step into the machine for 60 seconds and grab as much flying cash as you can. Whatever you catch, you keep! We're randomly selecting winners every hour at Trump Taj Mahal or Trump Plaza, from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on February 15. Be sure to activate your entries between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on February 13 and 14 and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on February 15. There's a total of $150,000 flying through the air-so grab your share!
Valentine's Specials at Il Mulino: Now That's Amore
Indulge in the best Italian this side of the Atlantic at Il Mulino New York and Trattoria Il Mulino. Take out the one you love this Valentine's Day and enjoy these special deals:
Il Mulino New York is serving up a gourmet four-course dinner menu featuring mouth-watering dishes such as saut�ed Langostinos, center-cut veal chop with sage and garlic and a filet grilled to perfection topped with porcini mushrooms. Plus, you'll enjoy a bottle of Moet Nectar Rose Champagne. All for just $250 per couple (plus tax and gratuity).
Over at Trattoria Il Mulino you'll dive into a three-course menu showcasing our prime aged rib eye, Il Mulino's signature meatballs and a seared red snapper in a lemon and white wine sauce. Pair it with a half-bottle of Gosset Grand Rose Champagne for just $150 per couple (plus tax and gratuity).
SHOWBOAT ATLANTIC CITY TEAMS UP WITH MAJOR LEAGUE
EATING FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL FAT TUESDAY COMPETITIVE EATING CHAMPIONSHIP
Hundreds of King Cakes Will Be Devoured as Several Local Professional Eaters Look to Defend Their Home-Turf at Showboat on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
A $50,000 King Cake Sweepstakes Will Round-Out the Events of the Day.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- New Orleans is not the only place to go to celebrate Mardi Gras. Showboat Atlantic City embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras every day, but the party atmosphere will be heightened on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2010 with a calendar overflowing with festivities open to the public.
Kicking off the annual Fat Tuesday festivities at Showboat will be the $50,000 King Cake Sweepstakes. Every hour from 12pm - 4pm, 10 winners will walk away with a fatter wallet, culminating with a $10,000 grand prize drawing at 6pm! These drawings are open to all Total Rewards card holders. Membership is free and cards can be obtained at the Total Rewards Center. A free entry to the hourly drawings can be obtained by swiping a Total Rewards card at the promotional kiosks located in the concourse across from Jackson Square.
Immediately following the 4pm King Cake Sweeps drawing, eight of the world's best Major League Eaters will gather in the House of Blues Courtyard for the Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating World Championship. Capping off a weekend of Mardi Gras celebration, Showboat will serve up hundreds of king cakes and put a $4,000 cash purse on the table at this MLE-sanctioned King Cake Eating Championship.
Bob Shoudt of Royersford, PA has won eight eating titles in five months and is now known as the "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt, the worlds number three ranked eater, will look to keep his streak alive at the Showboat King Cake event, which will be his first contest of the 2010 Major League Eating season. David "U.S. Male" Goldstein, a postal worker from Vorhees, NJ and winner of last year's Showboat Mardi Gras eating contest, will also compete. Both men will face hefty competition from Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, a sweets specialist who is flying in from Chicago in an attempt to add king cake to an eating resume that already includes more than twenty world records.
The top two female competitive eaters in the world will also compete - Alexandria, VA's Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas is scheduled to be in Atlantic City as is her slender adversary Juliet Lee, Maryland's top-ranked eater.
"For the second year in a row, we've proudly partnered with Major League Eating for what should be another must-see event featuring some of the World's fiercest competitive eaters," said Jay Snowden, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Showboat Atlantic City and Harrah's Resort "The Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship at Showboat is a unique and entertaining competition and we're looking forward to another fun event in 2010 ," continued Snowden.
New York City's "Eater X", Boston's Pete "Pretty Boy" Davekos and Philly-area fan favorite Micah "Wing Kong" Collins will also compete. Last year, the Showboat ran a crawfish eating championship at its Mardi Gras celebration, New Jersey's U.S. Male Goldstein won the contest by consuming 5 pounds in 12 minutes.
"King Cake is a strong symbol of Mardi Gras and an item we've never featured in a sanctioned competition," said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. "History will be made at the Showboat on Fat Tuesday."
The 8-minute contest will take place from the House of Blues restaurant at the Showboat. In addition to the newly established world record, Showboat will award $2,500 to the top finisher. Second place will earn $1,000 and the third place finisher will receive $500.
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PRESS CONTACT: Richard Shea, Mike Antolini (212) 352-8651
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WORLD'S TOP COMPETITIVE EATERS TO CELEBRATE
FAT TUESDAY WITH KING CAKE EATING CHAMPIONSHIP
Chicagoan to Challenge Philly Area's Best Eaters; $4,000 in Cash Prizes On the Line
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On February 16th, eight of the world's best Major League Eaters will gather at Showboat Casino in Atlantic City for the Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating World Championship. To kick off its Mardi Gras celebration, Showboat will serve up hundreds of king cakes and put a $4,000 cash purse on the table at this MLE-sanctioned King Cake Eating Championship.
Bob Shoudt of Royersford, PA has won eight eating titles in five months and is now known as the "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt, the worlds number three ranked eater, will look to keep his streak alive at the Showboat King Cake event, which will be his first contest of the 2010 Major League Eating season. David "U.S. Male" Goldstein, a postal worker from Vorhees, NJ and winner of last year's Showboat Mardi Gras eating contest, will also compete. Both men will face hefty competition from Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, a sweets specialist who is flying in from Chicago in an attempt to add king cake to an eating resume that already includes more than twenty world records.
The top two female competitive eaters in the world will also compete - Alexandria, VA's Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas is scheduled to be in Atlantic City as is her slender adversary Juliet Lee, Maryland's top-ranked eater.
"For the second year in a row, we've proudly partnered with Major League Eating for what should be another must-see event featuring some of the World's fiercest competitive eaters," said Jay Snowden, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Showboat Atlantic City and Harrah's Resort. "The Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating Championship at Showboat is a unique and entertaining competition and we're looking forward to another fun event in 2010," continued Snowden.
New York City's "Eater X", Boston's Pete "Pretty Boy" Davekos and Philly-area fan favorite Micah "Wing Kong" Collins will also compete. Last year, the Showboat ran a crawfish eating championship at its Mardi Gras celebration, New Jersey's U.S. Male Goldstein won the contest by consuming 5 pounds in 12 minutes.
"King Cake is a strong symbol of Mardi Gras and an item we've never featured in a sanctioned competition," said Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating. "History will be made at the Showboat on Fat Tuesday."
The 8-minute contest will take place from the House of Blues restaurant at the Showboat. In addition to the newly established world record, Showboat will award $2,500 to the top finisher. Second place will earn $1,000 and the third place finisher will receive $500.
About Showboat, The Mardi Gras Casino:
Showboat Atlantic City is a world-class entertainment destination that captures the spirit of Mardi Gras, 365 days a year. Home to "THE SHOW", Atlantic City's only FREE Las Vegas-style Mardi Gras production parade, the House of Blues which produce the best live shows on the planet, seven eateries and restaurants, a high-energy casino and extensive nightlife options. Showboat was voted "Best Theme" in Casino Player magazine's 2008 Best of Gaming Survey. Showboat is located at 801 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information, call 1-800-HARRAHS or visit www.showboatac.com.
About Major League Eating:
Major League Eating (MLE), the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. Current MLE initiatives include MLE: The Game, now available on Nintendo Wii, and 'MLE Asia.' The competitive eating community, which numbers more than 8,000 veteran and rookie athletes, travels the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide.
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Event Info:
WHAT: Fat Tuesday King Cake Eating World Championship
WHERE: House of Blues Restaurant at Showboat AC
801 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
WHEN: Tuesday, February 16
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
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Valentine's Day Weekend at Atlantic City Country Club.
Special a la carte Valentine's Dinner menu offered on Saturday February 13th. Two seatings, 5:30 and 8:30PM. Choose from delicious selections such as Pan Seared Duck Breast Madagascar, Seafood in Puff Pastry, CharGrilled Veal Chop, Crab Crusted Halibut, Filet Mignon and more. Fabulous dessert choices as well! Sunday Brunch will also have a Valentine theme. Every lovely lady leaves with a rose. Make your reservations by replying to this e-mail, or call the Tap Room at (609) 236-4465.
Two Days to Win $1,000 Every 15 Minutes!
Join us on Monday, February 15 and again on Wednesday, February 24 for a chance to walk away with cold cash. Play from noon to 8 p.m. on each date for your chance to win $1,000. Be sure to activate your entry by playing any slot or table game using your Trump One Card or by visiting Trump One Services. Then play your favorite games and listen for your name as we call a $1,000 winner every 15 minutes! A cool grand? That'll warm you up!
