'The Burlesque Show' at Borgata.

While the Borgata is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Atlantic City this summer, its new Thursday night entertainment in the Music Box, The Burlesque Show, has its roots in old time Atlantic City. Go here for the video.

With its combination of a bawdy comedian/host, brief but funny blackout sketches, specialty acts (including a tap dancer and juggler), and of course the main event, the exotic dancers with their fans, tassels and the least amount of clothing legally allowed in New Jersey, The Burlesque Show recalls two iconic Atlantic City treasures of yesteryear, the vaudeville shows from the golden era of the Steel Pier and the Capitol Burlesque Theater on Atlantic Ave which featured “Miss 52” Busty Russell and her “muscle control act.”

The comedian kept the laughs flowing with jokes that were cute and bawdy, not raunchy. Besides the featured strippers, whose style was more in keeping with the classic and classy burlesque of Gypsy Rose Lee rather than the more overly sexual dancing of modern strip clubs, there were seven female dancers whose dance routines included (what else?) “Hey Big Spender” from the musical Sweet Charity.

There was also a male dancer who interacted with the ladies and did the well-received tap dancing routine, and the juggler who juggled clubs, boxes and briefly knives. He also acted in the blackout, one-joke sketches that were bawdy but in a nice way.

The Burlesque Show runs at Borgata’s Music Box every Thursday at 9pm through Aug. 29 and costs $25.

The 2013 Atlantic City Air Show takes place Wednesday, June 26.

Here are some highlights from previous air shows, including video and photographs.

2012 Video Highlights

2012 Cover Story

2011 Story Highlights

2011 Video Highlights

2011 Photos Part 1

2011 Photos Part 2

2010 Video

2010 Photos

2009 Photos

More 2009 Photos

2009 Video Highlight

Willie Nelson is celebrating his 80th birthday by hitting the road, no surprise, there. He stopped at Caesars last night, June 8, for an incredible show. Check out the story here.

Daughter Amy Nelson joined him for the gospel finish.

Deana Martin delighted a crowd of fans by singing the songs of her father Dean Martin’s era at Caesars Friday, May 31, a special concert event to benefit the local Schultz-Hill Foundation, a local non-profit organization which supports the arts, history and education in southern New Jersey.

The show — “Deana Sings Dino” — was a tribute to her dad that included songs like  “Memories Are Made of This,” “Volare” and “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime.”

For a video slideshow of the event go here.

For a photo gallery, go here.

Gary Hill, Deana Martin and John Schultz.

Patricia P. Sheik becomes a millionaire after her number comes up.

Sunday night at Harrah’s Resort, Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City kicked-off a summer where a guaranteed $4 million was up-for-grabs. In front of a packed house, Patricia P. Sheik, a newly retired elementary school teacher, outlasted 19 competitors by playing Millionaire Maker powered by Total Rewards and ultimately claiming the prize of $1 million, and becoming the 715th person to join Caesars Entertainment’s Millionaire’s Club.

Master of Ceremonies Robin Leach welcomed the masses and had some words for 20 Total Rewards members, words privy to only those who had experienced a life of luxury and riches. “With $1 million you can purchase three Rolls Royces and still have enough money left over to spend on gas for the entire year; you can get yourself a lavish yacht and set sail on the Atlantic, or you can even live the life of a true high-roller, checking in to the Presidential Suite for the entire year,” Leach proclaimed in his deep yet well-mannered voice.  “This is one million dollars! Tonight, Harrah’s Resort will change the lives of one of you, but remember everyone here today is a winner.”

When the wheel was done spinning, it selected number three. “I had a number 3 and the number 3 came up and it was mind-blowing, hard to put into words,” exclaimed an elated Sheik. “I never had experienced anything quite like this; right now I’m so shocked and pleased. Just to hear my name called as part of the millionaire maker was enough, and I would have just been happy with the Total Rewards points, said Ms Sheik. “I didn’t think I would win the million dollars, just yet, I mean it had always been something in the back of my mind.  Since I had started playing at Caesars Atlantic City I knew my ship would eventually come in, I just didn’t think it would have been that big of a ship.”

Patricia has been a loyal Caesars Atlantic City patron for the last twenty-plus-years, attributing her love for the hotel and casino to the “excellent staff” that make her stays memorable. When asked what she plans on doing with the money the avid sea glass collector and gardening enthusiast said she wants to take care of her entire family, thus ensuring their financial future. She also made light of the fact that her generosity will reach into her extended family which includes birds, squirrels, and two mallards.

Sheik is now Caesars Entertainment’s 715th millionaire made; three other people will join her ranks with Millionaire Maker drawings on July 6, Aug. 3 and Sept 1.

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.

The weather didn’t cooperate with much sunshine or warm temperatures Memorial Day weekend but despite the loss of some visitors because it was not beach-worthy weather, the long weekend still provided a solid kick-off for another summer with Atlantic City on the brink.

The naysayers love to trash our town, and although some of the criticism is justified, Atlantic City is a city with a lot of boxing history and like any underdog, the collective town mindset is to take the punches and a knockdown or two and get up swinging. The biggest blow was Hurricane Sandy of course, with the usual jabs coming via the monthly reports on the city’s dwindling gaming revenues.

Gov. Christie at the Margaritaville opening.

The town was doing so well for so long it ignored the signs when it starting taking a few economic blows as Philadelphia and Delaware added casinos. The town’s footwork wasn’t quick enough to expand its non-gaming amenities in time to completely stop the bleeding.

Now however, the non-gaming amenities are punching back. The openings last week of Margaritaville at Resorts, Haven Nightclub at Golden Nugget and HQ Beach Club at Revel were three prime examples of non-gaming additions that should be very successful beyond their busy opening weekends.

In particular Margaritaville has brought a whole new vibe to the city’s oldest casino, and with the legendary Parrotheads flocking to hang out there, Resorts is ready for a serious comeback.

Even the left-in-limbo Trump Plaza will draw patrons this summer with the opening of its popular and centrally located Beach Bar and the return of live entertainment in the showroom with Beatlemania Now opening July 2.

Don’t kill off Revel yet either. Officially out of bankruptcy last week, the casino just opening a restaurant, Relish, to give visitors a less expensive option on one hand and on the other hand, gave its high rollers the Pearl Lounge for its exclusive use to gamble and relax with free food and hi-def TVs.

Unfortunately, Revel had to give in to all the critics who said that the casino couldn’t afford to be smoke free, and smoking is now permitted in certain areas of the casino. Those who loved Revel because of the smoke free environment might walk away in a huff, but Revel is betting that the gamblers who smoke will more than make up the difference. That said, the only gambling/smoking survey conducted to date shows that in general gamblers in Nevada are only slightly more likely to smoke, 21.5 percent vs. 20.9 percent in the United States at large.

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(L to R) Marcel Forestieri, winner Jim Barone, Andy Svrcek from the 2012 contest.

I’m happy to report that I have been asked back for a second time as a judge for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist preliminary contest taking place at Bally’s Legends in Concert Theater on Saturday, June 15, 7pm.

Tickets are the same price as the Legends in Concert show, $32.50 per adult and $16.25 per child (3-16). Expect about 12 to 15 Elvis tribute artists to be “All Shook Up” as they battle for a slot in the finals in Memphis in August.

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.

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.

The new Margaritaville themed complex at Resorts is rolling out its sandy red carpet for the Memorial Day Weekend. The Five O’clock Somewhere Bar right by the Boardwalk entrance is already open, along with a gift shop featuring Margaritaville items for sale.

However it is across the Boardwalk from Resorts that the heart of the Jimmy Buffett-theme is located, the LandShark Bar & Grill. The first LandShark locale that is actually on the beach, this beach bar is designed to be open year round operation, making it the first  Atlantic City Beach Bar with that distinction.

Resorts and Margaritaville hosted a special sneak preview yesterday, May 18, so Parrotheads and members of the media could check out the flip-flop friendly decor, the cheeseburger-in-paradise sliders being passed around and of course the margaritas and LandShark Beer.

Here are a few pictures from the event:

The cool surf's up decor.

The rear deck facing the ocean.

Vocalist Jessica Kartaois is an Island girl, Staten Island that is.

Sutton Pakenham - Lattrello with AC Weekly publisher Lew Steiner. (Photo by Chris Steiner)

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.

New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno (Photo by Lew Steiner)

The Atlantic City Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association (MBCA) presented its Spring Scholarship Luncheon today, Wednesday, May 15, at the Tropicana’s Royal Swan Ballroom. The Foundation has given over $125,000 in Student Scholarships/Grants to area residents and teachers.

The keynote speaker was Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno (pictured right) and Atlantic City Weekly was directly involved in the proceedings, providing the Atlantic City Weekly Scholarship for a student in Communications. Atlantic City Weekly publisher Lew Steiner presented the scholarship to the recipient, Sutton Pakenham-Lattrello. She will be the communications intern working under the direction of Sharon Pearce at the Miss America Organization.

The MBCA’s keynote speaker, N.J. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, and Dr. Izzy Posner, executive director of Stockton’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, at the MBCA spring luncheon. (Photo by Lew Steiner)

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Now that the weather is warming up a little bit casinos are revealing more of their summer entertainment plans. Caesars is brings back Donny and Marie Osmond for a 12-day gig beginning Monday, July 29 then skipping to Aug. 1-11. Prices have not yet been released.

Ne-Yo: July 5, House of Blues.

Ne-Yo has been tapped to be the July 4th weekend performer at Showboat/House of Blues with a performance on Friday, July 5. The Borgata just released a slew of new names for its stages, including Gladys Knight with the O’Jays (Aug. 25); Bob Saget (July 19); Jeffrey Ross (Sept. 7), Howie Mandel (Aug. 17) and Gabriel Iglesias (Aug. 31).

Boardwalk Hall has announced the return — for a fourth year — of the Atlantic City Comedy Festival Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The all-star line-up features D.L. Hughley, Sommore, Bruce Bruce, and Don ‘DC’ Curry.
Atlantic Club has announced Sheena Easton for the pre-July 4th weekend on June 28-29. Tickets are $20. The casino will also present B.J. Thomas July 19-20, also for $20.

These shows are in addition to such previously announced big name events as Beyonce July 26 at Boardwalk Hall; New Kids on the Block, also July 26, Trump Taj Mahal; the American Idol Tour Aug. 16 at the Taj; Depeche Mode Aug. 30 at Revel and John Mayer Sept. 1 at Borgata. Go here for the complete list of headliners