Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Watkins Glen International has announced that Seneca Resorts & Casinos are now its official resort and casino, effective immediately. Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International, says in a news release sent to WESB, they are thrilled to partner with Seneca, and are excited to get started. Doni Taube, senior vice president of marketing for Seneca Resorts & Casinos says Watkins Glen is one of the legendary motor sports venues in North America, and the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino – the premier resort in the Southern Tier – is just a short drive away. He says the experience visitors have at both places should bring them back to the region time and time again. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A woman who tried to cash in a voucher that wasn’t hers is now facing charges. Sheriff’s deputies say 67-year-old Deborah Brogdon of Pittsburgh tried to cash in the voucher Saturday evening at the Seneca Allegany Casino. Brogdon is charged with petit larceny and is scheduled to appear in City of Salamanca Court on October 29. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A man who had been banned from the Seneca Allegany Casino is facing charges for going back in. 52-year-old Donald Pettit of Friendship had been banned back in December of 2009. He was arrested as he entered the casino last Wednesday afternoon. He is charged with trespassing and was scheduled to appear in City of Salamanca Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

NIAGARA FALLS and SALAMANCA, N.Y. – The area’s best summer entertainment series keeps getting better. New additions to the all-star Summer Rush 2014 lineup for Seneca Casinos include an outdoor concert by ZZ Top with Jeff Beck at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel on Labor Day weekend, Survivor at Seneca Allegany Events Center on Independence Day weekend, and Air Supply in August at Seneca Niagara Events Center. Two new shows – Scott Stapp: The Voice of Creed and Los Lobos – also come to the intimate Bear’s Den Showroom this summer. Finally, Seneca Casinos is already thinking ahead to fall with September bookings of country singer-songwriter Kellie Pickler and comedian Brian Regan. ZZ Top with Jeff Beck to Perform Outdoors in Salamanca During its 10 years of success, Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel regularly hosted outdoor concerts until the opening of Seneca Allegany Events Center in March 2008. This summer, the spirit of the past returns in full force with an outdoor perfo...

You knew it was coming; you just didn’t know exactly when. The New York Department of Transportation announced today that the closing of Interstate 86 between exits 21 and 23 will start May 12. Both eastbound and westbound traffic will be directed to follow a detour using Route 417. Temporary traffic signals have been installed at the intersection of Route 417 and Business Route 219 at Exit 23, and also at the intersection of Route 417 (Wildwood Avenue) and Route 219 (Central Avenue) in the City of Salamanca. Motorists should expect delays. The $2.1 million projects started in March and includes rehabilitation of the road surface, minor bridge rehabilitation and the rebuilding of the eastbound on and off ramps at Exit 20 near the Seneca Allegany Casino. Construction is expected to be finished in October. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Classic rock band Cheap Trick, a perennial entertainment favorite among Seneca Casinos fans, comes to Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca, N.Y. for a 5 p.m. performance on Sunday, December 29. Tickets start at $30 and go on sale Monday, October 7, at noon. The band’s biggest hits include “I Want You to Want Me,” “Surrender,” “Don’t Be Cruel” (an Elvis Presley cover) and “The Flame.” They also wrote and performed the theme song for the hit TV show “The Colbert Report.” Cheap Trick was also recently ranked No. 25 in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. Tickets for all shows are available at Seneca Casino box offices, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at 800-745-3000. Starting ticket prices and on-sale dates are below in the full schedule of confirmed upcoming entertainment at Seneca the Seneca Allegany Events Center. Click on the image to make it larger . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The heart of rock and roll was beating Saturday night as Huey Lewis and the News played in the sold out Seneca Allegany Events Center. The current tour is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of the band's "Sports" album, that went platinum seven times. They played every song on the album in order. After "The Heart of Rock & Roll," "Heart and Soul" and "Bad is Bad," Lewis did a little reminiscing: 30 years ago there was no Internet, there were no CDs or cell phones "... and no reading glasses," he said, referencing the specs he wears that are similar to the pair he wore in the movie "Back to the Future." Then he said they were going to flip the album over and play the other side. "Yes, kids," he joked, "we had to flip the album over." He asked for a show of hands as to how many people remember flipping the album. The majority people raised their hands. After playing all the songs f...

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Classic rock and timeless country are in store for music lovers this fall inside the 2,400-seat Seneca Allegany Events Center at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, N.Y. On Saturday, October 12, Don Felder – former guitarist for the Eagles – presents “An Evening at the Hotel California.” The following weekend on Sunday, October 20, Wynonna & The Big Noise provide classic and soulful country tunes. Finally, lined up right before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Saturday, November 23, is the Charlie Daniels Band for an evening of boot-stomping Southern anthems. Don Felder, a self-taught guitarist, performed with the legendary classic rock band the Eagles for 27 years before going solo. On Saturday, October 12, at 7 p.m., he will present “An Evening at the Hotel California,” and will feature his lyrical-like guitar riffs on legendary hits such as “Hotel California,” “Life in the Fast Lane” and “One of These Nights.” Felder also is a New York Times b...

An Olean businessman has pleaded guilty to tax evasion in US District Court. 70-year-old Edmund Renaud didn’t pay $132,000 in federal payroll taxes for moving and storage businesses he ran from 2002 through 2008. When the IRS tried collecting the money he gave them false information, including telling them he got a truck from “comp” credits earned at the Seneca Allegany Casino. Prosecutors say he was gambling heavily and had also received a workman’s compensation award of about $100,000. He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to a quarter of million dollars or both when he’s sentenced on January 27. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

NIAGARA FALLS, SALAMANCA and BUFFALO, N.Y. – Two great offerings – Seneca Casinos and fantasy sports – are now one for the 2013 football season. Every day from September 2 through December 29, guests can head to each of the three Seneca Casino locations in Western New York to play fantasy football for free and win a share of cash and prizes in the $175,000 All-Star Fantasy Football Challenge. Playing is simple, quick and fun. At all three Seneca Casinos, interactive kiosks will be available in the lobbies and other select areas on property. Using a free Seneca Player’s Club card, guests can play every day at each property starting on Mondays at noon through Sundays at 11 a.m. for the Sunday and Monday football games the following week. At the end of each week at each property, those among the top five scores will receive cash and Free Slot Play credits ranging from $200 to $1,500. The top three scores for the entire season (consolidated by property) will win $15,000, $7,500 an...

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Cheryl Burke and Val Chmerkovskiy, two of the most dynamic professional dancers on the ABC hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” waltz into southwestern New York this August to meet adoring fans and sign autographs. The fun takes place at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. The autograph session takes place in the Pre-Function Area outside Seneca Allegany Events Center, located on the east end of the casino property near Thunder Mountain Buffet and the Bus Lobby. The event is free, but fans are encouraged to arrive early to gain a closer spot in line. “Dancing with the Stars” first premiered in the United States in 2005 and has since become one of ABC’s most popular shows. Each season, a cast of celebrities from a variety of careers – acting, singing, sports and more – are paired with professional dancers and perform choreographed dance routines. A panel of judges critique and score the performances, and TV viewers ...

SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Seneca Casinos will host some of the most extravagant fireworks displays in Western New York to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday. Each of the two Seneca Casino resort hotels, in Niagara Falls and Salamanca, will host these exciting and memorable events, which are free and open to the public. The first display takes place Wednesday, July 3, outside Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca, and begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. near the outdoor parking lot. A rain date is slated for Thursday, July 4. A second fabulous fireworks display takes place Friday, July 5, outside Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, and begins at approximately 9:40 p.m. near the 6th St. outdoor parking lot. A rain date is slated for Saturday, July 6. Both displays will last approximately 20 minutes. The public is welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and also is encouraged to allow ample time for nearby parking. In addition, three excit...

Stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Paul Reiser re-emerges on the comedy scene with his quick wit and comedic talent. Comedy patrons across the country are in for a real treat when Reiser hits the stage and unleashes his hilarious insights about the absurdities of modern life. As a seasoned entertainer, Paul Reiser continues to add to his ever expanding list of accomplishments: In addition to co-creating and starring in the critically acclaimed NBC series, “Mad About You,” which garnered him Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations, his successes also include his most recent book, Familyhood, the long awaited follow- up to Babyhood and Couplehood, his first book, which sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Reiser will be performing in at the Seneca Allegany Events Center in Salamanca at 7 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, call 716-945-9300 or visit: http://www.senecaalleganycasino.co...

A Grand Island man accused of trespassing at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca. The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office says 29-year-old Mark Hajnos was arrested at around 5:30 Friday morning after being told previously to never return. He is scheduled to appear in City of Salamanca Court on May 22. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Pennsylvania man was arrested late Sunday night at the Seneca Allegany Casino on a warrant out of Chautauqua County. 41-year-old Terry Jones of Big Run was wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. He also had three outstanding warrants from the City of Jamestown. Jones is in Chautauqua County Jail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A Salamanca man is accused of stealing an employee uniform from the Seneca Allegany Casino. Sheriff’s deputies say back on December 22 18-year-old Tyler Jimerson walked into a restricted area of the casino and stole the uniform. Jimerson is charged with trespass and petit larceny and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A South Carolina man is accused of using vulgar language on Christmas morning in the Seneca Allegany Casino. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the casino at about 5 a.m. because 45-year-old George Varner of Columbia, S.C., was allegedly causing a disturbance. After being told to leave Varner allegedly used loud and vulgar language while talking to deputies and casino security. He was arraigned on charges of disorderly conduct and trespass, and was scheduled to appear in City of Salamanca Court on Friday morning.

SALAMANCA, NY – A vocally-talented country/Christian group and one of the defining rock bands of the early 1970’s will kick off entertainment at Seneca Casinos on a high note to start the new year. Diamond Rio and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (pictured) will play at Seneca Allegany Events Center respectively on Jan. 12 and Jan. 27, and tickets for both shows start at a bargain-priced $20. Country/Christian band Diamond Rio comes to Seneca Allegany Events Center for a 7 p.m. show on Saturday, Jan. 12. The group scored a No. 1 hit with their very first single, “Meet in the Middle,” in 1991, and recorded four more No. 1 hits throughout their career with “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess” and “I Believe.” In 2011, Diamond Rio won its first GRAMMY® Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album for its most recent release, The Reason. They also have earned top group honors a combined six times through the Country Music Association and the ...

An Erie man is facing charges following an incident at the Seneca Allegany Casino Thursday morning. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the casino at 6:15 a.m. following an incident involving 59-year-old Raymond DaSilva Jr. They say he did not comply with police orders and was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. DaSilva was released on his own recognizance. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

100.1 The Hero's Scott Douglas gets ready to dig in to a lunchtime sampling of gourmet dishes, including braised lamb shank and roasted rabbit loin, during the grand opening of the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel's second hotel tower today. Don Fredeen photo