April 21, 2015: Investors to Buy Cirque du Soleil, HBO Shuts Down Bar’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Watch Party, ACM Awards Win Top Ratings

1. INVESTORS TO BUY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: A group of private investors announced plans to purchase Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil with plans to expand the entertainment company to China. The New York Times: “Investors and companies around the globe are trying to capitalize on the swelling leisure spending by China’s growing middle class. The Walt Disney Company is building a $5.5 billion theme park resort in Shanghai. Several American movie studies, including Lionsgate, Studio 8 at Sony Pictures and STX Entertainment, have formed joint ventures with Chinese players. On Sunday, Dick Cook, a former chairman of Walt Disney Studios, announced the formation of a movie company in partnership with the Chinese conglomerate Citic Guoan Group.” http://nyti.ms/1OasDGp

2. HBO SHUTS DOWN BAR’S ‘GAME OF THRONES’ WATCH PARTY: HBO sent a cease-and-desist letter to a Brooklyn bar that has hosted viewing parties for Game of Thrones for the past two years. New York Post: “Videology shot to the top of HBO’s list because it screens the show in a theater connected to the bar, a source told The Post. ‘The trigger for HBO is establishments attempting to make a profit off the program,’ the source said. Still, dozens of bars across the city continue to host Game of Thrones nights. The Bedford, 10 minutes from Videology, hasn’t gotten any letters and plans to continue showing the series for the rest of this season.” http://bit.ly/1F7g9cM

3. ACM AWARDS WIN TOP RATINGS: The Academy of Country Music Awards, which took place in Sunday in Dallas, scored top ratings for broadcast partner CBS. The Wrap: “Its 50th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday was the most-watched since 1998. As a result, the network easily topped the night in both the key demo and in total viewers — more than doubling its closest competitor by both metrics.” http://bit.ly/1bfAEI7

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Footwear company Converse will bring a new music festival to Boston. Called "Converse Rubber Tracks Live Boston," the five-night event will take place in the Sinclair nightclub April 27-May 1. Boston Globe: http://bit.ly/1ytSX78

CHICAGO:  The Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel will begin a renovation that will update its public spaces. The new design will be inspired by the 1920s. Crain’s: http://bit.ly/1bdB9Cr

LAS VEGAS:  iHeartMedia announced its annual summer pool party will be on May 30. For the first time it will be held at Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

Justin Bieber, Ludacris, Tyrese, and DJ Ace will host fight weekend parties at Hard Rock venues May 1-3.

LOS ANGELES:  Lacma’s 50th anniversary gala on Saturday raised $5 million and included a performance by Seal.

Snow Leopard vodka will launch in Los Angeles with a party at Eveleigh on May 5.

Janete Rodas has started a new role as director of brand marketing and communications with PMK-BNC.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Slow Food Miami will host its fourth annual Snail of Approval Tasting Party on Friday at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. A panel of judges will award a "Best Bite of the Night,” and guests will vote on a People’s Choice award.

NEW YORK:  The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will celebrate the 27th annual Fleet Week May 20-26 with a series of events include the Salute to Freedom gala on May 21.

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation breaks ground next week on a 4,000-square-foot screening, performance, and educational program space located at 247 West 54th Street. The New York Actors Center Program Space will include a 158-seat theater and is slated to open in spring 2016.

Dusty Bennett has joined DKC Public Relations as senior vice president of events and production for the agency’s event marketing and production arm, DKC Incite. Previously he served as vice president and senior producer at Blue Man Productions.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  Capital Area Food Bank's 12th annual Blue Jeans Ball is scheduled for Sunday at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. The evening will include food tastings from several area restaurants, live and silent auctions, and entertainment from the Elastic Waist Band and DJ John Jazz.

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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.

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