With a city full of exciting events on any given Saturday night, Atlantic City’s House of Blues at Showboat was the place to be last night.

Biz Markie at the House of Blues Atlantic City (Photo: Kevin McCarty)

Around 9pm, Biz Markie (above) helped kick off the first-and-only Legends of Hip-Hop show, which, along with the Biz’s party-starting set, included appearances by fellow old-school rappers Kool Moe D., Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. The latter blew minds with his unparalleled ability as a beat boxer — he’s the original. Slick Rick’s diamond-and-gold-studded set, although brief, included “Hey, Young World,” and, of course, “Children’s Story.” The crowd, many more over-30s then under as the artists concluded during their mid-set polls — went nuts as soon as Slick Rick (”the Ruler”) took the stage of the Music Hall, dressed in yellow, black and blue denim —  and monster gold chains and medallions, a diamond-studded eye patch over his right eye (below).

Slick Rick at House of Blues Atlantic City (Photo: Kevin McCarty)

We hoped to get backstage to interview some of the artists – namely Slick Rick, who was supposed to be down for an interview after the show – we just had to confirm with Chill Will, Doug E. Fresh’s DJ (and long-time cohort) and agent for both he and Slick Rick. We had been communicating for days trying to set this up. He didn’t promise, but was very helpful in trying to make it happen. 

Biz Markie hosted an after party at the House of Blues. I headed to the Foundation Room for a couple drinks, thinking about the death of Michael Jackson (Biz Markie tried for a moment of silence towards the end of his set), Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh’s version of “The Show,” which they performed together at the HOB as well as back in 1984 when it was a monster club hit and Biz Markie’s stellar version of “Vapors.”

Chill Will texted from the stage that Slick Rick had to rush to the airport after the show and that Doug had to catch a flight to Los Angeles for the BET awards. Therefore, our planned video interviews with this pair of hip-hop royalty wasn’t going to happen after all.

Doug E. Fresh at the House of Blues Atlantic City (Photo: Kevin McCarty)

But the show was awesome. The entire place was packed and clapping and singing along; the floors were shaking to the evening’s bouncing beats. It was a celebration and then some. I doubt if anybody left the Music Hall disappointed. Doug E. Fresh and the others brought ‘em back to the 1980s, calling up old songs (even TV theme songs) and memories — including those of the late King of Pop.

Photo by Lou Perri
It turns out that Lynda Carter “Wonder Woman”, shown here with her band after her show, could have moonlighted as a singer. The former star of the TV series, Lynda Carter, opened her cabaret show at Harrah’s and performs through Sept. 27. Carter’s voice will take you on a journey with jazz, blues and country classics, accompanied by her Nashville-based band. She is releasing a new album this fall.
For a sneak preview of Lynda Carter and her band in action at Harrah’s go to http://www.acweekly.com/video

Friday’s Top 40 Under 40 Party held at Borgata’s mixx nightclub was a blast. Extended thanks go out from the Atlantic City Weekly, Review Publishing and the Greater Atlantic City region Jaycees to the friends and families of the honorees who came out to party. Special thanks to AC Mayor Scott Evans and other local dignitaries who either stopped by or presented proclamations to the Top 40. And again, thanks to the Borgata and mixx for hosting such an amazing event.

Without further adieu, here are some photos from the party courtesy of shutterbug Nick Valinote:

http://www.shutterfly.com/progal/album.jsp?aid=768a5498cf42e05ecacd

Comedian Mike Birbiglia of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts brought his “What I Should Have Said Was Nothing” tour toTrump Plaza on Saturday. The tour is named after his recent Comedy Central special.
Birbiglia covered the political scene with a little help from his friends in the audience. His topics included sleepwalking, crushing TVO’s, fishing rods, sleeping bags and getting older. Linguistics enthusiast, Boston’s Myq Kaplan opened the show.
The Trump Casinos will be featuring the following comedians during the upcoming months as part of their Comedy Series: Greg Giraldo of The Improv and The Helium Comedy Club, Kevin Nealon of Saturday Night Live, Jackie The Jokeman of Sirius Radio, The Young America Comedy Tour starring Mike Young, Sabastian Maniscalco & Bret Ernest, Jmmy Shubert of Comedy Central, Larry The Cable Guy, Henry Cho of the George Lopez Show and John Heffron of Comedy Central.
Photo by Lew Steiner

Jeff McBride’s ‘Magic at the Edge’ With sleight of hand and masks galore, magician/illusionist Jeff McBride brings his special blend of myth, magic and drama to Trump Marina’s Shell until Sept. 2. Shows are at 8pm on Thursdays and Fridays; 7 and 9:30pm on Saturdays, and 7pm on Sundays. There will not be a show on Friday, Aug. 24.
Magic at the Edge showcases some McBride classics like “Mask and Mirror,” various card manipulations and “Voodoo People,” interspersed with audience interaction and segments with his wife, Abbi. The show also incorporates new routines like “Water Bowls and Illumination” which features exotic light infused illusions. McBride’s signature fusion of mask, myth, drama and illusion reflects his lifelong study of magic’s multi-cultural roots. He has been featured on the Pax TV series, Masters of Illusion, and in the current PBS documentary, The Art of Magic, as well as episodes of The Mysteries of Magic on The Learning Channel.
(Photo by Lew Steiner)