Be sure to check each casino’s official website for the most up-to-date event information.

Los Tigres del Norte

The iconic Mexican norteño group Los Tigres del Norte has earned several Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards over its six-decade career. The group has also been honored for its advocacy on immigrant rights, singing songs like “De Paisano a Paisano,” and “Vivir En Las Sombras,” about their experiences, highlighting issues of racism paired with economic struggle. Their efforts on the subjects have earned them an upcoming Lifetime Recognition by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, who will award it to the group at their meeting on June 10. 8 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $89.50-$229.50. 888-999-1995, aguacalientecasinos.com.

Foreigner

While most members of the rock band Foreigner are no longer performing live with the group, there are still a few select shows where die-hard fans have been treated to a surprise. On their recent stop in São Paulo, Brazil, Lou Gramm, the original lead singer, came out with the group for a performance of “I Want To Know What Love Is.” If you’re planning on catching the band, there may be a chance you’ll hear the O.G. frontman singing some timeless love songs. 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $166; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com

Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen

Ryan Bingham has done it all, from drifting in the Southwest, becoming a professional bull rider and winning Grammys, Oscars and Golden Globe awards. He played Walker, an itinerant ranch hand, as a guest role in the Western television show, “Yellowstone,” which featured some of his music. Bingham’s style incorporates elements of folk, blues, country, and rock ‘n roll. 8 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. Tickets start at $106.45. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Everclear

Three decades ago, Everclear‘s breakout album, “Sparkle and Fade,” propelled the rock band into stardom, and they continue to find inspiration and motivation to tour. Frontman Art Alexakis said in an interview with the Daytona Beach News-Journal that he has been vocal about his fight against relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and has a newfound gratitude for being able to continue to perform live. Alexakis added that the group is working on new music slated for next year. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Soboba Casino Resort, 22777 Soboba Road, San Jacinto. $52.50-$78.75. 951-665-1000, soboba.com.

Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band

The band that rocked Broadway and fans in the musical “Rock of Ages” is bringing its production of rock star musicians and lead singers from the original cast for a performance of the 5-time Tony Award-nominated show. The concert will consist of hits from many of the best bands of the ’80s, including songs by Bon Jovi, Journey, Whitesnake, Poison, AC/DC, Joan Jett, Styx, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot and more. 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. $32-$68. 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo, the R&B pop star known for his dance moves and extensive signature hat collection, has been releasing new music lately. He independently released two singles last year, “2 Million Secrets” and “Show Me.” The signer was also awarded his first Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) award for his and Pitbull’s 2011 single “Give Me Everything,” on which he is featured alongside Afrojack and Nayer. 8 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. Tickets start at $60-$200, 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

Tania Estrada

Estrada has shared the stage with comedy greats like Jeff Garcia, Willie Barcena, and Paul Rodriguez, where she’s delivered her sharp and unapologetic takes on culture, music and everyday chaos. The Colombian-American comedian is now looking to share the spotlight with others. She’ll be performing with other Latinas in the stand-up scene for a night that highlights the cultural contributions of Latinas in comedy. 8 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $33.85. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Intocable

Intocable, a group from the border town of Zapata, Texas, has remained relatively consistent over its 30 years of producing iconic norteño music in a highly competitive genre. As of late, the band, usually armed with accordions and 12-stringed guitars, has traded their acoustic instruments for electric guitars. Their last two albums, “Rosas Y Bombones Con Intocable” and “Modus Operandi,” lead with mainstream pop-rock elements that resemble The Beatles and Foo Fighters. Their tour will chronicle their new aspirational sound and intermix their classic hits. 8 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $69-$119. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

On Monday, April 21, the property unveiled 12,000 square feet of additional casino gaming space with hundreds more slot machines. New games that were added include Ultimate Fire Link Triple Nova, Huff and Extra Puff, Hot Hot Double Blazing Lock, Red Hot Jackpots, Bang Bam Boom and Miner’s Dream.

The new slots joined other popular games such as Money Gong Emperor, House of the Dragon, Huff, and Even More Puff Hard Hat Edition. Agua Caliente Casino Spa Rancho Mirage is also the first casino in Southern California to showcase Aristocrat’s new HYPER LINK games, with three popular game options: Buffalo, The Power of 88, and Just Ca$h.

Agua Caliente Casinos’ Chief Operations Officer Saverio Scheri said in a phone interview that the new addition was accomplished by knocking down a few walls where the poker room once resided and building a new extension to connect it to the casino. The poker room was relocated to be closer to Ace Deli, La Olla and Jade, which Scheri said gives players more privacy.

“There’s also slot machines there that are complimentary to our poker players,” he said. “They really love that move, and we really opened up the floor with the expansion, so now it just flows and feels like it’s always been part of the casino.”

The floor expansion of the Rancho Mirage property comes as Agua Caliente Casinos celebrates a 30-year milestone with its sister properties, Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs and Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City. To commemorate the anniversary, the casinos hosted a party in downtown Palm Springs that featured food trucks, drone shows, cash promotions and a performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

Scheri said the celebration was meant for all the neighboring communities that have supported the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ vision of being the first tribe to operate three casino properties in the Coachella Valley.

Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, formerly Spa Resort Casino, is the oldest property in the heart of downtown and has been a favorite of casino-goers for decades. The casino started in a tent next to its hotel in 1995 and was then replaced with a permanent property in 2003. The hotel portion of the property closed in 2014.

Agua Caliente’s Rancho Mirage property, formerly Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, opened off the 10 freeway in 2001 and features a 16-story hotel, a 2,200-seat theater and a four-story garage. It differs from the property by adding a full resort experience, complete with a large hotel tower, spa and a large showroom set to feature a roster of high-caliber comedians and musicians.

The Cathedral City property opened nearly two decades later on Nov. 24, 2020, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, which delayed the opening of its outdoor space, the Agave Caliente Terazza, to April 2021. The outdoor venue has since been a centerpiece of the Cathedral City casino, offering a place for holiday celebrations, including the setup of skating rinks for the Fourth of July. Other niche programming of weekly community events, include yoga, cornhole, Latin music nights and videogame tournaments.

Agua Caliente Casinos also operates the Spa at Séc-he, which opened in April 2023, and features hot mineral spring waters estimated to be over 12,000 years old with unique mineral components not found elsewhere. While the spa isn’t a part of the other two properties that don’t have a spa in-house, it has allowed them to increase their wellness footprint in the heart of Palm Springs, and last year, it was named the number one spa in the country by Spas of America.

“While we’re enjoying some great success, we can’t just be satisfied where we are. We have to do those things, but at the same time, we have to think about, well, what kind of things can we do that’s new and exciting to really keep people coming in to visit us?” Scheri said. “So many people don’t realize that we’re not just a casino, we’re a full resort with top-notch five-star amenities that you can’t find anywhere else, and that is what we’re really hoping to convey.”

Be sure to check each casino’s official website for the most up-to-date event information.

Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton

When it comes to funk icons, no group quite does it like Parliament Funkadelic and George Clinton. The band of afro-futurists headed by Clinton uses elements to deliver eclectic performances full of psychedelic funk, outlandish fashion, and humor. The group was recently featured in a PBS documentary, dubbed “We Want The Funk!” 8 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. $46-$61. 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.

Tom Jones

Tom Jones is on tour, boasting hits from his expansive catalog such as “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Delilah.” While he made a name for himself with his rhythmic and bluesy soul music early in his career, Jones has continued to expand his style. He’s collaborated with several different artists, including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Dolly Parton and Ed Sheeran. 8 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. Tickets start at $117.05. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz, best known for his hit “I’m Yours,” has more music he wants to share, including his 2023 release, “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride.” His eighth album is a mix of pop with some disco influences that features an insight into his experiences with being in his mid-40s. 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $85.00-$200.00. 888-999-1995, aguacalientecasinos.com.

Morris Day & The Time and Sheila E.

Prince initially built the funk and soul group as The Time before they broke off and did their own thing independently with Morris Day. For the show, the band will also be joined by another Prince protégé and singer-songwriter, Sheila E. 8 p.m. Saturday, May  16, at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $59-$89. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

Chris Estrada

Chris Estrada has found himself doing more stand-up shows since the unfortunate cancelation of his Hulu series “This Fool.” Before the success of the show, he was performing stand-up and delivering sharp-witted humor with laid-back style. If you enjoyed the Hulu show or are just looking for some new stand-up comedy, Estrada is a must-see performer. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $33.85. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com

Missing Persons and Stacy Q

The ’80s new wave and synth pop group Missing Persons had been missing in action for nearly two decades. The group rose to prominence in the MTV era but disbanded shortly after the release of their third album, “Color in Your Life.” They reunited in 2011 and by November 2023, the group released their first record, “Hollywood Lie” with all original music in nearly three decades. 8 p.m. May 22, at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. Tickets start at $26. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

Leslie Jones

Saturday Night Live alum and star of Max’s “Our Flag Means Death” is back on the road performing stand-up. In an interview with Seven Days, Vermont’s newspaper, the 57-year-old comedian said she wanted to make people laugh and get them out of any doom-spiraling depression. If that sounds like you or you’re just in need of a laugh, you’ll want to catch Jones’ performance. 9 p.m. Friday, May 23, at Soboba Casino Resort, 22777 Soboba Road, San Jacinto. $39-$79. 951-665-1000, soboba.com.

Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin’s late drummer John Bonham, is on tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s “Physical Graffiti” album. The show will feature a full performance of the double album, featuring some of the group’s most iconic hits such as “In My Time of Dying,” “Trampled Underfoot,” and “Kashmir.” 8 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $52.50-$62.50. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Caifanes

The Mexican rock band Caifanes is back in the U.S. for a short stop on their 2025 Americas tour. Even if you don’t speak or understand Spanish, the group of rockers of all backgrounds can enjoy their electrifying performance. The more well-versed rock fans might even catch elements of The Cure and King Crimson, as they’re cited as major influences of the group. 8 p.m. Monday, May 26, at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $800; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

Be sure to check each casino’s official website for the most up-to-date event information.

The Legendary Wailers

Julian Junior Marvin has performed with Bob Marley & the Wailers since the late ’70s and has continued to perform with the group for many of its iterations over the past decades. Now he’s fronting the group, where they play and sing the band’s greatest hits. The Legendary Wailers will perform with Third World, Inner Circle and The Skatalities. 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. Tickets are $49.10-$141.90. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Ice Cube

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, N.W.A pioneer and actor, Ice Cube is on tour in support of his 11th studio album, “Man Down.” His latest release incorporates a style reminiscent of his roots and is the first of his albums to land on the rap charts in 14 years. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $92-$123. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Gina Brillon

Comedian Gina Brillon recently released her comedy special “Mind Your Business” on YouTube, where she takes a different direction than her previous specials. In her latest work, Brillon focuses on marriage, motherhood, and self-awareness. Saturday, April 12, at Soboba Casino Resort, 22777 Soboba Road, San Jacinto. $25. 951-665-1000, soboba.com.

Santana

Carlos Santana rose to prominence with his group’s ability to blend rock and blues with a Latin flare that has influenced generations of musicians. He is set to release a new photo book dubbed “Carlos Santana: Love, Devotion, Surrender” on May 27, which will showcase photos of his personal memorabilia collection, rare behind-the-scenes photos and more. 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $800; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

Chris Tucker

Actor and stand-up comedian Chris Tucker is on the road balancing his routine, which features his takes on pop culture, family-friendly jokes about his Grandma and one of the funniest impressions of his late friend Michael Jackson. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. Tickets start at $57.75-$246.45. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Desi Banks

Desi Banks got his first big break on Vine before the social platform disappeared, but he was able to stay afloat and amassed a massive following on other social media platforms. He’s since been on the road with Mike Epps and mentored by Kevin Hart. 8 p.m. April 25, at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. Tickets start at $46.75-$78.50. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

Ralph Barbosa

Dallas-based comedian Ralph Barbosa, whose meek, soft-spoken stand-up style has been a key factor in his rise to prominence, debuted on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in early 2023. Later that year, he followed up with his Netflix comedy special “Cowabunga.” Although there is no official release date for his next comedy special, the comedian has a deal for it to premiere on Hulu as part of the streamer’s new comedy hour and stand-up initiative, Hularious. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $49.50-$99.50. 888-999-1995, aguacalientecasinos.com.

Wynonna Judd

Wynonna Judd, one of country music’s most celebrated acts, is on tour celebrating and performing her greatest hits. The Grammy Award-winning musician got her start with her mother as part of The Judds. Their country and soul vocals, influenced by Appalachian traditionalism, helped bridge the gap between dance and country. Saturday, April 26, at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $85-$115. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

So, when her then-teenage son Alec told her he wanted to go pro as a poker player, she had but one thought: “WOW, just WOW,” she says. “The correlation to life and the cards you are dealt with was just so apparent to Alec at a young age that his involvement felt strategic. Alec was approaching it by studying and talking to others about optimal plays and the math behind them. With Alec, it truly felt good right from the beginning.”

Call it mother’s intuition, because Alec Torelli has been a professional poker player for nearly 20 years, and has racked up more than $2.7 million in winnings. By age 19, Alec had become a top 10 winner in online poker, and shortly after he became the only player to win back-to-back events at Las Vegas’ famed Bellagio.

Today, he’s also the founder of Conscious Poker, an online poker training site aimed at helping people make better decisions on the felt and in life. Here are some insights I shared in an email interview:

Q: My teenage son wants to learn poker; he thinks it “sounds cool.” It sounds like a bad idea to me! All I see is a gateway to gambling addiction and a time waster. But what could he gain from it?

A: Poker, when approached responsibly, can be a highly beneficial learning tool for young people. It’s not just about the cards; it’s about developing critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic decision-making skills. Poker teaches discipline and patience, as players must wait for the right opportunities to act. It also fosters a deep understanding of risk management and probability, which are valuable in many areas of life.

I believe the decision-making framework I learned from poker has helped me in the real world, too — from making investments and analytical thinking to running a business, to reading people during conversations and overcoming adversity when life throws me a curveball.

Q: When and why did you start playing? And when did you realize card-playing could your career be?

A: I started playing poker when I was 16 and was immediately captivated by the strategic and psychological aspects of the game. It started as a hobby I enjoyed with friends, but I soon discovered I had talent. Winning my first online tournament while I was still in high school and being among the biggest winners in my weekly home game boosted my confidence.

At 18, while studying at Southern Methodist University, I reached a crossroads: focus on school or commit to poker. Using the skills I learned in poker, I evaluated the risks, rewards, and opportunity costs of both paths. My worst-case scenario in pursuing poker was losing the money I had saved and being one year behind my peers. When I compared that with my upside — traveling the world and competing in the game I loved — I realized I had little to lose and everything to gain. Recognizing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue my dream, I decided to go all in on poker.

Q: What particular skills as a competitive poker player have translated to other parts of your life?

A: Poker has taught me invaluable skills both on and off the felt. It has honed my ability to make decisions under pressure, a crucial advantage in business and life. Emotional regulation, another key skill, helps maintain a balanced perspective despite the game’s ups and downs. Strategic thinking and planning, central to poker, have greatly benefited my approach to life’s challenges and business ventures. Finally, poker mirrors life as a game of incomplete information, where one is forced to make bets without having all the facts. This perspective has taught me to view risk as an opportunity and has given me the confidence to trust myself.

Q: What do you think is the least understood part of playing games?

A: I think the least understood aspect of playing games, especially poker, is the importance of the mental game. Many people focus solely on strategy, but the psychological elements are equally, if not more, crucial.

This includes managing tilt (emotional upset due to bad luck), maintaining focus over long periods, and understanding the ever-changing psychological dynamics between players. The ability to read opponents and adapt strategies based on their behavior is an art form that often goes unnoticed. It’s one thing to intellectually know what the right play is while watching the game on TV from the comfort of your home, it’s another to make it in real time while everything is on the line.

Q: When you lose, how do you keep going?

A: Losses are an inevitable part of poker, and learning to handle them is crucial for long-term success.

The key is to focus on the process rather than the results. I avoid focusing on the money, and instead view it as a byproduct of doing my job correctly, which is to make winning bets. I analyze each hand to understand if I made the best possible decision with the information I had at the time. If I did, then the outcome is irrelevant.

It’s also important to keep a balanced lifestyle. Regular exercise, meditation, gratitude and finding balance help maintain perspective and mental clarity. Having a strong support system and engaging in activities outside of poker ensures that the game doesn’t define my entire self-worth.

Losses then become learning experiences rather than setbacks. I’ve come to see them as an opportunity to grow and improve. By focusing on these aspects, poker can be a rewarding pursuit that goes beyond the game itself.

LAS VEGAS — Sin City blew a kiss goodbye to the Tropicana before first light Wednesday in an elaborate implosion that reduced to rubble the last true mob building on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Tropicana’s hotel towers tumbled in a celebration that included a fireworks display. It was the first implosion in nearly a decade for a city that loves fresh starts and that has made casino implosions as much a part of its identity as gambling itself.

“What Las Vegas has done, in classic Las Vegas style, they’ve turned many of these implosions into spectacles,” said Geoff Schumacher, historian and vice president of exhibits and programs at the Mob Museum.

Former casino mogul Steve Wynn changed the way Las Vegas blows up casinos in 1993 with the implosion of the Dunes to make room for the Bellagio. Wynn thought not only to televise the event but created a fantastical story for the implosion that made it look like pirate ships at his other casino across the street were firing at the Dunes.

From then on, Schumacher said, there was a sense in Las Vegas that destruction at that magnitude was worth witnessing.

The city hasn’t blown up a Strip casino since 2016, when the final tower of the Riviera was leveled for a convention center expansion.

This time, the implosion cleared land for a $1.5 billion baseball stadium for the relocating Oakland Athletics, part of the city’s latest rebrand into a sports hub.

That will leave only the Flamingo from the city’s mob era on the Strip. But, Schumacher said, the Flamingo’s original structures are long gone. The casino was completely rebuilt in the 1990s.

The Tropicana, the third-oldest casino on the Strip, closed in April after welcoming guests for 67 years.

Once known as the “Tiffany of the Strip” for its opulence, it was a frequent haunt of the legendary Rat Pack, while its past under the mob has long cemented its place in Las Vegas lore.

It opened in 1957 with three stories and 300 hotel rooms split into two wings.

As Las Vegas rapidly evolved in the following decades, including a building boom of Strip megaresorts in the 1990s, the Tropicana also underwent major changes. Two hotel towers were added in later years. In 1979, the casino’s beloved $1 million green-and-amber stained glass ceiling was installed above the casino floor.

The Tropicana’s original low-rise hotel wings survived the many renovations, however, making it the last true mob structure on the Strip.

Behind the scenes of the casino’s grand opening, the Tropicana had ties to organized crime, largely through reputed mobster Frank Costello.

Costello was shot in the head in New York weeks after the Tropicana’s debut. He survived, but the investigation led police to a piece of paper in his coat pocket with the Tropicana’s exact earnings figure, revealing the mob’s stake in the casino.

By the 1970s, federal authorities investigating mobsters in Kansas City charged more than a dozen operatives with conspiring to skim $2 million in gambling revenue from Las Vegas casinos, including the Tropicana. Charges connected to the Tropicana alone resulted in five convictions.

There were no public viewing areas for the event, but fans of the Tropicana did have a chance in April to bid farewell to the vintage Vegas relic.

“Old Vegas, it’s going,” Joe Zappulla, a teary-eyed New Jersey resident, said at the time as he exited the casino, shortly before the locks went on the doors.

Be sure to check the official websites for the latest event information.

Ne-Yo

Singer, songwriter and dancer Ne-Yo is on his Champagne and Roses tour, which puts the spotlight on his catalog of hits as well as new singles, including his collaboration track with Eric Bellinger, “Sage.” 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $45; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

Shane Gillis

After his recent appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Shane Gillis is back on tour promoting his work before the premiere of his new sitcom “Tires.” 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59-$99. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com.

98 Degrees & All 4 One

The pop group 98 Degrees and R&B group All 4 One are teaming up for a night of yearning romance. 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $50-$125. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Mark Normand

The standup comedian and actor featured on “Conan,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is hitting the stage for his Ya Don’t Say tour. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $35-$85. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai

Two guitar legends, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, are teaming up for the Satch Vai U.S. tour. The musicians have been playing music together since their teenage years after Vai approached Satriani for guitar lessons. 8 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $54.50-$104.50. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

John Waite

John Waite, former singer of The Babys and the supergroup Bad English, is out on his solo tour that will highlight his catalog of hits of the ’80s and ’90s, such as “Missing You,” The Babys’ “Isn’t It Time,” and Bad English’s “When I See You Smile.” 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $50. 800-514-3849. aguacalientecasinos.com.

Pete Davidson

Standup comedian and actor Pete Davidson is on his Wellness Check Tour with two stops at SoCal casinos. 8 p.m. Friday, May 11 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $69-$89. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com. 6 & 9 p.m. Sunday, May 12 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $82. 877-711-2946. pechanga.com.

Boyz II Men & Robin Thicke

The iconic R&B group Boyz II Men and Robin Thicke, known for hits “Blurred Lines,” “When I Get You Alone,” and “Lost Without U,” are teaming up for a night of slow and sensual jams. 8 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $80. 877-711-2946. pechanga.com.

Stevie Nicks

One of the most iconic rock singers, Stevie Nicks has not only had a string of Fleetwood Mac hits but she’s also the first woman twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $200; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

Caroline Rhea

Caroline Rhea, known to many for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC series “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” is also a veteran standup comedian and will be performing a handful of comedy shows. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $40-$75. 800-514-3849. aguacalientecasinos.com.

Anthony Jeselnik

Anthony Jeselnik got his comedic start as one of the first writers on the “Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon” and as a performer at Comedy Central’s roasts of folks like Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen and Roseanne Barr. His latest Netflix standup special was “Fire in the Maternity Ward.” 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $49.50-$215. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Moira

The 2013 winner of “The Voice of The Philippines,” Moira Della Torre, is on a string of U.S. tour stops. She’s become one of the only OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artists to be included in Spotify’s Top 200 Most Followed Artists list with 9.5 million followers. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $68-$158. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

December Avenue

The five-piece alternative indie band based in the Philippines, December Ave, has developed an English and Tagalog fanbase for their songs focusing on love, loss, and bittersweet moments. They became one of Spotify’s Most Streamed artists in the Philippines in 2019. 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26 at Pala Casino, Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala. $68-$158. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson, best known for his recurring role as Terry Bernadino in “Reno 911!” and for his work with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, is heading to Cabazon. 8 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $59.99. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

“Clearly, I hate change,” Iglesias joked in a phone interview ahead of his three performances at the Rancho Mirage property on Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. “It’s going to be a great time. I bring a great show with really good production. There’s nothing like it but wrestling. My shows like WWE meets the Food Network.”

The 47-year-old Long Beach resident known for his trademark Hawaiian shirts grew up in Southern California, including Riverside, Santa Ana, Baldwin Park and Compton. He says he enjoys playing roulette and checking out the cocktail menus at casinos but for Iglesias, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage holds a sentimental value.

“For my mom and I, that was our little hangout,” he said. “She would always go with me, and without getting too emotional about it, she passed away about 10 years ago. So it was one of those things where it was a nice place to go and remember her. That particular venue was one of those places where there were always good memories.”

In 2022, he made history as the first comedian to headline Dodger Stadium which was later released as a Netflix special dubbed “Stadium Fluffy.” He’s also taken on more prominent T.V. roles, joining George Lopez’s sitcom “Lopez vs. Lopez” for season 2 and becoming a regular on “The Santa Clauses.”

Before his three shows in Rancho Mirage, Iglesias talked with Southern California News Group about headlining the baseball stadium, sharing the stage with George Lopez, social media’s impact on comedy and more. The following conversation was edited for space and clarity.

Q: You’ve performed some massive sell-out shows, including famously at Dodgers Stadium. How did you feel after doing that performance?

Iglesias: I felt very hungover the next day, and I might’ve celebrated a bit onstage. The next day was very surreal. My head and stomach were hurting but I’ve never been happier. It was the greatest day of my life. The whole next day, I just saying, ‘Wow, I can’t believe that happened.’

Q: You shared the stage with comedian George Lopez for the Golden Globes. Was it the first time you two have done something together like that?

Iglesias: We haven’t worked together since about 2000. We were on a television show called ‘Que Locos’ on Galavisión and he was one of the hosts. I was an up-and-coming comedian and that was the first time we got to work together. We didn’t really run into each other again until the Golden Globes. I thought that was really cool that the two of us could do that together. I love the fact that people could see us working together on such a huge stage. While everybody was focused on Taylor Swift, I’m telling George, ‘Do you realize how big this is?’ The two of us on that stage together?’ We’re living in a time where we’re all watching other comedians tear each other down so I thought it was really awesome that we could do that.

Q: Did you see people react when Lopez jokingly mispronounced Pedro Pascal’s name? How did you feel about it?

Iglesias: Well, that particular night, the Golden Globes crowd was challenging. But I felt like our little bit went over well, considering the short time we were up there. But with the Pedro Pascal joke, you could see some people were like, ‘Wait a minute’ and it was something that George improvised and that wasn’t part of the script.

Q: There is a lot of talk right now about Latino representation in the media and in Hollywood. How do you feel about  representation in the current environment?

Iglesias: If I relied strictly on Hollywood to make me, I’d still be at my day job.

All I heard when I was starting out was no. I couldn’t get into comedy clubs. Since I couldn’t get into comedy clubs, I performed wherever they would allow me to perform: at quinceañeras, barbecues and little holes in the wall until I was able to get myself into a position where somebody could help me get into a comedy club. By the time I got there, I was seasoned because I was used to performing in environments that were not conducive to comedy. So of course, I came out killing it out of the gate because I was used to people throwing bottles and calling me fat from the crowd and threatening me in a parking lot.

Sometimes we spend too much time feeling held down, feeling oppressed, feeling pushed back. I think we can grow out of that. It was not Hollywood who put me here. It was me making a decision to take matters into my own hands.

Q: Speaking of taking matters into your own hands: What do you think of comedians who are succeeding because of their social media presence?

Iglesias: Social media is a double-edged sword because it’s one of those things where, yes, you can promote yourself and get your content out there quickly, but there’s something to be said about taking your time to do it right.

There are a lot of people out there who have gotten sparks, and then they go out and do their shows but unfortunately, all they have is their two or three minutes that went viral. They don’t have enough to sustain a full show because they haven’t been around long enough to hone in their craft and really build something to have a strong show. For most comics, it takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years to have a solid act where you can tour, headline and work.

So to pick the fast pass with social media, sometimes it doesn’t work but sometimes it does and they’ll catch on. Most of the time, I think that you’re missing out on the struggle and you’re missing out on the growth.

Q: If you could perform for any person or people living or dead, who would they be and why?

Iglesias: This isn’t a specific person but I would like to perform in the ’70s for an audience just to see what that would feel like. I feel like in the ’70s it was the last time where you could say anything you wanted up there and people knew you were just a comedian. Nobody was going to be pissed off when they got it in the parking lot. There were also no cell phones to record you and no social media. There was none of that and it was just people out having a good time.

Q: What’s one of the funniest situations you’ve been in that at the time was super serious but you had to prevent yourself from laughing?

Iglesias: I got a massage yesterday for my messed-up sciatica. I get massages regularly and usually I’m on my back or on my front. That’s how you lay down on the table. I kept complaining about my side and she goes, ‘Well, why don’t you lay down the side,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, let’s do that and it was awesome. I go, ‘Man, this is great,’ and she goes, ‘Yeah, I do this all the time for pregnant ladies.’ So, I’m like, Wow, OK, I guess I’m six months.

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.

Where: Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.

Tickets: $85-$200 at aguacalientecasinos.com.

For Lopez, comedy became an outlet for exploring the Mexican-American experience with humor, which served as a pivotal stepping stone to launch his acting career and become the first Mexican-American to host an English-language late night show, “Lopez Tonight.”

“When you can do stand-up on a level that very few comedians have done (then go into) the sitcom, the talk show and now the show with my daughter, all things that are going good, why would you want to change anything in the mix,” Lopez said during a recent phone interview.

He’s getting back to his stand-up roots and hitting the stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Saturday, April 6, where his show will focus on his aging and some of the baggage that comes with it.

“I think (my show) has always been kind of reminiscent of the backyard cookout,” he said. “Now that I’m getting older and viejito (little old man), I talk about not being able to see with my mouth closed, the medicine, looking at everything that you eat, carrying an EpiPen and all those things that were so foreign, but that’s the how life is lived now.”

Although Lopez’s material has often utilized his Latino identity with a comedic undertone, in his early days, his jokes didn’t have the personal touch that has become a staple of his work.

“In the early ’90s, somebody said to me, ‘If I watched you, there’s nothing really about what you’re talking about that actually tells me anything about your personal life; if you’re married, I don’t know if you have a mom and dad, what your politics are,’ and I thought that was a pretty good constructive criticism of my stand-up at that time,” he said.

To answer that criticism, Lopez began looking for comical figures within his family, which brought him to his grandmother, who had a funny and adversarial personality. She’d often joke with Lopez about being funnier than him and skipping weddings if she had already gone to the first one of the spouses. The advice helped Lopez look at his family and the funny elements in Latino culture he could make light of, such as drinking 7-Up as a medical remedy or the makeshift extension cord leashes he’d see on dogs.

“I started to look at all the stuff that was in my world, and it just became the stuff that people gravitated toward,” Lopez said.

Latino representation has been a mission of Lopez’s work throughout his career, despite a media landscape that’s struggled to tell those stories and underrepresents Latinos more broadly.

A University of California, Los Angeles study by the Entertainment & Media Research Initiative released a study last year titled “Hollywood Diversity Report 2023: Exclusivity in Progress,” which examined diverse casting in 521 live-action, scripted television shows during the 2021-2022 season.

The study found that Latinos made up 6.1 percent of leads in broadcast shows, 3.6 percent of leads in cable shows, and 4.3 percent of leads in digital shows despite Latinos making up 19% of the population in the U.S. While the numbers aren’t anywhere near where Lopez would like to see them, he said that some progress has been made throughout the years.

“When I started my first show in 2002, Eva Longoria and America Ferrera were just starting, and there was no Eva Mendes or Gina Rodriguez, and directors like Robert Rodriguez were also just starting,” he said. “I see it getting better. Is it ever going to be a level playing field? No, but in 20 years, you do want to see it getting better than it is now, but it’s also hard for everybody. When you don’t come from a theatre or comedic background, you have to scrape and find stuff, so it’s so difficult to make it that many people just stopped (trying) it.”

Lopez encountered some of those obstacles early on when trying to pitch his first television show, “George Lopez,” which eventually got picked up by the ABC network and ran for 120 episodes over six seasons. In a 2006 People Magazine interview, he praised actress and longtime friend Sandra Bullock for helping make his show a reality when his pitches weren’t getting anywhere in Hollywood. Bullock would later join the series as an executive producer.

“George Lopez” is a sitcom where he stars as a fictionalized version of himself raising a family in Los Angeles and touches on themes of class and race. Some featured aspects from his real life included his best friend Ernie (same name in the show) and even some places he worked and was fired from.

“I used to work at this place called Powers Book Publishing, run by this guy named Melvin Powers, who used to think he was a big shot. I even used his name (in the show), and one day, they come in with a client, and he said, ‘Hey, how’s it going George?’ and I said, ‘Pretty good Melvin.’ I didn’t call him Mr. Powers, and the way he looked at me, I thought, ‘Oh man, he’s going to fire me,’ and he did that day,” Lopez said. “I found success in not trying to be an astronaut, but in trying just to keep the show grounded, and there’s really nobody that says ‘I don’t get what they’re saying,’ and that is as big an accomplishment.”

The comedian’s latest television venture is the NBC network sitcom, “Lopez vs. Lopez,” about a blue-collar family featuring his real-life daughter, Mayan Lopez. Season two will premiere on Tuesday, April 2. He said that although there may be some slight overlaps with his previous sitcom, this one delves into more contemporary topics, such as millennial life decisions and other generational aspects that his daughter’s character explores.

“Mayan Lopez has been funny her whole life,” he said. “Every day, I look at her at some point when we’re working. I see her as a five-year-old girl, a seven-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old girl because that’s just the way my mind works. It’s hard for me sometimes to believe that the little girl who I cut her cord over in the hospital is that young lady who’s on the television show and posters with me. It’s really beyond my imagination.”

While his previous sitcom and new one seek to represent a Latino experience, other aspects are universally appealing to audiences no matter their background, which Lopez attributes to the talent of the writers’ room.

“On the show that we have right now, we have a lot of Latina writers; they’re younger, we have people who are gay, and from every facet of everyday life,” he said. “They can write on all the shows and not just the ones that have to do with an alternate life. These stories are everybody’s story. The friction between parents and their kids and getting older hasn’t changed. I’m not trying to make everybody happy, and I’m not even worried about who’s laughing. I’ve just had a long enough career where those are the things that I shouldn’t have to worry about anymore.”

George Lopez

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

Tickets: $69-$129 at fantasyspringsresort.com

Be sure to check the official websites for the latest event information.

Teo Gonzalez and Don Cheto

Stand-up comedian Teo Gonzalez and TV personality Don Cheto are teaming up for a night of satire and outlandish comedy. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $59.99. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

George Lopez

After his appearances in the DC Comics superhero film, “Blue Beetle” and the first season of “Lopez vs. Lopez,” stand-up comedian and actor George Lopez is returning to the stage. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $69-$129. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Nikki Glaser

Comedian and actress Nikki Glaser is on the road supporting her The Good Girl Tour. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $49.50. 877-711-2946. pechanga.com.

Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill, best known for his time with R&B pop group New Edition and the popular TikTok song “Rub You the Right Way,” is taking his solo act on the road. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $40-$120. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga

Mexican regional act Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga has only announced one Southern California show from their nationwide tour. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $175-$599; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

Godsmack

The rock band Godsmack is on the road with its Vibez Tour, which promises a stripped-down version of their music and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd covers. 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $80.50-$134.50. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 12 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $59-$99. 800-827-2946. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Los Ángeles Azules

Los Ángeles Azules, who became the first traditional cumbia group to play at the Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival in Indio, will be hitting a couple of casino stages. Friday, April 12 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $124.50-$168. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $65-$100. 800-514-3849. aguacalientecasinos.com.

Lita Ford

Lita Ford, one of the guitarists of the Runaways, is out on tour performing some music off a new album she’s hinted will be released later this year. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $50. 800-514-3849. aguacalientecasinos.com.

Craig Robinson

Actor and stand-up comedian Craig Robinson is best known as Darryl from the popular sitcom “The Office,” but he is also a musician and performs in the funk group, “The Nasty Delicious.” 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. $49-$69. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

The Offspring

Orange country-based punk band The Offspring will perform a few shows leading up to their 30th-anniversary show for their hit album, “Smash,” happening at the Honda Center in Anaheim later this summer. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $50; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.

ZZ Top

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ Top, known for hit songs such as “La Grange,” “Gimmie All Your Lovin’,” and “Cheap Sunglasses,” are out on their Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $109.50-$163. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Gladys Knight

Grammy Award-winning soul singer Gladys Knight is making her rounds for the final days of her Farewell Tour. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Pechanga Resort Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. Tickets start at $89. 877-711-2946. pechanga.com.

Tim Allen

Actor and stand-up comedian Tim Allen is back on tour and ready to profess his begrudging befuddlement of the world around him. 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. Tickets start at $35; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. $59.50-$213. 760-751-3100. harrahssocal.com.

Banda Limon

Banda Limon is on tour with their current three vocalists, José Ramón Maldonado, Kevin Melendres and Víctor Noriega. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $25-$60. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com.

Busta Rhymes

Despite canceling his entire Blockbusta 2024 tour, the rapper is still committed to bringing his speed and lyricism to Southern California for one night. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, 777 San Manuel Blvd., Highland. $55-$799; 21-and-older only. 909-864-5050. yaamava.com.