Feb 12, 2024 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Entertainment, General News
With Special Guests Chase Rice & Kaitlin Butts
UNCASVILLE, CT (February 12, 2024) –– Today, Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley announces over 30 new dates for his summer Gravel & Gold, Presented by Jersey Mike’s and including a Saturday, August 10th stop at Mohegan Sun Arena. Both Chase Rice & Kaitlin Butts will provide support during the 7:00pm show.
Tickets to see the show full of one-of-a-kind bluegrass moments and impromptu collaborations go on sale Friday, February 16th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. Country music fans can purchase tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning on Saturday, February 17th, subject to availability.
Dierks Bentley released his tenth studio album Gravel & Gold in 2023, again “proving why he’s one of Country’s biggest stars” (TODAY) whose unique 21st-century career has had a rare consistency fueled by longevity. He landed his first publishing deal in 2001 and released his debut album in 2003, producing an instant number one single. In the two decades since, Bentley has achieved success with eight more albums that reached the top of the Country sales charts, resulting in 22 number one songs, eight billion streams, three CMA Awards, 15 GRAMMY® nominations and membership into the Grand Ole Opry.
Trendy sounds have ebbed and flowed around him over these two decades, but Bentley “has been a mainstay on the country charts since releasing his debut single ‘What Was I Thinkin’ nearly 20 years ago” (Forbes). He also has created professional endeavors outside of music with his Flag & Anthem lifestyle collection Desert Son, along with his four “Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row” locations. For more information, visit www.Dierks.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena, one of the busiest sports and entertainment venues in the world today, was awarded the 2024 Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for “Best Casino with Live Entertainment in America”. In 2021, the 10,000-seat Arena also received its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its size in the world from Pollstar and VenuesNow. Mohegan Sun Arena is consistently recognized among the top five venues in the United States, and also in 2021 was named “Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency during the pandemic. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been named the “World’s Best Casino Venue,” by Best of Hartford Magazine, and is a seven-time national award winner for “Arena of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music Awards and G2E Las Vegas. For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
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Dec 18, 2023 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Entertainment
Unwoke wins the $5,000 grand prize and will headline a show in the Wolf Den on Saturday, June 15, 2024
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 18, 2023) –Unwoke from Montville, Connecticut was crowned 2023 Locals Live Champions after the finals on Wednesday, December 13th at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den. As part of the grand prize, Unwoke won $5,000 and will headline a show in the Wolf Den on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Modern Country band The Rakes from Litchfield County, CT took 2nd place and received a $1,000 cash prize.
Unwoke, The Rakes, and third-place solo act KENNII from East Haven, CT, were named finalists after an exciting four week-contest hosted by Mohegan Sun and Hall Communications. Twelve bands were originally selected to perform live in the Wolf Den and competed in groups throughout November. Unwoke, The Rakes, and KENNII advanced to the finals after winning their respective first-round battles.
On Wednesday night, the finals attracted an enthusiastic crowd. Attendees were urged to dance to their preferred bands to earn points for crowd participation. The judges’ final decision was based on the audience’s reaction, stage presence, musical presentation, and originality.
“It’s an incredible honor to be acknowledged as the 2023 Locals Live champion,” said Sean Higgins, singer/songwriter of Unwoke. “The Wolf Den atmosphere was second to none from an energy standpoint. That’s as close to Madison Square Garden as it gets for us ’local musicians’!
Unwoke is a three-piece Rock band based out of Montville, CT. The band formed in 2019, featuring Sean Higgins as the lead song writer, guitarist, and vocalist, and Dave Apanashk handling the bass and vocals. Joe Sardo is the man behind the drums.
Most would consider the trio a cross between Metal and Hard Rock. Some songs have a Metallica/Iron Maiden type of sound while others less Metal. The group specializes in Classic Rock covers for familiarity with their own original music mixed in.
The panel of guest judges at the Locals Live finals were Carl Strube, President of Critique Records, Simone Oliva, of “Tip the Van”, and independent Country singer, songwriter, and Locals Live 2022 champion Nick Bosse.
A gallery of Unwoke’s winning performance can be found here.
ABOUT THE WOLF DEN
Located in the center of the action, in Casino of the Earth, the always popular Wolf Den offers full beverage service, a state-of-the-art sound system, intimate seating and top performances by entertainers like Ludacris, The Marshall Tucker Band, Warrant, Sister Hazel, Chubby Checker, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Queensrÿche and Run-DMC – and it’s all free!
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. 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. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun
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Dec 16, 2023 | Breaking News, Community Relations
Multi-Platinum Artist Bret Michaels’ Appearance at Mohegan Sun Arena rescheduled to February 2024
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 16, 2023) –Due to illness of several members of both the band and crew of Bret Michaels’ band, tonight’s show at Mohegan Sun Arena is being rescheduled to Friday, February 9th, 2024. Previously purchased tickets will be honored on the rescheduled show date.
For more information on Mohegan Sun Arena and other events at Mohegan Sun, please visit mohegansun.com.
About Mohegan Sun Arena
Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.” For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
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Dec 13, 2023 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Entertainment, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 13, 2023) – In response to the success of his four rapid sell-out tour dates at Mohegan Sun Arena, a fifth show date for Matt Rife’s ProbleMATTIc World Tour has been added. The popular comedian is set to take over the Arena in 2024 from Wednesday, February 21st – Sunday, February 25th, with all shows starting at 8:00pm. This five-night run of consecutive shows is a record breaking first for Mohegan Sun Arena.
Tickets to the fifth show go on sale Friday, December 15th at 1:00pm via Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning on Saturday, December 16th, subject to availability. All guests must be 18+ to attend.
Matt Rife has exploded as one of the fastest growing comedians through his viral content and remarkable engagement on TikTok, where he has amassed over 13 million followers, and more than 2 billion views globally. As one of the most buzzed about comedians in the business, Rife has been selling-out comedy clubs and theaters across the country and is gearing up to embark on his biggest tour to-date with Live Nation, the Matt Rife: ProbleMATTic World Tour, kicking off on July 20th.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.” For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
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Dec 12, 2023 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Entertainment, General News
Tickets on sale Friday, December 15th
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 12, 2023) –– Multi-Grammy Award-winning and diamond-selling Rap superstar, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Nelly, will take over the Mohegan Sun Arena stage on Wednesday, March 20th for an 8:00pm show.
Tickets to see the Midwest Hip-Hop legend go on sale Friday, December 15th at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be bought at the Mohegan Sun Box Office beginning on Saturday, December 16th, subject to availability.
Nelly embarked on his music career with Midwest hip hop group St. Lunatics, in 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Nelly entered the spotlight with the release of Country Grammar in 2000, spending seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and spawning the massive hits “Ride Wit Me”, “Country Grammar”, and “E.I.”. The album landed Nelly four Grammy Award nominations and sold over nine million copies worldwide. Country Grammar is Nelly’s best-selling album to date, selling over 8.4 million copies in the United States.
Nelly kept the momentum going with the 2002 release of Nellyville. The album debuted at #1 on top of scoring Nelly his first two Grammy Awards for “Hot in Here” – “Best Male Rap Solo Performance” – and “Dilemma” [feat. Kelly Rowland] – “Best Rap Song Collaboration”. This album was highly successful and was certified 6x multi-platinum by the RIAA on June 27, 2003. He has since gone on to win multiple American Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, Soul Train Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and was crowned “Top Pop, Rap, and R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of The Year” by Billboard. He has been referred to by Peter Shapiro as “one of the biggest stars of the new millennium”, and the RIAA ranks Nelly as the fourth best-selling rap artist in American music history, with over 21 million albums sold in the United States. On December 11, 2009, Billboard ranked Nelly the number three Top Artist of the Decade.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena finished 2021 with its first “#1 Indoor Arena” ranking for its capacity in the world according to Pollstar and VenuesNow, ranked among the top 10 venues in the U.S. regardless of size based on ticket sales, and was named “2021 Innovator of the Year” by Celebrity Access for its ViacomCBS residency. In recent years, the “Most Beloved Venue in America” has also been the “#1 Casino Venue in the World,” “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” and a seven – time national award – winner for “Arena of the Year.” For more information on concerts and other great events, visit Mohegan Sun. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711.
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Dec 11, 2023 | Breaking News, Community Relations, General News
Unwoke, KENNII and The Rakes compete for a $5,000 grand prize and a headlining show at the Wolf Den
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 11, 2023) – The final round of the 2023 Locals Live competition, hosted Mohegan Sun and Hall Communications, is here, and the winners of the previous three Locals Live rounds will compete for more than just bragging rights! A $5,000 grand prize and a headlining show on the main stage in the renowned Wolf Den are on the line as a champion will be crowned on Wednesday, December 13th. Major entertainers such as Thomas Rhett, LL Cool J, Gary Hoey, and North Stonington native Nick Bosse, the winner of last year’s Locals Live competition, have rocked the Wolf Den stage at Mohegan Sun.
Guest judges Carl Strube of Critque Records, Simone Oliva, of “Tip the Van”, and Locals Live 2022 winner Nick Bosse will play a pivotal role in deciding the official Locals Live 2023 champion. Prior to the competition, guests can enjoy a special performance by Nick Bosse. Bosse and The Northern Roots will be back on the Wolf Den stage Friday, December 15th for a free show kicking off at 8:00pm.
Locals Live Final Round Lineup:
Unwoke
Unwoke is a three-piece Rock band based out of Montville, CT. The band formed in 2019, featuring Sean Higgins as the lead song writer, guitarist, and vocalist, and Dave Apanashk handling the bass and vocals. Joe Sardo is the man behind the drums.
Most would consider the trio a cross between Metal and Hard Rock. Some songs have a Metallica/Iron Maiden type of sound while others less Metal. The group specializes in Classic Rock covers for familiarity with their own original music mixed in.
KENNII
KENNII, also known as Kenny Araujo, is a 26-year-old R&B singer/songwriter from East Haven, CT. He started writing and singing in 2013 and has been chasing his dream ever since. KENNII was featured on NBC’s The Voice Season 5 where he auditioned for the four original judges. He unfortunately didn’t make it onto a team, but that didn’t stop him! KENNII went on to get a music manager out in New York City, leading to performances at the Miss Connecticut Pageant and News 8’s Good Morning Connecticut!
KENNI just released a single called “I Know” featuring Grammy nominated songwriter John Concepcion for his new album called “Infinity”, set to release on December 15, 2023.
The Rakes
The Rakes are a modern Country band that seamlessly weaves the tapestry of Country music’s rich history with a contemporary twist. Formed in 2015, this talented ensemble breathes new life into both classic and modern Country hits.
Hailing from Litchfield County, CT, The Rakes features Marc Poliquin on lead vocals, Frank Salerno on lead guitar, Chris Allan on rhythm guitar, Bob Sherman on bass, Scott Sullivan on drums, and Roberto Nicolia on keyboards. The Rakes cover a spectrum of Country legends, from the timeless tales of Johnny Cash to the iconic sounds of George Strait, and Brooks and Dunn. Their magic lies in reinventing hits from modern artists like Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, and many more. Each song is infused with a fresh perspective that resonates with fans across generations.
Admission to attend Locals Live is free, and all guests must be 21+ to enter the Wolf Den. Drink specials include $4 Michelob Ultras. Guests may line up no sooner than three hours before the show. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. One guest can hold four spots in line, but seats will only be given to those present at the time of seating. All guests must be 21 or older to enter the Wolf Den.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. 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. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun
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