Casino Entrepreneur Don Barden to Host Premier Super Bowl Party

DETROIT, Michigan - (PRESS RELEASE) - Casino Magnate Don H. Barden will host a premier, 3-day party for Super Bowl XL, featuring a stellar line-up of rhythm and blues artists, including the legendary
Don Barden, chairman of Majestic Star LLC  Smokey Robinson, the father of Rock N' Roll Little Richard, Soulful Songstress Chaka Khan and Motown's own Tempting Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.

The Big Game Weekend Celebration will stretch from February 3-5, 2006 and will take place at the Music Hall Center, Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison in Detroit.

"This will be a true entertainment experience, and we expect it to be the greatest back-to-back-to-back parties in Super Bowl history," Barden said. "Big name celebrities and athletes will be partying with our hometown people. And of course, we will be the ultimate hosts."

Besides the top-line acts, partygoers on Friday and Saturday nights will also receive free parking in Eastern Market and a complimentary shuttle to and from the Music Hall. Tickets for the concert events range from $75 to $200 and or on sale at the Music Hall and through Ticketmaster. The parties begin at 7 p.m. and stretch into the late evening hours.

The parties, which will precede and follow the Super Bowl XL at Ford Field February 5, 2006, will also highlight the area's local talent.

    The line-up includes:
    Friday, February 3:
    Host: Detroit Radio Personality Mason
    The Ohio Players
    The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards
    Chaka Khan

    Saturday, February 4
    Host: Vivica Fox
    Local Comedian Koolaide
    Comedian Joe Torry
    Smokey Robinson

    Sunday, February 5
    Host: Detroit Radio Personality AJ Parker
    Little Richard

    About the artists:
The Ohio Players, out of Dayton, Ohio, are considered to be one of the giants of the funk genre, and in the 1970s produced such classics as "Roller Coaster," "Fire," and "Free." The group's music has influenced generations of artists.

Dennis Edwards joined The Temptations in 1968, placing him with the internationally known Motown group for some of its biggest hits, including, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "Ball of Confusion," and "Cloud Nine." Inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, Edwards' original work was with the famous Contours.

Chaka Khan, whose music career got its break in the 1970s when she performed with the band, Rufus, is known as one of the most vocally diverse acts of our time. This soulful singer blends pop, funk, jazz and rhythm and blues in a voice that consumes a room, and her top releases include "I'm Every Woman" and "Tell me Something Good." She has recorded on 15 movie soundtracks.

Joe Torry is a nationally known comedian and actor, whose acting roles include NYPD Blue, "Poetic Justice," "Tales from the Hood" and "Dangerous Minds." His blend of reality-based humor and quick wit has landed him appearances on the Conan O'Brien show as well as Def Comedy Jam.

Vivica Fox's acting credits include more than three dozen movies, including appearing in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" Volume's I and II, "Independence Day," "Two Can Play that Game," and "Boat Trip." The sultry actress has also appeared on the television series City of Angels.

Described by Singer Bob Dylan as "America's greatest poet," Smokey Robinson is a founding member of the Motown Record Label and the singing group the Miracles. He wrote countless songs for the Motown Record Label before serving as the company's president for 27 years. The high tenor of R&B has written more than 4,000 songs.

The Legendary Little Richard is best known as a pioneer of Rock N' Roll, his flamboyant style of song, piano playing and dress. His trademark is a driving piano and high-pitched shout, but his musical roots are in gospel.

The country's first and only African American to own a national casino company Barden owns five casino properties with annual revenues exceeding $500 million. Barden is chair and CEO of Barden Companies, Inc., one of the largest and most successful African American owned businesses in America. The international conglomerate also includes Barden International Inc., Barden Development, BE Entertainment and other affiliate companies.