Atlantic City officials announced on Monday, May 20, that the 3rd annual Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo would be returning to Boardwalk Hall October 5 (7:30pm) & 6 (1pm), 2013.

Photo: Tom Briglia

Pre-sale tickets are available from May 20 to May 23 at 10pm (EST). By using the code RODEO here, you can save $5 off any ticket for either show.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 24, at noon (EST) and fans who get their tix between May 24 and May 31 will receive a free cowboy hat with each ticket bought. Family four-pack packages are also available through October 4.

Tickets are $20, $30, $50 and $80.

Click here for a photo gallery from the Monday announcement in Atlantic City.

“We are very excited to be bringing the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo back in 2013,” said Janet Markowitz, the rodeo’s event chair. “The event was a huge success the past two years and I believe that the spectator turnout for this year will be even greater since we have moved the show dates to October. Our hope is that the event will become more visible to both locals and visitors over the summer months and that it will entice them to return to Atlantic City in October for a fun family event.”

Click here for photos from the first Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo

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Free gumbo tasting and live entertainment will be featured at Friday night’s (May 17) Jersey Gumbo Kickoff Party for the June 15 “Jersey Gumbo Cookoff and Music Festival.” Chef Richard Spurlock’s Main Street American Café will host the party from 6pm, with a free concert by Mojo Mozart and the Mardi Gras Swingers planned from 6:30-8:30pm, presented by Tony Mart Presents.

There will also be free tastings of Carmen Marotta’s “Jersey Crab Gumbo” and Chef Richard Spurlock’s signature chicken and andouille gumbo.
Chef Spurlock will also feature an a la carte menu with two different kinds of Gumbo served with potato salad Cajun style, Jambalaya, Shrimp Po Boys and several other Louisiana specialties.

The band will be performing Louisiana, New Orleans and Mardi Gras favorites and everyone is welcome to dance and sing along.

Guests can bring their own beer and wine to accompany their orders of Chef Richard’s specialties.

Chef Richard Spurlock’s Main Street American Café is located at 6002 Main St., Mays Landing. RSVP Call 609-625-5500 for reserved seats.

The Jersey Gumbo Fest takes place June 15, 2013 at the Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company #1, 447 Bethel Rd., Somers Point and will feature the following musical lineup:

JERSEY GUMBO FEST ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

12:20 GUMBO LESSONS
1 – 1:45    “ROSIE O’REILLY” GAZARRA
2:15 – 3:00    MOJO MOZART & THE MARDI GRAS SWINGERS
3:20 – 4:20    VINI LOPEZ & LICENSE TO CHILL
3:00  GUMBO LESSONS
4:40 – 5:50    VINI LOPEZ & LICENSE TO CHILL
6:10 – 6:30    AWARDS CEREMONY
6:30 – 8:00    TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE
8:30 – 9:50    JUMPIN’ JOHNNY SANSONE & HIS NEW ORLEANS ALLSTARS

See more at Tonymart.com.

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

Wilson Phillips

You can feel it in the air — fans of the Jersey shore are looking forward to a sizzling summer of sun, sand and entertainment. Resorts is certainly encouraging that summer fun vibe with the announcement that the casino will present a free beach concert on Saturday, May 15 starring Andy Grammer, Mac McAnally and Wilson Phillips.

Taking place at the brand new Jimmy Buffett-themed Landshark Bar & Grill at Resorts from 1pm into the evening (the last concert starts at 7pm), this major event include a series of 90-minute sets interspersed with DJ entertainment, prize giveaways, and more.

Kicking off a summer series of great entertainment at Resorts, the June 15 concerts will celebrate Resorts’ enhanced beach vibe and the launch of its $35-million Margaritaville casino and entertainment complex. Margaritaville is slated to open Memorial Day Weekend. Among the attractions it will introduce to the Boardwalk is the only year-round beach bar, LandShark, just steps across the sand from the concert site.

The Performers
Andy Grammer launched onto the national music scene in 2012 as the first male pop star since John Mayer to reach the adult pop radio Top 10 on his first two singles. His “Keep Your Head Up” is certified gold, and a recent national tour with Train set the stage for the former Santa Monica street performer’s own 2013 headline tour in 2013.

Mac McAnally, the Country Music Association’s Musician of the Year for five years running, is celebrating the release of his 11th album, Live in Muscle Shoals. His longtime association with Jimmy Buffett – as songwriter, producer of several Buffett albums, and member of his touring Coral Reefer Band – makes him a natural for the June 15 concert. McAnally cemented his status as a hit maker in 1981 when Alabama took his “Old Flame” to No. 1.

Wilson Phillips comes to the Atlantic City beach fresh off the April release by Sony Masterworks of Dedicated, the female trio’s album covering hits by The Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas. Sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, daughters of The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, and Chynna Phillips, daughter of The Mamas & The Papas’ John and Michelle Phillips, first merged their talents in 1990 with the eponymous, chart-topping Wilson Phillips. The lifelong friends also starred in Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On, a TV Guide Network reality show.

Angie Miller

After watching the results show last night which sent Amber home, I have a sneaking suspicion that Angie Miller is going to win ahead of the two best singers in the competition, Candice Glover and Kree Harrison.

The notion is that the 18-year-old Miller has a better chance of making it in today’s Twitter/iTunes universe than R&B/blues artist Candice (the best singer) and country/blues artist Kree. She also appears to have earned the teen votes since their are no cute guys.

American Idol has always been a popularity contest more than a singing competition, but in the current state of pop music and with competition from The Voice eroding the ratings, we might be seeing the end.

But I liked what the judges were saying, especially when Keith Urban noted that having a single hit song can give you fame for a moment in time, but having talent gives you a career.

I can see both Kree and Candice finding a niche for themselves. Certainly Kree will be offered a contract by Nashville and Candice should find an audience and a record contract. I’d buy both their albums.

By the way, the American Idol tour comes to the Trump Taj Mahal on Friday, Aug. 16. Tickets are on sale now and are $42.80, $56.30 and $78.

Preston Shannon heads up from Memphis in August

For more than 20 years, it’s been a tradition on the beach in Somers Point off Bay Avenue: free concerts each Friday night in the summertime from 7-9pm.

This year’s line-up includes some old friends, many award-winning artists, local favorites and a bunch of nationally heralded acts.

Read about the history of the Somers Point Beach Concert Series here.

Here is the 2013 Schedule

June 14                         Jumpin Johnny Sansone & his New Orleans Allstars

June 21                         Mingo Fish Trap

June 28                        The Billy Walton Band

July 4                             The Bob Campanell Band

July 5                             Jeremiah Hunter Band

July 12                          Kinsey Report

July 19                          Walter Trout & his Band

July 26                          Bonerama

August 2                       Vini Lopez & License to Chill

August 9                       Southern Hospitality  ~ Victor Wainwright, JP Soars & Damon Fowler

August 16                     Preston Shannon & his Band

August 23                     Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band

August 30                     Dr. Bobby Fingers with Danny Eyer

Sept 6                            The Eddie Morgan Jazz Ensemble with special guest Jackie Greggs

All concerts are free and take place at the Somers Point Beach. Bring a beach chair, blanket, and a sweatshirt for those wonderful summer evening bay breezes.

Revel Out at the Shore is a new concept set to debut in May at Revel.

Every Wednesday beginning May 1, The Social, which has a completely new entertainment slate this spring, will feature live entertainment starting at 6pm, geared to the LGBT crowd.

Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis, the Team Chippendales from the CBS show “Amazing Race,” kick off the series May 1. The duo will perform its new single and will pose for pictures with fans.

The rest of the Revel Out at the Shore series in May includes:

May 8: Michael MCassey
May 15: Liz Dufour
May 22: Matthew Kenworthy
May 29: Bob Egan

For more visit Revelresorts.com/outattheshore

Due to an illness, Elena Vaenga, one of the most popular singers in Russia, has canceled her performance at Revel’s Ovation Hall on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.

Legends' presents a Michael Buble tribute.

One of the more enjoyable aspects of the long-running tribute show Legends in Concert at Bally’s is that the cast is rotated periodically to keep it fresh.

The show recently announced its two summer lineups. Two of the performers will be brand new to the Atlantic City show. Legends will pay tribute to the talents of Katy Perry. Also, joining the show in Atlantic City will be a tribute artist channeling multi-Grammy Award winner, Michael Bublé. And yes, Elvis will back in the building and ready to electrify audiences.

Beginning Tuesday, May 21 through Sunday, June 30, Legends will feature Elvis, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Katy Perry and Michael Bublé. Then on Tuesday, July 2 through Sunday, Sept. 1 the line-up will be Rod Stewart, Britney Spears, Elvis, Katy Perry and Michael Bublé.

The current show features Madonna, Shania Twain, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and the Blues Brothers through Sunday, May 19.

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations and at ballysac.com, legendsinconcert.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket are $32.50 for adults and $16.25 for children (3-16) plus service charges. Special group rates are also available. Performances are Sunday, 8pm. Tuesday, 8pm, Wednesday 3 & 8pm, Thursday 8pm, Friday, 8pm and Saturday 7:30 & 10pm.

Legends in Concert will present the Sixth Annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Contest. The Legends In Concert Theater at Bally’s will play host to this battle of the Elvi on Saturday, June 15, 7pm. The winner of this preliminary round will then go on to compete in the finals competition held in Memphis during August’s Elvis Week.

A Legends Memorabilia Wall, highlighting the 30-year history of Legends and featuring special memorabilia including costumes, musical instruments, archival media and other items is now up in the Bally’s lobby.

The Pitbull and Ke$ha North American Summer Tour will make its second stop at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City during Memorial Day Weekend on May 25 and May 26.

The Golden Nugget will offer guests the smallest, most intimate venue on the tour allowing an unforgettable experience.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 30, at 10am at www.ticketmaster.com