Anka returns to Niagara

NIAGARA FALLS - He came, he saw, he pretty much owned the place.

From the moment Paul Anka hit the stage at the Niagara Fallsview Casino's grand opening, you knew something special was happening. First, Anka rarely performs in Canada these days, despite being born in Ottawa. In fact, his recent homecoming show in Ottawa was his first there in more than 20 years.

Second - you can mock him all you want, but according to Billboard Magazine, he's the 21st most successful artist in chart history. His elite company includes Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Lastly, his years working the Las Vegas casinos made Anka the ideal showman to open Niagara's newest attraction, and he didn't disappoint. The buzz after Anka's two invite-only shows opening night (June 8) was amazing.

"To bring him in here to open our showroom to the crowd, it really set the tone for a Las Vegas feel," says Anthony Annunziata, the casino's executive director of marketing. That's one of the things we're trying to represent, that we really have a Las Vegas property."

Only one thing left to do - bring him back.

Anka has inked a four-year deal that will see him perform at the Niagara Fallsview Casino twice a year. He brings his full, 90-minute show back to town Sept. 3,4, and 5. All three dates are nearly sold out.

Annunziata says opening night was an abbreviated version of Anka's normally loaded show, and the only place to see it in Canada is Niagara Falls.

"When he comes into Canada, we would like this to be the place he comes," he says. "To do that, we needed to sign a deal with him over the next couple of years to say this would be his home when he's not touring around the United States.

"Clearly, he has a following, and the fact is, we have him. We've got him signed up exclusively."

Anka's June visit was a short-but-entertaining affair, heavy with hits like Diana, For Once In My Life and My Way. Highlights included a video duet with Sammy Davis Jr.

But the music is only half the fun. Anka constantly chats and jokes with the audience, even answering cell phones from people in the front row.

After testing the market for three months, Annunziata says the casino may lock in other artists with long-term contracts soon.

"There are a couple of artists who have really played well to our market," he says, "and the market certainly wants to see them return. We're looking to sign multi-year deals with some of these artists."

Anka's next visit is slated for Valentine's Day weekend in February. Tickets for the September 3, 4, 5 shows are $54.50 and $84.50. Phone 1-888-836-8118.

Back to listings