GARY, Ind. (August 22, 2023) – Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson is coming to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Saturday, August 26. Doors open at 7 p.m.
The Invincible production celebrates the King of Pop. The musical revue features three tribute artists, a live band and backup dancers. Invincible highlights MJ’s greatest hits such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller,” and more. It also includes the song selection and dance routines that Michael Jackson never had the opportunity to bring to the national stage.
Invincible stars Jeffrey Perez as Concert Michael. Perez is one of the best Michael Jackson vocal impersonators and sound-alike tribute artists in the world. This is dancer Pete Carter’s 13th season with “Invincible.” Carter began imitating Michael’s dance numbers when he was 8 years old.
The show will also feature performer Prince Michael Jackson. Jackson was cast as MJ in the John Turteltaub film Last Vegas and was hand-picked by Morgan Freeman because of his uncanny ability to emulate the spirit of MJ. The show features choreography by longtime MJ choreographer and dancer, Lavelle Smith Jr. Created, produced, and directed by Bessie Award winner Darrin Ross of Ross Live Entertainment.
Tickets for Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson start at $29.50. This show is all reserved seating. Ages 21 and up. The Hard Rock Live box office is open every Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on show days starting at 12 p.m. Visit https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05005EC32617A0D0.
Jackson Memorabilia at Hard Rock Casino
Gary’s most famous family is the centerpiece of the memorabilia displayed at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. A list of Jackson-related attractions is listed below:
The Guitar that Changed the World
In 1964, at ten years of age, Tito Jackson was caught playing his father, Joseph Jackson’s, 1961 Supro Airline Town & Country guitar after Joseph noticed a broken string. Joseph, a musician in a band called the Falcons, had strict rules that no one was to touch his guitar, for those gigs supplemented his income with his main job at the steel factory in Gary.
Once Joseph fixed the string, he requested that Tito play for him. Brothers Jackie and Jermaine joined him by singing. Once they finished, Joseph was so impressed that he convinced them to form a singing group with Michael on congas and Marlon on tambourine. He then immediately bought Tito his own guitar.
Later that year, after a performance at a school talent show, Michael started sharing the lead vocals with Jermaine and the Jackson 5 were born.
Thanks in part to a broken guitar string, the world has been blessed with the Jackson family, The Royal Family of Music.
Joe Jackson’s actual guitar is on display inside the new Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
Giant Guitar Marquee
At the Porte Cochere entrance to the casino, there is a 37-foot guitar sign designed to the same make and model as the guitar that started it all.
Guitar Chandelier Artwork
There is also a stunning guitar chandelier artwork as you enter the casino that was designed by Giovanni Taliaferro and Joe Emanuele from Hard Rock International along with the team at Alger-Triton International who also fabricated the iconic element. It is an abstract frame iteration of Joseph Jackson’s guitar, displayed on the ceiling, leading towards the Hard Rock Cafe.
The iconic design concept utilizes symbolic references to the Jackson family including geometric shapes from the stage backdrop during the Jackson 5’s debut performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a total of 5 vibrant color changing strings representing each member of the Jackson 5 in sequential order of their stage lineup with Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Michael, and Jermaine. Each string is connected to a tuning peg with the initials of each brother and they reflect the vibrant and colorful music, wardrobe, and album cover artwork. All of the strings connect to the body of the guitar, except Tito’s which is designed like a soundwave that snaps at the end representing the moment when he broke the string on his father’s guitar. That event is what ultimately gives birth to the Jackson 5 and the legacy of the Royal Family of Music.
At the base of the guitar body is crystal plate and light up tiles referencing Michael’s iconic glove and the Billie Jean music video and an organic pattern from their iconic colorful tuxedos worn on Cher’s variety show. Cascading down the headstock is a crystal J5 logo sitting overtop a central display case featuring outfits worn by the Jacksons along with the original Joseph Jackson guitar in which the chandelier is designed after.
Other Jackson memorabilia
The memorabilia chosen to be on display in the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is very Jackson- and Gary-, Indiana, centric. There are over thirty pieces of additional Jackson memorabilia including outfits worn on stage by the Jacksons, Michael’s famous glove, the red leather jacket from the Beat It video, one of the most iconic pieces of fashion in music history, Janet Jackson’s suit from her Velvet Rope tour and much much more.
There are also objects from other artists that have connections to the Jacksons – including Lady Gaga, Eddie Van Halen, Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Pharrel, Shakira and Fergie.
The Jackson Tribute Exhibit
Inside the Hard Rock Live venue pre-function is a Rock Vault exhibition space providing a tribute to the Jackson family. Each member of the family is represented with their own artifacts and stories. Guests also learn stories about their time inside their childhood home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary.
Triumph Chicken Sandwich
The Hard Rock Cafe also has special menu item that was created just for this location by the Jacksons. The recipe was developed by Marlon, Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine Jackson. “The Triumph” is a chicken breast in a honey brushed homemade crispy batter with red onion, pickles, frisée lettuce, and a spicy aioli sauce and served on a toasted bun.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Avenue in Gary, IN.
