Summer is showtime
Casinos are really just places for adults to play, much like the arcades of our youth. Then when summer rolls around, casinos start featuring top-line concerts making it that much more worth the trip.
In Northern California, Thunder Valley, Cache Creek and Graton Resort & Casino have major concerts — in Nevada premier talent comes to Reno and Lake Tahoe at venues such as Harvey’s outdoor amphitheater. Seeing a show, be it music or comedy, offers big bang for the buck. Here are this season’s highlights: Cache Creek: Located in Brooks (Yolo County) not far from Lake Berryessa, Cache Creek brings the multitalented Wayne Brady to the stage Saturday, May 20. The show comes just a month after the comedian, game show host, actor and R&B singer wrapped up playing the role of Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of “Hamilton.” Also coming up are the Righteous Brothers (“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”) on June 10, and Tower of Power on June 17. www.cachecreek.com Thunder Valley: In Lincoln (Placer County), this resort features comedian George Lopez on June 9, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald on June 10, and dinosaur goth rocker Alice Cooper on June 16. Later this summer: Blues legend Buddy Guy appears with opener Jonny Lang on July 29, the soul group the O’Jays play on Aug. 5, and Huey Lewis & the News with Greg Kihn celebrate “The Heart of Rock ’N Roll” on Aug. 11. https://thundervalley resort.com River Rock Casino: In Geyserville, about 75 miles north of San Francisco, this casino features live music on Saturday nights. Coming up are country band California Cowboys on May 20 and the silken-voiced Anna Kristina on May 27. www.riverrockcasino.com Graton Casino: The Bay Area’s Vegas-style casino opened a hotel last fall and is ramping up its concert schedule. On Friday, May 19, it features Latino acts Banda Machos and Las Jilguerillas. On June 2, the headliner is “The Voice” star Billy Gilman. www.gratonresortcasino.com Harvey’s Lake Tahoe: The Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s launches its summer concert series next month with Paul Simon on June 25. The California reggae band Rebelution takes the stage June 30, and Sammy Hagar plays on July 2. Incendiary guitarist and singer Lenny Kravitz performs July 14; laid-back surf rocker Jack Johnson plays two shows, with opening act ALO, July 28-29. And celebrating the 35th anniversary of their first farewell tour, the Who (“Won’t Get Fooled Again”) will play under the stars on Aug. 16. www.cae sars.com/harveys-tahoe Grand Sierra Resort: Highlights include Chris Isaak on July 7, Diana Krall on July 22, Ben Harper on July 28, and Boz Scaggs on July 29. Later this summer, Steve Martin appears with Martin Short on Aug. 26, and Steve Winwood plays on Sept. 3. www.grandsierra resort.com