When you choose to be a musician andtaste success as Scott Phillips did withCreed, an acrimonious breakup can be asdifficult on the psyche as the pocketbook.

Instead of moping following the 2004dissolution, drummer Phillips joined twoof his Creed mates, Mark Tremonti andBrian Marshall, and formed a new band,Alter Bridge. Singer Scott Stapp was oddman out.

The new group, which Phillips said hadmore edge than Creed, released three al-bums. “We also did a ton of touring. A lot ofthe time, we were overseas,” he said in aninterview from Anchorage, Alaska, wherethe reformed Creed is set to perform. Thereunited band plays the House of Blues onSept. 7.

The olive branch was floated in 2009aboutgettingCreedback together,Phillipssaid. “I went six years without seeingScott, without any type of interaction. Sothere was a lot of anticipation that firstmeeting.”

Would the meeting be positive or un-pleasant? “Luckily, it was all smiles andhugs. A great reunion,” he said.

The separation and reunion apparentlydid not scare off die-hard fans, Phillipssaid. “We’ve had great attendance atshows.”

The show at the House of Blues will notfocus on an entire album as they’ve donerecently, but will be a mix of all four al-bums. “We thought itwouldbegreat todoafull show at the House of Blues,” Phillipssaid.

The fourth album, aptly named “FullCircle,”was the first recordedafter there-union. The band has begun writing materi-al for its next album. “It’s a matter of get-ting into a studio and start recording,”Phillips said.

Creed does not set out to do somethingdifferent album to album. “It’s a song-by-song thing,” Phillips said. “There’s no con-scious effort to repeat yourself.”

Phillips said he has as much say as hewants when it come to the songs.

“It’s definitely a democracy with thesongwriting. It starts with Mark and thenScott, then we all add input,” said Phillips,who began his musical journey on piano,then switched to saxophone and, finally, todrums in his hometown of Madison, Fla.

Phillips cites Will Calhoun, the drum-mer of Living Colour, as his biggest influ-ence.

“He had a way of just laying down thismassive groove. And he had the ability forhuge fills and odd time signatures. Heknew when to be busy and when not. I tookthat to heart.”

It’s worked. The band released threeconsecutivemulti-platinumalbums,oneofwhich has been certified diamond, and hassold more than 28 million records in the

United States, and more than 40 million al-bums worldwide. The single, “With ArmsWide Open,” won the Grammy for BestRock Song in 2001.

Ah, but what about the fate of AlterBridge? It isn’t going away, said Phillips,an avid golfer who carries a handicap ofless than 10.

“It takes extra careful planning and alot of calendars,” he said. “

CREED REUNITESWITH ‘FULL CIRCLE’Band will playfrom all albums atHouse of Blues

Creed’s ScottPhillips, MarkTremonti, BrianMarshall andScott Stapp playSept. 7 at theHouse of Bluesin Showboat.PHOTO PROVIDED

IF YOU GO

Creed plays Sept.7 at the House ofBlues in Show-boat, 801 Board-walk. Showtimeis 9 p.m. Ticketsare $39.50 and$62.50 and canbe purchased atthe House ofBlues box office,all Ticketmasterlocations, Ticket-master.com or byphone at (800)736-1420.

cou r i e rpos ton l i ne . com COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012 1S

AMING GCOURIER-POSTCOURIERPOSTONLINE.COM/GAMINGDESTINATIONS & DIVERSIONS

Shows subject to change or cancellation. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter and remain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Caesars Entertainment promotion.Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2012, Caesars License Company, LLC.

HOT LIVE MUSIC & COOL DRINK SPECIALSFriday, August 31Mr. Greengenes

Saturday, September 1Don’t Call Me Francis

Monday, September 3Latin Night

Sunday, September 2No Standards

DJ Alisha MoniqueIndustry Night

with Regional DJs 8pm – 3amMiller High Life $3

Cruzan Strawberry Rum Cocktails $5SKYY Infusions

Cherry Limeades $5

TotalWhiteoutDJ Patrice McBride | DJ Xtina

Miller Lite $3 | Heineken $4Jack and Colas $5 | Sammy’s Maui Libre $5

DJ Sonatra | DJ Aiden ScottCoors Light $3 | Heineken or Heineken Light $4

Belvedere Lemon Tea Cocktails $5 | Sammy’s Maui Mama $5

LAST SHOWOF THESUMMER

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WHEREPHILLYCOMES OUTTO PLAY

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T H R E E A L L - N E W R E S T A U R A N T S

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M O R E F U N W I T H T H E B E S T O D D S

A N D H I G H E S T L I M I T S

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IF YOU GO

Sponge performs Saturday atthe House of Blues Party Pitin Showboat Atlantic City,801 Boardwalk. Showtime is11 p.m. Admission is free.

When Sponge takes the stage at theHouse of Blues Party Pit Saturday, fanswill be treated to a rarity. The Detroit-based band will play its 1994 debut album,“Rotting Piñata,” in its entirety in the cor-rect order. The album includes the hit sin-gles “Plowed” and “Molly.”

“This is a different type of tour for us,”said founding member Vinnie Dombroski.“Some of these songs we haven’t played in15 years.”

The band received requests for themore obscure songs from the album. Afterplaying the entire record, the band willtake requests from its other seven studioreleases, which include songs such as“Have You Seen Mary.”

It’s a lot of music for a free show, butthat’s fine with the band, Dombroski said.“We hope some fans decide to buy a T-shirtand a CD,” he said.

The band’s most recent EP, “Destroythe Boy,” is being refashioned into a full-length CD, expected out this fall.

“I think we will name it something else

so not to confuse it,” said Dombroski, whogot into rock to satisfy his love of loudamps and loud noises. A raw guitar and thesounds it couldmakegothimhooked, espe-cially when older friends produced feed-back on their amps.

It helped thathis fatherplayedguitar ina band and also taught the instrument.

Dombroski,whostill lives in theDetroitarea, is the lone founding member stillwith Sponge. “The music dictates surviv-ing these personnel changes,” he said ofthe lineup variations. “If you do it correct-ly, you weather the changes.”

The current lineup has been togetherfor 10 years, for the most part. “That’slonger than theoriginalguys.That’s a solidnumber of years. They represent the mu-sic wonderfully,” he said.

When Sponge played the BrooklynBowl recently, Dombroski’s 26 year-oldson, Steven, filled in on guitar. Is this thestart of a new career for the young man?“He’d have to take a cut in pay to do that,”his father quipped.

SOAK UP THE SOUNDSSponge plays House of Blues Pit Party

Detroit-based band Sponge will play its 1994 debutalbum, ‘Rotting Piñata,’ in its entirety at the House ofBlues Pit Party. PHOTO PROVIDED

cou r i e rpos ton l i ne . com COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012 7S

COURIER-POSTCOURIERPOSTONLINE.COM/GAMING

Nanking has six locations outside At-lantic City, and all the restaurants havesimilar menus.

“Basically, it’s Asian food with a fusiontwist,” said Monica Sohi, manager of theBally’s location.

But customers expect something morein a casino hotel environment, she said. Socustomers at the Bally’s Nanking can or-der a series of specials from chef KrishnaBhandari.

“In Atlantic City, we see such a diversescale of customer come in. We want to ap-peal to everybody’s taste so we go one stepfurther out of the box,” Sohi said.

And so Nanking at Bally’s serves filetmignon, certainly not a staple in an Asianrestaurant. But the recipe includes cilan-tro and teriyaki, along with Chinese broc-coli.

Among the other entrée specials:grilled Maine lobster with lemon buttersauce and brown noodles with a Canton-ese-style ginger and scallion sauce; young

coconutandThaicurrywith jumboshrimpinside; a popular seafood medley that fea-tures an assortment of seafood — shrimp,salmon mussel calamari, scallops — inwhite garlic sauce with brown rice.

Appetizers include specialties such aslemongrass cilantro crab cakes; tuna tar-tar sliders; and shrimpandcashewnut eggrolls.

“There are certain elements familiar tothe American eye, but we do it with anAsian twist,” Sohi said.

Regardless of the item, all meals aremade to the customer’s tastes, she said.

The cocktails are prepared with a twist.A Bloody Mary contains Indian spices.Cosmopolitans use white cranberry juice.And the pina colada contains cognac.

“It’s all about mixing things you won’tthink of,” Sohi said.

Nanking also can host banquets andweddings. And as part of that service, therestaurant creates one-of-a-kind fruitcarvings.

Nanking raises the barwith entree specials

IF YOU GO

Nanking is on the sixthfloor at Bally’s AtlanticCity, Boardwalk and ParkPlace. The restaurant isopen for lunch from 11:30a.m. to 3 p.m. daily andfor dinner from 5 p.m. tomidnight on weekdaysand from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.on weekends. For in-formation, call (609)340-1100. To view thestandard menu, visitballysac.com/casinos/ballys-atlantic-city/restau-rants-dining/nanking-detail.html

TotalAtlanticCity.com

HOLIDAYSHOPPINGSPREE!

Tier Credits earned July 1 through September 30, 2012, will be matched with 10 shopping points. Any multiplier offer will be applied to the base earnings rate of 10 shopping points for every Tier Credit earned. Must activate earningsonce between July 1 and September 30 at Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat or Bally’s Atlantic City by swiping at a designated Promotions Kiosk. Shopping points will be redeemed in October at Bally’s Atlantic City. Earningperiod is based on gaming day. Gaming day is 6am to 5:59am. A minimum of 20,000 shopping points must be earned to participate during the redemption period. Earnings capped at 4 million shopping points. Complete rules andregulations at the Total Rewards® Center. Total Rewards Center is open from 10am to 9pm. Management reserves the right to change or cancel this promotion at any time without notice. Must be 21 or older to gamble, enter andremain in a New Jersey casino or participate in any Caesars Entertainment promotion. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2012, Caesars License Company, LLC.

EARN YOUR WAY INTO THE SEASON!Now – September 30, 2012Simply play with your Total Rewards® card at Caesars,Harrah’s Resort, Showboat or Bally’s to earn your shoppingpoints redeemable for our Grand Finale Shopping events thisOctober in Atlantic City!

1 Tier Credit = 10 Shopping Points

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IF YOU GO

Bubba Gump Shrimp Fest will be held noon to 8p.m. Saturday and Sunday, The Deck at the GoldenNugget Atlantic City, Huron Avenue and BrigantineBoulevard. Admission is free; food must be pur-chased. Visit goldennugget.com/atlanticcity

Scott Tarwater learned two things after lastyear’s inaugural Bubba Gump Shrimp Festival atGolden Nugget Atlantic City: The festival needs tobe a two-day event, and does better when tied to aholiday such as Labor Day weekend.

Both elements come into play at this year’s ver-sion, Saturday and Sunday on The Deck by the Far-ley Marina, said Tarwater, corporate director ofwine & special events for Landry’s Inc., GoldenNugget’s parent company. The festival pays hom-age to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a chain of res-taurants owned by Landry’s.

“This will quadruple the amount of people whoexperience the festival,” he said.

Another innovation is live music versus thepiped-in variety featured last year. “We hired a Zy-deco band,” Tarwater said.

What won’t change this time around is a menuthat includes Cajun shrimp, popcorn shrimp,shrimp gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, shrimp poor-boy sandwiches, shrimp and salsa cocktail, andjambalaya.

The goal is to stay true to the Bubba GumpShrimp Co. brand.

“We use the exact recipes and offer items youget when you walk into any Bubba Gump,” Tarwa-ter said. “We’re flying in Chef Martin Ibarra, cor-porate executive chef for the Bubba Gump chain.We also buy the identical ingredients we buy in ev-ery Bubba Gump.”

Landry's created the chain, based in part on thecompanyformedbyTomHanks’character in“For-restGump.”Thenearest locationsare inNewYork

City and Baltimore. There are no plans to open oneat the Golden Nugget.

The success of the shrimp fest, along with thewine festival earlier this month and next month’ssecond annual beer festival, point out Golden Nug-get’s growing strength, Tarwater said.

“We want to show people who come out that weare good at these festivals. They see we bring ahigh energy and are well-coordinated,” he said.

BIG SHRIMP FESTIVAL

Two-day event endssummer with livemusic and food

Bubba Gump Shrimp Fest will be held noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on The Deck at the Golden Nugget. THINKSTOCK

cou r i e rpos ton l i ne . com6S COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012

GAMING DESTINATIONS & DIVERSIONS

GOLDEN NUGGET ATLANTIC CITY HOTEL . CASINO . MARINAHuron Ave. & Brigantine Blvd. Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | 800.777.1177Management reserves all rights. Must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID.

CRAFT BEERTASTING

Oktoberfest

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Sample over 200 varieties of craft beers paired with

chef-inspired cuisine and live entertainment.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30Join our Beer Maidens on The Deck for traditional Oktoberfest fare

and craft beer while overlooking the Marina.

2012

AT THE DECKDRINK UP

Deck schedule and events are weather permitting. Management reservesall rights. Must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid ID.

LIVE MUSIC • FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS • GAMES & PRIZES

SATURDAY & SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 1 - 2

FREE ADMISSION

2012Embrace your innerForrest and partakein an entire BubbaGump Shrimp inspiredmenu, d r i nks andl ive enterta inmentoutside on The Deckoverlooking theMarina.

Tickets available topurchase Bubba Gumpfood & retail on day ofevent at The Deck.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30B Street 7PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31Flip Cup 6PM-8PM

Don’t Call Me Francis 8PM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1Seven Stone 2PM

Beer Pong 6PM - 8PM

Big City 8PM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2Exceptions 2PM

Don’t Call Me Francis 7PM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3Cheers the Band 2PM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6B Street 8PM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7Steam Roller Picnic 8PM

GOLDEN NUGGET ATLANTIC CITY ENTERTAINMENT

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION GO TO GOLDENNUGGET.COM OR CALL 866.746.5336.

goldennugget.com Get the GOLDEN NUGGET APP!Now available on android, iPhone & iPad.

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Newark's FrankieValli fronted TheFour Seasons andis a member ofthe Rock & RollHall of Fame. Heplays Borgata’s

Music Box Oct. 5through 7. Ticketsare $55-$65.

Thursday, August 30LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The besttribute artists return for another stand in Legendsin Concert Theater. $32.50ROCK OF AGES 9 PM, Caesars >> Broadway showrocks the Circus Maximus Theater. $55-$105JABBAWOCKEEZ 9:30 PM, Harrah's Resort >>Male hip-hop dance crew entertain in The ConcertVenue. $40-$65GYPSY BAR 10 PM Borgata >> Lost in Paris per-forms in this eclectic setting noted for its tequilaselections.SAMMY'S BEACH BAR 2 PM, Bally's >> Lefty Lucykicks off the music for the afternoon. DJ B Leetakes over at 7, alternating with Rockstar Karaokeand the sounds of Emily’s Toybox.XHIBITION BAR 10 PM Harrah’s >> DJ Ed Smoothprovides the musical entertainmentEDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Slippery WhenWet with a Bon Jovi tribute.PARTY PIT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES 8 PM, Show-boat >> Garden State Radio and DJ Xtina alternatethroughout the night.FOUNDATION ROOM 10 PM, Showboat >> MusicSoulchild "After Party" with an appearance and DJPatrice McBride.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget >> Dane Anthonyperforms in this intimate lounge.THE DECK 7 PM, Golden Nugget >> B Street doesSpringsteen by the bayLIVE 8:30 PM, Golden Nugget >> House DJ sup-plies the music in the lounge.21BAR@DUSK Caesars >> DJ provides music inthis lounge off the casino floor.

Friday, August 31LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The besttribute artists put on the summer show in Legendsin Concert Theater. $32.50ROCK OF AGES 9 PM, Caesars >> Broadway showrocks the Circus Maximus Theater. $55-$105GABRIEL IGLESIAS 8 PM, Borgata >> Funny guygets howls in the Event Center talking about hislife. $39.50-$65CHEAP TRICK 9 PM, Borgata >> Veteran rockersshow off their best live show in The Music Box.$59.50-$65JABBAWOCKEEZ 10 PM, Harrah's Resort >> Malehip-hop dance crew entertain in The ConcertVenue. $40-$6521BAR@DUSK Caesars >> DJ provides music inthis lounge off the casino floor.DUSK Caesars >> Global Fridays.SAMMY'S BEACH BAR 8 PM, Bally's >> DJ AidenScott alternates with Mr. Greengenes. DJ Sonatraprovides tunes at 3 PM.FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE POOL AFTER DARK10 PM, Harrah’s >> Beatclan Takeover with DJHollywood & the Beatclan's Finest DJ's.7400 CLUB 10 PM, Caesars >> DJ Patrice McBridespins the music till the early hours.GYPSY BAR 7 PM Borgata >> Goodman Fiskefollowed by Kristen & The Noise rock the house oftequila throughout the evening.TOGA BAR 10 PM Caesars >> DJ Micah plays themusic with the Toga Dancers providing the visuals.MIXX 10 PM Borgata >> Mayhem Fridays withCarlos Melange playing the music in this bi-levellounge provides an intimate experience with plushseating and private table service areas.murmur 10 PM Borgata >> Eli Escobar providesthe tunes.EDEN LOUNGE 8:15 PM Harrah’s >> The Excep-tions and then Hyjinx share the music duties till thewee hours.XHIBITION BAR 11:30 PM Harrah’s >> DJ K. Stylesdoes the music.PARTY PIT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES 9 PM >> DJSonatra kicks off the evening of music, with ShakeShake Shake providing live rock at 10 PM, withdancers as an added attraction.MIA 10 PM, Caesars >> DJ Lu’AP provides themusic.MOUNTAIN BAR 9 PM, Wild Wild West, Bally's >>DJ Kyle Sweeney spins the records. Shorty theSheriff and Vixens entertain from10 PMRUSH 6 PM Golden Nugget >> Richie Balin earlyand Dane Anthony late in this intimate lounge.THE DECK 8 PM, Golden Nugget >> The everpopular Don’t Call me Francis play by the bay.LIVE 10 PM, Golden Nugget >> Fame & Fortunerocks the house.BLUEMARTINI 10 PM Bally’s >> Who’s Bad with a

live band rocks the tequila bar.

Tuesday, September 4DUSK TUESDAYS Caesars >> A DJ spins the music.GYPSY LOUNGE 9 PM, Borgata >> Rock bandperforms in the popular tequila bar.21BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Music in this newlounge off the casino floor.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget >> Live music in thisintimate lounge.TOGA BAR 10 PM, Caesars >> DJs carry on till theearly morning hours.

Wednesday, September 5GYPSY BAR 9 PM Borgata >> Live music enter-tains in an eclectic setting known for its variety oftequilas.XHIBITION BAR 10 PM, Harrah’s >> DJ Kay Jayprovides the entertainment.EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Rock Star Ka-raoke with Big RaguTHE POOL AFTER DARK 10 PM Harrah’s >> Sin-dustry Wednesday with live DJs.TOGA BAR 10 PM, Caesars >> DJs spin the musicthroughout the night.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget >> Live music performsin this intimate lounge.

Thursday, September 6LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The besttribute artists return for the fall stand in Legendsin Concert Theater. $16.25-$32.50GYPSY BAR 10 PM Borgata >> Live music per-forms in this eclectic setting noted for its tequilaselections.XHIBITION BAR 10 PM Harrah’s >> DJ Ed Smoothprovides the musical entertainmentEDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Tribute bandperforms.PARTY PIT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES 8 PM, Show-boat >> Live music and DJ provide music.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget >> Live music in thisintimate lounge.LIVE 8:30 PM, Golden Nugget >> House DJ sup-plies the music in the lounge.21BAR@DUSK Caesars >> DJ provides music inthis lounge off the casino floor.

Friday, September 7LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The besttribute artists return for the fall stand in Legendsin Concert Theater. $16.25-$32.50CREED 9 PM House of Blues >> Rockers rock theMusic Hall $39.50 - $62.5021BAR@DUSK Caesars >> DJ provides music inthis lounge off the casino floor.DUSK Caesars >> Global Fridays.FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE POOL AFTER DARK10 PM, Harrah’s >> DJs provide hot beats till theearly hours.

entertainment duties till 5 AM.PARTY PIT AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES 8 PM >> DJAiden Scott spins the music alternating with a liveband.MOUNTAIN BAR 9 PM, Wild Wild West, Bally's >>DJ Cool Jon Sprang spins the records. Shorty theSheriff and Vixens entertain from10 PMBLUEMARTINI 9 PM Bally’s >> Live band al-ternates with DJ Prefer for the evening.TOGA BAR 10 PM, Caesars >> A DJ provides themusic with the Toga Dancers providing the visuals.RUSH 6 PM Golden Nugget >> A pair of liveperformers play in this intimate lounge.THE DECK 2 PM, Golden Nugget >> A band playsby day and another by night by the bay.LIVE 10 PM, Golden Nugget >> Live music rocksthe room.AFTER HOURS FOUNDATION ROOM10 PM,Showboat >> DJs inside and out on the terrace till6 a.m.

Sunday, September 2CHRIS TUCKER 8 PM, Borgata >> Actor comediangets funny in The Event Center. $75-$95IL VOLO 9 PM, Borgata >> Classical group enter-tains in the Music Box $75-$85LEGENDS IN CONCERT 8 PM, Bally's >> The besttribute artists return for another stand in Legendsin Concert Theater. $32.50ROCK OF AGES 9 PM, Caesars >> Broadway showrocks the Circus Maximus Theater. $55-$105JABBAWOCKEEZ 7:30 PM, Harrah's Resort >>Male hip-hop dance crew entertain in The ConcertVenue. $40-$65EDEN LOUNGE 9 PM Harrah’s >> Live musicrocks the room.GYPSY BAR 8:30 PM Borgata >> Live music inthis eclectic setting with all manner of tequi-la.MIXX SUNDAYS 10 PM Borgata >> Alessoand Paul Castro provide music in this bi-levellounge with plush seating and private tableservice areas.SAMMY'S BEACH BAR 2 PM, Bally's >> Rockbands and DJs provide live music on the beach assummer wanes.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget >> Doug Jenningsperforms in this intimate lounge.THE DECK 2 PM, Golden Nugget >>Bands by day. Bands by night.21BAR@DUSK Caesars >>Music in this new lounge offthe casino floor.

Monday,September 3mur.mur 10 PM Borgata >>Bingo Players provide themusic, if not the game, withPS1 to lend a hand.RUSH 8 PM Golden Nugget>> Beth Tinnon performs inthis intimate lounge.THE DECK 7 PM, GoldenNugget >> MellowMondaysby the bay.SAMMY'S BEACH BAR 9 PM,Bally's >> Latin night with livemusic and a DJEDEN LOUNGE 8 PM, Harrah’s >>Live bands entertainGYPSY LOUNGE 9 PM, Borgata >> A

Michael Jackson tribute. DJ Nick D provides addi-tional entertainment for the evening.

Saturday, September 1LEGENDS IN CONCERT 7:30, 10 PM, Bally's >> Thebest tribute artists put on the summer show inLegends in Concert Theater. $32.50ROCK OF AGES 9 PM, Caesars >> Broadway showrocks the Circus Maximus Theater. $55-$105TRAIN 8 PM, Borgata >> Rock trio sings abouttheir Soul Sister and Jupiter in the Event Center.General admission tickets $55IL VOLO 9 PM, Borgata >> Teenage operatortenors sing in The Music Box. $75-$85JABBAWOCKEEZ 10 PM, Harrah's Resort >> Malehip-hop dance crew entertain in The ConcertVenue. $40-$65COUNTRY SUPERSTARS 6 and 9 PM, GoldenNugget >> Country music tribute artists cover RebaMcEntire, TimMcGraw, Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nel-son, and more, backed by a five-piece band in theShowroom. $22.55-$39.50EPIC SATURDAY AT THE POOL AFTER DARK 9PM, Harrah’s >> DJs entertain on the holidayweekend.SAMMY'S BEACH BAR 1 PM, Bally's >> DJ’s andlive bands alternate sets day and night.7400 CLUB 10 PM, Harrah’s >> DJ Johnny Loochspins the music till the early hours.21BAR@DUSK Caesars >> Live music in this newlounge off the casino floor with DJ Be-Easy until 5AM.BOARDWALK BEER GARDEN, Caesars >> DJprovides music.GYPSY BAR 7 PM Borgata >> Two live bands rockthe house in this eclectic setting just off the casinofloor.murmur 10 PM Borgata >> DJ Politik and DougGrayson provide music.EDEN LOUNGE 8:15 PM Harrah’s >> Live bandsearly in the evening and early in the morning.LOBBY BAR 10 PM Bally’s >> Mellow live music ina busy environment.MIA 10 PM, Caesars >> DJ Lu’AP provides themusic.XHIBITION BAR 10 PM, Harrah’s >> Two DJs share

CREED 9 p.m. Sept. 7 atHouse of Blues. Tickets,$39.50-$62.50.PHOTO PROVIDED

JOHN LEGEND 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Borgata.Tickets, $66-$86. ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICK SPRINGFIELD 9 p.m. Oct. 20 atBorgata’s Music Box. Tickets, $55-$60.GANNETT

cou r i e rpos ton l i ne . com COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012 5S

COURIER-POSTCOURIERPOSTONLINE.COM/GAMING

ON SALE

EVENTSCALENDAR

Brian Setzer, king of modern rockabilly, and his orchestra rock Caesars on Dec. 1. Ticketsare $57.50-$87.50. ASSOCIATED PRESS

A DJ provides the music while the TogaDancers work their moves Friday at theToga Bar inside Caesars. PHOTO PROVIDED

cou r i e rpos ton l i ne . com4S COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012

GAMING DESTINATIONS & DIVERSIONS

When successful bands break up – ortake a hiatus as in the case of Train – acomeback can sputter to a stop in an agewhen music buyers have short memories.

That was in the minds of the trio whenthey stepped back in the studio in 2009 towork on “SaveMe, San Francisco,” Train’sfirst album since the less than successful“For Me, It’s You,” released in 2006.

“For us, when we got back together, itwould either be a rebirth or our last al-bum,” Train guitarist Jimmy Stafford saidin a phone interview in advance of theband’s Sept. 1 gig at Borgata.

“The last album was a better guess.With that in mind, we said let’s make therecord we want to make and be happy. Ifthiswas the final record, thenwewould doit right.”

As it turned out, “SaveMe, SanFrancis-co”wasnot only done right, butwas a hugehit, certified gold with some 1 millioncopies sold.

“People could hear the authenticity andjoy and love we hadmaking that record. Itpaid off,” Stafford said.

Thealbumyielded threesuccessful sin-gles: “If It’s Love,” “Marry Me” and thefive-times platinumhit, “Hey, Soul Sister.”That last song took Train to places it neverexpected.

“It opened up awhole new audience forus age-wise. We were considered an adultband. Then we brought in younger fans.We see three generations of people at ourconcerts. And no one feels out of place. It’sa great vibe,” Stafford said.

Fans coming to the show at Borgata’sEventCentercanexpectan incrediblepro-duction, he said, with lots of old and newmaterial. The show is also a one-price, lim-ited-seating night, with seats on the risersin back.

In concert, Train looks like aquintet nota trio. In fact, Jerry Becker and HectorMaldonado have performed and recordedwith the group since 2008. Becker actuallyserved as the original tour manager withthe band. as well.

So how come they don’t get to be part ofTrain? Chemistry, said founding memberStafford.When the band got together, theydid have five members. When two of thefive departed, the remaining three—Staf-ford, Pat Monahan and Scott Underwood—brought in two newperformers to bringthe number back to five again.

“We made the mistake of making themmembers. With the three original guys,you had a certain chemistry when it cameto making decisions together. The newguys changed that chemistry. Thingswerenot right or fun,” Stafford said.

Hence, thebreak in2006.When theygotback together, the three cleanedhouse andbrought on Becker and Maldonado ashired hands to record and perform but notshare in the name.

“Hector and Jerry are awesome.They’re like family,” Stafford said.

Train’s Jimmy Stafford (from left), Pat Monahan and Scott Underwood play the BorgataSept. 1. PHOTO PROVIDED

TRAIN ON TRACKTrio appears atThe Event Center inBorgata Hotel Casino Earlier this month, the Burpee Mu-

seum of Natural History in Rockford,Ill., debuted Rick’s Picks, an exhibitthat tells the story of Rick Nielsen ofCheap Trick’s passion for guitars, mu-sic and rock ‘n’ roll.

“There’s a lot of interesting stuff,”Nielsen said of the exhibition, whichruns through April. In addition to hismemorabilia and collections, the mu-seum, located in his hometown, fea-tures guitars from friends such asSlash, Queen’s Brian May and ToddRundgren.

The setting, chuckled Nielsen dur-ing a phone interview, puts one dino-saur in a space with other dinosaurs.

But the flesh-and-bone Rick Nielsenis hardly a dinosaur. Cheap Trick justcompleted a series of summer dateswith Aerosmith, and comes to BorgataAug. 31 without Steven Tyler and com-pany.

“We’ve had 40 years of warm-upleading to this show,” said guitaristNielsen,whohasbeenaroundmusic hiswhole life. Expect something from justabout all of the band’s16 studio and sev-en live albums.

Nielsen’sparents,bothsingers, ranamusic store in Rockford. He workedthere as a teenager. He began playing

drums, and got into The Beatles, TheStones, The Who. His tastes ran moretoward British stars. One of the firstrecords he ever bought as a kid was byThe Orlons. He also liked Bruce Chan-nel.

Nielsen had a good ear for music. “Ididn’t knowwhat chords I was hearing,but I knew when people played thewrong notes. I taught myself to playguitar.”

Eventually, his prowess broughtNielsen together with the musicianswho would form Cheap Trick.

The bandmade its mark in Japan, ofall places, and a live recording in Budo-kancracked theU.S. charts to becomeamonster hit. The band has blended ele-ments of pop, punk and even metal toproducecatchyclassics suchas “IWantYou to Want Me,” “Surrender,” and“The Flame.”

To date, Cheap Trick has performedmore than 5,000 times, sold 20 millionrecords, appeared in 29 movie sound-tracks and collected 40 gold and plati-num records.

The band is recording a track for in-clusion in a Christmas album special.It’s a Cheap Trick song augmentedwithother melodies, he said, saying his lipsare sealed on what song.

Cheap Trick Treats

Cheap Trick made its mark in Japan anda live recording cracked the U.S. chartsto become a monster hit. PHOTO PROVIDED

You’ll want to want them at Borgata performance

IF YOU GO

Cheap Trick appears Friday at The MusicBox in Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, OneBorgata Way. Showtime is 9 p.m.Tickets are $59.50 and $65 and can bepurchased through www.theborgata-.com, (866) 900-4849 or at Borgata’sbox office.

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In Atlantic City, development planscome and go. Ideas that sound good on pa-per run up against the reality of econom-ics, leaving a blank canvas where condos,hotels and retail once held promise.

The boardwalk block between Califor-nia and Belmont avenues near the Ritzcondo qualifies as one such site. Indeed,once upon a time, the Tropicana proposedto partner on a non-casino hotel on thatblock.

Thanks to a new partnership betweenthe Atlantic City Alliance and the NewYork-based Fung Collaboratives, theempty acreage will get a new, if tempor-ary, lease on life this fall with the first of ahandful of public art initiatives. Groundwas recently broken on a project expect-ed to be completed by late October orearly November and funded by the Alli-ance, the marketing arm of the casino in-dustry.

FungCollaboratives, curated byLanceFung, specializes in the creation of tem-porary art installations that integrate thework of several artists in one themed ex-hibit and provide a reflection of the sur-rounding environment.

On theheels of the initial sitewill come

an even more expansive installation onthe grounds of the former Sands hotel ca-sino, demolished in 2007. A third site, setfornextspring,promises to transformthearea around Florida Avenue and theBoardwalk adjacent to Boardwalk Hall.

The idea is to open an exhibition everyyear for the run of the five-year contractwith the Alliance. By 2014, Fung hopes toadd an indoor component.

“We have little time and big ambi-tions,” said Fung, who has curated exhibi-tions at the Torino and Beijing Olympics,and in locations as varied as Santa Fe, SanFrancisco andEgypt.He is alsoknownforthe 2004 “Snow Show” exhibition in Fin-land, having presented theworks of 30 in-ternational artists and architects, includ-ing Yoko Ono, Sir Norman Foster, KikiSmith and Tadao Ando.

For the Atlantic City Alliance, Fungwill collaborate with landscapers, artistsand architects from all over the country,but with special attention to New Jerseyand the Atlantic City area.

In addition to passive use, Fung hopesthese areas will develop into a place forimpromptu concerts, performance se-ries, children’s workshops and more.

“Itwill incorporate a ground and verti-cal element, which will cover the sight ofthe parking lot behind it,” Fung said. Theinstallation will feature black, white andgray optical illusions. It will be paintedwith a cistern in themiddle. That elementwill be coveredwith glass so you canwalkover it.

FreeWi-Fiwill compel people to lingerrather than just pass through, Fung said.

Art in the open

Layman Lee (from left), John Talley, Lance Fung of Fung Collaboratives, Mike Aliano Jr. ofAliano Brothers General Contractors and Jamila Glapion of Fung Collaboratives attendedthe recent groundbreaking that is expected to transform a vacant lot into the firstinteractive living space in Atlantic City. RUSTY KENNEDY

Initiative promisescreation of temporaryart installationsByWilliam SokolicCourier-Post Staff

IF YOU GO

The Albany Devils play games Nov. 25,Jan. 13, Jan. 20 and Feb. 24 at BoardwalkHall, Mississippi Avenue and the Board-walk. Face-off is 4 p.m. each game. Ticketsrange from $11 to $26 and can be pur-chased at the Boardwalk Hall box office,all Ticketmaster locations, by calling (800)736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com.Series and group packages are also avail-able.

The Albany Devils return to Board-walk Hall this winter for a series of fourregular-seasonhockeygames.The series,sponsored by the Atlantic City Conven-tion & Visitors Authority and Caesars At-lantic City, will take place from Novem-ber through February. The Devils lastplayed a four-game series at BoardwalkHall during the 2010-11 season.

“Our organization is looking forwardto bringing some of our top prospects tohistoric Boardwalk Hall,” said New Jer-sey Devils president, CEO and generalmanager LouLamoriello. “It is a great op-portunity for our fans in New Jersey, anda great experience for some of our youngplayers to play in the Garden State.”

TheDevils face off against theWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Nov. 25; theBridgeport Sound Tigers on Jan. 13; theFlyers top farm team, the AdirondackPhantoms on Jan. 20; and the HersheyBears onFeb. 24. All gameswill be playedat 4 p.m.

Last season, 15 players on the team ap-peared in games for both the 2012 NHLEastern Conference Champion Devilsand Albany.

“The 2012-2013 regular season gameswith the Albany Devils will shine the na-tional spotlight on Atlantic City, allowingthe community to showcase what a di-verseentertainmentdestinationweare.Akey tactic in the strategy of revitalizingtheresort isofferingeventssuchas thisata time when it is most needed,” said DonMarrandino, Eastern Division presidentfor Caesars Entertainment.

Boardwalk Hall has longtime associa-tion with ice hockey dating to December1929 when Ottawa faced off against theNew York Rangers. The following yearmarked the debut of the first of Board-walk Hall’s two home hockey teams, the

Atlantic City Seagulls, who played until1952.AnNHLpreseasongamewasplayedin1982,andfollowingthe$90millionreno-vation toBoardwalkHall, theECHL-affil-iated, now-defunct Boardwalk Bulliestook to the ice inOctober 2001andwon theKelly Cup in 2003.

More recently, Boardwalk Hall hostedthe 2012 AHL All-Star Classic and theECAC Men’s Hockey Championship,which will return next March.

“We’re pleased to welcome the Devilsback to Atlantic City,” said Jeff Vasser,president of the Atlantic City Convention& Visitors Authority. “Boardwalk Hall’sgreat setting for ice hockey and AtlanticCity’s great accommodations and attrac-tions make a terrific combination forhockey fans of all ages.We’re looking for-ward to hosting the games and the fans.”

The games will be played on the ArtDorrington Ice Rink. A local resident,Dorrington was the first African-Ameri-can hockey player to sign aNHL contractwhen he joined theNewYorkRangers or-ganization in the 1950s. He played on theSeagulls championship teambeginning in1951.

Dorrington has been very active in hisArt Dorrington Ice Hockey Foundation,created to teach hockey to underprivi-leged youth in Atlantic City.

Hockey fans score bigA winterhockey series,sponsored bythe AtlanticCityConvention &VisitorsAuthority andCaesarsAtlantic City,will take placeNovemberthroughFebruary at ArtDorrington IceRink.GETTY IMAGES

Winter series sponsored by Caesars and the A.C.Convention & Visitors Authority

ByWilliam SokolicCourier-Post Staff

There are two more chances to catchthe free Jazz on the Beach series. One istonight at Kennedy Plaza on the Board-walk across from Boardwalk Hall. Theother isFridaynightatBartramPlaceandthe Boardwalk. Both concerts begin at 7p.m.

NewYorknativeMimiJoneswill head-line tonight. A multitalented bassist, vo-calist and composer, she released her de-but CD, “A New Day,” and is working onher second. Jones has performed or re-

corded with Lionel Hampton, Kenny Bar-ron, Tia Fuller and Terri Lyne Carrington.In addition, Jones has toured around theworld as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador. LukeCarlos O’Reilly opens.

The Eddie Morgan Trio gets the nodFriday night. Morgan and his group willperform their entertainingbrand of funkycontemporary jazz and standards.

MUSIC IN THE NIGHT

The free Jazz on the Beach series has two last shows this summer — tonight at KennedyPlaza on the Boardwalk, and Friday night at Bartram Place and the Boardwalk. Bothconcerts begin at 7 p.m. THINKSTOCK

Free jazz series atBoardwalk includesMimi JonesByWilliam SokolicCourier-Post Staff

IF YOU GO

The free jazz series is cosponsored by theChicken Bone Beach Historical Foundationand Atlantic City Free Public Library, andfunded in part by the Casino Reinvest-ment Development Authority. Call (609)441-9064 or (609) 377-7117 for more in-formation.

c o u r i e r p o s t o n l i n e . c o m2S COURIER-POST, Thursday, August 30, 2012

» An advertising supplement to the Courier-Post, a Gannett newspaper, 301 Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Sales Representative — Tom Martino, 856-486-2516

GAMING DESTINATIONS & DIVERSIONS

Since early July, Skylar Laine and nineother finalists in Season 11 of AmericanIdol have toured the country. For Laine,this is the easiest part of the process.

“The tour is going good. It’s a lot offun,” Laine said from a stop in Portland,Maine. The tour comes to BoardwalkHallSept. 7.

Laine performs two solos in the con-cert. She chose Miranda Lam-bert’s “Gunpowder and Lead”and Rod Stewart’s “Stay withMe.” She duets with HollieCavanagh on Carrie Under-wood’s “Undo It.” And ofcourse, she performsgroup songs such as “I’mGlad you Came” and“That’s What Makesyou Beautiful.”

Performing in con-cert across the coun-

try presents a different mindset than thegrind that is the quest to become theAmerican Idol, she said.

“Making the top 24 was a lot of hardwork. I didn’t anticipate how hard. Wewere only off on Easter. But the tour is alot less stressful than the show. We’re notjudged and voted on.’’

Laine longhadadesire to tryout for theshow, but something always interveneduntil this season. Though Phillip Phillipswon theAmericanIdol title,Lainesaidshewasmore thanhappytofinish in the top10.

In addition to Laine, the tour — spon-sored in part by Ritz, Chips Ahoy! and theU.S. Air Force Reserve— features ColtonDixon, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Tes-tone, Erika Van Pelt, Heejun Han, HollieCavanagh, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledetand Phillip Phillips. The American leg ofthe tour wraps up Sept. 11 in Milwaukee.

After the tour,Lainewillheadhomefora while to visit friends and family be-

fore trekking to Nashville towork on an album.

“I’ve been writing alot,” she said. “My ulti-mate goal is to keepwriting and making

albums. I want toputmymusic outthere. And I’dlove other art-ists to do mysongs.”

In good fun‘American Idol’finalists look forwardto noncompetitiveperformances

ByWilliam SokolicCourier-Post Staff

IF YOU GO

‘The American Idol Tour’ plays Sept. 7 at Boardwalk Hall, Mississippi Avenue and the Board-walk. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 to $65 and can be purchased at the BoardwalkHall box office, at aeglive.com, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or at (800) 745-3000. $1 of every ticket purchased will be donated to The Heart Foundation.

‘The American IdolTour’ plays Sept. 7 atBoardwalk Hall,Mississippi Avenueand the Boardwalk.Showtime is 7 p.m.PHOTO PROVIDED