ATHENS, GA.: In late April, a ceremony was held to break ground on The Classic Center Arena in Athens, set to debut in Nov. 2023 as Northeast Georgia's premier event facility. Once finished, The Classic Center Arena will accommodate up to 5,500 seated guests and 8,500 standing guests for various events, including concerts, sports tournaments, banquets, or general sessions. The arena will be the home to the UGA Ice Dawgs—an East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team—and will also be used as a learning lab. The Georgia Music Hall will also open in The Classic Center, bringing the state’s collection of memorabilia to life in The Classic Center Arena through an interactive, museum-quality experience.
CHICAGO: Luft Balloons, a Chicago-based balloon boutique focused on activism, has a new offering: Teacher Appreciation Zoom Balloons. Created in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6 (and available indefinitely), "balloon bursts" can be purchased for $62 to celebrate educators and all of their hard work during the pandemic and beyond. Bursts, which are made of 100% biodegradable and organic materials, can be picked up or delivered.
MEMPHIS, TENN.: The Hyatt Hotels Corporation launched its newest lifestyle brand, Caption by Hyatt, with the announcement that a 136-room Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis hotel will open in Tennessee this summer. The pet-friendly hotel, which will be located in the South Main Arts District, will feature an on-site restaurant, meeting facilities, fitness center, digital check-in capabilities, and sweeping views of the Mississippi River and Memphis skyline. In the coming years, Hyatt is looking to expand the Caption brand globally, with Caption by Hyatt hotels slated to open in Shanghai, China in 2023 as well as Tokyo, Japan and Ba Son Saigon, Vietnam in 2025.
NEW YORK: Brooklyn's Kings Theatre has announced Crystal Longo as its new general manager. In her new role, Longo is striving to enact change and give back to the local community surrounding the theater. A few of her initiatives include providing professional development opportunities to staff, making tickets more affordable, launching a high school internship program, and partnering with local nonprofits on a series of free, community-based events. Additionally, she has been collaborating with Interboro—a female-owned Brooklyn brewery and distillery—to create custom Kings Theatre beverage options that are now available at the theatre. The theatre also hosts Aunts et Uncles, a black-owned, vegan/vegetarian restaurant that will sell food at upcoming shows.
The Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, announced that Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose will host the 75th Annual Tony Awards. The show will take place June 12 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and will be broadcasted on CBS and streamed live and on demand on Paramount+.
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