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The grand opening of the first corporate-owned Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago’s historic Carbon & Carbide building blended the Hard Rock brand with the venue’s Michigan Avenue prestige. This spectacular show, featuring celebrity DJs, Cirque-style aerial acts, and a renowned contortionist, attracted a star-studded crowd, including Carmen Electra, Dave Navarro, and top Chicago athletes. With lasers, lighting, and high-energy performances, the launch marked a legendary moment for the Hard Rock Hotel.
Challenge
Design, produce and execute a grand opening celebration for the first corporate-owned Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago’s historic Carbon & Carbide building that leverages the reputations of the Hard Rock brand and the renowned Michigan Avenue venue. The historic 1929 building, however, was constructed without any accessible steel “rigging points” for lights, sound, screens or the planned aerial talent.
The audience included local and national press, record label execs and the full spectrum of Chicago “royalty” – political, sports, business and entertainment personalities.
Solution
Details include:
- The Crystal Method and Twilight Mystery celebrity DJs
- Celebrity appearances from Carmen Electra, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Dave Navarro, “Survivor’s” Richard Hatch and a roster of Chicago’s professional athletes
- The rhythmic gymnastics and contortion of renowned Cirque du Soleil headliner Olga Pikhienko – on her own custom, elevated stage
- Programmed lasers and intelligent lighting instruments
- Event design, production and management – including talent contracts and riders
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Result
VOLO’s Charles Marto was the executive producer and producer of this project while serving as EVP Operations and Principal of Executive Visions Inc.
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Design, produce and execute a grand opening celebration for the first corporate-owned Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago’s historic Carbon & Carbide building that leverages the reputations of the Hard Rock brand and the renowned Michigan Avenue venue. The historic 1929 building, however, was constructed without any accessible steel “rigging points” for lights, sound, screens or the planned aerial talent.
The audience included local and national press, record label execs and the full spectrum of Chicago “royalty” – political, sports, business and entertainment personalities.
A “Hard Rock Club Scene” that rivaled Studio 54 at its peak! With a mix of heart-thumping music from two celebrity DJs, Cirque-like aerial performances overhead and the center-stage twists and turns of a world-renowned contortionist – all secured by a floor-supported super structure installation to overcome the lack of “rigging points.”
Details include:
- The Crystal Method and Twilight Mystery celebrity DJs
- Celebrity appearances from Carmen Electra, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Dave Navarro, “Survivor’s” Richard Hatch and a roster of Chicago’s professional athletes
- The rhythmic gymnastics and contortion of renowned Cirque du Soleil headliner Olga Pikhienko – on her own custom, elevated stage
- Programmed lasers and intelligent lighting instruments
- Event design, production and management – including talent contracts and riders
The Hard Rock lived up to its name, and then some, with the successful launch of the first-ever corporate owned Hard Rock Hotel – in a venue, the Carbon & Carbide building, that has been registered as a Chicago landmark.
