$1 Million Action Ball: Reno Resident Wins New Toyota Camry at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Reno resident John Connolly won a brand new Toyota Camry from Reno Toyota during the $1,000,000 Action Ball monthly drawing last Saturday at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Connolly was among hundreds of guests who attended the first of many monthly drawings in association with the Nugget’s latest casino floor promotion. The next monthly drawing is scheduled for January 30, 2010. $1,000,000 Action Ball gives players the chance to win an instant cash jackpot up to $25,000, a brand new Toyota and $10,000 cash during monthly drawings, and a chance to win $1,000,000. The promotion runs daily through April 24, 2010. See John’s Club for additional details.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Celebrity Showroom Dance Party, Free Champagne Toast Ring in 2010 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – There’s something for everyone this New Year’s Eve at the Nugget! Conceived with your budget in mind, whether you want to shake your booty ‘til the sun comes up or mellow-out with the silky sounds of smooth jazz, you’ll find it, along with a complimentary countdown champagne toast, on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
In the Celebrity Showroom, it’s a New Year’s Eve Dance Party featuring The Blasters with the Saddle Tramps, 9:30 p.m. to Midnight, includes party favors and midnight champagne toast, for only $35.
The Casino Cabaret, home of the casino-wide countdown, will be the epicenter of New Year’s revelry, with Escalade (8 p.m. to Midnight) and a DJ (Midnight to 4 a.m.), complimentary champagne toast and party favors - all for no cover charge.
A very special KJZS Jazz Night New Year’s Celebration in Restaurante Orozko Lounge, featuring pianist Lao Tizer, goes from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with a complimentary champagne toast and no cover charge.
Finally, Trader Dick’s Lounge features the Voltones, 8 p.m. to Midnight, again with no cover charge.
Dinner and show packages are available, with restaurants featuring decadent New Year’s Eve specials. Tickets are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. “Do The Nugget Tonight!”

Celebrate the Christmas Holiday with Special Menus at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – The holidays bring together family and friends to make memories, honor traditions, and, of course, eat delicious food.

The chefs at John Ascuaga’s Nugget have prepared an array of special holiday menus sure to satisfy every taste bud and fill the entire family with Christmas cheer. These special menus are available only on Friday, December 25. For those who prefer to celebrate the holidays with their favorite Nugget dish, each restaurant’s regular menu is available, except in the Rotisserie.

The all-you-can-eat feasts prepared at the Rotisserie Buffet and the Convention Center offer limitless options. The salad station features everything from a classic green salad with assorted dressings to the Nugget’s Caesar Salad to Peel & Eat Shrimp. The hot station will offer entrees such as Roasted Tom Turkey with Apple-Sausage Stuffing, Grilled Salmon with Chardonnay Chive Butter Sauce and Seafood Thermidor with Shrimp, Crab and Scallops. The Carving Station will serve up Rock Salt Roasted Prime Rib and Mustard Glazed Virginia Baked Ham. For dessert, choose from Christmas Yule Log, Holiday Stolen, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Cheesecakes, Christmas Cookies, French Pastries and Ice Cream with Toppings. The price is $22.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 5-11. The Convention Center buffet will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Rotisserie will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

At the elegant Christmas buffet in Restaurante Orozko, choose from entrées such as Roasted Tom Turkey, Muscovy Duck Breast on Napa Cabbage with Pomegranate Jus, and Halibut Medallions with Saffron Cream Sauce. Exquisite Appetizer, Carving and Dessert stations will also be featured. The price is $37.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 5-11. Restaurante Orozko will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trader Dick’s special menu will feature a choice of Black Sesame and Pepper Crusted Rib Eye, Sautéed Flounder with Shrimp Won Tons or Roasted Tom Turkey with a Chestnut Pecan Stuffing. Guests will also select from an appetizer and dessert menu. The price is $31.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 5-11. Dinner will be served from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Steakhouse Grill main course choices include Roasted Free Range Turkey with Sundried Tomato and Sausage Dressing, Petit Filet Tower or Cedar Plank Baked Salmon. Guests will also select from an appetizer and dessert menu. The price is $34.95 for adults and $17.95 for children ages 5-11. Dinner will be served from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rosie’s Café will feature a choice of Roasted Tom Turkey, Virginia Baked Ham or Baked Salmon Wellington. All three include soup or salad and choice of pie for dessert. The price is $11.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 5-11. Rosie’s is open 24 hours, but the special Christmas menu will be offered from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For information, call 800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.

New Country Star Heidi Newfield Plays One Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Going solo with an expanded sense of enthusiasm, coupled with the sensibility that comes from paying her dues, “new country” singer Heidi Newfield is a star on the rise. See her play the Celebrity Showroom on December 5 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Already having made a name for herself as the highly energetic frontwoman of new country trio Trick Pony, Newfield decided upon a solo career, and in November of 2006 announced that she was leaving the group and going it alone. The Healdsburg, CA-raised Newfield was exposed to the music she would make a career out of at an early age. With her love of country, blues, and rock in tow, Newfield made her first attempts at stardom at the very young age of 13, taking a trip to Nashville to cut a demo. In 1996, she joined up with Keith Burns and Ira Dean to form Trick Pony. The group would go on to release a handful of Top 20 singles, and won an ACM Best New Artist Award. After announcing that she was leaving the aforementioned band, Newfield went into the studio to begin work on her debut solo album, a collection of work that was to touch on a number of moods and styles. "Johnny and June," the big single from What Am I Waiting For, was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country charts in 2008.
Heidi Newfield plays December 5 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Tickets are $30, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Society of Seven, with American Idol’s Jasmine Trias Offers Classic ‘Vegas’ Sound at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – See classic Nevada-style entertainment delivered with polish and professionalism when the always-entertaining Society of Seven visits the Celebrity Showroom November 27-28 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
The SOS, featuring American Idol Season Three contestant Jasmine Trias, dazzles audiences with their outstanding choreography; costumes and music, from Broadway show tunes to old and new pop hits. The group continues to bring new meaning to the word “variety” with enough energy to set the stage ablaze.
The group plays literally every instrument in sight - horns, keyboards and guitars. Every member of SOS is an accomplished technician on several musical instruments. Each multi-talented member contributes his own special genius to the ensemble and the result is an explosion of musical energy certain to entertain audiences from around the world.
Comprised of Hawaii's finest performers with an eclectic mix of talents, Society of Seven has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining and energetic shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Tony Ruivivar contributes to vocals and guitar. Bert Sagum is the comedic leader of the group. Huku Low plays the bass and horns. Vince Mendoza is the group's drummer, with impressive vocals. Roy Guerzo is the keyboardist, and Wayne Wakai rounds out the groups with an impressive vocal range.
Society of Seven plays November 27-28 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Tickets are $35, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Nugget’s Executive Director of Marketing Beth Cooney Named to RSCVA Board of Directors

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Beth Cooney, Executive Director of Marketing at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, was named today to the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors. She will represent the Nevada Resort Association on the board through July 2011.

Ms. Cooney has been the Executive Director of Marketing at the Nugget since 2000, where she oversees advertising, special events, public relations, database marketing, internet marketing and entertainment. Prior to joining the Nugget, Beth was with the Rose/Glenn Group advertising agency as the VP/Director of Account Services. She also spent more than ten years with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., including positions as Marketing Director for Harrah’s Reno and Regional Director of Marketing for Harrah’s Entertainment in Memphis.

Originally from San Jose, California, Ms. Cooney holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno. She serves on the Regional Marketing Committee, the Sparks Brand Leadership Team and is a past-president of the Sparks Chamber of Commerce.

She has been married to Ron Cooney, who works for the Washoe County School District Communications Office, for 23 years. They have three daughters: Laurel, 18, who attends the University of Nevada, Reno; Katy, 27, who lives in London and Erin, 30, who lives in Connecticut.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call
800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.

‘A Classic Christmas Celebration’ Offers Traditional Holiday Stage Production at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Warmth. Good cheer. Family. Caroling and songs. All are reminiscent of a time-honored Christmas gathering. See that traditional imagery come to life when “A Classic Christmas Celebration” returns to the stage in the legendary Celebrity Showroom, December 11-13 and Dec. 18-20, at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
Featuring 8 incredible performances over two separate weekends, producer Karen Burns utilizes her one-of-kind collection of spectacular costumes and a troupe of hand-selected singers and dancers to bring the holiday alive. Some of the attire comes from Burns’ renowned Hello Hollywood, Hello collection. Many of the actors and actresses in the production were cast locally, including the children, whose unabashed excitement and enthusiasm always enlighten a holiday performance. From the classic Christmas songs you love to a real life Toyland finale, the entire family will be captivated by the colors and sounds of traditional yuletide merriment.
“For those who dream of a White Christmas, Karen Burns’ “A Classic Christmas Celebration” at John Ascuaga’s Nugget is so rich in song, dance, gorgeous costumes and memories (that) it nurtures its own dreams of a Christmas that’s white. It’s so good it could, and should, become a holiday tradition,” said Nevada-Events.net reviewer Jack Neal.
A Classic Christmas Celebration plays four times each weekend, December 11-13 and Dec. 18-20, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show times are 7 p.m. each Friday and Saturday, with 3:30 p.m. matinees each Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices are $23 for adults, $21 for seniors (55+), $19 for students (with valid ID), and $12 kids (12 and under) and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Play “Action Ball” at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, You Could Win $1,000,000!

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – An instant cash jackpot up to $25,000, a brand new Toyota and $10,000 cash during monthly drawings, and a chance to win $1,000,000 – Action Ball runs daily from November 19 to April 24, 2010 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget!

There are a variety of ways to participate:

Daily Swipe and Instant Win
John’s Club members use their player’s club card to swipe and play an interactive touch-screen match game at the Action Ball Headquarters, located next to the main cashier on the main casino floor. Guests can win up to $25,000 cash in an instant jackpot, plus food credits, meals, drinks, hotel stays, slot play, and a chance to play the Action Ball machine for $1,000,000 cash! To redeem a prize, guests take their card to the Action Ball Redemption Center.

Action Ball Machine
The highlight of the promotion is the incredible Action Ball game. Guests who win a play on Action Ball during the Swipe and Win game will get to step up to the machine to try for $1,000,000 cash. If six orange balls line up in the game, the guest instantly wins $1,000,000! Less than six balls earn corresponding prizes as well, including cash, slot play and food credits.

Monthly Cash and Toyota Giveaways
On these Saturdays in Casino Cabaret at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.: Dec. 19, 2009, and Jan. 30, Feb. 27, Mar. 27 and Apr. 24, 2010 - the Nugget will be giving away $10,000 in cash and a brand new Toyota from Reno Toyota. Entries are earned by swiping your card daily on the instant win game and for every John’s Club dollar earned. Every guest who earned entries during the previous month automatically will be in the monthly drawing, as long as they activate their entries by swiping or playing with their John’s Card between Noon and 8 p.m. on the day of the monthly drawing. The prize cars will be displayed on the main casino floor.

Additional information is available online at http://www.janugget.com/, or at the Action Ball Headquarters, located at the main cashier on the casino floor. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, Reno Toyota and Odds on Promotions employees and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Thanksgiving at St. Vincent’s

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Every Thanksgiving, employees at John Ascuaga’s Nugget spend countless hours preparing Thanksgiving favorites for literally thousands of people who will dine in one of the Nugget’s many restaurants. However, the staff also works to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for guests at St. Vincent’s Dining Room.
Every year since 1955, John Ascuaga’s Nugget has provided Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to an area shelter, and since 1961 the Nugget and St. Vincent’s have worked diligently to make sure that less fortunate folks enjoy a great meal. This year, for the 48th consecutive Thanksgiving, the Nugget will be providing more than 1000 meals.
Everyday for more than four decades, St. Vincent’s Dining Room, as part of Catholic Community Services of Northern Nevada, has welcomed the hungry with open arms. Today, the Dining Room serves many hundreds of meals every day. No preaching, no fee, no questions are asked of the hungry who go there. The menu changes daily, but not the mission: to provide a simple but hearty meal to sustain the body and warm the soul. For details, call 775-322-7073. The dining room is located at 325 Valley Rd., just east of downtown Reno. Thanksgiving service is at 11:30 a.m.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or 775-356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Play MegaKeno Progressive at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Keno players at John Ascuaga’s Nugget now can play for a progressive-style jackpot typically associated with slot machines. MegaKeno, a state-wide progressive product offered by XpertX, Inc., offers Nugget guests the chance to play for separate progressive amounts on 5-, 6- and 7-spot cards with a $1.50 wager. The progressive jackpots start at $1,100 for a 5-spot, $3,000 for a 6-spot and $15,000 for a 7-spot. Players must mark “MK” on their Keno ticket when placing their wager to participate. The progressive pots for each of the three games appear on the main Keno boards around the property following the completion of each game. Guests can visit the Gold Keno game on the main casino floor for additional details.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Reno Resident Wins $102,893 Pai Gow Poker Progressive at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Linda Monroe of Reno, Nev., hit an instant jackpot of nearly $97,000 and a separate $6,000 on a “Fortune Bet” for a hefty sum of $102,893 while playing Pai Gow Poker Progressive on Friday, Nov. 13, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Monroe said she’s never won a total like this before, and plans to use the winnings to help pay bills, take care of family and contemplate a home purchase. Her seven-card winning hand consisted of Q-J-Joker-9-8-7-6 of Hearts.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Bluesman, Songwriter Extraordinaire Keb’ Mo’ Returns to John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Consciously contemporary, eulogistically old-fashioned, accomplished blues guitarist and songwriter Keb’ Mo’ returns to John Ascuaga's Nugget on November 20.
Multiple times a Grammy and W.C. Handy Award winner, Keb’ Mo’ draws heavily on the genre-source country-blues style of Robert Johnson, but keeps his sound contemporary with touches of soul and folksy storytelling. He writes much of his own material, and his latest album Live & Mo’ (2009) offers a mixed collection of live and studio material, constituting his first effort for his independent label Yolabelle Records.
Keb’ Mo’ is a man who admittedly “came of age during the 60s.” Born and raised in Compton, Calif., he spent his early adult life working odd jobs and playing guitar just to pay the bills. He did a few stints with various artists, including three years with former Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna vocalist and violinist, Papa John Creach.
After playing with Creach, Mo’ took a position at A&M Records working as a staff writer and demo producer. After years of honing his musical identity, the former Kevin Moore released his self-titled Keb’ Mo’ (1994) with others, including; Just Like You (1996), Slow Down (1998), The Door (2000), Sessions at West 54th - Recorded live in New York City 1997 (2000), Big Wide Grin (2001), Just Like You (2003), Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Keb' Mo' (2003), Keep It Simple (2004), Peace … Back By Popular Demand (2004), Suitcase (2006) and Live & Mo’ (2009).
With each new album Mo’ continues to explore his musical range, the depth of his spirit and the journey that is life. By combining the traditional blues style and his own late 20th Century musical sense, Mo’ has spread his blend of sweet country blues, gritty juke-joint jive, up-tempo R&B, and even breezy, George Benson-style jazz-pop to thousands of new fans. And in what is perhaps the ultimate indicator of mainstream credibility, Mo’ showed off his wheat germ pancake recipe during a segment of Martha Stewart’s cable television show.
Keb’ Mo’ plays, with his band, one night only, November 20, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $38 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

California Man Wins $250,000 Home Sweet Home Final Drawing at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – California resident Richard S. was the big winner in the final drawing of the Home Sweet Home house-giveaway promotion tonight (Nov. 14, 2009) at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Richard, who asked that his last name and home town not be disclosed, was one of approximately 4,000 people who attended the final drawing extravaganza. He pumped his fist with enthusiasm and the overflow crowd roared with excitement as the home-winning card was revealed. Legendary television game show host Bob Eubanks was the master of ceremonies for the evening and he celebrated with Richard as confetti canons exploded and costumed showgirls filled the stage.
“I was so shocked. I’m just walking on air,” said Richard, a railroad conductor who has been coming to the Nugget for many decades. “The Nugget has always been such a friendly place. And they’ve always treated the railroad guys great. The gods were smiling tonight.”
Richard’s prize is a brand-new home, valued at $250,000, in The Preserve by Tanamera, a project currently under construction in Sparks. He has the choice of accepting the home or taking a cash prize of $150,000 – a decision he has yet to make.
“We’re pleased that a long-time guest of the Nugget won the home. It’s a lot of fun to see someone get so excited about winning,” said Stephen Ascuaga, the Nugget’s chief operating officer. “For many years, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, the Home Sweet Home promotion was the premier casino promotion in the area, something that everyone knew about. It solidified the Nugget’s reputation of producing great experiences for our guests. We’re thrilled to have worked with Tanamera to showcase this promotion again in 2009.”
Guests at Saturday evening’s final drawing enjoyed an interactive game-show style presentation, with thousands in cash awarded prior to the house drawing. Players who held a key certificate, including Richard S., had a 1-in-300 chance of winning the home. Guests won key certificates, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, during ten-plus months of the promotion leading up to the final drawing.
With Home Sweet Home concluded, attention now turns to an exciting new casino-floor promotion, “Action Ball,” which begins next Thursday, November 19 at the Nugget. In Action Ball, guests will have the chance to win an astounding $1,000,000 cash prize, plus instant cash, daily prizes, and a brand new car along with a share of $25,000 during monthly drawings.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or 775-356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Legendary Comedian Steven Wright Brings Deadpan Style to Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – He is deadpan – and has been for more than 25 years. With a style that’s both captivatingly intriguing and, well, strange, comedian Steven Wright is one of the few must-see stand-up comedians on the planet. And here’s your chance. See Wright one night only, November 7, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
An Academy Award Winner, Wright is a prototype comedian that many others continually try to follow. One of four children, Wright was raised in Burlington, MA. Upon graduating from Emerson College and holding a bevy of odd jobs, Wright attended an "open mike" audition and became a regular performer at Ding Ho's Comedy Club and Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge, MA.
It was during this time, in August of 1982, that Wright got his big break and was booked for his first "Tonight Show" appearance. The king of late night enjoyed the performance so much he invited Wright to appear again within a week, a rarity on "The Tonight Show." His back-to-back appearances helped put his fledgling career into high gear. The comic soon found himself performing his off-beat routines on "Saturday Night Live," "Late Night with David Letterman," and numerous trips back to "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."
Wright expanded his comedy career to include comedy albums, film and television appearances. His 1986 debut album, I Have A Pony, earned him a Grammy nomination. He also starred in his first HBO Special "A Steven Wright Special." In 1989, he was honored with an Academy Award for Best Short Film for his film entitled "The Appointments of Dennis Jennings" in which he starred and co-wrote. Other stars of the film included "Roseanne's" Laurie Metcalf and British comedian, Rowan Atkinson. In 1990, Wright starred in his second stand-up special for HBO called "Wicker Chairs and Gravity." The special included stand-up from The Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto and a short film shot on location in New York and New Jersey.
Wright has been seen in numerous films including "Desperately Seeking Susan," Mike Meyers' "So I Married An Axe Murderer", Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers," and Nora Ephron's "Mixed Nuts". He was the voice of the DJ, K-Billy in "Reservoir Dogs" and starred with John Cleese and Jack Palance in New Line's animated film, "The Swan Princess" as the voice of Speed, the turtle. Wright also appeared as a sitcom actor in MGM's "Speechless" with Harry Shearer, and as a Mountie in the MGM release "Canadian Bacon," opposite the late John Candy.
In 1999, Steven played a guest starring role in Albert Brooks' film "The Muse" starring Brooks, Sharon Stone, Andie MacDowell, and Jeff Bridges. In '98 he played a supporting role in the Universal release "Half-Baked" and was a featured voice in "Babe 2: Pig in the City."
Steven wrote, directed and starred in the 1999 short film, "One Soldier," the story of a man obsessed with the unanswerable questions in life. The film was screened at numerous film festivals and can be seen on the Independent Film Channel.
Steven recently shot a small role for the sequel to "The Mask" entitled "The Son of the Mask" and appeared in the Jim Jarmusch film "Coffee and Cigarettes."
Wright has been a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien.”Steven Wright plays one night, November 7, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $40 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting www.janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Nugget Chefs Create Special Thanksgiving Menus

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Give thanks with family and friends at the Nugget, where chefs will prepare Thanksgiving feasts to satisfy every taste. Holiday menus will be served on Thursday, November 26 only.

Feast on limitless options at The Rotisserie and Convention Center buffets. From the salad bar, start with Peel and Eat Shrimp, Smoked Seafood Platter, King Crab Salad and Roasted Vegetable Salad, as well as tossed green salad and the Nugget’s Caesar Salad. Entrees include Roasted Tom Turkey with Apple Sage Stuffing, Sirloin Steak with Mushroom, Garlic and Red Wine Sauce and Seared Filet of Halibut with Mediterranean Relish. The Carving Station will serve up the Nugget’s Famous Rock Salt Roasted Prime Rib of Beef and Honey Glazed Smoked Ham with Raisin Sauce. For dessert, choose from an array of pies, cobblers, fruit tarts, mousses, ice cream with toppings and options with no sugar added. The Rotisserie will be serving from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the Convention Center buffet runs from Noon to 6 p.m. The price at both locations is $22.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 5-11.

A gourmet buffet at the impeccable Restaurante Orozko offers a salad station which includes King Crab on Ice, Roasted Carpaccio of Charred Bison With Whole Grain Mustard Aioli, Fresh Oyster on the Half Shell and Exotic Tropical Fruit Platter. The hot entree selections include Fresh Roast Tom Turkey with Sausage Cran-Raisin Chestnut Stuffing & Giblet Gravy, Armagnac Glazed Short Ribs of Beef, Peppered Pork Loin with Mulled Pomegranate Essence, Serrano Ham and Sweet Pea Risotto and Grilled Medallions of Salmon with Plum Tomato Kalamata Olive Relish. There is a carving station and extensive desert selection as well. This special buffet will be served from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The price is $37.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 5-11.

The Steakhouse Grill will serve a limited specialty three-course menu, with main course choices to include Roasted Free Range Turkey with Sausage Cran-Raisin Chestnut Stuffing & Giblet Gravy, Boneless American Kobe Short Ribs or Broiled Pacific Salmon Steak. The price is $34.95 for adults and $17.95 for children. The Steakhouse Grill will serve from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Trader Dick’s specialty three-course menu will feature an entree choice of Roasted Tom Turkey or Grilled Beef Tenderloin Loin Medallions. The price is $31.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 5-11. Dinner will be served from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rosie’s Café will serve a three-course selection as well, featuring Roasted Tom Turkey, Amaretto Peach Glazed Virginia Ham or Baked Salmon with Maple-Thyme Cream. The price will be $11.95 for adults and $6.95 for children ages 5-11. Rosie’s Café is open 24 hours, but the special holiday menu will be offered from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The regular menu will also be available.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For information, call 800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.

Renowned Quality, Exceptional Value – New Food and Drink Specials at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Adding exceptional value to its already renowned quality, John Ascuaga’s Nugget is featuring new food and drink specials throughout the casino resort.
Starting Thursday, Nov. 5, the Nugget will offer a great new Happy Hour Special: $1 Coors or Coors Light bottles or $1 Margaritas at any Nugget bar or lounge, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.
The Nugget also has great daily deals for those who want a quality meal at a budget price. Rosie’s Café now offers its famous daily specials for just $6.95, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. And, also starting Nov. 5., a super new Late Night Special, Steak & Eggs, is just $4.95, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night.
Family owned and operated since 1955, John Ascuaga’s Nugget‘s twin hotel towers illuminate the Reno-Sparks skyline with 1,600 rooms, nine restaurants, 110,000 square feet of convention space, full-service concierge, covered and valet parking, salon/spa, indoor/outdoor atrium pool, 1,000-plus slot machines, live Bingo, live poker, table games, tournaments and an attentive staff representing 32 languages. Close to world-class skiing and golf, located along Interstate 80, recent updates include a $25 million East Tower, Executive Conference Center and buffet remodel, a poker room, WiFi internet, privately-accessed hotel floors and themed suites. For details, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or janugget.com.

Home Sweet Home Final Drawing November 14, TV Game Show Host Bob Eubanks will Emcee Event

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – One lucky John’s Club member will win a new home in The Preserve by Tanamera, or $150,000 cash, during the Home Sweet Home final drawing, Saturday, November 14 at 9 p.m. in the Rose Ballroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. The doors will open at 8 p.m. Entries are still available and the public is invited to attend this free event.
During this interactive game-show style presentation, 10 additional “key certificates” plus thousands in cash prizes will be awarded. Legendary television game show host Bob Eubanks will host the event, awarding players key certificates and cash prizes when they play well-known game show-style games. Players who hold a key certificate will have a 1-in-300 chance of winning the new home or taking the cash-payout option.
To be included in the final night’s drawings, John’s Club members simply must swipe their card at the Home Sweet Home display or use their card in a card reader between 12:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. on November 14. Must be present to win. Please see the John’s Club booth on the casino floor for complete rules. It is expected that thousands of customers will fill the Ballroom.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or 775-356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Kalin & Jinger Present Halloween Magic Show “Ghosts!” in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – It’s amazing. It’s creepy. It’s something you’ll never quite believe – and certainly never forget. It’s Halloween magic by Kalin & Jinger – Ghosts! See Ghosts! on two consecutive weekends, October 23-24 and 30-31, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Ghosts! is a unique concept in Halloween entertainment – a fast-moving combination of ghoulish treats to surprise, frighten and astonish the whole family. Guests will experience ghostly illusions that haven’t been seen in almost 100 years, as well as new experiments in magic, including a re-creation of a turn-of-the-century séance and the hilarious “Shooting a Witch From a Cannon”!
“Ghosts is a pretty creepy, but not gory, show,” Jinger said. “It will give you a few good chills, but no one is going to chase you around the theater with a chainsaw.”
Engaging magicians Mark Kalin and Jinger Leigh were recently awarded, "Magicians of the Year" by FOX's "World Magic Awards" along with being voted “Best Of” in an annual Reno News & Review poll.
Ghosts! plays two weekends, October 23-24 and 30-31, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $15 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting www.janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Country Legend Johnny Lee “Lookin’ For Love” in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Perhaps best known for his mega-hit, “Lookin’ for Love,” which appeared in the 1980’s ode to modern honky-tonks, Urban Cowboy, Johnny Lee is a consummate classic country performer. See Lee one night only, October 17, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
In 1968, Lee began a 10-year working relationship with Mickey Gilley, both on the road and at Gilley’s nightclub in Pasadena, Texas. He also began recording with some success. But things began to blossom when he was asked to perform in Urban Cowboy, which starred John Travolta and Deborah Winger, and for which he also recorded several songs used in the soundtrack. "Lookin' for Love", from that same soundtrack, became Lee's first gold record. The song spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Country Music Singles Charts, and peaked at No. 2 on the Pop Music singles charts.
He followed up "Lookin' for Love" with "One in a Million", which spent two weeks at No. 1. More hits during this time included "Bet Your Heart On Me", "The Yellow Rose (a duet with Lane Brody)", and "You Could've Heard a Heart Break". His string of top-10 hits continued with "Pickin' Up Strangers," "Prisoner of Hope," "Be There for Me Baby," "Cherokee Fiddle," "Sounds Like Love," "Hey Bartender" and "Rollin' Lonely."
During the height of his success, he appeared on talk shows, several network specials and series such as Fantasy Island, CHiPS, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, and The Grande Ole' Opry. During the 90s, Lee's recording career was largely on hold following his '91 cover version of de Burgh's pop hit, "Lady in Red". He returned to the studio in '03, and recorded 13th of July and a new Christmas Album Santa Claus Is Lookin' For Love. Two new albums in 2006 included the original Emotions, and a compilation of 46 songs on a 2-CD Set, Greatest Hits and More.
Johnny Lee plays one night only, October 17, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $25 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Party-Band Bigwigs B-52’s Land in the Celebrity Showroom

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – The gleefully eccentric B-52's offer a top-shelf serving of merrymaking party music. From “Rock Lobster” to “Love Shack,” grab your dancing shoes and hairspray, and head to the Celebrity Showroom on October 9 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
The B-52’s debuted at a Valentine’s Day party in 1977 in the college town of Athens, Georgia. Relying on stripped-down, off-kilter pop-funk, topped by chirpy vocals and lyrics crammed with '50s and '60s trivia, the B-52’s garnered such a large following at dance clubs and colleges that the band's debut album sold 500,000 copies despite minimal airplay.
Named for the tall bouffant hairdos worn onstage by the two female members, the group claims that it originated in a jam session under the influence of tropical drinks. The cult following turned to mainstream success, partly in thanks to their stage image: miniskirts, go-go boots, toy instruments, and demonstrations of such dance steps as the Camel Walk and the Shy Tuna. They pressed 2,000 copies of the single “Rock Lobster,” which sold out rapidly, before signing in early 1979 to Warner Bros. Many hits followed, including favorites “Love Shack,” “Roam,” “Private Idaho,” and “Deadbeat Club.” The band is currently supporting 2008’s Funplex, its first collection of new work in 16 years.
The B-52’s play one night only, October 9, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $79 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

See Sonny Landreth, Win a Custom Arlen Ness Chopper during Street Vibrations at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Blues-rocker Sonny Landreth is one of the most accomplished – if not mainstream - guitarists on the planet. Content with forging his own path in the music world, Landreth thrives in a live setting. Be prepared to be impressed when Landreth hits the Celebrity Showroom stage September 25, during the height of Street Vibrations, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
A “musician’s musician,” this slide master is likely best described to the uninitiated by his friend Eric Clapton, who said Landreth is, “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced." Landreth has developed a technique where he frets notes and plays chords and chord fragments behind the slide while he plays. He holds the slide on his little finger, so that his other fingers have more room to fret behind the slide. He's also known for a unique right-hand technique, which involves tapping, slapping, and picking strings, using all of the fingers on his right hand. He has worked steadily for decades, producing many critically-acclaimed albums and working with the industry’s biggest names, while amassing a following among his fans and peers.
Sonny Landreth plays September 25, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $15 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Win a Custom Arlen Ness Chopper
Also, John Ascuaga’s Nugget and bike-builder extraordinaire Arlen Ness are offering motorcycle enthusiasts a unique opportunity to win a custom-made Arlen Ness High Liner chopper. Arlen Ness will be at the Casino Cabaret to give away the bike and sign autographs on September 26 at 11 p.m.
Starting August 27, guests can enter by using their John’s Club Card while playing your favorite games and swiping the card once a day at the Arlen Ness Motorcycle kiosk.
Promotion Rules
John’s Club members receive one entry for swiping their card at the Arlen Ness Bike display kiosk once a day and three (3) for every John’s Club dollar they earn from August 27, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. to Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 10 p.m.
Players must be 21-years-old and a John’s Club member to participate in the promotion. New John’s Club card members receive five (5) entries for signing-up.
For the grand prize drawing, members must activate their drawing entries by swiping their John’s Club card at the Arlen Ness Motorcycle kiosk or by placing it in any game card reader between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.
Members must be present to win and claim their prize within two minutes of their name being called. Entries are non-transferable. Complete rules and additional information are available at the John’s Club Booth on the main casino floor.
Arlen Ness is one of the best-known builders in the world of custom motorcycles. He went from customizing his own 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead in the late 1960s to becoming a trendsetter whose designs have been studied by everyone from other bike-builders to factory engineers. He also founded a mail-order empire that bears his name.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.


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BIKE DETAILS

New Ness High Liner Motorcycle
S/S 124 ci Premium Polished Motor
Super “G” carburetor
6-speed transmission
Rivera” Pro Clutch”
63mm Flat Ness Trees
Progressive rear shocks
23”x”3.5 ft wheel
18”x10.5” rear wheel
120/70-23 Avon/ ft
300/35-18 Avon /rear
Ness/Pm 6-piston ft caliper
Ness/Pm 4-piston rear caliper
Ness 11.5” rotors ft/rear
70t Ness Pulley

PHOTO AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
www.nuggetsigns.com

Win a Custom Arlen Ness Chopper during Street Vibrations at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – John Ascuaga’s Nugget and bike-builder extraordinaire Arlen Ness are offering motorcycle enthusiasts a unique opportunity to win a custom-made Arlen Ness High Liner chopper. Arlen Ness will be at the Casino Cabaret to give away the bike and sign autographs on September 26 at 11 p.m.

Starting August 27, guests can enter by using their John’s Club Card while playing your favorite games and swiping the card once a day at the Arlen Ness Motorcycle kiosk.

Promotion Rules

John’s Club members receive one entry for swiping their card at the Arlen Ness Bike display kiosk once a day and three (3) for every John’s Club dollar they earn from August 27, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. to Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 10 p.m.

Players must be 21-years-old and a John’s Club member to participate in the promotion. New John’s Club card members receive five (5) entries for signing-up.

For the grand prize drawing, members must activate their drawing entries by swiping their John’s Club card at the Arlen Ness Motorcycle kiosk or by placing it in any game card reader between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.

Members must be present to win and claim their prize within two minutes of their name being called. Entries are non-transferable. Complete rules and additional information are available at the John’s Club Booth on the main casino floor.

Arlen Ness is one of the best-known builders in the world of custom motorcycles. He went from customizing his own 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead in the late 1960s to becoming a trendsetter whose designs have been studied by everyone from other bike-builders to factory engineers. He also founded a mail-order empire that bears his name.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.


BIKE DETAILS

New Ness High Liner Motorcycle
S/S 124 ci Premium Polished Motor
Super “G” carburetor
6-speed transmission
Rivera” Pro Clutch”
63mm Flat Ness Trees
Progressive rear shocks
23”x”3.5 ft wheel
18”x10.5” rear wheel
120/70-23 Avon/ ft
300/35-18 Avon /rear
Ness/Pm 6-piston ft caliper
Ness/Pm 4-piston rear caliper
Ness 11.5” rotors ft/rear
70t Ness Pulley

VIP Rib Village Tables Available!

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – A select number of visitors get to experience the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off in a very special way. This year, the Nugget is extending that opportunity to everyone. We’re talking about the VIP Rib Village!
The 21st annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is September 2-7. You choose which night and band you want to experience. Take your seat at a reserved table for 10. And we do the rest! While the other tens of thousands are waiting in lines for ribs, we go to each rib cooker and bring them back to you – all you can eat! Include your favorite BBQ side-dishes, plus all beverages including beer and wine, and the value quickly becomes apparent.
Imagine wowing top customers, super salespeople, best employees or key potential clients with a VIP experience like the Rib Cook-off. Or you and a group of friends could spend a truly special evening together by splitting the cost! This year’s nightly entertainment lineup includes Jonny Lang, The Fixx and Restless Heart, plus many more.
Tables of 10 are just $850 per night, and $900 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Visit nuggetribcookoff.com to buy your table. Click the “Rib Village” tab. Spots are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Single seats are available on Monday evening only.
As a reminder, the Rib Cook-off is quite simply one of the largest outdoor barbeque events on the planet. Last year, the world’s 24 best BBQ cookers served more than 100 tons of ribs to a half-million people over six days. In addition, there are hundreds of craft booths and nightly A-list entertainment – all set on Victorian Square, a beautiful tree-lined plaza in downtown Sparks.
Sponsors
The 21st annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is sponsored by US Bank, City of Sparks, Morrey Distributing-Budweiser, Swire Coca Cola, Kenwood Vineyards, Legends at Sparks Marina, Curly’s Food Inc, Model Dairy, Kansas City BBQ, Southern Living BBQ, AT&T, Clark Pest Control, Northern Nevada Medical Center, Southern Comfort, Proximo-1800 Tequila, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers, KBUL, KTHX, KOZZ and KZTQ.
The Rib Cook-off is scheduled for an extended Labor Day weekend, Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2009. For advance reservations, event history and information call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit www.nuggetribcookoff.com. Do the Nugget Tonight!

Alan Parsons Live Project Offers Classic and Distinctive Rock Sound at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Famed audio engineer turned conceptual symphonic rock designer/musician Alan Parsons and the Alan Parsons Live Project land in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget August 14-15.
As the man at the audio controls for some of rock n’ roll history’s most prolific recordings, including engineer for Pink Floyd’s legendary Dark Side of the Moon and assistant engineer for the Beatles’ epic Abbey Road, Parsons honed his abilities as one of the most sought after studio men in the business.
Born in Britain in 1948, Parsons discovered a love for music through flute, piano and guitar at an early age. On the heels of his blossoming demand as a sound engineer, Parsons decided to begin creating his own thematic records and founded the Alan Parsons Project in 1976. Although he occasionally played keyboards and infrequently sang on his records, the Project was designed primarily as a forum for a revolving collection of vocalists and session players to interpret and perform Parsons and songwriter/manger Eric Woolfson's conceptually-linked, lushly arranged and orchestrated music. After a series of successful album releases and chart-riding songs, including “Games People Play,” “Time,” and “Eye in the Sky,” Parsons continued without Woolfson is pursuit of bringing the full effect of his music to the live concert stage.

With his long-standing previous collaborators, guitarist Ian Bairnson and drummer Stuart Elliott, Alan dropped the "Project" identity for Try Anything Once in 1993. The partnership continued for On Air in 1996 and The Time Machine in 1999. During this time the "Alan Parsons Live Project" toured to sold-out audiences throughout the globe. Alan also played various live shows with Ringo Starr, Jon Anderson, Alice Cooper, John Entwistle and Ann Wilson.
One of the most familiar Project tracks is Sirius, perhaps best known as the Chicago Bulls theme and featured at countless NBA games. P. Diddy (Puff Daddy) also chose Sirius as the backbone for the title track of his platinum-selling CD, The Saga Continues. In 2000, Sirius was featured in an IMAX documentary movie about Michael Jordan.
Parsons’ music is now taking a new contemporary direction into the world of Electronica. His latest album, A Valid Path, features a number of notables in the genre including The Crystal Method, Shpongle, The Nortec Collective and Uberzone. The electrifying live performances of Alan Parsons Live Project feature Godfrey Townsend, lead guitar/vocals; Steve Murphy, drums/vocals; John Montagna, bass/vocals; P.J. Olsson, vocals; and Manny Focarazzo, keyboards/backing vocals.
Alan Parsons Live Project takes flight August 14-15 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Tickets are $40, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Peter Frampton Plays Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Peter Frampton. The name alone evokes a generation’s worth of memories, especially for those who consider the guitarist/songwriter’s landmark mid-1970s effort, Frampton Comes Alive! a staple of their music collection. See Frampton on Friday, July 31, in the 700-seat Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Hailing from England, Frampton's early albums and work with the likes of David Bowie and Bill Wyman, coupled with his captivating stage performances, culminated in the live double recording Frampton Comes Alive! Selling over 10 million copies, the LP held the notable distinction of being the bestselling live rock album in history, while the singles "Baby I Love Your Way," "Do You Feel Like I Do?" and "Show Me the Way" dominated the American charts. A crowning achievement of Frampton's career, the album influenced both Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines to name him Artist of the Year. Decades of achievement have followed.
Peter Frampton plays one night, Friday, July 31, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $60 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

$1 Million Executive Conference Center Remodel Underway at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

SPARKS/RENO, NEV. – Work has begun on a complete remodel of the third floor Executive Conference Center meeting area at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. The $1-million floor-to-ceiling renovation will modernize the facilities, offering convention goers and meeting planners the latest in technological conveniences and modern comforts. Work is scheduled for completion by early September of this year.
The project emphasizes the Nugget’s commitment to providing premier accommodations for both business and leisure travel guests from around the world. Just last year, the property completed a nearly $20 million complete refashion of the hotel’s east tower rooms and multi-million dollar remodel of the Rotisserie Buffet.
“We’re using top-quality materials and workmanship. Convention guests are more discerning then ever, and this project addresses their needs and expectations,” said Michonne Ascuaga, the company’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we’ve said before, this renovation represents our on-going commitment to creating an exceptional guest experience here at the Nugget while continuing to solidify our status as one of the premier casino-resort properties in Northern Nevada.”
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a luxury, family-owned resort, featuring more than 1,600 hotel rooms and an array of first-class amenities including eight award-winning restaurants, nearly 1,300 slot machines, table games, Bingo, live poker, promotions, tournaments, 110,000 square-feet of meeting space, a year-round atrium pool, world-class entertainment, full-service salon and health club, complete business center, and scheduled airport shuttle service. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or 775-356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

INNOVATIVE MUSICAL PRODUCTION VISCERAL TO PREMIERE AT JOHN ASCUAGA'S NUGGET RESORT CASINO DURING ARTOWN 2009

RENO, Nev. (Summer 2009) – VISCERAL, an original, thought-provoking musical experience will debut during the 14th annual Artown festival on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort Casino in a fundraising performance for Artown and The Note-Ables.

VISCERAL is a multi-media production utilizing music, choreography and visual projections of still and live action footage depicting positive and negative aspects of the human experience. Love, war, religion, birth and death are topics presented as an experience that can be personally interpreted by each audience member.

The entire show is set to a pre-recorded soundtrack and will be enhanced by live guitar, bass, drums, vocalists, and dancers. The result is an explosive, emotionally charged journey for the audience, and will leave viewers asking themselves the questions that only they have the answers to within.

The month-long Artown summer arts festival features more than 350 events produced by more than 100 cultural organizations and businesses in locations city wide, with major funding provided by the City of Reno.

VISCERAL will perform at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort Casino. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased online at http://www.janugget.com/ or by calling 775.356.3300 or 800.648.1177.

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Delectable Horn Master Chris Botti Plays One Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Gifted trumpeter, talented composer and charismatic contemporary jazz performer, Chris Botti began playing his horn a very young age. In conjunction with the region’s month-long Artown series, Botti, who has played with a who’s-who of music powerhouses, joins his ensemble in the intimate Celebrity Showroom on July 10 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Botti is a native of Oregon who was born in Portland, raised in Corvallis, and spent two years of his childhood growing up in Italy. His earliest musical influence was his mother, a classically trained pianist and part-time piano teacher. He began playing trumpet at age 9 and, after hearing a recording of Miles Davis playing "My Funny Valentine," realized the instrument was his key to "doing something meaningful with my life."
In the studio and on stage, Botti has worked with such leading singer-songwriter/composers as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Sting and renowned film composer John Barry, among others; as a sideman, he has appeared on dozens of albums, compilations and soundtracks. Botti's association with Sting - who joins Botti on both To Love Again and When I Fall In Love - dates back to 1999, when the trumpeter joined the pop legend's band as featured soloist on the "Brand New Day" tour.
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In addition to receiving an RIAA gold-certification for When I Fall in Love in 2004 and To Love Again in 2005, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (with vocals by Sting) earned a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals. His latest studio release is 2007’s Grammy-nominated Italia.
Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests, shot December 1 and 2, 2005, at LA's fabled Wilshire Theatre, inspired the Los Angeles Times music critic Don Heckman to write, "It was apparent, from the first notes Chris Botti played at the Wilshire Theatre, that the sold-out house was in for a special evening ... Botti's latest album, 'To Love Again' -- as well as the previously released 'When I Fall In Love' - features extraordinary lineups of vocal guest artists. Six showed up for the concert - Sting, Jill Scott, Paula Cole, Renee Olstead, Paul Buchanan and Gladys Knight - along with Burt Bacharach ... despite the inevitable audience excitement generated by the appearance of such vocal headliners and despite the artists' diversity of interpretations, it was Botti's virtuosic trumpet work, his inventive melody-making, his engaging onstage presence and his powerful band ... that ruled the evening."
Botti toured with Diana Krall in 2007 and was a featured guest in Andrea Bocelli's 2007 live concert special on PBS. He currently maintains one of the busiest touring schedules in the industry and the requests for television appearances, film scoring and other projects are on the rise as the sound of his trumpet is heard more and more around the world. He was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People of 2004.
Chris Botti plays one night only, in conjunction with Artown, on Friday, July 10, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $55 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do The Nugget Tonight!”

10th Annual Star Spangled Sparks on Victorian Square Offers July 4th Fun for the Whole Family

Sparks/Reno, Nev. –The region’s preeminent holiday celebration and fireworks display – Star Spangled Sparks – takes place on Saturday, July 4, on Victorian Square in downtown Sparks. This tenth annual celebration of family and freedom is highlighted by a 20-minute state-of-the-art pyrotechnic display, framed by the Nugget’s picturesque hotel towers, making the fiery light exhibition the longest and most spectacular show in the region.

From a kids’ area which features an array of rides and activities, to a “make-you-move” live entertainment lineup, there is truly something for everyone. Traditional live music by local favorite Escalade will keep the mood festive, while clowns, magicians and face painters entertain the crowd. Park and ride shuttle service for visitors will be available from Reed High School. In addition, convenience shuttles will run between The Legends at Sparks Marina shopping district and Victorian Square. It is suggested that visitors arrive early, not only to enjoy all of the activities, but to secure a viewing location in what many consider the foremost outdoor special events venue in the area. Low-back chairs, small blankets and a light jacket or sweater always make the evening more enjoyable.

Tasty summertime favorites will be served up by Victorian Square merchants and local vendors including: Sippin’ Good, BJ’s Barbeque, Goodi’s Lemonade, JB’s Hot Dog’s, Los Compadres, Hillbilly Kettle Korn, Sierra Swirl Ice Cream, Evergood Sausage Company, The Legends at Sparks Marina, A&W Restaurant, Girly Girl USA and John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

In tribute to the men and women of the military, members of the Nevada Air National Guard will fly a C-130 Hercules aircraft over the event. A massive flying machine capable of airlifting military personnel and a wide range of oversized cargo, including helicopters and armored vehicles, the C-130 is an awe-inspiring site to see as it flies low over the event.

Following the flyover, the National Anthem will be performed a cappella by the local Lorentzen Family singers. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. The show is once again presented by Lantis Fireworks & Lasers, with inspiringly choreographed music simulcast locally on KKOH 780 AM. The display is fired off from both the Nugget towers and the Union Pacific rail yard.

The activities start on Victorian Square at 4 p.m., immediately following the day-long Sparks Chamber of Commerce festivities at the Sparks Marina. The Victorian Square event concludes after the fireworks.

The 10th Annual Star Spangled Sparks on Victorian Square is presented by John Ascuaga’s Nugget, City of Sparks, Union Pacific Railroad, Morrey Distributing Co., Model Dairy, Rail City Casino, Swire Coca-Cola, Western Village, KOLO TV, Clear Channel Outdoor, KKOH Radio, Wells Fargo Bank, Wells Fargo Insurance Services of Nevada, Edward Jones, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers, Camelot Party Rentals, The Legends at Sparks Marina, Tholl Fencing and Hot August Nights.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Country Legends Oak Ridge Boys Play Three Nights at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – The Oak Ridge Boys possess one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. Their upbeat songs and four-part harmonies have delivered multiple country hits and a #1 pop smash, while earning Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards and garnering a host of other industry and fan accolades. Catch the venerable Oak Ridge Boys, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 26-28, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Formed more than a half-decade ago as a country gospel group, the “Oaks” underwent many stylisic, label and lineup changes before scoring a breakout top-five hit in 1977 with "Y'all Come Back Saloon.” The follow-up, "You're the One," reached number two, and their next album, 1978's Room Service, gave them their first number one hit in "I'll Be True to You" as well as two more top-five hits in "Cryin' Again" and "Come On In."
Thus established as crossover country hitmakers, the Oaks embarked on a run of chart success that would last through the 1980s. They hit number one again in 1980 with "Trying to Love Two Women." But it was the following year that would make them a genuine phenomenon. Their recording of "Elvira," an obscure, doo-wop style novelty song from the 1960s, became a major, Grammy-winning smash. Not only did it hit number one on the country charts, but its infectious "oom-pop-a-mow-mow" bass vocal hook boosted it into the top five on the pop charts. Its accompanying album, Fancy Free, became their first to top the country charts, not to mention their biggest seller ever. The title cut of their chart-topping 1982 follow-up, Bobbie Sue, also went number one country and nearly made the pop top ten as well. American Made's title track also topped the charts in 1983, as did its follow-up, Love Song. In early 1984 Deliver became their third number one country album, and they landed two more number one singles that year with "Everyday" and "I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes." 1985 brought three number ones: "Little Things," "Make My Life With You," and "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend."
The Oak Ridge Boys' sales began to slow a bit in the latter half of the '80s, but their popularity endured and they still produced big hits with regularity. They hit number one with 1987‘s "It Takes a Little Rain," and "This Crazy Love", 1988’s "Gonna Take a Lot of River", and 1990’s "No Matter How High”, giving them a total of 16 career country chart-toppers and 29 top ten hits. To this day, every time they step before an audience, the Oak Ridge Boys bring 25 years of hits and 50-plus years of tradition to bear.
With their latest album, the evergreen Oak Ridge Boys prove that they are not only enduring, they are evolving. The Boys Are Back is a roots-music revelation wherein the veteran quartet explores blues, country, Gospel and rock textures. Producer David Cobb brought the group styles and songs it has never attempted before, from John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom” to Neil Young’s “Beautiful Bluebird,” from Jamey Johnson’s stone-country “Mama’s Table” to the blues classic “Troubl’in Mind.” “Hold You in My Arms” comes from pop star Ray Lamontagne. Country rebel Shooter Jennings wrote the collection’s title tune especially for the Oaks. “Live with Jesus” and “You Ain’t Gonna Blow My House Down” are Nashville songs, while “Hold Me Closely” comes from Los Angeles. This album’s innovative repertoire is perhaps best illustrated by The Oak Ridge Boys’ striking version of The White Stripes’ song “Seven Nation Army.”
The Oak Ridge Boys play three nights, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 26-28, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $50 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. Do the Nugget Tonight!

Surf Guitar King Dick Dale at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Dick Dale wasn't nicknamed "King of the Surf Guitar" for nothing: he pretty much invented the style single-handedly, and no matter who copied or expanded upon his blueprint, he remains the fieriest, most technically gifted musician the genre ever produced. See Dale on Friday, June 19, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Dale's pioneering use of Middle Eastern and Eastern European melodies (learned organically through his familial heritage) was among the first in any genre of American popular music, and predated the teaching of such "exotic" scales in guitar-shredder academies by two decades. The breakneck speed of his single-note staccato picking technique was unrivalled until it entered the repertoires of metal virtuosos like Eddie Van Halen, and his wild showmanship made an enormous impression on the young Jimi Hendrix. But those aren't the only reasons Dale was once called the father of heavy metal. Working closely with the Fender company, Dale continually pushed the limits of electric amplification technology, helping to develop new equipment that was capable of producing the thick, clearly defined tones he heard in his head, at the previously undreamed-of volumes he demanded. He also pioneered the use of portable reverb effects, creating a signature sonic texture for surf instrumentals. And, if all that weren't enough, Dale managed to redefine his instrument while essentially playing it upside-down and backwards — he switched sides in order to play left-handed, but without re-stringing it (as Hendrix later did).
"Let's Go Trippin'" was a huge local hit, and even charted nationally. Dale released a few more local singles, including "Jungle Fever," "Miserlou," and "Surf Beat," and in 1962 issued his (and surf music's) first album, the groundbreaking Surfer's Choice, on Del-Tone. Surfer's Choice sold like hotcakes around Southern California, which earned Dale a contract with Capitol Records and national distribution for Surfer's Choice. Dale was featured in Life magazine in 1963, which led to appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and the Frankie/Annette film Beach Party; he also released the follow-up LP King of the Surf Guitar, and went on to issue three more albums on Capitol through 1965. During that time, he developed a close working relationship with Leo Fender, who kept engineering bigger and better sound systems in response to Dale's appetite for louder, more maniacally energetic live performances.
Dick Dale plays one night, Friday, June 19, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $25 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Sparks Local Instantly Wins $6,258.53 Playing Home Sweet Home at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Longtime Sparks resident Mark Smith instantly won more than $6,000 when he hit the cash jackpot on the free daily swipe game, part of the Home Sweet Home promotion, today at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort.

“I’ve been coming into the Nugget for a long time, cashing paychecks since I was 21 years old,” said Smith, who worked many years for Model Dairy and eventually became an independent distributor for the company. “This has always been a friendly place. I know everyone and they always take care of me. The Nugget is a great place to hangout.”

Smith jokingly suggested he’d take the rest of the week off after collecting a check for $6,258.53.

Guests can play the Home Sweet Home daily swipe and win game for cash and prizes free once daily, and can get additional free swipes with casino play. The instant jackpot reset at $1,000 after the win. The Home Sweet Home promotion culminates in monthly drawings and a grand prize event in November when one person will win their choice of a brand-new 3-bedroom, 2-bath home from Tanamera or $150,000 cash.

Complete details are available at the John’s Club booth or main cashier.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.

Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women Play Farewell Tour June 13 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – In 1990, the all-female Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women burst on the blues scene at a time when male-dominated, electric guitar-fueled bands ruled the roost. Nearly two decades later, see them play as a group on its final tour on Saturday, June 13, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
At one point in the early '90s, the ladies from Saffire just considered themselves blues historians, but since their performing career caught fire on the festival circuit, they've become much more than that. All three have developed into talented songwriters. Since blues fans are always looking for fresh themes or new twists on old themes, this trio is a sought-after club and festival act. The core members of the Virginia-based group include pianist Ann Rabson and Gaye Adegbalola and while the trio was accompanied for a while by bassist Earlene Lewis, she has since left the group. Lewis was replaced by mandolinist Andra Faye McIntosh, also from the Washington, D.C./Virginia area. Rabson worked as a computer programmer and Adegbalola was an award-winning teacher before they gave up their day jobs to play blues full-time for a living.
With their infectious, acoustic blues Saffire reestablished and updated the long tradition of uppity women blues singers like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sippie Wallace and Memphis Minnie. Mixing first-rate musicianship with equal parts of sass, soul and humor, Saffire unleashes unforgettable originals - composed with humor and poignancy - alongside definitive versions of classic blues songs. Living Blues raved, “Saffire effectively bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary blues with grit, unpredictability and authority.”Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women play one night, Saturday, June 13, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $22 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Grammy-Winning Tex-Mex Rockers Los Lonely Boys Play One Thursday Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Tex-Mex rockers Los Lonely Boys are a unique force in modern blues-rock music. Part Stevie Ray Vaughn, part Santana, the band has carved a niche in popular music. See them play the 700-seat Celebrity Showroom in a special Thursday night show, June 11, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Los Lonely Boys hail from San Angelo, TX, and consist of three brothers - guitarist Henry Garza, bassist JoJo Garza, and drummer Ringo Garza, Jr. Their father, Ringo Garza, Sr., also was a member of a band made up of his brothers, the Falcones, who played “Conjunto” music around Texas in the '70s and '80s. After that group broke up, Garza went solo, backed by his three sons even before they reached their teens. The family relocated to Nashville in the 1990s, and gradually the sons emerged as a group separate from their father. They moved back to Texas, and in 2003, their debut album, Los Lonely Boys, was recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales recording studio in Austin with Nelson sitting in; the album was issued by Or Music, and earned national attention. The single, “Heaven,” went No. 1 and Epic Records picked the album up for major-label distribution in March 2004. The result was a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal the following year. The Boys released their eagerly awaited sophomore album, Sacred, in 2006. Forgiven followed in 2008, which also saw the release of a holiday album, Christmas Spirit.
Los Lonely Boys play one night, Thursday, June 11, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $32 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Country Superstar Travis Tritt Plays the Celebrity Showroom at the Nugget in Conjunction with Street Vibrations Spring Rally

Reno/Sparks, Nev.— One of the most enduring stars in the constellation of country music, Travis Tritt is a versatile performer who has secured major industry awards and sold millions of records to legions of fans. Catch Travis Tritt in a special acoustic show, one night only, Saturday, June 6, in the intimate Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. The show coincides with the third annual Street Vibrations Spring Rally motorcycle event taking place on Victorian Square, June 5-7.
Tritt led the charge of “new country” singers during the early 1990s, in the company of Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Alan Jackson. He was the only one not to wear a hat, and the only one to dip into bluesy Southern rock. Consequently, he developed a gutsy, outlaw image that distinguished him from the pack. Throughout the early '90s, he had a string of platinum albums and Top Ten singles, including three number one hits.
The Storm (2007) is the latest in a seemingly unending album hit-parade in Tritt’s multi-decade career. This redefining release catapults Tritt to a whole new level. The Storm includes the current hit single "You Never Take Me Dancing." Songwriting credits on the album include Rob (more)
Thomas, Richard Marx and Diane Warren. The Storm is a brand new
album with a little bit of something for everyone. Tritt and Randy Jackson teamed up to create a radio friendly powerhouse collection of songs that emphasize the irresistible soul side of Tritt's singing.
Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Tritt was an early and eager student of music, picking up guitar at age eight, singing in his church youth choir and playing in bluegrass, rock and country bands through his teens. His honky tonk history started when he applied his blue-collar work ethic to the diverse sounds of Southern popular music. Tritt spent years playing small clubs where he was expected to be able to cover everything from Hank Williams to Otis Redding to Skynyrd. And that apprenticeship served him well when he first began making overtures to Nashville. Armed with a well-defined sense of artistic direction and that unmistakable voice, Tritt landed a major label deal and launched an impressive career.
Travis Tritt plays one night only, Saturday, June 6, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are $79, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do The Nugget Tonight!”

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Announces 54th Annual Scholarship Recipients - 2009

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – For more than a half-century, John Ascuaga and the Nugget have distributed scholarships to college-bound seniors, making it one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the state. In all, nearly two dozen of the area’s best and brightest students were honored today with an awards ceremony and luncheon in the Poolside Terrace at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Mr. Ascuaga, along with members of his executive staff including daughter and CEO, Michonne, and son/COO, Stephen, were on hand to greet winners and their families.
This year’s recipients are as follows: Joshua Barbie, Carson High School; Ariel Endacott, Churchill Co. High School; Lauren Matthews, Damonte Ranch High School; Cody Kiser, Dayton High School; Edna Meza, Douglas High School; Michelle Rebaleati, Eureka Co. High School; Andi Bolstad, Fernley High School; Ashley Stein, Galena High School; Angelica Gurrola, Hug High School; Zachary Pruett, Lowry High School; Hui Min Cao, McQueen High School; Kayla Herrera, Bishop Manogue High School; Mercy Gbnejo, North Valleys High School; Craig Nelson, Pershing Co. High School; Kylie Sertic, Reed High School; Alexander Wilson, Reno High School; Charmayne Pommerening, Smith Valley High School; Mayra Ramirez, Sparks High School; Jessica Koptke, Sparks High School; Sophie Glogovac, Virginia City High School; Madison Baker, Wooster High School; Andre Pham, Wooster High School; William Smith, Yerington High School; and Laurel Cooney, Spanish Springs High School.
All winners each will receive a total of $1,000, based on continued enrollment and maintaining a minimum grade-point standard. Applications were reviewed by the Nugget Scholarship Committee and evaluated on scholastic achievement, financial need, community involvement and extra-curricular activities. Since 1956, the Nugget’s scholarship program has awarded more than $400,000 dollars in educational monies to nearly 600 area students. Past winners can be seen in an interactive kiosk located in the Nugget’s hotel lobby.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier hotel casino owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.

Main Stage Entertainment Lineup Set for 2009 Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – A huge part of the annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off is the nightly free main-stage entertainment. And this year is no different. Rib lovers are sure to enjoy even more of their favorite tunes with their favorite BBQ this coming September 2-7, 2009.
Bands start at 7 p.m.; 3 p.m. on Monday. There is no admission charge.

Wednesday, September 2
Saddle Tramps – Local boys gone Rockabilly-comedy, the Saddle Tramps are a unique fixture on the local and American music scene. Self-described as “corn-fed rock and roll from Sparks (Nev.),” the Saddle Tramps have played Hollywood to Denis Hof parties, and everywhere in between. Shows are an atypical mixture of knee-slappin’ humor and toe-tappin’ country-rock originals and cover tunes, all of which are entirely improvised based on the crowd and the band.

Thursday, September 3
Hot Club of Cowtown – Hot Club of Cowtown has grown to be one of the most globe-trotting, hard-swinging Western Swing trio on the planet. From early days busking for tips in San Diego's Balboa Park, the band has grown and developed into a formidable international sensation. The Hot Club's ever-growing presence on the international festival scene has grown with its relentless touring over the years alongside the release of five critically acclaimed CDs on American Roots label HighTone Records. In August 2008 the Hot Club's sixth CD, "The Best of the Hot Club of Cowtown," a hand-picked, band-picked, twenty-song retrospective, was released by Shout!Factory. After a two-year hiatus during 2005-2007 the band went its separate ways, reuniting in 2008 with a packed tour schedule and a new studio CD of original material slated for release in early 2009.

Friday, September 4
Restless Heart – With the release of their first album in 1985, the vocal style of country music group Restless Heart became instantly identifiable – an intertwining five part harmony. They brought a new, contemporary sound to Nashville, a sound with a touch of pop – the sound which so strongly influences the popular country acts of today like Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Little Big Town. Gold became the standard for the group with the release of that self-titled album. Three more gold albums followed between 1986 and 1991. With an additional six albums released through the years, Restless Heart put 26 hits on the country charts with six #1 hits and nine others in the Top Ten. Cross-over success was also theirs, with six songs making the adult contemporary charts, including taking the #1, #2 and #3 spots.

Saturday, September 5
The Fixx – A London-based new wave group that managed to sustain a successful career in America for several years in the mid-'80s, the Fixx always flirted with the mainstream with their catchy, keyboard-driven pop. Reach the Beach, released in 1983, established them as a hit-making force in the U.S. The terse, pulsating "One Thing Leads to Another" became a number four hit, sending the album into the Top Ten. Reach the Beach would go platinum by the end of the year, launching two more Top 40 singles — "Saved by Zero" and "Sign of Fire."

Sunday, September 6
Thin Lizzy – One of the defining rock groups of the 20th Century, Thin Lizzy began life in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. The byproduct of a working class mindset melded with the blues-seeped soul of rock and roll, Thin Lizzy epitomize the guitar-driven sound that earmarked the 1970s. Hits "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back In Town," proved critical cogs that make the classic hard-rock wheel roll, while the band's tandem guitar attack provided a model that would be emulated by bands the world over.

Monday, September 7
The Iguanas - Hailing from New Orleans, where Latin and Caribbean music have a long and glorious history of interaction with R&B, blues and jazz, The Iguanas was formed in 1989 by guitarist/ accordionist Rod Hodges and Joe Cabral, who alternates between saxophone and a traditional Mexico stringed instrument known as the bajo sexto. The two also share lead vocal duties. The current lineup features bassist Rene Coman and drummer Doug Garrison, and the band has emerged as one of the most popular bands in one of the world’s most musical cities.

The 21st annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off, the country’s largest outdoor barbeque, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2009. For reservations, event history and information call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit www.nuggetribcookoff.com. Do the Nugget Tonight!
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