http://www.indystar.com/article/2011...MENT/102200360

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Hotel party draws a big name
Ross belts out hits at celebration marking debut of JW Marriott

Dressed from head to toe in red, Motown-era superstar Diana Ross burst from behind a curtain and began belting out hits Saturday at the opening celebration for Downtown's new JW Marriott hotel.

Ross' performance at the party -- organized for about 1,000 -- was a well-kept secret until minutes before she appeared on stage and wowed the crowd with a series of iconic songs, including "I'm Coming Out," "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "Love Child."

The 33-floor, 1,005-room JW Marriott's opening earlier this month marked the last phase of the $450 million Marriott Place hotel complex at West and Washington streets.

It brought the city the mega- hotel needed to attract the largest of trade shows and sporting events, including the NFL Super Bowl coming a year from now.

But Saturday's over-the-top party was all about thanking the people who helped build the hotel, showing it to meeting planners and celebrating, said Bruce White, chairman and CEO of White Lodging, the Merrillville hotel developer and operator that is the main partner in the project.

Most of those at the party spent the night in the hotel, he said.

Hotel officials considered a list of iconic entertainers for its opening, but they decided on Ross because of her broad appeal, White said.

"We wanted somebody who we thought conveyed the image of the JW in terms of class, and somebody that would resonate with the diverse nature of our guests," he said.

Among those who attended the party were dozens of the city's civic and business leaders, including Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and his wife, Winnie.