Jun 13, 2012 | Entertainment, General News, Special Events
Free Reality Check featuring most recent Dancing With The Stars winner Peta Murgatroyd and 3-time dance champion Derek Hough on June 24th
WHAT: Two of Dancing With The Stars’ most successful professionals will be heading to Mohegan Sun for a very special Reality Check on Sunday, J
une 24th. This free, live event begins at 3:00pm and will feature a question and answer segment along with a live dance performance in The Shops concourse. A free signing event will follow at 4:00pm.
WHEN: Sunday, June 24th
3:00pm: Live Performance and Q&A
4:00pm: Public Signing Event
The Shops at Mohegan Sun
IN DETAIL: Presented by The Shops at Mohegan Sun, Reality Check is an exciting and interactive event that brings the best and brightest stars from the reality TV world to Mohegan Sun. Reality Check events provide fans with the ultimate exposure to their favorite reality stars with engaging, live exhibitions in The Shops at Mohegan Sun followed by intimate signing events. Events are free and open to all ages.
ABOUT DEREK HOUGH: Derek Hough, the only 3-time champion in franchise history of the hit ABC show Dancing With The Stars, started dancing in his hometown of Salt Lake City, UT, at age 11. Just one year later, he moved to London to live and train with the top dance instructors in the world and attend performing arts school where he studied theatre, music and dance.
A multi-talented entertainer and 3-time, Emmy nominee, Hough recently took a season off from Dancing With The Stars to film his first starring role in a feature film for director Duane Adler and producer Robert Cort in Cobu 3D: New York Nights.
Hough’s professional Ballroom dance accolades include World Under 21 Latin American Champion, 2-time Open British champion (Blackpool), 2-time International Open to the World champion’ and 2-time U.S. Open champion.
ABOUT PETA MURGATROYD: Peta Murgatroyd, fresh off of her Mirrorball trophy win alongside football star Donald Driver on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, has had quite a career in dance. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Murgatroyd has studied Classical Ballet since the age of 4 and trained for 12 years under former Principal Dancer of the Kirov Ballet, Madame Lubov Nikonrenko. She is also trained in Contemporary and Spanish dance. When she first began Ballroom dancing, she won an Australian State championship within her first three months, leading her to move to London to further her career. Amongst many international competitions, she finished 2nd in the Great World City Championship, was a semi-finalist in the Singapore Lion City championship and was a finalist in the Australian Open championship.
Murgatroyd has performed regularly on the hit show Dancing With The Stars in America and in Australia and has also been on Australia’s and Holland’s So You Think You Can Dance programs. She has choreographed and performed with great artists like Heart, Rod Stewart, Taio Cruz and Enrique Iglesias.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 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. Connect with us on facebook.com/mohegansun, follow us on twitter.com/mohegansun and view us onyoutube.com/mohegansunvideos.
Mar 20, 2012 | General News, Special Events
Free Event will Feature Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing with the Stars”
On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, dance enthusiasts worldwide will celebrate 100 years since Arthur Murray began his ballroom teaching career. On this day, Arthur Murray Studios in more than 20 countries will host special events to recognize this milestone and will share live webcast reports from many of those locations.
Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. will host one of the three largest celebrations in the U.S. – and the biggest in the East. The April 4 “Arthur Murray Dance Party Celebration” is free with a variety of activities and performances from 2:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., with most taking place in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. There will also be a large dance stage near the waterfall outside of Todd English’s Tuscany.
Featured throughout the Mohegan Sun celebration will be dance demonstrations, group dance lessons in Waltz, Salsa, Rumba, Tango, Hustle, Fox Trot and Swing, a fashion show of dance apparel, and a dance floor where anyone can step on and take a spin. Event emcees include three-time world dance champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing with the Stars.”
“Our celebration at Mohegan Sun is part of an ‘over 24-hour dance-a-thon’ to start when the sun rises in Australia,” explains Jonathan Stangel, Arthur Murray Studios’ Assistant Area Chairman for the Northeast, and a Co-Owner/Franchisee of the Connecticut dance studios in Glastonbury, Bloomfield, Niantic and Vernon. “Everyone is invited to come whenever they want and celebrate with us. Throughout the day, there will be performances and interactive events, and we will watch live webcasts from dance studios around the world, as well as the two other major U.S. parties in Chicago and Seattle.
Members of Arthur Murray’s own family (several from Connecticut) are expected to attend including his daughter, Phyllis McDowell, and four of his granddaughters. Celebrants will include students and teachers from Arthur Murray Dance Studios throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.
Louis Van Amstel is a three-time world dance champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer, and fitness professional. He is best known for his seven-season run on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars,” most notably for the transformation of his partners’ (Kelly Osbourne, Niecy Nash, Margaret Cho) bodies and self-esteem through his guidance and instruction. He is currently spearheading the LaBlast Fitness franchise that spans the world, teaching people to get in shape and stay in shape through dance.
A schedule of activities for the April 4 “Arthur Murray Dance Party Celebration” at Mohegan Sun is available on Facebook at Arthur Murray Glastonbury (also below). For more information about the celebration at Mohegan Sun, call the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Glastonbury, Conn. at
(860) 659-3161. General information about the worldwide celebration, life and career of Arthur Murray, and the history of his studios is at www.100yearsofdance.com.
The year 2012 marks 100 years since a shy young man named Arthur Murray stepped onto the dance floor and into the history of American pop culture. Known best for the iconic Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Arthur Murray – the man – was a brilliant marketer and innovator, starting his dance teaching career in 1912.
“Most people remember Arthur as an older gentleman smiling in grainy dance photo poses from the 1950s, many times accompanied by his wife Kathryn, a television celebrity in her own right. But Arthur was a visionary,” said John Kimmins, President of Arthur Murray International. “Fueled by a passion for sharing his love of dance, Murray created new marketing methods and embraced the latest in technology and media to bring joy to millions.”
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of teaching the world to dance, Arthur Murray Dance Studios worldwide will hold a variety of special events and dance competitions in local dance studios. Other larger events scheduled for 2012 include:
- World Dance-O-Rama in New York City, NY (March 21-25);
- International Franchise Convention in Miami Beach, Fla. (April 11-14); and
- Superama 2012 – Las Vegas, NV (October 31-November 4).
Arthur Murray Dance Studios are located in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Germany, Austria, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa United Kingdom Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia. For more information about ballroom dance, visit the Arthur Murray International website at www.arthurmurray.com. For history, photographs from the historical archives of Arthur Murray International and more information, visit www.100yearsofdance.com.
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, 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 three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 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.com/mohegansun, follow us on twitter.com/mohegansun and view us on youtube.com/mohegansunvideos.
ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE PARTY CELEBRATION AT MOHEGAN SUN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 2012, 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Schedule of Events
2:00 p.m. Celebration begins
Main Concourse
All-Level Group Classes (25 minutes each)
2:30 p.m. All Level Group class – Waltz
3:00 p.m. All Level Group class – Salsa
3:30 p.m. All Level Group class – Rumba
4:00 p.m. All Level Group class – Tango
4:30 p.m. All Level Group class – Hustle
5:00 p.m. All Level Group class – Fox Trot
5:30 p.m. All Level Group class – Swing
Dance Stage, near the waterfall outside of Todd English’s Tuscany
5:40 p.m. Fashion Show
6:15 p.m. General Dance Music
7:00 p.m. Emcees Kick Off Celebration and Introduce Members of Arthur Murray’s Family
7:20 p.m. General Dancing
7:45 p.m Professional Performances
7:55 p.m.. Introduction of Webcasts of Birthday Events Taking Place Around the World
8:05 p.m. General Dancing
8:30 p.m. Interviews with Arthur Murray Students and Staff
8:40 p.m. Professional Performances
8:50 p.m. General Dancing
9:30 p.m. Update of Webcasts of Birthday Events Taking Place Around the World
9:40 p.m. General Dancing
10:00 p.m. Celebration Concludes
Mar 19, 2012 | General News, Special Events
Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing with the Stars” joins Mohegan Sun on Wednesday, April 4th at 6:00pm for a free Signings 
& Sightings event
WHAT: Mohegan Sun is excited to present Louis Van Amstel of “Dancing with Stars” for a Signings & Sightings event on Wednesday, April 4th at 6:00pm. Held in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, Louis will be signing copies of his newest workout DVD LaBlast.
Immediately following his signing, Louis will take the stage and help emcee the Arthur Murray 100th anniversary celebrations – also taking place in The Shops at Mohegan Sun.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 4th
6:00pm: Signing in The Shops at Mohegan Sun
IN DETAIL: Mohegan Sun’s Signings & Sightings, presented in collaboration with Spin Street, is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows guests to get up-close-and-personal with some of the world’s biggest entertainers. Whether it’s an up-and-coming band, well-known comedian or chart-topping musician, a Signings & Sightings event provides artists with an exciting opportunity to share their latest work in an interactive way with fans. Spin Street, located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, offers a variety of music, movies and entertainment memorabilia with special signing merchandise available for each Signings & Sightings event.
ABOUT LOUIS: Louis Van Amstel is a three-time world dance champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer and fitness professional. He is best known for his seven-season run on the hit ABC show “Dancing with the Stars,” most notably for the transformation of his partner’s (Kelly Osbourne, Niecy Nash, Margaret Cho) bodies and self-esteem through his guidance and instruction. He is currently spearheading the LaBlast Fitness franchise that spans the world, teaching people to get in shape and stay in shape through dance.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 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.
Jan 19, 2012 | Entertainment, General News, Special Events
Dancer/musician to take part in signing and a very special hour-long acoustic performance on February 10th in The Shops at Mohegan Sun
WHAT: Mohegan Sun is set to feature one of the most anticipated Signings & Sightings events to date when when Dancing with the Stars superstar and rising singer/guitarist Mark Ballas heads to Mohegan Sun for an exclusive, free live performance in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. Immediately following, Ballas will take part in a free autograph session at Todd English’s Tuscany as part of Mohegan Sun’s Diva Fridays. The hour-long acoustic performance will take place in The Shops Concourse. Spin Street will have Ballas’s debut album Hurt LoveBox available for purchase.
WHEN: Friday, February 10th
7:00pm: Acoustic performance in the Shops at Mohegan Sun
8:00pm: Signing on Todd English’s Tuscany Terrace
IN DETAIL: Mohegan Sun’s Signings & Sightings, presented in collaboration with Spin Street, is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows guests to get up-close-and-personal with some of the world’s biggest entertainers. Whether it’s an up-and-coming band, well-known comedian or chart-topping musician, a Signings & Sightings event provides artists with an exciting opportunity to share their latest work in an interactive way with fans. Spin Street, located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, offers a variety of music, movies and entertainment memorabilia with special signing merchandise available for each Signings & Sightings event.
ABOUT MARK: Mark Ballas, one of the best performers on ABC’s
Dancing With The Stars, has won two championships in his eight seasons on the hit reality show. The first title was in season six partnered with Kristi Yamaguchi and the second with Shawn Johnson in season eight. Most recently, Ballas danced his way to the finals with partner Bristol Palin where they earned the third place spot. When he’s not dancing for thirty million households twice per week, Ballas is focusing on his music. His guitar influences range from Kurt Cobain, Paco De Lucia, John Mayer and Eric Clapton. His debut solo CD,
Hurt LoveBox was widely acclaimed by both fans and critics alike and helped Ballas become the “Artist To Watch” by Clear Channel in the summer of 2011. In addition, his hit single “Hotwire” off the album, was the winner of MTV’s Freshman Five for 2011.
Mark Ballas was here for an acoustic performance in the Shops at Mohegan Sun last winter as well. The video can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxm-sJ5LgK8
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 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.
Dec 19, 2011 | General News, Special Events
Free Reality Check featuring fan favorites of Season 13 of Dancing With The Stars to give special performance and signing at Mohegan Sun
WHAT: Dancing With The Stars champions J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff are free-styling their way to Mohegan Sun for a very special Reality Check performance on Sunday, January 22nd. This free live event begins at 1:00pm, and will feature a question & answer segment along with a dance performance in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. A free signing event will follow at 2:00pm.
WHEN: Sunday, January 22nd at 1:00pm
The Shops at Mohegan Sun
IN DETAIL: Presented by The Shops at Mohegan Sun, Reality Check is an exciting and interactive event that brings the best and brightest stars from the reality TV world to Mohegan Sun. Reality Check events provide fans with the ultimate exposure to their favorite reality stars with engaging, live exhibitions in The Shops at Mohegan Sun followed by intimate signing events. Events are free and open to all ages.
ABOUT J.R. MARTINEZ:
J.R. Martinez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff are the winners of the mirror ball trophy of Season 13 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He is an actor, spokesman and retired soldier. He played Brot Monroe on the Emmy Award winning daytime drama All My Children.
At 17, J.R. and his family moved to Dalton, GA where he played strong safety in his senior year at Dalton High, a team that went to the Georgia State Championship.
An injury during the season derailed his plans of playing ball in college and possibly beyond. The Army came next and by September of 2002, J.R. underwent training at Fort Benning, GA where he gained skills as an 11-B Infantryman. In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq and less than a month into his campaign while serving as a driver of a Humvee in Karbala, his tire hit a land-mine. Three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, while J.R. was trapped inside suffering smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 40 percent of his body. He spent 34 months in recovery from the vicious injury he suffered. His story from this point on is one of sheer determinedness, will, dignity and resilience. It’s these qualities along with what ended up being legitimate dancing talent that made him such a beloved figure on Season 13 of Dancing With The Stars. He is continually called on upon for a wide range of speaking engagements and has been featured in the LA Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times and PEOPLE Magazine as well as numerous national TV news and network talk shows.
ABOUT KARINA: For the past six years, Karina Smirnoff has made her mark on primetime television as one of the professional dancers on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She is the reigning champion, winning Season 13 with her inspirational partner, J.R. Martinez. She came to the series during season three with a plethora of accomplishments including five U.S. National Championships, the U.S. Open, the Asian Open and the U.K. Open. Smirnoff was even ranked number two in the world. In June 2009, she made her Broadway debut in the show Burn the Floor which opened to rave reviews and sold out performances.
Born and raised in Ukraine, the multi-talented dancer started to study dance when she was a mere five-year-old. Her parents exposed her to a multitude of activities including ice skating, gymnastics, ballet and piano lessons. Ultimately, it was dance that prevailed. She started to compete in ballroom dancing by age 11. Her family’s move to the U.S. when she was a teenager provided her with new opportunities; however, it was her strict training and the discipline gleaned from growing up in Ukraine that provided her with the foundation that she needed to be a successful competitor.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 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.
