Fan advantage

For all those loyal followers of Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas fame, here's a chance at the ultimate all-star treatment opportunity.

On Thursday, Hard Rock Cafe on Michigan Avenue in Chicago is offering the chance to win a trip to see the woman they describe as "true rock royalty" live in concert.

The night kicks off with a live appearance by Dougie Stylz of local radio station B96 FM.

During the event, fans have the opportunity to answer Fergie trivia questions to win this ultimate rock prize: an all-expenses paid trip for two to see a performance by Fergie in Hollywood, Fla., at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, on Friday, Sept. 26, as part of Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Tour, a global concert series featuring top artists and bands.

Hard Rock Cafe Chicago's event will benefit the Peapod Foundation, an organization founded by singer will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas and Polo Molina of Grassroots Productions, which is dedicated to providing opportunities and support for children who suffer worldwide.

For the third consecutive year, Ambassadors of Rock will bring together Hard Rock Cafes, live venues, hotels and casinos around the world to help spread what they describe as "the universal language of rock."

Fergie, who is engaged to actor Josh Duhamel, joins an eclectic group of artists on Hard Rock's 2008 Ambassadors of Rock Tour, including Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi, Muse in Buenos Aires, Godsmack and Alter Bridge in Orlando, as well as an all-star lineup at Hard Rock Calling in London with Eric Clapton, The Police, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, KT Tunstall and Starsailor.

Courtesy of Hard Rock, the prize package includes round-trip airfare, provided by American Airlines; ground transportation; hotel accommodations for two nights at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino; cash; and two tickets to see Fergie at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. (which is located just north of Miami and the place where Anna Nicole Smith died so suddenly in February 2007).

Thursday's event starts at 9 p.m. at Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario.

Admission is free and you must be 21 or older to enter the contest.

The Peapod Foundation is considered a global leader in uniting people and encouraging social change through the power of music and media. Dedicated to providing opportunities for children, The Peapod Foundation supports social issues that affect children worldwide including: shelter/housing, starvation, healthcare, education, poverty and music/artistic education via Pea Pod School for the Arts.

Since its inception, The Peapod Foundation has produced benefit concerts around the world that evangelize global awareness and has raised money to support issues that affect children worldwide. The Peapod Foundation is based in Los Angeles, Calif., and is a donor-advised fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

For more information, visit peapodfoundation.org.

As for Hard Rock International, there are 125 Hard Rock Cafes and nine of the hotels/casinos in 48 countries, making Hard Rock International one of the world's most globally recognized brands.

Beginning with Clapton's guitar, Hard Rock owns what is considered by many to be the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the world.

In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya and Bali.

Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Macau and Penang, both scheduled to open in 2009; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2010; and Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011.

Hard Rock Park, located in Myrtle Beach, is the world's first rock 'n' roll theme park. Hard Rock International Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc.

For more information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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