It’s a residency made for a Philadelphia casino. South Philadelphia native Jerry Blavat will be at Live! Casino Philadelphia every Thursday. The “The Geator with the Heater” adds a legendary name to the entertainment lineup for the casino which is approaching its one-year anniversary.
Jerry Blavat at Live! Casino
Starting on February 10, Jerry Blavat and DJ Jimmy Lee will be at Live! Casino Philadelphia every Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. for their new happy hour live broadcast and dance party.
Carmen Gonzales, Executive Director of Communications at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia said:
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Jerry Blavat to our Center Bar for his weekly Thursday happy hour broadcasts, just in time to help us celebrate Live!’s first anniversary. Jerry and Live! are synonymous with great Philly entertainment, so we look forward to hosting this local legend on a weekly basis starting February 10.”
Blavat’s a legendary DJ
Jerry Blavat’s still-going-strong career spans eight decades.
Born and raised in South Philadelphia, one day, in the early 1950s, like many other kids, he turned on the TV to watch “American Bandstand.”
“I saw these kids dancing, and I said I could dance like that. And I went to Bandstand and snuck in,” said Blavat about his first appearance as a Bandstand dancer. The Bandstand studio was on West Market Street in Philadelphia.
Blavat – a dancer, radio and television disc jockey, performer, entertainer, producer, and nightclub owner – is widely credited for inventing the “oldies” music format. Also known as “The Geator with the Heater” and “The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce,” Blavat is still on the radio seven days a week. At the end of his weekly show on WXPN “Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm and Blues Express,” he closes with his often-used line, “Keep on rocking, because you only rock once.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame included Blavat as a part of a permanent exhibit in its Museum of Radio and Records in 1998. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Blavat’s nightclub, Memories in Margate, will celebrate its 50th season at the shore this summer. Memories in Margate opens for the 2022 season on Friday, April 15 at 5 p.m.
What to know if you Live! Casino Philadelphia
To enter Live! Casino Philadelphia (as per city mandates), you must present proof of vaccination. If guests have a medical or religious exception, they must present paperwork documenting the exemption. Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include
- An original, digital photography, or photocopy of CDC Vaccination Card (both sides)
- An official vaccine record issued by another state, a foreign nation, or the WHO
Do I have to wear a mask at Live! Philadelphia?
Since Live! Casino Philadelphia is a fully vaccinated Philadelphia, guest do not have to wear a mask. However, masks are recommended.
Is smoking allowed at Live! Casino Philadelphia?
Yes. Only in designated areas.
Lead image c/o Jerry Blavat Facebook Page
