Allen Event Center is pleased to announce that Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon will headline a jam-packed triple bill of great stand-up comedy on Saturday, October 19. This special one-night-only engagement features three of the most legendary comedic talents ever cast on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”  

Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. through ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at Allen Event Center Box Office, 200 E. Stacy Road #1350 Allen, TX 75002.

Starring together on “Saturday Night Live” from 1986 to 1991, these three are largely credited with saving the iconic show which had sunk in the ratings to the point of being on the chopping block in 1985. Popular sketches such as “Pumping up with Hans and Franz,” (Carvey and Nealon) “Wayne’s World,” (Carvey) and  Miller and Nealon’s work behind the “Weekend Update” anchor desk, played an integral role in the show’s resurgence with the era of Carvey, Miller  and Nealon being widely hailed by critics as among the show’s best.  Though they have all gone on to successful careers, very rarely have they shared the stage since.  Saturday, October 19, don’t miss your chance to see a performance that is every bit as historic as it will be hilarious.   

Dana Carvey made a name for himself as repertory member of the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” for seven seasons (1986-1992).  Carvey is best known for his characters the Church Lady; Hans, of the Hans and Franz body building duo; the Grumpy Old Man of “Weekend Update;” and Garth, Wayne Campbell’s (Mike Myers) “Excellent Co-Host” on “Wayne’s World”-- both the sketches and the immensely popular movies they inspired. 

In addition to these characters, Carvey has received widespread praise for his stand-up routine and uncanny comedic impersonations of such political figures as Ex-President George Bush, H. Ross Perot, Jerry Brown, David Duke and Bob Dole.  He also does impersonations of George Burns, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Stewart, John McLaughlin, Mickey Rooney, Casey Casem and Regis Philbin among many others. He has received a total of six Emmy nominations, winning one in 1993 for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.  Also, he was honored with The American Comedy Award as Television’s Funniest Supporting Male in 1990 and 1991.

Since 2007 Dennis Miller has been heard five days a week on his nationally-syndicated Dial Global (formerly Westwood One) Radio talk show, “The Dennis Miller Show.”  He is also a regular contributor for “The O’Reilly Factor” on the FOX News Channel.  Miller is a five-time Emmy award winner for his critically acclaimed half-hour, live talk show “Dennis Miller Live” which had a nine year run on HBO. Miller also garnered three Writer’s Guild of America Awards for the series as well as an additional WGA Award for his 1997 HBO special, “Dennis Miller: Citizen Arcane.”  He also wrote and starred in the Emmy-nominated cable comedy special “Raw Feed” and most recently appeared in his eighth HBO special, “Dennis Miller: The Big Speech.” 

He has been cast in films, usually in dramatic roles, most notably in 1994's “Disclosure,” 1995's “The Net,” and 1997's “Murder at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”  He also appeared in the 2008 release, “What Happens in Vegas.” Miller has also achieved success in the literary arena with four books, I Rant Therefore I Am, The Rants, Ranting Again and The Rant Zone, having all achieved New York Times best seller status.  For two seasons, Miller called the plays alongside Al Michaels and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts on ABC’s “Monday Night Football.”  He was also the “Weekend Update” correspondent on “Saturday Night Live” for six years, before exiting in 1991.

Kevin Nealon first burst on the scene during his nine-year stint as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” with contributions to “Weekend Update” and playing such characters as Franz, Mr. Subliminal and Tarzan. Nealon, who made his film debut in the 1987 romantic comedy, “Roxanne,” with Steve Martin, has gone on to star in more than two dozen comedies, including “Happy Gilmore” and “The Wedding Singer,” both with Adam Sandler, “Anger Management” with Jack Nicholson, “Daddy Day Care” with Eddie Murphy, “Grandma’s Boy,” with Rob Schneider and David Spade and “Just Go With It,” with Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman. He has also starred in the Showtime one-hour stand up special “Kevin Nealon: Now Hear Me Out” and authored the book, Yes, You’re Pregnant but What About Me? 

Recently, Nealon has received critical acclaim for his role in the Showtime series “Weeds” where he plays Doug Wilson, wayward accountant and business advisor to Nancy Botwin. Another recent high profile gig was on Nick at Nite’s stop-motion animated series “Glenn Martin, DDS” where Nealon was the voice for the title role opposite Catherine O’Hara and Judy Greer. 

The Allen City Blues Festival returns to Allen Event Center Saturday, July 27, with more than a dozen acts set to grace two stages throughout the day and into the evening. Main Stage acts will include Eric Johnson, Billy Cox Band of Gypsys Experience, the Wanda King All Star Revue Band featuring Joey Love, Griff Hamlin & The Circle City Horns, Kirby Kelley and The Peterson Brothers Band. The Guitar Sanctuary Stage will offer the Maylee Thomas Band, Grady Yates featuring Milo Deering and Brady Mosher, Nick and the Nighthawks, The Alex Dowidchuk Trio Featuring Thomas Dawson, Special Guests and featured performances from the Guitar Sanctuary Performance Academy. 

Tickets are on sale now through ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or at Allen Event Center Box Office.
 
Eric Johnson’s stature as one of the premier guitar players in contemporary music is his artistic trump card, backed by a Grammy Award and five nomina¬tions, a platinum album, Top 10 hits like “Cliffs of Do¬ver,” praise from critics and the esteem of his peers. But the full hand of his talents marks him as a gifted songwriter, dynamic live performer, singer, pianist, song interpreter and creator of a rich and diverse musical legacy. His many achievements include being enshrined in Guitar Player’s Gallery of Greats and being named one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. 

Billy Cox is the only surviving member of both The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys.  Best known for his bass work with Hendrix in the Band of Gypsys, Cox’s signature playing was an integral part of the legendary performance at Woodstock. He remains vital to the Hendrix legacy today, carrying forward Jimi Hendrix’s blues and rock-n-roll spirit with his fantastic group – Billy Cox Band of Gypsys Experience.  A member of the Musicians Hall Of Fame, Cox has played in recent years with the likes of Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang.  

Wanda King has a style all her own taking a cool, laid-back approach to the blues with a big voice and stage presence to match. President of the Freddie King Blues Foundation, Wanda King recently accepted the award for her late father at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. His influence on her style is unmistakable, and shines through when you hear The Wanda King All Star Revue Band featuring Joey Love (who played a solo on the second stage last year). Having grown up amidst the greats whose music filled the King’s home such as Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King and B.B. King, Wanda King’s unique brand of the blues truly belongs on the biggest of stages. 

Griff Hamlin and the Circle City Horns’ fiery brand of blues/rock is full of soul and spirit that will bend your understanding of what the blues can be. The band excels at connecting with a crowd, bringing them in for a wild ride full of spontaneity and excitement. With the highest caliber of musicians and performers and a full horn section, North Texas audiences are poised to discover one of California’s best bands and brightest stars in Griff Hamlin.  

Kirby Kelley rightfully wears the crown as King of the Blues having beaten out more than 4,000 guitarists for the honor as judged by Hubert Sumlin of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Grammy Award winner Pete Anderson. Kelley’s skills as a slide guitarist set him apart, and are extracted from a myriad of influences that culminate into a rich gumbo of blues-based musical soul food.  Excelling at acoustic finger style Delta, Texas and Piedmont blues stylings, Kelley places his indelible stamp on the presentation of each with raw power, emotion and soulful vocals set deeply in the origins of the blues. 

Rounding out the main stage, The Peterson Brothers Band features two young talents, Alex, 14, on bass, violin and vocals, and Glenn Jr., 16, on guitar and lead vocals. Their music combines a classic blues sound with their own unique blend of soul-infused inspiration. In just a few short years they have had the opportunity to open for or share the stage with Pinetop Perkins, B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys, Hubert Sumlin and Buddy Guy. The band is in the studio working on their debut album so the Allen City Blues Festival audience can say they saw them first. 

The Guitar Sanctuary Stage, located within a refreshing, shaded beer garden adjacent to the arena, also features a lineup with considerable talent. Programmed by The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney, intimate sets from great musicians will begin shortly after doors open at 1 p.m. on July 27. The stage will be headlined by the Maylee Thomas Band, a band that transcends genre, mixing gospel-based blues with a soul-driven rock sound. The stage also features the well-honed guitar chops and catchy melodic grooves of Nick and the Nighthawks, one of Texas' rising young guitar phenoms, Alex Dowidchuk, and Grady Yates, whose musical stylings bring Tortola to Texas with toes-in-the-sand attitude. Special guests and featured performers from the Guitar Sanctuary Performance Academy will also be announced.   

From their inception, The Guitar Sanctuary has partnered with the Love Life Foundation. Love Life is dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse by promoting and supporting those agencies who provide valuable aid, refuge and hope to these innocent children. At the Allen City Blues Festival, The Guitar Sanctuary will sell tickets to a chance drawing for a Fender Eric Johnson Signature Stratocaster Guitar ($2599.99 Retail Value) to benefit the Love Life Foundation.

Fox 4 will again live broadcast from Allen Event Center in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program on Thursday, Dec. 13 throughout newscasts from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and 9 to 10:30 p.m.

This is the third year Fox 4 has chosen Allen Event Center to have anchors collect donations live during the evening news. In 2011, the drop off drive at Allen Event Center had the most toys out of any other location. More than 90 bikes and 3,715 toys were collected making this drive the first time Fox 4 has overfilled the donation truck and had to use an additional van.

Appearances by Allen Americans and Dallas Sidekicks stars as well as Chick-fil-A Cow, Santa and many more are certain to bring the holiday spirit to this charitable event. Local residents will not want to miss their chance to give back while they plunge into the fun festivities.

The first 300 contributors will receive goodie bags from local businesses and the opportunity to win big prizes.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate children to assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.