Imbibing for the Arts at the 2011 Sierra Arts Brew HaHa

Thirty Five Breweries and Live Music From The Cheeseballs Featured during the Sixteenth Annual Fundraising Event at John Ascuaga's Nugget

Reno, Nev. – Raising money for the arts has never been more fun. On January 14, 2011, John Ascuaga’s Nugget welcomes the Sixteenth Annual Sierra Arts Brew HaHa to the Rose Ballroom, beginning at 8 p.m. The event will feature thirty five breweries and live music to keep the party hopping throughout the evening.
For the past sixteen years the Brew HaHa has helped generate much-needed funding for the Sierra Arts Foundation, which provides support for area artists and community arts programs, such as Arts in Education, the Elder Care Concert Series, and Concerts in the Gallery. A longtime area favorite, the 2011 event will shake things up with music from Bay area favorites The Cheeseballs and a VIP Brewers’ Reception beginning at 7 p.m.
A rare chance to speak with those who concoct the drafts in a private setting will be a highlight for those purchasing VIP tickets. A special area will be set up for this pre-event opportunity to sample beverages and speak to the brewers directly. Among the featured breweries this year are Silver Peak, Great Basin, New Belgium, New Castle, Pyramid, Crown Imports, Rogue, Unibroue , Merchant du Vin Import, Knee Deep, Grant Teton, North Coast, Miller/Coors, Blackstar, Mammoth, Heineken, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Stone, Deschutes, Big Sky, Buckbean, Sierra Nevada, Alaskan, Green Mountain, Lost Coast, Smithwicks, Anderson Valley, Widmere , Anheuser Busch, Kona , Red Hook, Sam Adams, Ale House (Rail City), BJ’s (of BJ’s Brewhouse). Select brewers will also feature beer and cheese pairings with cheeses provided by Cabot Creamery.
A wide array of raffle prizes from Eagle Ridge Outfitters Snowmobile Adventure Tours, Granlibakken Lodge, Scheels, Reno Mountain Sports, and more will offer guests entertainment of another sort. A no-host bar and light snacks will also be available for those wanting a momentary distraction from malted barley and hops.
Tickets for the 2011 Sierra Arts Brew HaHa are $50 for general admission, or $60 for VIP tickets, 50% of which is tax-deductible. Cost of entry will include entertainment, a commemorative beer pint tumbler and all the beer one can responsibly drink. VIP tickets also include entrance to the private Brewers’ Reception at 7 p.m., and a seat in the exclusive VIP section, with a private dance floor directly in front of the stage. Sierra Arts members will receive a $5 discount per ticket. Tickets may be purchased through Sierra Arts by calling 775-329-ARTS (2787) or visiting www.sierra-arts.org.

Christmas at St. Vincent’s

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Every Christmas, employees at John Ascuaga’s Nugget spend countless hours preparing Christmas 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 Christmas 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 Christmas 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.
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.

Celebrate the Christmas Holiday with Special Menus

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 Saturday, 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 Jumbo Peel & Eat Shrimp. The hot station will offer entrees such as Roasted Turkey with Apple Stuffing, Grilled Salmon with Chardonnay Persimmon & Fig Sauce and Seafood with Shrimp, Crab and Scallops with Fennel Supreme Sauce. The Carving Station will serve up Rock Salt Roasted Prime Rib and Mustard Glazed Virginia Baked Ham. For dessert, choose from Christmas Yule Log, 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 4-11. 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, Lobster, Crab and Shrimp Lasagna, and Panko Breaded Grilled Pork Medallions. Exquisite Appetizer, Carving and Dessert stations will also be featured. The price is $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 4-11. Restaurante Orozko will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Trader Dick’s special menu will feature a choice of Roasted Tom Turkey, Korean Beef Short Ribs or Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Guests will also select from an appetizer and dessert menu. The price is $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 4-11. 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, Duet of Beef & Muscovy Duck or Fresh Diver Scallops Sauté. Guests will also select from an appetizer and dessert menu. The price is $32.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 4-11. Dinner will be served from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rosie’s Café will feature a choice of Roasted Tom Turkey, Honey Mustard Glazed 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.

Music Legend Kenny Loggins Plays One Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – His songs literally became the soundtrack of a generation – “I’m Alright,” “Footloose,” and “Danger Zone.” See Kenny Loggins in the intimate Celebrity Showroom, November 5, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
During nearly four decades as a professional singer-songwriter, Loggins has established himself as many things to countless music lovers. For instance for first half of the Seventies, Loggins was, along with Jim Messina, part of the popular, influential and somewhat accidental duo Loggins & Messina that formed in the wake of the classic 1971 album Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin’ In, originally meant to be Loggins’ debut solo album.
When Loggins & Messina ended their musical partnership in 1976, Loggins pressed on to explore his own musical path as an introspective solo artist, beginning with such artistically and commercially successful releases as 1977’s Celebrate Me Home, with its popular title track, and 1978’s Nightwatch, which featured Loggins smash duet with Stevie Nicks, “Whenever I Call You Friend.” Loggins has since recorded a remarkable and eclectic series of albums, including such popular highlights as 1979’s Keep The Fire (“This Is It”), 1982’s High Adventure (“Don’t Fight It,” “Heart To Heart,” 1991’s deeply personal and acclaimed Leap Of Faith(featuring “Conviction Of The Heart,” which Al Gore has called “the unofficial anthem of the environmental movement”), 1993’s exquisite live retrospective Outside: From the Redwoods and 2003’s It’s About Time.
During this same period, Loggins grew even more well-known for recording a series of soundtrack pop smashes including such Top Ten hits as “I’m Alright” from Caddyshack, “Footloose” from Footloose, “Danger Zone” from Top Gun and “Nobody’s Fool from Caddyshack II, as well as for participating in USA For Africa’s historic benefit recording “We Are The World, and co-writing the Grammy-winning Song of the Year “What A Fool Believes.”
Kenny Loggins plays one night, November 5, in the Celebrity Showroom 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!”

“Put the Nuns In Charge” Fundraiser for Our Lady of the Snows Parochial School at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Sit up straight and hide your knuckles! See “Put the Nuns In Charge,” a fundraiser for Our Lady of the Snows parochial school, November 20-21, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Put the Nuns in Charge, featuring Chicago actress Vicki Quade, is a funny refresher course with a modern look at the “Golden Rule.” Mother Superior offers her own opinions on just about everything: from the shade of your lipstick to the portable music player in your pocket. Put the Nuns in Charge creates a nostalgic look at a Catholic-school upbringing, applying those experiences to today’s modern problems. In Mother Superior’s world, everything relates to her Catholic faith. Instead of listening to modern music, she directs the class to look at the religious classics! She longs for the days of the May Queen and wonders what examples are being set by today’s celebrities.
For her work raising awareness of the plight of retired Sisters, Quade received the Spirit of Benedict Award in 2003 from the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, and, in 2005, she was given a Partners in Mission Award by the Sisters of the Living Word in Arlington Heights. In 2009, the Sisters of Providence in Indiana honored her for her contributions to their order.
Proceeds will benefit Reno’s Our Lady of the Snows parochial school expansion project, which includes a new science and technology center, classrooms, a library and restroom facilities. For more details, visit their website at ourladyofthesnowsschool.org.
Put the Nuns in Charge, a fundraiser for Our Lady of the Snows parochial school, plays two shows in the Celebrity Showroom – Saturday, November 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 4 p.m. Tickets are just $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!”

Free Christmas Craft Show coming Thanksgiving Weekend!

John Ascuaga’s Nugget and Williams LTD have teamed up to produce a wonderful holiday gift festival this Thanksgiving weekend featuring:

More than 100 Christmas Craft & Gift Booths
Nugget Christmas Cooking & Baking Demonstrations
Nugget Holiday Cocktail Instruction
Sparks Florist Holiday Arrangement Making Exhibitions
Food Bank Silent Auction & Raffle
Children’s Christmas Craft Making
Christmas Food & Cheer
And Santa Claus!

John Ascuaga’s Nugget Rose Ballroom

Thanksgiving Weekend ● Nov. 26-28, 2010
Friday: Noon to 8 p.m. ● Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ● Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free Admission ● Free Parking

Help someone in need – Bring a can of food for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada!

Colin Hay of Australia’s “Men at Work” Plays One Night at John Ascuaga's Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – As the singer, guitarist, and main songwriter of Australia's Men at Work, Colin Hay was responsible for penning several of the quirkiest pop hits of the early 1980s. See Hay one night, October 9, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
Although he and his former band will forever be associated with "the land down under," Hay originally hailed from Scotland, where he was born in the town of Kilwinning on June 29, 1953. Hay relocated to Australia in 1967, by which time he had begun playing guitar and singing. Although the country is probably best known for spawning hard rock bands (AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Radio Birdman, etc.), Hay sought to form a band that was more in line with the burgeoning new wave style, but one that also embraced pop. Shortly after joining up with guitarist Ron Strykert in 1978, Hay's master plan was realized, as Men at Work was formed. Rounding out the band was saxophonist/flutist Greg Ham, bassist John Rees, and drummer Jerry Speiser, who in 1982 issued their debut full-length, Business as Usual. Earning quite a few comparisons to then-reigning chart kings the Police, Men at Work quickly became MTV favorites (during the station's early days). Since he was the group's main singer and songwriter, Hay quickly became the focal point of the band,
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as such humorous videos for "Who Can It Be Now" and "Down Under" pushed the debut album to the top of the U.S. charts - making Men at Work an overnight sensation. Perhaps sensing that they should strike again while they were still fresh in people's minds, Men at Work went directly back in the studio to work on another album. Issued in 1983, Cargo was another sizeable hit, but did not fare nearly as well as its predecessor - commercially or artistically. Taking an extended break, Hay and company did not resurface again until 1985's Two Hearts, an unfocused recording that saw almost half of the band replaced. With the album's disappointing showing, Men at Work split up shortly thereafter. Hay embarked on a solo career, debuting in 1987 with Looking for Jack (the title of which supposedly referred to a brief encounter Hay had with actor Jack Nicholson), which once more failed to match the success of his early work with Men at Work. Hay continued to release solo material with regularity throughout the '90s, including such titles as 1990's Wayfaring Sons, 1992's Peaks & Valleys, 1994's Topanga, and 1998's Transcendental Highway. The same decade, Hay also launched his own record label, Lazy Eye Records, and sporadically acted in cult movies (which he had began doing the previous decade) and TV shows, including parts on such series as JAG, The Larry Sanders Show, Scrubs and The Mick Molloy Show, among others. Hay continues to release albums and tour, as the early 21st century saw the release of a pair of recordings - a new studio album in 2001, Going Somewhere, and a collection of re-recorded Men at Work and solo tracks in 2003 (Man at Work). Hay also toured with Ringo Starr in the summer of 2003, as part of the former Beatles drummer's annual All Starr Band. He released Are You Lookin' at Me? in 2007, followed by American Sunshine in 2009 and 2010’s Live at the Corner.
Colin Hay plays one night, Saturday, October 9, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $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!”

Guit’ With It! Legendary Junior Brown Plays the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – A singer and demon guitarist whose raucous blend of country and rock & roll helped make him a successful crossover act, Junior Brown is the real deal in the music world. Catch Brown Saturday, October 2, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
After honing his guitar skills in relative anonymity throughout the '70s, Brown became an instructor at the Hank Thompson School of Country Music, an affiliate of Rogers State College in Oklahoma. There, while teaching under the auspices of steel guitar legend Leon McAuliffe, a onetime member of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Brown met "the lovely Miss Tanya Rae," a student whom he would later marry in 1988 and who eventually joined his band as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. At the same time, a dream prompted him to set about creating an instrument fusing a six-string guitar with its steel counterpart. Contacting guitar maker Michael Stevens in 1985, he developed the "guit-steel," a double-necked guitar combining the standard instrument with the steel. (A decade later, the two men reunited to update the "guit-steel," and Brown's cherry axe, "Big Red," was born.)
After moving to Austin, TX, Brown and his group became the house band at the city's Continental Club, where strong word-of-mouth eventually earned them a record deal. He made his long-awaited album debut in 1993 with 12 Shades of Brown, which featured a tribute to his biggest influence, "My Baby Don't Dance to Nothing but Ernest Tubb." It also showcased his often-stunning instrumental work, and blended Western swing, honky tonk, and electrified Bakersfield country. Guit With It followed later in the year, and like its predecessor, was met with considerable critical acclaim. After a five-song stopgap EP, 1995's Junior High, Brown returned in 1996 with Semi-Crazy, which continued in the vein established on his previous recordings. The Long Walk Back followed two years later, and displayed a bit more rockabilly flavor. Brown issued his fifth album, Mixed Bag, in 2001. His next record, 2004's Down Home Chrome, found him on a new label (Telarc) but with the same tried and true sound. Curb released a twelve-song Greatest Hits collection in June of 2005, followed by Telarc's Live at the Continental Club: The Austin Experience later that September.
Junior Brown performs Saturday, October 2, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $22. Tickets 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 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, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 12-14, 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, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 12-14, 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!

Country Singing Star Jo Dee Messina Plays One Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Multiple No. 1 hits and a series of popular albums, including some pop cross-over success, has propelled Jo Dee Messina in to the music-scene forefront. See Jo Dee Messina in the Celebrity Showroom, July 30, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Part of country music's late-'90s crop of female crossover stars, Messina's appeal nonetheless remained more with country fans than pop audiences. It seems like it only took a few short years for Messina to rise to the elite ranks of female country artists who headline their own tours. The truth is, however, that Messina has been singing and plugging away since her early teens, determined to be nothing else but a country music star. She sang in musical plays starting at age eight but discovered country music at age 12 and got hooked on the likes of the Judds, Reba McEntire, and Dolly Parton. She soon started performing live, and by 16 she was playing local clubs with a rhythm section made up of her brother and sister. At age 19, she moved to Nashville in search of greater exposure and sang regularly for prize money in local talent competitions. One win led to a regular gig on the radio show Live at Libby's, which in turn caught the interest of producer Byron Gallimore, who helped her assemble a demo tape. Gallimore was also working with the young Tim McGraw around the same time, and Messina befriended him. Backstage at one of his concerts, Messina met an executive from his label, Curb, and jokingly suggested that they needed a redhead. Producer James Stroud, who had just heard Messina's demo, stepped up to vouch for her, and she soon wound up on Curb, with Gallimore and McGraw serving as her producers.
Messina's self-titled debut album was released in 1996 and gave her two Top Ten hits in "Heads Carolina, Tails California" and "You're Not in Kansas Anymore." The album sold well, setting the stage for Messina's star-making sophomore effort, I'm Alright. Released in 1998, it made Messina the first female country artist to score three multiple-week number one hits from the same album: "Bye Bye," "I'm Alright," and "Stand Beside Her." She nearly had a fourth, but "Lesson in Leavin'" stalled at number two. Honored by both the CMA and ACM in 1999, Messina staked out even pop-friendlier territory on her third album, 2000's Burn. It became her first number one album, and the lead single, "That's the Way," her fourth number one single. Two more Top Tens followed in "Burn" and "Downtime," and a fourth single, the Tim McGraw duet "Bring on the Rain," also topped the charts, helping Burn sell over a million copies. Messina followed it with the holiday album A Joyful Noise in late 2002, and just months later, with only three albums to her credit, Curb released a Greatest Hits compilation. In 2005 she released her official follow-up to Burn, called Delicious Surprise, with Unmistakable coming in 2010.
Jo Dee Messina plays one night, July 30, 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!”

BoDeans Offer “Closer to Free,” Other Hits at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Armed with two-plus decades of material, including the catchy, “Closer to Free,” the BoDeans deliver a solid upper-Midwest blend of roots and rock. See the BoDeans one night only in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget on July 23.
The BoDeans are a rock & roll band formed in Waukesha, WI, by singer/songwriters and guitarists Sammy Llanas and Kurt Neumann, who had played together since high school, along with a rhythm section of bassist Bob Griffin and drummer Guy Hoffman. The quartet signed to Slash Records (manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros.) and released its first album, the critically well-accepted Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams (the title comes from a line in the Rolling Stones song "Shattered") in 1986. Outside Looking In (1987), produced by Talking Heads and Wisconsin native Jerry Harrison, saw the band reduced to a trio with the departure of Hoffman. It broke into the Top 100 best-sellers, as the BoDeans toured with U2, appeared on Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut solo album, and were named Best New Band in Rolling Stone magazine. By the time of the release of the third album, Home (1989), Michael Ramos (keyboards) and Danny Gayol (drums) had joined. This lineup stayed intact for the release of Black and White (1991), but was drummerless again as of the release of Go Slow Down (1993). Following the release of the 1995 live double album Joe Dirt Car, the BoDeans returned in 1996 with Blend. Around the time of that release, "Closer to Free," a song taken from Go Slow Down, became a hit, thanks to its exposure as the theme song for the popular television show Party of Five. Eight years later, the band made its Zoe debut with Resolution. In 2005, the band released Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst on Back Porch Records. Griffin left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Eric Holden. Still arrived in 2008, with Sad Mr. Clown in 2010.
The BoDeans play one night only, Friday, July 23 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom. 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!”

Hot August Nights 2010 Outdoor Activities Calendar at John Ascuaga's Nugget-Victorian Square

2010 Hot August Nights
Schedule of Events – Outside the Nugget

Hot August Nights

Victorian Square Events
August 2-7, 2010

Monday, 5 to 9 p.m. • Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Show-n-Shines • Craft Fair • Children’s Rides

Nightly Cruises
Open Cruise, 1972 cars or older, Monday-Tuesday – 7 to 9 p.m.
Controlled Cruises for HAN Registered Cars, Wednesday-Saturday – 7 to 10 p.m.

Free Concerts
Main Stage: 5:30 p.m. Live Music; 8:15 p.m. Headliner
Monday - Night Flight
Tuesday - Papa Doo Run Run
Wednesday - Sonny Turner of The Platters
Thursday - Surfin’ Safari The Ultimate Beach Boys Tribute
Friday - Danny & The Juniors
Saturday - The Buckinghams

Classic Car Competitions
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Daily Awards Presented at 4 p.m., Main Stage
Tuesday - All Other Brands
Wednesday - Chrysler/Mopar
Thursday - Ford
Friday - General Motors
Friday - Best Stock Original
Friday - People’s Choice

Celebrity Choice Show-n-Shine
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hot August Nights 2010 Indoor Activities Calendar at John Ascuaga's Nugget-Victorian Square

2010 Hot August Nights
Schedule of Events – Inside the Nugget

Sunday, August 1, 2010
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), 8 p.m. to Midnight
• Live Music & Dancing (Free) Trader Dick’s, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Monday, August 2, 2010
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), 8 p.m. to Midnight

Tuesday, August 3
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), 8 p.m. to Midnight
• $1,000 Free Slot Tournament! - 4 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, August 4
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), 8 p.m. to Midnight
• Cruise Away Wednesday! Win a Carnival Cruise for two to Sunny Mexico, one will be given away at 7, 8 & 9 p.m., See John’s Club for details.

Thursday, August 5
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), dancing, 8 p.m. to Midnight
• Win a Buffet Thursday! Free buffet with every five John’s Club dollar earned. See John’s Club for details.
• Karaoke (Free), Trader Dick’s Lounge, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Dos Mamas, (Free), Orozko Lounge, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
• Wine Flight Night, Orozko Lounge, $20 for four flights (glasses) paired with appetizers, 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, August 6
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), dancing, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• $5,000 Friday! Ten $500 free play awards will be given away between 6:30 and 11 p.m. See John’s Club for details.
• Live Music & Dancing (Free) Trader Dick’s, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
• Dance to the DJ (Free), Trader Dick’s, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Dos Mamas, (Free) Orozko Lounge, 6-11 p.m.
• Brews & Bites, Orozko Lounge, $18 for four beer tastings paired with appetizers, 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 7
• Steppin’ Stonz, Casino Cabaret (Free), dancing, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Live Music & Dancing (Free) Trader Dick’s, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
• Dance to the DJ (Free), Trader Dick’s, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Dos Mamas, (Free), Orozko Lounge, 6-11 p.m.

See Southern Music Storyteller JJ Grey and Mofro in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Florida born and bred, JJ Grey's music mixes raw rural blues with tough, swampy Southern rock, generating a sound that has a loose, natural feel while maintaining a potent edge, and his songs draw deep on his heritage as well as his clear-eyed perspective on the world around him. Grey grew up in a small town 40 miles south of Jacksonville, FL, and when he was young he developed a passion for surfing. While Grey enjoyed several years wandering the world's beaches as a surf bum, his love of music brought him back home and he began honing his skills as a guitarist and writing songs. While working a day job fixing air conditioners, Grey met Daryl Hance, a co-worker who played guitar. Grey wanted to start a band and he teamed up with Hance to form JJ Grey & Mofro, who earned a loyal following in the South for their gritty swamp rock. The band has produced numerous albums and developed a loyal fan base while performing shows around the world. They’re touring on the heels of latest Alligator Records effort, “Orange Blossoms.”
JJ Grey and Mofro performs Thursday, July 1, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $22. Tickets 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!”

11th 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 Sunday, July 4, on Victorian Square in downtown Sparks. This 11th 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 and a variety of food and drink vendors, there is truly something for everyone. Traditional live music by local favorite Steppen Stonz 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 The Legends at Sparks Marina. 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.

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 by recent high school graduate Kelsey Karrasch, past winner of both the Sparks and Reno Idol contests. 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 11th 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/John Hancock, Northern Nevada Toyota Dealers, Camelot Party Rentals, Tholl Fencing and Hot August Nights.

A special opportunity exists this year to become a “Friend of the Fireworks,” a designation which includes access to an exclusive VIP fireworks viewing and hospitality area along with media recognition by the Nugget. Contact Shelli Fine, Nugget Special Events Manager, for details.

Star Spangled Sparks 2010
Shuttle, Entertainment and Kids’ Area Information

Park and Ride Shuttle Service
Complimentary shuttles will provide round-trip transportation from The Legends at Sparks Marina to Victorian Square during the event. Shuttles will run continuously from 4 p.m. through the conclusion of the fireworks.

Kids’ Area
Children will delight in the face painters, clowns and magicians roaming the square, as well as an array of rides and activities. The kids’ area will be located on Victorian Plaza, adjacent to Century Theatres, and will include an obstacle course, a bounce house, a slide, and a mechanical swing. Ride tickets will be available for purchase just outside the kids’ area.

Entertainment
Live music from the main stage (located toward the West End of the street) will keep the crowd dancing into the evening. Local favorite Steppen Stonz plays from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with their signature mix of popular favorites.
Immediately preceding the fireworks display, recent Galena High graduate Kelsey Karrasch will perform the National Anthem, also from the main stage.

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.

Glen Campbell Plays Two Nights in the Celebrity Showroom at the Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. — Few entertainers have had a career as long or an impact as strong as Glen Campbell. Catch the County Music Hall of Fame member, June 25-26, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
From television to movies, recording studio to stage, Campbell’s accomplishments are legendary. He worked his way up from a hard-scrabble youth to becoming the inspiration for two generations of musicians. Campbell's hits have included some of the most popular songs ever recorded - "Wichita Lineman," "Galveston," "Southern Nights," and "Rhinestone Cowboy" among them. In 1967, in an unprecedented achievement, two of his most famous songs won him Grammy Awards in both country ("Gentle on My Mind") and pop ("By the Time I Get to Phoenix").
One of twelve children born to sharecroppers in Billstown, Arkansas, Campbell showed his musical talent early, causing his father to encourage him by buying the boy a five-dollar Sears guitar. He began touring when a teenager and then moved to Los Angeles where he became the recording studios' most sought-after picker, playing on albums for everybody from Frank Sinatra to the Beach Boys (with whom he toured).
Campbell is still remembered for his CBS "Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour," in which he hosted guests as diverse as Lucille Ball and Eric Clapton with Cream. He also starred with John Wayne in the classic film "True Grit"; has been featured on A&E's "Biography"; and has released a series of gospel albums. A highlight of every Campbell show is his guitar version of "The William Tell Overture," a blazing display of picking prowess. He has also been known to play the bagpipes.
Glen Campbell plays June 25-26 in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. 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!”

Comedian Dave Attell Set For Laughs in the Celebrity Showroom at the Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. — Named one of America’s 25 funniest people, comedian Dave Attell is an up-front, original funnyman with a long list of top-notch appearances. Catch Dave Attell, Saturday, June 12, in the intimate Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.
Born in Queens and raised on Long Island, Attell got into stand-up comedy in the late eighties after graduating from New York University with a degree in Film and Television. Attell used this prestigious degree to land an amazing job in the food service industry - as a waiter. At night he would hit the "open mic" circuit in Manhattan. After many years, Attell worked his way up through the club scene onto the road, touring across America as a national headliner and developing a huge following among fans and the industry alike.
Attell was named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly Magazine. His caustic wit, rapid-fire delivery and his choice of material that can best be described as "very adult" has earned him the reputation as a "comic's comic." But if you ask Attell, he’d say, "I’m just trying to get some laughs and sell some drinks."
In 2001, Attell used this love of booze and laughter to create and host the hit series, "Insomniac with Dave Attell" for Comedy Central. A travelogue show in which Attell goes from city to city looking for late-night fun, The New York Times called the show, "a doubly rare beast, a comedy without rancor and a travel show about the virtues of the American underdog." To Attell, the Insomniac show is more of a cross between "Girls Gone Wild” and “Cops”.
After four seasons of “Insomniac,” Attell taped several hour-long “Insomniac” specials overseas in Japan, Germany, England and Brazil. Once back in the states, he headed out on a thirty-five city theatre tour ending in Vegas, where he hosted a two-hour special for Comedy Central featuring Sean Rouse, Greg Geraldo and Dane Cook.
Attell has made numerous appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O'Brien,” “The Howard Stern Show,” “Later with Carson Daly” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”. He also appeared in Chris Rock’s cult film "Pootie Tang”. Other television credits include FOX's "Arrested Development," NBC's "Ed," HBO, Comedy Central’s "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" and his own half-hour stand-up special "Comedy Central Presents Dave Attell”.
Dave Attell plays one night only, Saturday, June 12, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. 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!”

Play Camp Win-a-Lot at John Ascuaga’s Nugget!

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – John’s Club members will be happy campers when they play the Nugget’s new promotion starting June 2. By using their John’s Club card, they will have a chance to win cruises, free buffets, boatloads of cash, and Jeep Wranglers. See why Camp Win-A-Lot gives them s’more of what they play for! – Camp Win-a-Lot runs daily from June 2 to September 25, 2010 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget!

There are a variety of ways to participate:

Cruise Away Wednesdays!
• One of three Carnival Cruises for two to Mexico will be given away Wednesdays at 5, 7 and 9 p.m.
• One entry will be earned for every John’s Club dollar each week from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. to Wednesday at 8 p.m. Entries are discarded after last drawing every Wednesday.
• Drawings will be held electronically and posted on video screens throughout the casino and at the John’s Club Booth.
• $500 in cash may be accepted in lieu of the cruise.
• Winners must claim prize at John’s Club by 10 p.m. or it will be forfeited

Win a Buffet Thursdays!
• Members will receive a free Rotisserie Buffet by earning five John’s Club dollars every Thursday!
• Earning period is Thursdays 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Buffet award will be automatically downloaded to your John’s Club Card. Players can redeem by presenting their card to the Rotisserie Buffet. Buffet credits expire in seven days.
• Limit two buffet awards per Thursday.

$5,000 Fridays!
• $500 in free play will be given away every half hour from 6:30 to 11 p.m.
• Drawings will be held electronically and posted on video screens throughout the casino and at the John’s Club booth. Prizes are in free play valid for five days.
• Players will earn one entry with every John’s Club dollar each week between Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and Friday at 10 p.m. Entries are discarded after the last drawing every Friday
• Winners must claim prize by Midnight or it will be forfeited.

Monthly $33,000 Jeep & Cash Giveaways!
• The Nugget will be giving away a new Jeep Wrangler & $10,000 in Cash Every Month!
• Drawings will be held June 12, July 17 & Aug 21 (The Ness Motorcycle drawing is Sept. 25)
Players will earn one entry with every John’s Club dollar starting June 2, 2010 or at 12:01 a.m. Sunday after each month’s drawing and ending at 8 p.m. on drawing days. Entries are discarded after the last drawing every month.

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 Boz Scaggs 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 world of contemporary music, Boz Scaggs is a versatile performer who has sold millions of records to legions of fans. Catch Boz Scaggs, one night only, Friday, June 4, in the intimate Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget. This special 9 p.m. show coincides with the fourth annual Street Vibrations Spring Rally motorcycle event taking place on Victorian Square, June 4-6.
After first finding acclaim as a member of the Steve Miller Band, singer/songwriter Scaggs went on to enjoy considerable solo success in the 1970s. Scaggs joined Miller's group the Marksmen as a vocalist in 1959, and the pair later attended the University of Wisconsin together, where they played in blues bands like the Ardells and the Fabulous Knight Trains.
Upon settling in San Francisco, he reunited with Miller, joining the fledgling Steve Miller Band; after recording two acclaimed albums with the group, Children of the Future and Sailor, Scaggs exited in 1968 to mount a solo career. Scaggs remained a critics' darling in the late 1960s and into the 1970s with My Time and Slow Dancer, but he did not achieve a commercial breakthrough until 1976's Silk Degrees, which reached number two on the album charts while spawning the Top Three single "Lowdown," as well as the smash "Lido Shuffle." 1977's Down Two Then Left was also a success, and 1980's Middle Man reached the Top Ten on the strength of the singles "Breakdown Dead Ahead" and "Jo Jo."
However, Scaggs spent much of the 1980s in retirement, owning and operating the San Francisco nightclub Slim's and limiting his performances primarily to the club's annual black-tie New Year's Eve concerts. Finally, he resurfaced in 1988 with the album Other Roads, followed three years later by a tour with Donald Fagen's Rock and Soul Revue. The solo effort Some Change appeared in 1994, with Come on Home and My Time: The Anthology (1969-1997) both released in 1997. The newly energized Scaggs spent the next few years consistently releasing new material, including Here's the Low Down, Fade into Light, Dig, and a collection of standards called But Beautiful. An expanded reissue of Silk Degrees and Runnin' Blue (a recording of a 1974 performance) appeared in 2007, and Speak Low saw him reinterpreting a number of jazz standards in 2008.
Boz Scaggs plays one night only, Friday, June 4, in the Celebrity Showroom at 9 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 55th Annual Scholarship Recipients

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 will be honored on May 18 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, will be on hand to greet winners and their families.
This year’s recipients are as follows: Alyssa Fajayan, Carson High; Claire-Marie Ward, Churchill County; Xibei Liu, Damonte Ranch; Megan McCoy, Dayton; Jamie Lundergreen, Douglas; William Link, Eureka County; Amy Wagner, Fernley; Colt Williams, Galena; Maya Merlis & Josue Gayton-Garcia & Devin Hart, Hug; Amaya Drake, Lowry; Klavdia Zemlianova, McQueen; McKenzie Fogarty, Manogue; Samantha Nasewicz, North Valleys; Bridgett McLean & Lyssa Springer, Pershing County; Ziad Rashdam, Reed; Morgan Zandonella, Reno; Jesus Castaneda, Smith Valley; Rebecca deLemeau, Spanish Springs; Roberto Lopez-Pacheco, Sparks; Katelyn Defebaugh, Virginia City; Cayla Harvey, and Wooster; Sergio Cruz, Yerington.
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.

Celebrate Mom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – John Ascuaga’s Nugget is the place to bring the special women in your life to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9. The Nugget’s award-winning chefs have created special menus to be served in the Rotisserie, the Rose Ballroom, Restaurante Orozko, The Steakhouse Grill, Trader Dick’s and Rosie’s Café.

A special Mother’s Day brunch will be served in the Rose Ballroom and in the Rotisserie. The appetizer station will include Peel and Eat Shrimp, Seafood Salad, Smoked Fish, Nugget Caesar Salad and Fresh Strawberries. Feast on Eggs Benedict, Biscuits and Country Gravy, Grilled Salmon and Nugget’s Fried Chicken. At the Carving Station, create your own omelet or waffle, or enjoy the Nugget’s famous Salt-Roasted Prime Rib, honey-baked ham or roast turkey. For dessert, choose from an assortment of fresh-made cakes, pies, pastries and mousses. The Rotisserie serves brunch from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Rose Ballroom serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults are $21.95 and children 5-11 are $11.95.

Restaurante Orozko will serve a champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to appetizers, a Fresh Fruit and Pastry Station will offer Berries with Whipped Cream, Seasonal Fresh Fruit and Melons, Brioche, Coffee Cakes and an Imported and Domestic Cheese Board. The Entrée Station will include Grilled Lamb Chops, Chicken Scallopine with Lemon Caper Butter, Filet Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce, and Old Fashioned Blintzes, plus a carving station and waffle station. Desserts will feature Strawberry Shortcake, Cobbler, Strawberry Ice Wine Shots and Amoretti Kisses. Adults are $29.95 and children 5-11 are $16.95.

The Steakhouse Grill will serve a special menu from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will include a choice of soup or salad and dessert, plus choice of Tender Provimi Veal Medallions with King Crab Legs, Wild Mushroom and Sauce Béarnaise, or Petite Filet Mignon and Butter Poached Lobster Medallions with Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms and Celeriac Potato, or Seafood Mix Grill featuring Filet of Halibut with Dungeness Crab Mousseline, Diver Scallop in a warm Lemon Cream and Coriander Seared Salmon Filet with Papaya Beurre Blanc. Adults are $49, with mothers only just $29.

Trader Dick’s Restaurant will serve a special menu from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will include a choice of soup or salad and dessert, plus choice of either Charbroiled Filet Mignon Served with Marinated Prawns, Fried then Tossed in a Creamy Honey Dressing or the Polynesian Duet - Petite New York Steak, Topped with Mango Pineapple Salsa and Fresh Poached Halibut on a Bed of Pan Roasted Garlic, Fresh Ginger, Green Onions and Tonkatsu Sauce. Price is just $29.95.

In addition to the regular Sunday night King Crab and Prime Rib Buffet at the Rotisserie, special dinner items will be added in honor of Mother’s Day. Entrees will include Roast Turkey, Fresh Alaska Halibut Filets with Citrus Beurre Blanc, San Francisco Style Cioppino and King Crab Lasagna. Enjoy special desserts such as Bananas Foster. Dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults are $21.95 and children 5-11 are $10.95.

A special Mother’s Day menu will be offered at Rosie’s Café in addition to the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The menu will include a choice of soup or salad and dessert, plus either Fresh Alaska Halibut stuffed with Crab Meat, topped with Chardonnay Basil Cream Sauce or Broiled Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing and Frangelico Cream Sauce. Adults are $12.95 and children 5-11 are $7.95.

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.

Enjoy An Evening with Nanci Griffith at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Straddling the line between folk and country music, Nanci Griffith has become as well-known for her brilliant confessional songwriting as her beautiful voice. Catch Griffith on Friday, April 30, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
A self-styled "folkabilly" singer, Griffith got an early start on her path to performing and songwriting. At the age of 6 she began to write songs, thinking of it as “part of the process of learning how to play guitar.” While she doesn’t remember many of her earliest songs, she does recall that “the first original song my mother commented on … was a song about Timothy Leary.” Then at the age of 14, when a campfire turn at the Kerrville Folk Festival caught the ear of singer-songwriter Tom Russell, she was on her way. Having recorded 18 albums and performed concerts all over the world, it’s safe to say that she’s never looked back.
The Loving Kind, her latest release, finds Griffith at the top of her game as a songwriter, interpreter, and singer. Featuring nine songs written by Griffith and her collaborators, and four well-chosen covers, the album takes its place alongside the consistently acclaimed work of this Grammy Award-winning, genre-defying artist.
Nanci Griffith plays one night, Friday, April 30, 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 room packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Echo and the Bunnymen Perform on One Special Sunday Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – The standard-bearers of Liverpool's neo-psychedelic movement, Echo and the Bunnymen's moody, atmospheric music combines punk's energy and edge with the Doors' poetic theatricality. In the midst of playing a major-venue tour, see EATB play one special night, Sunday, April 18, in the intimate 700-seat Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
With a plethora of commercial success, the Bunnymen grew out of a late-'70s trio featuring vocalist Ian McCulloch, Pete Wylie, and Julian Cope. Cope and Wylie left the group by the end of 1977, before McCulloch met guitarist Will Sergeant in the summer of 1978. The pair began recording demos with a drum machine that the duo called "Echo." Adding bassist Les Pattinson, the band made its live debut at the Liverpool club Eric's at the end of 1978, calling itself Echo & the Bunnymen.
In March of 1979, the group released its first single, "Pictures on My Wall"/"Read It in Books.” The single and their popular live performances led to a contract with Korova. After signing the contract, the group discarded the drum machine, adding drummer Pete de Freitas. Released in the summer of 1980, their debut album, Crocodiles, reached number 17 on the U.K. charts. Shine So Hard, an EP released in the fall, became their first record to crack the U.K. Top 40. With the more ambitious and atmospheric Heaven Up Here (1981), the group began to gain momentum, thanks to positive reviews; it became their first U.K. Top Ten album. Two years later, Porcupine appeared, becoming the band's biggest hit (peaking at number two on the U.K. charts) and launching the Top Ten single "The Cutter."
"The Killing Moon" became the group's second Top Ten hit at the beginning of 1984, yet its follow-up, "Silver," didn't make it past number 30 when it was released in May. Ocean Rain was released that same month to great critical acclaim; peaking at number four in Britain, the record became the Bunnymen's first album to chart in the U.S. Top 100. The following year was a quiet one for the band as they released only one new song, "Bring on the Dancing Horses," which was included on the compilation Songs to Learn & Sing.
Echo & the Bunnymen returned with new material in the summer of 1987, releasing the single "The Game" and a self-titled album. Echo & the Bunnymen became their biggest American hit, peaking at number 51; it was a success in England as well, reaching number four. However, the album indicated that the group was in a musical holding pattern. At the end of 1988, McCulloch left the band to pursue a solo career; the rest of the band decided to continue without the singer. Tragedy hit the band in the summer of 1989 when de Freitas was killed in an auto accident. McCulloch released his first solo album, Candleland, in the fall of 1989; it peaked at number 18 in the U.K. and number 159 in the U.S. Echo & the Bunnymen released Reverberation, their first album recorded without McCulloch, in 1990; it failed to make the charts. McCulloch released his second solo album, Mysterio, in 1992. Two years later, McCulloch and Sergeant formed Electrafixion, releasing their first album in 1995. In 1997, the duo re-teamed with Pattinson to re-form Echo & the Bunnymen, issuing the LP Evergreen. Two years later, they returned with What Are You Going to Do with Your Life?
The new millennium brought Echo & the Bunnymen back to the basics. The British press touted the band's storybook flair found on 1983's Ocean Rain and figured such spark would be found on their ninth album, Flowers. Issued in spring 2001, it reflected McCulloch's dark breezy vocals and Sergeant's signature hooks. Live in Liverpool, a concert disc capturing the band's two gigs at Liverpool of Performing Arts while on tour in support of Flowers, followed a year later. For 2005's Siberia, McCulloch and Sergeant joined producer Hugh Jones for the band's most classic effort since their 1997 comeback. A second proper live album, 2006's Me, I'm All Smiles, captured the Bunnymen's gig at Shepherds Bush Empire while on tour in support of Siberia. In 2009, the band released their next album, The Fountain, as well as played a show at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Prior to coming to the Nugget, the Bunnymen will be featured at the massive Coachella Festival. Much like when Morrissey played the Nugget a couple of years back, the chance to see EATB in a venue such as the Celebrity Showroom is certainly a must-attend for fans.
Echo and the Bunnymen play one night, Sunday, April 18, at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Tickets are $60, and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or 775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and room packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Big Head Todd and the Monsters Rock the Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Known for their unique sound and awesome live performances, Indie rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters play two nights, April 9-10, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Formed in the late 1980s, Big Head Todd consists of lead guitarist, Todd Park Mohr, drummer Brian Nevin and bassist Rob Squires. The trio started playing together while attending high school in Colorado. The group officially formed at the University of Colorado. The band launched its own independent label, Big Records, and released their first two albums, Another Mayberry (1989) and Midnight Radio (1990) to exploding local, regional and national acclaim, selling a then-unheard of 58,000 copies on their own. When Giant Records founder Irving Azoff saw them at an Aspen performance he signed them on the spot. The first Giant album Sister Sweetly (1993) was a platinum-selling smash featuring rousing rock radio hits such as "Broken Hearted Savior" and "Circle," the fan favorite "Bittersweet" and R&B-flavored "It's Alright."
The next two albums Stratagem (1994) and Beautiful World (1997) solidified the group’s ability to balance guitar rock and his penchant for soul and R&B soul. In 1998, the band released Live Monsters, which has become a fan favorite and consistent seller. In 2002 they recorded and released Riviera, their first album of original music in four years, on their own Big Records label, placing three singles in the Top 20 at AAA radio.
Next released was Crimes of Passion, considered by critics and the band as their most compelling and passionate music to date. Released in February 2004, the album featured hard guitar riffs on "Dirty Juice," gently-paced "Angela" about lovelorn heartbreak, while "Come On" pays tribute to bluesy hard rock makes it a must have for all music lovers. That was followed by Live at the Fillmore in the same year and 2007’s best-of titled From The Archives Volume 1. Then came 2008’s All The Love You Need and a 2009 live album Red Rocks.
In 2005, the group joined the throng of Internet-based music sales by releasing the single "Blue Sky" exclusively on iTunes. This single was written at the request of crewmembers of the Space Shuttle Discovery for their STS-114 Return to Flight mission in 2005, the first mission after the Columbia disaster. "Blue Sky" was written and performed as a tribute to the men and women of the American space program, from the people keeping the space shuttle flying to the astronauts doing the flying. Hillary Clinton used the same song in conjunction with her 2008 presidential campaign activities.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters play two nights, April 9-10, 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 room packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Banff Mountain Film Festival Returns to John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Celebrate all things adventurous at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Wednesday, April 7 in the Rose Ballroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

The festival returns to the Nugget this year with exciting films about all things outdoors. Different films and filmmakers will be featured on multiple massive screens with big sound, providing quality viewing from every vantage point in the room. Banff films bring the spirit of adventure to life on the screen through a wide variety of stories including skiing & snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, mountaineering and more. The diverse topics and stunning site locations shown through these films will offer an unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

Several outstanding prizes will be raffled. All proceeds benefit the Nevada Land Conservancy, Nevada’s only local non-profit land trust.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. VIP seating is available for $43. The show begins at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or visit www.janugget.com. For additional details, contact Nevada Land Conservancy at (775) 851-5180. “Do The Nugget Tonight!”

Experience the Broadway Magic of “Cabaret” at John Ascuaga's Nugget

There was a cabaret, and there was a master of ceremonies ... and there was a city called Berlin, in a country called Germany ... and it was the end of the world … At the cabaret … life is a holiday. See the incredible Broadway production of Cabaret, during a magical 12-night run, May 19-30, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
“Welcome to the Cabaret” sings the Emcee of the Kit Kat Club through painted lips, as the people of Berlin 1929 join him. Whatever your troubles, you will forget them at the cabaret. Sally Bowles, a little middle-class lass from Chelsea, London, is working as a singer at Berlin’s Kit-Kat Club and trying her best to live the thrillingly decadent life which the city is supposed to offer. Into her orbit comes Cliff Bradshaw, a young American writer, and Sally soon moves in to join him in his room in the boarding house run by Fraulein Schneider. Their fellow lodgers include the cheerful prostitute, Fraulein Kost, and the gentle, graying fruiterer Herr Schultz. As the clouds gather, Sally, now pregnant by Cliff, is still determined to show the world what a good time she is having and she will not or cannot hear the noises of Nazism around her. But the others can. As the cabaret artists dance to escape the terror of what's going on in the world - and to offer refuge to those who seek to be amused - the dance numbers move the plot from lighthearted entertainment to darker reality, all the while overshadowed by the eerie master of ceremonies.
Songs include “It Couldn’t Please Me More,” “Wilkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies.”
The original Broadway production, directed by Harold Prince and choreographed by Ron Field, opened on November 20, 1966 at the Broadhurst Theatre, eventually transferring first to the Imperial and then the Broadway before finally completing its 1,165-performance run. The first Broadway revival, again directed by Prince and choreographed by Field, opened on October 22, 1987 at the Imperial Theatre, eventually transferring to the Minskoff to complete its 261-performance run. Joel Grey received star billing as the Emcee, with Alyson Reed as Sally, Gregg Edelman as Cliff, Regina Resnik as Fräulein Schneider, and Werner Klemperer as Herr Schultz.
Best known is the 1972 film; Cabaret was produced as an American musical film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli in her career role as Sally, Michael York as Cliff and Joel Grey returning to his role as Emcee. Cabaret was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1973, and nearly performed a clean sweep, winning eight, including Best Director (Bob Fosse), Best Actress (Liza Minnelli), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Joel Grey), and winning for Cinematography, Editing, Music, Art Direction (Rolf Zehetbauer, Hans Jürgen Kiebach, Herbert Strabel) and Sound (losing Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay to The Godfather). It won 7 BAFTA awards, including Best Film, Best Direction and Best Actress, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).
Produced by Windwood Productions; credits include national tours of Bye Bye Birdie, Altar Boyz, Little Women, Urban Cowboy The Musical, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana, Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).
Come to the cabaret …
Cabaret plays 12 magical nights, May 19-30, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $49 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!”

The Osmond Brothers Bring Five Decades of Family Entertainment to John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – With deep-seated roots in the last half-decade of popular culture, and a family name synonymous with enduring music business success, the Osmond Brothers are a staple in the entertainment world. See brothers Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy – the Osmond Brothers - in the Celebrity Showroom April 1-3 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Following the breakout success of the Jackson 5 in 1970, it was practically inevitable that a pre-existing band of brothers, who had already enjoyed almost a decade in the national spotlight, would follow them to teen idol superstardom. With dynamic youngest brother Donny as a focal point (much like Michael was for the Jacksons), the Osmonds did exactly that, enjoying a run of massive popularity during 1971-1972. While their success as a unit began to wane and had flickered out by the end of 1974, the Osmonds spun off a long-lasting show business career for Donny (as well as sister Marie), and the other members of the group have enjoyed success as country artists.
Beginning in the early '80s, the four eldest members of the Osmonds - Alan, Merrill, Wayne, and Jay - performed together as a country act under the name the Osmond Brothers and achieved respectable commercial success. In 1996, Alan retired from performing, and Jimmy Osmond took his place. They continued to release albums available through their website and The Osmond Family Theatre in Branson, MO.
The Osmond Brothers perform three nights, April 1-3, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $29 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!”

Carry-On a Tradition or Start One, Celebrate Easter at John Ascuaga’s Nugget with Special Holiday Menus

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Spend Easter with your family and friends at John Ascuaga’s Nugget, where you can enjoy special holiday dining offerings throughout the day. Easter menus will be featured on Sunday, April 4 in the Rose Ballroom, at the Rotisserie Buffet, Restaurante Orozko, and Rosie’s Cafe.

An Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet will be offered in the Rose Ballroom and Rotisserie Buffet both from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Begin with an array of choices from the Appetizer Station, including sliced seasonal Fruits and Berries, Peel & Eat Shrimp, Smoked Fish Platter and a variety of salads. The Entrée Station will include Eggs Benedict, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Cinnamon Custard French Toast, Nugget Fried Chicken and Deep Fried Breaded Prawns. Build your own omelet or taste the Nugget’s famous Salt-Roasted Prime Rib at the Carving Station. Desserts include an assortment of treats such as Cherries Jubilee, Banana Foster Flambé, pies, cakes, mousses and a soft ice cream station. The price is $23.95 for adults and $12.50 for children ages 5-11.

A Champagne Brunch will be served in Restaurante Orozko from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Start out with choices from the Appetizer Station or the Fresh Fruit and Breakfast Pastry Station. Entrees include Filet Mignon Benedict, Sauté Scampi with Citrus Butter, Seafood Quiche Crepes, and Classic Pork Schnitzel with Brown Butter. For dessert, try our homemade Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce, Classic Spanish Flan, Bailey’s Cheesecake and more. The price is $34.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 12 and under.

An Easter menu will be served in Rosie’s Café from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in addition to the regular menu. Appetizers will be a choice of Spring Savory Printaniere Vegetable Soup or Fresh Field Greens with a Choice of Dressing. The entrée choices are Seafood Thermidor, Stuffed Salmon with Seafood Baked or Baked Virginia Ham. The price for this menu is $12.95.

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

Celebrating 55 Years in Business on March 17 at John Ascuaga's Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Celebrating 55 years in Sparks – and looking forward to the future. Join the Ascuaga family, along with local dignitaries, as they commemorate more than a half-century in business on Wednesday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at the Casino Cabaret at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.

Family owned and operated since 1955, John Ascuaga’s Nugget’s twin hotel towers illuminate the Reno-Sparks skyline with 1,600 rooms, eight award-winning restaurants, 110,000 square feet of meeting space, business center, concierge, covered and valet parking, salon/spa, year-round atrium pool, 1,200 slot machines, Bingo, live poker, table games, world class entertainment, airport shuttle service and attentive staff representing dozens of languages. Close to world-class skiing and golf, located along Interstate 80, recent $25 million updates include complete remodels of the East Tower, Executive Convention area and Rotisserie Buffet. From its humble beginnings as a small restaurant, the Nugget and its namesake, John Ascuaga, have grown into Northern Nevada icons during the past 55 years.

The party starts at 2 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom. Mr. Ascuaga will preside over a cake-cutting ceremony along with his daughter Michonne, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and his son Stephen, Chief Operating Officer. The cake, along with refreshments, will be complimentary for guests. Entertainment by the Reed High School 16-Coice Honor Choir will highlight the activities. In addition, the Nugget will introduce a special new project, “Nugget Tales,” a collection of stories surrounding the Nugget’s 55 years! Preview this project online at nugget55.blogspot.com.

In addition, as the anniversary always coincides with St. Patrick’s Day, traditional specials will be available in Rosie’s Café’ and green beer will be poured at the bars.

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.

Tahoe Ukulele Fest II at John Ascuaga's Nugget Features Shimabukuro, Hill

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – In the ukulele world, it’s sort of the equivalent of the Beatles and the Stones appearing in the same festival. Jake Shimabukuro and James Hill will both appear in twin, uke-superstar-concerts during the second-ever Tahoe Area Uke Fest, March 19-20, in the world-famous Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Shimabukuro, a resident of Hawaii, is a worldwide phenomenon who has taken the ukulele to new heights in both performing and notoriety. Often referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of ukulele,” and first seen by many through a viral YouTube hit video of his rendition of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, Shimabukuro has played on some of the biggest stages in the world for giant-sized audiences. His periodic gig as opener for Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefers has spread the music of the ukulele to millions, and he even performed for the Queen of England.
Hill is tabbed as one of the most innovative artists to have ever picked up the ukulele. He seamlessly melds multiple styles into his concerts and often makes up a few of his own along the way. He was introduced to the instrument at the age of nine, not in Hawaii, but three thousand miles to the east, in Langley, British Columbia, where ukulele instruction has been mandatory in many schools since the late 1970s. He was hooked from the beginning. While a still a teenager, Hill honed his skills as a key member of the world-renowned Langley Ukulele Ensemble under the direction of Peter Luongo. After touring with them for twelve years, he embarked on a solo career in 2002 and has been “pushing the instrument into uncharted territory” ever since with genre-bending adaptations of everything from “One Note Samba” to the theme from “Super Mario Brothers.” On stage he is energetic and captivating, mixing colorful anecdotes with a versatile repertoire that stretches from Schubert to the Beatles and beyond.
Both shows are part of the larger ukulele festival/convention, which includes concerts, instrument makers, workshops and vendors, taking place throughout the property March 19-21. More details are available at playuke.net.
James Hill performs Friday, March 19, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $15. Jake Shimabukuro performs Saturday, March 20, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $18. Tickets for both shows 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!”

Bluegrass Guitarist-Singer Del McCoury Plays at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – With lightning speed and boundless enthusiasm, life-long bluegrass craftsman Del McCoury delivers music that has experienced a resurgence in modern cultural popularity. See the Grammy Award-winning Del McCoury Band on Saturday, March 13, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
McCoury has had a long career in bluegrass. Although originally hired as banjo player, he sang lead vocals and played rhythm guitar for Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys in the 1960s, with whom he first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1963. McCoury briefly played with the Golden State Boys, before taking a series of day jobs in construction and logging, while continuing to work as an amateur musician in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the 1980s his sons began performing with him, and they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee as they began to attract attention. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in October 2003.
McCoury has influenced a great number of bands, including Phish, with whom he has shared the stage several times, and who have covered his songs. He has also performed with String Cheese Incident and Donna the Buffalo, and recorded with Steve Earle. McCoury has covered songs by artists as diverse as The Lovin' Spoonful, Tom Petty, and Richard Thompson. McCoury has appeared at festivals including Bonnaroo, High Sierra, and the Newport Folk Festival. His television appearances include "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Late Show with David Letterman." McCoury has a very enthusiastic fan base, known as the “Del-Heads.”
The Del McCoury Band performs one night only, Saturday, March 13, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $28 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!”

Former Mavericks Singer Raul Malo Hits the Stage at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – As the frontman for the Mavericks and a member of Los Super Seven, Raul Malo has applied his Roy Orbison-like delivery to an eclectic array of material. Malo brings his uniquely entertaining show to the Celebrity Showroom for a special Thursday night show, March 4, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Malo’s expertise lies in wrapping his silky tenor vocal around a seamless, artistic foundation of bluesy country and Latin roots music. A tremendous and far-reaching effort, Malo’s first solo album Today (2001), and latest work Lucky One (2009) showcase not only what a genre-blending writer and powerful singer he is, but makes clear just how connected Malo is in his delivery and phrasing, both in Spanish and in English. It’s a body of work full of surprising stylistic quick turns and unexpected detours — from country to Tex-Mex rock ’n’ roll to joyously kitschy ’60s cocktail pop to strait-up, traditional Cuban and South American music — but always executed with a degree of craft and ultra-confidence suggesting an artist who, far from fumbling around in the creative dark, always seems to know exactly what he’s doing and where he wants to go.
Raul Malo performs one night only, Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. in the Celebrity Showroom. 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 Texican Rockers Los Lonely Boys ‘Acoustic Brotherhood Tour’ 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 stripped down, as they say, like they used to do it in the backyard with friends, on the Acoustic Brotherhood Tour on February 20 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
The brothers have been on the road for nearly six straight years with few weeks off in between. They're switching the format up a bit and have embarked on their first-ever acoustic tour fitly named "The Acoustic Brotherhood Tour" with supporters Alejandro Escovedo and Carrie Rodriguez.
"This tour allows us to play the way we play in our backyards and really show the tradition of our Texican roots," said Ringo Garza, Jr.
The brothers met fellow Texan Alejandro Escovedo during a tribute project for him called Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo in 2004 and have been musical comrades every since. Rodriguez, who gained fame in the alt-country world, is the opener.
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. The highly anticipated independent debut from Los Lonely Boys, 1969, was released in late 2009.
Los Lonely Boys play one night, Saturday, Feb. 20, in the Celebrity Showroom at 8 p.m. Tickets are just $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!”

On Sale Now! Echo and the Bunnymen on Apirl 18 at the Nugget

On sale now! First time in Northern Nevada! Echo and the Bunnymen at John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort. See them in the 700-seat Celebrity Showroom on April 18! Click here for info! http://bit.ly/b68Dev