Print StoryMike Epps
at House of Blues
WHO IS HE: Mike Epps is a comedian and actor whose big break came in 2000 when he starred as Ice Cube's cousin in the film "Next Friday." Since that time he has starred in films such as "All About the Benjamins," "The Fighting Temptations," "Guess Who," "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" and "The Honeymooners." Prior to his film success, Epps was a part of the Def Comedy Jam tour and starred in two of HBO's Def Comedy Jam specials.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A variety of topics are covered at a typical Epps comedy show. Epps discusses celebrities in jail, California police, grown men who have a fear of the boogieman, problems with tattoos and the issues that arise when you're a pimp presiding over a staff of lazy hookers. It's not really a show you'll want to bring the kids to, but for a night out of raunchy, unadulterated fun, it's tough to beat.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35, $40, $45, $59.50 and $69.50. The show begins 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, at the House of Blues.
The Roots at Borgata
WHO ARE THEY: Hailing from Philadelphia, The Roots formed in 1989 and released its major label debut album "Do You Want More?!!!??!" in 1995. Although the album wasn't a huge success, the band began to build a loyal fan base with a spot on the second stage at the Lollapalooza Tour. "Illadelph Halflife" followed in 1997 and did better on the charts than its predecessor. The Roots' biggest commercial and critical hit was 1999's "Things Fall Apart" album.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Adding elements of jazz to hip hop music, The Roots forged a unique style and have become a critically acclaimed and influential group in the process. For the past 20 years, the band maintained a loyal cult following. Fans can expect to hear songs that span the group's career, including material from their most recent release, "Rising Down."
WHAT'S NEW: The Roots are the house band for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, the Grammy winner's show on Friday is the first of a Borgata residency that will feature a surprise musical guest. Following each performance, the band will host an official Borgata Nightlife afterparty. The first will be held at mixx, with music by guest DJ and Roots' member questlove.
WEB SITE: www.theroots.com
SHOW INFO: Concert tickets are $49.50. The concert begins
9 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Borgata's Music Box. Tickets for the 11 p.m. mixx party are $10.
'A Bronx Tale'
at Harrah's
WHAT IS IT: Chazz Palminteri is an actor and writer best known for his one-man show, "A Bronx Tale," which opened off-Broadway in 1989 and was made into a major motion picture starring and directed by Robert De Niro.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Portraying 18 different characters throughout the course of "A Bronx Tale," Palminteri tells a story of growing up in the Bronx during the 1960s.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $40, $55 and $65, and the shows begin 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 9 p.m. Fridays to Sundays. The show runs to Aug. 9 at Harrah's Resort's Concert Venue.
Maxwell at Borgata
WHO IS HE: Maxwell was a big part of the neo-soul movement in the late 1990s along with D'Angelo and Erykah Badu. The singer's debut album, "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite," was reminiscent of some of Marvin Gaye's work during the 1970s. The album, which featured the hit single "Ascension (Never Wonder)," achieved platinum sales status and won a Grammy. Maxell's follow-up album, "Embrya," was also a success, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard charts and containing the hit "Fortunate." In 2001, "Now" was released and entered the charts at the top spot. Maxwell scored a hit single with "Lifetime."
WHAT TO EXPECT: For Maxwell fans, the wait is finally over. After an eight-year break between albums, Maxwell is back with the critically acclaimed "BLACKsummers'night" and a tour to go with it. The singer rose to stardom in the mid-1990s with a style of R&B known as neo-soul and released three hit albums and several hit singles. Concertgoers can expect to hear hits such as "Ascension (Never Wonder)," "Fortunate" and "Lifetime" as well as plenty of material from Maxwell's new album, including "Pretty Wings."
WHAT'S NEW: "BLACKsummers'night" has been receiving critical acclaim. The lead single is "Pretty Wings."
WEB SITE: www.musze.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are sold out. The show begins 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Borgata's Event Center.
Al Jardine & The
Endless Summer Band at Bally's
WHO ARE THEY: Al Jardine became famous as an original member of the Beach Boys in the early 1960s. True to its name, The Beach Boys made music that reflected the laid-back southern California teenage lifestyle with hits such as "Surfin' USA," "Surfin' Safari," "I Get Around," "409," "Surfer Girl," "California Girls," "Don't Worry Baby," "Let Her Run Wild," "Be True to Your School," "Dance, Dance, Dance," "In My Room" and "When I Grow Up to Be a Man." In 1966, the band released the classic "Pet Sounds," which is still considered one of the greatest pop records in history, containing the standout tracks "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sloop John B," "God Only Knows" and "Caroline No." Later that year, The Beach Boys released the single "Good Vibrations," which many consider to be the pinnacle of its recording career.
WHAT TO EXPECT: As is the case with quite a few bands from the 1960s, the surviving members of The Beach Boys are splintered into three separate groups. Mike Love has the rights to the group's name and performs as such, while the band's resident genius and creative force, Brian Wilson, maintains a solo career. The final former Beach Boy performing the band's hits is Al Jardine along with his Endless Summer Band. Although Jardine often played second fiddle to the Wilson brothers and Love, he's now front and center displaying his talents as a guitarist and vocalist. His band includes several members of the Beach Boys' touring groups from the 1970s and '80s. Concertgoers can expect to hear loads of Beach Boys favorites such as "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," "Catch a Wave," "California Girls," "Sloop John B" and "Sail on Sailor."
WHAT'S NEW: Jardine has a new album, "A Postcard from California," coming out soon that features an impressive roster of guest appearances from Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Flea, Steve Miller, Stephen Stills, David Crosby and John Stamos.
WEB SITE: www.aljardine.com
SHOW INFO: Tickets are free, and the show begins 5 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Bally's Atlantic City's Dennis Courtyard.
'Fame - The Musical' at Tropicana
WHAT IS IT: "Fame - The Musical" is is based on the 1980 film and television show of the same name.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Impressive, high-energy dance routines and memorable songs are all part of this production of "Fame."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the shows begin 8 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays,
9 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays at the Tropicana Casino and Resort Showroom. The show runs to Sept. 9.
Daniel Tosh at Borgata
WHO IS HE: Comedian Daniel Tosh got his big break in 2001 when he appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" for the first time. Since then he has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Premium Blend." In 2007, Tosh was featured in his own Comedy Central special, "Daniel Tosh: Completely Serious." Tosh has released two comedy albums: "True Stories I Made Up" and "Daniel Tosh: Completely Serious."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Tosh has a very comfortable, natural style to his comic delivery. He talks about everyday life and topics that most folks can relate to. His career has been on the upswing since the early 2000s, and with his recent Comedy Central special and role in "The Love Guru," Tosh looks poised to take things to the next level.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35, and the show begins 9 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Borgata's Music Box.
Beatlemania Now
at Bally's
WHO ARE THEY: Beatlemania Now has performed its tribute to The Beatles before hundreds of thousands of people during its 10-plus years of existence. With eight costume changes, authentic instruments, a big-screen video presentation and more than 35 songs, the group chronologically traces the Beatles career from its 1964 U.S. debut until the swan song of "Let It Be." Beatlemania Now has performed internationally at everything from intimate club performances to gigantic outdoor gatherings of more than 20,000 people and has become the premier multimedia Beatles show in the process.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Beatlemania Now recaptures the mood and frantic intensity of a time when The Beatles were the most exciting thing to happen to music since Elvis. By playing the songs in chronological order, complete with costume changes, one really gets to appreciate the tremendous growth and output of material that The Beatles created in such a short period of time. This is a show that will be appreciated by casual and diehard fans of the four mop-topped lads from Liverpool.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the shows begin 8 p.m. Fridays, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturdays and 8 p.m. Sundays to July 26 at Bally's Palace Theater.
Cirque Dreams
'Pandemonia'
at Trump Taj Mahal
WHAT IS IT: Cirque Dreams "Pandemonia" was created by Neil Goldberg and is the latest in a line of successful Cirque Dreams productions to come through Atlantic City. The show features acrobats, athletes and musicians performing in a whimsical, eccentric atmosphere. Cirque Dreams has produced international touring and Broadway shows that have been seen by millions.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Cirque Dreams is back in Atlantic City with a brand new show called "Pandemonia." Part of the reason why the franchise has managed to stay successful year in and year out is that it hasn't rested on its laurels, but instead has continued to push the envelope, developing new and innovative shows. Cirque Dreams "Pandemonia" is a high-flying spectacular featuring breathtaking acrobatics, beautiful costumes and countless visual thrills.
WHAT'S NEW: "Pandemonia" is the latest in a line of successful Cirque Dreams productions to come to Atlantic City. Previously, the Cirque Dreams shows were held at Trump Plaza, but Goldberg wanted to move to the Taj Mahal so the troupe can perform in a larger venue, meaning bigger and better stunts.
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25 and $35, and the shows begins
8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 p.m. Fridays, and 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The show runs to Sept. 5, at the Taj Mahal's Xanadu showroom.
'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.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Those looking to take a trip back to the days when four young lads from England ruled the world will want to head to the Tropicana. "Yesterday - A Tribute to the Beatles" is in town re-living the magic of the world's most famous band. Yesterday will be performing "The British are Coming," a live re-enactment of the famous concerts that introduced the first wave of British invasion to the United States. The show includes re-enactments of the Beatles' performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," plus legendary concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Shea Stadium.
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."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The shows begin 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays at the Liverpool Club, North Tower, Tropicana.
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 headlined comedy clubs for years, eventually branching out to performing at casinos, colleges and corporate functions. Kozak even got an opportunity to perform for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the Palladium Theater in London. He is the host of "Atlantic City Plugged In."
WHAT TO EXPECT: A comedic night of magic is what one can expect from Kozak the Magician, who performs for an extended engagement.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $23 and $30, and the $30 tickets include dinner. Dinner is 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with the show following one hour later. at the Comedy Stop in The Quarter at the Tropicana.
'Carnival of Wonders' starring Kalin, Jinger & Hobson at Trump Plaza
WHO ARE THEY: Kalin and Jinger began pushing the boundaries of a traditional magic show in the late 1990s with their shows "Before Your Very Eyes," "Carnival of Wonders" and "Illusionarium." The shows were a huge success across the country and drew rave reviews. The duo teamed up with comedy magician Jeff Hobson, who added a lighthearted feel to the production to counter the dark and mysterious overtones of the performance.
WHAT TO EXPECT: With "Carnival of Wonders," Kalin, Jinger and Hobson put together a show that combines the drama, dance and intrigue of a theater production with the mysterious world of magic, all in a carnival setting. The result is a show that has had successful runs in Atlantic City and Las Vegas over the years. An old-school magic show this is not, and that's a good thing for those who demand more than a guy with a mustache pulling a rabbit out of his hat. "Carnival of Wonders" is a hybrid of styles that focuses on the characters as well as the acts. Gorgeous costumes and elaborate set and prop design makes this a must-see.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the shows begin 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, 9 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m. Sundays and 8 p.m. Saturdays at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Theatre to Sept. 6.
'Hypno-Sterical'
with Joe Boccuti
at Trump Marina
WHAT IS IT: "Hypno-Sterical" is an edgy comedy hypnosis show where people from the audience come up on stage and quickly fall under the powers of master hypnotist Joe Boccuti.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Boccuti brings a raw, no-holds-barred approach to hypnosis with his show "Hypno-Sterical." No plants or actors are used in the performance, just innocent, curious people brave enough to volunteer to be part of the show.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $22.50, and the shows begin 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 p.m. Saturdays to Sept. 5, at the Trump Marina's The Shell.
Island Luau
at Harrah's
WHAT IS IT: The Island Luau at Harrah's is a Polynesian party taking place at The Pool at Harrah's Resort every Monday night. The evening features a meal, soft drinks, music and dancing in a tropical setting.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A lavish, Hawaiian-inspired buffet precedes a show that features hula dancers, island warriors, musicians and fire twirlers.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $49.99. Show begins at 8 p.m. Mondays to Sept. 7 at The Pool at Harrah's.