CasiNotes: It's only rock'n'roll art, but I like it

THE ART of rock 'n' roll will be in the spotlight at Resorts Atlantic City this weekend as the second annual Boogie Nights Rock 'n' Pop Art Gallery comes to AyCee's oldest legal casino.

Showcasing the "Rock Art Show," a national touring exhibition created by Montgomery County resident Scott Segelbaum, the free-admission gallery features a variety of original and limited-edition reproductions whose subjects include such performers as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash. Also on display will be original artwork created by such rock icons as Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana and Ron Wood of the Stones.

Collectors and fans will likewise be able to eyeball (and purchase) memorabilia, such as commemorative gold albums, handwritten song lyrics and concert posters.

This weekend's special guests are two of the Gallery's featured artists, photographer Mark Weiss, who has snapped the likes of Bon Jovi, Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera, and the mono-monikered Shannon, a painter and designer who specializes in Beatles motifs.

Resorts Atlantic City, Boardwalk at North Carolina Avenue, 9-midnight tonight, 2 p.m.-midnight tomorrow, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

Seafood by the sea

Tonight, Tropicana Casino and Resort opens FIN, a new seafood restaurant operating in the space that for years housed Wellington's Steakhouse.

Under the direction of chef Demetrios Haronis, a Jersey Shore native, FIN will emphasize locally grown and produced food and wine and freshly caught fish. Among the dishes are "Chef D's" Dancing Shrimp, made with onion-panko-crusted shrimp served with a lobster crab cake; Crabsickles, jumbo lump crab on a crab leg; grilled tuna ribs and homemade oyster cracker breadsticks. There will also be a sushi and raw bar.

What really sets FIN apart from the competition is its location overlooking the Boardwalk and ocean. To add to the nautical ambience, outdoor dining will be offered (weather permitting) on the eatery's second-floor patio.

Patrons can also avail themselves of a glass-enclosed "Captain's Table" offering private dining for up to 10 people. Demetrios and his team will create special items or guests can order off the menu.

FIN is open 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For information and reservations, call 609-340-4000.

For a lighter bite

If you're looking for something a little more casual, there's Burger Bar at Preview, a new light-bite outlet incorporated into the bar at the Reserve, the steakhouse at Bally's Atlantic City.

The bill of fare includes a variety of specialty burgers including the "No No . . . Carbs That Is!" burger, made with a portabella mushroom "bun," and the Maryland Crab Burger.

Hours of operation are 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more info, call 609-340-2000.

Hit the beach!

Today will also see the opening of the town's three casino-run beach bars, the Hilton Beach Bar, Trump Plaza Beach Bar and the newly christened Sammy Hagar's Beach Bar at Bally's.

For summer 2010, all three seem to be aiming squarely at younger crowds, which means baby boomers looking to groove to the sounds of classic rock will probably have more luck checking out indoor casino lounges.

Expect the al fresco taprooms to operate on a weekend-only basis through the end of June, then go to seven-day schedules in July and August.

Doggin' it

Tomorrow at 2 p.m., Trump Plaza Beach Bar will, for the fifth consecutive year, host a qualifying event for the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Among those vying for a place at the national championship (to be held July 4 at Nathan's famed Coney Island store) will be returning champion Juliet Lee, of Germantown, Md., and many top-ranked competitive eaters, including two Philly-area entrants, Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shout and Micah "Wing Kong" Collins.

A kids' competition is set for 1:30 p.m. Admission for both events is free.

Pyrotechnics in Chester

If you're doing your holiday weekend gambling and gamboling west of the Delaware River, you can take in the fireworks display staged by Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack.

The festivities begin at 10 tonight with the fireworks, then move inside to the End Zone Lounge for live music and attendant revelry. You must be 21 to view the fireworks from the casino grounds.

Chuck Darrow has been covering Atlantic City and casinos for over 20 years. Read his blog http://go.philly.com/casinotes.

E-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com. And listen to his Atlantic City reports Saturdays at 1:45 a.m. with Steve Trevelise on WIP (610-AM) and 4:05 p.m. on Atlantic City's WOND (1400-AM) with Marc Berman.