Former Foxwoods exec hired by Seneca Gaming

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·3 min read

Dec. 16—Seneca Gaming Corporation has hired Monique Sebastian, an executive with more than two decades of entertainment leadership experience in the gaming industry, as executive director of entertainment.

Sebastian will oversee the live entertainment schedule for Seneca Gaming Corp., including artist bookings and performances in the Seneca Niagara Event Center and the Bear's Den Showroom at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, and the Seneca Allegany Event Center at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, along with outdoor performances at both resorts. In addition, Sebastian will work to enhance the properties' entertainment offerings through new experiences and events.

"Monique is an inspiring, creative and innovative thinker, who will help elevate our overall entertainment offerings and experience to a new level," said Melissa Free, Seneca Gaming Corp.'s chief marketing officer. "We have world-class resorts that attract world-class talent. With Monique's energy, vision and proven experience, we are excited to maximize our offerings and to stand apart as the preeminent live entertainment destinations in our region."

Sebastian was most recently vice president of Entertainment and Entertainment Marketing at Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the largest gaming resorts in the U.S. She oversaw all aspects of entertainment operations, including artist bookings, marketing strategies, calendar management, and ticket operations for all shows and venues. Under her management, Foxwoods booked such high-profile acts as Kevin Hart, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Jerry Seinfeld, and many others, and produced several groundbreaking music festivals. Sebastian spent 20 years at Foxwoods, holding several leadership positions in the Entertainment department over that time. A member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Sebastian graduated from Mercy University.

"I am delighted to be joining the incredible team at Seneca Gaming Corp.," she said. "I am eager to elevate and achieve a dynamic and diverse entertainment program that brings together A-list performers and performances with cutting-edge concepts to deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests."

Seneca Gaming Corporation's three properties — Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino — offer a wide variety of live entertainment throughout the year. The Seneca Niagara Event Center and the Seneca Allegany Event Center can each accommodate up to 2,500 people and regularly present headline national music, comedy, live sports, and other performances and events. The Bear's Den Showroom, an intimate 440-seat theater located inside Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, is one of the premier venues for live entertainment in Western New York. In addition, all three Seneca Resorts & Casino properties regularly present a full schedule of live local entertainment at their feature bars and lounges.

Performers who have taken the stage at the Seneca Resorts & Casinos venues in recent years include Miranda Lambert, Smokey Robinson, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Terry Fator, Amy Schumer, Elle King, Goo Goo Dolls, KISS, Boyz II Men, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Craig Ferguson, Tracy Morgan, Jay Leno, Jon Lovitz, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Lionel Ritchie, Jackson Browne, Brad Paisley, Gary Allan, and LeAnn Rimes among others.