NE-YO Performing at Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Gala

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:

Daily General Admission Pass

$30/Thursday-Sunday

Weekly General Admission Pass

$100/Thursday-Sunday

Daily VIP Pass

$150/Thursday-Sunday

Weekly VIP Pass

$500/Thursday-Sunday