February 24, 2016: Canada’s Prime Minister to Become First World Leader to March in Gay Pride Parade, How the Electric Daisy Festival Became a Billion-Dollar Event for Vegas, Celebrity-Filled Benefit for Flint Planned on Oscar Night

1. CANADA’S PRIME MINISTER TO BECOME FIRST WORLD LEADER TO MARCH IN GAY PRIDE PARADE: The Canadian prime minister is poised to become the first world leader to march in a gay pride parade when he participates in Pride Toronto on July 3. He will march with the city's mayor and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is Canada’s first lesbian premier. Gay Syrian refugees will also march. BBC: "[It's] big news in Canada but big news around the world," Pride Toronto executive director Mathieu Chantelois told BuzzFeed Canada. "Not only because he is probably the sexiest politician alive but also because there has never been a leader of a country to walk in a parade, at least not that we know of." bbc.in/1SReRu0

2. HOW THE ELECTRIC DAISY FESTIVAL BECAME A BILLION-DOLLAR EVENT FOR LAS VEGAS: The fifth annual Electric Daisy Carnival held in Las Vegas last June attracted 405,000 attendees, boosting the Clark County economy by $350.3 million, according to a data study released by Beacon Economics. Since the festival’s move to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2011, North America’s largest dance music festival has generated $1.3 billion for the local economy and brought more than 1.7 million fans to the city. Forbes: “While the numbers in the report are likely solid, it is important to note that there were no negative impacts mentioned. Major music festivals may raise a lot of money in taxes and they do employ many local residents, but they also take an enormous toll environmentally and emotionally on the communities that house them. The arrival of several hundred thousand people for any event is sure to strain resources and test some people’s patience. Tourism dollars of all kinds are welcome, but often come at a cost that is difficult to measure.” http://onforb.es/1VE1zik

3. CELEBRITY-FILLED BENEFIT FOR FLINT PLANNED ON OSCAR NIGHT: Creed director and co-writer Ryan Coogler, singer Janelle Monae, and director Ava DuVernay are among those expected to attend a benefit in Flint, Michigan, hosted by comedian Hannibal Buress on Sunday—the same night as the Academy Awards. Dubbed #JusticeForFlint, the event will raise money for residents suffering from the city’s lead-contaminated water. BuzzFeed: “It will also be live-streamed via revolt.tv, and donations will be collected at the event and via text. Along with all the star power, organizers have also invited members of the Flint community to share their stories with the audience. … Though the event does coincide with the Academy Awards—which largely snubbed Creed in nominations and did the same with DuVernay’s Selma last year—Coogler said Feb. 28 was chosen because it fell on the final weekend of Black History Month, and that the date overlap was a coincidence.” http://bzfd.it/1TDRAfd

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Event producer Jack Morton Worldwide announced a partnership with brand futurist and author Martin Lindstrom. The company will use insights from Lindstrom’s book Small Data in its strategic planning process. Press release: http://prn.to/1OusuHy

Tasty Burger has a new 120-seat location in Roxbury. The eatery offers catering, including boxed lunches and a top-your-own burger bar.

CHICAGO:  The IronHorse Ball, benefitting the ALS Association, will take place at the Cultural Center on March 10. The evening’s honorees include chef Fabio Viviani; there will be chef tasting stations, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions.

LAS VEGAS:  Rivea will return with the third installment of its cocktail-pairing dinner program on March 4. The latest in the series will include an artichoke-centric menu and complementary cocktails by Proprietors L.L.C.

LOS ANGELES:  Sia will headline the 12th annual Desert Smash after-party at the Westin Mission Hills on March 8.

Girls Rock Camp Foundation has announced its first Girls to the Front benefit. The event, slated for March 9 at Chateau Marmont, will be hosted by actress Rachel Bloom and include a performance by Haim.

The 420 Games, a pro-cannabis 4.20-mile race, will expand this year with a six-city tour starting in Los Angeles on March 26. LA Weekly: http://bit.ly/1QSBUyw

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  A benefit for the ProPops Foundation celebrating its 10th anniversary and founder Dwyane Wade’s birthday will take place March 16 at Private Key.

NEW YORK:  The fifth annual Frieze Art Fair will take place May 5-8 at Randall's Island Park. The event will feature interactive exhibits from more than 200 galleries from around the world.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Osprey Tavern will host Beard in Baldwin April 9 in Baldwin Park. The event, in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, will raise money to provide scholarships to students in culinary arts. Participating restaurants will include the Rusty Spoon, K Restaurant, Soco, Seito Sushi, the Ravenous Pig, and more.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Event venue City View at Metreon will undergo a remodeling from April 2017 through the fall of 2017.

TORONTO:  The Stop’s Night Market, hosted by the Stop Community Food Centre, will be held in June. The event will feature food stations made out of decorated food carts.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Chef and restaurateur Mike Isabella will open Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda on March 7. The homestyle Greek restaurant will seat 160, including at a 12-seat communal table, a 24-seat bar, and a 12-seat chef counter; there will also be patio seating.

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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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