Velvet Sessions at The Hard Rock Hotel

Every month there are Velvet Sessions held on the last Thursday of the month at The Velvet Bar and Lobby Lounge at The Hard Rock Hotel, excluding November and February when Festive Celebrations are underway.  Creative cocktails combine with fabulous live music for form a rock ' n ' roll cocktail party showcasing a different type of beverage accompanied by some great rock and roll music.

Ages 21+, admission is $25 online, or $30 on the door.

Check out who's playing and when here.

It's Mardi Gras time again at Universal Studios, FL - Feb 12 - Apr 13 2011

Universal Studios is getting ready for its over two-month long Mardi Gras celebration.

It is the biggest, best, party in the country – and Universal Orlando Resort brings it straight from New Orleans to you this February 12 through April 23.

Nationally renowned musical acts combine with an authentic Mardi Gras parade, dozens of colorfully costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking, and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans – all inside Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Orlando has been creating its special Mardi Gras celebration for more than 15 years – bringing the perfect combination of the Big Easy and spectacular theme park entertainment to its guests all for the price of regular admission.

“If you can’t be in New Orleans or if you can’t get enough of Mardi Gras, then Universal Orlando is the place to be,” said Jim Timon, senior vice president of entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. “We bring all of what makes Mardi Gras great together with national-level musical artists to create a family-friendly celebration that fills the entire theme park.”

This year’s special Mardi Gras concert line-up features some of the biggest names in Rock, Country, Pop and R&B. Together, the headliners have had more than 100 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and more than 20 Grammy nominations. Performers include Pitbull, also known as “Mr. 305,” who will perform songs from his hit album, “Rebelution,” Neon Trees, who will perform their hit “Animal,” One Republic and country-super-star Blake Shelton. Also performing will be Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys and Ne-Yo.

Saturday Feb 12 2011    Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Saturday Feb 19 2011    The B52's

Saturday Mar 5 2011      Lynyrd Skynyrd

Saturday Mar 12 2011    Foreigner

Friday Mar 18 2011        Neon Trees

Saturday Mar 19 2011    Thirty Seconds to Mars

Friday Mar 25 2011        One Republic

Saturday Mar 26 2011    Blake Shelton

Friday Apr 1 2011          Sean Kingston

Saturday Apr 2 2011      Ne-Yo

Friday April 9 2011        Lifehouse

Saturday April 10 2011  The Beach Boys

Saturday April 23 2011  TBC

Along with top-name talent comes the world-famous parade - straight from the streets of New Orleans. One-dozen elaborate, hand-crafted floats designed and built by Blaine Kern Artists – the same company that creates floats for New Orleans Mardi Gras – will make their way through the streets of Universal Studios along with dozens of colorfully costumed performers and hundreds of float riders – all of whom throw beads to eager guests. The parade, with its Fire, Air, Water, Earth theme, also features music and a nightly King and Queen of Mardi Gras.

Nearby, in the Universal Studios “French Quarter Courtyard,” the celebration continues. This area will feature New Orleans-inspired food creations by Universal’s chefs – including jambalaya, Po Boy sandwiches and more. And nearly one-dozen hand-picked, authentic New Orleans bands will perform the best of The Big Easy’s Blues, Jazz and Zydeco.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.