The Mercury News

Frosene on the gaming scene

- By Frosene Phillips

BEST IN THE WEST. Looking for some tasty food and entertainm­ent this long Labor Day weekend? Look no further as The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is officially underway and runs through Monday, September 4.

Touted as “America’s biggest and best free-entry barbecue festival,” attendees enjoy the country’s legendary grilling competitio­n at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada. It’s a rib fest as the world’s top barbeque competitor­s dish up over 240,000 pounds of ribs for hundreds of thousands of rib lovers on Victorian Square at Victorian Avenue between 14th Street and Pyramid Way. Local favorite Back Forty Texas Barbecue from Pleasant Hill returns to defend its title. Establishe­d as one of the nation’s top barbecue teams, Back Forty has been competing at the Rib Cook-Off every year since 1991. Voted the #1 Barbecue in California time and again, their sauce has also been awarded the Best in the Nation.

Another local joining the competitio­n is Kinder’s Custom Meats, based in Concord, CA, with 15 franchise locations throughout Northern California. Family-owned since 1946, Kinder’s has developed their own signature collection of award-winning BBQ sauces, marinades, rubs, and spices.

Joining Back Forty and Kinder’s in this year’s competitio­n are Aussom Aussie from Pittsburgh, PA; Austin’s Texas Lighting BBQ from Burr Ridge, IL; BJ’s Barbecue from Sparks, NV;

Bone Daddy’s BBQ from Midland, MI; Bourbon Q from Westport, KY; Butch’s Smack Your Lips BBQ from Mt. Laurel, NY; Carson City BBQ from Carson City, NV; Checkered Pig BBQ from Martinsvil­le, VA; Chicago BBQ Company from Burr Ridge, IL; Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Co. from Hinckley, OH; Famous Dave’s BBQ from Minnetonka, MN; Hole in the Wall BBQ from Eugene, OR; Joey’s Texas Thunder from Borger, TX; Just North of Memphis from Minneapoli­s, MN; Montana Q Bar-B-Que House from Frenchtown, MT; Porky-NBeans BBQ from Port Saint Lucie, FL; Rasta Joe’s BBQ from Rochester, IN; Texas Outlaw Barbecue from Elizabetht­own, KY; The Barbecue Company from Phoenix, AZ; and Uncle Bob’s from Westmont, IL. Joining the saucy spirit is a variety of live entertainm­ent on two stages. Night Ranger and Shades of Twain

appear today, Love & Theft and Boogie Nights appear Friday, Gin Blossoms and Country Artists on Saturday, Eric Paslay and

Life in the Fastlane on Sunday, and A Flock of Seagulls and Ultimate Stones on Monday.

Fun for the entire family, admission, parking, shuttles and entertainm­ent are free. All-you-caneat ticket packages, offering tables of ten, are also available. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday, and through 5 p.m. on Monday. A kids’ area is also open each day during the event. For complete details, visit www. nuggetribc­ookoff.com.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC?

Broadway and TV star Adam Trent is bringing his signature brand of magic and illusions to the Eldorado Casino

Resort in Reno, September 2 through October 22. Produced by the creative team behind The Illusionis­ts, Adam Trent - The Next Generation of Magic is an immersive entertainm­ent extravagan­za of magic, comedy, and music designed to entertain the entire family. Showcasing his futuristic brand of magic, Trent has mesmerized live audiences around the globe, in person and as a featured guest on America’s Got Talent, The Today Show, Ellen, the Travel Channel and the Disney Channel, among others. The 31-year old also stars in his 10-episode TV series “The Road Trick” on Red Bull TV. Appearing in the Eldorado Theatre, Maître d’ Champagne Stage Seating is also available for a limited number of seats per performanc­e and includes a glass of Eldorado private label champagne. Maître d’ Champagne Seating starts at $49.95 and standard seating starts at $29.95. Guests can also enjoy half-off an entrée at any Eldorado restaurant on the night of the show with the purchase of a full-price ticket. For reservatio­ns and informatio­n, call 800-648-5966 or visit www.eldoradore­no.com.

MUSICAL NOTES. Stephen Stills and Judy Collins appear September 9 in the MontBleu Showroom at 8 p.m. at the MontBlue Casino Resort in Lake Tahoe, NV. Stills’ career spans over six decades which include multiple solo works along with notable groups: Manassas, Buffalo Springfiel­d, Crosby, Stills and Nash (CSN), and Crosby, Stills,

Nash and Young (CSNY). An awardwinni­ng singer/songwriter, Collins’ began her career at the tender age of 13 as a piano prodigy dazzling audiences performing Mozart until the spirit of the folk revival music lured her away from a life as a concert pianist. She continues to inspire audiences with her delicious vocals, personal triumphs, and devoted commitment to social activism. Tickets are $50$70 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-BE-LUCKY (235-58259) or visit montbleure­sort.com … Music and style icon Janet Jackson- brings her State of the World Tour to the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV, Sunday, October 1 at 8 p.m. Jackson appears in the Grand Theatre which features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and VIP booths with bottle service. The youngest member of American pop music royalty, Jackson has been a groundbrea­king leader through the 80’s and 90’s as well as in R&B music, receiving multiple Grammy and American Music Awards. For tickets and more details, call 800-501-2651 or visit www.grandsierr­aresort.com.

Back with you again next week with Frosene on the Scene Thursday, September 7 in TimeOut in the East Bay Times and Friday, September 8 in the Hills Newspapers.

 ??  ?? Back Forty Texas Barbecue
Back Forty Texas Barbecue
 ??  ?? Night Ranger
Night Ranger
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 ??  ?? Adam Trent
Adam Trent
 ??  ?? Stephen Stills and Judy Collins
Stephen Stills and Judy Collins

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