Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance Taps Its Way Into Mohegan Sun On Mother’s Day

One show only on Sunday, May 9th; Tickets go on sale March 15th

Lord of the Dance (http://www.lordofthedance.com) has announced its next lineup of tour dates including a very special performance at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, May 9th at 4:00pm.  Lord of the Dance, produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Tix Corporation (Nasdaq: TIXC), has been touring the country regularly since 1996.  Recently, cast members Scott Doherty and Michael McHugh (McHugh for the category of dancers under age 18) were crowned world champions at the World Irish Dance Championships.

All tickets are $20.00 and go on sale Monday, March 15th at 10:00am through Ticketmaster.  Ticketmaster customers may log onto ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge by Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.  Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Tuesday, March 16th, subject to availability.

Doherty and McHugh beat out more than 6000 dancers representing five continents over the eight-day competition. In 2009, the championships took place in Philadelphia, PA, the first time the competitions were hosted outside of Ireland and Scotland in its 39-year history.  Flatley, who was in attendance, received an award acknowledging his special achievements in Irish Dance such as producing and choreographing multiple Irish dance shows including Lord of the Dance.

“We are so happy for Scott and Michael. Their dedication to Irish dance and exceptional abilities are just some of the reasons they are part of the Lord of the Dance team,” says Flatley.  He adds, “I was just ecstatic to see them both crowned as world champions and we are very fortunate to have them as part of our cast.”  Doherty and McHugh are in a cast made up of Irish dance phenoms from around the globe.  “Each one is a superstar.”

Flatley, Lord of the Dance’s creator and artistic director, was the first guest judge to appear on ABC’s hit reality television program “Dancing With The Stars.”  In November 2007, he and cast members from Lord of the Dance performed on the show.  The thrilled studio audience clapped throughout and gave a standing ovation as Flatley and his hypnotizing dancers completed the routine.

“That kind of reaction speaks directly to the quality of dancers who I have had the privilege to bring to the stage,” Flatley says.  “They give of themselves in a way that is unique alone to Irish dancing, stretching a form of dance that has evolved over more than 2,000 years.”  The dancers’ average age is 22, and each one has achieved individual recognition as a national or worldwide dance champion.

More than 100 million people worldwide have seen Lord of the Dance — the international Irish dancing extravaganza that has performed sold out shows at theaters, arenas and stadiums in over 67 countries. “Our success demonstrates the hunger people have,” says Flatley, “to wholly submerge themselves into a world where dancers interpret every nuance of classic good versus evil through modern Celtic music.”  Lord of the Dance has an ability to connect with the audience and initiate and captivate a new generation.  Adding to the visceral and emotional impact are costumes, lighting and staging that are cinematic in scope. “Make no mistake,” adds Flatley, “Lord of the Dance begins where modern theatre ends.”

Flatley, who originated the role of the Lord, is the company’s Artistic Director, a position he has held since the troupe’s stunning 1996 debut in Dublin.  More than a decade later, his influence continues to resonate throughout every aspect of the production.  Irish dance lovers and music fans alike will get a chance to experience the engaging, rhythmic adventure that has helped catapult Celtic dance mania and Irish dancing into the global spotlight.  No wonder Lord of the Dance has jettisoned its ticket sales to more than $800 million worldwide.  During its highly profitable four-year residency in Las Vegas, an estimated two million people danced along in their seats.

Lee Marshall, president of Magic Arts & Entertainment, the tour promoter and veteran of blockbuster entertainment events agrees.  “The championship dancers in our cast manage the impossible every night. Their collective spirit and energy takes audiences to a time and place that is as imaginative as it is inviting.”

“Lord of the Dance is truly a worldwide phenomenon,” says Bob Cayne, co-promoter and president of Global Entertainment Group.  “Fourteen years later, the US tour is still going strong with more than 75 performances in 2009 and scores more already scheduled for 2010.”

Flatley continues to oversee all aspects of the production.  The first American to win the All-World Championship in Irish Dance, he was The Guinness Book of World Records holder for having “the world’s fastest feet” at 35 taps per second.
 
Described by the New York Post as “fascinating, rewarding and above all, entertaining,” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a showpiece extravaganza,” Lord of the Dance is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance.  The story is based upon mythical Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, Lord of Darkness, challenges the ethereal lord of light, the Lord of the Dance.  Battle lines are drawn, passions ignite and a love story fueled by the dramatic leaps and turns of dancers’ bodies begins to build against a backdrop of Celtic rhythm.  The action is played out over 21 scenes on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.

For more information, ticket sales or memorabilia, please visit www.lordofthedance.com

    

Rachel may need this one

By Marcus Hersh

NEW ORLEANS - More than six months have passed since Calvin Borel last got that feeling - whatever that feeling is a human being gets from sitting on the back of Rachel Alexandra during a horse race.

If racing fans are itching to see Rachel, the 2009 Horse of the Year, make her first start since the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes, just think how ready Borel must be.

Wish fulfillment comes Saturday, with Rachel Alexandra set to face four foes in the inaugural running of the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies, a 1 1/16-mile stakes. The 10th of 11 races here, the New Orleans Ladies precedes by about 20 minutes the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita, where Zenyatta's 2010 campaign begins. Both races can be seen live on HRTV and will be streamed live online at NTRA.com. If all goes well, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will meet April 9 in the Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park.

It's at Oaklawn that Borel winters, and he will fly down to New Orleans on Saturday morning. Borel hasn't worked Rachel Alexandra since she was privately sold and transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen last May, but said he regularly talks to Asmussen and assistant trainer Scott Blasi about her. Borel came here in February and saw Rachel Alexandra for the first time since she left Churchill Downs for New Orleans in late November.

"Man, she looks so big in the right places, in her neck and everything," Borel said. "Believe me, I talk to Steve and Scott, and Scott was telling me yesterday the filly is ready - come here and ride her with confidence."

The New Orleans Ladies hinges on Rachel Alexandra's readiness. Anything close to her best and Rachel wins the race, no questions asked. But things are not so simple Saturday. Poor weather interrupted Rachel Alexandra's training schedule over the winter. She has worked seven times for this comeback, and her most major drill, an in-company six furlongs March 2, didn't unfold ideally. Rachel was timed in 1:13.60, but her connections wanted something faster.

Rachel Alexandra comes into Saturday's race at less than peak fitness, but she will not lack for eagerness. So aggressive did Rachel become in morning training this winter, that Asmussen began equipping her with a figure-eight noseband after Rachel worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Feb. 18, a work she began at a blazing tempo. That piece of equipment, which Rachel will race in Saturday, gives a rider more control over a mount pulling hard.

"Her gallops have been not as controlled as last year," Asmussen said. "Right now, we need more control."

So, here is the balancing act: Rachel needs a race to ready for the Apple Blossom, but given her fitness level, the last thing Asmussen wants is a gut-wrenching effort that sets Rachel back.

"We need this to be a stepping-stone and a prep," Asmussen said. "We want a good, physical exertion."

Added Asmussen, "There's going to be a lot in Calvin's hands."

As sharp as Rachel has been in her training, Asmussen said he expects to see her on the lead going into the first turn. Borel feels confident that from there, he can coax Rachel Alexandra to relax.

"She's just a racemare," said Borel. "You've got to let her do her thing. In the afternoon, when the gates break, she'll run a sixteenth of a mile and then she'll let you do what you want."

Rachel Alexandra drew post 2. Inside her is Fighter Wing, who has made the lead in several route races, but might not have the speed to keep up with Rachel. Drawn just outside Rachel Alexandra is Zardana, the first-ever Fair Grounds starter for trainer John Shirreffs, Zenyatta's trainer. Zardana, a Grade 2 winner who hasn't raced on dirt since being imported from Brazil, seems to have ample speed to hound Rachel Alexandra, if that's what is asked of her by noted front-end rider David Flores.

If a fast pace develops, and if Rachel comes up short, the Ladies could fall to Clear Sailing. Clear Sailing already has won three races this meet, and rallied from well behind a dawdling pace capturing a minor stakes Feb. 13. On March 3 at trainer Glenn Delahoussaye's home base, the Evangeline Downs training center, Clear Sailing worked a bullet half-mile that Delahoussaye described as "stunning."

"That's the word that fits," Delahoussaye said. "She did it alone, and under no encouragement. She's really coming into this race excellent."

Clear Sailing, clearly talented, rates as an encouraging prospect, not an established stakes horse. But Delahoussaye knows what time it is: If a horse like his is going to beat Rachel Alexandra, Saturday might be the day.

"The question we all have is, 'How good is she right now?' " Delahoussaye said.

The answer is coming soon enough.

Copyright © 2007 Daily Racing Form, LLC. All rights reserved.

State scraps Aqueduct casino deal

By Matt Hegarty

A deal to open a casino at Aqueduct is dead again.

New York Gov. David Paterson said in a statement issued Thursday that the state's lottery "has concluded that it cannot issue a gaming license to Aqueduct Entertainment Group," the sprawling partnership whose selection in late January by state government leaders to operate the casino sparked criticism and controversy. As a result, the process of selecting the operator is going to be reopened, Paterson said, a development that will almost certainly add further delays to a process that has been ongoing for nearly nine years.

"The Executive Branch advocates that the selection of the Aqueduct [slot-machine] franchisee be done pursuant to an expedited, transparent, apolitical, and publicly accountable procurement process," the statement said.

In a statement, AEG's attorney, Barry Berke, indicated that the group would sue the state if it was not given an opportunity to address the lottery's concerns.

"The state's decision to withdraw Aqueduct Entertainment Group's designation is both arbitrary and capricious," Berke said. "In the event that AEG is not given an opportunity to address the issues raised by the lottery, and the decision to reverse the prior selection of AEG as the successful bidder is not reconsidered, AEG intends to pursue all available remedies."

An official at the lottery who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the lottery division did not want to issue AEG a license because the structure of its partnership underwent continual changes since the group submitted its bid last May, including several changes just prior to a deadline to submit background materials on the partners on Tuesday. The official would not name the individuals that the division believed were problematic to license.

"Throughout the process, they continued to make significant changes," the official said. "They continued to demonstrate a pattern of involving unqualified individuals and entities."

The scuttling of the deal is yet another blow to the New York Racing Association, which is counting on revenues from the casino to plug holes in its operating budget and subsidize purses for horsemen. NYRA officials have said that the association will run out of cash this summer because of delays in getting the casino up and running. The association included revenues from the casino in its 2010 budget.

Dan Silver, a NYRA spokesman, said the association would have no comment.

Rick Violette, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said the controversy surrounding the selection had made it unlikely that the casino would ever get off the ground with AEG as the operator. As a result, the latest development could be good news for the racing industry if the government quickly selects a new operator, Violette said.

"If we can move forward immediately to the second or third choice and get the ball moving, then this is a good day," Violette said. "Prolonging the agony solves no problems, and delays are literally killing our industry."

It was unclear Thursday how the state would proceed in order to select a new operator, but Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Racing and Wagering, said the state should simply select its second choice among the five groups that had submitted bids for the project.

"The process was flawed from its inception, and I still think that," Pretlow said.

"We definitely shouldn't start all over. You're just going to get more of the same."

The casino at Aqueduct has been approved for 4,500 slot machines. Gambling analysts have estimated that the casino will be the most lucrative on the East Coast, generating $600 million in net revenue per year. The operator will receive 31 percent of those revenues, plus an 8 percent allotment to market the casino, and it will not be responsible for buying and maintaining the slot machines, an obligation that will be borne by the state lottery. Seven percent of the revenue is earmarked for NYRA and 6 1/2 percent for Thoroughbred purses.

This is the second time that a deal to operate the casino has been scuttled. In 2008, the state selected Delaware North to operate the casino, but the deal fell apart early in 2009 when Delaware North reneged on a promise to provide the state with a $370 million upfront licensing fee. The company blamed the collapse of the credit markets for its inability to come up with the money.

Casinos were authorized for nine racetracks in New York in 2001. Aqueduct is the only approved track without a casino, and is also the only location in which the selection of a casino operator was left to the state.

Aqueduct Entertainment Group was selected by Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson under a process approved by the state legislature several years ago reserving the choice to the state governor and the leaders of the state's two legislative bodies.

The selection of AEG immediately generated controversy because of the group's political connections, which included the Rev. Floyd Flake, the senior pastor of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral whose endorsement is considered valuable to politicians.

Paterson met with Flake three days after making the selection, inviting speculation that the selection included a quid pro quo that would lead to Flake endorsing Paterson's gubernatorial bid, which Paterson has since abandoned due to unrelated scandals affecting his office. Flake relinquished his 0.55 percent share in AEG this week. In addition, Jay Z, the hip-hop mogul, dropped out of the group Tuesday.

Following the Flake meeting, Silver called for the state's inspector general to investigate the selection process, and in response, Paterson released all of the documents that bidders had submitted to the state. The documents did not include any rankings or rationale for the decision to select the group.

The other bidders included a partnership of SL Green Realty and Hard Rock Casinos; Delaware North; a partnership of Peebles Development and MGM Grand; and Penn National Gaming Inc.

Copyright © 2007 Daily Racing Form, LLC. All rights reserved.

Still Making History

For 75 years, Suffolk Downs has been a place where people from all walks of life are welcome. Millions of fans have walked through the turnstiles and thousands of hard-working men and women have earned their living at the track as employees. In a city steeped in history, Suffolk Downs maintains a significant spot in Boston’s rich heritage.

When the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created the State Racing Commission in 1934 and legalized pari-mutuel wagering, the Eastern Racing Association wasted no time in constructing the state’s first Thoroughbred racetrack, which it named Suffolk Downs. Among the directors of the Eastern Racing Association was Charles F. Adams, founder and president of the Boston Bruins.

The group secured roughly 200 acres of mud flats in East Boston and Revere and contracted A.G. Tomasello & Son to transform the property into one of the finest racing facilities in the country. Leading the project was Joseph A. Tomasello, who employed over 3,000 laborers, including 900 carpenters, 200 electricians and plumbers and 100 plasterers. They were assisted by 638 trucks, 36 bulldozers and 24 power shovels.

The project was completed in an amazing 62 days, at the cost of approximately $2 million. The nation’s first concrete grandstand seated 16,000, making it the biggest grandstand in the country as well. The clubhouse accommodated 5,000, reported to be the largest in the world. The grandstand and clubhouse were separated by an area that included a path from the paddock to the track.

Out of the Gate

On July 10, 1935, the track opened its doors and over 35,000 people walked through them to watch and wager on the eight-race program. Thoroughbred racing in Massachusetts had arrived.

Later in its inaugural year, the track began its greatest tradition, the Massachusetts Handicap. Boasting substantial purse money, the MassCap immediately attracted some of racing’s biggest names. Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf rode Top Row to victory in the first MassCap. In 1937, the track welcomed the legendary Seabiscuit for the third running of the MassCap. Seabiscuit and jockey Johnny “Red” Pollard did not disappoint the throng of over 40,000 that was present to see them, winning the race in record time. Over the years, the MassCap has continued to be a stage for Thoroughbred racing’s top performers as the track has played host to Hall of Famers both equine and human.

Immediately the track became entrenched into the city’s sporting and social fabric, attracting an average daily attendance of nearly 15,000 in its first year, a figure that peaked at 18,388 in 1945. Interest in racing was so high that the daily double payoff was frequently posted in large print across the very top of the front page of the Boston Globe. Average attendance remained five figures until the early 1970s, when the racing schedule was drastically expanded to as many as 200 days a year.

Changing with the Times

After roughly a quarter-century, the track underwent its first significant renovation in the early 1960s when the open-air grandstand was enclosed and the appearance of the clubhouse entrance was drastically changed. The grandstand and clubhouse were joined together and a new paddock and walking ring was constructed between the track and the grandstand.

On August 18, 1966, the Beatles took the stage for an historic performance, one of their last official concerts as a group. Over 25,000 fans packed the track to witness what would prove to be the Beatles’ final Boston appearance.

Further changes, both cosmetic and philosophical, were realized from 1969-70 when the innovative Bill Veeck served as track president. In addition to making physical improvements in the box seating area, Veeck, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a pioneering baseball owner, brought his promotional genius to the racetrack, where he gained publicity with chariot races and livestock giveaways, among other things. Perhaps Veeck’s most significant accomplishment during his brief reign was his successful challenge of a Massachusetts law that did not allow children to attend the track.

The track enjoyed one of its finest moments in 1987, when hometown heroes Waquoit and jockey Chris McCarron prevailed in one of the most thrilling finishes in MassCap history, defeating Broad Brush and Angel Cordero. Unfortunately, just two years later, the track suffered one of its darkest days when it closed for two years at the conclusion of the 1989 racing season.

The track was soon brought back to life, reopening in 1992 under the direction of Sterling Suffolk Racecourse LLC, led by chairman James B. Moseley and president John Hall II. Prior to reopening, a new round of improvements was made, including the restoration of the clubhouse façade to its original form. Just three years later, the track continued its revival, renewing the MassCap, which hadn’t been held since 1989. The MassCap returned in grand style, as Champion Cigar and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey graced the track for consecutive victories in the signature race in 1995 and ‘96, on the way to Cigar’s record-tying 16-race win streak.

Beyond the Track

The track expanded its community reach in 1998, becoming the home of the Hot Dog Safari, a benefit for the Joey Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The end of the 20th century also saw the reintroduction of concerts to the track, a tradition that includes appearances by Aerosmith and Elvis Costello in addition to the historic Beatles show. The 21st century welcomed another cultural attraction to the track, the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, and an additional charitable event, the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism.

The publication of “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” by Laura Hillenbrand in 2001 and the subsequent release of the movie “Seabiscuit” in 2003 renewed interest in the track’s rich history. In 2004, the horse that many labeled a modern-day Seabiscuit for his improbable success story, Funny Cide, thrilled an appreciative crowd with his appearance in the 64th MassCap.

Taking the Lead

In the spring of 2007, developer Richard T. Fields joined local entrepreneur Joe O’Donnell in a partnership committed to Thoroughbred racing and the long-term future of Suffolk Downs. In September of 2007, a crowd of 19,191 – the largest at the track since 1996 – gathered to celebrate the return of the MassCap after a two-year absence.

A trusted community partner since first opening its doors, the track has celebrated individuals and organizations that make a positive difference in its surrounding communities through its “Commitment to Community” program.

Suffolk Downs has demonstrated a commitment to the lifetime care of Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over, becoming the first racetrack in the country to implement a strict anti-slaughter policy for owners and trainers with horses stabled on its grounds. Virtually every major racetrack in America has since adopted a similar stance. In November of 2009, Suffolk Downs, the Fields Family Foundation and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation established a home or retired racehorses at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm in Plymouth, MA, where inmates from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility will care for the horses as part of the facility’s extensive vocational program.

Suffolk Downs has undergone many changes over the last 75 years, but just as it was in 1935, it remains a vision of hope for a brighter future infused with the pilgrim spirit of hope, pride, and determination that it was built upon.

Join us in 2010, as we celebrate this legacy. With a look back at fond memories, and a look forward to new dreams.

 

 

WITH NEWEST HIRE, BELLAGIO ESTABLISHES NEW RECORD AS HOME TO THE

MOST MASTER SOMMELIERS IN THE WORLD

 

LAS VEGAS – Bellagio is proud to announce the appointment of Darius Allyn, a distinguished member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, to the position of Sommelier for Osterio de Circo and Sensi.  Allyn becomes the fourth on the already impressive team of Master Sommeliers, joining Joseph Phillips of MICHAEL MINA, Robert Smith of Picasso and Director of Wine Jason Smith.  This honor further validates Bellagio’s commitment to excellence and establishes it as the only hotel in the world with four Master Sommeliers at a single property.

 

“We’re ecstatic to have Darius as the newest member of our team and that he brings with him such a rare accomplishment,” Director of Wine Jason Smith said.  “With this addition, Bellagio further solidifies its wine program among the finest in the world.”

           

            Home to 17 sommeliers, Bellagio has become a place where aspiring sommeliers become masters.  Believing you can’t sell it if you haven’t seen it and tasted it, training at Bellagio focuses on seminars, frequent tastings and travel. 

 

Considered the highest honor among wine professionals, the title of Master Sommelier recognizes the utmost level of wine and spirits knowledge.  Three levels of training must be completed before pursuing the Master Sommelier diploma: Introductory Sommelier, Certified Sommelier and Advanced Sommelier.  Upon completion of these courses, candidates are required to pass a rigorous 3-part exam, testing the extent of their knowledge.  The test consists of a verbal exam, service exam and a blind tasting. 

 

Known for its dedication to personal and attentive wine service, Bellagio caters to a variety of palates, occasions and budgets.  Bellagio sells more wine than any other hospitality outlet in the country, maintaining approximately 60,000 bottles, 4,000 selections and 250 wines by the glass at any given time.  Bellagio also is able to secure entire allocations of a particular wine, contributing to the vastness and exclusivity of the selection.

 

In an effort to create a guest-centric wine experience, diners can request a bottle of wine from one restaurant at Bellagio while dining at another.  The sommeliers share resources allowing them to locate bottles that do not exist in their own cellars and deliver them to guests within minutes. 

 

Randy Morton, president and COO of Bellagio, said, “We will continue to offer our guests a transcendent wine experience that is accessible, educational and enjoyable.  With this latest accomplishment, Bellagio continues to further its reputation as one of the world’s premier resort destinations.”

 

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Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Arrive At Mohegan Sun

The 11th All Starr Band Tour will be coming to the Arena on Sunday, June 27th

Ringo is on the road again and bringing his All Starr Band with him.  The 11th All Starr Band Tour arrives at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, June 27th at 7:00pm with a line-up of great Rock stars to share the stage with the legendary former Beatle. 

Tickets are $50.00 and $35.00 and go on sale Friday, March 12th at 10:00am through Ticketmaster.  Ticketmaster customers may log onto ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge by Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.  Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Saturday, March 13th, subject to availability.

Ringo Starr has assembled the 11th line up for his annual All Star Band tour including former members Edgar Winter, Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette.  All Starr newcomers include Rick Derringer, Richard Page (Mr. Mister) and Wally Palmar (Romantics).  This will be a night of music that spans generations as the All Starr Band performs a variety of hits, from The Beatles-era classic “With A Little Help From My Friends” to cuts off of Ringo’s latest solo studio effort, Y Not.