Live entertainment?
Don’t roulette out, at Chinook Winds Casino Resort
By Sabine Wilson
For Oregon Coast Today
As we near the first anniversary under a global pandemic, Chinook Winds Resort Casino has answered many of our prayers with the event that has provided laughs for many years. Comedy on the Coast returns on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, with precautions put in place to keep guests safe.
“Our guests and team members need a laugh and opportunity to get out and enjoy themselves,” said Public Relations Manager Heather Hatton. “This is the first step toward bringing more of our events back safely in time.”
The headliner, Gabe Rutledge, has won popular contests like the Seattle International Comedy Competition—a month-long stand-up event operating since 1980, and the Atlanta Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, which draws up to 1,000 guests.
Rutledge is no stranger to the big screen, with appearances including Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” Nickelodeon’s “NickMom Night Out,” “ComedyTV” and “Comics Unleashed.”
Not limited to one medium, Rutledge also appears on the radio —frequenting the “Bob and Tom” show which reaches more than 150 cities.
Traveling everywhere from the HBO/TBS Comedy Festival in Las Vegas to the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland all the way to the Great American Comedy Festival held in Norfolk, Nebraska, to commemorate comedy legend Johnny Carson, Rutledge has made Americans laugh all over the country.
Joining Rutledge is comedian Lisa Alvarado and host DJ Sandhu.
Alvarado is a mix of Tina Fey and Sophia Vergara, combining a clever, sharp wit with a sassy and close-to-home humor. She is more than okay using herself as the punchline, weaving in her personal life for audiences to enjoy.
She crafts her comedy using written material and hilarious improv skills honed at comedy hub Second City and Comedy Sportz.
Alvarado has performed all over the world in theaters, clubs and military tours and has made TV appearances on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Nick at Nite’s “Funniest Mom in America 2,” “Harry Connick, Jr. Talk Show,” “Comics Unleashed,” “Stand Up in Stilettos” on TV Guide Network, “NuvoTV,” “Comedy.TV” and more.
She also had a long-standing role, playing Paul Rodriquez’ sidekick for 20 episodes on “Mis Videos Loco” on MTV.
Voted “Best Up & Coming Latino Comedian” by the LA Comedy Festival, it is no shock that her jokes have even been quoted in The New York Times.
Host DJ Sandhu brings a presence that is both hysterical and light-hearted, pushing the boundaries with absurd opinions that will make you laugh uncontrollably.
From the World Series of Comedy to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sandhu has worked with and learned from some of the industry’s legends, including Sinbad, Bret Ernst, John Witherspoon, Michael Blackson and Steve Byrne.
For a guaranteed laugh and a way to get out of the house safely, the Comedy on the Coast event is an amazing transition to bring back the feeling of normalcy as well as have a fun night out.
For folks wondering about other events to partake in, Chinook has plenty of options.
“We recently re-opened our Social Distancing Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights with DJ Ultrasonic and will of course make announcements as events are added,” Hatton said. “We also work hard to provide fun promotions for our guests with slot tournaments, promotions such as Cases of Cash, Veterans Club Kiosk game and more.”
Chinook Winds also has new electronic table games — both with or without dealer assist — bingo and of course, Keno.
The casino is even hosting the “Green Ball” golf tournament in March.
“We have many options for safe fun,” Hatton said. “Golf is definitely one of those options.”
After a trying time for us all, Chinook Winds is grateful to provide a space for guests to still have fun.
“We are sincerely thankful to our local community as well as our visitors for their patience and support,” Hatton said. “We know it’s been a difficult time for everyone. We are all working through this together and look forward to welcoming those who are ready to visit us safely.”
Comedy on the Coast doors open at 9 pm to guests 21 and over. Tables will be limited to four people per table and face coverings will be required. No-contact temperature checks will also be taken upon arrival.
Tickets are $15 and can be reserved at www.chinookwindscasino.com or by calling 1-888-MAIN-ACT (624-6228).
Chinook Winds Casino Resort is located at 1777 NW 44th Street, Lincoln City.