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.