Borgata is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer and to kick off the party, the casino is presenting a concert starring The Roots, Jill Scott, Slash and Aziz Ansari in the Event Center on Monday, July 1, 8pm.

“It has been an incredible 10 years during which Borgata has developed and evolved into the market-leading destination resort we are today,” stated Borgata President and Chief Operating Officer, Tom Ballance. “What better way to commemorate this special time in our history than with an eclectic, fun-filled concert which truly encompasses so many of the legendary performances here at Borgata over the past decade.”

The exclusive concert will kick off a week of property-wide events. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in everything from gaming promotions and social media contests to nightlife events. Tickets for Borgata’s 10th anniversary concert are priced at $75, $95, $125 and $150. All music and comedy performances can be purchased through www.theborgata.com, or call 866-900-4TIX (4849).

The Roots, formed in 1987 in Philadelphia, consists of Black Thought (MC), Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (drums), Kamal Gray (electronic keyboards), F. Knuckles (percussion), Captain Kirk Douglas (electronic guitar), Damon Bryson (sousaphone) and James Poyser (electronic keyboard). The ensemble was most recently nominated for Best Rap Album for the 2011 release of undun. The Roots are currently the official house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Jill Scott is the three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best selling poet, and critically acclaimed actress. Slash’s fans, who’ve tracked the journey of the Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist since the release of “Appetite for Destruction” 25 years ago this July, can’t help but be radioactive with enthusiasm over his new album, Apocalyptic Love, featuring lead singer, Myles Kennedy.

Actor, comedian Aziz Ansari is currently starring in the Emmy nominated NBC series, Parks and Recreation, developing a number of films including voicing a character in the Twentieth Century Fox animated film Epic, as well as the comedy This is the End, opposite Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and James Franco and recently released his second hour-long standup special titled Dangerously Delicious.

As the first new property in Atlantic City in 13 years when it opened in 2003, Borgata has experienced a decade of success, presenting a destination designed to rival those once found only in Las Vegas with world-class entertainment, celebrity chef restaurants such as Bobby Flay Steak and Wolfgang Puck American Grille, 2,000 lavish guestrooms and suites, and nightlife options such as MIXX and mur.mur. The debut of the $400 million Water Club at Borgata in 2008 added to the ammenities available, with food and beverage hospitality by renowned Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The Water Club completed Borgata’s master plan development, bringing the total investment into the resort destination to over $2 billion.

Big Teplitzky champion Chuck Tartius immediately following the competition with his “coach,” Shannon Stinsman (left).

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City’s firefighters and police officers squared off against one another on Saturday, May 18, for the third annual Big Teplitzky Challenge at The Chelsea hotel.

Local police officers and firefighters competed to be the first  to clear their plate of the mega four-pound breakfast consisting of fluffy pancakes, stuffed French toast, eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, pork roll, hash browns, grilled  tomato, toast and a bagel.

This year’s champion, Atlantic City firefighter Chuck Tartius, devoured the massive breakfast Big Teplitzky’s breakfast in a record-breaking 11.28 minutes.  He won the grand prize, an overnight stay at the Chelsea plus — and most importantly — bragging rights for the entire year!

Proceeds from the event netted over $6,500 and will benefit both the firefighters’ cause — which is support of the Andrew Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund, a tribute to Captain Jame Fisher’s son who was a brilliant chemical engineering student at Boston’s Northeastern University at the time of his tragic suicide, and the police officers’ cause — supporting Cop2Cop, a New Jersey-based phone counseling service for law enforcement.

Thank you to all who participated and contributed to these worthy causes.

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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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.

Zipcar Philadelphia general manager Peter Bruvick, right, said they are “selling convenience and accessibility” as he unveils a DO-AC decked out hatchback with Zipcar employee Lesley Berkowitz.

Philadelphians’ list of excuses not to visit Atlantic City this summer took another hit, as the Atlantic City Alliance announced a partnership with Zipcar on Wednesday, May 15.

The arrangement will allow visitors to beat the summer shore traffic by taking a NJ Transit train from Philly’s 30th Street Station, enjoying a leisurely 90-minute ride to AC, then picking up their Zipcar vehicle at the Sheraton Hotel next to the train station.

The partnership agreement was announced at The Porch in Philadelphia — a recently created open space/recreational area in the University City District right next to Philly’s 30th Street Station.

Zipcar is a car-sharing company that rents cars to members at hourly and daily affordable rates. The loaner cars come with gas, reserved parking spots, insurance, roadside assistance and up to 180 miles of driving per day. The car-sharing network serves about 250 college campuses, more than 50 cities in North America, and also has locations in Europe. See zipcar.com

According to an article on cnn.com, “For drivers who already share movies via Netflix and stream music rather than buying CDs, the idea of sharing a car is the natural extension of a hip, financially smart, and environmentally conscious urban lifestyle.”

Don’t be surprised if you see gladiators such as the one pictured above fighting in the lobby at Caesars Atlantic City over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

However, if you’re inside Caesars (or reading this) Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday (May 24-27), you probably will already be expecting some sort of “epic battle” from the Roman era via the on-property announcements stating:

“Friends, Romans and countrymen … lend me your eyes and ears. This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for as these courageous gladiators will battle for legend and glory. Indeed entertainment like this can only be found at Caesars Atlantic City for the mere price of your presence. … Now, let the epic battle begin.”

The battles will be staged May 24-27 and then again from July 4-Sept. 2 across from Mia in the Caesars lobby and are free and open to the public to watch.

Lori Hoffman, associate editor at Atlantic City Weekly, and the film critic at the publication, will be joining the Sports Goomba, Greg Maiuro, on WIBG Talk Radio 1020AM,  this Saturday, May 18, 10am-12pm, as the guest co-host.

This will be Hoffman’s second stint as a “Goomba for the Day,” having dropped by April 13 to talk about the new Jackie Robinson bio pic 42 and some of the upcoming summer blockbuster movies.

Hoffman will certainly be discussing the new blockbuster Star Trek: Into Darkness and other movies coming out this summer as well as a few sports topics during her stint on the show. Make sure to tune in and if you want to participate, the number is 609-398-1020.

Candice Glover walked off with the title last night as expected. Kree Harrison will have a career in country music so it was all good.

Only Candice was shocked that she won.

It was also a night to say goodbye to Randy Jackson, who is walking away from Idol after 12 seasons. From all accounts, all three other judges, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey will also be gone, with a fresh group next season.

I loved the conspiracy theory sequence about why the ladies dominated this year, and the Nicki Minaj wig tribute.

It might not have been a great season but the winner is a terrific singer. Will that translate into a successful singing career? Who knows, but I also expect Janelle Arthur and Angie Miller to have some success as recording artists.

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.

ATLANTIC CITY — Are you an average Joe? Do you enjoy hot cars, cool boats and fast motorcycles? Do you like hunting, fishing, camping, the outdoors, BBQ, MMA, rock ‘n’ roll, video games and sports? If the answer to these questions is yes, you might just be an average Joe! And if you’re an average Joe, it’s mandatory that you git yer fun-lovin’ keister to the Average Joe Expo!

Organized by those crazy cats at Good Time Tricycle — the same ones who bring Atlantic City the Celebration of the Suds and A.C. Seafood Festival each year — the Average Joe Expo will be held May 18 and 19 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

The Average Joe Expo is like no other show on earth. This inaugural event vows to “bring real guys together and create an opportunity to discover what makes us tick, getting to the heart of male commerce, interests and desires — both the obtainable and the aspirational, the Average Joe Expo has it all!”

The event will populate over 200,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Convention Center. It will introduce products, places and things to the masses, holding nothing back and showcasing unique product demos, seminars and other related experiences.  The Average Joe Expo promises to be a great weekend out to explore some awesome experiences you may not have otherwise! Tickets are $20 in advance through Ticketmaster or $25 at the door. Hours are Saturday, May 18: 11am-8pm; Sunday, May 19: 11am – 6pm.

The Average Joe Expo will also play host to a variety of celebrities and personalities — people who guys just want to meet and hang out with.  With a huge emphasis on the male lifestyle, the expo will cover motocross, gaming, action sports, all things outdoors and everything in between . This expo will offer men a true weekend of discovery! Visit averagejoeexpo.com/atlantic-city.aspx or click the video below to learn more.