January 28, 2015: Smithsonian Considers Expanding to London, New Tech Tool Matches Local Events With Sponsors, Which Musical Icon Is Getting a Hologram Now?

1. SMITHSONIAN CONSIDERS EXPANDING TO LONDON: The Smithsonian Institution may open an exhibition space in London in a planned cultural district at the site of the 2012 Olympics. It would be the institution’s first permanent expansion outside of the United States. The New York Times: “Albert G. Horvath, the Smithsonian’s acting secretary, said that the institution had been working to reach new audiences, and that the London site offered the chance to raise the organization’s profile internationally. … The plan is that the Smithsonian will occupy a gallery in a large new building, yet to be constructed, to be shared with other cultural institutions on a 4.5-acre waterside site close to the Olympic Stadium in a cultural and education district the London authorities call Olympicopolis.” http://nyti.ms/1HbUja8

2. NEW TECH TOOL MATCHES LOCAL EVENTS WITH SPONSORS: The tech start-up HelloSponsor wants to streamline the event sponsorship process, matching local events with sponsors and offering analytics to see how effective the relationship is. TechCrunch: “The HelloSponsor team is looking to improve how negotiations and payment for event sponsorships are handled on both sides of the transaction. For sponsors, they’re working to make it easier to provide contracts specifying details like how many people they expect to see their promotional materials and where they expect booths to be located. On the event side of things, they’re building a payments experience that doesn’t feel like you’re being pushed around by the sponsor.” http://tcrn.ch/15Ona32

3. WHICH MUSICAL ICON IS GETTING A HOLOGRAM NOW?: Holograms, the technological trick that has brought back famous faces from the dead, will create a new image of Buddy Holly for a concert tour planned for 2016. Hollywood Reporter: “Hologram USA is already working on the hologram-like performance of the rock and roll icon, as well as on a similar show around Liberace, which will debut in Las Vegas.” http://bit.ly/1z2jXck

* LOCAL NEWS *

AUSTIN:  Austin Business Journal: “Major brands such as Doritos are staying away from Austin during South By Southwest this year, in part because of concerns about increased scrutiny by city officials on large outdoor events.” http://bit.ly/1LfnA3v

BOSTON:  Chef Brian Poe will host “Burrito Bowl IV” at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake on January 31. The event features local chefs facing off in a burrito competition; the chefs' creations are inspired by various N.F.L. teams.

CHICAGO:  About Face Theatre will host "Wonka Ball: Warhol" on April 10 at Moonlight Studios. The benefit will offer Warhol-inspired art and performances as well as food, drinks, and silent and live auctions.

LAS VEGAS:  The food and wine festival Vegas Uncork’d has added chef Emeril Lagasse to its lineup. The event takes place April 23-26.

Diana Ross will perform nine shows at the Venetian Theatre beginning April 1.

LOS ANGELES:  Child welfare services provider Hillsides will host its annual gala at the Langham Huntington on February 28.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Productions announced that next year’s Golden Globe awards are scheduled for January 10 at the Beverly Hilton.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The sixth annual LeSutra Model Beach Volleyball Tournament is February 7-8 at Lummus Park in Miami Beach. The event is free and open to the public, although V.I.P. tickets and table service are available.

NEW YORK:  Pop star Christina Aguilera, along with the Rockettes, will perform before the tip-off of the N.B.A. All-Star Game February 15 at Madison Square Garden. Singer Ariana Grande will headline the halftime show.

Frank Fraser has joined AlliedPRA’s New York office as managing director.

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

SAN FRANCISCO:  A pair of towers called First and Mission will open downtown by 2019. The buildings will house a hotel, offices, and retail space.

TORONTO:  ReBash, a wedding show that focuses on “upcycled” and handcrafted items, will take place at 918 Bathurst on April 18.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

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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, and Anna Sekula in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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