(Launch) - Tickets to the highly publicized
Michael Jackson 30th anniversary concerts at Madison
Square Garden in Sept. will likely be tough to come by, but it's the party after the show that will most definitely require a platinum credit card. New York's Daily News reports that producer
David Gest, acting on Jackson's behalf, sent out invitations to a select group of high rollers, offering guests an "unforgettable salute" in "one city," on "one stage," featuring "one man." A pricey package for $50,000 includes 10 seats to one concert and admission to the special Sept. 7 post-concert Champagne And Caviar All-Star Dinner And Carnival at New York's famed Tavern On The Green, where the buyer will have access to Jackson and receive a signed poster. Another slightly more economical package runs for $30,000, giving the buyer 10 tickets, the party and the poster, but no meeting with Jackson. For those on a tight budget, $15,000 buys dinner and the show. Often when a famous person asks for such sums of money for an event, it's usually for the benefit of a charity. None of the invitations mentioned who will benefit from Jackson's hefty charges, and a publicist for the event said the invitations were printed and sent out before a charity could be locked in. Artists slated to perform in the shows include Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston,
Quincy Jones, Britney Spears, Gladys Knight, *NSYNC, Missy Elliot, Billy Gilman, Mary J. Blige, the
Jacksons and more.
Elizabeth Taylor,
Marlon Brando and other stars of stage and screen will also participate in the events. Tickets to the concerts go on sale July 26, with prices ranging from $45 to $500. The entire event will be filmed for a prime-time special that will air on CBS in the U.S. and various outlets worldwide.