Keri Hilson, the Roots, and Members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to Perform at 2011 GRAMMY Celebration®

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GRAMMY®-nominated R&B/pop singer/songwriter Keri Hilson, GRAMMY-winning and current GRAMMY nominee hip-hop/neo-soul band the Roots, and DJ Wayne G are scheduled to perform at the 2011 GRAMMY Celebration® — The Recording Academy®'s official after-party. Additionally, in the celebration's MasterCard Jazz Lounge, the exclusive invitation-only event will feature performances by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the GRAMMY® Jazz Ensembles. Inspired by images of Studio 54, this year's all-star gathering will hearken back to one of the most stylized eras in music history with a chic disco nightclub theme. The event will be catered by chef extraordinaire Wolfgang Puck and produced by Along Came Mary Productions. One of the year's most anticipated events attracting GRAMMY winners, nominees and celebrities, the 2011 GRAMMY Celebration will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 13 immediately following the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.

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"Music's Biggest Night® doesn't end at the end of the telecast – the excitement and celebration continues with our GRAMMY after-party," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy®.  "With more amazing performances, gourmet dishes by Wolfgang and the glamour of Studio 54 design, the after-party is a great way to top off the night."

"It takes an amazing team of professionals to pull off an event of this scope and scale," said Branden Chapman, Vice President of Production & Process Management for The Recording Academy.  "With more than 5,000 guests in attendance and a space the size of three football fields, we challenge ourselves each year to create an unforgettable experience for our guests by delivering eye-popping performances, never-before-seen design, and top-notch cuisine."

Wolfgang Puck has crafted a custom menu that will certainly be enjoyed by the 5,000 guests expected to attend the celebration. The Night at Studio 54 menu will include a stroll through Chinatown (crispy vegetable eggrolls with sweet and sour Chinese mustard; kung pao organic chicken with crushed peanuts and scallions; and Hong Kong-style bass with chilies, cilantro and scallions); the classics (baked macaroni and cheese with white truffles and Canadian cheddar; kobe beef meatloaf with caramelized brown sugar ketchup and crispy onions; double-dipped fried chicken tenders with chili honey; and country biscuits); an iced shrimp station (chilled shrimp served with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges and tiny tabasco bottles); and some Latin inspiration at the taco bar (lamb with chipotle, eggplant and cumin; soft corn tortillas, salsa crudo and guacamole; salmon al la plancha with salsa verde; smoked black bean empanadas with cotija cheese and scallions; Latin style-Caesar salad with chili lime dressing, queso fresco, tomatoes, and fried black beans). The divine sweets will include warm chocolate and brandied cherry truffle cakes; butterscotch blondies; miniature white and dark chocolate cream pie; and coconut banana creme puffs.

Once again The Recording Academy has partnered with Along Came Mary Productions, who will help orchestrate the 2011 GRAMMY Celebration and oversee all of the event entertainment, decor, production, and many other logistics. ACM Productions will draw upon influences taken from the pop culture explosion of the '70s and the emergence of disco as they transform LACC's West Hall A into unique motifs beginning with a whimsical trip to the roller rink and then a glimpse into the nightlife made famous by Studio 54 and beyond, all centered around iconic music, dance, and fashion.

MasterCard Worldwide is proud to deliver a priceless musical experience with artists set to perform on the MasterCard stage, as well as in the MasterCard Jazz Lounge. Performances will include Keri Hilson, The Roots, members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, as well as the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles. Waste Management will return as a sponsor of the after-party and will collect all recyclable materials in keeping with The Recording Academy's greening initiatives. Additionally, Wolfgang Puck Catering will be using locally grown produce, dairy and meat, sourcing environmentally sustainable packaging — compostable, biodegradable and recyclable products — and donating any unused/leftover food to Angel Harvest, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that organizes the collection and delivery of the food and items to local social service agencies providing emergency food for those in need.

The 2011 GRAMMY Celebration also will feature interactive experiences by sponsors HP, Harman, Waste Management, and Acura. HP will allow guests to sample the superior sound quality of Beats Audio at listening stations and also leave with limited edition photos from HP's photo booth. Harman will display its latest audio and speaker technology for everyone to preview and Waste Management will offer a relaxing lounge where party goers can win a chance to attend future live music events. Acura will treat guests to an upclose look at the all new TSX.Sport Wagon. The evening will also feature fine spirits by Patron Tequila, Ultimat Vodka and Pyrat Rum, wines by Fat Cat Wines, champagne by Domaine Laurier and beer by Anheuser-Busch. Beverages at the event will be provided by Pepsi and will include the first-seen Diet Pepsi Skinny cans.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thegrammys), Twitter (www.twitter.com/thegrammys), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/thegrammys).

SOURCE The Recording Academy