1. FACEBOOK PUZZLES WITH OLD-SCHOOL INVITATIONS: Invitations to tech events normally come via some sort of technology. Not so for Facebook's press event on Thursday. Los Angeles Times: "Facebook is no stranger to media events—the company seems to hold one every two months or so—and it doesn't normally send out its invitations via old-fashioned mail. Like others in the industry, Facebook typically uses email for its event invitations. Perhaps the use of snail mail is a clue to what the company has in store?" http://lat.ms/12M12o1
2. BOBBY FLAY'S MENU FOR OBAMA AND CHINESE PRESIDENT: At a White House dinner for the Chinese president, chef Bobby Flay served New Mexican lobster tamales with green chile, Porterhouse steaks, potatoes with Point Reyes blue cheese, and a dessert of individual cherry pies with a bourbon, vanilla, and fresh mint ice cream. Politico: "The State Department told me that they wanted to be able to show off the best of American culture and cuisine, so I wanted to show … different techniques and different ingredients that are important to America." http://politi.co/11FgifW
3. HOW JAY-Z ANNOUNCED NEW ALBUM: Rapper Jay-Z announced his new album via a three-minute Samsung commercial during the N.B.A. finals game Sunday. The album will be available for free download on July 4 to the first one million Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S 4, and Galaxy Note II users who unlock the music on the phone's album app. Billboard: "The kick off to Jay-Z's album roll out is similar to Beyoncé's. Queen Bey previewed new material through commercials: Pepsi ('Grown Woman') and H&M ('Standing On the Sun')." http://bit.ly/1bLG3Aa
INDUSTRY NEWS
The Southern California chapter of Meeting Professionals International named its new leadership for the coming year at an event at Los Angeles Union Station June 13. The board includes president David A. Anderson of Eventive Group, immediate past president Larissa Schultz of LJS Meeting Strategies, and president elect Beverly Ann Laing of JNR Incorporated. Other board members are: Paulette Fontanez, Amy Zelinsky, Mariles Krok, Nicole Newman, Joe Marcy, DeShawn Wynn, Jason Soporito, Emily Swan, Jane Mato, Akemi Shapiro, Russell Harris, Shelley Grey, Shannon Keany, Joe Martin, Bryan Quinan, and Geraldine Gatehouse.
Lumi Mobile, a consumer insight mobile technology company, has acquired the interactive events technology group IML. Press Release: http://bit.ly/14B9mEW
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: On July 10, Dishcrawl is hosting its second Boston event, a tasting tour of four Italian restaurants in the North End.
CHICAGO: The Children's Place Association will host its Mid-Summer Masquerade at Epic on June 21.
Intelligent Lighting Creations will host its second annual golf outing at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomington on July 9. The event benefits Behind the Scenes.
Butch Walker will perform at the Murphy as part of the Bud Light Music FIrst event. Bud Light's "50/50/1" night will feature concerts in all 50 states on one day, August 1.
LAS VEGAS: Huntridge Revival has started a $150,000 crowdfunding campaign to renovate and reopen the historic Huntridge Theatre. The total cost for the project is estimated at $15 million.
LOS ANGELES: Le Ka restaurant has named David Féau as head chef and consulting partner. His new menu will include dishes such as whole Thai snapper, côte de boeuf, and handmade pappardelle.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Perfecto, a Catalan gastropub, has opened in the former Tikl Raw Bar & Grill. Eater: http://bit.ly/194V1Se
The 1500° Summer Sunday BBQ series, hosted by 1500° restaurant, has been cancelled following the legal drama last week that saw Marriott ousted as the Eden Roc Renaissance's management team.
NEW YORK: The Jazz Age Lawn Party was Saturday and Sunday on Governors Island. The 1920s-inspired event featured music from Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, dance lessons, an antique car show, and a pie-baking competition.
Tanya Elm is the new public relations manager for W Hotels of New York.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO: Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek has received four first-place awards in Orlando magazine’s Readers' Choice Awards, including Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Seafood, Best Service, and Best Chef for Cory York, chef de cuisine. In addition, the sustainable seafood-focused restaurant won About.com’s Best Hotel Restaurant for 2013.
TORONTO: JaneAustenDancing hosted a picnic and dance at the Colborne Lodge Museum Sunday. Participants dressed in period clothing, danced to authentic music, and ate foods such as cold meat, cake, and fine fruits.
WASHINGTON: Washington-based Event Tech will provide full production for Tropfest, a short film festival in Brooklyn's Prospect Park June 22.
YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Haley Holton, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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June 17, 2013: Facebook's Old-School Event Invitations, Bobby Flay's White House Menu, How Jay-Z Announced New Album
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