Artists including John Legend and DJ Cassidy celebrated the hotel’s debut with intimate performances, while celebrities graced the red carpet and enjoyed the launch of the brand’s newest hotel.
Each of the hotel’s distinct venues offered moments of discovery as attendees made their way throughout the property. Guests entered the upscale NYY Steak while art and entertainment were taken to show-stopping heights at RT60 with artist and DJ Alec Monopoly painting an auction piece. Sessions and the Rock Star Suite welcomed sets from Chantel Jeffries and DJ Coleman before the headlining performance.
The marquee event and main show was hosted in The Venue on Music Row. The evening commenced with a traditional blessing of the Seminole Tribe of Florida given by S.R. Tommie, Seminole Tribe member and president of the largest Native American creative agency in the world, Redline Media Group. Kenan Thompson of “Saturday Night Live” played emcee and host, introducing key leadership for Hard Rock’s celebratory guitar smash moment, with Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Marcellus Osceola Jr., and council representatives of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
During the ceremonial guitar smash led by Jim Allen. chairman, Hard Rock International (HRI) and CEO, Seminole Gaming, HRI pledged monetary donations of $100,000 each to South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) and YWCA of Queens.
Legend christened the stage of The Venue as the first of many headliners to perform in the intimate space. After he set the stage, DJ Cassidy surprised guests with the New York debut of his viral phenomenon turned television series “Pass The Mic Live,” featuring three New York City Hip Hop icons, Nas, Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe. Wowing the crowd for nearly 90-minutes, the legendary recording artists took to the stage throughout Cassidy’s set performing some of the most iconic Hip Hop records of all time including Nas’ “If I Ruled The World,” Busta Rhymes “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” and Fat Joe’s “Lean Back.”
The party continued 34 floors above the skyline in RT60 rooftop bar and terrace as Charly Jordan and Zack Bia played back-to-back into the early morning.
Look for more on the grand opening and Hard Rock’s plans for the future in the June issue of Hotel Business.
