Entertainment
MGM National Harbor Sets Unforgettable Impression With Monumental East Coast Debut
Published
9 years agoon
By
Willie DavidNATIONAL HARBOR, Md., (FNN NEWS) By MGM National Harbor — MGM National Harbor made its historic debut in the Capital Region during a series of official grand opening festivities on Thursday, December 8. Delivering incredible views of Washington, D.C.’s iconic monuments and unrivaled room, spa, entertainment, shopping and dining offerings, the $1.4 billion resort introduced an experience unlike anything on the East Coast.
As the sun set over the Potomac River, 5,000 guests flooded the resort to enjoy an elegant evening of surprises. Sarah Jessica Parker looked stunning as she proudly showed guests her first standalone shoe boutique, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, personally fitting guests with her now coveted collection of shoes and SJPLBD little black dresses.
A host of prominent food & beverage personalities joined attendees and mingled with guests throughout the evening. Acclaimed Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés revealed his unique seafood concept Fish, which draws inspiration from the nearby Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Guests sampled lobster jambalaya with shrimp, lobster, chicken, andouille sausage and holy trinity; gin & tonic oysters, lemon-soy sea urchin, spicy big eye tuna tartar with tempura shiso leaf and sesame; and whole-grilled red snapper. From Maryland blue crabs to Rappahannock oysters, Fish delivers an ode to local traditions.
Five-time James Beard award-winning Chef Marcus Samuelsson reveled in the opening of MARCUS, serving classic American dishes with Samuelsson’s special twist. Chef Samuelsson turned up the heat with a funky jazz band as guests enjoyed his spin on American classics such as Gravlax with green harissa crème fraiche, pickled mustard seed and crisp injera; the Obama Short Rib Slider with China afro funk and sweet potato purée; and St. Hill Shrimp N Grits with Carolina shrimp, shoebox ham and creamy grits. He also debuted his first in-room dining program for MGM National Harbor’s 308 rooms and suites.
Bravo’s Top Chef alumni and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio showcased their first project together, Voltaggio Brothers Steak House. With an in-depth wine program that pairs perfectly with hearth-fired dry-aged ribeyes, the restaurant made guests feel right at home. Fabulous samples included oysters with frozen mignonette, parmesan anchovy hush puppies, loaded baked potato with osetra caviar and American Wagyu ribeye with aerated white cheddar.
In attendance to celebrate the grand opening were Speaker John Boehner; American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman; former RNC Chairman Michael Steele; Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; property architect Eddie Abeyta of HKS Hospitality group; Michael Marshall and Paula Moya of Marshall Moya Design, who dreamed up the incredible vision of National Market; and event planner/designer Ed Libby, who envisioned the stunning Conservatory. Artists from the property’s Heritage Collection – Alice Aycock, Margaret Boozer, Chul Hyun, Ron Beverly, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Liao Yibai and Katherine Mann – watched as guests interacted with their works throughout the resort’s public spaces. CNN host Wolf Blitzer; TV personality Omarosa; and 21 contestants from Miss World 2016, including the reigning Miss World Mireia Lalaguna (Spain), also were on-site to ring in the momentous occasion.
Guests were treated to a little slice of Las Vegas with acts by some of the city’s top performers. Cirque du Soleil took over The Theater at MGM National Harbor with surprise performances from its award-winning shows O, KÀ and Zumanity. The world-famous Jabbawockeez dazzled guests with a special pop-up performance on the casino floor. Following a high-energy employee parade led by the Redskins’ cheerleaders and marching band, fan favorites Blue Man Group pumped up the crowd.
On the outdoor terrace overlooking National Market, a fierce 5,500-pound lion ice sculpture was carved by world champions Angelito Baban & Jess Parrish, accompanied by sounds from rising artist, DJ Cee.
At the party’s conclusion, doors opened promptly at 10:30 p.m. and 5,000 eager visitors flooded MGM National Harbor to see the spectacular resort for the first time. Guests were able to experience the property’s 24-hour amenities, including MARCUS, The Conservatory and the casino floor.
Earlier that day, media and guests joined executives from MGM Resorts International, key state and local officials and partners of the property for a press conference in The Theater at MGM National Harbor.
MGM Resorts’ executives in attendance included Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International; Bill Hornbuckle, President of MGM Resorts; Anton Nikodemus, COO of MGM Resorts Regional Operations; Lorenzo Creighton, President of MGM National Harbor and Bill Boasberg, General Manager of MGM National Harbor. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan welcomed guests and shared his excitement alongside Maryland Senate President Mike Miller and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.
Today, the rest of the property will open for business, including all restaurants, spa, salon and select retailers. The first guests will check into the hotel Saturday, December 10 and the inaugural concert will be held Thursday, December 15 with openers Boyz II Men.
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Entertainment
160+ Bands, 5 Stages: Welcome To Rockville Returns to Daytona International Speedway May 7–10 with Expanded Fan Experience
Published
2 weeks agoon
April 15, 2026By
Willie DavidDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — Music set times have been released for the 15th anniversary of Welcome To Rockville, Florida’s largest rock, metal and punk festival, set for May 7–10, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.
Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will feature more than 160 bands performing across five stages, marking the festival’s largest lineup to date.
HEADLINERS AND DAILY LINEUP
This year’s festival will be headlined by Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses and Bring Me The Horizon.
- Thursday, May 7: Guns N’ Roses, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Staind
- Friday, May 8: Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Offspring, Parkway Drive
- Saturday, May 9: Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, Lamb of God
- Sunday, May 10: My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, Rise Against, Yellowcard
FESTIVAL EXPANSION AND NEW FEATURES
Organizers announced several enhancements for 2026 aimed at improving the fan experience. A new “Pit Stop” fan zone near the Apex Stage will feature artist interviews, special performances and interactive experiences.
In addition, the Garage Stage will be fully tented for the first time, offering expanded shade coverage and upgraded production for attendees.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
Festivalgoers can kick off the week with a pre-party on May 6 featuring performances by Fuel, Local H and others.
A new crossover event, “Blood4Blood,” will also take place at the Ocean Center, combining live music with bare-knuckle fighting, including a headline bout featuring Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail.
TICKETS, ACCESS AND ATTENDANCE
Festival gates will open daily at 11:30 a.m. Organizers are offering a range of ticket options, including single-day, weekend, VIP and camping packages. A new Camp to Coast shuttle will provide transportation between the speedway and nearby beaches.
With expanded attractions, including rides, themed bars and interactive zones, Welcome To Rockville 2026 is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to Daytona Beach, reinforcing its role as a major driver of Florida’s tourism and live entertainment economy.
Entertainment
Orlando International Fashion Week Partners with Orlando Fringe Festival for 35th Anniversary Avant-Garde Showcase
Published
3 weeks agoon
April 12, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) has announced a new creative partnership with the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival as the festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this May.
As part of the collaboration, OIFW will present a special avant-garde fashion showcase on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., during the two-week festival. The curated runway will feature bold, experimental designs that reflect Fringe’s spirit of artistic freedom, individuality and innovation.
PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES CREATIVE COLLABORATION
Organizers say the partnership reflects a natural alignment between two nonprofit organizations committed to supporting artists and expanding access to creative spaces.
“Fringe and OIFW share a commitment to creating platforms where artists can take risks and express themselves freely,” said Rob Henlon, executive director and co-founder of OIFW. “This collaboration allows fashion to exist within a broader artistic conversation.”
John Payne-Rios, an OIFW advisory board member, added that the partnership strengthens Orlando’s creative ecosystem by bringing together fashion, theater and community engagement.
Festival organizers echoed that sentiment, noting the addition of fashion enhances the Outdoor Stage experience and introduces new artistic energy to the event.
DESIGNER CALL AND MODEL CASTING UNDERWAY
In conjunction with the partnership, OIFW has opened its designer registration call for creatives interested in participating in the Fringe showcase.
Designers are encouraged to submit collections that emphasize:
- Avant-garde concepts
- Artistic storytelling
- Bold, experimental design
Models can also audition for both the Fringe showcase and upcoming OIFW runway shows. Casting calls are scheduled for April 12 and April 19 at CityArts Gallery in downtown Orlando from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The casting is open to ages 4 and up, with no prior experience required.
FRINGE FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM
For 35 years, the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival has provided an inclusive platform for artists to present original work in an unjuried and uncensored environment. The festival is the longest-running Fringe festival in the United States and returns 100% of ticket sales directly to artists.
Each May, the festival transforms Orlando into a hub of live performances, visual art, music and interactive experiences that celebrate diverse voices and creative expression.
What’s Next for OIFW?
The Fringe collaboration serves as a lead-in to OIFW’s signature summer event, Orlando International Fashion Week Presents: 626 Euphoria, scheduled for June 6, 2026, at the Winter Park Events Center.
Organizers say the upcoming season will continue to focus on:
- Expanding fashion as a cultural platform
- Strengthening cross-industry partnerships
- Elevating emerging and diverse designers
Entertainment
Trick Daddy Threatens Tiffany Moore Russell Mayoral Race After AKA Show Shut Down
Published
3 weeks agoon
April 9, 2026By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — A performance by Miami street legend rapper Trick Daddy ended abruptly Friday night during the 73rd South Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated after event organizers said the artist ignored agreed-upon performance guidelines.
The incident, which occurred after the conference’s Step and Stroll competition, has sparked debate online about event vetting, audience expectations, and artistic responsibility.
The event was overseen by South Atlantic Regional Director Tiffany Moore Russell, who also serves as the elected Clerk of Courts for Orange County, Florida and is currently a candidate for Orange County mayor.
Conference Performance Ends Early
Conference attendees from across the South Atlantic region gathered in Orlando for the sorority’s five-day leadership and networking event.
Friday evening’s program featured step teams and strolling performances before transitioning to live entertainment. Organizers booked Trick Daddy, the Miami rapper known for hits including “Nann” and “Thug Matrimony,” to perform a curated list of songs.
However, the performance ended mid-set after organizers said the rapper used language and lyrics that violated previously discussed guidelines.
Russell addressed the incident in a statement distributed to conference attendees.
“We met several times with him and his team to detail our requirements, including attire, language, and specific songs,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, our requirements were ignored. The language, lyrics, and comments made by the artist were not acceptable. I ended the performance because of the disrespect for our organization and our brand.”
Trick Daddy’s performance during an Alpha Kappa Alpha conference was shut down early due to “disrespect for our organization and our brand” pic.twitter.com/AX8xsELyP4
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 4, 2026
Viral Video Fuels Online Debate
Videos posted on social media showed audience members reacting with surprise and discomfort during the performance.
In one clip, attendees could be seen leaving the room as the rapper used explicit language and interacted with the crowd in a manner some attendees described as inappropriate for the event.
The video quickly spread online, fueling debate over whether the performer or the event organizers were responsible for the mismatch between the artist and the audience.
Some critics argued the booking itself raised questions about vetting.
Questions About Booking and Vetting
The controversy has prompted broader discussion about event planning and audience expectations.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest historically Black sororities, known for its emphasis on scholarship, leadership, and community service.
Critics on social media questioned why an artist known for explicit hip-hop lyrics was booked for a conference audience largely composed of professional women and long-time sorority members.
Supporters of the organizers say the issue was not the booking itself but whether the performer honored the agreed-upon content guidelines.
Russell emphasized that the step teams and conference participants represented “creativity, discipline, and excellence,” adding that she regretted the performance overshadowed their work.
Trick Daddy Responds: “They Booked Me, Trick Daddy Dollars” [VIDEO]
Following the incident, Trick Daddy posted a video response denying that he violated the agreement and accusing organizers of damaging his reputation.
Trick Daddy video responding to AKA Director statement telling her not to give him a playlist, this isn’t her wedding and not to defame his characte, according to the video.
the video further that he states that anybody in there that was saddity and sanctified should not have been in there once I grabbed the MF’in mic.
He also referenced Russell’s political ambitions, saying: “I heard you’re running for some type of office or something. I’ll get on you every day until you don’t win. Don’t play with me.”
The comments intensified the controversy as the incident shifted from a performance dispute to a potential political crisis for Russell’s Orange County mayoral campaign.
What Happens Next? Reputation, Politics and Public Reaction
For Trick Daddy, the dispute raises questions about how the controversy could affect his public image and performance bookings.
For Tiffany Moore Russell, the issue arrives as she prepares for a campaign for mayor in Orange County, Florida, potentially drawing political scrutiny to the situation.
Whether the rapper follows through on his pledge to publicly attrack Russell’s mayoral campaign remains unclear.
For now, the moment stands as a cautionary tale about entertainment programming at professional events—where audience expectations, artist identity, and brand reputation must align.