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Raining Men at Thunder Valley Casino
Chippendales – Click for more images
The Chippendales brought their A-game to Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s Pano Hall on Wednesday, performing to an overflowing crowd.
Some of you may recall that last year I attended a Mixed Martial Arts event (review), followed by the Chippendales (review). As I stated in my MMA review I believe I had failed the “maleness test,” since I actually enjoyed the Chippendales show compared to the MMA fights. In fact, my MMA review received some pretty heated email exchanges between me and a few of the fighters who didn’t take too kindly to my comparison of a Chippendales show to an MMA fight.
So this year I set out to see if I could muster the courage to try and pass the maleness test. This year would be different! I had the perfect strategy going in – my wife!
Audience member was roped into this!
Yes, I figured I could bring my wife along, and once she started drooling over all the eye candy my jealous side would kick in and, voila, we would get into a good ole fight, leave in a huff, and have great make up sex the next day.
Now if you’ve never been to a Chippendales show, there’s a whole different kind of energy from the all-female audience. Yes, there is a smattering of males, usually gay, or whipped (if you get my meaning), but for the most part it’s nothing but women, which is why I enjoy the show – no seriously!
As the show opened with Chippendale dancers Jace Crispin, Chaun Thomas, John Rivera, Kenny King, Nathan Minor, Sami Eskelin, all coming out on stage showing off their wares, I was keeping an eye on Ruth (that’s my wife), to make sure that she wasn’t feeling that different kind of energy. While she had a smirk, I didn’t detect any outright drooling, at least for the moment, nor was she diving at the stage like most of the women.
Chippendales – Click for more images
As the show continued with the men ripping off their orange speedos (Ruth’s favorite color) they would strategically cover themselves with hats, hands or whatever was handy. I think Thunder Valley should spend a little more money on their heating system, because it looked like it might have been a little chilly in Pano Hall – I’m just saying.
Making their way through the audience, the men would stop and perform a quick little grinding action with some of the women. As they did, all the other women would scream, cheer, grab, and just downright go nuts trying to get a piece of the guys – that’s part of that special kind of energy I was referring to earlier.
At one point several women were asked onstage to act out different scenarios. One did her best lap dance, another demonstrated her favorite “position”, while another showed off her ability to place a condom on . . . a banana. Each woman performed their tasks with one of the Chippendales.
Of course the show wouldn’t be complete without the men coming out dressed as firemen, and construction workers.
It did get a tad risqué as several of the men went through the motions of masturbating. One was on a bed with a pillow while the other two were in chairs. It was at this point I realized I had forgotten about Ruth. I turned around and saw that she was laughing at me!
After the show Ruth told me she couldn’t help but laugh, since as I was drooling for the better part of the show. Damn, I hate that different kind of energy!!!
#Failed
Thunder Valley gets Naughty
Kool Moe Dee – Click for more images
Thunder Valley Casino Resort along with World One Presents, Maita Honda, and local radio station V101.1, brought Naughty by Nature, the Sugar Hill Gang, and Kool Moe Dee to Thunder Valley’s Pano Hall for a hip hopping Halloween Friday night. Emcee for the night was V101′s Big Al.
A number of fans dressed up for what turned out to be an awesome show as Bay Area artists Rory and Reed opened the show with a brief 10 minute set.
The crowd went crazy when Kool Moe Dee took the stage. Moe Dee brought along Special K and L.A. Sunshine as they sang hits like “They Want Money,” “Rise & Shine,” and of course “Wild, Wild, West.”
Sugar Hill Gang – Click for more images
By the time Sugar Hill Gang took the stage the crowd was in full party mode with most fans gathering around the catwalk and dance floors.
Sugar Hill Gang consisted of original band members Wonder Mike, Master Gee, and Big Bank Hank. Keeping the audience completely engaged with their past hits “Apache,” “Eighth Wonder,” and “Rapper Reprise,” they seemed to just be hitting their stride when they finished their set.
Naughty by Nature – Click for more images
As Naughty by Nature stormed the stage the crowd went wild as they all started bouncing up and down to the beat of the music. Original band members Treach, Vin Rock, and DJ Kay Gee, put on a great performance as they played “Everything’s Gonna be All Right,“ “O.P.P.,” and “Hip Hop Hooray.”
Checkout Thunder Valley Casino’s upcoming winter concert schedule!
Trace Adkins returns to Celebrity Apprentice
Trace Adkins – Click for more images
Country music star Trace Adkins will compete on behalf of the American Red Cross during Donald Trump’s latest round of Celebrity Apprentice.
Not only is Trump bringing back Adkins, but he’s bringing back an “All-Star” cast including actor Stephen Baldwin, magician and illusionist Penn Jillette, DJ artist and rap star Lil Jon, NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, actress and author Marilu Henner, singer La Toya Jackson, TV personality and actress Claudia Jordan, actress and author Lisa Rinna, Playboy Playmate of the Year Brande Roderick, reality star Omarosa, and crazy man Gary Busey.
I know Omarosa really isn’t considered a celebrity. At least according to Piers Morgan who competed with Omarosa and Adkins in season 7’s Celebrity Apprentice. Omarosa and Morgan’s fights were legendary and made for some great reality television. Trace Adkins and Peirs Morgan went head to head in the season finale with Morgan taking top honors.
I attended a conference soon after the airing of season 7 where Omarosa was appearing in one of the vendor booths. Finding it hard to believe that two people could hate each other so much, me and my wife chalked it up to editing. However, when I asked her what she thought of Morgan she went on for at least 3 minutes on the evils of Morgan.
So back to Trace Adkins . . .
Adkins is a recent addition to the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet after his family was helped out by the organization after losing his house in a fire. He’s currently the organization’s spokesperson for the 2012 Holiday Giving Campaign, encouraging people to “give something that means something” this holiday season.
Bret Michaels – Click for more images
“When my home was claimed by fire last year, Red Cross volunteers were among the first on-site,” Adkins said. “They looked after my family when I couldn’t be there and offered help. We were fortunate because we could replace the things we lost but that’s not always the case for every disaster victim. That’s when the Red Cross steps in. I am supporting the mission of the Red Cross and hope to help them reach more people in need,” Adkins said.
Adkins, a long-time supporter of members of the U.S. Armed forces, recently recorded several radio PSAs for the organization’s Holiday Mail for Heroes program with his new song, “Tough People Do,” which will appear on his upcoming album on Show Dog-Universal (release date and title to be announced). People are encouraged to send holiday cards through the program and the Red Cross will distribute them to veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world.
“We are excited and very grateful that Trace Adkins’ will be playing ‘All-Star Celebrity Apprentice’ on behalf of the American Red Cross,” said Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern. “We appreciate Trace’s remarkable commitment to the Red Cross and those we serve.”
Trump is currently taping the All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, but it will not be airing until March 2013.
I’m pulling for Adkins to win it all this season, but I certainly hope to see the darker side of all the celebs, including Omarosa.
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson – Click for more images
Over 4,500 fans braved the 100 plus temperatures to see the legendary Smokey Robinson at Thunder Valley Casino Resort‘s outdoor amphitheater Saturday night ““ you could say it was a smoking show due to the heat, but that would be a lame joke.
Despite the heat, the 72 year old Motown legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee arrived on stage decked out in a white suit and tie, as the audience jumped to their feet welcoming Robinson to Thunder Valley Casino.
Robinson, known for his high tenor voice, has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit, so his set-list for the evening was anyone’s guess.
Smokey Robinson
He kicked it off with “Going to a Go Go” and “Second that Emotion,” both hits made famous by the Miracles in the mid-sixties, with Robinson as lead singer.
The audience was in full participation mode as fans sang along with songs like “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” “Tears of a Clown,” and “Tracks of My Tears.”
After hearing the audiences response as he finished singing “Ooh Baby Baby,” he said he probably should have started the show with that one.
Gratuitous dancing hotty
Throwing a bit of local humor into the show Robinson said he really appreciated everyone taking the time to come out and see him, especially in a town like Lincoln, where there’s so much to do on a Saturday.
Robinson talked about a show called the Motown Review, where you could see the likes of The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and others, all for a $1.60. This lead into a medley of Temptation hits.
At one point he brought audience members Lisa and Porsche onto the stage and assigned sections of the audience to each one. The goal ““ Cheer their section on to be the loudest. I believe Porsche’s group was the clear winner, but I’m sure Lisa would have something to say about that.
Robinson is a true entertainer and after over 50 years of performing he still knows how to put on a great show and keep the audience entertained. It was a smoking good show ““ I just had to.
Checkout the remaining outdoor concerts at Thunder Valley Casino. Next weekend is ZZ Top and Diana Krall.
Hanep sa WOW! Filipino Music Festival
Jae Buensuceso – click for more images
Saturday was quite the lineup at Thunder Valley Casino Resort with a Filipino Festival loaded with talent, and to end the evening, a good ole fashion boxing match between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and American Timothy Bradley.
Who knew that people would be talking about Pacquiao vs. Bradley long after the fight. And what was up with all that wind!?
Jae Buensuceso, a Pinoy Pop Superstar finalist, started the show as the winds pounded the stage. She did a valiant job, as did all the performers coming out on stage, as she tried to keep it together.
Band members didn’t fare so well. Stagehands could be seen running for sheet music as the wind whipped the sheets from their music stands. After they completed a piece they would wad them into a ball and toss them.
Music and Magic – Click for more images
Music & Magic with Fe Delos Reyes, Eva Caparas, and Jet Montelibano provided some comic relief with a little music, as they bantered back and forth with each other.
Legaci, a Filipino R&B group out of the bay area, was up next and really kicked it into gear. These kids have some major talent and people have taken notice. Legaci just finished touring with Justin Bieber in his My World Tour, providing backup vocals. Bieber also provided them a spot in the setlist giving them some alone time with the audience ““ How cool is that.
Legaci – Click for more images
Lani Misalucha, the “‘New Siren of the Strip,’ as in the Las Vegas strip was up next. Having long hair Misalucha was in a constant battle with the winds as her hair whipped about her face.
Misalucha started performing on the Las Vegas strip in 2004. She can now be seen at the Waikiki Hilton Hotel in Hawaii performing in Return to Paradise.
Piolo Pascual – Click for more images
Piolo Pascual came out on stage as hundreds of ladies crowded the stage. Obviously a Filipino heart throb, Pascual had the ladies screaming his entire set. I can’t recall what he sounded like ““ come to think of it, I don’t think I heard a thing. There was too much screaming!
The Pop Diva of the Philippines, Kuh Ledesma, headlined the show. While Ledesma may not have had hundreds of women screaming, she definitely had a large contingent of fans in the audience.
After the show the Pacquiao vs. Bradley fight went the full 12 rounds with a controversial split decision, in favor of Bradley. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) got into the fight too. Weighing in on the decision, the WBO sided with Pacquiao, but say they cannot overturn the results. Instead, they can force the two to fight a rematch, whether or not they want to.
La Original Banda El Limon
Banda El Limon - Click for more images
La Original Banda El Limon was kicking it old school ““ Mexican style – at Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Saturday.
The always sexy Carmen Jara opened for Banda El Limon in Thunder Valley Casino’s outdoor amphitheater for the second concert of the Summer Concert Series. While I don’t speak Spanish, I do appreciate good music, and thought Jara was doing a fantastic job. However, the crowd just wasn’t getting into her performance.
Jara was doing everything she could to work up the crowd. She unsuccessfully tried getting the crowd on their feet and clapping to the beat of the music.
Jara was popular in the 90′s and became known as a member of the new Mexican folklore. Performing in Tijuana as a child she moved to Mexico City at the age of 16 to further her career in music.
Carmen Jara
After her debut album Herencia, she signed on with Fonovisa, debuting with La Mujer…El Nuevo Folklore de Mexico and 1994′s Y Tú Te Quedas. She really came into her own in 1996 with the release of Mujer Enamorada, followed by Con Sentimiento in 1997.
Once La Original Banda El Limon took the stage the energy in the audience completely changed. As they went from song to song with horns blaring, including a gargantuan tuba, audience members were dancing in the aisles and at their seats.
The 17 member band put on a high energy show from start to finish. They were well choreographed and well-polished with every band member dressed in the same red suit.
Original Banda el Limón is one of the oldest groups in contemporary Mexican banda. Originating in the 60′s and led by clarinetist Salvador Lizarraga Sánchez, the 17-member band has featured many classic vocalists during its history, including Julio Preciado, José Ãngel Ledesma (“El Coyote”), Jorge Cordero, Luis Antonio López (“El Mimoso”), and Nico Flores.
Throughout their history, the group has balanced old and new music with a traditional sound. There were the first banda artists to amplify and synthesize their sound.
I was not able to get all of the band member’s names, but below is a list of the ones I did get.
Gotta Love That Tuba!
Juan Barbosa Lizarraga
Alberto “Zapatitos”
Jorgito
Andrey Lizarraga
Jorge Lizarraga “EL MAYA”
Abraham Rodriguez “Tejillas”
Eduardo Osuna “TAPON”
Ruben Lizarraga
Juan Luis “EL TROSO”
Cesar Ochoa “EL SUPER”
Francisco Lizarraga “Panchito”
Luis Antonio “Tonio”
Agustin Torres
Carlos Lizarraga
Cesar Ochoa
Catch Ramon Ayala on Saturday, September 15th, at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Last years show sold-out so get your tickets early.
Louie Anderson: Still Larger Than Life
Louie Anderson – Click for more images
The 59 year old comedian, best known for his comedic style and overall girth, took to the stage at Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s Pano Hall Saturday, rounding out a weekend of comedy that started with comedians Don Friesen and Jason Love on Friday.
Right out of the gate Louie Anderson had the audience laughing by saying;
“What a beautiful day wasn’t it? I almost went for a walk.”
After a few brief jokes about his size, the Las Vegas resident jumped right into the casino life. Joking about blackjack in particular and the pressure you are under to “‘follow the rules.’ For example he split two tens and won, but everyone at the table yelled at him because he screwed it up for everyone else.
Anderson really enjoys bantering with audience members and Saturday night was no exception. One audience member in particular took quite a beating. Horris was asked what his name was and Anderson immediately said “Oh, that’s a torturous name”.
As Anderson continued asking Horace questions like, “What were you parents thinking,” he paused and asked what his middle name was. Horace replied, “Lavelle,” sending Anderson into another frenzy. When asked what his last name was Horace replied, “It’s best we leave that one alone.” Anderson finally got his answer, but I will leave Horaces last name out to protect him from any further humiliation.
His show was low key when compared to other comedians. He’s not what I would call a hard-hitting comic, but somewhat dry in his delivery with a straight-forward no nonsense approach.
I’ve never been a fan of Anderson, but after watching his show I have to admit he’s won me over. He’s a superb storyteller, delivers well timed punch-lines, and he’s quick-witted while engaging unsuspecting audience members.
Off-stage Louie Anderson is a genuinely nice guy, and oddly enough, he’s even soft-spoken, unless you get him wound up and then all bets are off.
Anderson works with numerous charity organizations and after 9/11 he put together a NYC Police vs. Firemen show with the prize money going to the NYPD and NYFD Widows fund, with Anderson contributing $75,000 of his own money.
Not only is Anderson an actor and comedian, he’s also written several books and created the cartoon series Life with Louie, and hosted the hit game show Family Feud from 1999 to 2002.
PALing Around for Laughs
Don Friesen
Thunder Valley Casino Resort sponsored an evening of laughs for the Lincoln Police Activities League (PAL) starring comedian Don Frieson with special guest Jason Love. KTXL Fox 40′s Paul Robins hosted the evenings event.
PAL Director and Lincoln Police Chief Paul Shelgren, along with the Executive Director and Lincoln Police Youth Services Officer, Steve Krueger kicked off the event thanking their sponsors; Sierra Pacific Industries, AT&T, SureWest Foundation, 92.1 K-Hits and KTXL Fox 40. In attendance were Senator Ted Gaines and Assemblywoman Beth Gaines.
As Paul Robins wrestled the microphone from Shelgren and Krueger, he informed the audience that prior to his news anchor job he was working as a standup comic. After a few jokes Robins kicked it into high gear with a dead-on Casey Kasem impression. In his best Kasem voice Robins told a story about a man working in the morgue, who had written Kasem a letter requesting that Kasem play “She’s so Cold,” by the Rolling Stones. I’ll let you figure out where he went with the joke ““ hilarious!
Robins definitely left the stage too early as he introduced Jason Love. Robins could have easily taken on the opening act duties to warm up the crowd for Friesen. As Love took the stage he was met with a lukewarm response that continued through his act.
I believe Love lost most of the crowd when he picked up his guitar and started singing a song that was all about, of all things, shit. Yes, I said shit, but he said shit way more times than I’m going to write about shit. This to a crowd of PAL supporters – What was he thinking?
Jason Love - Click for more images
Love redeemed himself with his signature one-liners such as, “How come there are signs that read “‘no shoplifting’? Are there places where it’s ok? Rio Linda right?” and “Only one in three crimes are reported. How do they know?”
Two time winner of San Francisco’s Standup Comedy competition Don Friesen took the stage, but only after Robins came back out to tell a quick Easter joke that saw the audience rolling on the floor laughing. Robins definitely has a knack for comedy.
Friesen started his routine off joking about the current real estate crisis and how people’s dreams now are waiting for someone to default on their home loans, so they could swoop in and take it over. He continued on with his kids living at home and started bantering with an audience member who had their 33 year old son living at home.
Friesen went on with life’s trials and tribulations, including the time he went in for Lasik surgery. The doctors handed him a waiver to sign with a warning that one of the side-effects could be blindness, which was the exact opposite of what he was striving for. When he complained about the waiver the doctor said it was their standard contract, to which Friesen responded, “Since it’s a standard contract, then you’re saying that you’re not just screwing me, but you’re screwing everybody.”
I don’t know that Love or Friesen were able to completely engage the entire audience. While they had their zingers and some really funny bits, they just couldn’t bring the majority of the audience to tears, or true rolling on the floor laughter.
About PAL: The Lincoln Police Activities League is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a bond of trust, understanding and mutual respect between youth and law enforcement. We will accomplish our mission through recreational, athletic, and educational programs designed to encourage good citizenship and improve the overall quality of life in the Lincoln area.
PAL provides many free, positive events and activities for young people in our community, some of which include the Junior Giants baseball program, Halloween Haunted House, Christmas party for kids, a co-sponsored fishing derby program, various sports outings, and the after school program at PAL’s Youth Center.
Lincoln PAL activities are open free of charge to all community youth between 8 and 18 years of age. To register, call Youth Services Officer Steve Krueger at 916-343-3632.
Rex Navarette Stops Filipino’s From Gambling
Rex Navarrete - Click for more images
Yes! It happened Friday night at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, as comedian Rex Naverret set out to do what few people have done before, stop Filipinos from gambling – at least long enough to watch his show.
As Florante De Leon warmed up the crowd with his unbelievable music ““ unbelievable because I couldn’t understand a damn thing he was saying since it was all in Tagalog. As he was playing, Florante also bantered with the audience as they slowly filed in to catch the headlining act of Navarette.
Florante continued as the room filled with reluctant Filipinos who had to leave their seats at the tables and slot machines. However, by the end of Florante’s performance the place was packed with a sufficiently warmed up crowd whose minds had drifted from winning the next big jackpot, to enjoying a noteworthy performance.
Florante De Leon - Click for more images
There were many spouses of non-Filipino descent that didn’t understand Tagalog, so Florante didn’t catch on to about a quarter of the audience.
English speaking Navarette enjoys lamenting about his life growing up, so he started the show letting everyone know that, as a kid, he never saw his parents. While his parents were always away gambling in Reno, they would have his World War 2 veteran Grandfather watching him.
So off Navarrette went on tales of his adventures with his Grandfather. One such adventure landed them in the middle of Oakland buying fish and chips at a black owned shop, only for his Grandfather to be misunderstood when he told the store owner that they wanted two vinegars. The owner had thought he said ““ we just want to be ni##ers.
After his adventures with his Grandfather, Naverrete went on to complain about Filipino food and how even he was afraid to eat the food, sometimes only being able to eat it in the dark.
And so the rest of the evening went as Navarette did his best imitations of varying Asian accents while providing a very entertaining view of life as a 1st generation immigrant from the Philipines.
Thunder Valley has more great comedians coming up during their summer concert series including Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham and Louie Anderson. Be sure to get your tickets early, these shows are going to sellout fast!
Obama, Clinton, Bush visit Thunder Valley Casino
Frank Caliendo - Click for more images
Well ““ sort of.
The very talented and slightly possessed comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo entertained an overflowing crowd in Pano Hall, at Thunder Valley Casino Resort on Friday night.
Caliendo brought his “‘A’ game and a few of his friends, in the form of impressions of famous people including Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Fellow comedian George Cantor opened the show with his observational humor. The first few jokes fell flat, but being the stand-up comedian he is, Cantor changed gears and before the end of his set he had the audience on the floor laughing. Not ROFLMAO kind of laughing, but damn close.
Out of the gate Caliendo started with Bush, reminding everyone how Bush was famous for forgetting the last few words of a thought. In the voice of Bush;
“These terrorists, these guys are ah “¦ these guy are ah. . . I wrote it down here somewhere . . . these guys are bad.”
George Canton - Click for more images
Next up was his impersonation of Clinton and how Clinton would have behaved, if wife Hillary had won the presidential election. In his best Clinton voice he went on to describe his stay in the Whitehouse and not having any rules.
It’s extremely difficult to convey how funny and entertaining Caliendo is, it’s one of those shows you have to see to believe.
I grew up admiring the talent of Rich Little who did impersonations, but Caliendo takes impersonations to a whole new level. He flawlessly goes from one character to the next at lightning speed, and in some cases, leaves the audience behind only to catch up a few beats later.
As he went into more of the sports impersonations, Caliendo warned everyone, that some of the audience members would not get it, as he launched into his impersonation of Jim Rome, an ESPN personality.
After the show Caliendo answered some questions from the audience and signed autographs along with Canton.
Some of the personalities that Caliendo channeled were; Jack Nicholson, Ted Knight, Scooby Doo and Shaggy, Chris Rock, Terry Bradshaw, Al Pacino, John Madden, Jeff Goldblum, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, Adam Sandler, Charles Barkley, Robin Williams, Morgan Freeman, Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, and Yoda
