February 16, 2016: Review: Grammys Need to Rethink Show, Glitches at Grammys Include No-Shows and Cancelations, a Best-Practices Guide to Fashion Week Gifting

1. REVIEW: GRAMMYS NEED TO RETHINK SHOW: Monday night’s Grammy awards featured standout performances from rapper Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga in a tribute to David Bowie, and even Justin Bieber, but music’s biggest night is failing in its mission as an award show. Entertainment Weekly: “As a cohesive awards show, the Grammys didn’t flow—how could they? The telecast opted to only show a troubling eight awards in the three-and-a-half-hour runtime, thereby essentially declaring that the honors themselves are mere second fiddle to the performances. … As a distended concert of sterling production value and spasmodic set list, the ceremony entertained and will continue to exist in what’s now its assumptive basic goal—YouTube videos—but, almost insultingly, the night barely attempted to be an evening of honorifics that minted narratives for its new and returning winners. The Oscars and Emmys classically conclude with a flourish of celebration and stories for their biggest victors, but the Grammys consistently failed to award their artists the agency, exposure, or platform for gratitude that can spur an artist’s career for the coming year.” http://bit.ly/1mF3pU2

2. GLITCHES AT GRAMMYS INCLUDE NO-SHOWS AND CANCELATIONS: A botched sound job during Adele’s performance, a no-show from Lauryn Hill, and a cancelation from a bronchitis-struck Rihanna were among the glitches that marred the Grammy awards. Hill, who rehearsed with the Weeknd earlier this week, failed to attend the actual ceremony, with Grammy officials saying she did not arrive on time, and her camp saying they had not actually confirmed her appearance. They were among the lows of the Grammy telecast notable for what didn’t happen as well as what did. Time: http://ti.me/1KSV7TQ

3. A BEST-PRACTICES GUIDE TO FASHION WEEK GIFTING: Hoping for social media shout-outs and for the attention of street-style photographers, public relations companies hand out samples and swag to editors and bloggers—all with a specific strategy. Fashionista: “But who gets gifted? According to the PR reps we polled, it's not always the top editor on the glossy print magazine masthead. A not-so-surprising truth: Instagram numbers carry more weight than job title. In many cases, gifting to an attendee with a high social following is the most effective way to move product.” http://bit.ly/1SPNaSp

* LOCAL NEWS *

COAST TO COAST:  On February 27, Avon 39 the Walk to End Breast Cancer will host Power Parties to kick off their walks in seven cities nationwide, including at five Howl at the Moon locations. The event will provide tips on how to train and fund-raise, as well as food, a cash bar, and entertainment from Howl’s musicians.

ATLANTA:  The Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place May 27-29 at Piedmont Park.

AUSTIN:  The 22nd annual Louisiana Swamp Thing and Crawfish Festival will take place April 23 at the Austin American-Statesman parking lot. The event will feature 10 Louisiana bands performing on two stages, more than 15 arts and crafts booths, and 7,000 pounds of crawfish.

BOSTON:  Dine Out Boston, formerly Restaurant Week, is slated for March 6-11 and 13-18. More than 170 restaurants will participate in the event, which is sponsored by the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express.

CHICAGO:  The fourth Windy City Smokeout barbecue and country music festival will take place July 15-17. The event is produced by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile has named David Almond as director of sales and marketing.

LAS VEGAS:  On Valentine’s Day, 12 couples married or renewed their vows simultaneously in a free ceremony at the Linq Promenade, officiated by an Elvis impersonator from Legends in Concert.

LOS ANGELES:  Thirty-four couples renewed their wedding vows and two couples got married at the Los Angeles Marathon on February 14. The couples had their ceremonies at a makeshift chapel, which was part of a My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 promotion. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/215ff9p

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

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  "Opponents to an 800-room headquarter hotel next to the Miami Beach Convention Center have begun campaigning against the project.” Miami Herald: http://hrld.us/1okluI2

The Green Planet Festival is planned for February 27 at the Broward Convention Center. The eco-conscious consumer event is expected to feature more than 150 vendors as well as live music, speakers, wine and beer gardens, movie screenings, workshops, yoga, and more.

NEW ORLEANS:  The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will host the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting in 2017. The event is attended by more than 25,000 scientists.

NEW YORK:  The seventh annual Chefs Collaborative Summit will take place April 10-12 at New York University. Speakers will include José Andrés of ThinkFoodGroup and Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill.

David Guetta, Zedd, and DJ Snake will headline the the fifth edition of Electric Daisy Carnival New York, which takes place May 14-15 at Citi Field.

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

ORLANDO/CENTRAL FLORIDA:  SeaWorld Orlando's Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival is taking place weekends through March 6. The event includes live concerts, a variety of barbecue food items, and more than 30 local and craft beers.

David Puatu has been promoted to chef de cuisine at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.

PHILADELPHIA:  The sixth annual Philadelphia Science Festival will take place April 22-30 at various locations throughout the Philadelphia region. Events will include a carnival along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

SAN FRANCISCO:  The Transamerica Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Francisco will take place April 3. Alternative rock group MS MR will headline the post-event concert.

TORONTO:  Artist Project, a contemporary art fair featuring 250 Canadian and international artists, will take place Thursday-Sunday at the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place.

WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Washington D.C. Travel & Adventure Show takes place Saturday-Sunday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Highlights include an appearance from The Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan, as well as hands-on activities such as a rock climbing wall and scuba diving in an 18,000-gallon heated pool.

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 Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, Anna Sekula, and Ian Zelaya 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]