Grammy Award-Winning Artist NE-YO to Headline Celebration for 11th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Las Vegas' Aria Resort & Casino

LAS VEGAS, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY Award-winning artist and Las Vegas native NE-YO is scheduled to give an intimate, private performance at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter during the 11th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI), Friday, March 30. NE-YO will take the stage at the MJCI Celebration, an annual gala for the tournament's celebrities and VIP invited guests.

"I feel blessed for the opportunity to perform in the city where I grew up," said NE-YO. "Performing in Las Vegas is always amazing, and being able to perform in celebration of Michael [Jordan's] tournament, which benefits so many charities, is the best feeling."

Ranked among the best in the music business, NE-YO's concert will mark a night of celebration following two days of the MJCI Celebrity-Amateur golf tournament and lead into the weekend's celebrity-only tournament. Also scheduled to appear on stage at the gala will be famed comedian Cedric the Entertainer.

Returning to Shadow Creek, MJCI marks only the second time the exclusive golf course will open its doors to the public. Proceeds from the charitable tournament will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, UC San Diego Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation, Opportunity Village and Cats Care, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' charity arm. Since its inception in 2001, MJCI has raised more than $6 million for charity.

"I understand the importance of giving back which is something my mother taught me growing up, and I pay it forward through my own charity, The Compound Foundation which helps youth in foster care," said NE-YO.

MJCI celebrities scheduled to attend include Michael Jordan, Marcus Allen, Brian Baumgartner, Jerome Bettis, Brandi Chastain, Chris Chelios, Eddie Cibrian, Roger Clemens, Vince Coleman, Julius Erving, Angie Everhart, Joey Fatone, Marshall Faulk, Terry Francona, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Ken Griffey, Jr., Penny Hardaway, Brett Hull, Toni Kukoc, Mario Lemieux, Sugar Ray Leonard, Greg Maddux, Win McMurry, Joe Morgan, Paul O'Neill, Maury Povich, Ahmad Rashad, Salli Richardson, LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Rodgers, Stuart Scott, Bruce Smith, Ozzie Smith, John Smoltz, Matt Stafford, Michael Strahan, Jason Taylor, Alan Thicke, Tico Torres, Brian Urlacher, Michael Wilbon, Winky Wright, Adrian Young and more.

The Celebrity-Amateur tournament, which pairs one celebrity with four amateur participants, will take place Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30. The MJCI two-person, 36-hole scramble format tournament, including only competing celebrities, will take place Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1.

Tickets may be purchased at any MGM Resorts International box office outlet, online at www.arialasvegas.com or www.MJCIgolf.com.  Prices are as follows:

VIP spectators will enjoy access to an unparalleled view of the course from the M life VIP tent, an open-air venue featuring a "VIP Party Deck" overlooking the par-5, 18th hole, catering and a full-service bar.

Discounted tickets are available for military service members with valid identification, and Senior Citizens 65 years of age or older with valid ID; both groups will receive 25 percent off a daily or weekly general admission ticket.  Additionally, the tournament has created a special "Bring the Kids for Free" general admission ticket offer, which provides access to Shadow Creek for youth 16 years of age and younger when accompanied by a general admission ticketed adult (up to two children per paid adult). 

About Shadow Creek
Perennially ranked among Golf Week magazine's Top 10 courses, Shadow Creek's special environment is normally reserved solely for guests of MGM Resorts International. Located in the midst of the Nevada desert, the Tom Fazio-designed Shadow Creek makes golfers feel they've been transported to another world with its natural beauty, rolling terrain, glistening brooks and ponds, spectacular waterfalls, lush gardens and mature trees. Visit www.shadowcreek.com for more information.

About ARIA Resort & Casino
The centerpiece of CityCenter Las Vegas is ARIA Resort & Casino, a stunning AAA Five Diamond resort on The Strip featuring an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service, spectacular amenities and premium meeting and convention space.  From unique culinary offerings created by the world's most talented chefs, to innovative nightlife, indulgent spa treatments and Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil®, ARIA embodies the excitement and vitality of Las Vegas.  ARIA is home to an incredible collection of stylish and technologically advanced accommodations including Sky Suites, a AAA Five Diamond hotel within a hotel experience.  Combined with CityCenter's unparalleled amenities including luxurious shopping at Crystals and the first-of-its-kind public Fine Art Collection, ARIA introduces a new generation of resort experiences, unlike anything Las Vegas has ever seen.  CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. For more information and reservations, visit www.arialasvegas.com/ or call toll free at (866) 359-7757; also find ARIA on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE ARIA Resort & Casino