Southern Breeze 2007 Holiday Issue

However, unlike 120+ Hard Rock properties around the world, there is one display wholly unique to Biloxi. Located beneath a poignant Green Day quote—“Wake me up when September ends”—and between John Lennon’s purple velvet jacket and Madonna’s bustier from the Who’s that Girl video is a framed display case containing memorabilia actually fished out of the Gulf of Mexico after Katrina’s beat down. From Johnny Cash’s guitar to a Jethro Tull gold record, the pieces are arranged among photos of the storm’s bruising impact on the hotel. The damaged items are strewn about the case as evidence of how the Hard Rock flirted with disaster and came out on top. But the Hard Rock doesn’t keep all of its rock icons under glass; you can experience the hottest acts of today and yesterday at a venue that makes Hard Rock the leader of the pack when it comes to live entertainment, a far cry from a padded concert hall or cavernous coliseum. Hard Rock Live! takes the term “standing room only” seriously as the hall holds more than 1,400 screaming fans, “thus allowing each concert to have an intimate, up close feel,” says Shannon Oberlies, vice president of marketing for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi. “Because of the smaller size, it allows the intimate feel that they are unable to get at the majority of other venues.” With a general admission layout and no seats on the floor, the audience can get as close to the act as possible. There is also a more intimate balcony lounge ideally positioned overlooking the action. Recent headliners have included a double bill of Styx and REO Speedwagon, Loverboy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Quiet Riot, Kid Rock, Macy Gray, Joss Stone, and Daughtry featuring American Idol wunderkind Chris Daughtry. These big names are eager to perform here on the coast thanks to the treatment they receive and the fact that the venue is designed to accommodate acts of all sizes, Shannon adds. Once you leave Hard Rock Live!, your evening is far from over. Continue your night on the town as you “kiss the sky” at RISE, a penthouse-level lounge created by club impresario Rande Gerber who wanted guests to feel as comfortable as possible, like they were at a friend’s house. But don’t call it a nightclub— it’s an ultra lounge. “When I created the ultra lounge concept 15 years ago I wanted it to feel the way I entertained at home,” says Rande. “Cool, comfortable, warm lighting, with great music and drinks…all elements that contribute to creating an atmosphere for social interaction and conversation.” The word ultra came into play after the press discovered all the celebrities were coming to Rande’s hot spots on a regular basis. “I’ve heard my restaurants and bars described as ultra exclusive, ultra cool, ultra hot, and I guess ultra lounge was a way to sum it all up and save some ink.” Hard Rock Hotel and Casino adds color to the Mississippi Gulf Coast —literally! From the pool (opposite, top) to the ultra lounge RISE (top), the Center Bar (center) and fabulous restaurants like Vibe (bottom), Hard Rock lets the lights shine! The Katrina wall is unique to Hard Rock Biloxi (opposite, bottom). Holiday 2007 55

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Southern Breeze 2007 Holiday Issue

Editor's Letter Contributor Gumbo Words & Notes Coastal Calendar Storefronts Sweet Dreams Art of Living Fixtures Our Backyard Make Yourself at Home Beach Bam! A Big Easy Christmas Upwardly Mobile Can't Drive Old Dixie Down Rock On! The Play's the Thing Cheers Dish Chef's Table Let's Eat Reader Services Last Bite

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