January 17, 2014: Where to Party at Sundance, Hulu Launches Super Bowl Ad Channel, Oscar's Most Controversial Nominee

1. PREVIEWING SUNDANCE’S BEST PARTIES: The Sundance Film Festival, where Hollywood decamps in its nordic sweaters and heavy boots, is underway in Park City, Utah. Brands such as Tao, Eddie Bauer, and Stella Artois are setting up satellite venues and activations this year. The Wrap breaks down the festival’s parties into four categories: Nightlife/Parties, Swag, Free Eats, and Cast Party Clubhouses: http://bit.ly/1acAMXJ

2. HULU LAUNCHES SUPER BOWL AD CHANNEL: Fans of Super Bowl commercials can watch iconic spots such as Apple’s “1984” and vote on their favorites at the Hulu channel AdZone, which is returning for its fourth edition. It will also show previews of ads for this year’s game—spots that will cost about $4 million for a 30-second ad. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/Kn9HEL

3. OSCAR'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL NOMINEE: How did a virtually unknown song from a movie that screened for only a week beat out the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Paul McCartney to earn an Oscar nomination? The song "Alone Yet Not Alone" from the movie of the same name caused many to question the integrity of the Oscar voting process when it was revealed that the song was written by a former member of the Academy’s board of governors, Bruce Broughton. "I'm sure he has a lot of friends in the branch," one person whose song was snubbed told the Hollywood Reporter. http://bit.ly/1dBjtjC

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Cameo Macaron, a macaron food truck, will hit the streets of Boston soon. Owner Kinesha Goldson has already prepared macarons for events, and her treats come in flavors such as rose petal and Nutella. Eater: http://bit.ly/1a7KdYi

CHICAGO:  Chicago will soon get its first bar devoted to cider. From the team behind Fountainhead, the Northman is expected to open this spring and will serve more than 100 ciders.

A Park West event on January 21 will feature a 2013 year-end review as told by six WBEZ reporters as well as local poets, comedians, and storytellers.

LAS VEGAS:  The Academy of Country Music announced that the second annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival will be headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban on April 4-5, respectively, at The Linq, Caesars Entertainment’s new open-air retail, dining, and entertainment district.

Las Vegas Hospitality Association will install its new 2014 board of directors at a lunch meeting on January 23 at the M Resort Spa Casino.

LOS ANGELES:  The Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, announced that it voted unanimously to appoint Philippe Vergne as the museum’s director. Vergne succeeds Jeffrey Deitch, who resigned from MOCA on September 1.

Patrón tequila and Ultimat vodka cocktails will be offered at the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild awards ceremony and at the gala immediately following the telecast Saturday. The featured Patrón drink will be the “Patrón Award” made with Patrón Silver tequila, Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur, fresh juices, and lime. The Ultimat vodka cocktail will be the “Ultimat Statue,” created with Ultimat vodka, Patrón Citrónge orange liqueur, and pomegranate and orange juices.

Ashley Studer is now a senior account executive in Shadow PR’s Los Angeles office.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Miami Children’s Museum Be a Kid Again Gala is March 1 at the museum. About 600 guests are expected to attend.

HMSHost has signed an agreement with Fort Lauderdale—Hollywood International Airport to open 25 new dining offerings in Terminals 1 and 2 over the next three years. The restaurants include three with South Florida connections: Shula Burger, named for Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula; Offerdahl’s Café Grill, founded by Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl; and Air Margaritaville from singer Jimmy Buffet.

NEW YORK:  Cupid’s Undie Run, in which participants run wearing only their underwear, is scheduled for February 15. The event raises awareness of Neurofibromatosis, and donations go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

Gemma Keating has been appointed director of sales and marketing for the Knickerbocker Hotel, a 330-room hotel set to open in Times Square later this year.

The 2014 AHR Expo comes to New York Tuesday to Thursday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Nearly 2,000 exhibitors are expected at the trade event, which is co-sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Local event listings from Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO:  The Orlando Museum of Art will host an Antiques, Vintage & Garden Show February 14-16.

TORONTO:  The Book Lover's Ball will take place February 6 at the Fairmont Royal York. Sixty authors will appear, including Michael Ignatieff and Richard Peddle.

WASHINGTON:  The Washington Ballet will host Noche de Pasión 2014 Colombia Tropical February 8 at the residence of the Ambassador of Colombia. The Colombian-themed evening will feature decor by Syzygy Events and Digital Lighting that evokes that Caribbean coastline of Colombia. R&R Catering will prepare a buffet dinner, and the evening will also include a silent auction, dancing, and performances.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Beth Kormanik, Jill Menze, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]