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.