1. PARENTS WANT REFUNDS FROM YOUTUBE STAR’S TOUR THAT STARS IMPERSONATOR: Blippi, a YouTube star known for his live-action videos geared toward young kids, is getting criticized for launching a North American tour that will star an impersonator, not Stevin John, who plays the character on YouTube. The fact that the character would be played by an impersonator was listed in the fine print on the tour website, and now parents who purchased tickets are demanding refunds. BuzzFeed: “Stephen Shaw, the producer and promoter of the Blippi Live show, said they will be sending out a letter to ticket holders reminding them Stevin John will not be appearing and offering a refund. … Ticketmaster has inconsistent messaging on the details of the event. On the page for the Daytona, Florida, meet and greet, there is a small disclaimer at the top right of the screen that says Blippi will be played by an actor. On the Ticketmaster pages for other cities, this warning doesn’t exist at all. Ticketmaster told BuzzFeed News that it would be issuing refunds upon request.”
2. POWER OUTAGES WON’T AFFECT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Desert Daze music festival in Southern California will still go on as planned, even though it’s located in one of eight counties that could have its power cut on Friday due to the Santa Ana winds. The four-day festival, which is produced by Knitting Factory Entertainment, is powered by a generator. Wu Tang Clan is slated to headline the event. Billboard: “Earlier Thursday, Edison informed Southern California residents that the company would be shutting off power in various counties as part of a statewide effort to prevent wildfires. The precaution comes as Red Flag Warnings (aka Fire Weather Warnings) were issued due to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity. While performances do not begin until noon Friday, campers will started arriving at Moreno Beach in Lake Perris Thursday evening.”
3. IRAN ALLOWS WOMEN TO ATTEND FIFA SOCCER GAME FOR FIRST TIME IN FOUR DECADES: For the first time since 1981, women in Iran were allowed to buy tickets and attend a soccer game on Thursday. For a 2022 World Cup qualifier between Iran and Cambodia at Tehran’s Azadi stadium, women filled one corner of the stands, while the rest of the 78,000-seat venue was mostly empty. The New York Times: “So new was the experience for many of the women that a small group of their colleagues was tasked with demonstrating to those in attendance—a mix of fans in Iranian colors and traditional chadors—how to chant. … But despite its lopsided nature, the game was among the most consequential sporting events to be played in years, as it marked the end of a prohibition that had been bitterly opposed. The decision to allow women to watch came only one month after a soccer fan died after setting herself on fire in protest of a six-month prison sentence for attending a club game this year.”