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.”

Resorts’ classic Italian restaurant, Capriccio has just introduced a new tapas menu at the bar.

The term comes from Spain and refers to small plates served as appetizers, usually paired with wines and other spirits.

For the story and video, go here.

The Seashore Gardens Foundation will host its inaugural Black and White Ball this holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 15, 7pm, at Resorts Casino Hotel.

The event will include dinner, dancing, and music by the Eddie Bruce Orchestra.

In honor of the late Dennis C. Gomes, Lloyd D. Levenson will lead a special tribute to the casino industry mogul and beloved member of the Atlantic City community.

Co-hosting the event alongside Janice and Martin Klein are Gomes’ wife Barbara and son Aaron.

Organizers of the glamorous night aim to raise awareness for the Seashore Gardens Foundation, with funds benefiting the art and technology programs for residents of Seashore Gardens Living Center.

Tickets for the black-tie affair are $250, with sponsor tables available for $3,500 and $5,000.

Resorts is offering guests special rates to stay the night with rooms starting at $99. Complimentary valet parking and a commemorative gift bag from Serago Roberts will also be offered, with one lucky bag containing a piece of jewelry.

For tickets and more information contact Sharon D’Angio at 748-4614 or dangios@seashoregardens.org.

— Casey Harper

Construction begins on Resorts' $35 million Margaritaville project (Photo: C. Steiner)

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY — On Wednesday morning, Nov. 14, as reported in this space yesterday afternoon, construction began on the $35 million Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville project at Resorts (on the Boardwalk side).

“We are thrilled to get the Margaritaville project underway,” said Gary Van Hettinga, the new president and C.E.O. of Resorts Casino Hotel following a partnership deal with Connecticut-based Mohegan Gaming Advisors, who will have a minority ownership in the property.

The project, which is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend 2013, includes a 16,000-square foot Landshark Bar & Grill, which will be located across from the casino, according to the Associated Press.

Construction work started on the Landshark venue Wednesday morning.

An AP report Wednesday afternoon states that Resorts president Gary Van Hettinga called the Margaritaville project “a vote of confidence in the seaside resort’s long-term viability.”

“It shows we are extremely confident that the future of Atlantic City is bright and that non-gaming amenities are an essential aspect of it,” he said at the construction site Wednesday morning.

More tidbits about the project from the Wednesday, Nov. 14, AP report:

• As is the case with other Margaritaville properties owned by entertainer Jimmy Buffett, plans call for island-themed landscaping, including palm trees, more than a dozen cabanas, two beach volleyball courts, a bocce ball court, two horseshoe pits and a fire pit. An adjacent surf shop also is planned.

• Wednesday morning, crews using heavy equipment began moving pilings onto the beach that will support the restaurant, which will be on the sand just about 200 feet from the Boardwalk.

• Part of the Margaritaville complex will be inside Resorts as well. Workers were gutting a restaurant that will be re-done as part of the project, while others were putting up new drywall in corridors.

VIDEO: Jimmy Buffett announces the Margaritaville project in Atlantic City

(Courtesy of Resorts)

Friday, Sept. 7, was a busy day for the winner of the 11th season of American Idol, Phillip Phillips.

The singer of the big hit “Home” was in Atlantic City for an American Idol Live! tour stop at Boardwalk Hall Friday night, along with the nine other finalists from the 11th season of the FOX show.

Before his gig at the big Hall on the Boardwalk, Phillips stopped into the Bayport One building in West Atlantic City for a private meet and greet and show for about 30 WAYV 91.5 FM listeners. (See photo gallery here)

He also popped into the Screening Room at Resorts for a private concert for about 50 contest winners via another South Jersey radio station — SoJo 104.9 FM.

Click here for last week’s cover story on the American Idol Live! concert at Boardwalk Hall featuring an interview with finalist Skylar Laine.

(Courtesy of Resorts)

The Richard Stockton College’s Dr. Israel Posner on his reaction to last week’s news (see video) regarding the Mohegan Sun and Resorts deal in Atlantic City, a short time after it was announced (see video) that Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand would also be a part of the new Resorts come 2013.

Although Prince would be welcome in Atlantic City anytime — c’mon let’s get him here one of these years! — Morris Day and the Time, announced for Resorts on Sat., Aug. 18, should be a trip.

If you’ve seen Purple Rain, or listened to the radio during the ’80s, you’ll remember Day and his Minnesota funk-pop-dance band.

Here’s a clip from the classic film:

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi , cast member of MTV’s Jersey Shore, was in Atlantic City on Saturday, Jan. 28, in town to help promote her new boxing venture: Team Snooki Boxing.

Snooki attended the debut of Team Snooki Boxing, held at Resorts Casino Hotel, in a night of boxing featuring the brothers Patrick Hyland, Paul Hyland and Eddie Hyland, as well as others.

Following the fight, Snooki popped over to the Night Fever Dance Club at Resorts and hung out a little. (See photo above).

The debut of Team Snooki Boxing attracted Mob Wives star Drita D’Avanzo and Evan Starkman of the Real World/Road Rules Challenges.

RELATED: Snooki Gets into Fight …Game

RELATED: AC Weekly Nightlife Awards photos at Night Fever Dance Club at Resorts

On Tuesday night, Jan. 17, in preparation for Atlantic City’s big gay-themed weekend, with a series of events planned by Caesars Entertainment, as well as Resorts Casino Hotel, in relation to Saturday night’s Miss’d America Pageant, a ‘drag’ race was held inside Harrah’s Resort.

The drag queens drew a large crowd outside The Pool at Harrah’s to watch the race participants — dressed up as women — compete for prizes.  (See photos below!)

Six male contestants strapped on their stilettos and see if they’re coordinated enough to cross the finish line and the winner, John Ventura, of Vineland, (aka Stasia), received a two night stay at Harrah’s Resort, a $100 food and beverage credit, tickets to Out in AC Weekend, and a “romantic limo ride” with champagne. The other five non-winning participants each received a one-night stay at Harrah’s Resort and tickets to Out in AC Weekend.

Five of the contestants were selected by the radio station SoJO 104.9,

This ‘Drag Race’ is a precursor to Caesars Entertainment’s 4th annual Out in AC weekend which begins on Saturday, January 21st  at The Pool at Harrah’s Resort with the Miss’d America Loft Party, from 2pm-6pm and continues Sunday, January 22nd with Out of Control Brunch and Bingo from 11am-3pm at the Harrah’s Ballroom.

See this Thursday’s issue of Atlantic City Weekly for details on the Miss’d America Pageant and the related events in Atlantic City.

Don Novello and Joe Piscopo at Resorts, July 14, 2011 (Photo Donald B. Kravitz)

ATLANTIC CITY — A large audience gathered Thursday night at Atlantic City’s new night spot Club Piscopo, which opened over the July 4 holiday weekend at Resorts Casino Hotel. The draw was comedian Don Novello.

Who’s that? Well, if you’re old enough to remember the days before cell phones, laptop computers, and i-anything, you probably know Novello under his noms de stage Father Guido Sarducci.

Novello’s character dates back to the early 1970s and his very popular Father character made frequent appearances on NBC’s Saturday Night Live during the late 1970s. He was also a writer for SNL at one time.

Novello, as Father Guido Sarducci, is performing a four-night residency at Club Piscopo (July 14-17) and appears on stage with his fellow SNL comic Piscopo, who debuted on SNL on 1980 with Eddie Murphy.

Click here for a photo gallery from Thursday night’s show.

Click here for an interview with New Jersey’s own Joe Piscopo.

Click here for video from opening night of Club Piscopo.