Summer may be over, but fall entertainment is sizzling hot at Ontario casinos.
From award-winning comedians to critically-acclaimed artists, many great fall entertainment options remain at the province’s many casinos.
Only a few weeks remain in the season – but punters, don’t worry. PlayCanada is here to break down Ontario’s best casino entertainment options.
Caesars Windsor Casino: Russell Peters acts his age
Caesars Windsor Casino completes its comedic trio on November 19. That’s when funny man, Russell Peters, takes the mic with his all-new Act Your Age World Tour.
The show starts at 8 pm, with tickets starting at $62.
Peters – the first comedian to get a Netflix stand-up special – continues a trend for Caesars. Earlier this fall, top-tier comedians Bill Burr (Oct.6) and Sebastian Maniscalo (Oct.22 – 23) hit the stage.
Thus, if patrons got some knee-slappers off to the first two, there’s a good chance this third act may be worth checking out.
Of course, Peters – and comedy shows, for that matter – may not be for everyone.
In that case, a more family-friendly option may be Cirque Musica: Wonderland.
The musical show – slotted for Nov.17 at 3 pm and 8 pm – is billed as a great holiday event to usher in the winter months.
Casino Rama: A blast from Canada’s musical past
At Casino Rama in Orillia, a (Canadian) musical paradise awaits patrons for the last fall weekend.
First up is the Grammy-nominated musical group, The Barenaked Ladies. The band – from Scarborough, Ont. – takes the stage on Nov.25. Tickets start at $49.
With over 15 million albums sold, the Canadian band became a household name in the 90s with their quirky alternative pop-rock style. They are slotted to perform their trademark hits One Week, Pinch Me and If I had a $1,000,000 at the casino.
Meanwhile, Canadian music royalty continues the next night when Sarah McLachlan takes centre stage. McLachlan – who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide – comes with perhaps the grandest pedigree of the fall performers. Notably, she has three Grammys to her name.
Unsurprisingly, her tickets are a bit pricier than The Barenaked Ladies, starting at $80.
Woodbine: Breeders Crown returns after three-year hiatus
If punters are feeling sportier, Woodbine Mohawk Park could be the solution.
From Oct.28 – 29, the 2022 Breeders Crown – with $6.7 million (USD) on the line – is taking place. The event is considered one of harness racing’s most prestigious events.
Twelve divisional championships, including the Horse of the Year, are decided over the busy weekend.
However, the marquee competition is the 3-Year-Old and Open Championships on Oct.29. At US$4.5 Million, the purse is nearly double that of the 2-Year-Old Championship winnings (US$2.4 million).
Regardless, for over 30 years, the Breeders Crown has alternated between the U.S. and Canada. This year’s festivities will mark the first time the series has returned since 2019.
Rideau Carleton Casino: rock out at The Joint
Beyond the heavy hitters, other casinos are getting in on the fall fun.
To that end, the Rideau Carleton Casino – in Ottawa – recently renovated its second-floor space, The Joint, to offer more live entertainment.
Initially, the party zone opened in 2020. However, COVID-19 restrictions, unfortunately, cancelled those plans. That is, until recently, when The Joint reopened last month.
Today, Ottawa residents once again have a spacious venue “with state-of-the-art sound, lights and staging” at their disposal.
And it appears promoters are wasting no time in christening The Joint. Upcoming shows include the following:
- Rockin’ Hallowe’en Ft. classical rock-specialists Ambush (Oct.29)
- Five-time Grammy-award winner Shania Twain (Nov.26)
- Tragically Hip tribute by Little Bones (Dec.10)
- The Beatles tribute by the Capital Beatles (Dec.17)
- Country singer Jason McCoy (Dec.31)
Hockey historian Liam Maguire also hosts a (free) monthly hockey trivia event.
