The glitz, glamour and humor of life behind the scenes of a stage show comes to life at Silver Legacy Resort Casino with “Secrets of an Old Showgirl” showing on March 2 and 9 at 2 p.m.  This a one-of-a-kind docu-tainment style show giving audience members a backstage pass full of laughs at the Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club!

Back by popular demand, “Secrets of an Old Showgirl” is a unique, creative, entertaining and educational look at the world of show business.   Watch as narrator Karen Burns transforms from a girl in a bathrobe and bunny slippers to a full-fledged feather and rhinestone showgirl.  From her early days as a ski instructor, to professional dancer and entertainment business entrepreneur, hear the humorous stories of her experience behind the scenes.

In addition to “Secrets of an Old Showgirl” Karen also presents the original MGM costumes from the production “Hello, Hollywood, Hello.”  Heralded by the San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times and studied by the Costume Society of America, these iconic pieces are even more dazzling in person.   

For big laughs see Karen Burns in “Secrets of an Old Showgirl” on March 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. at Silver Legacy’s Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club. Tickets are $25 which includes 2 glasses of champagne.  To reserve seats call 1-800-MUST-SEE (678-8733) or 775-325-7401 or visit www.silverlegacy.com.

- Diana Rogers

His reign as the King of Blues has spanned more than five decades, now B.B. King makes his way to Silver Legacy Resort Casino for a knockout performance of all of his biggest hits.  With famed guitar Lucille in hand, see one of the biggest legends in music history live in the Grande Exposition Hall on Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m.

For more than half a century, Riley B. King—better known as B.B. King—has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Since he started recording in the 1940s, he has released over fifty albums, many of them classics.  Nicknames like the Beale Street Blues Boy and Blues Boy King later helped the legend become what he is today, B.B. King.  The Grammy Award-winner has had two #1 R&B hits, four #2 R&B hits and his most popular crossover hit, 1970’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” went to #15 pop.

King’s first big break came in 1948 when he performed on a live radio program out of West Memphis, Tennessee.  This led to steady gigs at the Sixteenth Avenue Grill and later a ten minute radio show called “King’s Spot.”  He began recording and touring nationally as his first number one hit, “Three O’Clock Blues” took off.  His 1956 tour played an astonishing 342 one-night engagements around the country from the Chitlin Circuit with its small-town cafes, juke joints and country dance halls to rock palaces, symphony concert halls, universities, resorts and various amphitheaters. 

Over the years, King has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles.  His every-note-counts phrasing has been a model for thousands of players from Eric Clapton and George Harrison to Jeff Beck. King has mixed traditional blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump into a unique sound.

B.B. was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He received NARAS’ Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1987 ant the National Award of Distinction from the University of Mississippi in 1992.  He has also received honorary doctorates from Tougaloo(MS) College in 1973; Yale University in 1977; Berklee College of Music in 1982; Rhodes College of Memphis in 1990; Mississippi Valley State University in 2002 and Brown University in 2007.

In 1991, B.B. King’s Blues Club opened on Beale Street in Memphis and in 1994 a second club was launched at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles. A third club in New York City’s Times Square opened in June 2000 and most recently two clubs opened at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in January 2002.  King’s autobiography, “Blues All Around Me” was published in 1996.

King’s touring continues today with an average of over 250 concerts per year around the world. Classics such as “Payin’ The Cost To Be The Boss,” “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Why I Sing The Blues” are concert and fan staples.  Hear your favorites live in Silver Legacy’s Grande Exposition Hall on Saturday, February 26 as B.B. King takes the stage!  Tickets start at just $60 with premium seating available for $70 and $85.  Reserve your seats by calling 1-800-MUST-SEE (678-8733) or 775-325-7401 or visiting www.silverlegacy.com and www.ticketmaster.com.  Don’t miss this unforgettable show as the King of Blues returns to Reno!

The heat is on at Silver Legacy Resort Casino as Aura Ultra Lounge presents all new theme nights!  From salsa dancing to country swing, Aura is the best place to bring friends to party all week long!

Aura Lounge is the best place to be for intimate parties and more!  Service industry workers, spend your “weekend” with Aura!  Monday is The Biggest Little Locals Night with specials for service industry friends—fellow bartenders, waitresses, dealers and everyone else who spent Friday and Saturday night working can come down and enjoy an evening of fun!  

Come back for Ty Ku Tuesdays, a special tribute to the premium Asian Liqueur and Sake line.  Wednesdays Aura gets down for Country Night, just bring your cowboy hats and belt buckles and line dance the night away!  Thursdays it’s the ladies turn to take the mic with Ladies Karaoke all night long!

Not ready for the weekend to end?  Aura keeps the party going on Sundays with the spiciest Salsa Night in town!  VIP and Bottle Service are available by request; learn more at www.silverlegacy.com or by calling 775-325-7401. 

- Diana Rogers

Just as 2011 gets into full swing on the American calendars another celebration of the New Year begins. According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar the New Year will start on February 3 and Silver Legacy Resort Casino is here to help celebrate with food, music and fun!

Chinese New Year 2011 marks the Year of the Rabbit and Silver Legacy invites everyone to take part in the celebration! From February 3 through February 2, enjoy special Chinese New Year menus at Café Sedona and Flavors! The Buffet. Café Sedona will feature authentic dishes like Hunan Beef, Stir Fry Rice Cakes, Fat Choy, Prosperous Fish and more.

In Flavors, sample everything from Hot and Sour Soup, and Three Flavors Salad to main dishes like Broccoli Beef, Peking Pork Loin, Snow Crab Leg Clusters, Char Sui Bao, Green Mussels in Oyster Sauce, Pork Pot Stickers, Stir Fried Scallops, Baby Bok Choy and more all in addition to the regular buffet menu. Specialty Asian desserts will also be added as a special treat!

One of the most recognizable traditions of the Chinese New Year is the Lion Dance, a legendary ritual that is performed each New Year to frighten away evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year.

2011 Lion Dance Performance Schedule:

Friday, February 11 – 6, 8 and 10 p.m.

Saturday, February 12 – 2, 4, 6 and 9 p.m.

Sunday, February 13 – Noon

Saturday, February 19 – 2, 4, 6 and 9 p.m.

Sunday, February 20 – Noon, 3, 5, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Monday, February 21 – Noon

The Lion Dance will be performed on Silver Legacy’s mezzanine level near the Mining Rig in honor of the traditional 15 day Chinese New Year celebration. 

A special Chinese Concert featuring Susanna Kwan and Sky Wu will also be held February 20 in the Reno Ballroom at 8 p.m. Don’t miss this chance to see these two Chinese superstars in an exciting duet performance! Tickets are on sale now for $48, $68, $78 and $98.

Come down to Silver Legacy and ring in the Year of the Rabbit from February 3 through February 20! For more details on dining and events visit www.silverlegacy.comor find Silver Legacy on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or by using the new iPhone or Android App. Information is also available by calling 775-325-7401. Ring in the Chinese New Year with the stars at Silver Legacy!

-Diana Rogers

One of the most famous female stand up comedienne’s of all time is bringing her red hot wit and knack for bashing Hollywood to Silver Legacy Resort Casino.  See Kathy Griffin explode into the Grande Exposition Hall on her latest comedy tour on Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m.

An Emmy Award winning Chicago native, Kathy Griffin is best known for television roles on NBC’s sitcom “Suddenly Susan” and Bravo’s reality hit “My Life on the D-List,” where her constant wit and sarcasm shine.  While these shows may be her most famous, Griffin has a long list of comedic credentials that keeps on growing.

It all started in the 1980’s when Griffin moved west to Los Angeles.  She joined the famed Los Angeles Groundlings comedy improvisational troupe, where soon-to-be Saturday Night Live star Phil Hartman also performed.   Soon after Griffin began building her resume with guest starring roles on shows like “ER” and “Seinfeld,” where she created recurring character Sally Weaver.

After various TV guest spots, Griffin began gaining notice as a stand-up comedienne and landed her own HBOhalf hour comedy special, then an hour-long special titled “A Hot Cup of Talk” in 1998.  Griffin has also supplied voices for characters on the animated series “Dilbert” and “The Simpsons” and also appeared in rapper Eminem’s music video for the song “The Real Slim Shady,” which was co-directed by Dr. Dre.

Griffin has also played host at The Billboard Music Awards and Bravo’s “A-List Awards” and has performed several successful stand-up specials for the cable network.  It was with Bravo that Griffin won back to back Emmy Awards for “My Life on the D-List” in 2007 and 2008.  She has also been nominated for three “Best Comedy Album” Grammy Awards—in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

See this Grammy-nominated comedienne up close and personal at Silver Legacy on Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m. inside the Grande Exposition Hall!  Tickets are available now for $55 with premium seating for $65 and $80.  To reserve seats call 1-800-MUST-SEE (678-8733) or 775-325-7401 or visit www.silverlegacy.com and www.ticketmaster.com.  iPhone, iPad and Android users, download the free Silver Legacy App to get tickets.

-Diana Rogers

From award winning roles in Hollywood to smooth, soulful guitar licks, Dennis Quaid sets out onto a new stage at Silver Legacy Resort Casino.  Catch Dennis Quaid & The Sharks on Saturday, January 22in the Grande Exposition Hall at 8 p.m. for what they describe as “a little rock and roll with country soul”.

From big screen movie roles in films like “Far From Heaven” and “Frequency,” Dennis Quaid has been a well known name since the 1980’s.  But before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of acting, Quaid had another passion—playing guitar.  Since age 12, this laid back Texas boy has been strumming away, finally lending fans a listen to this lesser known talent alongside his band, The Sharks.

Those who want a taste of Quaid’s true personality will see it shine through on stage.  While playing front man of The Sharks, crowds have come to notice the singer prefers to perform without shoes.  Why?  He’d rather feel as comfortable as possible, like he does when playing at home in his living room.   Listen for laid back riffs of Jerry Lee Lewis with twangs of smooth, cool country at this show.

Get tickets to see Dennis Quaid & The Sharks live at Silver Legacy on Saturday, January 22 in the Grande Exposition Hall at 8 p.m.  Tickets are available for $40 with premium seating for $57.50.  Reserve seats online at www.silverlegacy.com, www.ticketmaster.comor use Silver Legacy’s new App, now available for free download for iPhone, iPad and Android users.  Tickets are also available by calling 1-800-MUST-SEE (678-8733) or 775-325-7401.  See you at the show!

-Diana Rogers

2007 (c) Charr Crail

Multi-platinum pop-rock revolutionaries and Northern California Natives TESLA are bringing their unique music style to Silver Legacy Resort Casino on Friday, November 19.  From die-hard fans to newcomers who probably already know a few songs, TESLA will play both their acoustic and hard rock favorites in the Grande Exposition Hall starting at 8 p.m.

TESLA was formed in Sacramento in 1985, named after the eccentric inventor Nikola Tesla, who pioneered the radio.  They quickly scored a deal with Geffen Records and released their debut album, “Mechanical Resonance” in 1986 with hard rock hits and crowd favorites “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi.” But it was the follow-up album titled “The Great Radio Controversy” that truly broke the band. The first single, “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out),” was a hit with hard rock audiences, setting the stage for the second single, a comforting ballad called “Love Song” which substituted a dash of hippie utopianism for the usual power ballad histrionics.

In keeping with their unpretentious, blue-collar roots, TESLA responded to stardom not with the glam theatrics of their tour mates and peers of the era, but by stripping things down. The idea behind 1990 album “Five Man Acoustical Jam” was virtually unheard of—a pop-metal band playing loose, informal acoustic versions of their best-known songs along with a few covers.

TESLA’s music was sturdy enough to hold up with audiences and helped directly inspire a new movement in music.  Its relaxed vibe had enough edge to prove acoustic music could sound vital and energetic. The album “Five Man Acoustical Jam” is credited for starting MTV’s “Unplugged” craze of the ‘90s which included artist like Eric Clapton, Nirvana and many others following suit with acoustic live albums.

Next up came “Psychotic Supper” in 1991, spawning the greatest number of TESLA hits like “Edison’s Medicine,” “Call it What You Want “ and “What You Give.”  They followed up with one more album in 1994 before internal problems caused the band to split.  The band reconciled after years apart and created a new album filled with original music in 2004.  

In 2009 TESLA released their newest album “Forever More” which gives the audience a look through their 25-year musical journey.  Prepare for the album’s self-titled track to open the show on this tour along with singles “I Wanna Live” and “Breakin’ Free.”  The band now owns and operates under its own record label, TESLA Electric Company Recordings.

Get your tickets to see revolutionary pop-rockers TESLA perform live in Silver Legacy’s Grand Exposition Hall on Friday, November 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available from $45 with premium seating for $60.  Reserve seats online at www.silverlegacy.com.

-Diana Rogers