rockstar
Proud Member
Be at this weekend's MJFanvention for mega celebration of Jackson and his music
Michael Jackson announces March 5, 2009, he is set to play 10 concerts at the London O2 Arena that July. He spoke about his plans at a news conference at the arena.
If you go
WHAT: MJFanvention
WHERE: Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville
WHEN: Now through Sunday; Exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. A variety of activities will take place throughout the three-day weekend. Check the website for times.
HOW MUCH: Various packages are available as well as individual tickets to different events. Packages range from the VIP package with hotel accomodations and all activities to the Gold Package which does not include room accomodations or transportation to off-site activities. Cost for the VIP Package ranges from $567 for a room for four people to $989 for a single room for one person. Gold Package price is $225. Day tickets are $95 for today; $125 for Saturday and $60 for Sunday. There is a separate charge for various individual activities. Among events are $30 for the birthday cake decorating competition on Sunday; $25 for the Dance Party on Saturday; and $15 for the "Thriller" Dance from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the MJ Spectacular on Saturday featuring Melba Moore and Jennifer Batten are $28, $48 and $68. Call The Urban League of Northwest Indiana Inc. at (219) 887-9621 for a special two-for-one promotion.
FYI: For details, times and more information on all activities available at the fanvention, visit www.mjfanvention.com
The King of Pop has come alive in the region.
Fans of the legendary Michael Jackson are meeting to celebrate the man and his music this weekend at Merrillville's Star Plaza.
The inaugural MJFanvention began Thursday with a welcome reception and continues to Sunday, which would have been Jackson's 52nd birthday.
Jackson admirers from all around the country and some from world destinations such as China and England are expected to convene for the ultimate celebration and tribute to their idol.
The packed agenda includes everything from appearances by speakers who knew and worked with Jackson to a birthday cake decorating contest on Sunday, the ultimate and biggest "Thriller" dance ever on Saturday, a tribute concert on Saturday, tours of the Jackson Family home in Gary and more.
Among special guests are Aphrodite Jones, author of "The Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Evelyn LaHaie, the woman who named the Jackson Five; Keith Jackson, Michael's cousin; Theresa Gonsalves, known as the real Billie Jean; Scott Thompson, weapons specialist for Jackson's video "Smooth Criminal"; and David Nordhal, personal portrait artist for Jackson.
"We wanted to come up with something that would be fitting, exciting and fun," said Renae Brantley, CEO of Fluid Entertainment, producers of the MJFanvention. "And we also wanted it to be something that would acknowledge the fans."
According to Brantley, the organizers hope this will be one of many such happenings.
"We'd like to have an annual event to celebrate Michael, his music, his life and love of the environment and mankind," she said.
Donald Thompson, MJFanvention event director, said when he visited with Jackson's mother Katherine in March to ask her approval and support of the event, she expressed that the convention also be a vehicle for giving back to the community.
"She asked in return for her requested support that the MJFanvention dedicate some attention to the education of youth and community programs," he said.
Brantley added the producers then established a charitable component to the convention.
"We've set up a charitable trust to give back to our community," she said. They invited nonprofit organizations to get involved in the endeavor. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana has come aboard by offering tickets for the MJFanvention's Tribute Concert on Saturday for a two-for-one opportunity. Fifteen percent of the proceeds of tickets for the concert purchased through the Urban League will benefit the organization's education programs.
Brantley said the Tribute Spectacular Concert is certain to be one of the event highlights. It stars singer Melba Moore, Jackson's concert guitarist Jennifer Batten, noted Michael Jackson impersonator Edward Moss and others.
In addition to speakers and musical performances, fans will have the opportunity to shop a Michael marketplace with various memorabilia, souvenirs and more. T-shirts commissioned by Katherine Jackson from The Katherine Jackson Archive Select Apparel and Michael Jackson's Secret Vault will also be available.
Brantley said fervent fans have been making plans to attend the event for months.
One mother-daughter duo from Queens, N.Y., wouldn't have missed it.
"We were going to go to London to see his show last year," said Bessie Currie.
Currie decided to give a VIP package to the Fanvention to her daughter Chloe for her 16th birthday present.
"I'm 50 years old and was raised on Michael Jackson's music. And I played the music all the time at our home. All my kids were interested in it," she said.
here is link:http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/article_1e7a6355-10ac-5e74-93d8-57cfdb41874d.html
Michael Jackson announces March 5, 2009, he is set to play 10 concerts at the London O2 Arena that July. He spoke about his plans at a news conference at the arena. If you go
WHAT: MJFanvention
WHERE: Star Plaza, Interstate 65 and U.S. 30, Merrillville
WHEN: Now through Sunday; Exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. A variety of activities will take place throughout the three-day weekend. Check the website for times.
HOW MUCH: Various packages are available as well as individual tickets to different events. Packages range from the VIP package with hotel accomodations and all activities to the Gold Package which does not include room accomodations or transportation to off-site activities. Cost for the VIP Package ranges from $567 for a room for four people to $989 for a single room for one person. Gold Package price is $225. Day tickets are $95 for today; $125 for Saturday and $60 for Sunday. There is a separate charge for various individual activities. Among events are $30 for the birthday cake decorating competition on Sunday; $25 for the Dance Party on Saturday; and $15 for the "Thriller" Dance from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the MJ Spectacular on Saturday featuring Melba Moore and Jennifer Batten are $28, $48 and $68. Call The Urban League of Northwest Indiana Inc. at (219) 887-9621 for a special two-for-one promotion.
FYI: For details, times and more information on all activities available at the fanvention, visit www.mjfanvention.com
The King of Pop has come alive in the region.
Fans of the legendary Michael Jackson are meeting to celebrate the man and his music this weekend at Merrillville's Star Plaza.
The inaugural MJFanvention began Thursday with a welcome reception and continues to Sunday, which would have been Jackson's 52nd birthday.
Jackson admirers from all around the country and some from world destinations such as China and England are expected to convene for the ultimate celebration and tribute to their idol.
The packed agenda includes everything from appearances by speakers who knew and worked with Jackson to a birthday cake decorating contest on Sunday, the ultimate and biggest "Thriller" dance ever on Saturday, a tribute concert on Saturday, tours of the Jackson Family home in Gary and more.
Among special guests are Aphrodite Jones, author of "The Michael Jackson Conspiracy;" Evelyn LaHaie, the woman who named the Jackson Five; Keith Jackson, Michael's cousin; Theresa Gonsalves, known as the real Billie Jean; Scott Thompson, weapons specialist for Jackson's video "Smooth Criminal"; and David Nordhal, personal portrait artist for Jackson.
"We wanted to come up with something that would be fitting, exciting and fun," said Renae Brantley, CEO of Fluid Entertainment, producers of the MJFanvention. "And we also wanted it to be something that would acknowledge the fans."
According to Brantley, the organizers hope this will be one of many such happenings.
"We'd like to have an annual event to celebrate Michael, his music, his life and love of the environment and mankind," she said.
Donald Thompson, MJFanvention event director, said when he visited with Jackson's mother Katherine in March to ask her approval and support of the event, she expressed that the convention also be a vehicle for giving back to the community.
"She asked in return for her requested support that the MJFanvention dedicate some attention to the education of youth and community programs," he said.
Brantley added the producers then established a charitable component to the convention.
"We've set up a charitable trust to give back to our community," she said. They invited nonprofit organizations to get involved in the endeavor. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana has come aboard by offering tickets for the MJFanvention's Tribute Concert on Saturday for a two-for-one opportunity. Fifteen percent of the proceeds of tickets for the concert purchased through the Urban League will benefit the organization's education programs.
Brantley said the Tribute Spectacular Concert is certain to be one of the event highlights. It stars singer Melba Moore, Jackson's concert guitarist Jennifer Batten, noted Michael Jackson impersonator Edward Moss and others.
In addition to speakers and musical performances, fans will have the opportunity to shop a Michael marketplace with various memorabilia, souvenirs and more. T-shirts commissioned by Katherine Jackson from The Katherine Jackson Archive Select Apparel and Michael Jackson's Secret Vault will also be available.
Brantley said fervent fans have been making plans to attend the event for months.
One mother-daughter duo from Queens, N.Y., wouldn't have missed it.
"We were going to go to London to see his show last year," said Bessie Currie.
Currie decided to give a VIP package to the Fanvention to her daughter Chloe for her 16th birthday present.
"I'm 50 years old and was raised on Michael Jackson's music. And I played the music all the time at our home. All my kids were interested in it," she said.
here is link:http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/article_1e7a6355-10ac-5e74-93d8-57cfdb41874d.html