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Durant — Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant is on a roll.
And it’s not just what’s happening at the poker table, slot machine, or roulette wheel.
Last month, the resort’s Grand Theater won the Academy of Country Music’s Casino of the Year Theater award for the third time. It was recently upgraded with a state-of-the-art speaker system that rivals other top concert venues in the country.
And the casino, located near the Oklahoma-Texas border, has made a strategic business decision to reach out to international talent, attracting thousands of new customers.
The venue is booking superstars from as far away as the Philippines to attract Asian tourists to Durant, which is located about 130 miles northeast of Dallas and 240 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
On September 29, a box office sensation, a concert starring popular Filipino talk show host Vice Ganda, filled the 3,000-seat Grand Theater and the resort’s casino and restaurants. Ganda appeared alongside 21-year-old heartthrob Kyle. Echarri from Star Media and Lux Entertainment Promotions Group.
Popular entertainer Vice Ganda, the Philippines’ top grossing entertainer and talk show host on Philippine National Television, will perform at the Grand Theater on September 29. (Staff photo provided by James Bennett)
Ganda is the latest in a string of Filipino artists to come to Durant, following Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez in June and Jonah Belay, Jed Madera and Sherin Regis in February.
“This work is not just with Filipinos, but with AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) groups as well,” marketing director Thomas O’Sullivan told the Journal-Record. “AAPI has grown tremendously, and we want to make sure we create an environment where everyone is accepted.”
Florelis Morante of Oklahoma City has lived in the United States for more than 10 years and is an American citizen. She told the Journal Record that she misses the entertainers in her native Philippines, home to some of the world’s top singers.
“I never expected to meet Vice Ganda in person. It was very exciting,” said the former resident of Davao City, Philippines. “This venue is a true performance experience. Before the concert, there were at least 10 food and beverage outlets inside the hotel and casino.”
Stella Bautista Hardeman drove to Durant from OKC with 20 friends. They had planned to pay $188 for prime tickets for the girls’ trip, but after a short line, they were able to snag a center aisle fifth-row seat for free.
“I love Vice Ganda’s comedy. It was great,” said Hardeman, a Manila native. “We drove in from OKC the same day without any problems. We met some friends and got tickets. We thought we might be in the last row. It wasn’t. We were surprised and pleased.”
Mr O’Sullivan said the casino had also recently hosted performances by Vietnamese and Chinese performers.
“If you’re following the entertainment scene in Dallas and Oklahoma, there are plenty of shows to go see,” he added. “But we are fortunate to have one of the best venues in the country and a world-class resort.”
The casino also signed a deal with Live Nation to bring some of the biggest names in entertainment, including country music, to the Grand Theater. The bulk of the deal came from the acquisition of PANTHER Sound Systems.
“We work with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, and providing them with the best sound experience is what they expect,” said Frank Diehl, assistant casino manager. “By upgrading to the PANTHER system, our sound system rivals that of large venues, and the new system allows us to further enhance the concert experience.”
The Commodores performed at the venue on October 5th. Upcoming appearances include Rainie Wilson (October 11), Foreigner (October 12), Ice Cube (November 15), Hank Williams Jr. (November 23), Nelly (December 14th) and Riley Greene (December 31st). ).
Due to demand, Choctaw Casino & Resort expanded in 2021. The luxurious 21-story Sky Tower opened with more room for concert guests, games, a restaurant, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and Choctaw art. The Grand Theater is a 3,000-seat venue that draws crowds from all over Oklahoma and Texas to see a variety of entertainment. (Choctaw Casino photo)
Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma said, “This spectacular, first-class entertainment facility will not only enhance the experience for our guests, but also improve the lives of tribal members, individuals, and families across our state.” said. “This expansion will provide funding for much-needed services for tribal members, generate millions of dollars in economic growth for Oklahoma, and allow tribal governments to invest additional funds in education and infrastructure improvements for all Oklahomans. means.”
The $600 million expansion created 1,000 jobs and ancillary construction in Durant, including apartments, restaurants and other businesses.
“We wanted to create a one-of-a-kind resort and gaming experience, and we’re proud to say this expansion rivals what we have in Las Vegas,” said Choctaw Nation Director of Gaming and Hospitality. Executive Director Heidi Grant said. “We’re excited to introduce all the new things to our guests from Oklahoma, North Texas and beyond.”
Grant said the casino and resort serve as an investment for a better future for the Choctaw Nation and the region.
“The Choctaw Casino & Resort property in southeastern Oklahoma is an investment in the Choctaw Nation and the communities we call home,” Grant said. “Proceeds from operations are invested directly into the community for wellness centers, medical facilities, housing, food distribution centers, Choctaw-owned businesses, and more.”
“We support job creation and economic development partnerships with people in our communities and will continue to bring positive change and jobs to our city and state as we grow,” she added.