Oct 12, 2009 | Special Events
The drummer for Aerosmith takes part in a live discussion and book signing on November 14th for his new autobiography Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top
Mohegan Sun’s Winning Authors welcomes Joey Kramer, the legendary drummer from one of the most successful 
bands in America, Aerosmith. Joey Kramer will host a live discussion on Saturday, November 14th in The Cabaret Theatre at 2:00pm followed by a book signing in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, at 3:00pm for his new autobiography Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top.
In 1997, amidst Aerosmith’s sold out world tour and #1 album release, Joey revealed in an interview his ongoing struggles with depression. The response from fans and people battling those same internal demons was overwhelming. Joey, who has been the drummer of Aerosmith since it was founded in 1970 and the first member of the band to release his own book, now tells the complete story: the early days of the band, glamorous drug-addled events leading up to their eventual sobriety, battles within his family and among bandmates and the explosive internal dynamics in Aerosmith that continue to unleash a fury of endless creativity.
This is not just another Rock & Roll memoir. In addition to the never-before-told Aerosmith war stories that abound in the book, Hit Hard unpacks the history of a Rock star who was both fragile and tough, who after years of insane wildness became willing to accept help and finally kick a serious alcohol and drug addiction, only to find that the real terrors and hard work were still ahead. It’s the story of an average kid from an average American suburb who went through physical and emotional trauma. It’s about years of depression and the nervous breakdown at the height of the band’s comeback success. Ultimately, it is about how Joey recognized his confusion between love and abuse, awakening to the kind of self-acceptance and compassion that makes healthy relationships possible in the “real world.”
Joey Kramer has been rocking with Aerosmith since the band began in 1970. Kramer and his partners have sold over 150 million albums, and today their multigenerational, global audience is bigger than ever. In addition to the Grammys and the twenty-one multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. The band has been the subject of several documentaries, including a film dedicated to Joey Kramer and his lasting influence called It’s About Time. Visit the author online at www.joeykramer.com.
Winning Authors is an experience offering an intimate and unique environment for book lovers. All events are free and open to the public of all ages. Books by featured authors will be available at the Spin Street store in The Shops at Mohegan Sun for purchase. For more information on Joey Kramer and other Winning Author events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com/winning-authors.
Oct 9, 2009 | General News
Weekend filled with many events and celebrity chef appearances
SUN WINEFEST 2010’s lineup of celebrity chefs will feature some of the most prominent names in the industry at Mohegan Sun on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31, 2010. Celebrity chefs in attendance will include: Bobby Flay of Bar Americain and Bobby’s Burger Palace, Todd English of Todd English’s Tuscany, and Jasper White of Jasper White’s Summer Shack and Summer Shack Express, all located at Mohegan Sun, along with chefs Robert Irvine, Mary Ann Esposito, Govind Armstrong, Benjamin Ford, Floyd Cardoz, Christina Pirello, Andy Husbands, Betty Fraser, Michael Ginor, Chris Schlesinger, Lydia Shire, Kim Canteenwalla and Ihsan Gurdal. Mohegan Sun Executive Chef Michael Luboff and his exceptional culinary team will also take part in the events.
Chefs Bobby Flay, Christina Pirello, Betty Fraser, Robert Irvine, Govind Armstrong, Mary Ann Esposito, Andy Husbands, Todd English and Benjamin Ford will participate in live demonstrations throughout the day during the Grand Tasting on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm as well as in the Celebrity Chef Dine Around on Saturday at 7:30pm where they will be joined by the full lineup of celebrity chefs.
Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $70.00 for a one-day pass and $110.00 for a weekend pass and purchases can be made online at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 1.800.745.3000 or at any Ticketmaster outlet. The weekend’s schedule can be found online at sunwinefest.com. Event schedule and celebrity chefs are subject to change.
The Celebrity Chef Dine Around features an opportunity for guests to sample delectable dishes prepared by world-famous chefs, television celebrities and cookbook authors. Dishes will be primed with extraordinary wines and an elaborate dessert display presented by Mohegan Sun’s Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel.
Tickets for the Celebrity Chef Dine Around are $175.00, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Connecticut Sports Foundation Against Cancer, a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) corporation chartered by the State of Connecticut whose mission is to provide economic assistance and compassionate aid to Connecticut cancer patients and their families and to raise funds for cancer research. Tickets are available at sunwinefest.com or by calling Life Marketing and Events at 860.953.0444 ext. 144.
SUN WINEFEST 2010 is a production of Life Marketing and Events, a West Hartford, Connecticut-based, full service firm that specializes in marketing, event management and production, public relations, sponsorship, advertising sales, creative design, promotions, publishing and more.
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States. Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.
Oct 9, 2009 | Breaking News, Travel & Leisure
SpaFinder, Inc., the global spa resource, has announced that Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun has been named among the top 10 best spas in the world for “Best Casino Hotel Spa” in its seventh-annual SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards. Based on votes submitted by readers of SpaFinder publications, including SpaFinder.com, the awards represent the most comprehensive consumer assessment of the global spa market available today. Over 360,000 votes—a new record for the Readers’ Choice Awards—were cast for favorite spas by continent, country, region and across 27 categories.
“After seven years of enthusiastic consumer participation, our Readers’ Choice Awards have become the industry’s premier award program – the spa world’s answer to the Academy Awards,” said Susie Ellis, President of SpaFinder, Inc.. “Now that there are roughly 15,000 hotel, resort and destination spas operating worldwide, for Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun to be singled out by our readers is a tremendous honor.”
“We wish to acknowledge Heather Lunny, our Spa Director and her team for continuing to do such an outstanding job,” said Bruce Pine, Senior Vice President of Elemis Spa. “We wish to share this with our friends at Mohegan Sun, without their support this award would not be possible.”
To help consumers identify the very best spas for their specific goals, SpaFinder asked its readers and web visitors to name their top picks for the best spas in 27 unique categories – from “Best for Affordability” and “Best Cuisine” to “Best for Men” and “Best Medical Program.” More categories were included in 2009 than ever before including new entrants like “Best Environmental Practices” and “Best for Water Sports.” Voters were asked to only cast ballots for stay spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years.
Visit SpaFinder.com For a Complete List of 2009 Winners
A complete listing of Readers’ Choice Award winners will be featured in SpaFinder’s 2010 Global Spa and Wellness Directory, the definitive guide to spa and wellness destinations worldwide – and can also be viewed at: http://www.spafinder.com/ spaguide/readerschoice/2009.jsp
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States. Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.
About SpaFinder, Inc.: The world’s largest spa media, marketing and gifting company, SpaFinder, Inc. connects millions of wellness-focused consumers with thousands of spas worldwide. SpaFinder’s media properties include the award-winning SpaFinder.com, the Spa Enthusiast newsletter and the annual Global Spa and Wellness Directory. SpaFinder and its new gift division, Salon Wish, offer spa gift certificates and cards that are redeemable at a combined network of over 9,000 spas and salons worldwide and are available at thousands of retail outlets. The company’s technology division innovates new solutions that help spas build and streamline their businesses, including the popular SpaBooker online booking system. SpaFinder Europe and SpaFinder Japan offer regional spa marketing and gifting programs, including localized, native-language websites. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.
Oct 5, 2009 | Entertainment
Blue Öyster Cult takes the stage October 10th
Country singer Justin McBride invades the Wolf Den on October 15th
Tanya Tucker heats things up October 18th
Rockers Sister Hazel arrive on October 22nd
Five For Fighting with special guest Angel Taylor perform October 23rd
Ozzmosis is sure to frighten fans on October 31st
The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun will thrill this fall, beginning with hard rockers Blue Öyster Cult live on Saturday, October 10th. Get your cowboy boots ready for Country stars Justin McBride on Thursday, October 15th and Tanya Tucker on Sunday, October 18th. Florida natives Sister Hazel takes over the Wolf Den stage on Thursday, October 22nd and Pop sensation Five For Fighting with special guest Angel Taylor is in the Den on Friday, October 23rd. Nothing says Halloween like Ozzy Osbourne tribute band Ozzmosis on Saturday, October 31st. Thursday, Friday and Saturday Wolf Den shows are at 8:00pm and Sunday shows are at 7:00pm unless otherwise noted. Admission is free, but all patrons must be 21 or over.
Blue Öyster Cult formed in New York in 1967 and is still heavily touring to this day. The group is especially well known for songs including “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ For You.” They have sold over 14 million albums worldwide, including 7 million in the United States alone. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Eric Bloom, lead guitarist Buck Dharma, guitarist/keyboardist Richie Castellano, drummer Jules Radino and bassist Rudy Sarzo.
Justin McBride, a two-time Professional Bull Riders champion and the top money-earner in the sport’s history, will take over the Wolf Den stage the night before PBR invades Mohegan Sun Arena for the 2009 Mohegan Sun Invitational. His debut album, Don’t Let Go, was released in 2007. Out of the album’s twelve songs, McBride took part in writing two; the title track, “Don’t Let Go” and “God’s In Oklahoma Today,” which he wrote about his working ranch in western Oklahoma.
Country artist Tanya Tucker had her first hit at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature into adulthood without losing her audience, and during the course of her career, she notched a streak of Top 10 and Top 40 hits. She has produced a long string of successful albums, several nominations for awards from the Country Music Association and hit songs that include 1973’s “What’s Your Mama’s Name?” and “Blood Red and Goin’ Down,” 1975’s “Lizzie and the Rainman” and 1988’s “Strong Enough to Bend.”
Sister Hazel found mainstream success in 1997 with the release of their second album …Somewhere More Familiar. A single from the album, “All For You” hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the band’s most successful single to date.
Five For Fighting became a household name in 2000, due in part to the success of the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” which helped propel the album America Town into platinum status. The 2004 album The Battle for Everything has also enjoyed chart success in the United States with the hit single, “100 Years.” Five For Fighting are set to release their fifth album Slice on October 13th.
Ozzmosis features a group of musicians who are dedicated to recreating the concert experience originated by the Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzmosis redefines the boundaries of a tribute band through sight, sound and stage show.
For more information on the Wolf Den and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Oct 5, 2009 | General News
Dinner to honor six will be held November 21st at Mohegan Sun
John Scully, who fought for two world light heavyweight titles, heads the 2009 induction class for the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Vito Tallarita, Sal DiMartino, Dan Cosgrove, Julie Kogon and Jack Delaney will also be inducted at the fifth annual dinner on Saturday, November 21st in Mohegan Sun’s Uncas Ballroom. The evening will be hosted by Showtime’s Steve Farhood.
Tickets for the dinner on November 21st are $75.00 and are available now by calling Mike Murtha at Mohegan Sun at 860.862.7586 or Sherman Cain at the Manchester Journal Inquirer at 1.800.237.3606 ext. 321. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour from 6:00pm – 7:00pm with dinner to follow.
Scully, 42, lost a decision to Henry Maske in Germany in an International Boxing Federation world light heavyweight title fight in 1996. He lost to Drake Thadzi in 1998 in a bout for the International Boxing Organization world title. The lifelong Windsor resident won a New England middleweight crown and was also an Eastern Regional amateur champion. Scully had a 38-11 record as a pro. Scully currently trains lightweight contender Mike Oliver.
Tallarita was the matchmaker for Marlon Starling’s first 20 pro bouts. Tallarita, who lived in Enfield after moving from Italy at age seven, was the matchmaker for all five of Sugar Ray Leonard’s bouts in New England before Leonard became a world champion. He was inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 and also did the wildly successful closed-circuit promotions of the first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier bout and the Ali-George Foreman fight.
DiMartino, 80 and living in Florida, was the 1952 Connecticut state middleweight champ and won 27 of his first 31 pro bouts. Based in Hartford , DiMartino once beat Vic Cardell, inducted into the CBHOF in 2007. DiMartino retired in 1953 with a record of 38-11-7.
Cosgrove, 91, won 31 of 34 fights between 1934 and 1937. The Branford native had a very successful construction company and had been a prominent figure in politics in the New Haven area.
Kogon was a popular fighter out of New Haven in the 1930s and 40s. He won the New England lightweight title in 1947. He was ranked the #10 lightweight by Ring Magazine in 1944. Kogon, who died in 1986, had an 83-38-17 professional record.
Delaney won a world light heavyweight title in 1926. He relinquished his title without defending it to pursue a career as a heavyweight. He lived in Bridgeport most of his career, compiling pro wins over CBHOF inductees Maxie Rosenbloom and Lou Bogash. Delaney, who died in 1948, finished with a 77-12-1 pro record.
For more information on this and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
