October 19, 2015: Deadly Shooting Traumatizes ZombiCon Fest, Essence Festival to Expand to South Africa, Event Planner Organizes Birthday Parties for Homeless Kids

1. DEADLY SHOOTING TRAUMATIZES ZOMBICON FESTIVAL: A shooting Saturday night left one person dead and five injured at the annual ZombiCon Festival in Fort Myers, Florida, and now planners are wondering if the event has grown too large for its downtown home. Fort Myers News-Press: “Organizers have nurtured the annual fest from a small party at Patio de Leon to an event that attracts an estimated 20,000 people and sprawls across about seven city blocks. Co-founder Janet DeMarco said she never thought the fest would become this big. It started with just a handful of zombie-loving friends who wanted to dress up as undead monsters and throw a party in downtown Fort Myers. … Sure, DeMarco said, zombies are violent killers that eat anyone they can get their hands on. But Zombicon, itself, has always emphasized positivity and fun.” http://newspr.es/1OOhida

2. ESSENCE FESTIVAL TO EXPAND TO SOUTH AFRICA: The Essence Festival, a staple of New Orleans for the past 20 years, will expand to Durban, South Africa, in 2016 and 2017. Associated Press: “‘There's a great deal in common culturally between America and South Africa,” said Essence Communications Inc. President Michelle Ebanks. ‘We share a history of racial, economic and social prejudice and disparities. There are many parallels and we felt expanding to South Africa was a great connection.’ … The Essence Festival Durban will follow the multi-day format of the New Orleans event, which draws more than 450,000 people annually over the July 4th holiday weekend and has an economic impact of more than $200 million locally.” http://apne.ws/1LSUGmC

3. EVENT PLANNER ORGANIZES BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR HOMELESS KIDS: Dallas-based event planner Paige Chenault founded the Birthday Party Project, an organization that throws themed birthday parties for homeless children that has now spread to eight cities across the United States thanks to volunteers and donations. Today: “In 2015, the organization will host 180 parties. Each one is complete with decorations, games, music, entertainment and, of course, birthday cake. Every child whose birthday falls within the month receives their own party hat, badge, an individual-sized birthday cake and a wrapped present worth approximately $30. ‘It's a mind-blowing experience,’ said Nadia (who preferred to not share her last name) after attending a party for her son at a domestic violence shelter in Arlington, Texas. ‘Coming from such pain and trauma, it's so nice to be able to relax for a minute, take a breather and to see that smile back on my child's face. I have no words to describe the happiness and joy that I am feeling.’” http://on.today.com/1NeQ1yT

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON:  Starting October 25, Belgian restaurant Sasus will host a series of Filipino-inspired pop-up dinners.

CHICAGO:  The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation will host “A Magical Evening Chicago” on Thursday at the Peninsula Chicago.

LAS VEGAS:  The Motley Brews' Downtown Brew Festival—taking place Saturday at Clark County Amphitheater—will expand its culinary and beer options with 250 craft brews on tap at its revamped Festaurant Row and food from 10 different Las Vegas chefs.

Wynn Las Vegas has appointed Rene Lenger as executive chef of the Country Club and David Middleton as the executive chef of Tableau.

LOS ANGELES:  Life & Style Weekly's "Eye Candy" Halloween Bash, hosted by LeAnn Rimes, will take place October 29 at Riviera 31 at the Sofitel.

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  Animate Miami, Florida's largest anime and animation convention, returns to Miami Friday-Sunday at the Miami Airport Convention Center.

NEW YORK:  Governors Ball organizers have launched a petition to pressure Mayor Bill de Blasio to reject AEG's proposed Panorama Music Festival. Billboard: http://bit.ly/1ZHLE68

Playbill has partnered with Mischief Management to present the inaugural BroadwayCon on January 22-24 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The event will feature panels, performances, workshops, keynotes, photo ops, and more by the Broadway community. Playbill: http://bit.ly/1LxJzDK

Comedian Amanda Seales will host the 2015 Mashies on November 5 at Gustavino's. Mashable: http://on.mash.to/1Ketfmb

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel has named Kristina Moehle and Kelly Hartig as new group sales managers.

SAN FRANCISCO:  Patty Kang had been appointed director of sales and marketing at the Axiom Hotel, which will open this winter.

TORONTO:  Harbourfront Centre will host its annual Day of the Dead celebration November 7-8. The event will include live music from a mariachi band, dance performances, sugar-skull decorating, and a vendor market.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Events DC will host the seventh annual Embassy Celebration Dinner Series tonight at the Carnegie Library at Mount Vernon Square. Former Secretary of Energy and Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson is the keynote speaker.

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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, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

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