TOLEDO — When Richard St. Jean, the general manager of the Hollywood Casino, arrived on the south Toledo
site three years ago, he was immediately struck by the expanse of property in front of the
still-under-construction building overlooking the Maumee River.
He knew immediately that lawn would be a great venue for live music.
Last year, the casino, just north of downtown Rossford, got a start, hosting a few concerts. But the
arrangements were made on the fly.
In fall when new vice president of marketing Anika Gaskins arrived, he set her to work making his
original vision a reality.
Last summer’s Spotlight shows have now been rebranded the Hollywood Concert Series, which is being kicked
off this weekend.
At a press event Friday announcing the 12-event series, Gaskins said the rebranding was just one of the
changes.
The style of the music has expanded, and some events will now feature VIP seating up front and access to
other amenities.
The casino is not gambling on unknown acts either. Hollywood Casino has booked hitmakers from the past
half century of pop music, including Rock Hall of Famers and multiple Grammy winners.
The series got underway Friday night with the first of a three-night appearance by the Las Vegas music
tribute act Legends in Concert. The free show will be presented again Saturday at 10 and Sunday at 6
p.m.
Gaskins said the show will give the audience a chance to experience the setup and get excited by the
future shows.
Also scheduled to perform this summer are:
• Country star Jamey Johnson, June 14 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and $55.
• Robby Krieger, guitarist and songwriter for The Doors, with his band Jam Kitchen, June 19 at 8 p.m.
Free.
• Alternative hard rockers Chevelle, June 20 at 9 p.m. Tickets $30.
• Rhythm ‘n’ blues singer, songwriter and producer Maxwell July 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets $45 and $65.
• A double bill of rock masters featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo plus Rick Springfield, July 9 at
9:30 p.m. $45 and $55.
• Blues rocker George Thorogood & the Destroyers, July 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets $30.
• The vocal trio Wilson Phillips, July 19 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets $30
• Motown legend Smokey Robinson Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets $40 and $50.
• The four-pack of 1990s rock Summerland Tour with Everclear, Soul Asylum, Eve 6, and Spacehog, Aug. 9 at
7 p.m. Tickets $25.
• Country singer Travis Tritt, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets $35 and $50.
• A 1980s rock double bill of 38 Special and Night Ranger, Sept. 13 at 9 p.m. Tickets $35.
This weekend’s performances features a trio of tribute artists from the Las Vegas-based Legends in
Concert. Performing will be: Jazmine, a singer with a hit under her own name, as Whitney Houston; Corey
Melton as Michael Jackson; and Coty Alexander, who got her start as a Shirley Temple impersonator, as
Madonna.
Tickets and information on the series are available at: www.hollywoodcasinotoledo.com/HCS