Live Entertainment at Harrah's
Top-Name Music & Comedy Entertainers, Plus Thursday Night Live Jazz

As we head into the fall season, headlining an all-star lineup in September at Harrah's Casino is one of the giants of modern jazz, vibraphonist Roy Ayers, who will be celebrating his 70th birthday on the night of his September 10 live show. Also performing in September is Starship (as in formerly Jefferson Starship/Jefferson Airplane) featuring vocalist Mickey Thomas, and local comedienne Jodi Borrello returns "with a little help from her 'Friends.'"

And, continuing throughout September is the popular – AND FREE! – Live Jazz Happy Hour on Thursday evenings in the Masquerade Lounge. Here's how the month's entertainment lineup at Harrah's shapes up:

Roy Ayers
Friday, September 10

Celebrating his 70th birthday on the night of his performance at Harrah's, multi-award-winning vibraphonist/vocalist Roy Ayers could not have received a greater introduction to his instrument than he had. At the age of five, he received his first set of mallets from none other than the legendary Lionel Hampton, father of the modern jazz xylophone sound.

With about 55 albums to his credit since 1963, Ayers is among the best-known, most loved and respected jazz/R&B artists on the scene today – and possibly the best living vibes player. Known as the Godfather of Neo-soul, Ayres continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. In the late 1960s he came into prominence for his brilliant stick-work on Herbie Mann's Memphis Underground album, one of the groundbreaking jazz-rock fusion records of that era. After a four-year stint with Mann (1966-1970), he founded Roy Ayers Ubiquity which not only allowed him to expand into multiple genres, it also served as an incubator for emerging talent; musicians who later became big names themselves.

Going into the 1970s and '80s Ayers became a popular R&B bandleader, and today he is still in great demand, recording with hip-hop artist Talib Kweli (produced by Kanye West) and jazz/R&B singer Will Downing. His music has been covered by Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac Shakur and Ice Cube. Many of Ayers' songs including "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," "Searchin'," "Running Away," have been frequently sampled and remixed by DJ's worldwide. Other hits include "You Send Me." "Love Will Bring Us Back Together" and more.

Showtime: 8:00 p.m. Ticket Prices: $35 general admission; $45 King's Row

Jodi Borrello & Friends
Saturday, September 11

Jodi Borrello & Friends are back at Harrah's Theatre to once again entertain in an original way by tingling your senses with laughter seasoned by veteran performers along with a sweet New Orleans music sound. The show features New Orleans' native comedian and regular with The Improv at Harrah's Las Vegas, Jodi Borrello; musical director/arranger for Dr. John and critically acclaimed trumpeter, Charlie Miller; New Orleans own Big Easy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Becky Allen; 30 year veteran actor/comedian/entertainer, Kenny Bob Davis; and New Orleans' up and coming comedian, Rhonda Bordelon. Look forward to an evening of laughter, spiced with music that combines the best entertainment flavors of New Orleans!

Showtime: 8:00 p.m. Prices: $25 for general seating and King's Row

Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Saturday, September 25

Mickey Thomas is the owner of the soaring voice that propelled Starship through the '80s and '90s following the departures of Grace Slick and Marty Balin. With his soulful and compelling vocals, Thomas has established himself as one of Rock Music's most recognizable stars. He is currently celebrating his 30th anniversary with the group, dating back to when it was called Jefferson Starship – the second generation of the '60s acid-rock group Jefferson Airplane.

Thomas made his mark on the music world in 1976 as lead vocalist on the mega-hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" with The Elvin Bishop Group. He joined Jefferson Starship not long after that and they immediately scored a #1 hit with "Jane." With the new sound and powerful new vocals, the group was renamed Starship and continued to record an amazing string of hits including "No Way Out," "We Built This City (on Rock and Roll)" and "Sara." Starship received an Oscar nomination for the #1 hit "Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now" from the movie Mannequin. Every Starship album released has gone Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum. Starship's newest single, "Get Out Again" is climbing the charts and the group remains a staple on MTV and VH1.

Showtime: Two shows at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Ticket Prices: $35 general admission; $45 King's Row

For all 8:00 p.m. shows, the doors open at 7:30. All guests must be seated by showtime and cash beverage service is available inside the theater.

For tickets to any of the Harrah's mainstage shows call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or log on to www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office inside the casino on the day of the performance, starting at 3:00 p.m. You must be 21 to enter the casino and attend the shows.

Live Jazz at Masquerade

Throughout September, as in past months, the Masquerade lounge inside Harrah's Casino continues its Thursday night tradition, "Live Jazz Happy Hour." Every Thursday night, between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m., this free and open-to-the-public happening brings out some of New Orleans' finest jazz vocalists and musicians.

The September lineup is as follows:

Sept. 2 - Erica Falls
Sept. 9 - (No entertainment programming - Saints vs. Vikings)
Sept. 16 - Real Love
Sept. 23 - Dave Lemon & The Flow
Sept. 30 - Gina Brown & Anutha Level

2nd Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival

As an added attraction at the end of what's shaping up to be a memorable summer at Harrah's, the Second Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival takes the stage at Harrah's Theatre during the weekend of September 17-19.

The weekend-long celebration is produced by Rick Delaup, renowned documentary producer and leader of the city's burlesque revival, and will feature world-class burlesque entertainment. You can catch "Mondo Burlesque" on Friday, Sept. 17, "Queen of Burlesque" Saturday, Sept. 18 and "Naughty New Orleans" Sunday, Sept. 19. All three shows start at 8 p.m. The nightly shows will include classic striptease, live jazz music, comedy and song, as well as showcasing New Orleans' Golden Age of Burlesque in the 1940s and '50s.

More information about the first annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival is available at www.neworleansburlesquefest.com. Tickets are now on sale by either calling 1-800-745-3000, or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com or www.harrahsneworleans.com. They will also be on sale at Harrah's Box Office the night of the show.

Harrah's New Orleans is operated by a subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.