ATLANTIC CITY — Trump Taj Mahal proudly presents American singer, composer and producer Romeo Santos on Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. Doors open at 8pm at the show starts 9pm.

Santos is the former lead singer of the Bachata group known as Aventura, which performed as a group at the Taj in 2009. By late 2002 the band’s song “Obsesion” was number one in Italy for 16 weeks, offering it the opportunity to travel the world and allowing Santos to become a key figure in popularizing Bachata internationally.

When the group separated Santos embarked on his journey as a solo artist, winning awards in one or more categories at ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers) bringing his songs to the top of the Billboard Latin charts. On May 9, 2011, Santos released his first single, “You,” from his solo debut album, Formula, Vol. 1. The song became number one on the Hot Latin Songs list and Tropical Songs charts.

This sensational Latin artist will be performing at the Taj’s Mark G. Etess Arena. Ticket prices range from $45 to $115. Get tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com

— Christina Rodriguez

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY — Hurricane Sandy continues to debilitate the already economically depressed Atlantic City.

Reportedly hundreds of workers have been made to sacrifice their wages to compensate for the profits lost in gambling revenue. Trump Entertainment, Inc., is forcing its salaried employees to take an unpaid week’s “vacation” by Dec. 2, and disallowing hourly-wage earners from using paid-vacation time for hours missed due to the storm shutdown.

The Associated Press reported the movement also includes cutting back hours, and will save anywhere from $10 to $12 million.

It was also reported that the Atlantic Club is laying off dozens of workers.

Sandy forced a rare closing of all 12 casinos in Atlantic City after Governor Chris Christie signed a mandatory evacuation order that was in effect from Sunday, Oct. 28 to Friday, Nov. 2.

Anticipatory preparations proved effective against the massive flooding as the casinos received minimal physical damage, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Of all the casinos in the city, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that the Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza suffered the most, dropping more than 30-percent in gambling revenue in comparison to October 2011.

Atlantic City casinos are facing close to a 20-percent drop overall.

According to the local daily, Trump Entertainment sent a Nov. 5 memo to its employees stating the action was necessary to stay in business (the company filed for bankruptcy for a third time in 2010).

Trump Entertainment CEO Bob Griffin had a message for his employees: “We recognize the hardship you and your family are already enduring, however, in order to keep the properties open through the upcoming weeks, our only alternative is to implement a more aggressive savings plan.” — Casey Harper

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ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Hard Rock Cafe is returning its third annual “Fly Zone” packages, offering exclusive access to the “Fly Zone” on Hard Rock Cafe Atlantic City’s outdoor patio overlooking the Boardwalk.

Adult VIP packages include a four-course menu and choice between Hard Rock merchandise — classic white T-shirt and limited edition 2012 Airshow Pin — or two hours of unlimited beer and wine. Children’s VIP packages include a kid’s menu meal and dessert paired with a Play Pack for hours of “Fly Zone” fun.

VIP packages are $75 for adults and $15 for children. All ages are welcome. Stop by the Hard Rock Café at the Trump Taj Mahal, 1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, or call (609) 441-0007.

The Legends of Hip Hop show that was scheduled to be at the Taj on June 22 has been cancelled. Tickets for the show can be refunded at the point of sale.

A few of the College Mansion girls

ATLANTIC CITY — David Luber, CEO of College Mansion, announced the return of Paradise Weekend to Trump Entertainment Resorts over Memorial Day weekend.

The three-day, festival-like gathering has grown significantly over the years and has become a national attraction for college students and a haven for celebrities and consumer brands. Paradise Weekend festivities kick off with 52 College Mansion models hosting Ego lounge/Casbah nightclub at Trump Taj Mahal on Friday, May 25. A Bikini Showcase will ensue with a live performance by acclaimed performing artist Mike Stud on Saturday, May 26, at Trump Plaza’s Beach Bar, and a day party will conclude Paradise Weekend on Sunday, May 27.

“This is our second consecutive year hosting Paradise Weekend at Trump Entertainment Resorts,” says Luber. “The hospitality and the accommodations that Trump has provided our clients and sponsors during Paradise Weekend 2011 are laudable. We value their relationship and admire their recognition of college entertainment.”

College Mansion Schedule of Events:
•    Friday, May 25 — 10pm-2am: College Mansion Models Host Ego/Casbah Nightclub, Trump Taj Mahal (Free w/ RSVP)
•    Saturday, May 26 — 5-8pm: College Mansion VIP Bikini Black Jack Tournament, Trump Taj Mahal (Invite only)
•    10pm-2am: College Mansion Presents Bikini Showcase and Mike Stud performing Live, Trump Plaza Beach Bar (Free)
•    Sunday, May 27 — 2-6pm: College Mansion Bikini Beach Party, Trump Plaza Beach Bar (Free)
http://www.collegemansion.com/

Donna Summer performing in Atlantic City in September 1984. (Photo: Herb Steiner)

Although she performed the world over during her long career in music, Boston-born Donna Summer (LaDonna Adrian Gaines) spent more than a little while in Atlantic City, where she performed just about every other year — or every year for a spell. The “Queen of Disco,” who passed away after a battle with cancer on May 17, is seen below with her two daughters, Amanda and Brooklyn, on stage at the Trump Taj Mahal in 1990 during one of her many shows in the resort.

Here is an interview with the late Summer from 2010, where she discusses her first new album in nearly two decades, how she is always writing, and how she was an accomplished painter.

Summer worked hard for her money indeed, and she will be missed by music fans across the world. AC Weekly sends our condolences to her family and friends.

Our prayers also go out to the family and friends of the late Robin Gibb who passed away on Sunday, May 20, also from cancer, at age 62.

Revel has announced that its first electronic music performance inside its Ovation Hall will be world-renowned artist AVICII on Saturday, June 16.

Tickets for the Grammy-nominated electronic music sensation go on sale
Tuesday, May 8, at 10am (EST).

Ash Alliance and At Night, along with Revel and Angel Management Group (AMG), present the concert.

(Read more about Revel)

Also announced on Wednesday, comic genius and TV star Louis CK will be performing at the Trump Taj Mahal on Sept. 1 for two shows (7pm and 10:30pm). Tickets go on sale May 4 at noon.

(Read our 2011 interview with Louis CK.)

The Borgata will include Gabriel Iglesias (see interview) among its full slate of comedy this summer with a show announced for Aug. 31 (8pm). Tickets for this show go on sale at 10am on May 4.

If you have what it takes to outwit, outplay and outlast, you could be on the hit reality show Survivor. CBS 3 is looking for the next possible $1 million winner to be a part of the new cast. Auditions will be held at the Trump Taj Mahal on Saturday, April 28 from 12 to 3pm.

CBS 3 staff will assist candidates with the application process at the casting call and shoot their audition videos which will be sent directly to the show’s casting department.

Candidates should be interesting personalities, strong-willed, outgoing, adventurous, physically and mentally adept and adaptable to new environments. Applicants must be 18 years or older, and a U.S. citizen living in the U.S. For details and application forms, go here.

Survivor: One World currently airs on CBS Wednesdays at 8pm.

This is no April Fool’s joke.

The entire cast of the hit reality show Jerseylicious will be at the Taj on Sunday, April 1, to shoot their season finale and they are inviting the general public.

Go the Taj Mark Etess Area any time between 6-10pm on Sunday to check it out. Who knows? You may even get on the show!

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.

It is shaping up to be a fantastic summer in Atlantic City with the opening of Revel leading the way. One of the best aspects of the Revel hype is the expansion of top entertainers coming to the city this summer. Revel surely has more surprises up its sleeve but so far they have announced Maroon 5 as the band opening Ovation Hall on May 18, followed by the Black Keys on May 19 and Beyonce Memorial Day Weekend May 25-27.

Phish: June 15-17, Bader Field.

The city government has approved Bader Field to host four music festival shows this year as a follow up to the successful Dave Matthews Band Caravan last summer. So far we know that Phish will perform June 15-17, and that the Metallica Orion Music + More Festival takes place June 23-24 with Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Modest Mouse, Eric Church, Hot Snakes and the Jim Breuer Heavy Metal Comedy Tour among many other entertainers.

Rumors have been swirling that either the Sept. 22-23 dates or Sept. 29-30 dates at Bader Field are being reserved for a country music festival topped by Kenny Chesney, but so far that is just a rumor.

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