February 4, 2019: Patriots Defeat Rams in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl in History, 'Fortnite' Holds First Live Virtual Concert Headlined by Marshmello, Disney to Hold First Official Pride Event

1. PATRIOTS DEFEAT RAMS IN LOWEST-SCORING SUPER BOWL IN HISTORY: The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 to win Super Bowl LIII, which was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever. The game, which took place at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, also featured a halftime show by Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi. The New York Times: "These Rams and Patriots will be forever linked in Super Bowl ignominy: the fewest combined points, the lowest-scoring first half in 44 years (3 points), the most time elapsed without a touchdown. That stretch ended at the time when Tom Brady asserts his primacy. ... Brady, at age 41, finished 21 of 35 for 262 yards, with more than half of that total—141—going to Julian Edelman. A year after missing the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia with a knee injury and being suspended for the first four games of this season for violating the N.F.L.’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, Edelman was selected as the game’s most valuable player." https://nyti.ms/2WFIOT6

2. 'FORTNITE' HOLDS FIRST LIVE VIRTUAL CONCERT HEADLINED BY MARSHMELLO: Fortnite, the interactive online video game from Epic Games, switched things up for its millions of annual players on Saturday by virtually transporting them to a live concert. The game incorporated a 10-minute virtual set from EDM musician Marshmello, which took place in the game's setting. The Verge: "The stage came to life with building-sized holograms of Fortnite characters, while a custom set of graphics played behind Marshmello’s avatar. At certain points, timed to the shifts in the fast-moving dance music, the stage would alter gravity, sending players bouncing into the sky and even floating in place at one point. ... The concert, held at the in-game location Pleasant Park, was teased for days, showing up on Marshmello’s real-life tour schedule and, eventually, advertised via posters within Fortnite itself. Meanwhile, the virtual stage underwent various levels of construction. Then, Epic released a Marshmello skin, glider, and emote, alongside a special three-challenge quest for players to earn a matching pickaxe and other items." https://bit.ly/2MQoFoB

3. DISNEY TO HOLD FIRST OFFICIAL PRIDE EVENT: While Gay Days have long been a tradition at Disney theme parks in the U.S., the company will hold its first official pride celebration at Disneyland Paris on June 1. Nathan Tunnah, a travel consultant at Greatdays Travel Ltd., helped organize the first "Magical Pride" at the park in 2014 and said the celebration was officially taken over by the Walt Disney Company. NBC News: "'Last year, Disney decided to make it a signature event, because they saw how popular it is becoming,' Tunnah said. Selected rides will be open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. for this year’s late-night 'Magical Pride' event, and it will feature character meet-and-greets, musical performances, and a pride-themed 'diversity parade,' Tunnah said. ... Disney’s American parks are known for their annual 'Gay Days,' unofficial gatherings of L.G.B.T.Q. people at Disney parks. Gay Days started in the early 1990s, with just a few thousand L.G.B.T.Q. attendees wearing red shirts for visibility." https://nbcnews.to/2HR6ikE

* LOCAL NEWS *

LOS ANGELES:  The Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammys, has announced a new initiative that aims to expand opportunities for women music producers and engineers, as part of its task force on diversity and inclusion. The producer and engineer inclusion initiative calls on those responsible for hiring producers and engineers to commit to making hiring decisions after considering a group of candidates that includes at least two women. The Recording Academy has created a website that facilitates the process of identifying female engineers and producers. 

The annual Makers Conference will take place February 6-8 at Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. Speakers will include Tarana Burke, John Legend, Ciara, and Ted Sarandos. 

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The eighth edition of Art Wynwood will take place February 15-18 at the Art Miami and Context Art Miami site at One Herald Plaza. The event will be co-located with the Miami Yacht Show. 

NEW YORK:  The Art Dealers Association of America’s Art Show Gala Preview will take place February 27 at the Park Avenue Armory. The event benefits Henry Street Settlement. 

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  MegaCon will take place May 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center. The fan convention will feature the cast of Back to the Future including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, and appearances from Jason Momoa, Pamela Anderson, David Harbour, and more.  

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The 11th annual Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge presented by T.C.M.A. will take place April 2 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. 

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant has appointed Edward Villafane general manager and chef Jan Van Haute executive chef. 

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With contributions from Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles and Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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