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

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

Nugget Chefs Create Special Thanksgiving Menus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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