Atlantic City Casinos Blog

   Just a reminder that if you like good gourmet grub, Atlantic City is the place to be this weekend.

   The annual Food and Wine Festival is taking place at all four properties owned by Harrah’s Entertainment. A large number of celebrity chefs are taking part, and there will be plenty of food and drink to go around. Prices for the events hosted by the famous chefs range from $50 to $1,000 for an intimate dinner with Guy Fieri and 23 others. You can link to the event through Harrah’s web site, www.harrahs.com.

   If nothing else, I strongly recommend a trip to the main expo, running from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the sixth-floor ballroom at Bally’s. Admission is $30, and you can pay at the door.  You couldn’t pay with Total Rewards credits last year, which is a shame, because I don’t believe in paying for something I can get for free. But even though we had to cough up $30 in cash, it was well worth it. Several gourmet rooms from Harrah’s properties offered samples of their creations, and they don’t mind you coming back for seconds, thirds or even fourths. Numerous quality area restaurants offered tastes of their signature dishes, and many independent breweries and wineries offered samples as well. You can also buy salsas, sauces and other delights to use in your own kitchen. We staggered out of there stuffed and buzzed, but definitely satisfied. I plan to be there Sunday with a few of my foodie family members.

   You can hit the gym next week. I know I’ll have to.

From the retro nightclub that brought you “Roller Girl,” “The Streaker,” “Kung-Fu Joe,” and “Mr. Boogie,” Resorts Casino’s Boogie Nights announced it will host a model/talent/celebrity look-a-like search on Friday, August 21, 2009. The search will be conducted to find new members of the Boogie Nights entourage as well as to find models for the 2010 Boogie Nights Calendar.

“The current Boogie Nights characters have been vital to creating the club’s retro experience each and every night,” said Kathleen McSweeney, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “The addition of new characters at Boogie Nights will further enhance the experience for all. Boogie Nights is no ordinary nightclub, so we’re looking for extraordinary talent.”

In addition to discovering models for the calendar, Boogie Nights is looking to expand the character line-up in the club on Friday and Saturday nights. The winner of the talent/celebrity look a like search portion of the contest will be offered a gig at Boogie Nights as an entertainer and will also receive a page in the 2010 Boogie Nights Calendar. The event will be held from 10 pm to 12 midnight on Friday, August 21. Winners will be selected by a panel of local media figures as well as crowd participation. The winners of the event will be invited back to take their pictures for the 2010 Boogie Nights calendar. All winners will be invited back on Friday, September 25 for the 2010 Boogie Nights Calendar release party.

Participation in this contest is free. Those interested in participating can reserve their space by calling the Boogie Nights hotline at 609.340.7698 or by registering on the “Boogie Nights Character Search” discussion group on www.myresortscasino.com

Boogie Nights celebrates the music, style and pop culture of the 70s and 80s. Guests are treated to their favorite disco, pop and dance hits, spun by the hottest DJs in the area.  The light up dance floor, spectacular light show and giant video screens displaying music videos and visual imagery from the 70s and 80s set the retro mood and invite guests to hit the dance floor underneath the giant mirror ball.

Boogie Nights guests are transported to another place in time. Lava lamps, funky furniture, disco mannequins and other memorabilia are on display. Among the many characters at Boogie Nights, guests can expect to see Roller Girl zipping around on rollers skates, Mr. Boogie the Emcee, hula hoopers, celebrity impersonators, and the sexy Boogie Nights Dancers.

Boogie Nights is located on the Dining Level between The Ballroom and Capriccio. Doors open at 9 pm every Friday and Saturday.  Table reservations, VIP seating and bottle service available. To reserve a VIP table, customers can call the Boogie Nights Hotline at 609.340.7698.

As if you needed another reason to join the Trump One Club. New members just might win a cool million at Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza this summer, now through September 7, 2009. Trump Entertainment Resorts announced that two of its three Atlantic City casinos will feature a new machine — only at Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza — with a promotion open exclusively to new Trump One Card Holders.

The game, the Millionaire Maker Mega Slot Machine, is unlike any traditional slot machine you would find in Atlantic City. In fact, the Millionaire Maker is a massive flat-panel screen, which provides an interactive experience for those lucky enough to take a pull on its handle. And the payoff is big. Every spin is a guaranteed $10 cash winner — and it could even be a life-changing $1,000,000.

“A name like Trump makes us synonymous with millions,” said Mark Juliano, CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts. “And we’re excited to see how many millionaires we can make this summer.”

To be eligible to spin the Millionaire Maker Mega Machine, individuals must be new members of the Trump One Club, having joined at either Trump Taj Mahal or Trump Plaza between now and September 7, 2009. New members can then simply play their favorite slots on the day they joined to earn Tier Points. When players rack up 20 Tier Points, they can print their slip at any Rewards Center Kiosk, then take a spin on the Millionaire Maker.

In addition to the spin players earn, Trump will give  each new member a bonus spin. These bonus spin is valid for one spin can used during the next visit and any time until the last day of the promotion on September 7.

“This promotion is designed to raise awareness of the great rewards players receive when they join the Trump One Club,” said Juliano. “And we wanted to make a splash with a massive potential payoff. That’s exactly what the Millionaire Maker does.”

“Rich cash back, room and dining comps, free gifts and tickets, exclusive invitations and Comp Dollars to use at some of the best restaurant and shopping outlets in town are just some of the reasons to sign up for the Trump One Club,” continued Juliano. “And now, with the Millionaire Maker there are a million more reasons to join.”

Spins on the Millionaire Maker Mega Machine will take place every day, from noon to 8 p.m. in the Main Concourse. For complete promotion rules and details, visit Trump One Services at either Trump Taj Mahal or Trump Plaza.

WHAT: Borgata Nightlife is giving away chances to win one of three Kia Souls, cash and other nightlife prizes in celebration of launching the first-ever Nightlife Rewards program at Borgata.

PRIZES: On each drawing date (Aug 8, Aug 22 & Sept 5), the following prizes will be awarded:
Grand Prize: Kia Soul plus table service at mur.mur for four
2nd Prize: Table service at mur.mur for four plus $1,000 cash
3rd Prize: $1,000 cash
4th Prize: $500 cash
5th Prize: $250 cash

ENTER: Sign up for a My Borgata Card with Nightlife Rewards by registering with a Nightlife Rewards representative at MIXX or mur.mur on the qualification dates listed below and be automatically entered into the giveaway. Use your My Borgata Card at MIXX, mur.mur, Gypsy Bar and B Bar on the qualification dates and be automatically entered into the giveaway. No purchase necessary to enter.

WHO: Valid My Borgata Card holders. Must be 21 or older.

WHEN: Qualification dates for August 8 drawing:
Friday, Saturday and Mondays 10PM-4AM, July 24 through August 8.

Qualification dates for August 22 drawing:
Friday, Saturday and Mondays 10PM-4AM, August 10 through August 22.

Qualification dates for September 5 drawing:
Friday, Saturday and Mondays 10PM-4AM, August 24 through September 5

WHERE: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
1 Borgata Way
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401

   If you come to Atlantic City for the nightlife instead of the slot machines and gaming tables, you can still earn comps for your play. The Borgata is starting a “nightlife rewards” card this summer. Use it when you spend money at mur.mur, mixx, the Gypsy Bar or the B-Bar, and you’ll earn points towards comps on the property. Use the comps for retail, rooms, food, whatever.

   You can sign up at mixx and mur.mur when they’re open any weekend this summer. Or go to the My Borgata card center.

   As an incentive to get on board, the Borgata is holding three drawings this summer, where you can win a Kia Soul, cash or other prizes.

   For details, log on to www.borgatanightlife.com.

   If you like to bring a camera with you when you come to Atlantic City, here’s a chance to get something in return for your perfect shot.

   The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority is sponsoring a photo contest for people who take pictures of their experience in the resort. There are seven categories: Always Turned On, natural beauty, people watching, fun in the sun, fave foods, shopped ’til I dropped and open. There were 233 submissions in the contest for the first half of the year, so if you have a good eye, you have a decent chance of winning a prize. Awards are in the form of gift cards, but the grand prize is a not-too-shabby $500.

   Amateur photographers only, please. Photos must be sent to the Web site by Dec. 31. For information, and to see the latest winners, logon to www.myacphoto.com.

If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a star, here’s your big chance. Cirque Dreams Pandemonia, which is playing at the Taj Mahal through September 6, is looking for someone with a unique talent.

Auditions will be held Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cirque Theatre (formerly known as the Xanadu). People are invited to show off a special talent to impress the producers. For those who’ve never seen a Cirque show, it has acrobats, dancers, singers, and they say just a few wacky eccentrics.

So if you want to perform, show up and show them what you’ve got.  Admission and tryouts are free, and there are no age restrictions. The winner will be trained, fitted with a costume and will perform in shows Wednesday through Sunday. If you’re chosen, you’ll also get 6 tickets to your debut performance so your closest family and friends can watch.

If you don’t want to try out, feel free to come and watch the action.

This sounds like a serious show, so silly talents probably aren’t appreciated. If you can belch out “The Star Spangled Banner” in perfect rhythm, you’re probably better off saving that one for the Ms./Mr. Miscellaneous contest held during Ocean City’s Weird Contest Week in August.

Good luck!

   Here’s a warning to Atlantic City visitors. If you leave the Boardwalk area and take to the streets on foot, the police are on the lookout for jaywalkers. They’re giving out warnings this week, but next week, they’re moving up to actual tickets, which will cost you $54. That could buy you a real nice meal or show ticket.

   Most of the problems are around the Walk retail outlets, and that’s where the cops are concentrating their efforts. But they’ll be all over town. So be sure to cross only at intersections and wait until you have a green light.

   If you’ve ever driven in Atlantic City, you’ll realize that this measure is long overdue. The city’s pedestrians have a reputation for being among the most brazen in the country when it comes to crossing the street and walking right in front of oncoming cars. Every year, dozens of them don’t make it to the other side.

   So make sure you have a green light before you walk across the street, and use the crosswalks. If you don’t, you may end up with a ticket. Which, of course, is better than ending up in the hospital, or even the morgue.

   On a transportation note, the ACES trains have extended their “all afford” $29 fares through July 31. So it’s an economical alternative to driving into town from New York or Newark. Shuttles will take you to one of three sponsoring casinos, the Borgata, Caesars or Harrah’s.

   If you’re one of those people who just can’t wait for Christmas - and don’t count me among you - you’ll want to come to the Tropicana onJuly 23. The Quarter will celebrate Christmas in July from 2 to 8 p.m. that day.

   They’ll have holiday decorations, Christmas music and Santa Claus will make appearances throughout the day, hopefully not in a woolen suit. Santa’s helpers will hand out candy canes to shoppers. Several stores and restaurants in the Quarter will have “holiday” specials.

   And yes, there will even be snow. No, it won’t stick to the ground and you won’t have to wear boots, but the Quarter’s automatic snow-making machine will send flakes falling from the sky every 15 minutes. You can leave your winter coat in the closet, too.

   There’s a Havana Santa contest for those of you who like dressing up like Mr. Claus. Appear in costume at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Plaza for the judging that begins at 8.

   If you prefer to entertain yourself in the casino, one active player will be chosen every hour from noon to 8 p.m. to win $500 in cash.

For more information about the event, log on to www.tropicana.net.

   One more thing. Don’t look for me at the festivities. I’m a summer-loving person, and Christmas in December is quite sufficient for me, thank you.

   If you’re brave enough to mingle with the mob on a holiday weekend - and I’m not - there are a couple of free entertainment options in Atlantic City on Saturday to celebrate America’s independence.

   The city is hosting a July 4 concert on the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza, adjacent to Trump Plaza. Local bands will show off their talents, and you are invited to bring a chair or plop on a bench and enjoy.

   Cason Express will play at noon. Jim Craine’s Band will play at 2 p.m., Ray Smith’s Calypso Band goes on stage at 4 p.m. and Angela Burton and Passion perform at 6 p.m. All shows are an hour long, giving you time to grab a bite to eat or go inside a casino to cool off between acts.

   And of course, no 4th of July celebration is complete without fireworks. This year, Harrah’s and the Borgata are teaming up to put on a display by the well-known Grucci team of New York. The block party starts at 6 p.m. in an outdoor lot between the two casinos. They promise lots of fun and food for sale, not to mention a great display of rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air. The fireworks go off at 9 p.m.