Guitar Smash, High-Energy Artist Michael Israel Highlight Grand Opening of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Business Wire, May 11, 2004

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HOLLYWOOD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2004

Throngs of excited patrons rushed into the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino today, following grand opening ceremonies that included the traditional smashing of an acoustic guitar, Hard Rock-style, and a painting-to-music performance by high-energy artist Michael Israel. While loudspeakers blared Rock And Roll All Nite, the song made famous by the rock group Kiss, Israel created a vibrant canvas in tribute to Kiss leader, Gene Simmons. Leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which owns the elaborate Seminole Hard Rock project, officially cut the grand opening ribbon to usher in a new dimension of entertainment excitement for South Florida.

A private, invitation-only performance by the legendary rock group Huey Lewis and the News capped the all-day celebration, following a poolside fireworks spectacular against the backdrop of the Seminole Hard Rock hotel tower bathed in purple lights.

Leading Entertainment Destination

Built on 100 acres of the Seminole Hollywood Reservation on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) just north of Stirling Road, the hotel and casino are expected to quickly become the region's leading entertainment destination. It includes a 130,000 square-foot casino and an unmatched combination of retail shops, nightclubs and restaurants, including a Hard Rock Cafe and the Council Oak, a prestige steak and seafood restaurant. It also boasts the full-service European-style Contour Spa, as well as a five-acre lagoon-style pool complex with a mountainous 182-foot water slide and lazy river.

In addition to the private, invitation-only performance by Huey Lewis and the News, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has booked two public grand opening weekend concerts by Aaron Lewis of Staind. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster for the Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 acoustic guitar shows by Lewis, front man for the group Staind. All tickets are $50; seating is reserved.

Plus, Kenny Loggins is booked to perform at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40, seating is reserved. Tickets for both concerts are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 954/523-3309 in Broward, 305/358-5885 in Miami-Dade or 561/966-3309 in Palm Beach.

The concerts will take place in a multi-purpose space adjacent to the casino, and negotiations are underway with several more performers to bring shows there. The 5,600-seat Hard Rock Live venue will open later this year as part of the adjacent Seminole Paradise retail complex, where dozens of shops, restaurants and nightclubs will be available.

Giant Neon Guitar

Guests arriving at the hotel and casino are greeted by the hotel's tropical landscaping and a 50-foot neon guitar modeled after one played by Jimi Hendrix. Drivers may choose between valet parking under a large covered porte cochere, or self-parking in the adjacent garage. A Hard Rock Store and a Seminole cultural retail store are located near the main entrance, adjacent to the guest registration lobby and reception desk.

In keeping with the Hard Rock theme, the hotel and casino showcase one-of-a-kind pieces of music memorabilia, including many signed by the artists, plus a massive "Tower of Power" casino bar that includes a multi-media entertainment extravaganza. Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood pay homage to several rock music genres, including the Originators of rock music, the British Invasion, Heavy Metal, Legends of Soul, and Southern Rock. The following are represented: Elvis, The Beatles, Madonna, Elton John, Aerosmith, The Who, the Rolling Stones, as well as South Florida's Gloria Estefan and the Bee Gees.

Rock music memorabilia has proven to be a major drawing card at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, which opened March 11, 2004, and which has quickly become the center for entertainment activity in Tampa Bay.

Largest Casino in Florida

At the heart of the new entertainment complex is Florida's largest and most elaborate casino, including 40 live-action poker tables, lightning bingo and more than 2,000 of the latest electronic gaming machines, including Wheel of Fortune, Double Diamond, Red, White & Blue, and Five Times Pay. Open 24 hours every day, the new casino also features plush music-inspired carpeting with musical notes in swirls of gold on a maroon background.