CHICAGO, IL. (Top40 Charts/ Harrah's Entertainment) - 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 at Caesars Palace, will be the grand opening performance at The Venue on August 8. The Divine Miss M is the winner of four GRAMMY awards, an Emmy and a Tony. Her incomparable sense of humor and extensive song catalog (which includes four chart-topping No 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 https://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.
