ATLANTIC CITY — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was among the distinguished guests on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, May 24, to celebrate the opening of the new Margaritaville and LandShark Bar & Grill at Resorts. The new $35 million complex opens today (Friday, May 24) and will be open every day throughout the year.

For a photo gallery of the event, click here.

“Last July, I stood here to announce the start of the Margaritaville project,” said Christie. “Less than a year later, I’m extraordinarily pleased to be back for its grand opening and ribbon-cutting.

“With all eyes on the Jersey shore this summer, the new Margaritaville entertainment complex at Resorts is one of the most promising examples of optimism for New Jersey and for Atlantic City,” adds Christie. “The arrival of this high-profile national brand offers a superb destination for visitors and local residents alike, and is more evidence that the shore is open for business and stronger than ever this summer.”

The ceremony also included Margaritaville CEO John Cohlan, Resorts Casino Hotel owner Morris Bailey, and Mohegan Gaming Advisors CEO Mitchell Etess. The group presented Christie with a pair of bronzed Margaritaville flip-flops (pictured right) to celebrate the opening and the start of summer on the shore.

Click here for Atlantic City Weekly’s cover story on the opening of the Margaritaville complex, and click here for a review of the May 18 sneak peek of the LandShark Bar & Grill.

“Resorts Casino Hotel is an Atlantic City icon with a rich history and great future,” said Bailey. “Margaritaville is a perfect example of that future.  With its trademark beach vibe, it broadens our casino hotel’s appeal and gives travelers a new reason to visit Atlantic City.”

“We’re thrilled to finally be here in Atlantic City, where the Margaritaville experience — great food and drinks, live entertainment, gaming and year-round beachside fun — is another reason for locals and tourists alike to come for a visit,” said Tamara Baldanza, Margaritaville director of new business. “Summer should feel a whole lot cooler and winter a little bit warmer with Margaritaville on the Boardwalk.”

Mile-long "Stronger than the Storm" blue ribbon on the Ocean City Boardwalk. (Picture by Lori Hoffman)

The organization Stronger Than the Storm organized a shore wide ribbon-cutting event that took place this morning, Friday, May 24. The ribbons were cut to declare the Jersey Shore open from business. The Today Show broadcast live from  Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie as co-host.

Other ribbon cuttings took place locally in Ocean City (pictured), Brigantine, Avalon, Sea Isle and Stone Harbor with one mile long ribbons. In Seaside Heights, the ribbon was five miles long to break the ribbon cutting record in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ocean City Mayor Jay A. Gillian does the honors.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 23, 9:05PM: The location for the debut show in this series has been switched to Ocean City. The FOX 29 show will not be broadcasting live from Ocean City instead of Atlantic City on Friday morning, May 24, with segments between the hours of  7-10am.

Atlantic City was born in the minds of Philadelphia dreamers, including Jonathan Pitney, in the late 1800s. And while the resort has had its share of ups and downs over the past 160 years or so — like any city has — 2012 was a rough one to say the least.

Sandy was one of the biggest blows to the Atlantic City and entire Jersey Shore region ever, but there was also the economy dragging its feet at a snail’s pace to recover from the last five years of economic gloom, new outside gaming competition, Revel filing for bankruptcy, blah, blah blah.

Well, Philadelphia’s 19th century pet project — as well as other Jersey Shore towns — is getting a helping hand from the City of Brotherly Love in an effort to get the word out that the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City are open for business this long Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season down here.

And it’s not only Philly.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made his way down from Trenton to Atlantic City’s newest attraction — Margaritaville, at Resorts (pictured) — on Thursday afternoon to discuss, among other things, the “Jersey Comeback” that he keeps referring to.

(Watch out for video from the Guv’s A.C. appearance at acweekly.com soon.)

Meanwhile, New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno will host a ribbon cutting ceremony in Sea Isle City on Friday (7-9am), part of a coordinated effort by Jersey shore towns up and down the coast — dubbed Stronger Than The Storm —  to usher in the upcoming season, the first since Sandy struck.

Christie will take part in a ceremony in Seaside Heights.

Other local towns joining the Stronger Than the Storm Party are: Brigantine (on the beach), Avalon (30th St. beach), Stone Harbor (95th St. beach), Ocean City (Boardwalk at 8th St.) and Wildwood (behind Convention Center at noon).

Also, starting on Friday and continuing every Friday through Labor Day, FOX-29’s Good Day Philadelphia show will be presenting a series called “The Comeback Down the Shore.” The series will highlight areas along the Jersey Shore that have rebuilt after the tragic Sandy hurricane struck last fall and are ready for the summer.

This Friday, May 24, FOX 29 will be in Atlantic City to feature the White House Sub Shop, Teplitzky’s at The Chelsea, Girasole, The Knife & Fork and Tony Boloney’s.

The show airs from 7-10am.

This summer, if you want to DO AC, do it a few times — there is a lot to do in the historic seaside resort. Come down and you’ll find out. Trust us.

RELATED: WHERE TO PARTY IN ATLANTIC CITY OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SOUTH JERSEY NIGHTLIFE AT ITS BEST!

(Photo: Craig Billow)

ATLANTIC CITY — A new 3-D light and sound show called Boardwalk Beat will debuts on Saturday, May 25, at Boardwalk Hall.

The ceremonial debut will include a dance party with live music, confetti cannons, the Boardwalk Beat Dancers, and other surprises. The dance party starts 8:30pm and Boardwalk Beat debuts 9pm at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk (at Mississippi Avenue, in front of Boardwalk Hall).

Boardwalk Beat will run every half hour from 8 -11 pm nightly throughout the rest of spring and all of summer.  The newest production by the Montreal-based Moment Factory, Boardwalk Beat replaces the current 3-D light and sound show at Boardwalk Hall, Winter Sweet.
Boardwalk Beat takes a foot-tapping, heart-thumping journey through eight decades of musical history including ‘20s Rag Time, ‘30s Cotton Club, ‘40s Broadway Musicals, ‘60s Surf Music, ‘70s Disco, ‘80s Pop and ‘90s Hard Rock. Historic Boardwalk Hall is magically transformed into a gigantic whimsical jukebox hopping randomly from one musical era to another.

Boardwalk Beat is an engaging celebration of the unheralded history of music in Atlantic City, which has always been a musical hub with many world famous artists launching their tours here. Visitors are sure to tap their toes, nod their heads and swing their hips in time with the irresistible beat.

Boardwalk Beat joins sister shows Duality and Winter Sweet as part of Moment Factory’s only permanent, year-round installation in the United States. Each show and the technology behind them are uniquely designed for Boardwalk Hall.

Pictured left to right are three-time NBA MVP and 76ers great Julius “Dr. J” Erving, former standout Eagles defensive back and NFL coach Herman Edwards, youngest-ever LPGA Tour qualifier Michelle Wie, “Jaws,” and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco at this year’s Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge. Photo by Shamus Lahman.

NORTHFIELD, N.J. — It was a star-studded affair loaded with sports studs on Sunday and Monday, May 19-20, as celebrities joined together for a friendly competition and a great cause at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield.

Hosted by NFL great (having led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1980) and ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski, many past participants and a few new faces graced this year’s Celebrity Golf Challenge. Among the celebrities were Joe Flacco, Michelle Wie, Bode Miller, Herm Edwards, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Brian “Boosh” Boucher, Warrick Dunn, Sal Paolantonio and many more.

The annual tournament raises money for Jaworski’s charitable foundation called Jaws Youth Playbook (JYP), which works to support youth health and wellness in under-served communities. JYP focuses on a mission to improve the overall health and well-being of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The organization achieves this by raising awareness and advocating for the access of safe play and healthy choices, and supporting programs providing positive youth health and wellness platforms.

The JYP’s three main objectives are Environment, Nutrition and Advocacy. Visit JawsYouthPlaybook.org for more.

Legends in Concert is presented at Bally’s with tribute artists recreating the musical magic of various top entertainers from the past and present. Legends in Concert is the pioneer of live tribute shows and the longest-running entertainment attraction in Atlantic City’s history.

The current cast includes tributes to Elvis, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Katy Perry and Michael Bublé, presented through June 30.

Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City body-painted street team hands out free rooms to Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat and Bally’s Atlantic City as part of its Caesars Luvs NYC campaign.

Talk about creative marketing strategies! On Tuesday, May 21, Caesars Entertainment’s sexy body-painted models invaded the streets of New York City — and braved some sweltering heat! — handing out hotel-room key cards to thousands of clamoring passer-bys for a free room at one of Caesars Entertainment’s four Atlantic City resorts and casinos.

It was part of the Caesars Luvs NYC campaign.

Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City body-painted street team visited lunch goers in Bryant Park, two-legged and four-legged friends Madison Square Park, suits in Wall Street, and finally showed commuters some love near Penn Station — all of whom snatched up a room at either Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat or Bally’s after spotting one of the four body painted models emblazoned with the hotels’ logos.

Summer is just around the corner and Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City is ready to sizzle and welcome back all their visitors and fans to  the beloved shore.

The tourism organization Stronger Than the Storm has organized a shore wide ribbon-cutting event to take place this Friday, May 24, in 12 towns to help declare that New Jersey Shore towns are open and ready for business.

Local towns joining the Stronger Than the Storm Party are: Brigantine (on the beach), Avalon (30th St. beach), Stone Harbor (95th St. beach), Ocean City (Boardwalk at 8th St.) and Wildwood (behind Convention Center). Go here for the story.

Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

After Hurricane Sandy, after a lousy winter and an early spring featuring cooler than normal temperatures, the Atlantic City region is about to explore with the unofficial beginning of the summer season, Memorial Day Weekend. I don’t know about you, but I have been desperate for the warmer weather will are finally feeling this week. I’m looking forward to a stroll on the beach and the unlocking of the ocean.

After enjoying a sneak preview of the LandShark Bar & Grill on the beach across from Resorts last weekend, and talking to a few Parrotheads in attendance, I feel safe in declaring that the Margaritaville themed portion of Resorts in going to be a smash hit from the moment it officially opens this Friday.

Between the LandShark, the Margaritaville Restaurant, Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar and Margaritaville Coffee Shop (the latter three inside Resorts at the Boardwalk entrance, not to mention a Margaritaville Casino, Parrotheads will be roosting at Resorts and enjoying Cheeseburgers in Paradise and LandShark Lager.

Much like the addition of the House of Blues added a new vibe to the Showboat years ago, Margaritaville will do the same at Resorts with an even bigger impact. What is perfect about the re-branding is that it will appeal to the Parrotheads, many of whom are Baby Boomers, and to a younger demographic who will enjoy a chance to hang out right on the beach.

This weekend will also feature the opening of the Haven Nightclub at Golden Nugget and the HQ Beach Club at Revel, along with a new, less expensive restaurant, Relish. Coming soon to Tropicana are a flurry of new casual dining options including a couple of Philly institutions, Chickie & Pete’s and sandwich king, Tony Luke’s, plus the Broadway Burger Bar and Grill.

The Borgata turns 10 this summer and just announced a concert July 1 to celebrate that anniversary featuring The Roots. The Borgata is also promising lots of surprises and giveaways as part of an on-going celebration throughout the summer.

Caesars Entertainment casino properties are kicking off its Millionaire Maker promotion with an appearance by Robin Leach to make someone a millionaire this weekend, and will be presenting its fabulous Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival July 25-28.

The Boardwalk and Bay come alive in the summertime and to get you in the mood Revel will present a fireworks display by the world famous Grucci family on Friday, May 24 at 9:30pm.

Happy Memorial Day everybody. And let’s not forget on Monday to take a moment and remember the men and women who have protected our nation serving their country in the armed forces. Take part in one of the numerous Memorial Day tributes taking place in your local city or town on May 27.

Ray Manzarek, one of the founding members of The Doors, died at the age of 74 on Monday.

Only hardcore Doors fans probably know that his real name was spelled differently and that he was a junior: Raymond Daniel Manczarek Jr. was his birth name.

Manzarek’s keyboard playing influenced a whole genre of music and helped to make the organ sound popular in rock music during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also was responsible for founding one of the most popular classic rock bands of all time with the late (?) Jim Morrison.

“Just for the hell of it, man,” Manzarek told this writer during a 2005 interview when asked about bringing the music of The Doors back to life in the early ’00s, in different incarnations of groups with original Doors guitarist Robbie Kreiger. “We’re going to play some music before we hang it up. We thought the 21st century would be a good time to bring back the Doors songs and play the Doors songs live for the audience for a few more years and then quit.”

The quotes above come from an interview conducted over the phone in the summer of 2005, just before Manzarek was due in Atlantic City for a Doors tribute concert, the first to be taped for a VH1 TV series Decade Rock Live, being filmed at the Trump Taj Mahal.

Manzarek and Krieger, along with former singer of the U.K. band the Cult, Ian Astbury, standing in for Jim Morrison, performed as D21C (Doors of the 21st Century) at the show. Ty Dennis joined them on drums and Joel Chen on bass. (The Doors’ original drummer John Densmore had won a permanent injunction in July 2005 prohibiting Manzarek and Krieger from using the band’s old name).

Also appearing at the show were John Sebastian, Vanilla Fudge, Macy Gray and Perry Farrell.

Manzarek died of bile duct cancer at a clinic in Germany, according to reports. His haunting organ riffs, however, and the songs he helped create with The Doors, will fill the world forever.

After learning of his long-time friend’s death, former bandmate Kreiger released the following statement: “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today. I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life, and I will always miss him.”

Ride on … through the storm, Raymond. — Jeff Schwachter