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Oneida Bingo & Casino Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
With A Touch Of Vegas
by Bob
Lowe
July 9, 2004
Visitors
to the Oneida Bingo & Casino in Green Bay over the next
several days may be forgiven if they believe they are in Las
Vegas.
The Oneida Nation’s showcase gambling and entertainment
emporium is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a Las Vegas
theme. There are 3,000 slot machines, 60 blackjack tables
and the 850-seat bingo hall, all set in a tree-lined resort/tourist
atmosphere. The casino also operates a 301-room Radisson Inn,
shuttle buses from other area hotels, a buffet-style restaurant
called the Three Sisters and an entertainment lounge for live
music called Purcell’s.
And when you look at the roster of entertainers scheduled
over the next week like Wayne Newton, Don Rickles and Natalie
Cole, it is difficult not to believe that you are in Nevada’s
premier gambling city. All that seems to be missing are the
palm trees, the 102-degree temperature, the desert sand and
street hustlers peddling everything from jewelry to time share
presentations.
Located on the outskirts of the city, near Austin Straubel
International Airport, the Oneida casino is pulling out all
the stops to make patrons feel that they can enjoy everything
that Las Vegas has to offer without the expense and hassle
of traveling there.
In what is being billed as "10 Days-10 Class Acts-$10
Tickets," the casino has put together an impressive list
of big names acts to please a variety of audiences.
The entertainment got underway last night with the Counting
Crows performing before a sell-out audience. The alternative
rock/pop/rock band is best known for "Accidentally In
Love," the opening song of the "Shrek 2" movie
and "Mr. Jones," from its 1993 album "August
and Everything After."
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, which popularized the retro swing movement
of the 1990's, will play at 8 p.m. Friday (July 9) at the
Radisson Three Clans Ballroom. On Saturday, the master of
putdown comedy, Don Rickles, takes to the same stage at 8
p.m. to tickle your funnybone. The "Merchant of Venom"
is well known for his appearances on The Tonight Show and
Conan O’Brien, as well as some forgettable TV programs
like "C.P.O. Sharkey" and "The Don Rickles
Show."
Country music artists Pam Tillis, rounds out the weekend,
with an appearance at 8 p.m. Sunday July 11 at the Radisson
Three Clans Ballroom.
Singer/songwriter Jewel performs before a sold-out audience
at 8 p.m. Monday July 12 at the Three Clans Ballroom. She
and her guitar will be going acoustic in order to create what
she calls an "intimate and informal" atmosphere.
Also sold-out is the man known worldwide as "Mr. Las
Vegas," Wayne Newton. The versatile entertainer sings,
plays a variety of instruments, dances, performs comedy routines
and tells stories during his highly animated performance.
His show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday July 13 also at the
Three Clans.
Dennis Miller, "Saturday Night Live" alumnus, HBO
comedian, former "ABC Monday Night Football" commentator
and lately, host of his own right wing comedy show on CNBC,
will dish out his views on politics and other subjects starting
at 8 p.m. Wednesday July 14 at the Three Clans. Brenda Lee,
former child prodigy, rockabilly artist and pop and country
balladeer from the 1960s, takes over the Three Clans stage
at 8 p.m.
Thursday July 15. Her list of hit songs include "I’m
Sorry," "Emotions," "Break It To Me Gently"
and "You Can Depend On Me."
Glen Campbell, best known for such hits as "Wichita Lineman,"
"By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Rhinestone
Cowboy," emerges from his recent drunk-driving jail stint
to perform at 8 p.m. Friday July 16 on the Three Clans stage.
Campbell has also appeared on recordings by the Beach Boys,
Frank Sinatra, the Monkees and The Champs." Natalie Cole,
daughter of the late esteemed singer/pianist Nat King Cole
and a renowned song stylist in her own right, takes to the
Three Clans stage at 8 p.m. Saturday July 17.
A number of freebie performances are also scheduled in the
Main Casino Lounge. Tito Jackson, the brother of King of Pop
Michael Jackson, is scheduled to perform from 3-4:30 p.m.
and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday July 9-10. The multi talented
singer and guitarist was instrumental in the founding of the
Jackson Five group with his brothers.
The Comets, one of the originators of rock ‘n roll along
with Bill Haley, are booked for 3-4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
to midnight Sunday July 11 thru Tuesday July 13. For additional
information, contact the Main Casino Concierge or Ticket Star
at 1-800-895-0071
***
It is hard to believe that shock rocker Alice Cooper is 56
year old. The musician credited with bringing theater to the
rock ‘n roll stage is still performing all over the
world. You can see him at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Outagamie
County Fair in Seymour. More info at:
www.outagamiecountyfair.com or call 920-833-2941.
***
The Fox Valley Blues Festival will be held at Central Park
in Kaukauna Friday and Saturday. Friday’s Main Stage
lineup includes Rockn’ Jimmy Crimmins Band (3 p.m.),
the Rev. Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys (5
p.m.), Ross William Perry (7 p.m.), and Canned Heat (9 p.m.).
Saturday’s Main Stage lineup will feature Cashbox Kings
(noon), Michael Coleman & the Back Breakers (1:30 p.m.),
Joe Moss (3:30 p.m.), Zora Young (5:30 p.m.), Anson Funderburgh
& the Rockets (7:30 p.m.), and Savoy Brown (9:30 p.m.).
Cost is $25 in advance for both days or $10 Friday and $18
Saturday. At the gate, the prices will be $12 Friday, $20
Saturday or $32 for both days. More info available at www.foxvalleybluesfest.com.
***
Clay Aiken, second-place winner in the "American Idol"
TV show won by Ruben Studdard, will be appearing at Fox Cities
Stadium in Grand Chute at
7 p.m. Saturday July 10. Opening act will be French singer
Cherie (Cindy Almouzni), who recently released her first single,
"I’m Ready" on Lava Records and plans to produce
a self-titled debut album on Aug. 3.
Ticket prices range from $30-$50. For more information, call
733-4152 or log onto www.timberrattlers.com.
***
Tickets for the LeAnn Rimes concert Aug. 14 at the Resch Center
in Ashwaubenon go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through Ticket
Star at 800-895-0071. Prices range from $87 for the first
two rows to between $27-$47.
Coming to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on Aug. 20
is Gallagher, the fruit-smashing comedian. Tickets are $24
to $39.50, plus fees. Call 920- 730-3760 or contact Ticketmaster
at 920-731-5000 or www.ticketmaster.com for more information.
Tickets are also on sale at area Piggly Wiggly stores and
at Marshall Fields at the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute.
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