From live music to stand-up icons, March is packed with shows at Southern California’s casinos.
Before you go, test how well you know the acts. If you don’t get all of them, don’t worry, we’re grading on a curve, and by a curve, we mean not grading at all. It’s just for fun, so enjoy!
Q: This artist has the first name of a classical composer and the last name of a rock band. Who are they?
A: Wolfgang Van Halen is named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He is the son of the late Van Halen guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, whose middle name was Lodewijk, after Ludwig van Beethoven. Eddie decided to keep the tradition of being named after a classical composer going when Wolfgang was born. Now, Wolfgang fronts the band Mammoth WVH, which has been garnering acclaim with songs such as “Mammoth,” “Distance” and “Don’t Back Down.”
Mammoth WVH heads to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Saturday, March 5.
8 p.m. Saturday, March 5. 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $29-$49. 800-827-2946, fantasyspringsresort.com
Q: Which comedian and actor attended the same basketball camp as Kobe Bryant?
A: Kevin Hart and Kobe Bryant both have roots in Philadelphia. They attended Speedy Morris’ LaSalle basketball camp when they were in high school. According to one of Hart’s Instagram posts, Bryant attended the camp to work on his left-hand coordination, which was not his dominant hand, and still dominated everyone at the camp.
Hart is known for stand-up specials such as “Seriously Funny,” “Laugh at My Pain” and “Let Me Explain” as well as roles in films such as “Ride Along,” “Get Hard” and the latest “Jumanji” series.
Hart will bring his stand-up routine to Spotlight 29 Casino Sunday, March 6.
7 p.m. Sunday, March 6. 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $119-$239, 21 and older only. 760-775-5566, spotlight29.com.
Q: Which popular disco group that started in the ’70s consisted of a cop, a construction worker, a cowboy, a biker, a Native American and a soldier as the group’s stage personas?
A: The original six members of the Village People were Victor Willis (Cop/Admiral), Felipe Rose (Native American), Alex Briley (GI), Lee Mouton (Biker), Mark Mussler (Construction worker) and David Forrest (Cowboy). Willis is the only original member still performing in the group, which comes to Pala Casino Spa & Resort on Friday, March 11.
The group’s personas were the idea of French producer Jacques Morali, who thought of them as archetypes of American masculinity. The group emerged as gay icons in the 1970s New York City disco scene and even starred in the 1980 film “Can’t Stop the Music.” The Village People are best known for hits such as “Macho Man,” “In the Navy”and, of course, “Y.M.C.A.”
8 p.m. Friday, March 11. 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $20-$35, 21 and older only. 877-946-7252. palacasino.com.
Q: Which actor and comedian played the voice of a toy (hint, hint) space ranger superhero whose best friend is a toy cowboy sheriff?
A: If you guessed Tim Allen, you are correct. Allen voices Buzz Lightyear in the “Toy Story” film franchise. He’s also known for his role as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on “Home Improvement” and Mike Baxter in the “Last Month Standing.”
Allen will bring his stand-up routine to Spotlight 29 Casino on Saturday, March 12.
7 p.m. Saturday, March 12. $75-$95, 21 and older only.
Q: Which ’70s rock band sold out the Shea Stadium in New York faster than The Beatles?
A: In 1971, Grand Funk Railroad sold out the stadium in 72 hours. The Beatles did sell out the stadium in 1965, but not as quickly. Grand Funk Railroad’s hits include “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),” “We’re an American Band” and “The Loco-Motion.”
The classic rock band will take the stage at Pala Casino Spa & Resorton Friday, March 18.
8 p.m. Friday, March 18. $55, 21 and older only.
Q: The founder of this Celtic punk band previously fronted metal band Fastway alongside former Motorhead guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke for a time in the 1980s. What band is he in now?
A: Before Dave King started Flogging Molly, he was on the charts with Fastway and the hit “Say What You Will.”
Flogging Molly rocks, but the band is less metal and more punk rock/Irish folk. The group is best known for songs such as “Drunken Lullabies,” “Requiem for a Dying Song” and “Float.”
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with the band at Harrah’s Resort Southern California Friday, March 18, and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Saturday, March 19.
8 p.m. Friday, March 18. 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $29.50-$70.50. 760-751-3100 harrahssocal.com.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. $39-$69.
Flogging Molly (vocalist-guitarist Dave King pictured) will play at Harrah’s Resort Southern California on Friday, March 18 and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, March 19. (Photo by Richie Smyth)(Photo by Steve Rose)
Q: Which “America’s Got Talent” judge got expelled from high school for impersonating a school board member?
A: Howie Mandelpulled a rather hilarious stunt, but one that might have gone too far. He signed a construction contract while impersonating a school board member, which resulted in his expulsion. (He shared the whole story on Jeff Dunham’s podcast.)
Mandel is a judge on “America’s Got Talent” and also hosted “Deal or No Deal.” He’s also an actor and a stand-up comedian and will bring his comedy act to Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage Saturday, March 19.
8 p.m. Saturday, March 19. 25. 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $40-$75. 800-514-3849, aguacalientecasinos.com.
Q: Which Grammy-award-winning rap artist has also won a Grammy with his heavy metal band?
A: Ice-T first won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1991. Nearly 30 years later, his band Body Count won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. The rapper’s hits include tracks such as “I’m Your Pusher,” “Colors” and “New Jack Hustler.”
Ice-T will perform a special set commemorating the 10th anniversary of his documentary “Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap” at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa Saturday, March 26.
9 p.m. Saturday, March 26. 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $49-69. 951-849-3080, morongocasinoresort.com
Q: Which rock band is named after a 1915 truck model?
A: REO Speedwagon named themselves after the REO Speed Wagon, a motor truck model REO Motor Car Company manufactured. (Think of it like the ancestor to today’s pickup trucks.)
The band is best known for hits such as “Keep on Loving You,” “Take it on the Run” and “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” The band heads to Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage Saturday, March 26.
8 p.m. Saturday, March 26. 25. $55-$95.
Q: Which all-women rock band was the only all-female group to write their own songs and have a chart-topping album?
A: The Go-Go’s hit chart-topping success with their 1981 album, “Beauty and the Beat.” Last year, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are known for hits such as “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips are Sealed” and “Vacation.“
The band will perform at Pechanga Resort Casino on Sunday, March 27.
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 27. 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Sold out, but tickets could become available closer to showtime. 888-810-9971, pechanga.com.
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