October 18, 2013: Colbert Headlines Al Smith Dinner, Flood Relief Concert Planned for Colorado, Organizers Cancel Free Festival Instead of Charging for Tickets

1. COLBERT HEADLINES AL SMITH DINNER: Last night's Al Smith dinner—a Roman Catholic benefit in New York—featured as its keynote speaker Stephen Colbert, a Sunday school teacher as well as host of his Comedy Central political satire show. New York Times: " Mr. Colbert took particular glee in addressing the populist bent of Pope Francis, saying that if the new pope had planned the event, 'we wouldn’t be in white-tie at the Waldorf—we’d be in sweat pants at the corner booth of the IHOP.'" http://nyti.ms/1c1E803

2. FLOOD RELIEF CONCERT PLANNED FOR COLORADO: Dave Matthews, the Fray, and other bands will perform in the flood relief benefit concert Colorado Rising October 27. AEG Live Rocky Mountains and Live Nation are among the sponsors for the event, which benefits United Ways of Colorado Flood Recovery. CBS4 Denver: "We are thrilled so many musicians are coming together for this flood relief benefit concert," Governor John Hickenlooper said. "This is a great way to highlight recovery efforts and raise money at the same time." http://cbsloc.al/19MuNUa

3. ORGANIZERS CANCEL FREE FESTIVAL, WON'T CHARGE FOR TICKETS: Europe's largest media event, the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, has been cancelled due to lack of sponsor support. The event was free to attend, and organizers decided to end the festival rather than charge for tickets. Poynter: "Ticketing would run the risk of a merry-go-round of journalists addressing journalists. There is no shortage of such media events around the world and we have little possibility of, or interest in, competing with them,” said Christopher Potter, a founder of the festival. http://bit.ly/GSsqqf

4. TORI SPELLING'S EVENT TIPS: Does Tori Spelling have any pertinent advice for event planners? She offered tips for children's events to the Daily Meal: http://bit.ly/16iVe1s

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  A new activity called Lunch Beat lets groups of employees take midday dance breaks to get reenergized for the rest of the workday. The next dance party will take place on Tuesday at South Station.

The Verve-Crowne Plaza Natick will host its third Halloween-theme Violet Jam on October 26. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band will perform, and there will be a costume contest and cocktails.

CHICAGO:  Specialty Graphic Imaging Association appointed CompuSystems as its new registration service provider for the SGIA Expo through 2015.

Diffa's Dining by Design will take place at the Merchandise Mart November 7-9. This year's event is dubbed "Beauty and the Feast."

Chicago Commons's gala fund-rasier "Pour Your Heart Out" is November 2 at the East Bank Club. More than 300 guests are expected, and the evening will offer international wines and hors d'oeuvres.

LAS VEGAS:  Jubilee at Bally’s Las Vegas, the longest-running show on the Strip, will undergo a major transformation early next year. Leading the charge is creative director and choreographer Frank Gatson Jr.

LOS ANGELES:  The Recording Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing will present its seventh annual Grammy Week event, honoring Neil Young January 21 at the Village Studios.

Motorward: "Porsche will soon open its second Experience center in America—fourth in the world, including facilities at Silverstone and Leipzig—in Los Angeles." http://bit.ly/18lUaxO

White Memorial Medical Center Charitable Foundation will host its annual fund-raising gala on October 27 at the Beverly Wilshire.

People.com will exclusively produce and live-stream the red carpet arrivals at the 17th annual Hollywood Film Awards Monday at the Beverly Hilton.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Broward College’s Judson A. Samuels South Campus and the newly established South Campus Office of Cultural Affairs will host to a new series of mostly free, public events. From October through December 5, the series features film, live performances, and concerts from minority artists.

NEW YORK:  The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present the 14th annual Monte Cristo Award to actress Meryl Streep at a gala dinner April 21. The location has not been named.

Hetrick-Martin Institute, an L.G.B.T.Q. youth service organization, will hold its 2013 Emery Awards November 13 at Cipriani Wall Street. Bravo's Andy Cohen will host the evening, which will honor Chelsea Clinton, N.F.L. player Brendon Ayanbadejo, transgender M.M.A. fighter Fallon Fox, Athlete Ally founder Hudson Taylor, and Moody’s. The organizations first  lifetime achievement award will go to author and human rights advocate David Mixner.

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

ORLANDO:  Grand Lakes Orlando will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a "Harvest Celebration" at the resort's Whisper Creek Farm November 16. The menu will be led by Chef Melissa Kelly, whose restaurant Primo at JW Marriott Orlando was the inspiration behind the farm. In addition to Whisper Creek and JW Marriott, Grande Lakes Orlando includes the Ritz-Carlton Orlando.

TORONTO:  The Toronto Snow Show opened on Thursday at its new location, the International Centre, and runs through Sunday. A new feature this year is the outdoor Pro Am Rail Jam, where pro and amateur snowboarders and skiers will do rail slides. There will also be live art demos from graffiti artist Skam.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator Conference has moved to a digital forum. The online conference will take place October 21-25, and will comprise live video streaming and taped webinars.

WASHINGTON:  City Tap House DC, an 180-seat craft beer-centric, American pub located adjacent to the new City Center, is slated to open in late November. A private dining room with audiovisual capabilities will accommodate 100 guests for a seated dinner or as many as 200 guests for a cocktail reception. The room can also be divided into two smaller rooms for more intimate events.

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

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