Parx Got Talent show is open to the public with free admission. Guests must be 21 years and older for admission into the casino and all shows.

PENNSYLVANIA – Wednesday, August 24, 2011 – Parx Casino®, 2999 Street Road in Bensalem, PA, announces the first season of the new live talent competition series

Parx Got Talent!

Debuting on Thursday, September 8th at 7pm in 360 – Parx Got Talent will be the hottest talent competition for contestants to perform on stage in front of a live audience. Participants will have the chance to win over $7500 in cash prizes. For 10 weeks, pre-registered contestants will sing, dance, juggle…you name it…live on stage at 360 and the top 2 finalists each week will move on the finale show on Thursday, November 17th.

Parx Casino® is one of the most exciting entertainment destinations in the region featuring free concerts, live bands, hot DJs, celebrity appearances and now you! Register online at parxcasino.com/pgt and get ready to become a star at Parx! All contestants must be 21 years or older – complete rules and regulations listed on the website.

Parx Got Talent show is open to the public with free admission. Guests must be 21 years and older for admission into the casino and all shows. For additional information on Parx Casino® please contact Carrie Nork Minelli, 215.801.9389 (m), cnorkminelli@parxcasino.com

Written By, Erica Brooke Fajge

Crazy acrobatics. A lap dance. A 1950s style convertible. Performers lifted into the air.

Although this sounds like David Copperfield meets Cirque Du Soleil meets your average strip club, it was certainly not. Rather, it was all part of Britney Spears’ 2011 Femme Fatale Tour with Nicki Minaj, and I, along with every teeny bopper in the Greater Philadelphia region, had the pleasure to be a spectator at the recent July 30 show at the Wells Fargo Center.

Walking in, at age 29, I was aware that my friends and I were a few of the oldest at the concert, surrounded by girls ranging from age 10 to maybe 30-something (if that). After all, I am the same age as Spears, herself, and was a high school junior when she first emerged onto the 90s music scene (along with the resurgence of the boy band phenomenon) that had formally consisted of mainly alt-rock bands, rappers, and hip hoppers.

One of the best parts of the show was just the people watching beforehand; it was definitely something of a fashion show. There were the girls who dressed as Britney “the naughty Catholic school girl” circa 1998, the girls who put together a scantily clad creation resembling that from Spears’ 2001 “I’m a Slave 4 U” video, the girls who donned their Britney concert t-shirts, including the ever-popular, “It’s Britney, Bitch!”, the girls who looked just plain sleazy, and then everyone else, who looked cutesy in their summer dresses, jeans, tank tops, skirts, or shorts.

Before the show began, marketers were on-hand to help promote Spears’ latest fragrance. Concert-goers even were given the opportunity to have their photo taken next to Britney, herself, on a red carpet – well, next to an advertisement for her perfume with a life-sized image of the singer. Corny, yes, but my friends and I waited in line for this, and I have to say the pictures came out great.

OK, on to the actual show. Nicki Minaj got things started, appearing on stage in her signature blonde wig. She sang and performed her hits, including “Super Base” and “Moment For Life,” featuring Drake. Other highlights were “Bottoms Up,” her duet with Trey Songz and “Where Them Girls At?,” her duet with David Guetta, featuring Flo Rida (my personal favorite).

Forty-five minutes later, Britney took the stage by storm, kicking off the show with “Hold It Against me,” her first single off Femme Fatale. She performed her latest single “I Wanna Go,” as well as several other songs off the album. She also performed songs off of her last couple of albums, including “3,” “If U Seek Amy,” “Womanizer,” “Gimme More,” and “Piece of Me.” Although most of the show featured Spears’ more recent hits, there were a number of fan favorites, including “I’m a Slave 4 U,” “Toxic,” “Boys,” “Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know,” and the song that put her on the map, “Baby, One More Time.” Britney even performed “S & M,” her duet with Rihanna.

This was, however, unlike any concert I had ever been to; it was a whole experience. The Femme Fatale Tour resembled a Broadway show or a Vegas-style revue more than just a concert due to the amazing acrobatics, lighting, costumes, and props. It was a true visual and sound spectacular. At one point, Britney “rode” onto the stage in a 1950s era convertible. She was lifted into the air on a skylift of some sort. She disappeared into a box like a magician. She had more costume changes than I could count. The enormous screens on either side of the stage made it easy for people to have a perfect view.

One of the most memorable moments of the show was Britney announcing she needed a volunteer from the audience and then proceeding to wrap her hot pink boa around her volunteer’s neck and give him a lap dance. I’m sure he’d say he got his money’s worth. And so did I.

She ended the show with “Til the World Ends,” her hugely successful second single off Femme Fatale – and was joined by Minaj, who raps in the remix. Like Britney sings in “Gimme More,” she left me, and the audience, wanting more. I wasn’t ready for the show to end; I guess there’s always next time.

Written By: Erica Brooke Fajge

PHILADELPHIA, PA [OnlyInPhiladelphia.com] – You don’t have to have experienced the ‘60s to like this show about four guys from Jersey who hit it big in the music business; all you need is a love of pop music, friendship, and a bit of raunchiness. You no longer have to head to New York to see the hit 2006 Broadway musical, Jersey Boys: it’s currently playing in Philadelphia at the Forrest Theatre now through Dec. 12.

Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is a show not to be missed – and this is coming from someone whose never typically been a fan of musicals. The show plays out almost like a mix between a movie and a concert. Even before this 21st century wave of social media/reality TV/voyeurism began, I always enjoyed a good, juicy, true story, and Jersey Boys did the trick. The show tells the story of how the quartet met and began making music together, exploring both the good and bad times on their way to the top and experiencing the price of fame – everything from their mob connections, romances, and wild times on the road.

The cast of Jersey Boys includes Matt Bailey, Joseph Leo Bwarie, John Michael Dias (the alternate Franki Valli who played the role I night I went), Steve Gouveia, and Quinn Vanantwerp, as the Four Seasons, as well as Jonathan Hadley, Joseph Siravo, Candi Boyd, Jared Bradshaw, Christopher DeAngelis, Denise Payne, Kara Tremel, and others.

I recently took my Mom to see the show; she was especially excited since she saw the original Four Seasons back in the ’60s at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, a.k.a. Philadelphia University, as it’s known as today. You really don’t have to have grown up during that era to enjoy the show; the audience was made up of all ages (including two friends of mine I ran into that night). I knew a couple of their songs, such as “Oh, What a Night,” but, before seeing the show, was unaware of just how many hit songs belonged to them, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got).” We left after purchasing the official CD from the show along with a “Walk Like a Man” tee shirt for my 3-year-old nephew (too cute)!

Jersey Boys began its run in Philly on Sept. 30 and runs now through Dec. 12. But if you want to see the show, don’t wait: tickets are going fast! For more info and tickets, visit http://www.jerseyboysinfo.com/tour/philadelphia.

There is no question that the concert crowd will be from all walks of life and all ages, coming together to experience the incredible show that Gaga puts on. Get your headpieces, bows, glitter, leotards and  leather body suits ready for an eventful evening of loud music, screaming profanities, insane  visual sets and crazy choreography.

As if the thrill of seeing one of the most infamous artists of our time, the new Wells Fargo Center (formerly Wachovia Center) will be hosting a pre-concert block party on both nights.   Enjoy Live DJ Entertainment, great food and drinks and fun prizes and games from your local radio stations!

Block Party – Opens at 6:00pm:
- Located outside the AT&T Pavilion on the 11th Street side facing Lincoln Financial Field
- Live Interactive DJ
- Delicious BBQ food, cold beer and appearances from your favorite radio stations

AT&T Pavilion – Opens at 6:00pm:
- Join Wired 96.5 as they broadcast live before the show
- Enjoy featured Lady Gaga drinks “Little Monsters Mix” and “Bad Romance”

I’ll be at the show tomorrow, hopefully snapping lots of fascinating photos!

PHILADELPHIA, USA [OnlyInPhiladelphia.com] – First, it was the Beatles – then later Oasis and Coldplay. Britain’s latest find, The Lightyears, is coming to Philadelphia this Saturday, July 17th, for a show in University City.

Lightyears Band

The Lightyears, the “hottest band in London” right now according to the London Times, is coming to Philly this weekend as part of their current American tour. They will play at the new Blockley Pourhouse venue, 38th and Chestnut Street, at 8:30 p.m.

The band won “Best Pop/Rock Act” at the Indy Awards last year. They’ve played sold out stadiums all over Europe, including a crowd of 46,000 at Wembley Stadium; they’ve been compared to Queen, Coldplay, and Keane, appeared in, as well as wrote, a TV ad for T-Mobile, and even were the musical guests at Queen Elizabeth’s recent Birthday Ball.

Yet, the band is anxious to make its presence known in the states. Their latest release, “London, England,” co-produced by the renowned Hugh Padgham, who produced Genesis, Paul McCartney, and Sting, just hit the U.S. July 13th. You may have even heard tracks played on 88.5 WXPN and 103.3 WPRB.

And, making themselves a household name in America won’t be hard to do, what with a band made up of three cute guys with English accents, including a heartthrob for a lead singer, George Owens, who has already been inundated with a wealth of female fans.

In addition to the Philly concert, the trio is set to play two shows in New Jersey: Mount Holly on Friday, July 16th at 7 p.m. for an outdoor show and Asbury Park on Sunday, July 18th at 8 p.m.

For tickets to Saturday’s show in Philly, go to http://theblockley717.eventbrite.com/.

Hilton AC Resort

Art of Electronica [AOE], an event production & entertainment brand that places a specific focus on the electronic music genre brought to you by Trckd.

Trckd is owned & operated by entrepreneurs Todd Rodeghiero and Mark Marek, whose combined career expertise lies within media, marketing, sales, and nightlife operations.  Prior to forging their partnership, both owners have collectively worked to deliver events and promotions for artists & entertainers such as Pamela Anderson, Deadmau5, Benji Madden, Snoop Dogg, Boris, Steve Porter, Cedric Gervais, Filo & Perry, and others.

Dance in your Independence Day the right way in this open air beach venue with some of the most beautiful people and best dance DJs on the East Coast at the HOTTEST beach bar in AC!

For more details about Art of Electronica visit: www.artofelectronica.com

This jam oriented band consisting of some of the best musicians from all over the world are set to rock the Susquehanna Center in Camden June 30 and July 1st.

Any fans of the band know how remarkable of a show they put on.  This band  is like no one else, which probably explains why it’s already sold out.  It seems they get better with age as they have performed over a thousand times all over the country and still have what it takes to rock a crowd.

Some crowd favorites are “Ants Marching”,  “41″, and “Stay.”  With their latest release called, The Whiskey King featuring “Shake me Like a Monkey.”  I can’t wait!

The Susquehanna Bank center is the perfect venue to see Dave at.  You can park in Philly and take a ferry over to Camden to avoid traffic.  What’s better than listening to Dave and looking at the beautiful view of the water and city of Philadelphia?

This is one show you do not want to miss.  Since the tickets are sold out, you can still grab them online from 3-party sites.  Worse comes to worse fans at the show are always trying to sell tickets usually for face value before the show starts, just be careful about where or who you purchase from.  You’re always at risk of fake tickets.

Lee DeWyze

Both contestants were a surprise from their first days on the show.  It shows you that maybe American Idol’s development is something to note.  Crystal was a very plain singer whom Simon Cowell wasn’t too much of a fan of.  Although She was the favorite for weeks.  Meanwhile Mr. DeWyze went from shy to dominant, forcefully ascendant enough to overcome Ms. Bowersox, who during Tuesday night’s final showdown easily outsang and outcharmed him, to no avail.

With the end of the season 9, American Idol has lost a big part of what made the show such a hit, Simon Cowell.  Will the show ever be the same?

Read more here: NY Times

RIP

Just over a month since undergoing surgery following a heart attack, Gang Starr MC Guru (born Keith Elam) has died at age 48. According to a statement, Guru died of cancer-related causes on Monday after a long fight with the disease.  This news comes after a successful heart operation last month.

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and hip-hop icons of all-time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru,” Solar said. “Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it, but tragically, this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius.”

A snip bit of his fair well letter to his fans, contained a portion excluding his ex Dj from having any rights to anything after his death.”I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events, tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this,” wrote Guru. “I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ

OnlyinPhiladelphia’s prayers go out to the family and friends of Guru!