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.
Oct 10, 2011 | Entertainment, Special Events
Cake expert & reality star unveils 15th Anniversary cake creation and takes part in exclusive Reality Check event in The Shops at Mohegan Sun on October 22nd
WHAT: Mohegan Sun is excited to announce that another “ingredient” has been added to its 15th Anniversary celebration. Buddy Valastro, owner of Carlo’s Bakery in New Jersey and star of TLC’s Cake Boss and Next Great Baker will be presenting Mohegan Sun with a special 15th Anniversary cake and serving it to guests on the terrace of Todd English’s Tuscany at 12:30pm. Valastro will continue the festivities with a signing event in The Shops at Mohegan Sun at 1:00pm. Both events are free and open to the public.
WHEN: Saturday, October 22nd
12:30pm –15th Anniversary Cake Presentation
1:00pm – Book Signing
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.
Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to time restrictions, only Buddy Valastro’s Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia will be signed. Bracelets for entry to signing line and books will be available on the day of the event at Spin Street.
ABOUT BUDDY: For Buddy Valastro, 34, mixing eggs, sugar, butter and flour means a lot more than “making a cake.” As a fourth generation baker, it’s a constant source of pleasure, pride and creativity. Creating amazing cakes connects Buddy with the memory of his father Buddy Sr. and his extended Italian family history. His talent and passion for the family business, Carlo’s Bakery, has earned the straight-talking cake expert the moniker and TV show, Cake Boss. In December 2010, the spin-off series, Cake Boss: Next Great Baker premiered where Buddy challenged bakers from around the country to compete for a chance to work alongside the Valastro family at Carlo’s. Proven he’s a master when it comes to sweets, in Buddy’s third show, Kitchen Boss, he welcomes viewers into his kitchen to demonstrate he’s just as skilled at savory items, preparing his family favorite Italian recipes. Following the launch of his best-selling first book, Cake Boss, Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia (Free Press, Nov. 2010), Buddy continues to bring the pages of stories and tips to life on stage via his highly successful Bakin’ with The Boss Tour, and will be releasing a how-to book, Baking with the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy’s Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets (Free Press, Nov 1, 2011). To give Cake Boss fans a real taste for what Carlo’s can offer, Buddy is building a 50,000 square-foot baking facility in Jersey City that will allow him to fulfill one of his (and his father’s) life long dreams – to ship his product across the country.
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.
This event is part of Mohegan Sun’s month-long 15th Anniversary celebration. Be sure to check out mohegansun.com/15th for all the latest updates on events, celebrity appearances, special offers and other anniversary celebrations.
Oct 5, 2011 | Entertainment, General News, Special Events
WHAT: As part of Mohegan Sun’s 15th Anniversary celebrations, season 9 contestant of Fox’s American Idol, Katie Stevens, will be hosting a special Reality Check on Sunday, October 23rd in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. The free event will feature a live performance at 2:00pm followed by a signing event at 2:45pm.
WHEN: Sunday, October 23rd
2:00pm
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.
For more information, visit mohegansun.com/reality-check. Connect with us on facebook.com/mohegansun, follow us on twitter.com/mohegansun and view us on youtube.com/mohegansunvideos.
Be sure to check out mohegansun.com/15th for all the latest updates on events, celebrity appearances, special offers and other anniversary celebrations.
ABOUT KATIE: Katie Stevens is an American singer from Middlebury, Connecticut who finished in eighth place on the ninth season of American Idol. On August 13, 2009, she auditioned for American Idol in Boston, Massachusetts and sang “At Last” where all four judges advanced her to Hollywood. After her elimination, Stevens made several appearances on talk shows. On April 16, 2010, she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where she performed “Over the Rainbow.” Stevens also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman along with Andrew Garcia, where they sang “Superhuman” by Chris Brown and Keri Hilson. She also, along with Andrew Garcia, appeared on The Wendy Williams Show where she performed “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” After the tour, Katie moved to Los Angeles where she began to pursue a singing and acting career.
Oct 3, 2011 | Entertainment, General News, Special Events
Ronnie Ortiz, Sammi Giancola and Deena Cortese to host free Reality Check event in The
Shops at Mohegan Sun and appearance at Ultra 88 Night Club
WHAT: Let the fist-pumping begin! As part of Mohegan Sun’s month-long celebration, Ronnie Ortiz, Sammi Giancola and Deena Cortese of Jersey Shore will host a special, high-energy Reality Check event on Friday, October 21st in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. This free live event will feature a question & answer period at 7:00pm followed by a signing event at 7:45pm. The castmates will also be making an appearance at Ultra 88 Night Club later that evening.
WHEN: Friday, October 21st at 7:00pm in 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 RONNIE: Ronnie Ortiz was born in the Bronx, NY to Puerto-Rican & Italian parents. Prior to his stardom on Jersey Shore in 2009 as one of the original cast members, Ronnie was working with his dad in the real estate business. During the course of the hit reality show, “guido” Ronnie has been involved in an on-again/off-again relationship with “guidette” and fellow original castmate Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola. This year, he entered the fashion world with the launch of “Jersey Laundry,” a line of designer T-shirts.
ABOUT SAMMI: Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola hails from Hazlet, New Jersey. In high school, she was a four-year varsity letter winner and a midfielder on the William Paterson University women’s soccer team. An original cast member of Jersey Shore, Sammi found an instant attraction to roommate Ronnie Ortiz and the two started dating three episodes into the 1st season. This spring, Sammi launched her new fragrance “Dangerous.”
ABOUT DEENA: Deena Cortese, who describes herself as the “Blast in a Glass,” grew up in the small town of New Egypt, New Jersey. She auditioned for season one of Jersey Shore along with longtime friend Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. Nicole was picked for the cast, but Deena didn’t make the cut. Determined, she eventually reunited with “Snooki” and joined the cast for season 3 replacing Angelina who left the house during the 2nd season.
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.
This event is part of Mohegan Sun’s month-long 15th anniversary celebration. Be sure to check out mohegansun.com/15th for all the latest updates on events, celebrity appearances, special offers and other anniversary celebrations.
Sep 14, 2011 | General News, Special Events
WHAT: Mohegan Sun’s Reality Check will continue to showcase the best in dancing
when Travis Wall, choreographer and guest Judge of So You Think You Can Dance, heads to Mohegan Sun with special guests from past seasons Lauren Froderman and Kayla Radomski. This free, live event will take place on Friday, September 30th and will feature a dance performance at 7:00pm
followed by a signing event at 7:45pm.
WHEN: Friday, September 30th at 7:00pm
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.
For more information, visit mohegansun.com/reality-check. Connect with us on facebook.com/mohegansun, follow us on twitter.com/mohegansun and view us on youtube.com/mohegansunvideos.
ABOUT TRAVIS: Travis Wall began dancing at the age of three at his mother’s dance studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At 12, he was already Broadway-bound, cast in the show The Music Man. Wall first appeared as a contestant in 2006 on So You Think You Can Dance’s 2nd season when he was 18. He blew away the judges and viewers alike, walking away with a 2nd place finish. In fact, Wall danced in a Mia Micheals choreographed piece “The Bench” that later won Michaels the Emmy for “Outstanding Choreography.” In 2009, Wall returned to the show, this time as a choreographer for the contestants. In the past 2 years, he has created some of the most unforgettable routines in So You Think You Can Dance history. In 2011, Wall was honored to receive an Emmy Award nomination for his work on season 7.
ABOUT LAUREN: Nicknamed “LoFro” and “Frodie” by her friends in Phoenix, AZ, Lauren Froderman has been dancing since age 3. Years of dedication and training paid off in a big way when at age 18, she was voted “America’s Favorite Dancer” and became one of the youngest contestants to win on the hit reality show So You Think You Can Dance in its 7th season. Her expertise lies in contemporary jazz but it was her ability to quickly learn and perfect a wide variety of challenging dance styles that proved to win over the hearts of not only the panel of judges but of thousands of fans across the globe.
ABOUT KAYLA: Also hailing from a contemporary jazz background, dancer Kayla Radomski is an incredibly gifted performer who became part of the top 20 dancers in the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance. Kayla was adored by fans and judges over the duration of the season, especially Nigel Lythgoe, who requested a repeat performance of the memorable piece titled “Addiction,” which she did in fact perform at the live finale with partner Kūpono.
