1. MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT HIGHLIGHTED BY AWKWARDNESS AND TRAGEDY: Gowns and swimsuits were the last subjects on viewers’ minds after the Miss Universe pageant aired live on Fox last night. Host Steve Harvey accidentally announced Miss Colombia as the winner, and soon after revealed he'd made a mistake while reading the card, and the winner was actually Miss Philippines. In addition to the awkward blunder, one person was killed and dozens were injured when a car struck pedestrians outside the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where the pageant was taking place. Associated Press: “Harvey said it was his mistake and that he would take responsibility for not correctly reading the card, which said that contestant Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was this year's winner and Colombia was actually the first runner-up. He held up the card for Fox network cameras to see up close afterward. Talking with reporters afterward, Harvey and an executive for pageant owner WME-IMG called it human error. Harvey also apologized on Twitter, but at first misspelled the home countries of both contestants before also fixing that…As all this was unfolding, a car drove up onto a sidewalk and struck dozens of people just outside the Planet Hollywood hotel-casino where the pageant was taking place. The Las Vegas Strip was soon jammed with ambulances and fire trucks, and authorities said 37 people were taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries and one person was killed.” http://apne.ws/1Jo2sVC
2. GOOGLE IS OFFERING A HOLIDAY VIRTUAL REALITY WHITE HOUSE TOUR: Google and the White House have teamed up to offer a 360-degree virtual reality tour of the White House, which is currently boasting an array of Christmas decorations. The tour, which can be viewed on YouTube or using Google Cardboard, features a narration of the building’s history during the holidays. Mashable: “Most of the virtual tour uses static imagery, but a few moments offer full motion video, including a cameo by President Barack Obama's favorite furry friend, Bo. The building's décor, assembled by a team of 89 volunteers, was accented by several special rooms decorated by fashion designers. Among the fashionistas, who were hand-picked by First Lady Michelle Obama, are the team from Opening Ceremony, Carolina Herrera, Kenzo and Duro Olowu." http://on.mash.to/1UT4Fik
3. TOKYO OLYMPICS BUDGET SIX TIMES MORE THAN ORIGINAL ESTIMATE: Japanese media has reported that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will cost six times more than the original estimate, hitting close to $15 billion. Yahoo: “In a fresh blow to Tokyo's plans for the Games, both national and local taxpayers will have to help foot the huge increase in the bill to stage the sporting event, the Sankei Shimbun said Saturday. The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Tokyo government expect the eventual cost of holding the Games to be 1.8 trillion yen ($14.84 billion), compared with the original estimate of 301.3 billion yen, Kyodo News said on Friday…Tokyo's plans for the Olympics have already hit a number of hurdles, including the scrapping of the design for the new Olympic stadium as costs soared. The fiasco saw the sports minister quit in September.” http://yhoo.it/1OERZXl
* LOCAL NEWS *
ATLANTA: Twisted Soul Kitchen & Bar in Decatur will close on December 30 and hopes to reopen in the same area. Eater: http://bit.ly/1Nu39R8
BOSTON: A team of “child life specialists" at the Boston Children’s Hospital organize events and activities for children and their families during the holidays. These include visits from the cast of Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker and thematic parties. Boston.com: http://bit.ly/1YnXqiC
Tenoch Mexican has opened a location in Davis Square. The chain provides catering and food trucks, and has menu items such as tortas and tacos.
CHICAGO: The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago will undergo a multi-phase renovation beginning early next year. During phase one, the suites, corridors, and fitness center will be updated; a new Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge will open on the 15th floor. The Club Lounge will have a library for private events.
The 2016 James Beard Awards Gala will take place May 2 at the Lyric Opera.
LAS VEGAS: The 10th anniversary of Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appétit will take place April 28-May 1 at Caesars Palace, the Venetian, the Cromwell, and the Palazzo Las Vegas.
LOS ANGELES: The seventh annual Indulge Los Angeles: LA Chocolate Festival & Pastry Show will take place December 27 at the Olympic Collection Banquet and Conference Center. The event, which features top chocolate and pastry chefs pairing their creations with wines and spirits, will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles
MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Progressive’s Miami International Boat Show will take place February 11-15 at Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin.
The 53rd annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival has announced its partnership with the Miami New Times for a second consecutive year. The festival will take place February 13-15 at Peacock Park. Miami New Times: http://bit.ly/1PelYtZ
NEW YORK: Grand Central's historic "hidden" bar, the Campbell Apartment, will be open on Christmas Day for the first time. Gothamist: http://bit.ly/1TUbjE2
More than 370 restaurants across the five boroughs will participate in NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2016, which runs from January 18-February 5. Reservations will be open to the public on January 6.
The James Beard Foundation Book, Broadcast & Journalism Awards will take place April 26 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers.
MetLife Stadium will host the 2016 Copa America Centenario final on June 26.
Local event listings from the new Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork
ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA: The Avanti Resort on International Drive is planning to add a new 357-room tower with a rooftop pool and nightclub. Orlando Business Journal: http://bit.ly/1lWPeKH
PHILADELPHIA: The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service from March 5-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The indoor flower event will feature more than 180 vendors.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Nike Women's Half Marathon will not return to San Francisco in 2016. The race typically draws 25,000 runners; Nike has not announced which city it will move to next year.
TORONTO: The 2016 Canadian Auto Show will feature more than 1,000 trucks, SUVs, and specialty vehicles. It will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre February 12-21.
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 Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.
BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.
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