Horseshoe Casino Announces Opening of The Venue

Horseshoe Casino Announces Opening of The Venue

Entertainment Venue Features Unprecedented Headline Talent in Intimate Space

CHICAGO, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 8, 2008, a new generation of Chicagoland entertainment will be revealed at Horseshoe Casino with the grand opening of The Venue, a 2,500 seat state-of-the-art entertainment center that will feature A-list talent in an intimate setting. The Venue promises the premier entertainment experience with unparalleled artist interaction, technical sophistication, and excitement.

Bette Midler, direct from her Las Vegas extravaganza "The Showgirl Must Go On" at The Colosseum(TM) at Caesars Palace(R), will be the grand opening performance at The Venue on August 8. The Divine Miss M is the winner of four GRAMMY(R) awards, an Emmy and a Tony. Her incomparable sense of humor and extensive song catalog (which includes four chart-topping #1 singles) have earned her staying power and a devoted fan base while lesser talents have come and gone.

On August 9, The Venue is proud to host the first local appearance in eight years by hometown heroes The Smashing Pumpkins. The Smashing Pumpkins originated in Chicago in 1988, creating a diverse, densely layered, and guitar heavy sound led by frontman Billy Corgan. During the 1990s, the band was one of the most critically acclaimed bands in the United States, where they sold approximately 18.25 million albums. The band members went their separate ways in 2000, but reunited in 2006 for a new album and tour. The performance at The Venue marks The Smashing Pumpkins' first show in Chicago since the reunion.

The excitement continues after opening weekend with a lineup featuring Grammy and three-time Tony Award winning artist Liza Minnelli on August 30; cultural icon Billy Idol on August 16, having just released a greatest hits anthology and embarking on his first extensive concert tour in the US since 2005; and the recently reunited Stone Temple Pilots on August 14.

"We are thrilled to offer The Venue to Chicagoland as a place to enjoy headline entertainment in an intimate space," said Rick Mazer, Regional President and General Manager of Horseshoe Casino. "Plus, our diverse talent lineup will offer something for everyone."

The tickets for the opening concerts will be on sale as of July 11 at 10am, and will be available via Ticketmaster and at http://www.thevenue-chicago.com/. Horseshoe, in conjunction with AEG Live, one of the largest concert promotion, special event and touring companies in the world, have been working to develop and program The Venue, and is proud to announce the following list of acts today:

    August 8      Bette Midler           Onsale July 11    August 9      Smashing Pumpkins      Onsale July 11    August 10     Mo'Nique               Onsale July 11    August 11     James Blunt            Onsale July 11    August 14     Stone Temple Pilots    Onsale July 11    August 15     Lynyrd Skynyrd         Onsale July 11    August 16     Billy Idol             Onsale July 11    August 20     Michael Bolton         Onsale July 25    August 21     Kem                    Onsale July 18    August 28     Chris Botti            Onsale July 25    August 30     Liza Minnelli          Onsale July 18    October 4     Kenny Rogers           Onsale July 18    

Designed by renowned Montreal-based Sceno Plus, The Venue features fully flexible configurations with technologically superior in-house production systems designed exclusively with cutting-edge equipment. Audio-visual equipment includes three giant HD screens that combine lighting with multi-layered video projections to create a wide range of interactive special effects. To ensure the highest quality in sound, acoustics are supported by a highly efficient and versatile audio system able to substitute or complete the most demanding touring technical requirements.

Equipped with high comfort telescopic seating, the 90,000 square foot facility can undergo complete transformation in less than two hours to accommodate anything from intimate performances to large-scale entertainment productions. The Venue's general admission floor can fit up to 2,400 people, for a total room capacity of more than 3,300. The Venue can welcome up to 150 tables and 1,500 seats, all easily storable in-house.

A three-level lobby, featuring walls composed of LED pixels and immersive lighting, has been designed to greet guests with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, a 3,500 square foot area hosts six VIP suites, with three rows of seats and a full-service salon featuring couches and plasma televisions offering guests a uniquely intimate and comfortable entertainment experience.

ABOUT HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company's properties operate primarily under the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah's also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. For more information, please visit: http://www.harrahs.com/

ABOUT AEG LIVE

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring for a variety of programming, and multi-media production. AEG Live, the nation's second-largest concert promotion and touring company, is comprised of special event, broadcast and exhibition divisions, fourteen regional offices, and numerous state-of-the-art venues nationwide. The company's national promotion arm is currently producing tours and productions including Bette Midler "The Showgirl Must Go On" and Cher at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas; and "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," an international tour of the artifacts of King Tut. Recent and upcoming promoted concert tours have included artists such as Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi, Hannah Montana, Spice Girls, Prince, Christina Aguilera, Kenny Chesney, So You Think You Can Dance, Paul McCartney, High School Musical, American Idols Live and The Color Purple. Goldenvoice, the company's Southern California-based regional promotion division, created and operates the award-winning annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival as well as Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival. The company operates NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie in Texas, NOKIA Theatre Times Square, and recently opened NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE. For more information, go to http://www.aeglive.com/.

ABOUT SCENO PLUS

Founded in 1985, Sceno Plus is an internationally leading design firm in the creation of entertainment venues. Renowned for the quality, creativity, and functionality of its designed facilities, the company offers a turnkey approach of integrated services under one roof: architectural and interior design, theatre design, technology and specialized equipment, as well as multimedia immersion and interactivity. Passion for theatres and the world of arts and entertainment have earned Sceno Plus numerous international awards and the recognition of the industry throughout the world. Designer of many theatres in Quebec, notably the Theatre d'Aujourd'hui, Usine C, salle Pierre-Mercure and Cite de l'energie's Rotating Theatre, Sceno Plus' exceptional portfolio of world-class venues includes the Bellagio Theater, Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Wynn Casino Theatre in Las Vegas, the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba Theatre in Orlando as well as the Dream Factory in Warwick, UK. For more information, please visit: http://www.scenoplus.com/

Know when to stop before you start.(R) Gambling problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT. (C)2008 Harrah's License Company, LLC.

    MEDIA CONTACTS:    Lauren Boukas, XA, The Experiential Agency, 312.239.2399,    lauren@expagency.com     Michael Roth, AEG Live, 213.742.7155, Mroth@aegworldwide.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: leah@expagency.com

Source: Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

CONTACT: Lauren Boukas of XA, The Experiential Agency, +1-312-239-2399,
lauren@expagency.com; or Michael Roth of AEG Live, +1-213-742-7155,
Mroth@aegworldwide.com

Web site: http://www.harrahs.com/
http://www.aeglive.com/
http://www.scenoplus.com/
http://www.thevenue-chicago.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment