The economy has not been particularly kind to the gaming industry this past quarter, and the effects can be seen just about everywhere. Some casinos cut back. Others increase their enticements. Now that autumn is here, a time traditionally when the adults come out to play, the trends are becoming a little clearer.
Autumn is a favorite time for many Northern Nevada visitors. Some special events, like Reno's Street Vibrations on Sept. 24-28, are still ahead. Tahoe's beaches are still open (the water is colder, but at Tahoe the water never warms up anyhow). And the warm days and cool nights make for some great outdoor activities, like Lake Tahoe's Marathon Week, also Sept. 24-28.
Indoors, the casinos are offering some varied fare, but a keen eye can see which have undergone entertainment budget cuts.
Here are some highlights of the autumn season.
• Harrah's Lake Tahoe: One of the most enduring acts in show business returns when the Smothers Brothers take the South Shore Room stage Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 ($45).
The rest of the season at Harrah's finds the Royal Crown Revue on Sept. 27 ($25), War on Oct. 4 ($35), Starship with Mickey Thomas on Oct. 11 ($30), Mimi Chu and Joyce Lee on Oct. 25 ($28, $88), Blue Oyster Cult on Nov. 8 ($35), Jose Feliciano on Nov. 15 ($40), Los Lonely Boys on Nov. 22 ($30), and Abbacadabra, the Ultimate ABBA Concert, on Nov. 29 ($25). Tickets can be ordered at (800) 427-7247 or SouthShoreRoom.com.
• Highlighting the MontBleu fall is the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition on Sept. 27. This annual competition showcases the best, though. Taking place in many locations, it has been the premiere such event in the West for a long time ($25; 800-648-3353 or Ticketmaster). MontBleu has not announced any other entertainment for the season.
• Big events are on tap at the Reno Events Center with the "So You Think You Can Dance" Tour on Oct. 4 ($35-$55). Santana arrives with the Salvador Santana Band on Oct. 10 ($49.50- $99.50). Reba McEntire teams with Kelly Clarkson on Oct. 11 ($64.50), and Jeff Dunham performs on Oct. 12 ($36.75-$57.75). On Nov. 1, Neil Young teams with Death Cab for Cutie and Everest ($52.75-$177.75). Tickets at Ticketmaster.
• The Grand Sierra has found a sure winner with Terry Fator, the ventriloquist winner of "America's Got Talent." He's performed two sold-out shows there in the past year and is scheduled for what undoubtedly will be a third on Nov. 28 ($49.50- $108.90).
Also on the Grand Sierra schedule is a long-delayed return of Yakov Smirnoff on Oct. 29 ($44) and Queensryche on Sept. 27 ($33- $49.50). This club has a tendency to surprise with last-minute additions, however, such as last week's Stone Temple Pilots concert. Tickets are at www.grandsierraresort.com.
• It's impossible to name a highlight coming to John Ascuaga's Nugget this fall because the schedule so far announced has many gaps and nothing stellar. Tribute acts are set for Street Vibrations weekend, Hot for Teacher (Van Halen) on Sept. 26 ($20) and Zepparella (Led Zeppelin) on Sept. 27 ($20). Other than that, Ricci Martin's show dedicated to dad Dean on Oct. 17-18 ($35) is it. Tickets are available at (800) 648-1177 or janugget.com.
• The Motor City Madman Ted Nugent, never one to be out of the spotlight long ever since his Amboy Dukes beginning, is set for what will be two wild concerts at the Silver Legacy on Sept. 26-27. Nugent is playing, he says, better than ever. ($45-$65).
The Legacy also brings back REO Speedwagon on Oct. 3 ($50-$70) and Bill Engvall on Oct. 4 ($55-$75).
Brett Michaels' "Rock of Love Tour" has been rescheduled from its original Oct. 18 date to Dec. 20 ($45-$65). Joe Satriani plays Nov. 14 ($40-$60), Margaret Cho is set for Nov. 22 ($45-$55), and the Temptations and Four Tops team again on Nov. 29 ($50-$70).
Tickets are available at (800) 687-8733 or www.silverlegacyresort.com.
• Shows continuing through the season include the terrific "Icons" with impressionist Greg London at Harrah's Reno ($29.95- $34.95) and the Eldorado's "Aphelion" ($24.95-$34.95).
