1. LONDON THEATER BALCONY COLLAPSES MID-PERFORMANCE: During a sold-out performance at the West End’s Apollo Theatre, plaster from a ceiling collapsed, injuring 76 people. USA Today: “Firefighters evacuated several injured audience members after about 100 square feet of the ceiling came crashing down, fire officials said. They were hit by plasterwork, wooden beams, a lighting rig and other debris. More than 700 people were inside at the time.”
2. GRAMMYS ANNOUNCE PERFORMERS: Pink, Daft Punk, and Kendrick Lamar are among the musicians slated to perform during the Grammy awards next month in Los Angeles. Entertainment Weekly: “Lamar’s 2012 album Good Kid, m.a.a.d. city is up for Album of the Year, and Lamar is one of the best performers in hip-hop, so his presence should be electrifying. It’ll be his Grammy debut, which could also lead to some collaboration—wouldn’t it be cool if Janet Jackson actually showed up to sing her sampled hook on Lamar’s ‘Poetic Justice’?” http://bit.ly/1esTOul
3. NEW HOST FOR BET HONORS: After five years of actress Gabrielle Union presiding over the BET Honors, the network has chosen a new host for the February event in Washington, comedian Wayne Brady. Washington Post: “Brady hosts the daytime game show Let’s Make a Deal, and he made a splash this summer with the revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway? on the CW.” http://wapo.st/1dVLY7P http://usat.ly/1kogwUB
* LOCAL NEWS *
BOSTON: The New England International Auto Show will return to the Boston Convention Center January 16-20. The show's features will include ride and drives, the debut of the redesigned Corvette Stingray, and opportunities to pose with the Hyundai Zombie Machines from The Walking Dead.
CHICAGO: The TBS Just for Laughs festival will not return to Chicago next year, the Chicago Tribune reports: http://bit.ly/18SaGTG
HOUSTON: RIDA Development Corporation, in conjunction with the Houston First Corporation, will develop a 1,000-room Marriott Marquis across the street and connected via skyway to the Houston Convention Center. The hotel, which will have more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, is scheduled to break ground in 2014 and open in 2016.
LAS VEGAS: As the transformation of the 7,000-seat theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino nears completion, the resort’s parent company, Caesars Growth Partners, a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Acquisition Company, announced today a strategic partnership with Live Nation Entertainment for the newly renovated theater, which will have a new name: the Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Wynn Las Vegas will unveil three 800-pound Tang Dynasty horse sculptures on January 9 in honor of Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse. The 9-foot-tall, 10-foot-long horses were created by master sculptor Sillipachai “Mod” Toonrud of Forte Specialty Contractors in Las Vegas, and will be painted red and gilded in gold leaf. The sculptures will be on display through February 14. The hotel also will host a traditional Dragon Dance February 1 that will feature a 90-foot-long dragon, eight lions, firecrackers, and special acrobatic shows performed by the lions.
LOS ANGELES: The John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary will host its 29th annual Odyssey Ball at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel on April 5.
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach named Chef Dewey LoSasso executive chef. LoSasso will oversee all food and beverage operations including banquet and event menus, offerings at Piazzetta Marketplace and Restaurant, Costa Grill, and the menu at Acqualina Spa by ESPA.
NEW YORK: New York Post: "Power players will be flocking back to the Loews Regency the morning of Jan. 16, when the hotel reopens its famous 'Power Breakfast' after a 54-week absence … Loews chairman Jonathan Tisch admitted VIPs 'scattered' to other breakfast spots while the hotel underwent a $100 million renovation, but said that advance reservations reflect that most will be back next month." http://pge.sx/1eqL2x3
Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
TORONTO: The Chef's Challenge: The Ultimate Battle For a Cure will take place February 8 at the Toronto Congress Centre. The event benefits care and research in women's cancers at Mt. Sinai Hospital, and is hosted by Giada De Laurentiis.
WASHINGTON: The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is moving its Rammy Awards Gala to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The change reflects the growth of the event, which celebrates the region's foodservice industry and this year will be held June 22. Planners hope the new venue will provide better event flow and more opportunities for sponsor exposure.
Agua 301, a Mexican restaurant, is slated to open Saturday in the historic Lumber Shed Building in Yards Park. Designed by GrizForm Design Architects, the 4,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant includes a private dining room and a 44-seat patio that will open in the spring.
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With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and 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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