It’s happening at Atlantic City Hotels and Casinos

Nothing this year made me so full of anticipation as the rumors of the legendary Stevie Wonder planning a long awaited (12 years to be precise) tour of the US, and nobody heard me squeal so profusely when I discovered those rumors were in actual fact - FACT!

For the millions of you who shared my delight, his tour which began in August has been a revelation. It was no wonder then that tickets were being sold at an alarming rate and I was somewhat (extremely) disappointed when I missed out. The good news is, ladies and gentleman, its not too late to be the bearer of a ‘golden ticket’. Sir Stevie Wonder has extended his tour and for those who missed out the first time round, tickets are now available to see our beloved icon in locations such as the Borgata Center in Atlantic City. As of October the 25th, Stevie will be giving us some live events throughout the east.

My ticket for the Borgata Center is in a safe place until the 27th of October arrives - the big day. After weeks of frustration, all my wishes came true with the announcement of the added dates. I am in no doubt that these tickets will soon be sold out too, so if your thinking about it, don’t! better not waste the time, just act on it. Come and join me boogieing on down to the likes of “Superstition”, “Higher Ground” and some of his later works; “So What the Fuss” and “Shelter in the Rain”.

So what made Stevie decide to tour after 12 years? Delighted as I was, I thought it was a little out of the blue. It has been reported that his inspiration came from the recent death of his mother, Lula Mae Hardaway. She is also the muse of his upcoming album “The Gospel Inspired by Lula”, to be released in January next year, coinciding with her birthday.

Stevie’s last studio album was titled “A Time to Love”. Emerging in 2005 and reaching number 5 in the Billboard 200, it was and still is a perfect blend of anthems and laid-back R&B/Soul. In a time when a lot of R&B is about drugs, money, or infidelity, Wonder’s lyrics offer us the innocence and simplicity of early Motown. A refreshing change I might add. After playing the album on repeat, for what seems like an eternity, I am more than a little excited to hear and see them live on stage.

I can’t comprehend for what might have been if I never bought my ticket for the Borgata. To me and to many others who have walked the globe since Stevie’s existence, the acceptance that this guy is a genius is just the beginning. I still find myself full of admiration for a man who is fully blind, but brimming with life and musical ambition. Everything that he’s recorded bares the tone of his jubilant positivity. He has taught us so much on issues of racial, social and spiritual context.

Stevie Wonder shares a love of music like I do and when I listen to him I feel on top of the world. No exaggeration. I can’t wait to see him later this month…Can you?

Catch him live at the Borgata Center, Atlantic City, 26th-27th October.

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If you love good music, smooth phrasing and out of this world jazz, don’t miss the opportunity to see Tony Bennett live at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. Bennett’s been called everything from “the last of the greats” to “the best singer in the business.” Frank Sinatra, by the way, made that last remark about Tony.

The tickets are selling out fast and for good reason. Bennett doesn’t do that many concerts and the opportunity may not be available in the area for a very long time, if ever again. You may have seen Tony’s recent appearance on American Idol. Many people that never heard his warm, husky voice before got a small sampling as he helped mentor the contestants. His warm friendly manner made him popular with not only the contestants but also all of America.

This icon of music has been popular since the 1950’s. His jazzy style and phrasing brings new life to old songs and a comfortable familiarity to new ones. Most people that hear Bennett sing once are hooked on his mellow tones and upbeat vocalizations. While you immediately identify Tony Bennett with his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” but will immediately recognize Bennett’s other hits as he makes each song spring to life on the stage.

“Because of You ” was Bennett’s first record and it made its way to the top of the charts September 1951. He followed the hit another chart topper “Cold, Cold Heart.” Other great hits included “Rags to Riches, ” Strangers in Paradise,” “In the Middle of an Island,” “I Wanna Be Around,” “The Good Life, ” “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me), ” “If I Ruled the World” and “The Beat of My Heart.”

If you’ve never heard Tony Bennett, you might be living on an island with no television or radio, but you wouldn’t be reading this would you? Take a minute to go to Tony Bennett’s website and listen to some fantastic music. It won’t take long before you understand why the tickets are so hot and difficult to get. The man’s not only a musical genius, his voice just makes you smile. It weaves a hypnotic spell you can’t resist, because you don’t want to resist it. For those few minutes, there are no barking dogs, not overdue bills, no problems with family, just you and Tony and the music.

From the inception of the Grammy for best traditional pop vocal performance in 1992 until 2007, Tony Bennett won 10 out of the 16 years. The music industry recognizes that his type of unique talent doesn’t have to follow the trend for the industry. It’s pure, genuine and comes from the heart. There’s no copycat style for the favorite musical flavor of the day, Bennett is Bennett and no one else. Of course, there’s no one out there that can offer the audience the same mellow flavor of tone like Tony Bennett either.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see an American music icon. If you wait to long, you’ll miss the chance of a lifetime to see a concert you’ll talk about for years to come. It doesn’t matter what age you are; Bennett has a sound everyone loves. But you had better hurry because tickets are selling out for his Harrah’s Atlantic City performances Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th.

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In the 1970s, there were four men who were the absolute top draws of the stand up comedy industry. They were Richard Pryor, Redd Fox, George Carlin, and Robin Williams. Of these four, many people have seemingly forgotten how big of a star Williams was on the standup circuit. Well, those that have forgotten saw their memories jolted when it was revealed he would appear once again on stage at The Borgata Hotel and Spa in Atlantic City, NJ on November 27th and 28th. This is truly a historic event as Williams rarely makes live concert appearances and for over two decades did no live shows at all.

Robin Williams’ career has spawned more years than many realize. Long before he was a star on the 1970s/1980s sitcom MORK AND MINDY, he had been a successful standup comic. Williams achieved great fame through the sale of scores of LP albums that featured his ribald nightclub act. Upon becoming an even bigger star thanks to his television exposure as well as his starring roles in mildly successful films such as POPEYE (1980) and THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (1983), Williams’ standup career became even more popular with audiences. His appearances on a number of HBO comedy specials were well received and they spawned several popular VHS video releases.

However, when Williams’ movie career took off, his appearances at standup comedy shows declined. In time, the classic golden age of 1970s standup comedy slowly declined in popularity. As such, stars such as Williams moved beyond the stage and settled into big screen success.

For whatever reason, Williams opted to return to the stand up stage after a two decade plus absence. His appearance on Broadway was well received and it led to greater demand for a new standup act. Robin Williams has complied with the wishes of his fans and has developed ribald new material that shows he has most definitely not lost his knack for being able to entertain crowds. In fact, some say that his new material is among his best ever. This is somewhat amazing because you would assume he would have lost a step or two after his long absence. Actually, the opposite is true. His new material is more mature and less manic. It also shows that he never lost the creative gift that he once had for making an audience laugh. That is why Williams’ return to the stage is looked forward to with such passion.

Ticket prices range from $199 - $291 and the intimate setting of the Borgata’s theater ensures you will have a clear view of the performance. This is a very rare live appearance by a legendary entertainment superstar. It may even be one of his final tours. So don’t miss it!

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When you are headed to Atlantic City, you will find that you are in a great place for some fun in the sun, and when you are ready to start a party or to join one, you cannot beat the beach bars. The beach bars in Atlantic City are known for their lively environments and the great times that they offer to tourists and locals like, and when you are interested in having a great time, there are definitely a few that you need to check out.

For instance, when you don’t want to do anything fancy, why not consider the Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar? This bar has a terrifically kitschy feel, and it is definitely stripped down. It might make you think of a bare shack on the beach, but there are some great things to check out. You can get some great wings, sausage and tacos here and you’ll find that if you are interested in a slightly older crowd, this is the way to go.

On the other hand, if you are in the mood for a place where you definitely won’t feel cramped, consider the beach bar at Trump Plaza. This place regularly has live bands in to perform and the crowd is pretty diverse and fun. You can get some great sandwiches and tacos, and when you are in the mood for something different, there’s the raw bar. You can take advantage of the luxury service that you can get from your own private cabana, and you can enjoy the luxury of being in one of the Sexiest Beach Bars, as decided by the Travel Channel.

If you are in the mood to be really close to the beach, you can’t get much closer than the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s. This bar is known for its live band and for its proximity to the water and you will find that though the food here is your basic bar food, it is plentiful and pretty tasty. Look for the Old Bay fries and the shrimp, and make sure that you stay long enough for the cocktails. There are many different theme nights that you can take advantage of when you are looking at the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s, so keep a look out for things like Latin Mondays and ’80s Wednesdays. There’s even a fun in the sun fashion show on Friday, so bring your best!

Take a moment to think about everything that you have heard about Atlantic City. The bar scene is among the most amazing in the world and when you are ready to have a good time, this is definitely the beach that you want to hit. Check out more local attractions and figure out which water holes are going to entertain you!

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With the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop, just about everything you do is somehow better, but even more so if it’s free. If, like many people, you’re worried you won’t be able to vacation somewhere as exciting as Atlantic City (AC) this year, relax and start packing your suitcase because here are five completely free and totally fun things to do in one of the greatest spots in all of the U.S.

1. Learn about Atlantic City’s History: Located on Garden Pier on Boardwalk at New Jersey Avenue, the Atlantic City Historical Museum showcases the widely diverse history of AC offering both free admission and parking to visitors. Before heading to the beach you can learn about Atlantic City’s culture through the permanent exhibit titled “Atlantic City, Playground of the Nation” which features vintage postcards and photographs, artifacts from the area, and also memorabilia from the famed Miss America pageants held in the city.

2. See a Free Outdoor Concert: Throughout the summer months concerts are held at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk courtesy of the AC Free Public Library. Also free are summer concerts at Bally’s Casino in the Dennis Courtyard as well as multiple entertainers located all along the Boardwalk.

3. Experience Korean War History in Atlantic City: See the New Jersey Korean War Memorial on Brighton Park which is free to the public and offers a definite feeling of the area’s deep rooted history. The war memorial is open daily and gives visitors a chance to experience the important legacy left by our veterans.

4. More Free Culture and History in Atlantic City: Visit the tranquil Civil Rights Garden, located on Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, and see its gorgeous flowers, the meandering pathways, and the awe inspiring eleven granite columns with inscriptions detailing the events that occurred during that time.

5. Enjoy the Wonders of the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean: There are no pricey beach badges or any type of fees needed to enjoy the beauty of Atlantic City’s beaches and any number of fun activities taking place there all year round.

Besides the usual swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball games, surfing is also permitted at three different beaches, either New Hampshire Avenue’s Crystal Beach, the Delaware Avenue Beach, or the Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue. None of the surfing beaches are staffed with lifeguards, and if you want to kayak or windsurf over at Jackson Avenue Beach, also without a lifeguard, be sure to bring your own equipment as there are no rentals.

As if all of that isn’t enough, fishing is permitted along the jetties near the Oriental and Main Avenue Boardwalks and you won’t even need to buy a license for salt-water fishing here. Just remember that no fishing is allowed near bathing beaches during the hours of 10am to 6pm when the lifeguards are on duty.

With all of the free things to do in Atlantic City you’re sure to need more than just one day to see and do everything the area has to offer. But luckily, since none of these fun activities require any money, maybe you’ll be able to stay an extra few days and really experience the city in all its glory.

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Atlantic city is always changing. The City and the casinos spend millions to create a better experience for the visitors who visit and stay. More comfort and luxury seems to be the new mantra at Atlantic City in the recent times. Several new hotels have sprung up recently.

One among the new hotel is Courtyard by Marriott Atlantic City Hotel. This hotel is located in the heart of Atlantic City and is a great setting for quiet stay to enjoy the exciting adventures on the beautiful Atlantic coast. I am always amazed at the warm welcome that is extended by the courteous friendly professional staff at this hotel as you join in, every single time. It features 206 guest rooms and suites that combine spacious inviting atmosphere with spaced lighting and outlets. Luxury comfort of this suite includes, 100% smoke free room, Luxury bedding and pillow with wake-up service, in room coffee/tea service, Flat TV, complimentary newspaper delivered Monday – Friday ,luxury tub and walk-in showers, indoor fitness with weights and cardio-vascular equipments and a full business centre with wireless high speed internet access.

The hotel offers maximum comforts and qualities with easy access to all the areas of the casino, shops and the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Another Hotel named The Water Club a signature hotel by Borgata opens in Atlantic City by this month. This hotel is the first luxury hotel with no casino in it. A flawless service is rendered by the humble servicing staffs through out the stay. The water club is a 43 storied building with bay view from all 800 rooms each with big glass – enclosed showers with waterfall showerheads, 5 pools (3indoor & 2 outdoor), Spa and other shopping stores with huge collections.

The third new hotel to watch out for is The Chelsea. This is the first non-gaming hotel on boardwalk since 1960s. Atlantic city and Atlantic ocean itself is a backdrop for Chelsea. It’s a sea side resort were luxury and leisure comes hand in hand .The Chelsea’s myriad common area encourages socializing an array of gathering to match any mood. Classic era of the Atlantis City’s mythic past is highlighted in every detailed design of the hotel. It’s a 20 storied building featuring 330 rooms and suite with 4,400 sq. foot indoor banquet space, cozy fireplace lounges, poolside cabanas, two signature restaurants with dynamic settings and impeccable taste, a 10,000 sq. feet of salt water inspiring spa treatment complex, fitness center and a pristine beach with the only full beach service in the Atlantic city which provides luxurious towels, lounge chairs, umbrella and other foods and beverages.

The 5th floor of Chelsea is an another attraction for visitors, a 15,000 sq foot stone floored open Terrace pool with a terrace lounge embracing a cocktail culture, Watering bar distinguishing by its oval shape, view overlooking the bay and faux snake skin bar. Game room, another hot spot of this floor , the center piece of the room is a vintage ,art deco pool table creates the perfect setting for a proper game.

Harrah’s resort is another sophisticated world - class resort opening with a famed sea-food house. Each and every suit of this resort comes with a multitude of luxury amenities like coffee maker, ironing board, pay – per – view movies, alarm clock/ radio, hairdryer, in- room safe, internet and refrigerator .Other features are 113,000 sq foot casino offering more than 3700 slot machines, including latest and greatest games. Pool of this resort is the ultra exclusive indoor oasis by day and the chicest party spot in the city by night. Red door spa, cocktail lounges, boutique shopping with the eclectic offerings of water front shops is other enjoyable spots of this resort.

Caesars is a newly renovated royalty hotel situated steps away from the beach and the board walk, in the heart of the Atlantic city. Hotel featuring dining with traditional Irish dishes, fresh sea food and other delicious continental flavors. Qua bath & Spa, 120,000 sq. foot of casino floor space with135 table games, pier shops a luxury and high-tech combine in a $175 million entertainment complex.

Related Links :

• Atlantic City Hotels
• Hotels Atlantic City NJ
• Atlantic City Hotels | Atlantic City Hotel Casino Deals

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I’ve always thought that shows are the best value for money at Las Vegas and Atlantic City. For the price of an average dinner or two hands of blackjack at the Taj, you get entertained by some of the best talent around the world. Shows are always on the top of my list when I visit Atlantic City so I thought I would list some of my favorites.

Atlantic city has always acted as a magnet to attract the crowd owing to its top grade shows. There really aren’t that many places south of New York City that have as much variety in its show offerings as Atlantic City does. The big city events not only electrify the minds of the tourists but the participants of the events are also equally exhilarated by the grandiose of the events. As a home to all great shows, the Atlantic city hosts a variety of events suitable for all age groups. Shows are conducted on all days around the year and at all the time. Big or small, the Atlantic city shows accommodate all budget ranges. In fact, I’ve noticed that shows here are perhaps more affordable than at New York Broadway and Las Vegas. I’ve mentioned the prices of all the shows mentioned further down in this article to give you an idea.

One of the recent adds to the line up of top Atlantic city’s glamour places is the 10 Til Night Club. It is located right in the prime Atlantic City tourist area and is open on all hours of all the days with special music on Saturdays. This night club provides a relaxed ambience and amazing ocean views for just $10 admission fee which is inclusive of the special Saturday music event. Another night club to watch out for is the Blue Martini which is specialises in live entertainment offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Blue Martini offers tourists what few other places in Atlantic City or any other place for that matter can boast of – a large line-up of top-shelf liquors and more than 100 variations of martinis. The bar with a built-in frosted ice rail is the highlight of this night club.

Who doesn’t like to laugh? Especially on vacations, it is always good to take a break from the strain and watch a comedy show. Most of them have an admission fee of $20 per head or lesser. The Borgotta comedy club features cutting edge talent and would be our pick among the comedy clubs at Atlantic City Hotels. Booking is done at least 1 hour prior to the show. The comedy stop café and cabaret is also right up there at the top. The ticket fee per head is $15 and for every couple of tickets, a free popcorn bag is offered too. The show times are at 10 pm from Sunday through Thursday, 9.00 and 11.15 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Are you the crazy one in your family? The Savage Men male revue is one of the characterised ongoing shows for certified party animals who indulge in tasty cocktails and club worship. It is located in the house of blues. This is open on all hours of the day with special working hours on Saturdays from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm.

When it comes to longevity, nobody comes close to The 42nd Street. It is the second longest running American musical in Broad way history. 42nd street is the recipient the prestigious Tony award for Best Musical. 42nd street is open to all with a fee of $25 per head.

Instead of glamour, now, if you are my type and are looking for a break from all the noise from the slot machines and the crowds, the Treasures From The Collection: Museum of American Glass might be the answer to your prayers. Their collection has been growing steadily and is now at  more than 15,000 pieces. The admission fee ranges from $10 for adults to $9 for senior citizens and free entry to all the children under five.

If those weren’t enough choices for you, let me list my next two favorites. The Frank, Dean and Sammy – Rat Pack Tribute show and the Steve Tyrel entertainment shows at $25 and $30 respectively are pretty good value for money and will do well for a relaxing nostalgic evening. If you are looking for live concerts, the Emily Jean and Screamers and Good Charlotte are in concert at present. Ticket prices are around $30.

So the next time your are in Atlantic City, now you know where to go!

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