Diana Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, Ringo Starr headline casinos in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Bethlehem – full list
To be honest, the casino-entertainment lineup that will close out 2022 is a little on the thin side. While there are certainly a slew of big names headed to Atlantic City and Southeastern Pennsylvania gambling halls, the talent roster doesn’t measure up to those of past (pre-COVID) years. This is surprising because historically, fall has been a major season for headliner entertainment. But in terms of the number and quality of bookings, the schedule more closely resembles those of winters past.
Nonetheless, the scope of the offerings certainly covers a wide swath of show business, with several generations’ worth of acts booked for the last four months of the year.
The full list (to date; more shows are certain to be announced) is below. But here are some particularly noteworthy bookings:
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band (Sept. 24; Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City):
Any visit by an ex-Beatle is cause for celebration. And in terms of star (Starr?) power and pop-culture dominance, Ringo certainly sits atop the fall casino-headliner heap. The current iteration of his All-Star Band includes Colin Hay (Men At Work), veteran rocker Edgar Winter and guitar hero Steve Lukather (Toto; Bee Gees).
Diana Ross (Sept. 9; Ocean Casino-Resort): She has been an A-plus-lister for almost 60 years and, at age 78, it wouldn’t be surprising if this were her last local visit. Unlike so many artists of a certain vintage, “Miss Ross” is still presenting herself as a contemporary act: She’s coming to Ocean as part of a tour promoting her late-2021 album, “Thank You,” which features contributions from, among others, Jack Antonoff, who has produced and written for such au courant chart-toppers as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Pink.
Jon Dorenbos (Oct. 1; Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia): The former Eagles player-turned-entertainer/motivational speaker brings his popular magic-focused program back to the area.
Jeremy Piven (Oct. 8; Rivers Casino Philadelphia): The Emmy-winning actor (Entourage) brings his live act to the Fishtown gaming hall.
Nurse Blake (Oct. 21 and 29; Borgata): Nurse Blake (real name Blake Lynch) is yet another Internet-sensation-turned-popular-live-attraction. A registered nurse, his act is drawn from his career experiences.
Celebrating David Bowie (Oct. 29; Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City):
A collection of veteran rockers including Todd Rundgren and Adrian Belew (King Crimson, Bowie) gather to pay tribute to the late British megastar’s revered canon of songs.
Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross (Oct. 29; Hard Rock):
The American Idol Season 2 champ brings his salute to the late R&B crooner to Slot City the same night as the Bowie tribute at Harrah’s. This is a cool coincidence: Before he became a megastar, Vandross sang backup on Bowie’s iconic Young Americans album.
Sebastian Maniscalco (Nov. 4-13)/Jerry Seinfeld (Dec. 10; both at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa):
Two of the biggest standup comedy acts of all time hit the Big B, which has been their Atlantic City homes for years. Seinfeld is booked for a one-night stand, but, as has been his custom since the middle of the last decade, Maniscalco is staging multiple performances (10, to be exact).
Michael Franzese—A Mob Story (Nov. 19; Resorts Casino Resort):
Franzese, who was a caporegime in New York’s Colombo crime family, has gained a huge following with his series of YouTube videos in which he discusses his life and the Mafia’s depiction in mass media.
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (Nov. 26; Hard Rock):
Tribute bands are hardly a novelty anymore, but this one has credibility most such acts could never claim: Jason Bonham’s late dad, John (a.k.a. “Bonzo”) was Led Zep’s drummer (Jason also plays the skins).
Flo Rida (Nov. 26; Ocean): Hip-hop barely has a presence on the casino schedule this fall, but The “Low” pop-rapper will plant the flag on the eastern end of the Boardwalk.
THE LIST
Oct.8: The Modern Gentlemen: Harmony, Soul & Rock & Roll;
Nov. 19: The Prince Experience.
Event Center: Sept. 3: Gabriel Iglesias; Sept. 5: Scorpions; Sept. 9: Tom Jones; Sept. 23: Il Volo; Nov. 4-13: Sebastian Maniscalco; Nov. 25: Jim Gaffigan; Dec. 10: Jerry Seinfeld.
Music Box: Thursdays through Sept. 29: The Burlesque Show; Sept. 17: Steve Trevino; Sept. 23 and 24: Anthony Rodia; Oct. 7: Billy Ocean; Oct. 21 and 29: Nurse Blake; Oct. 22: Colbie Caillat; Nov. 4: The Marshall Tucker Band; Nov. 6: Deal Or No Deal Live; Nov. 12: Maz Jabroni; Dec. 3: Lewis Black; Dec. 10: Nikki Glaser; Dec. 17: Trevor Wallace.
Sept. 16: Johnny Gill & Ralph Tresvant; Oct. 20: The Duprees; Oct. 22: Dropkick Murphys; Dec. 5: Holiday Spectacular.
Sept. 17: The Spinners; Oct. 15: Andrew “Dice” Clay; Dec. 3: The Midtown Men Holiday Hits.
Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena: Sept. 3 and 4: Bert Kreischer; Sept. 9: John Fogerty; Sept. 24: Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band; Oct. 1: Ben Platt; Oct. 7: Daryl Hall & John Oates; Oct. 14: Wisin y Yandel; Oct. 15: Freestyle For All; Oct. 22: Tom Segura; Nov. 11: Foreigner; Nov.12: Eros Ramazzotti.
Sound Waves: Sept. 2: Frank Stallone with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band; Sept. 9: Zucchero; Sept. 10: Simply the Best (Tina Turner tribute); Sept. 16: Get the Led Out; Sept. 17: Cap Jazz Festival; Sept. 18-Jan. 29 (Sundays only): Dance To the Music—A ‘60s Celebration;” Sept. 24: Miss’d America Pageant; Oct. 1: Leslie Jones; Oct. 8: Wanda Sykes; Oct. 14: Vic DiBitetto; Oct. 22: Ray On My Mind (Ray Charles tribute); Oct. 29: Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross; Nov. 5: Puscifer; Nov. 19: The Commodores/WAR; Nov. 26: Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening; Dec. 2: Bee Gees Gold.
Through Sept. 4: Masters of Illusion; Sept. 9: Earthquake; Sept. 17: Best of The Eagles; Oct. 1: Latin Kings of Comedy; Oct. 14-16: The Price Is Right Live; Oct. 22: Engelbert Humperdinck; Oct. 29: Celebrating David Bowie.
Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia
Sept. 4: Candlebox; Sept. 9: Craig Ferguson; Oct. 1: Jon Dorenbos; Oct. 6: Billy Ocean; Oct. 8: Jay Mohr; Nov. 13: A celebration of Sid Mark & Frank Sinatra; Dec. 10 and 11: Matt Fraser.
Sept. 3: Jeff Dunham (Ovation Hall); Just Kidding Comedy Show with Vinnie Favorito (HQ Nightclub); Sept. 4: Magical Mystery Doors (Beatles Zeppelin Doors Tribute); Sept. 9: Diana Ross; Sept. 10: Staind; Sept. 16: 311; Sept. 17: Brian Culbertson; Oct. 15: The B-52s; Oct. 21: ZZ Top; Nov. 4: Barenaked Ladies; Nov. 12: My Big Gay Italian Wedding; Nov. 26: Flo Rida.
Sept. 10: The Jacksons; Sept. 16: Brett Eldredge; Sept. 17: Brian McKnight; Sept. 23: Demitri Martin; Sept. 24: The Australian Pink Floyd; Sept. 30: Blues Traveler; Oct. 14: Jay Leno; Oct. 15: Kansas; Oct. 21: Ken Jeong; Oct. 22: Ron White; Oct. 28: 3 Doors Down; Oct. 29: Lee Brice; Nov. 5: Paul Anka; Nov. 11: Magic of Manilow; Nov. 12: J.B. Smoove; Nov. 19: Christina P; David Foster and Katherine McPhee; Dec. 16: Michael Carbanaro.
Sept. 17: The Gilmour Project; Oct. 14: YNOT (Rush tribute); Nov. 11: Air Supply; Nov. 19: Michael Franzese—A Mob Story; Dec. 11: Dena Martin.
Sept. 2: Kathy Sledge; Sept. 24: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes; Sept. 25, Oct. 23; Nov. 27; Dec. 18: Legs N’ Eggs Drag Brunch; Sept. 28, Dec. 14: Aunt Mary Pat; Oct. 1: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA; Oct. 8: Jeremy Piven; Nov. 11: Ed Bassmaster; Nov. 23: DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jack’s Bar); Nov. 23: Boney James; Dec. 10: Kenny G.
Sept. 17: Alice Cooper; Sept. 22: Assisted Living: The Musical; Nov. 11: Ludicris; Nov. 19: El Gran Combo; Dec. 1: The Modern Gentlemen.
Sept. 9: American Vinyl All-Star Band.
Sept. 2: Gabriel Iglesias; Sept. 7: Alice Cooper; Sept. 10: Diana Ross; Sept. 11: Boy George & Culture Club; Sept. 29: Il Volo; Oct. 2: Wheel of Fortune Live; Oct. 7: Masters of illusion—Escape the Ordinary” Oct. 9: Wanda Sykes; Oct. 11: The Platters; Oct. 14: Live to Rock Tour featuring Skid Row, Warrant, Firehouse and Heaven’s Edge; Oct. 21: Colbie Caillat; Oct. 23: Nurse Blake; Oct. 28: Amy Schumer; Nov. 10: The Illusionists: Magic Of the Holidays; Nov. 11: Leanne Morgan; Nov. 12: Foreigner; Nov. 19: Anthony Rodia; Nov. 26: “Alton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats—The Holiday Variant;” Dec. 1: Bee Gees Gold; Dec. 16: Engelbert Humperdinck Holiday Concert.