Super Bowl Week Welcomes Stars to New Orleans
While the players are preparing for the big game this Sunday, the spectators are partying! This year’s Super Bowl week is packed with award ceremonies, concerts, charity benefits, concerts, celebrity flag football games, and more concerts!
Here’s a Super Bowl party preview to see where your favorite stars will be celebrating.
Monday, January 28
- Crystal Head Vodka Signing with Dan Aykroyd, Rouse’s
Canadian funnyman, actor and vodka hawker Dan Aykroyd will spend the afternoon signing bottles of his super-premium vodka.
Tuesday, January 29
- Super Bowl Media Day, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Thousands of media representatives from around the world interview members of the participating teams while fans sit in the stands and watch. Attendees will receive a Media Day gift bag that will include a radio to tune into the day's coverage on NFL Network. There will also be player and cheerleader appearances.
- Press Play: Media Day Blowout, Harrah’s
Harrah’s hosts the official after party for Super Bowl Media Day, with music by the Kinfolk Brass Band, Brass-a-Holics and others, plus mingling with local, national and international media figures in town to cover the big game.
Wednesday, January 30
- Purina Pro Plan Canine Combine, Iberville Street parking lot
To promote its new smartphone dog-training app, the Purina Pro Plan P5, Purina hosts a football-themed exhibition of canine competitors, performing a variety of athletic feats. The event includes an appearance by three-time Super Bowl champ Daryl "Moose" Johnston (the former Dallas Cowboys fullback) and his yellow Labrador, Gunner.
- Kick Off Your Shoes Benefit, Restaurant August
NFL Pro Bowler and Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver Steve Smith hosts a fundraiser for Samaritan's Feet, an organization that washes the feet of the homeless and families in need, and provides them with new shoes and socks. The event includes a cocktail party, dinner, and the "Barefoot Auction" of autographed, game-worn cleats donated by NFL players.
- Moves Magazine Super Bowl Party, Metropolitan Nightclub
Hosted by FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, the party will feature entertainment by DJ Scram Jones and appearances by TV personalities, NFL coaches and players.
- Marshall Faulk's One Night Only, Columns Hotel
Africa for the Future presents its inaugural benefit, hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and featuring silent and live auctions, an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and musical performances by Jonathan Batiste and Les Nubians, as well as students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
Thursday, January 31
- Legends for Charity Dinner, Hyatt Regency
Former New Orleans Saints player and sportscaster Archie Manning will be honored with the Pat Summerall Award at the ninth annual Legends for Charity dinner. The event, benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, will celebrate the life and career of one of New Orleans' legendary sports figures while supporting the miracles performed every day at St. Jude.
- Celebrity Bowling Classic, AMF Allstar Lanes
Hosted by Super Bowl Champion and Pro Bowl Defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones, the eighth annual NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic welcomes over 30 legendary football players to help benefit the NFL Foundation.
- Tazon Latino VII Celebrity Flag Football Game, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The NFL will host the 7th Annual Tazón Latino event, featuring notable NFL Legends and Hispanic celebrities competing in a flag football game. Guests include Michael Irvin, Randall Cunningham, Deion Sanders, Jake Delhomme, Terrell Davis, Brian Westbrook, Derrick Brooks, Lorena Garcia, Alejandra Espinoza, Lindsay Casinelli, Susie Castillo, Aaron Sanchez, Felix Fernandez, Alan Tacher, Rolando Cantu, Alberto Riveron, DJ Strategy and Maripily Rivera.
- EA Sports’ Madden Bowl XIX Party, Bud Light Hotel
The Wyndham has been rebranded as the "Bud Light Hotel" this week and several concerts will take place there. The Electronic Arts’ Madden Bowl XIX Party will feature performances by New Orleans native Lil' Wayne, Big Boi, Vintage Trouble, and Mick Boogie as DJ.
Friday, February 1
- VH1’s Best Super Bowl Concert Ever, The Sugar Mill
Hosted by LIVE with Kelly & Michael co-host Michael Strahan and Big Morning Buzz host Carrie Keagan, VH1’s Best Super Bowl Concert Ever will pay tribute to Super Bowl XLVII with an unforgettable performance by Train along with special music guests and appearances by NFL favorites.
- Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, Lakefront Arena
In its fourteenth year, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the first and only gospel event sanctioned by the NFL for Super Bowl Weekend. Hosted by Kirk Franklin, the concert features performances by Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Lecrae, Marvin Winans, Fantasia, and the NFL PLAYERS Choir. The event also serves as a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting national and local charities.
- ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT EVENT, Tad Gormley Stadium
The ninth annual NEXT EVENT celebrates ESPN The Magazine’s annual NEXT issue, which recognizes an elite group of emerging athletes to watch in the year ahead. Guests will walk a 40-foot red carpet leading into a 50,000 square foot tent turned into a lighting and video extravaganza! NEXT will feature a live performance by Cee Lo Green with Goodie Mob along with music by DJ D-Nice. Plus, Kelly Rowland will be on hand as the celebrity social media ambassador.
- Drew Brees' Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert, The House of Blues
While he’s known for helping New Orleans residents rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, record-breaking quarterback Drew Brees is now raising money for Hurricane Sandy victims. The Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert will feature Nelly and Swizz Beats.
- The Playboy Party, Jax Brewery Bistro Bar
Hosted by 20 Playboy Playmates, The Playboy Party will feature music by DJs Devin Lucien and Jesse Marco, plus a special performance by B.o.B.
- Rolling Stone LIVE, Bud Light Hotel
Pitbull and Flo Rida provide the entertainment for Rolling Stone LIVE, a concert event hosted by Nick Cannon.
- Leather & Laces, Second Line Stages
The tenth annual Leather & Laces party goes down Friday and Saturday with celebrity hosts including Kendra Wilkinson, Jenny McCarthy, Stephanie Pratt and Audrina Patridge on Friday, and Jamie Chung, Rachael Leigh Cook, Brooklyn Decker and Josh Henderson on Saturday.
Saturday, February 2
- DirecTV Super Saturday Night, Mardi Gras World (East Bank)
Justin Timberlake will showcase "Suit and Tie" at the DirecTV Super Saturday Night party which benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children. More music will be provided by DJ ?uestlove of the Roots.
- Super Bowl Bash, Bud Light Hotel.
The Super Bowl Bash is yet another concert event featuring performances by Stevie Wonder and Gary Clark Jr.
- GQ Super Bowl Party, Elm’s Mansion
"As a lifelong sports fan and a proud New Orleans native, I'm excited to partner with GQ, a publication that has long supported me, for this year's party," Lil’ Wayne announced.
- Big Game Big Give, Smith House
The Giving Back Fund’s fourth annual Big Game Big Give will be hosted by Michael Bay at an historic private estate on St. Charles Avenue. More than 400 celebrities, athletes, business leaders and VIP guests will attend and the evening will include a surprise musical performance.
- DirecTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl, Mardi Gras World (East Bank)
Snoop Lion, Chace Crawford, Josh Hutcherson, Nina Dobrev, Maria Menounos, Scott Porter, Ian Somerhalder, Jenny McCarthy, Matt Bomer, Jesse Williams, Artie Lange and others will play flag football at the world’s largest indoor beach. Chris Young will perform before the 1pm game while Pitbull will pump up the crowd afterwards.
- 2nd Annual NFL Honors, Mahalia Jackson Theater
The 2nd Annual NFL Honors awards special will be taped from 6-8pm and air nationally at 8pm (CT) on CBS. Hosted by Alec Baldwin, it will feature entertainment by OneRepublic and the Soul Rebels Brass Band.
This isn’t even all of the star-studded events going on this week! Visit the Super Bowl website for more info, and check out 1iota.com to win free tickets to some of these shows!
Photo: NOLA Super Bowl
Source: http://blog.starcam.com/post/Super-Bowl-Week-Welcomes-Stars-to-New-Orleans.aspx