January 22, 2014: Uber’s Pricing Too High for Sundance Celebs, See Chanel Couture's Sleek Fashion Show Set, Chris Christie Cancels Inauguration Fete

1. UBER’S PRICING TOO HIGH FOR SUNDANCE CELEBS: The car service Uber's "surge" pricing at the Sundance Film Festival has displeased some big names, including Amy Sacco. The Bungalow 8 owner tweeted a picture of her $152 tab at the festival with the hashtag "#really?" Page Six: http://pge.sx/1ik9Rvw

2. SEE THE SLEEK SET FOR CHANEL COUTURE'S FASHION SHOW: The set at Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Couture show at the Grand Palais in Paris did not disappoint; it was complete with curved parallel staircases and a secret passageway. New York Times: “Attendees were greeted by a shimmering silver and white room, complete with rows of comfortable couches facing an undulating white wall. It felt as if we were entering an upscale nightclub, perhaps one that might have been featured in a Busby Berkeley film. That effect was enhanced when the white wall opened, revealing two matching staircases and a 12-piece orchestra led by the French musician Sébastien Tellier, soon to be joined by a young female soloist, also in white.” nyti.ms/1eSaRBH

3. CHRIS CHRISTIE CANCELS INAUGURATION FETE: Whether it was the snowstorm blanketing the Northeast—or a convenient excuse—New Jersey Governor Chris Christie cancelled his inauguration celebration that was to have taken place Tuesday night at Ellis Island. The governor, in the midst of scandal over his administration’s closing of the George Washington Bridge, was sworn in and gave his speech in the capital as planned. Star-Ledger: “The celebration included a VIP reception for donors who gave above the $500 ticket price. That's off, too. … The catered food order planned for the evening's event will be donated to local food pantries in the Jersey City area.” http://bit.ly/1f9jw2Y

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival announced its lineup for the third annual fest held, April 23-26. The lineup includes Dennis Miller, Kids in the Hall, Mike Birbiglia, Demetri Martin, Hannibal Buress, Maria Bamford, J.B. Smoove, and many more. New this year, Moontower has added some additional performances outside of the four-day fest, including Aziz Ansari on April 18 and Miranda Sings on April 27.

BOSTON:  The Next-Generation Pharmacist award program is August 24 at the Fairmont Copley Square.

CHICAGO:  Cindi Weber is now the director of sales at Limelight Catering. Weber was previously the director of sales at Jewell Events Catering.

LAS VEGAS:  The D Las Vegas Casino Hotel and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino will become the first casino properties to accept the digital currency Bitcoin, starting today. Between the two co-owned properties, Bitcoin will be accepted at five locations, including both hotels’ front desks and in the D’s Gift Shop.

Trade Show News Network: "The 37th SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, Trade) Show, owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, saw a 6-percent jump in attendance this year, coming in at 67,000 attendees. A gathering place for shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries, the event took place Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas.”
http://bit.ly/1aI21nw

LOS ANGELES:  L.A. Times: "The big winner in this year's Hollywood awards season: the local economy. Hundreds of millions of dollars are funneled into hotels, restaurants and limousine companies as Los Angeles hosts the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Academy Awards and related events. The money pumped into the Southern California economy comes at a welcome time. The awards season that stretches from January to March falls within a typically slow period for tourism around the country.” http://lat.ms/1bfXokA

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  During its Ice Cream Festival Weekend in August, PGA National Resort & Spa saw 1,268 participants create the longest ice cream dessert, a 1,249-foot, 10.8-inch ice cream sundae. It shattered the previous Guinness world record of 670 feet. Viewed the dessert on YouTube: http://youtu.be/wX2S3znzY0Y.

Boston-based restaurateur Michela Larson and the Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort announce the opening of the Blue, serving New American food and drink on the 27th floor of the hotel. The restaurant accommodates 120 guests for dinner and has a private dining room, Elevated Events at the Blue, that seats 40.

NEW YORK:  In a Super Bowl first, opera star Renée Fleming will sing the National Anthem before the February 2 game. The soprano’s performance will be televised live on Fox prior to kickoff.

An Amnesty International concert February 5 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn includes the Russian girl group Pussy Riot, whose members recently were freed from prison camps following their outspoken activism against president Vladimir Putin.

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

ORLANDO:  Kellie McLendon has been promoted to catering sales manager for Coco Key Hotel & Water Resort.

TORONTO:  Liberty Entertainment Group is now the operations manager for Casa Loma. This summer, the venue will get a glass-enclosed garden tent that seats 200 or hosts receptions for 500.

WASHINGTON:  Daniel John Singhofen is the new chef de cuisine of Park Hyatt Washington’s Blue Duck Tavern.

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.

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