Be sure to check the official websites for the latest event information.

Ne-Yo

Singer, songwriter and dancer Ne-Yo is on his Champagne and Roses tour, which puts the spotlight on his catalog of hits as well as new singles, including his collaboration track with Eric Bellinger, “Sage.” 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $45; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

Shane Gillis

After his recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Shane Gillis is back on tour promoting his work before the premiere of his new sitcom “Tires.” 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59-$99. 800-827-2946. .

98 Degrees & All 4 One

The pop group 98 Degrees and R&B group All 4 One are teaming up for a night of yearning romance. 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $50-$125. 760-775-5566. .

Mark Normand

The standup comedian and actor featured on “Conan,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is hitting the stage for his Ya Don’t Say tour. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $35-$85. 760-775-5566. .

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai

Two guitar legends, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, are teaming up for the Satch Vai U.S. tour. The musicians have been playing music together since their teenage years after Vai approached Satriani for guitar lessons. 8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $54.50-$104.50. 760-751-3100. .

John Waite

John Waite, former singer of The Babys and the supergroup Bad English, is out on his solo tour that will highlight his catalog of hits of the ’80s and ’90s, such as “Missing You,” The Babys’ “Isn’t It Time,” and Bad English’s “When I See You Smile.” 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $50. 800-514-3849. .

Pete Davidson

Standup comedian and actor Pete Davidson is on his Wellness Check Tour with two stops at SoCal casinos. 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $69-$89. 800-827-2946. . 6 & 9 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $82. 877-711-2946. .

Boyz II Men & Robin Thicke

The iconic R&B group Boyz II Men and Robin Thicke, known for hits “Blurred Lines,” “When I Get You Alone,” and “Lost Without U,” are teaming up for a night of slow and sensual jams. 8 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $80. 877-711-2946. .

Stevie Nicks

One of the most iconic rock singers, Stevie Nicks has not only had a string of Fleetwood Mac hits but she’s also the first woman twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $200; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

Caroline Rhea

Caroline Rhea, known to many for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC series “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” is also a veteran standup comedian and will be performing a handful of comedy shows. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $40-$75. 800-514-3849. .

Anthony Jeselnik

Anthony Jeselnik got his comedic start as one of the first writers on the “Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon” and as a performer at Comedy Central’s roasts of folks like Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen and Roseanne Barr. His latest Netflix standup special was “Fire in the Maternity Ward.” 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $49.50-$215. 760-751-3100. .

Moira

The 2013 winner of “The Voice of The Philippines,” Moira Della Torre, is on a string of U.S. tour stops. She’s become one of the only OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artists to be included in Spotify’s Top 200 Most Followed Artists list with 9.5 million followers. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $68-$158. 877-946-7252, .

December Avenue

The five-piece alternative indie band based in the Philippines, December Ave, has developed an English and Tagalog fanbase for their songs focusing on love, loss, and bittersweet moments. They became one of Spotify’s Most Streamed artists in the Philippines in 2019. 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26 at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $68-$158. 877-946-7252, .

Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson, best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernadino in “Reno 911!” and for his work with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, is heading to Cabazon. 8 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $59.99. 951-849-3080. .

“Clearly, I hate change,” Iglesias joked in a phone interview ahead of his three performances at the Rancho Mirage property on Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. “It’s going to be a great time. I bring a great show with really good production. There’s nothing like it but wrestling. My shows like WWE meets the Food Network.”

The 47-year-old Long Beach resident known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts grew up in Southern California, including Riverside, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park and Compton. He says he enjoys playing roulette and checking out the cocktail menus at casinos but for Iglesias, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage holds a sentimental value.

“For my mom and I, that was our little hangout,” he said. “She would always go with me, and without getting too emotional about it, she passed away about 10 years ago. So it was one of those things where it was a nice place to go and remember her. That particular venue was one of those places where there were always good memories.”

In 2022, he made history as the first comedian to which was later released as a Netflix special dubbed “Stadium Fluffy.” He’s also taken on more prominent T.V. roles, joining for season 2 and becoming a regular on

Before his three shows in Rancho Mirage, Iglesias talked with Southern California ɫ����̳ Group about headlining the baseball stadium, sharing the stage with social media’s impact on comedy and more. The following conversation was edited for space and clarity.

Q: You’ve performed some massive sell-out shows, including famously at Dodgers Stadium. How did you feel after doing that performance?

Iglesias: I felt very hungover the next day, and I might’ve celebrated a bit onstage. The next day was very surreal. My head and stomach were hurting but I’ve never been happier. It was the greatest day of my life. The whole next day, I just saying, ‘Wow, I can’t believe that happened.’

Q: You shared the stage with comedian George Lopez for the Golden Globes. Was it the first time you two have done something together like that?

Iglesias:��We haven’t worked together since about 2000. We were on a television show called ‘Que Locos’ on Galavisión and he was one of the hosts. I was an up-and-coming comedian and that was the first time we got to work together.��We didn’t really run into each other again until the Golden Globes.��I thought that was really cool that the two of us could do that together. I love the fact that people could see us working together on such a huge stage. While everybody was focused on Taylor Swift, I’m telling George, ‘Do you realize how big this is?’ The two of us on that stage together?’ We’re living in a time where we’re all watching other comedians tear each other down so I thought it was really awesome that we could do that.

Q: Did you see people react when Lopez jokingly mispronounced Pedro Pascal’s name? How did you feel about it?

Iglesias: Well, that particular night, the Golden Globes crowd was challenging. But I felt like our little bit went over well, considering the short time we were up there. But with the Pedro Pascal joke, you could see some people were like, ‘Wait a minute’ and it was something that George improvised and that wasn’t part of the script.

Q: There is a lot of talk right now about Latino representation in the media and in Hollywood. How do you feel about�� representation in the current environment?

Iglesias: If I relied strictly on Hollywood to make me, I’d still be at my day job.

All I heard when I was starting out was no. I couldn’t get into comedy clubs. Since I couldn’t get into comedy clubs, I performed wherever they would allow me to perform: at quinceañeras, barbecues and little holes in the wall until I was able to get myself into a position where somebody could help me get into a comedy club. By the time I got there, I was seasoned because I was used to performing in environments that were not conducive to comedy. So of course, I came out killing it out of the gate because I was used to people throwing bottles and calling me fat from the crowd and threatening me in a parking lot.

Sometimes we spend too much time feeling held down, feeling oppressed, feeling pushed back. I think we can grow out of that. It was not Hollywood who put me here. It was me making a decision to take matters into my own hands.

Q: Speaking of taking matters into your own hands: What do you think of comedians who are succeeding because of their social media presence?

Iglesias: Social media is a double-edged sword because it’s one of those things where, yes, you can promote yourself and get your content out there quickly, but there’s something to be said about taking your time to do it right.

There are a lot of people out there who have gotten sparks, and then they go out and do their shows but unfortunately, all they have is their two or three minutes that went viral. They don’t have enough to sustain a full show because they haven’t been around long enough to hone in their craft and really build something to have a strong show. For most comics, it takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years to have a solid act where you can tour, headline and work.

So to pick the fast pass with social media, sometimes it doesn’t work but sometimes it does and they’ll catch on. Most of the time, I think that you’re missing out on the struggle and you’re missing out on the growth.

Q: If you could perform for any person or people living or dead, who would they be and why?

Iglesias: This isn’t a specific person but I would like to perform in the ’70s for an audience just to see what that would feel like. I feel like in the ’70s it was the last time where you could say anything you wanted up there and people knew you were just a comedian. Nobody was going to be pissed off when they got it in the parking lot. There were also no cell phones to record you and no social media. There was none of that and it was just people out having a good time.

Q: What’s one of the funniest situations you’ve been in that at the time was super serious but you had to prevent yourself from laughing?

Iglesias: I got a massage yesterday for my messed-up sciatica. I get massages regularly and usually I’m on my back or on my front. That’s how you lay down on the table. I kept complaining about my side and she goes, ‘Well, why don’t you lay down the side,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, let’s do that and it was awesome. I go, ‘Man, this is great,’ and she goes, ‘Yeah, I do this all the time for pregnant ladies.’ So, I’m like, Wow, OK, I guess I’m six months.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.

Where: Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.

Tickets: $85-$200 at.

For Lopez, comedy became an outlet for exploring the Mexican-American experience with humor, which served as a pivotal stepping stone to launch his acting career and become the first Mexican-American to host an English-language late night show, “Lopez Tonight.”

“When you can do stand-up on a level that very few comedians have done (then go into) the sitcom, the talk show and now the show with my daughter, all things that are going good, why would you want to change anything in the mix,” Lopez said during a recent phone interview.

He’s getting back to his stand-up roots and hitting the stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Saturday, April 6, where his show will focus on his aging and some of the baggage that comes with it.

“I think (my show) has always been kind of reminiscent of the backyard cookout,” he said. “Now that I’m getting older and viejito (little old man), I talk about not being able to see with my mouth closed, the medicine, looking at everything that you eat, carrying an EpiPen and all those things that were so foreign, but that’s the how life is lived now.”

Although Lopez’s material has often utilized his Latino identity with a comedic undertone, in his early days, his jokes didn’t have the personal touch that has become a staple of his work.

“In the early ’90s, somebody said to me, ‘If I watched you, there’s nothing really about what you’re talking about that actually tells me anything about your personal life; if you’re married, I don’t know if you have a mom and dad, what your politics are,’ and I thought that was a pretty good constructive criticism of my stand-up at that time,” he said.

To answer that criticism, Lopez began looking for comical figures within his family, which brought him to his grandmother, who had a funny and adversarial personality. She’d often joke with Lopez about being funnier than him and skipping weddings if she had already gone to the first one of the spouses. The advice helped Lopez look at his family and the funny elements in Latino culture he could make light of, such as drinking 7-Up as a medical remedy or the makeshift extension cord leashes he’d see on dogs.

“I started to look at all the stuff that was in my world, and it just became the stuff that people gravitated toward,” Lopez said.

Latino representation has been a mission of Lopez’s work throughout his career, despite a media landscape that’s struggled to tell those stories and underrepresents Latinos more broadly.

A University of California, Los Angeles study by the Entertainment & Media Research Initiative released a study last year titled ,” which examined diverse casting in 521 live-action, scripted television shows during the 2021-2022 season.

The study found that Latinos made up 6.1 percent of leads in broadcast shows, 3.6 percent of leads in cable shows, and 4.3 percent of leads in digital shows despite Latinos making up 19% of the population in the U.S. While the numbers aren’t anywhere near where Lopez would like to see them, he said that some progress has been made throughout the years.

“When I started my first show in 2002, Eva Longoria and America Ferrera were just starting, and there was no Eva Mendes or Gina Rodriguez, and directors like Robert Rodriguez were also just starting,” he said. “I see it getting better. Is it ever going to be a level playing field? No, but in 20 years, you do want to see it getting better than it is now, but it’s also hard for everybody. When you don’t come from a theatre or comedic background, you have to scrape and find stuff, so it’s so difficult to make it that many people just stopped (trying) it.”

Lopez encountered some of those obstacles early on when trying to pitch his first television show, “George Lopez,” which eventually got picked up by the ABC network and ran for 120 episodes over six seasons.��In a 2006 , he praised actress and longtime friend Sandra Bullock for helping make his show a reality when his pitches weren’t getting anywhere in Hollywood. Bullock would later join the series as an executive producer.

“George Lopez” is a sitcom where he stars as a fictionalized version of himself raising a family in Los Angeles and touches on themes of class and race. Some featured aspects from his real life included his best friend Ernie (same name in the show) and even some places he worked and was fired from.

“I used to work at this place called Powers Book Publishing, run by this guy named Melvin Powers, who used to think he was a big shot. I even used his name (in the show), and one day, they come in with a client, and he said, ‘Hey, how’s it going George?’ and I said, ‘Pretty good Melvin.’ I didn’t call him Mr. Powers, and the way he looked at me, I thought, ‘Oh man, he’s going to fire me,’ and he did that day,” Lopez said. “I found success in not trying to be an astronaut, but in trying just to keep the show grounded, and there’s really nobody that says ‘I don’t get what they’re saying,’ and that is as big an accomplishment.”

The comedian’s latest television venture is the NBC network sitcom, “Lopez vs. Lopez,” about a blue-collar family featuring his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez. Season two will premiere on Tuesday, April 2. He said that although there may be some slight overlaps with his previous sitcom, this one delves into more contemporary topics, such as millennial life decisions and other generational aspects that his daughter’s character explores.

“Mayan Lopez has been funny her whole life,” he said. “Every day, I look at her at some point when we’re working. I see her as a five-year-old girl, a seven-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old girl because that’s just the way my mind works. It’s hard for me sometimes to believe that the little girl who I cut her cord over in the hospital is that young lady who’s on the television show and posters with me. It’s really beyond my imagination.”

While his previous sitcom and new one seek to represent a Latino experience, other aspects are universally appealing to audiences no matter their background, which Lopez attributes to the talent of the writers’ room.

“On the show that we have right now, we have a lot of Latina writers; they’re younger, we have people who are gay, and from every facet of everyday life,” he said. “They can write on all the shows and not just the ones that have to do with an alternate life. These stories are everybody’s story. The friction between parents and their kids and getting older hasn’t changed. I’m not trying to make everybody happy, and I’m not even worried about who’s laughing. I’ve just had a long enough career where those are the things that I shouldn’t have to worry about anymore.”

George Lopez

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Tickets: $69-$129 at��

Be sure to check the official websites for the latest event information.

Teo Gonzalez and Don Cheto

Stand-up comedian Teo Gonzalez and TV personality Don Cheto are teaming up for a night of satire and outlandish comedy. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $59.99. 951-849-3080. .

George Lopez

After his appearances in the DC Comics superhero film, “Blue Beetle” and the first season of “Lopez vs. Lopez,” stand-up comedian and actor George Lopez is returning to the stage. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $69-$129. 800-827-2946. .

Nikki Glaser

Comedian and actress Nikki Glaser is on the road supporting her The Good Girl Tour. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $49.50. 877-711-2946. .

Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill, best known for his time with R&B pop group New Edition and the popular TikTok song “Rub You the Right Way,” is taking his solo act on the road. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $40-$120. 760-775-5566.

Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga

Mexican regional act Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga has only announced one Southern California show from their nationwide tour. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $175-$599; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

Godsmack

The rock band Godsmack is on the road with its Vibez Tour, which promises a stripped-down version of their music and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd covers. 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $80.50-$134.50. 760-751-3100. . 8 p.m. Friday, April 12 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59-$99. 800-827-2946. .

Los Ángeles Azules

Los Ángeles Azules, who became the first traditional cumbia group to play at the Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival in Indio, will be hitting a couple of casino stages. Friday, April 12 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $124.50-$168. 760-751-3100. . 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $65-$100. 800-514-3849..

Lita Ford

Lita Ford, one of the guitarists of the Runaways, is out on tour performing some music off a new album she’s hinted will be released later this year. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $50. 800-514-3849. .

Craig Robinson

Actor and stand-up comedian Craig Robinson is best known as Darryl from the popular sitcom “The Office,” but he is also a musician and performs in the funk group, “The Nasty Delicious.” 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $49-$69. 951-849-3080. .

The Offspring

Orange country-based punk band The Offspring will perform a few shows leading up to later this summer. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $50; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

ZZ Top

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ Top, known for hit songs such as “La Grange,” “Gimmie All Your Lovin’,” and “Cheap Sunglasses,” are out on their Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $109.50-$163. 760-751-3100. .

Gladys Knight

Grammy Award-winning soul singer Gladys Knight is making her rounds for the final days of her Farewell Tour. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $89. 877-711-2946.

Tim Allen

Actor and stand-up comedian Tim Allen is back on tour and ready to profess his begrudging befuddlement of the world around him. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $35; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050.. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $59.50-$213. 760-751-3100. .

Banda Limon

Banda Limon is on tour with their current three vocalists, José Ramón Maldonado, Kevin Melendres and Víctor Noriega. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $25-$60. 760-775-5566. .

Busta Rhymes

Despite canceling his entire Blockbusta 2024 tour, the rapper is still committed to bringing his speed and lyricism to Southern California for one night. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $55-$799; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

The Rock Yard Concert Series is back at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, with bands covering the greatest hits of , Bruce Springsteen and more. In addition, the series features Rock Yard on Steroids, which has featured past acts such as and . All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and end at 12:30 a.m.

“The bigger name acts get people excited, but I think they still have an affinity for tribute bands because that’s how the (concert series) was born,” said Kirk Zaharris, executive director of entertainment at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

While the event is free, guests can enjoy themed cocktails and beer specials from $10-$15. The newest addition to the menu is the Rock Yard Craft Margarita, which features Patron Tequila. The mixologists even crafted a Blender Bike Patron Margarita where they build the cocktail in the blender while guests peddle on a bike that activates the blender.

“We’re also toying with the menu and trying some other beer specials that the fans are loving,” Zaharris said.

Here are the acts kicking performing from March through May. The casino will add more dates in the coming months.

Friday, March 29: The Who Generation (The Who tribute) with The Jellemons

Saturday, March 30: Damage Inc. (Metallica tribute) with Rock Stallion

Friday, April 5: In the End (Linkin Park tribute) with Steel Rod

Saturday, April 6: Bonfire (AC/DC tribute) with Saints of Las Vegas

Friday, April 12: Touchy (System of a Down tribute) with C4

Saturday, April 13: Fortunate Son (CCR/John Fogerty tribute) with Thank-U-Drive-Thru

Friday, April 19: The Rising (Bruce Springsteen tribute) with Lifetime Rockers

Saturday, April 20: The Long Run (Rolling The Eagles tribute) with Know Illusion

Friday, April 26: Turn the Page (Bob Seger tribute) with Deeper Stills

Saturday, April 27:�� Which One’s Pink (Pink Floyd tribute) with Steel Rod

Friday, May 3: Red Hot Cholo Peppers (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute) with The Brobots

Saturday, May 4: Queen Nation (Queen tribute) with The Brobots

The three-day event, happening Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24, will feature 27 full-time NTT IndyCar series drivers and their teams on the 17-turn, 3.067-mile layout at the club and offer a total purse of over $1 million and will be broadcast on the NBC network.

Tickets start at $500 at , but Agua Caliente ACE Club members can get a 15% discount on tickets. To learn more and access this ticket discount, visit an ACE Club at any Agua Caliente Casinos property or visit .

Agua Caliente Casinos and The Thermal Club will also be offering weekend packages which include seating areas with a Premium view of the track, food and beverage, parking, and access to the paddock featuring closeup views.

The Thermal Club is a 490-acre property that hosts motorsports events and is located just outside of Palm Springs. The space is located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, and includes luxury homes, a motorsports village and restaurants. The facility was named Professional Motorsport Facility of the Year at the 2017 Professional Motorsports World Expo in Germany.

“IndyCar’s introduction to the Palm Springs market has opened the doors to many relationships both on and off the track,” said IndyCar president Jay Frye in a press release. “Agua Caliente Casinos, an industry-leader in entertainment experiences, is a shining example of that. We look forward to a return to The Thermal Club for this first-of-its-kind exhibition to watch the stars and teams of the NTT IndyCar Series put on a tremendous show.”

This will be Stewart’s only performance in Southern California in 2024, according to a press release sent by the casino.

Tickets for the shows are $200-$775 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 15. Fans can purchase tickets for the event at but guests who are ACE Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Fans are encouraged to sign up if they aren’t already enrolled.

Stewart is a British pop and rock star with a raspy singing voice that’s become an iconic signature of his music. The singer, known for hits such as “Maggie May,” “You Wear It Well,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Forever Young,” was also into fashion at a very early point in his career, adopting a spiky rooster hairstyle that would go on to also become part of his trademark.

He first began performing in London as a harmonica player with the blues group The Dimensions, who would later add singer Jimmy Powell. The group often performed at the Studio 51 club in London, where The Rolling Stones would headline and Stewart would watch Mick Jagger for pointers on improving his harmonica skills.

Stewart also dabbled in soul and R&B before joining The Jeff Beck Group rock venture with guitarist Jeff Beck in the late ’60s, ahead of establishing his solo career. During his time as a solo artist, he had more of a soft rock style. Some his many collaborations include songs with Bryan Adams, Sting and Amy Belle.

Enter brothers Ari and Ben Fox, who have worked on several projects for more than 20 years that seek to increase the traffic flow of visitors into casinos around the country. Their latest venture is to incorporate an aspect of gaming that’s usually done remotely: video gaming.

“Many years ago, we saw that there would be a decline in the older generation visiting the brick and mortar casinos,” Ari Fox said in a recent phone interview. “Our answer is to give the younger people what they’re looking for, and what they’re looking for is much more of a skill-based system where people could play against each other on a peer-to-peer platform.”

That skill-based contest drives the , a lucrative market that attracts not just players vying for high-dollar cash prizes, but sizable audiences that rival traditional sporting events. Esports has fueled the rise of influencer platforms such as Twitch, where fans can watch their favorite players compete. A estimates that by 2025, there are expected to be over 318 million esports enthusiasts worldwide, a significant increase from the 215.2 million in 2020.

The Fox Brothers co-founded the Casino Esports Conference to spread the word. This gathering brings together local legislators, Tribal leadership, developers, affiliates, gamers, and engineers to discuss the future of video game integration into casinos. The eighth iteration of this event is coming to Southern California’s Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage on March 19-21. Programming for the event includes keynote speakers from the world of esports, casino gaming, and technology, as well as workshops and panels.

Building a gaming lifeline

Ari and Ben Fox also have a background in video games as the co-founders of Gameacon, a convention that will take place at the Palm Springs Convention Center in June. The curated event, which has been around since 2015, hosts professional/casual gamers and creators and attracts comic book, anime and pop culture enthusiasts, among others. Ari Fox said that the two worlds of casino and video games have overlapping similarities.

“We realized that the adrenaline that people get from slot machines, trying to get that bonus or trying to get the win, is similar to video gamers, but the video gamers have a different goal,” he said. “Their goal is to win the next level(s), so there’s a way that you can connect the two by giving them something that’s more interesting for them to do.”

Ben Fox added that generation Z and millennials play videogames for other reasons as well, such as for monetary gain or for statuses earned from experiences beating other players.

“You really don’t have to stretch the imagination too far to basically provide gaming that’s already there,” he said. “You just have to monetize it so that it becomes a business that entertains but also makes money for the property in order for it to sustain itself. We’re not talking about new creations or new things. All we’re really doing is trying to give them the tools and teach them how to use what’s already out there and implement it within a casino environment.”

Remote gaming vs in-person gaming

The world of video gaming has always had traces of social interaction, whether it was at the arcade playing side-by-side or even playing against others from home. The internet further revolutionized social interactions in video games by allowing players to make friends and play online with people from around the world.

The debate on whether esports is better in-person than remote play is similar to the. The question in consideration, asks whether patrons won’t consider participating from the convenience of their home rather than making the trip in person.

Gary Denham, CEO and founder of Wamba Technologies, is working on releasing an esports wagering platform dubbed Gamers Oasis. Denham was awarded a patent that will allow video gamers to enter a tournament on their mobile devices for a fee and compete against others in sports, racing, first-person shooters, fighting games and more, for cash. It will allow players to enter through game’s interface rather than using a third-party website or registration to compete.

“If a video game player wants to compete against other players to win money, whether it be one-on-one or in a multi-person tournament, they usually have to travel to an arena or a venue to compete,” Denham said. “Many people can’t participate due to travel costs or lack of accessibility. Gamers Oasis will allow everyone to compete for real money, directly from their phones, without needing to travel.”

Denham notes that another reason people compete in person is that gamers want to ensure they are facing off with other verified players and that no cheating will affect the outcome. He said he and his team are looking to address these issues by authenticating players based on their experience level and enabling them to use their front-facing mobile cameras or other camera devices when the company eventually develops its platform to adapt to console gaming.

“It’s only when money gets factored in that they’re traveling because of the inherent problems I just described,” Denham said. “If these players had a solution where the competition options were built right into the game and they felt comfortable and confident in that, they’re going to compete from their own homes just as they do when they’re playing for fun. They just haven’t been given that option yet, and that’s exactly what gamers Oasis is going to be providing.”

Ben Fox said that based on he and his brother’s experience hosting Gameacons, that there is something that sports betting lacks that esports has, which is an established history. He said that esports players can already compete online remotely, but are choosing to come in person. He added that It is the opposite effect with the sports bettors in other states, where betting online remotely is legal, causing less people to frequent sports books housed at casinos.

“With esports it works in the opposite way,” he said. “They qualify online and they do show up for the social aspect in person. It’s a behavior where those two worlds do work effectively, online, and it already existed before they even started having tournaments or meeting up for social events or casual play. It’s a reverse model, but it does work effectively.”

He and his brother Ari emphasize that some of the success of esports is driven by the desire of social interaction, which has been exacerbated by the disruptive force of the coronavirus pandemic. A released in October that surveyed 142 countries, found that nearly 1 in 4 adults feels lonely. Another significant find was that the rates of loneliness were highest in young adults, with 27% of young Gen Z-ers and millennials ages 19-29 reporting feeling very or fairly lonely.

Ben Fox said that the benefits of hosting these events could provide similar social interactions that are gained through other in-person activities such as going out to a bar or a concert with friends and can encourage gamers looking to meet up in person.

“You’re talking about generations that just came out of Covid where the majority of their interactions were online,” he said. “They’re crying out for social interaction and casinos are in a place to provide that.”

Southern California’s new esports frontier

Casinos into their entertainment offerings. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage and Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City continue, where visitors

Pearl Aguinaldo, vice president of marketing at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, said there has been an increase in the traffic to the casinos from the esports events. Aguinaldo became increasingly familiar with the subject thanks in part to her attendance at the Casino Esports Conferences in Las Vegas, and said that she felt that Agua Caliente Casinos could benefit from working together with the Fox brothers to bring the event to Southern California.

“We are very active in the community, and we want to make sure that when we present anything to the esports world, it is authentic and resonates,” Aguinaldo said. “So when Ari and Ben Fox said ‘Yes,’ it worked because we were also able to elevate the different experiences of the audiences that come to these conferences and allow them to visit our tournament, which will be held during the esports conference in Cathedral City.”

David Heath, general manager of Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, said that the esports competitions at the property have brought in younger guests who he and the casino hope will become returning visitors and may not be familiar with other attractions offered at the properties such as its dining or entertainment.

“We welcome the new clientele and the esports clientele,” Heath said. “It’s a new dynamic to hopefully have this group come to our property again and learn about us as we learn about them. So for us, we’re not shying away.”

Casino Esports Conference

When: Tuesday, March 19-Thursday March, 21

Where: Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.

Tickets: $799-$1,399 at��.

Tickets for the shows go on sale on Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets for the Indio event, fans can visit and for the Temecula performance.

Davidson began his career in television, making minor appearances on the MTV comedy series on “Failosophy,” “Guy Code,” and several episodes of the MTV2 series “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out.”

Davidson’s big break came when the comedian joined “Saturday Night Live” in 2014 for the show’s 40th season. He was the first SNL cast member born in the ’90s, making him one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history. The opportunity to audition was supported by comedian and actor Bill Hader, who first met Davidson while the two filmed their parts in “Trainwreck.”

His first appearance in a stand-up special was part of a second-season episode of the Comedy Central program, “Gotham Comedy Live,” before getting his own on the network, “Pete Davidson: SMD.” The comedian known for his relatable confessions and harsh truths, also has some Netflix specials under his belt, including “Pete Davidson: Alive from New York,” “Pete Davidson Presents: The Best Friends.” and his latest, “Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli” released in January His most acting ventures include”Bupkis” on Peacock, which Davidson created, wrote, and executive produced and stars in and the film “Dumb Money.”

Be sure to check the official websites for the latest event information.

Juanes

Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, known professionally as Juanes, began his career in Medellín, Colombia as a member of the heavy metal band Ekhymosis. Vásquez would later form his Grammy award-winning solo project, Juanes, known for hits such as “A Dios le Pido,” “La Camisa Negra” and “Besos En Guerra.” Though the Colombian musician cites rock and metal acts like Metallica as his influences, he’s also spoken about his love of different genres. Last year, Juanes played guitar melodies for his and Puerto Rican singer, songwriter Rauw Alejandro’s performance of “Baby Hello” at the 24th Latin Grammys in Sevilla, Spain. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $75-$265; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. .

Pablo Alborán

Spanish musician and singer-songwriter Pablo Alborán is known for his melding of Latin-pop and Flamenco acoustic guitars. His musical style can best be summarized with songs such as “Saturno,” “Solamente Tú” and “Quién.”�� Alborán’s latest album, “La Cuarta Hoja” was nominated for a Grammy Award for best Latin pop album at the and for album of the year and best pop vocal album at the 24th annual Latin Grammys. The album featured several Latin artists such as Argentine singer María Becerra and Mexican singer Carin León. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $35-$90. 760-775-5566. .

Styx

Chicago-based rock band Styx just wrapped up a residency at the Venetian Theatre inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and is making its way to Southern California’s casinos. The band’s most recent albums “Crash of the Crown” and “The Mission” were produced by Will Evankovich, the group’s newest guitar and mandolin player. This tour will include songs off of the new albums, along with classics like “Boats on the River,” “Mr. Roboto” and “Come Sail Away.” 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $75-$200. 800-514-3849. . And 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $81. 877-711-2946. .

Extreme & Living Colour

Extreme was one of the most successful metal/hard rock bands to come out of the ’90s and is still rocking to this day. The Massachusetts-based band has had their music featured in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and more recently in the opening of the fourth season of “Stranger Things.” Extreme, is out on tour supporting their latest studio album, “Six,” which was released in June. Joining them is the Grammy award-winning group, Living Colour. The rock band’s single “Cult of Personality” and the music video playing on the MTV airwaves led them to mainstream success in the late ’80s. 8 p.m. Feb. 24, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $49-$99. 800-827-2946. .

The Wynners

Pop group The Wynners, consisting of Alan Tam, Kenny Bee, Bennett Pang, Danny Yip and Anthony Chan, are out on their farewell tour. The Hong Kong-based group formed in the ’70s and was the first act to perform at the Hong Kong Coliseum. In its early days, The Wynners mainly performed songs in English and covered hits from The Beatles. They later released their own Cantonese music and set the groundwork for Cantopop. 8 p.m. Feb. 24, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. $98-$338. 877-711-2946. .