Showrooms feature Frankie Valli, Real Diamond, Dion, Footloose & more

Frankie Valli

at Borgata

WHO IS HE: With its intricate vocal harmonies and doo-wop approach, The Four Seasons became one of the most successful groups of the 1960s. Lead singer Frankie Valli's signature falsetto became the trademark of the group that recorded hits such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Dawn," "Rag Doll" and "Let's Hang On." While many American groups presenting a clean-cut, somewhat corny image fell prey to the more hip British Invasion, The Four Seasons managed to survive. In fact, while The Beatles dominated the charts in 1964, The Four Seasons scored three hit singles. Valli launched a solo career in the late 1960s, scoring a No. 2 single with "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." Later Valli hits included "My Eyes Adored You," "Swearin' To God," "Our Day Will Come" and "Grease."

WHAT TO EXPECT: This Jersey Boy has been performing since his youth and shows no signs of stopping. He has scored hit records as a solo artist and with The Four Seasons. Fans will be singing and clapping along to gems such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Grease." Concertgoers are warned not to strain their vocal chords trying to imitate that classic doo-wop falsetto. Make sure to drink some tea with honey before the show.

WEB SITE:

www.frankievallifourseasons.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $55 and $65, and the show begins

9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 20 to 22, at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's Music Box.

Dion at Resorts

WHO IS HE: Dion DiMucci began his recording career in the late 1950s with his doo-wop group Dion & The Belmonts. Their hits included "I Wonder Why" and "A Teenager in Love." DiMucci went solo in 1960, scoring hits with "The Wanderer," "Runaround Sue," "Lovers Who Wander," "Ruby Baby" and "Donna the Prima Donna." After struggling with a drug problem during the mid-'60s, Dion re-emerged in 1968 with the hit single "Abraham, Martin and John."

WHAT TO EXPECT: Dion has sustained a successful career for more than 50 years. Although times and musical tastes changed, he rode along with them, experimenting with different styles including doo-wop, rock 'n' roll, folk and blues. Fans can expect to hear all of the classic hits such as "A Teenager in Love," The Wanderer" and "Runaround Sue," as well as tracks from his latest album, "Heroes," a tribute to early rock 'n' roll artists such as Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Performers don't stick around for 50 years by accident, and with each passing year Dion has earned more respect for his continued influence on the world of pop music.

WHAT'S NEW: 2009 marks the 50th anniversary since Dion and the Belmonts performed at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, along with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Dion was offered a ride on the fateful flight that killed the other stars (following the show), but he declined.

WEB SITE:

www.diondimucci.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35 and $40, and the show begins

8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Resorts Atlantic City's Superstar Theater.

Real Diamond

at Trump Marina

WHO ARE THEY: Real Diamond is a Neil Diamond tribute band dedicated to delivering note-perfect performances of all of Diamond's classic hits. Singer Curt DiDomizio is the Real Diamond founder and fronts the group with his passionate, soulful voice. The lineup includes Kevin Crandall, Pam Carbonara, Larry Bergman, Fred Segal, Mike Pollack, Debbie Fossile and Sharon Stirling. The band routinely performs at casinos, theaters and clubs throughout the country.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Real Diamond puts on a Neil Diamond tribute show that's as good as any you've ever seen … with the exception of Diamond himself. The band thrives on the opportunity to perform the timeless hits that they love and does it with a gusto the music deserves. Concertgoers can expect to hear all of the big hits such as "Sweet Caroline," "America," "Heartlight," "Kentucky Woman," "Cracklin Rosie," "Song Sung Blue," "Red Red Wine," "Forever in Blue Jeans," "I Am … I Said," "Love on the Rocks," "Hello Again," "I'm a Believer" and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers."

WEB SITE:

www.realdiamondband.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $22, and the show begins 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Trump Marina Hotel Casino's Shell.

Lou Neglia's

Ring of Combat XXVII at Tropicana

WHAT IS IT: Ring of Combat is a mixed martial arts competition organized by world kickboxing champion Louis Neglia. The events have proven to be quite popular and successful in Atlantic City. Past events have been set up as a Tournament of Champions, with the winners receiving cash prizes. Several top fighters, including Matt Serra, Frank Edgar, Josh Koscheck and Kurt Pellegrino, began their careers with Ring of Combat.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Friday night's Ring of Combat event at the Tropicana has 15 bouts scheduled. Heavyweight Ricardo Romero (9-1) will square off against Silmar Rodrigo (9-3), while Anthony Morrison (12-6) takes on undefeated Jeff Lentz (6-0) for the ROC Featherweight Title. Romero's lone loss was as the result of a disqualification due to a head kick to a downed opponent. Justin Haskins (5-4) will battle Dante Rivera (13-6), and Al Laquinta (3-0-1) will fight Joshua Key (4-2). Other fights include Marc Berrocal (3-2) vs. Ryan LaFlare (3-0) and Andrew Main (3-0) vs. Mervin Rodriguez (3-3).

WEB SITE:

www.ringofcombat.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $50, $60, $75, $100 and $125, and the event begins 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Tropicana Casino and Resort Showroom.

'Fall Brawl' featuring Prince Badi Ajamu

vs. Daniel Judah

at Trump Taj Mahal

WHAT IS IT: Prince Badi Ajamu is a fighter from Camden nicknamed "The Boxing Prince." He holds a professional record of 27-3-1 with 14 KOs. In July, Ajamu defeated DeAndrey Abron to win the vacant NBA Light Heavyweight title.

Daniel Judah is a southpaw boxer from Brooklyn, N.Y., who holds a professional record of 23-4-3. He has fought some impressive fighters such as Glen Johnson, Julian Letterlough and Darnell Wilson.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Ajamu (27-3-1) will defend his NBA Light Heavyweight Title against Judah (23-4-3). Ajamu was originally scheduled to defend his title against Otis Griffin, but Griffin pulled out at the last minute, leaving the door open for Judah, a former IBF International Light Heavyweight Champion. The night also features an exciting undercard full of local talent such as Atlantic City's Qa'id Muhammad (5-0). Other local fighters on the bill include Light Heavyweight Chuck "The Professor" Mussachio (13-1-2) and Light Heavyweight Pat Perez (25-7-0).

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $40, $55, $75 and $90, and the event begins 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort's Grand Ballroom.

Cirque Dreams

'Holidaze' at Taj Mahal

WHAT IS IT: 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 Cirque Dreams shows. New York Magazine described Cirque Dreams as "The grandest circus spectacle east of Vegas."

WHAT TO EXPECT: Audiences tired of the same old traditional holiday shows should enjoy Cirque Dreams "Holidaze," in which 40 ornaments come to life with aerial, acrobatic, musical and dance productions. The show, which makes its return to Atlantic City after a successful 2008 run, 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. The costumes and stage settings have earned critical acclaim and help bring the magic of the season to life. This is a holiday show the whole family can truly enjoy, not just the little ones.

WEB SITE:

www.cirqueproductions.com

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25 and $35, and the show begins

8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 p.m. Fridays and 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort Xanadu Theater.

'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 the 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 currently 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 at the Tropicana Casino and Resort's Comedy Stop for an extended engagement. "Magic is a blend of art, science, history, philosophy, theology and psychology," says Kozak on his official Web site. "I bring these to the table along with a razor-sharp wit honed from years of improvisational experience in comedy clubs." Kozak is the type of performer who is always looking to exceed people's expectations. "I never promise more than I can deliver and I always deliver more than I promised," Kozak adds. "My greatest joy is performing the magic I love so much and bringing people laughter."

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.

Footloose at Tropicana

WHAT IS IT: "Footloose" is based on the 1984 hit film of the same name. The plot tells the story of a kid from Chicago who moves with his mother to a small town in the country that has banned dancing. The show includes hit songs such as "Let's Hear it For the Boy" and "Footloose," and is presented by Jersey Shore Entertainment.

WHAT TO EXPECT: For those who simply have got to cut loose, "Footloose" is the perfect show. Kick off your Sunday shoes and indulge in the popular musical that captured the hearts of Americans in the mid-'80s. The 90-minute show features 20 performers dancing and singing favorites, including "Let's Hear it For the Boy" and "Footloose." The show is an upbeat, exhilarating affair that is sure to strike a chord with audiences.

SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the show begins 9 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays, and 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through November at the Tropicana Casino and Resort Showroom.