CBS/AP/ August 16, 2012, 11:41 AM

"Sparkle" red-carpet event to kick off film's release in Detroit

Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston in "Sparkle."

/ Sony Pictures

(CBS/AP) "Sparkle" is bringing red carpet glamor to Detroit.

Singers J. Moss, KEM and K'Jon are expected to attend a special event in the Motown capital leading to the midnight release of the film.

The event is to begin about 9 p.m. Thursday with a celebrity meet and greet at the Royal Oak Emagine Theater, north of Detroit.

J. Moss will perform a musical tribute to the late Whitney Houston before the showing of the movie. Houston, one of the stars of the film, was found dead in her Los Angles hotel room on the eve of the Grammys in February.

The remake of the 1976 movie stars Houston as the mother of three girls who form a singing group and struggle with fame and drug addiction. Houston also served as executive producer.

Filming had completed in Detroit when she died in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 11 at age 48. Omari Hardwick, who plays Levi in "Sparkle, says the movie set was filled with laughter and Houston enjoyed playing practical jokes on her colleagues. The movie also stars Jordin Sparks.

Tickets for Thursday's event are available only at the Emagine Theater box office.