June 18, 2013: Andrew W.K. Goes for World Record, Hottest Speaker for Campus Events, Washington's Best Guests

1. BILL NYE—YES, THE SCIENCE GUY—BIG DRAW AT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Who is one of the most popular speakers on the college circuit? We know him as Bill Nye the Science Guy, the "Springsteen of the nerds." With experience as a television host, stand-up comic, and scientist, Nye has campuses packing auditoriums for his lectures. New York Times: "As the audience streamed out—did those dudes really rip off their shirts to show that they had painted, in all capital letters, 'Bill Nye' on their chests and 'science' on their backs?—Mr. Nye looked like someone who had just run a triathlon. And then it was time for more pictures." http://goo.gl/bS3lL

2. ANDREW W.K. GOES FOR WORLD RECORD: Entertainer Andrew W.K. will try to drum for 24 hours, setting a world record and providing a stunt during the O Music Awards from MTV, VH1, and CMT. Starting Wednesday night, W.K. will attempt the record from Times Square's Oakley store (but will get five-minute breaks every hour). Forbes: "W.K.’s separate performance will be going on for the entire duration of the event and is guaranteed to be full of surprises. ?uestlove, drummer and bandleader for the Roots, will join Andrew for the first portion of the 24 hours. A variety of other unannounced special guest drummers are expected to show up." http://goo.gl/vKfv4

3. WASHINGTON'S BEST GUESTS: Some of the most social animals in Washington these days are the Supreme Court justices. Women's Wear Daily: "By all accounts, the nation’s ultimate adjudicators make great party guests once they shed their black robes. At the Kennedy Center annual gala, the Opera and Symphony balls, on Embassy Row, in private homes, and at the National Gallery and Phillips Collection, they are the new high-society superheroes. When it comes to joining forces to celebrate culture without the benefit of a divisive policy issue to rally support, a Supreme Court justice has the social clout to rally a must-attend, A-list event." http://goo.gl/qodqa

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  The musical lineup for the Life Is Good Festival in September has been announced. Acts include the Roots, Amos Lee, and Jack Johnson.

The New England chapter of ISES will host its Heart & Soul Awards on June 19 at WGBH Studios.

The Winsor House Inn is under new management and has a new restaurant concept with a menu featuring creative New England fare. 

CHICAGO:  Chef's Table, a celebration of CS magazine's July restaurant issue, is July 11 on the penthouse level of the Reid Murdoch building. Offering bites from local chefs and mixology cocktails, the event will benefit Diffa.

DALLAS:  Hyatt Regency Dallas named Chris Watson as director of sales and marketing at the 1,120-room hotel.

LAS VEGAS:  Vegas Inc: "An event management company has published a list of the top 100 resorts for meetings in North America, and nine Las Vegas properties made the cut." http://bit.ly/19FtHwF

Breaking Travel News: "The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority are joining forces to promote travel and tourism exports." http://bit.ly/12RcZsH

LOS ANGELES:  As the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel approaches its 30th anniversary, the transformation of the resort continues with the unveiling of recent upgrades to all 396 guest rooms. The new design includes outdoor fireplaces on the patios of first-floor oceanfront rooms.

New American bistro Del Frisco's Grille is expected to open in July overlooking the Santa Monica Pier.

L.A. Times on the L.A. Film Festival: "Inside a warehouse in Los Angeles, the cast of All Together Now partied in an artificial forest filled with fog and piercing music. In order to bring in numerous bands to provide the soundtrack for the film, director Alex Mirecki opted for a faux forest rather than shooting in the great outdoors." http://lat.ms/147Qs6w

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced its 2013 Art & Film Gala is November 2; the event at Lacma will honor artist David Hockney and filmmaker Martin Scorsese.

Cheers, L.A.’s Wine, Spirits, Beer & Food Festival, is Saturday evening at the Wine & Spirits Marketplace at Fairplex.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Addison, an independent event venue in Boca Raton, will celebrate its Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences with a "secret garden"-themed event June 25 designed by Benny Ofer of Daniel Events.

NEW YORK:  Eventi hotel will host a July 4 hot-dog-eating contest featuring champion professional eater Takeru Kobayashi and seven other acclaimed competitive eaters. Following the event on the Eventi's outdoor plaza, the hotel will serve Kobayashi and Rastelli’s Food Group's new all-beef “Kobi Dogs,” and food vendors from Hester Street Fair will be on hand.

More than 14,000 people are expected to participate in free yoga classes in Times Square Friday in celebration of the summer solstice. Athleta is the title sponsor.

Steve Comando has joined SMM Advertising as senior art director.

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

ORLANDO:  The Alfond Inn, a new 112-room hotel that will open in August in Winter Park, has announced its executive team. Deanne Gabel will serve as general manager, Debbie Potter as the director of sales and marketing, Jane McLean as the wedding specialist and director of social catering, and James Gustafson as the director of rooms.

PHOENIX:  BLT Steak Scottsdale is now offering upscale barbeque as a private dining option this summer. The menu is offered on the outdoor dining area, which seats as many as 70 guests, and includes slow-smoked short ribs in a mesquite honey glaze, New York strip with a spice rub and roasted shallot butter, and traditional sides.

WASHINGTON:  New event and marketing firm Suzy Blacks is hosting a launch party at 10 p.m. June 28 at Quench in Rockville, Maryland.

The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's gala is June 21 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Among the honorees is architect and entrepreneur Paola Moya, to be given the "rising star" award.

Maryland-based Gravitation now offers strategic planning services to help corporate marketers and other executives maximize their investment in exhibits and events.

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

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job:http://jobs.bizbash.com

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Haley Holton, Beth Kormanik, Lauren Matthews, and Anna Sekula in New York.

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

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]

Subscribe: www.bizbash.com/bizbashdaily

Advertise with BizBash: [email protected]