It’s WAR at The Nugget, Saturday, March 12

Sparks/Reno, NV --  WAR, the Southern California funk band that scored such mega-hits as “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Spill the Wine,” “Slippin’ Into Darkness,” and “Low Rider” brings its one-of-a-kind music to the Celebrity Showroom in John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino Resort for one show Saturday, March 12,  at 8 p.m.

The 7-member band, fronted by founding member Lonnie Jordan, was one of the earliest groups in popular music to find global fame as a “cross-over” act.
WAR succeeded by fusing rock, funk, jazz rhythm and blues, reggae and Latin elements into an unmistakable sound all its own. And the multi-ethnic line-up of the ensemble enabled it to transcend and overcome racial and cultural barriers.

Since it began, WAR has been a group of many musical voices and styles coming together with the shared goal of making something different.  It’s in the band’s DNA to this day.

In the studio, WAR often performed lengthy jams from which their hit singles were distilled.  But WAR has been a group of individuals who live for their solos. It’s a group of very talented musicians who work as a group to make the distinctive music that they – and audiences – love to hear. Since it began, WAR has sold more than 50 million records and garnered fans from every generation.

Bringing the sounds of this self-described “Afro-Cuban-rock-jazz-blues band” to millions of fans around the world and now to the Nugget stage are the members of WAR:  Lonnie Jordan, vocals and keyboards; Fernando Harkless on saxophone and flute; Marcos Reyes, percussion; Stuart Ziff on guitar; Sal Rodriquez on drums;  Francisco “Pancho” Tomaselli, on bass guitar; and Mitch Kashmar, harmonica and vocals.

Don’t miss WAR at John Ascuaga’s Nugget for one show Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m.  Tickets are $35 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or 356-3300 and by visiting januggget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. Do The Nugget Tonight!

Celebrating 56 Years in Business on March 17 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Celebrating 56 years in Sparks – and looking forward to the future. Join the Ascuaga family as they commemorate more than a half-century in business on Thursday, March 17 at 6 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 56 years.

The party starts at 6 p.m. in the Casino Cabaret. 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. In addition, the Nugget will have a special gaming promotion from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., when 56 lucky players, eight per hour, will win $50 in free slot play. And local favorites Steppen Stonz will play dance music to keep the party going!

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 offered at the party. All bars will feature $3 Guinness and $3 Irish whiskey, plus the daily Nugget Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. features $1 Coors, Coors Light and Margaritas.

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.

Nugget Concert by Legendary Guitarist Supports Music Programs in WCSD

Reno, NV (March 3, 2011) – Pulling from his vast experience on stage and in the recording studio, guitar legend Craig Chaquico will take audiences on a musical journey Friday night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget during a special performance that will benefit music and arts programs in the Washoe County School District.

All proceeds from the concert will benefit the WCSD Fine Arts Department. Music and Arts Director Dave Branson says the money will help purchase instruments and art supplies for students in the District.

“Music and the arts programs are an important part of the WCSD’s curriculum. Through these programs, our children learn to think creatively and innovatively,” Branson said. “This annual benefit concert is important to the health of the fine arts programs in our schools. We want to ensure every single child has the opportunity to try their hand in music and art classes. This concert helps us do that. We are very excited to have Craig Chaquico in town to inspire our young artists and the community.”

The award-winning musician and composer was the lead guitarist with the multi-platinum selling rock band Jefferson Starship in the 1970s and ‘80s and became a solo artist in the early ‘90s.

Information about tickets is available online at www.janugget.com or by calling 356-3300. In addition to the benefit concert on Friday night, Chaquico will play again at the Nugget on Saturday evening.


John Ascuaga’s Nugget and Washoe Music Works Present: Craig Chaquico
A Concert to Benefit the WCSD Fine Arts Department

When: Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m.

Where: John Ascuaga’s Nugget in the Celebrity Showroom

Note: Reno High School music student Nick Sexton will make a special guest artist appearance for one song with Chaquico.

Media Opportunity: Students have been invited to attend Chaquico’s sound check at 3:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon if you would like to film prior to the event.


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About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready.
For more information visit: www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.

Washoe County School District
425 East Ninth Street
Reno, NV 89512

Funnyman Adam Carolla Plays Two Shows, One Night at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sparks/Reno, Nev. – Adam Carolla is a multi-talented social commentator, radio personality, television host, comedian, author and actor. He plays two shows in one night, February 5, in the famous Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Carolla currently hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast on the ACE Broadcasting Network. He is also known as being the co-host of the radio show Loveline from 1995 to 2005 (and its television incarnation on MTV from 1996 to 2000), as the co-host of the television program The Man Show (1999–2004), and as the co-creator and performer on the television program Crank Yankers (2002–2007).
In November 2010 Carolla released a book entitled In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks that debuted on the New York Times Best Seller List for hardcover non-fiction during its first week of release. In 2008 he appeared on the ABC television show Dancing with the Stars.
Adam Carolla plays two shows in one night, February 5, in the Celebrity Showroom at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tickets are just $32 and are available by calling (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com. Dinner and show packages are available. “Do the Nugget Tonight!”

Watch the Big Game, Win One of Four Big Screens February 6 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – John Ascuaga’s Nugget will give away four 42” LG HD televisions, one per quarter, during the Big Game on Sunday, February 6.

In order to enter, John’s Club members can swipe their cards at the Quest for Cash promotion kiosk located next to the Main Cashier. Members can swipe once daily beginning at Noon on January 21 through 3 p.m. on February 6. Casino players automatically accumulate one entry for every John’s Club dollar earned from Noon on Jan. 21 through 3 p.m. on Feb. 6.

In order to be eligible to win, players must activate their earned entries on February 6 by swiping their card between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. A winner will be announced each quarter and will also be posted at John’s Club and on all plasma displays casino wide. See John’s Club booth for complete rules and details.

The Nugget will be party central for the Big Game. The Casino Cabaret will offer three huge screens and every TV in Nugget/Lucky’s Sportsbook will be tuned in to the action. Grab a bite to eat from the Gourmet Hot Dog Bar, or choose from a variety of food and drink specials offered throughout the property.

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.

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.